A review by gee_reads_books
The True Storm: Behind the Wall: Book Three by Roxanna C Revell

5.0

"I'm still the girl who plays by the rules, and will do anything for her brother. The only difference is that I'm making the rules."

Dark, gritty, action-packed, and twisted, the conclusion to the "Behind the Wall" series didn't disappoint in the slightest, proving that this series starts amazing, and only goes in crescendo—until it ends with finale so glorious and masterful that it will leave you gasping for breath. No matter how many dark romance series you've read, this one will always stand out as a particularly brilliant one!

After escaping from The Beneath into The New Order, and realising that she can't be happy until her little brother's death has been avenged, Eve is back behind the wall. But she isn't a scared orphan anymore; life has taken from her, and now it's time for her to take some lives. Aware that the price will be high, Eve is still determined to carry out her plan to take on the Founding Families; one by one, they will fall. They will pay for what they've done to the people from The Beneath for decades, and above everything, they will pay for what they've done to Eve's loved ones. But the new darkness inside her doesn't make her invincible, even if it feels like it does; and, no matter how strong, a single avenging angel can't possibly defeat an entire system that has been running since before she was born. Or can she? In this final installment in the "Behind the Wall" series, Eve will risk it all to bring on the true storm. And she won't hold back.

This series has been labelled as a dark, dystopian romance, but it's so much more than that. This book focuses mainly on Eve and her journey to revenge, as she plots the way to make the Founding Families fall from grace; and Morgan's alternative, egalitarian government succeed. Once a hungry orphan from Saint Martin's, Eve now holds the power to change everything in The Beneath and give her people a better life; but it requires a high price. Taking the Founding Families out of the picture demands that Eve trade her soul, and even though she doesn't mind it, those who love her sure do. Eve is ready to spill blood, but once she does, is there any going back? Once Eve unleashes her fury, can she hope for a happy ending? No matter how little she seems to care about it, Noah, Ethan, Louisa, and all her friends are determined to see her through. Through different points of view, "The True Storm" lets us see both sides of the story: Eve's grief-blinded, bloodthirsty quest for revenge, and her loved ones' attempts at keeping her in touch with reality. It alternated between a thrilling, twisted tale of violence and fury, and a poignant choir of concern and redemption. I found the way all the other characters influenced Eve to be sweet and full of hope, since it showed us how it's always possible to find some remaining light inside broken people—you just need to look thoroughly.

Despite the fact that the Founding Families are the political dome of The Beneath, and thus taking them out is a political quest as well, this book was never too heavy with political intrigue and business stuff. I appreciated that it read as the hunt for revenge it was, and that it kept me at the edge of my seat all the time! Eve's plans were smart and cunning, yet also easy to follow for the reader, and I found myself biting my nails—something I hadn't done since I was four!—as I dreaded reading the next chapter. Our girl really got herself into risky situations! There was also a series of really moving scenes with different characters, which was amazing. Eve doesn't rely on Noah solely; in fact, one of her biggest growths throughout the series is, precisely, the way she stops depending on Noah for everything, and comes into her own power.

And Noah... Oh, Noah! Long gone is the arse we met in the first book. No matter how badly he wanted to protect Eve, Noah didn't actively try to stop her, and in his trying to keep her safe, he didn't hurt her or try to convince her that what she was doing was wrong. He showed his concern, and his frustration, without turning them into abusive actions against Eve, and I was really on board with this! Most importantly; he appreciated how actually deadly and intelligent his badass wife is, and he let her shine. Noah was a sweetheart, and no matter how much he broods, I'm always gonna want to pinch his cheeks and pat his head for being a good boy to Eve.

All the other characters were also endearing and sweet. I grew very fond of so many of them! Luke, Matthew, and John (I am WAILING) won my heart in approximately three lines, and Meredith was also so sweet, even if she appeared for very short periods of time. Harriet's comeback was amazing, and the nuns, as always, were LEGENDS. I loved each and every single one of these characters, and I'm so hyped that we get an Ethan and Meredith story! EEEE!

The ending was really sweet, and deserved. Not everyone made it through (I sobbed), but those who did got plausible, rewarding closure. It was really moving to see these characters I've known for two years, finally find their happy ever afters.

All in all, the MASTERMIND that is Roxanna Revell has come up with a BRILLIANT conclusion to a masterful series. It'll remain one of my personal favourites for a long time to come!