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booksandpops4000's review
3.0
I give this book 3.5 stars. I did enjoy the end of this series. I still enjoyed Ingrid character and the world that was built was so was super fun and engaging to read about. The story did become predictable at points but it was a very fun ride. Grayson death did make me sad. Hope she writes more book soon!
lecrockett's review
5.0
Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Delacorte for review!
Ingrid is left in Paris with a different gargoyle presiding over her home. Her brother, Grayson, seems to have disappeared, when he's actually learning more about demon dust with Vander in order to fight off his hellhound instincts. Gabby is trapped in London with Rory, Nolan's cousin, and she insists on training to become an Alliance member, no matter what Nolan says. Meanwhile, Luc is separated from the Waverly family, and a civil war is approaching the Dispossessed, one that decides whether Luc should become their leader. But Axia's Harvest could happen any day now, and Ingrid's life -- her blood -- is at stake. But who can anyone trust? The Alliance, with their oath to slay demons? The Dispossessed, with their curse to protect humans? Or the Diacrypta, with their newfangled technology that may prove to save them all?
Okay, so, the publisher summary makes it sound like Ingrid is all alone, the poor dear. What is she to do? And while my summary is a bit jumbled, I can't say too much without revealing the entire plot. But what is true about both of these summations is that Ingrid, Gabby, Grayson, and Luc all share equal page time with their voices and perspectives, weaving together seemingly dissimilar parts of the story into one complex and epic plot.
Trust me. It will all make sense.
That's the thing about Morgan's writing. With The Beautiful and the Cursed, we had several perspectives but it was primarily on Ingrid and Luc. As the plot thickened in The Lovely and the Lost, secondary characters had more to tell the Waverlys and Luc. And now, they all work together to bring down Axia and find their way to a happy ending. That's not to say this ends everything all neat and tidy (for a moment, there, the Dispossessed does have an elder, a leader, but by the end that's up for debate -- plus, Gabby's future and Vander's future and basically all of Paris and these fantastical orders), but it certainly leaves you in an expected but very satisfying place.
I loved every single character in this book, bad and good and somewhere in between. The places the plot takes them matches their personality and decision-making and the way everything came together. Gabby's stubbornness felt more like bravery and less like snobbery, and that's a major character growth. Ingrid was always determined to do what she could to save those she loved, and thank goodness she used more thoughtful reasoning behind her actions in this book than in previous -- more growth there. Luc point-blank gave up trying to govern himself. By being more human, he's able to accomplish so much more -- and his support from Marco was a welcome sight. Grayson was just an interesting character all around. We only knew him as a brother in book 1, and a struggling half-demon in book 2, so getting into his mind and understanding his thought process, motivation, and emotional turmoil was very interesting and eye-opening. It makes his big moment really hit you in the gut, too.
Though the historical aspect may appear simply as a backdrop for the story (that maybe this could take place at any time), it's not. Morgan chose this time frame meticulously. It all comes down to the blood. All those scientific studies Vander worked on in the previous books help shed light to the situation in this one, and blood transfusions is one of them. Blood transfusions were dangerous in this time, yet new and fascinating and gross and taboo. That's why Dracula was oddly enjoyable for readers when it first came out. Toss in the science versus religion conversation and this book goes well with that. Gargoyles are placed on cathedrals to keep the demons out. In this book, that's true too, but they keep the humans within holy places and homes safe.
So who wins this war in science versus religion? Is it even a science versus religion topic? Is it about race or social class? Is it about the human condition?
I love this trilogy. It's so unique, and Gothic, and fantastical, and deserves so much attention! Thank you for the wondrous journey, Morgan!
Ingrid is left in Paris with a different gargoyle presiding over her home. Her brother, Grayson, seems to have disappeared, when he's actually learning more about demon dust with Vander in order to fight off his hellhound instincts. Gabby is trapped in London with Rory, Nolan's cousin, and she insists on training to become an Alliance member, no matter what Nolan says. Meanwhile, Luc is separated from the Waverly family, and a civil war is approaching the Dispossessed, one that decides whether Luc should become their leader. But Axia's Harvest could happen any day now, and Ingrid's life -- her blood -- is at stake. But who can anyone trust? The Alliance, with their oath to slay demons? The Dispossessed, with their curse to protect humans? Or the Diacrypta, with their newfangled technology that may prove to save them all?
Okay, so, the publisher summary makes it sound like Ingrid is all alone, the poor dear. What is she to do? And while my summary is a bit jumbled, I can't say too much without revealing the entire plot. But what is true about both of these summations is that Ingrid, Gabby, Grayson, and Luc all share equal page time with their voices and perspectives, weaving together seemingly dissimilar parts of the story into one complex and epic plot.
Trust me. It will all make sense.
