A review by livinliterary
Bridge of Souls by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? No

3.0

 Bridge of Souls offers a fitting conclusion to V.E. Schwab’s trilogy, though it falls short of the high bar set by its predecessors. As the final planned volume, it’s certainly an enjoyable read, but it didn’t quite pack the emotional punch or intensity I was expecting for the grand finale. The stakes felt notably lower in this book, and the plot, while still engaging, seemed less intricate compared to the earlier installments. The adventure didn’t quite feel as involved, and I found myself wishing for a bit more to carry the weight of this being the last chapter.

One of the highlights of Bridge of Souls was the growth of the relationship between Jacob and Lara. What started in hostility blossomed into a beautiful friendship by the end, which was both heartwarming and well-developed. Their dynamic added a nice layer to the story, and I enjoyed how they both evolved through their experiences.

However, the setting in this final book didn’t feel as richly explored as in the previous books, and it left me feeling like it had been somewhat wasted. The world-building, which had been one of my favorite elements before, didn’t shine quite as brightly this time.

That said, the story was still entertaining and satisfying in many ways. Schwab has set things up for future installments, and while she’s indicated that she’ll only continue the series if Cassidy’s journey has more to explore, I’d love to see her dive back into this world. There’s so much potential left, and I’m hopeful that there will be more stories to come. All in all, Bridge of Souls is a solid conclusion, but it’s the weakest of the three books, leaving me with mixed feelings but still plenty of hope for what could come next.