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woahno 's review for:
Empty Smiles
by Katherine Arden
Empty Smiles is a worthy conclusion to this series. There are creative callbacks to the previous books, there are upped stakes in multiple ways, there were also the moments that had been teased for books that finally happened here. It was creepier and more atmospheric than any book in the series for me. The characters all get their moment to shine and have wonderful interactions between each other. I loved it perhaps more than the other books in the series. It was the convergence of themes and plot threads and all that came before— and it was glorious.
The main complaint online that I have seen is that people wanted more. They wanted this book to be longer and the conclusion to be explained or some added falling action to help wrap the series up. I understand that feeling and would have liked to have gotten more as well, because the series was amazing and why would I not want more? Each book I devoured in a single sitting. Of course that feels much too short. But this book does wrap up everything neatly with a bow on top. There is the sufficient backstory and explanation for why all this happened with big hints to mythology with it. It all felt very Winternight Trilogy to me, and I loved it. Did I want more of that though? Yes. Did I want more folklore hints and more harkening to that throughout time or in other areas of the world? Yes. But most of all I just wanted a few more pages at the end to help me process everything that just happened. Just a bit more hand holding would have made me feel a bit better as I sorrowfully say goodbye to Small Spaces.
Whatever you are writing next Katherine Arden, I am here for it.
The main complaint online that I have seen is that people wanted more. They wanted this book to be longer and the conclusion to be explained or some added falling action to help wrap the series up. I understand that feeling and would have liked to have gotten more as well, because the series was amazing and why would I not want more? Each book I devoured in a single sitting. Of course that feels much too short. But this book does wrap up everything neatly with a bow on top. There is the sufficient backstory and explanation for why all this happened with big hints to mythology with it. It all felt very Winternight Trilogy to me, and I loved it. Did I want more of that though? Yes. Did I want more folklore hints and more harkening to that throughout time or in other areas of the world? Yes. But most of all I just wanted a few more pages at the end to help me process everything that just happened. Just a bit more hand holding would have made me feel a bit better as I sorrowfully say goodbye to Small Spaces.
Whatever you are writing next Katherine Arden, I am here for it.