A review by nuffy375
The Pearl of the Soul of the World by Meredith Ann Pierce

3.0

3.5 stars rounded down to 3, because I’m just devastated by the ending. But also conflicted. (Honestly probably should have let this simmer before reviewing.)

Spoiler

It was written beautifully, and is appropriately heart-wrenching per the author’s intent, but as other reviewers have said, it completely rips the rug out from under the reader. Of course, there’s the argument that it overturns expectations, but...this series reads like a fairy tale, and I want some kind of happy ending! I honestly don’t think I could be more heartbroken than the ending Pierce provides. She could have killed off one or both of the main characters, and I think I would feel less betrayed than I feel by this ending.

It’s really hard to review this, since it is an engrossing read, a completely fitting conclusion to the trilogy - answering most of the questions the reader has had up till now and rounding out the rest of the world’s mythology - and then that ending. Oof...