That's the thing about Morgan's writing. With The Beautiful and the Cursed, we had several perspectives but it was primarily on Ingrid and Luc. As the plot thickened in The Lovely and the Lost, secondary characters had more to tell the Waverlys and Luc. And now, they all work together to bring down Axia and find their way to a happy ending. That's not to say this ends everything all neat and tidy (for a moment, there, the Dispossessed does have an elder, a leader, but by the end that's up for debate -- plus, Gabby's future and Vander's future and basically all of Paris and these fantastical orders), but it certainly leaves you in an expected but very satisfying place.
I loved every single character in this book, bad and good and somewhere in between. The places the plot takes them matches their personality and decision-making and the way everything came together. Gabby's stubbornness felt more like bravery and less like snobbery, and that's a major character growth. Ingrid was always determined to do what she could to save those she loved, and thank goodness she used more thoughtful reasoning behind her actions in this book than in previous -- more growth there. Luc point-blank gave up trying to govern himself. By being more human, he's able to accomplish so much more -- and his support from Marco was a welcome sight. Grayson was just an interesting character all around. We only knew him as a brother in book 1, and a struggling half-demon in book 2, so getting into his mind and understanding his thought process, motivation, and emotional turmoil was very interesting and eye-opening. It makes his big moment really hit you in the gut, too.
Though the historical aspect may appear simply as a backdrop for the story (that maybe this could take place at any time), it's not. Morgan chose this time frame meticulously. It all comes down to the blood. All those scientific studies Vander worked on in the previous books help shed light to the situation in this one, and blood transfusions is one of them. Blood transfusions were dangerous in this time, yet new and fascinating and gross and taboo. That's why Dracula was oddly enjoyable for readers when it first came out. Toss in the science versus religion conversation and this book goes well with that. Gargoyles are placed on cathedrals to keep the demons out. In this book, that's true too, but they keep the humans within holy places and homes safe.
So who wins this war in science versus religion? Is it even a science versus religion topic? Is it about race or social class? Is it about the human condition?
I love this trilogy. It's so unique, and Gothic, and fantastical, and deserves so much attention! Thank you for the wondrous journey, Morgan!
paulineerika's review
3.0
3.5 stars
1. i didn't like that luc became human just after becoming elder. i understand it was in his best interest, personally, but won't it leave the dispossessed in shambles again? how are the gargoyles going to react now that their elder is a human? i feel like it was a little too contrived as a happy ending for ingrid and luc (even though i like their relationship).
2. the mersian blood thing was also a little too neat and tidy and not really fully explained. also the final battle was pretty anticlimactic, grayson's death notwithstanding.
3. rory and hugh came out of nowhere. not that i didn't like it, but it deserved more attention, i think. more development.
4. i think i read somewhere that character development suffered in this book and i'd say that was true. i don't say this too often about a third book, but i think it could have been a little longer and slower.
5. too many side characters with unfinished business. would've liked to hear more about them. (see the last two points.)
all that being said, i thought it was a mostly satisfying end to this series. nothing awesome, but i enjoyed it.
Spoiler
there were a few things i didn't like about the ending.1. i didn't like that luc became human just after becoming elder. i understand it was in his best interest, personally, but won't it leave the dispossessed in shambles again? how are the gargoyles going to react now that their elder is a human? i feel like it was a little too contrived as a happy ending for ingrid and luc (even though i like their relationship).
2. the mersian blood thing was also a little too neat and tidy and not really fully explained. also the final battle was pretty anticlimactic, grayson's death notwithstanding.
3. rory and hugh came out of nowhere. not that i didn't like it, but it deserved more attention, i think. more development.
4. i think i read somewhere that character development suffered in this book and i'd say that was true. i don't say this too often about a third book, but i think it could have been a little longer and slower.
5. too many side characters with unfinished business. would've liked to hear more about them. (see the last two points.)
all that being said, i thought it was a mostly satisfying end to this series. nothing awesome, but i enjoyed it.
jaxamaline's review
4.0
Awch – this was the perfect ending - the actual ending though! ❤❤❤
This book really highlighted the development of the main characters and was a thrilling conclusion to their story.
Real tears were shed during this book.
It was dark, brutal and oh so romantic.
I loved the way this book wrapped up the series and I loved reading it.
This book really highlighted the development of the main characters and was a thrilling conclusion to their story.
Real tears were shed during this book.
It was dark, brutal and oh so romantic.
I loved the way this book wrapped up the series and I loved reading it.
alexandra_92's review
5.0
Gargoyles! They were the top haitus of the year! Not only with Jennifer Armetrout's final book of the "Dark Elements" series but with the final novel of the "Dispossessed" series!
After the events of the second book, Ingrid and her family are in danger not only by Axia, the evil angel who wants to destroy everyone, but also from the gargoyles of Paris who want her sister, Gabby dead. Luc is the only one who can stop them but only if he takes the role of the elder.
On the other hand the Hunters will try to help in every way they can but that isn't always good for Inrid and her friends.
