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A review by allisonisabel
Lightbringer by Claire Legrand
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
I think that I can genuinely count this trilogy among one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. For the sole reason that it excelled in every aspect of what it attempted to do. And while I may not have liked everything that is attempted to do it did it well and it did it thoroughly. I think it is a worthwhile lesson to remember that while the characters we love may not make the decisions we want them to make, while it may seem easy for us to say well this is the right path for you why can’t you take it, it makes the story that much more compelling when the character follows what makes sense to them, and we see the repercussions of that. I both loved and hated Rielle’s arc in these novels because to me it seems so clear that she could simply return to what she had before, but to her she was following the desire in her heart, the human necessity to be known, and brought the world down and doing so.
As for the other characters, I think they all showed great development, and while some could’ve come earlier (Audric), or given more more explanation (Ludivine), what they were given did them justice. I didn’t know the scope of what I was getting into when I started this, and I said multiple times that at no point did I know where it was going. And for that I am somewhat grateful. It is refreshing to follow an epic fantasy series that continually keeps you on your toes. That attempts something so ambitious that it could easily fall flat. I remember a piece of writing advice I read somewhere that whatever you do in your story you have to believe it if you want your readers to, you cannot question yourself. And while so much of the story hinges on the unbelievable it is written in a way that makes it palatable and comprehensible for readers.
I found myself falling in love with character relationships characters, and feeling so much dread that the prologue of the first book had given away the ending. Even though I knew something would change. Although I did take some issues with some of the ways things were written, in particular the ending of the last book. I both love and hate it. Because it comes full circle, it allows closure in name for everyone, and yet get something feels incomplete. We never learn what happened to those of the future that was erased, and while I do not know how that could’ve been rectified, and I feel that maybe it could not have been, it does not stop me from wishing I could know. Eliana and Simon said their last goodbyes as adults and then he was gone and we did not see that version of him ever again, but I suppose neither did Eliana. We never saw Remy again, or Navi, or Ysabet, or Harkan—characters we had grown to love over the course of 1500+ pages fizzled out. (I take particular grievance with Harlan’s off screen death between books.)
I think the only character that I was iffy about was Ludivine because she was a bit too hard to reach, and I could not quite understand her. But that paled in comparison to everything else I was reading, and so it does not affect my rating much.
I have so many more thoughts, but many are restatements of what I have already said. The Empirium Trilogy is epic fantasy at its best, and I am glad for the time I spent reading it. I do not find myself yearning for changes to what was done, but rather wishing for things that weren’t, and if anything, that is a compliment to the author. Because she was able to weave a story so compelling, I cannot stop asking questions.
I think my final thought is similar to what I opened with: While we may not like the path a character is on, or the actions they may commit, or the atrocities that they usher in, when they are true to how they are written, when they are not forced into the palatable happy ending simply for the sake of it, the story becomes so much richer.
As for the other characters, I think they all showed great development, and while some could’ve come earlier (Audric), or given more more explanation (Ludivine), what they were given did them justice. I didn’t know the scope of what I was getting into when I started this, and I said multiple times that at no point did I know where it was going. And for that I am somewhat grateful. It is refreshing to follow an epic fantasy series that continually keeps you on your toes. That attempts something so ambitious that it could easily fall flat. I remember a piece of writing advice I read somewhere that whatever you do in your story you have to believe it if you want your readers to, you cannot question yourself. And while so much of the story hinges on the unbelievable it is written in a way that makes it palatable and comprehensible for readers.
I found myself falling in love with character relationships characters, and feeling so much dread that the prologue of the first book had given away the ending. Even though I knew something would change. Although I did take some issues with some of the ways things were written, in particular the ending of the last book. I both love and hate it. Because it comes full circle, it allows closure in name for everyone, and yet get something feels incomplete.
I think the only character that I was iffy about was Ludivine because she was a bit too hard to reach, and I could not quite understand her. But that paled in comparison to everything else I was reading, and so it does not affect my rating much.
I have so many more thoughts, but many are restatements of what I have already said. The Empirium Trilogy is epic fantasy at its best, and I am glad for the time I spent reading it. I do not find myself yearning for changes to what was done, but rather wishing for things that weren’t, and if anything, that is a compliment to the author. Because she was able to weave a story so compelling, I cannot stop asking questions.
I think my final thought is similar to what I opened with: While we may not like the path a character is on, or the actions they may commit, or the atrocities that they usher in, when they are true to how they are written, when they are not forced into the palatable happy ending simply for the sake of it, the story becomes so much richer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child death and Suicidal thoughts