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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Spoilers are in this review.
After I originally read this when it finally released last year (after 5 years of constantly checking for updates that borderline religiously), i wanted to give it a 3.5 mainly because of how easy the conclusion was withdivine intervention but I'm glad i didn't.
Love being the reason why the game ended? ...really? I don't know, I feel like the book needed to set up this premise a little earlier in the beginning for this to be believable. Definitely felt like it was out of no where and a cop out. I understand that she was *the* bad card in literally all of of the previous games but it didn't feel like it belonged. Her epiphany ended centuries of bloodshed and terror?
There's so much heart, thought and plot in this story. I cried several times towards the end both during the original read and the reread. If a book can make me weep, it's definitely worth more than 3 stars. You can feel the times where the author had to put the book down to do other things because the storyline became too complicated. The line, "Time you thief" is so internalizing depressing and those emotions were dripping off the page. I'm glad it wasn't edited out of the final copy. I can imagine how many times she had rewrote that chapter.
Despite routing for Jack the entire time since book 1, I think Aric deserved better than the last few pages. It was a genuine slap in the face when he and Jack was reincarnated simultaneously. I understand why it happened and the logic behind it but I don't have to like it. I'm 100% here for polygamous relationships (some of my favourite books of all time features this dynamic) but it still felt unsavoury for her to life a lifetime with Jack only to get him again as a round #2 alongside Aric. Neither of them "deserve" Evie because she's not a reward to be bestowed upon someone. That sentiment applies to Evie with her relationship with them both. I understand that everything worked out by the last page but I still wanted more clues or a set up somewhere in the middle or begging for this. Maybe even inner dialogue from Jack and Aric stating they would be happy to be in this type of dynamic. The entire time, it sounded like they were willing to give her up to each other rather then to live alongside each other or even together. Thruple relationships only work with explicit agreements--not just putting their feelings aside to let her "have them both."
I originally hated the way that Ivy's entire life basically ended once Evie hijacked her body by getting her previous memories. But after re-reading it, I don't have this issue anymore. I think I was trying to find flaws after the "power of love" seemingly ended the game.
Most of the dialogue was amazing (making Ritcher say he hated women outright was a little out of no where tbh; he appeared to hate everyone equally based on his past interactions), the action scenes were terrific, the storyline was consistent and no characters sounded drastically different despite how much time past between books. Although everyone sounded older than they were before, I believe they deserve to after everything they've been through. I loved how everyone died, including Gabe. It felt meaningful.
Matto is the best.
"My heart hurts all the time."
"Matthew was finally free."
Truly a 5/5 star series. This was my first favourite series and I stand by that now. Even after I thought this was only a 3.5, it never moved from my #1 spot.
Edit: My heart is still fluttering.
After I originally read this when it finally released last year (after 5 years of constantly checking for updates that borderline religiously), i wanted to give it a 3.5 mainly because of how easy the conclusion was with
There's so much heart, thought and plot in this story. I cried several times towards the end both during the original read and the reread. If a book can make me weep, it's definitely worth more than 3 stars. You can feel the times where the author had to put the book down to do other things because the storyline became too complicated. The line, "Time you thief" is so internalizing depressing and those emotions were dripping off the page. I'm glad it wasn't edited out of the final copy. I can imagine how many times she had rewrote that chapter.
Despite routing for Jack the entire time since book 1, I think Aric deserved better than the last few pages. It was a genuine slap in the face when he and Jack was reincarnated simultaneously. I understand why it happened and the logic behind it but I don't have to like it. I'm 100% here for polygamous relationships (some of my favourite books of all time features this dynamic) but it still felt unsavoury for her to life a lifetime with Jack only to get him again as a round #2 alongside Aric. Neither of them "deserve" Evie because she's not a reward to be bestowed upon someone. That sentiment applies to Evie with her relationship with them both. I understand that everything worked out by the last page but I still wanted more clues or a set up somewhere in the middle or begging for this. Maybe even inner dialogue from Jack and Aric stating they would be happy to be in this type of dynamic. The entire time, it sounded like they were willing to give her up to each other rather then to live alongside each other or even together. Thruple relationships only work with explicit agreements--not just putting their feelings aside to let her "have them both."
