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A review by marteslibrary
The Storyteller by Traci Chee
4.0
Once there was, but it would not always be. This is the ending of ever story.
The final book in [b:The Reader|25064648|The Reader (Sea of Ink and Gold, #1)|Traci Chee|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448040202s/25064648.jpg|44748620]-trilogy (previously named The Sea of Ink and Gold-trilogy) has officially confirmed it as one of the most underrated and diverse YA fantasy series I have ever read.
For the last time, we are transported to the land of Kelanna – where books, writing and reading are non-existent (aka. every booklover’s worst nightmare)
We are immediately reunited with our main protagonists from the previous two books, Sefia and Archer. Together with them we begin this final lap of the journey, directly where the previous book left off.
Throughout the series we have, obviously, been gradually expanding on the cast of characters, which by the end of this book contains several different genders, sexualities and ethnicities. I would have difficulties naming all names, but each character still feels essential for his, hers or their part in the story.
The most notable character, apart from Sefia and Archer, still remain Captain Reed in my opinion. During the span of this trilogy he goes from being a legendary figure to an actual human being – with insecurities, faults, hopes and dreams. Following his quest for immortality is as compelling as it is heart-breaking.
Despite the vast array of characters, it is with Sefia and Archer we stick to the bitter end. Yes, you should take note of that: bitter end.
She would demolish her enemies with a wave of her hand. She would watch men burn on the sea. And she would lose everything
The Storyteller is similar to the previous two books – both in writing and format. As any good continuation it expands and unravels, but still within the boundaries set by the previous instalments. Personally, I found the changes in format to be the most interesting and creative.
Traci Chee has never shied away from poking at the fourth wall, which separates the reader from the story. However, in The Storyteller, she picks up a sledgehammer and crumbles this wall to dust – hitting us with what is, in my mind, the series most heartbreaking and emotional scene.
Spoiler
I will admit I felt slightly uncomfortable sitting wrapped up in my blanket, while a character on the page literally begged me to stop reading… (I’m sorry, Sefia).They remembered the dead with their voices and bodies, repeating names and deeds and dizzying loves in the desperate hope that the dead would not disappear from the world all together.
The deduction of half a star in my final rating is entirely because of pacing-issues. I have seen other reviewers complain about the lack of action in the previous books, resulting in the books feeling slow. However, I think Traci Chee is an expert at creating tension rather than pure action – I never found myself bored reading.
In this final book there is a lot more action happening, which results in some rather abrupt pacing. Hours, days and weeks pass in the blink of an eye, making it feel like the story is rushing in certain parts. It was never a big issue for me, but it was noticeable enough for me to deduct that half-star.
It had been written, so it had come to pass. …They’d run.
They’d lost, in the end, but oh, how they’d fought.
Getting the ending of any book right is difficult. As we so often see finishing off series/trilogies can be even trickier.
I have rarely, if ever, read a final book to any series as satisfying and fulfilling as The Storyteller – answering the questions it asked, while keeping the stakes high.
[a:Traci Chee|6567825|Traci Chee|http://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1440457682p2/6567825.jpg] had the guts to end this trilogy the way she started it, with lives lost, pieces missing and a glimmer of hope.
Just read these books, dammit!