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A review by _isabel_
Alastair by Jaclyn Osborn
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can't believe this series is over. It seems like I've been on a big, long adventure with all these characters and their loved ones, and now I'm feeling very, very lost without them.
But "Alastair" was the perfect conclusion to their story, and the overreaching plot of this series. I couldn't have asked for a better way to say goodbye to them all. Yes, I know Jaclyn Osborn has an epilogue novella out next month, but *sobs* I already miss them all.
Alastair has been my favourite Nephilim brother from the very start and being in his head for the first time was incredible. He's such a complex and multilayered character, prideful and arrogant and brilliant. He's also an anxious mess, in constant and desperate need of approval, and surprisingly very, very bratty at times. I never expected these sides of his personality, but let me tell you, I LIVED for them.
Lazarus, on the other, was his perfect counterbalance. He's as cold and sure of himself as Alastair, but he's also the only one who can give Alastair the approval and praise and security he so desperately needs. I loved both of them to absolute bits and their dynamic was SO DAMN PERFECT. The gorgeous build-up to their romance, the palpable chemistry and tension between them, every single one of their interactions (during, and before, this novel) was spot on and impeccably done.
“You did so good,” I panted, pulling him to my chest. “My perfect boy.”
Also, let me tell you, Alastair having a praise kink? His very bratty behaviour and temper tantrums? The way Lazarus was just about ready to snap and spank him? PRICELESS. The only thing that would have made their relationship better was if Jaclyn Osborn had actually gone ahead and given her readers a proper spanking scene *sighs* but nevermind.
The other characters were equally unforgettable. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: Jaclyn Osborn is a found family genius. All the brothers and all of their mates are fabulous characters, and after seven books, I feel like a family member myself. And Clara and Baxter, Nico and Sirena, Konnar and all the other fantastic minor characters are as incredibly lovable as the main ones; and Michael, although I've had you for one book, I'm already ready to lay my life down for you. I love you okay???????! *swooning noises*
The plot was as unforgettable. I gasped and laughed, swooned and screamed, cried and sobbed and then cried a bit more. Because yes, I cried a lot by the end. Their final fight against Lucifer was a tough and heartbreaking one, and the whole thing felt like a punch to the gut.
And, needless to say, I devoured it.
It's a bit like choosing who you love more out of your family, but I think I'm going to finish off this review with a ranking; because, although I absolutely adored them all, I feel like a few of these books deserve a round of applause.
So yes.
Bellamy and Phoenix still own my whole heart, but they're closely followed by Daman and Warrin and Alastair and Lazarus. Gray and Mason take fourth place, then my babies Galen and Simon, Raiden and Titan, and then Castor and Kyo.
But, like a said, together as an ensemble, all of them absolutely shine.
I'm so looking forward to "Beyond the Storm" and any other novel and series Jaclyn Osborn will gift us! I feel like there are a ton of characters that have so much potential (yes, Michael, Konnar, Baxter, Clara; all of you), so now I'm both sad and excited to finish off this chapter and start a new one with brand new romances and stories.
But "Alastair" was the perfect conclusion to their story, and the overreaching plot of this series. I couldn't have asked for a better way to say goodbye to them all. Yes, I know Jaclyn Osborn has an epilogue novella out next month, but *sobs* I already miss them all.
Alastair has been my favourite Nephilim brother from the very start and being in his head for the first time was incredible. He's such a complex and multilayered character, prideful and arrogant and brilliant. He's also an anxious mess, in constant and desperate need of approval, and surprisingly very, very bratty at times. I never expected these sides of his personality, but let me tell you, I LIVED for them.
Lazarus, on the other, was his perfect counterbalance. He's as cold and sure of himself as Alastair, but he's also the only one who can give Alastair the approval and praise and security he so desperately needs. I loved both of them to absolute bits and their dynamic was SO DAMN PERFECT. The gorgeous build-up to their romance, the palpable chemistry and tension between them, every single one of their interactions (during, and before, this novel) was spot on and impeccably done.
“You did so good,” I panted, pulling him to my chest. “My perfect boy.”
Also, let me tell you, Alastair having a praise kink? His very bratty behaviour and temper tantrums? The way Lazarus was just about ready to snap and spank him? PRICELESS. The only thing that would have made their relationship better was if Jaclyn Osborn had actually gone ahead and given her readers a proper spanking scene *sighs* but nevermind.
The other characters were equally unforgettable. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: Jaclyn Osborn is a found family genius. All the brothers and all of their mates are fabulous characters, and after seven books, I feel like a family member myself. And Clara and Baxter, Nico and Sirena, Konnar and all the other fantastic minor characters are as incredibly lovable as the main ones; and Michael, although I've had you for one book, I'm already ready to lay my life down for you. I love you okay???????! *swooning noises*
The plot was as unforgettable. I gasped and laughed, swooned and screamed, cried and sobbed and then cried a bit more. Because yes, I cried a lot by the end. Their final fight against Lucifer was a tough and heartbreaking one, and the whole thing felt like a punch to the gut.
And, needless to say, I devoured it.
It's a bit like choosing who you love more out of your family, but I think I'm going to finish off this review with a ranking; because, although I absolutely adored them all, I feel like a few of these books deserve a round of applause.
So yes.
Bellamy and Phoenix still own my whole heart, but they're closely followed by Daman and Warrin and Alastair and Lazarus. Gray and Mason take fourth place, then my babies Galen and Simon, Raiden and Titan, and then Castor and Kyo.
But, like a said, together as an ensemble, all of them absolutely shine.
I'm so looking forward to "Beyond the Storm" and any other novel and series Jaclyn Osborn will gift us! I feel like there are a ton of characters that have so much potential (yes, Michael, Konnar, Baxter, Clara; all of you), so now I'm both sad and excited to finish off this chapter and start a new one with brand new romances and stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, War, and Violence