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A review by renpuspita
Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett
4.0
4 stars
Well...look like Banishing the Dark is the series finale *sigh*. After the "ZOMG, WOW WHAT AN ENDING" in Binding the Shadow, Bennett back with Cady's final adventure, to know who she is, what she is and what she will do to end her conflict with her murderous and megalomaniac mother. The book feel calmer compared to the previous that so high on drama llama, but Bennett still manage to make my emotions jumbling all over the places. The showdown between Cady and her mother kinda anticlimatic. I agree with some reviewers that its feel so rushed. I also a little bit disappointed because. But the epilogue that Bennett wrote wrapped up the story nicely and I'm glad that all are good in Bell-Butler casa.
For me, the strength of this series lay in the relationship between the characters. I will said again and again that I REALLY LOVED Cady and Lon's healthy romantic relationship. Their May-December scandal often write as comic relief, but I like that they support each other. In Banishing the Dark, in order to deceive Cady's mother, Cady and Lon go through some memory spell that remove some Cady's memory, therefore make Cady kinda forget that she and Lon is already in romantic relationship. It kinda confusing and sad to read it, but I get that it must done. Beside..don't fret, happy ending all the way!
Not only from Cady's first POV, Bennett also write 3rd PoV from Jupe's. Sure he's still motormouth and hyper, also his reaction to his crush is so cute to read (and it's not Kar Yee). Bennett capture Jupe's voice so well and I get why now she wrote mostly YA. You can't help to get annoyed to Jupe's jumbling minds, but well, teenager supposed to be annoying perhaps. But, you will adore him too. And, I do like that even Priya still got excited when he got summoned by Cady, he still have this on going rival with Lon, lol. Surprisely, Priya kinda getting along with Jupe, maybe because both are teenage boys.
I have a feeling because of words constriction, Bennett seems like omitted some parts. Not enough Kar Yee (she kinda have big fight with Cady in the previous book. I want to read how they made up!). Not enough Hajo (surprised he find love in the end. Not gonna tell who the (un)lucky lady). Not enough Bob (sad noises) and Lon's in-laws (despite Rose strict demeanor to Cady at first, lol). Anyway, they all appear in the epilogue, but will be nice if they got more appearance, hahaha. This book mostly focus in Cady and Lon's search of Cady's Moonchild secret and Jupe's effort to "help" his loved ones.
Wish it was longer, but well, Arcadia Bell series is still worth to read. It got a rough beginning at the start, but getting smoother with each books and wrapped up kinda nicely. A good blending of demonology and magic world building, better written characters in term of characterization, relationship and development and have strong romantic elements, I will said Arcadia Bell is one of Urban Fantasy series that you don't want to miss!
Well...look like Banishing the Dark is the series finale *sigh*. After the "ZOMG, WOW WHAT AN ENDING" in Binding the Shadow, Bennett back with Cady's final adventure, to know who she is, what she is and what she will do to end her conflict with her murderous and megalomaniac mother. The book feel calmer compared to the previous that so high on drama llama, but Bennett still manage to make my emotions jumbling all over the places. The showdown between Cady and her mother kinda anticlimatic. I agree with some reviewers that its feel so rushed. I also a little bit disappointed because
Spoiler
we don't really get who is the demon that Cady's parents used when they tried to conceive her. Cady sorta like have all the demonic knacks, but I'm not sure if its because the Moonchild abilities, the demon identity or combination of sort. I think I will get the closure, but Bennett kinda make it left openFor me, the strength of this series lay in the relationship between the characters. I will said again and again that I REALLY LOVED Cady and Lon's healthy romantic relationship. Their May-December scandal often write as comic relief, but I like that they support each other. In Banishing the Dark, in order to deceive Cady's mother, Cady and Lon go through some memory spell that remove some Cady's memory, therefore make Cady kinda forget that she and Lon is already in romantic relationship. It kinda confusing and sad to read it, but I get that it must done. Beside..don't fret, happy ending all the way!
Not only from Cady's first POV, Bennett also write 3rd PoV from Jupe's. Sure he's still motormouth and hyper, also his reaction to his crush is so cute to read (and it's not Kar Yee). Bennett capture Jupe's voice so well and I get why now she wrote mostly YA. You can't help to get annoyed to Jupe's jumbling minds, but well, teenager supposed to be annoying perhaps. But, you will adore him too. And, I do like that even Priya still got excited when he got summoned by Cady, he still have this on going rival with Lon, lol. Surprisely, Priya kinda getting along with Jupe, maybe because both are teenage boys.
I have a feeling because of words constriction, Bennett seems like omitted some parts. Not enough Kar Yee (she kinda have big fight with Cady in the previous book. I want to read how they made up!). Not enough Hajo (surprised he find love in the end. Not gonna tell who the (un)lucky lady). Not enough Bob (sad noises) and Lon's in-laws (despite Rose strict demeanor to Cady at first, lol). Anyway, they all appear in the epilogue, but will be nice if they got more appearance, hahaha. This book mostly focus in Cady and Lon's search of Cady's Moonchild secret and Jupe's effort to "help" his loved ones.
Wish it was longer, but well, Arcadia Bell series is still worth to read. It got a rough beginning at the start, but getting smoother with each books and wrapped up kinda nicely. A good blending of demonology and magic world building, better written characters in term of characterization, relationship and development and have strong romantic elements, I will said Arcadia Bell is one of Urban Fantasy series that you don't want to miss!