I originally hated the way that Ivy's entire life basically ended once Evie hijacked her body by getting her previous memories. But after re-reading it, I don't have this issue anymore. I think I was trying to find flaws after the "power of love" seemingly ended the game.
Most of the dialogue was amazing (making Ritcher say he hated women outright was a little out of no where tbh; he appeared to hate everyone equally based on his past interactions), the action scenes were terrific, the storyline was consistent and no characters sounded drastically different despite how much time past between books. Although everyone sounded older than they were before, I believe they deserve to after everything they've been through. I loved how everyone died, including Gabe. It felt meaningful.
Matto is the best.
"My heart hurts all the time."
"Matthew was finally free."
Truly a 5/5 star series. This was my first favourite series and I stand by that now. Even after I thought this was only a 3.5, it never moved from my #1 spot.
Edit: My heart is still fluttering.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am not well
This book solidified this being my favorite series of all time. I am left in awe. Kelsey came back like RDJ. If only there was an Oscar for books because NAILED THIS!
This book solidified this being my favorite series of all time. I am left in awe. Kelsey came back like RDJ. If only there was an Oscar for books because NAILED THIS!
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bittersweet and shattered. This series spurs emotions in me in the most bizarre way; this was by no means perfect and yet, it truly was. Kresley Cole was one of the reasons I fell back in love with reading as a young adult. I remember waiting 5 years for this book to release after I’d read the last one and it felt like a homecoming. It still does. I will forever love this series, world, and characters. This book brought all the battles and turbulence to a peak and even though I’d wanted the conclusion to be a bit different and less open ended, I’m satisfied with the wrap up, although it was rushed. This series will forever hold a place in my heart.
“From the grave, I rise for you.”
“From the grave, I rise for you.”
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s here and I literally cried happy tears when it popped up in my e-reader! From the Grave by Kresley Cole is the long awaited last novel in the young adult series The Arcana Chronicles. Oh and was this worth the wait. I first read this last spring when it came out and then just re-read it.
It’s the last book so FINALLY we know who Evie picks. No spoilers no worries! There are so many plot twists and turns in this book (new ones and old ones). Everytime you solve one puzzle a new one pops up or an old one re appears but your questions will be answered in time. The love triangle twists and turns until it reaches its resolution as well. The BIG question remains though; are you Team Aric/Death, Team Jack, OR Team Evie?
I will say this book is not really a stand alone. You need to read the other books to understand this one. The plot can be complicated. It is sooo worth reading this one and all of them though. As always with finale books fans can be mixed if it didn’t go „their“ way BUT I typically enjoy a book as long as it is well written and an excellent story. It’s the author’s book and it ended how THE AUTHOR wanted it too. Which is how it should be! I personally think it ended perfectly for Evie
I HIGHLY recommend this book and series! Thank you Kresley Cole! You are one of my favorites and this was excellent!
It’s the last book so FINALLY we know who Evie picks. No spoilers no worries! There are so many plot twists and turns in this book (new ones and old ones). Everytime you solve one puzzle a new one pops up or an old one re appears but your questions will be answered in time. The love triangle twists and turns until it reaches its resolution as well. The BIG question remains though; are you Team Aric/Death, Team Jack, OR Team Evie?
I will say this book is not really a stand alone. You need to read the other books to understand this one. The plot can be complicated. It is sooo worth reading this one and all of them though. As always with finale books fans can be mixed if it didn’t go „their“ way BUT I typically enjoy a book as long as it is well written and an excellent story. It’s the author’s book and it ended how THE AUTHOR wanted it too. Which is how it should be! I personally think it ended perfectly for Evie
I HIGHLY recommend this book and series! Thank you Kresley Cole! You are one of my favorites and this was excellent!