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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The writing of this book had so many flaws. First off, the character continuity is non-existent, with the values of characters changing wildly scene to scene. Certain actions taken by characters were for the pushing forward of the plot exclusively, with no basis in any motivations the character might have. The plot seemed rushed and disjointed. The only reason I am giving two stars is because the book concluded with the only part of the story that seemed genuine, and left me with a lot of emotion.
Ok… I’m going to try to review this in the midst of an epic book hangover. A Sorrow Fierce and Falling put me through the emotional wringer. Seriously, this was a rollercoaster of emotions! It’s like I was equally devastated and elated all at the same time so I didn’t really know how to feel at any given time. The only thing I knew for sure was that what I was reading is brilliant.
The writing was exquisite as usual. Some of the imagery used in this was so intense and insane that it really made for a full sensory experience. I mean… Cluess is describing interdimensional, Lovecraftian monsters so it needs to be horrifying and visceral to really get the point across properly. Cluess totally achieves this and manages to keep a sense of humor as well.
Now… as for the emotional rollercoaster, fair warning that many characters die in this. Some in particular utterly devastated me. DEVASTATED! I was straight up ugly crying over fictional characters. However, the ending brought it all together. There’s this sense of hope that shines through at the end that helped me get over all the emotional wreckage. Also, Magnus is back in my good graces forever. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
I know this is the finale but I kind of feel like the door is open for more stories in this world. There are a lot of possibilities available for a spinoff series but I don’t know if that will ever really happen. I just want to read more about this world and these characters damn it! This series had the ability to emotionally wreck me… but in the best possible way.
The writing was exquisite as usual. Some of the imagery used in this was so intense and insane that it really made for a full sensory experience. I mean… Cluess is describing interdimensional, Lovecraftian monsters so it needs to be horrifying and visceral to really get the point across properly. Cluess totally achieves this and manages to keep a sense of humor as well.
Now… as for the emotional rollercoaster, fair warning that many characters die in this. Some in particular utterly devastated me. DEVASTATED! I was straight up ugly crying over fictional characters. However, the ending brought it all together. There’s this sense of hope that shines through at the end that helped me get over all the emotional wreckage. Also, Magnus is back in my good graces forever. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
I know this is the finale but I kind of feel like the door is open for more stories in this world. There are a lot of possibilities available for a spinoff series but I don’t know if that will ever really happen. I just want to read more about this world and these characters damn it! This series had the ability to emotionally wreck me… but in the best possible way.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book. After reading the first two, I was invested- I loved (most of) the characters, the world was spectacular. I was waiting for a big finale. The plot definitely picked up considerably in this book, and there were plot twists essentially up until the epilogue, which was fun. However, this book got a little crazy (see below). Overall, it was a captivating read, but in retrospect it isn't exactly a good book.
***SPOILERS***
-Ok but Blackwood? He was already toxic in the last book, but here he went just plain crazy. He got a sweet ending, but I don't know if he deserved it. Almost everything he did unnerved me and the "chemistry" between him and Henrietta was just kind of sketchy
-Rook. He should have already been dead. The weird master/slave but not thing was really creepy and it was possibly my least favorite part of the book. I'm glad he and Henrietta got their little ending, but there was no reason to throw him back in the mix as a sort of love interest. We had two books with the love square already, just make it a triangle for God's sake.
-And Magnus. What a sweet boy. I love him and I thought his character arc was one of the best in the series. But the way Henrietta just was suddenly like yep I choose this one since I don't really have other options? Don't get me wrong, I like that they ended up together, but I wish she'd actively chosen him herself.
-The end of the war was such a letdown. It just seemed too quick and easy. I don't love reading battle scenes, but I appreciate good ones, and this wasn't it. The Kindly Emperor or whatever? Didn't seem like it was that big a deal.
-The epilogue. It was a nice little wrapup to see everyone thriving but the weird "does Magnus still love me" thing was unnecessary. Just let them have their homecoming without the trite doubts. It'd be refreshing.
***SPOILERS***
-Ok but Blackwood? He was already toxic in the last book, but here he went just plain crazy. He got a sweet ending, but I don't know if he deserved it. Almost everything he did unnerved me and the "chemistry" between him and Henrietta was just kind of sketchy
-Rook. He should have already been dead. The weird master/slave but not thing was really creepy and it was possibly my least favorite part of the book. I'm glad he and Henrietta got their little ending, but there was no reason to throw him back in the mix as a sort of love interest. We had two books with the love square already, just make it a triangle for God's sake.
-And Magnus. What a sweet boy. I love him and I thought his character arc was one of the best in the series. But the way Henrietta just was suddenly like yep I choose this one since I don't really have other options? Don't get me wrong, I like that they ended up together, but I wish she'd actively chosen him herself.
-The end of the war was such a letdown. It just seemed too quick and easy. I don't love reading battle scenes, but I appreciate good ones, and this wasn't it. The Kindly Emperor or whatever? Didn't seem like it was that big a deal.
-The epilogue. It was a nice little wrapup to see everyone thriving but the weird "does Magnus still love me" thing was unnecessary. Just let them have their homecoming without the trite doubts. It'd be refreshing.
This series isn't as much hyped as it should be. It is an awesome series, with multi-layered characters that are unique and so many plot twists.
It is also original and many levels above most YA series I've read. It has a rich fantasy and historical world and one of the best heroines I've found since... Ever. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes fantasy with a strong female character and complex side characters as well.
I heard this whole series as Audiobooks and the performance from Fiona Hardingham was awesome too.
It is also original and many levels above most YA series I've read. It has a rich fantasy and historical world and one of the best heroines I've found since... Ever. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes fantasy with a strong female character and complex side characters as well.
I heard this whole series as Audiobooks and the performance from Fiona Hardingham was awesome too.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I generally felt that a lot of the plot twists were predictable throughout the entire trilogy, but this final book had a big one that I didn't see coming -- BUT, I still got the ending I wanted. :)
Better than the previous one, it was a nice ending to the story. Could have done without all the romance drama, personally.
A Sorrow Fierce and Falling is the third and final book of the Kingdom of Fire series. Fiona Hardingham continues her fine job of narrating the series. Her variety of accents help her give unique voices to each of the characters.
Henrietta is locking in battle with the Ancient Ones. This time the battle is not just for London but for the world. The Ancient Ones wish to swallow the British Isles whole and then move on to the rest of the world. Henrietta finds more clues on how the Ancient Ones came to our world and hopes one of the clues will help her defeat them. Sorcerers, witches, faeries, magicians and a young Queen Victoria populate this England at war. If you read books 1 and 2, you need to read book 3 to see the conclusion. If you haven't read the series yet, check it out.
It was very hard to write this review without spoilers. I am afraid I did not do the book justice.
Henrietta is locking in battle with the Ancient Ones. This time the battle is not just for London but for the world. The Ancient Ones wish to swallow the British Isles whole and then move on to the rest of the world. Henrietta finds more clues on how the Ancient Ones came to our world and hopes one of the clues will help her defeat them. Sorcerers, witches, faeries, magicians and a young Queen Victoria populate this England at war. If you read books 1 and 2, you need to read book 3 to see the conclusion. If you haven't read the series yet, check it out.
It was very hard to write this review without spoilers. I am afraid I did not do the book justice.
Henrietta would have been okay on her own, the ending would have been SO much more satisfying if she’d ended up that way.
I felt the series really derailed with this book. Lots of eye rolling on my part at ridiculous scenes. One crazy thing after another. While I enjoyed the first book in the series and felt it held promise, I can't really recommend the series after reading books 2 and 3.