Through many third POVs we get a full idea of how the story moves without getting lost. It's a challenging tactic which I highly recommend to the readers. But the main center of the book was how all the relationships progressed. I will not spoil you, there are tears and some unfair endings (to my opinion) but the surprise is Luc and Ingrid. I loved every scene of them, every shared dialogue and thought! Add the historical setting in the beginning of 20th centur and you have a marvelous ending which will be remembered!
Loved every part of it and certainly I will read anything the author decides to write next!
After the events of the second book, Ingrid and her family are in danger not only by Axia, the evil angel who wants to destroy everyone, but also from the gargoyles of Paris who want her sister, Gabby dead. Luc is the only one who can stop them but only if he takes the role of the elder.
On the other hand the Hunters will try to help in every way they can but that isn't always good for Inrid and her friends.
Through many third POVs we get a full idea of how the story moves without getting lost. It's a challenging tactic which I highly recommend to the readers. But the main center of the book was how all the relationships progressed. I will not spoil you, there are tears and some unfair endings (to my opinion) but the surprise is Luc and Ingrid. I loved every scene of them, every shared dialogue and thought! Add the historical setting in the beginning of 20th centur and you have a marvelous ending which will be remembered!
Loved every part of it and certainly I will read anything the author decides to write next!
literarymusingsbypatty's review
Gargoyles, Paris, 1900's, fantastical. Awesome conclusion to this trilogy. I highly recommend this one.
juhina's review
5.0
The Dispossessed trilogy is officially one of my favourite YA trilogies. This trilogy has everything in it: supernatural, historical, paranormal, fantasy, romance, and kick butt feminist protagonists. This trilogy doesn't have a single POV, it somehow switches from one to the other, including the main protagonist Ingrid, her twin Grayson, her younger sister Gabby, as well as several other secondary characters (though at a minimum). Usually this would create confusion and you immediately like and dislike some of the POVs, however in this trilogy, and specifically The Wondrous and the Wicked, I loved all the POVs.. however I do have a favourite and it is Gabby. She's the youngest but she's so independent, and I just love her determination.. also her love interest is very swoon worthy.
When I started The Wondrous and the Wicked, I was afraid I would have forgotten many things from the first two books, but even though I read them a year ago, I was able to remember everything. Only a few books tend to do that, and those are the unique ones you would never be able to confuse with all the other books you read between the previous book and the sequel. The author doesn't waste time trying to recap every single thing that happened previously.. and I'm glad.. I hate it when books spend pages recapping everything. We dive right into the action and it was marvellous. I was hooked from the beginning and just couldn't imagine how everything would go down and how every one of the main character's as well as secondary character's problems will be solved by the end of the book.
I said it before and I'll say it again, Morgan knows how to blend all of the different genres and not overwhelm the readers as well as the plot. I've recently read a few books who couldn't handle just a mix of two genres, let alone the five Page Morgan was handling. I just adored this whole trilogy and the action scenes were fantastic. A blend of paranormal in the form of gargoyles, supernatural in the form of powers given to certain people, set in early 1900 in paris. Let's not forget the very memorable and kick butt female characters as well as all the male counterparts and the superb romance. I definitely will be recommending this trilogy to any fan of young adult, and even adult genres. Thank you so much Page Morgan for writing such a fantastic trilogy and for introducing me to the world of Ingrid, Gabby, and Greyson. Two weeks after I read this last book and I am still heartbroken that it is over.
When I started The Wondrous and the Wicked, I was afraid I would have forgotten many things from the first two books, but even though I read them a year ago, I was able to remember everything. Only a few books tend to do that, and those are the unique ones you would never be able to confuse with all the other books you read between the previous book and the sequel. The author doesn't waste time trying to recap every single thing that happened previously.. and I'm glad.. I hate it when books spend pages recapping everything. We dive right into the action and it was marvellous. I was hooked from the beginning and just couldn't imagine how everything would go down and how every one of the main character's as well as secondary character's problems will be solved by the end of the book.
I said it before and I'll say it again, Morgan knows how to blend all of the different genres and not overwhelm the readers as well as the plot. I've recently read a few books who couldn't handle just a mix of two genres, let alone the five Page Morgan was handling. I just adored this whole trilogy and the action scenes were fantastic. A blend of paranormal in the form of gargoyles, supernatural in the form of powers given to certain people, set in early 1900 in paris. Let's not forget the very memorable and kick butt female characters as well as all the male counterparts and the superb romance. I definitely will be recommending this trilogy to any fan of young adult, and even adult genres. Thank you so much Page Morgan for writing such a fantastic trilogy and for introducing me to the world of Ingrid, Gabby, and Greyson. Two weeks after I read this last book and I am still heartbroken that it is over.
juliawren's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
sashisme's review
3.0
i feel like there's a lot of hole in the story, but i enjoy this series nevertheless