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A review by blooms_in_books
Three by Kristen Simmons
5.0
My original review of this title can be found here on The Book Hookup.
**SPECIAL NOTE:** An eARC of this title was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
♠ Initial Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! Packed with action, long-awaited revelations, and sweet, swoony moments, Three was everything I could have hoped for in the conclusion of this series. Ms. Simmons rocked it out in style, managing to pull me back into this tale and romance with only the kind of ease a skilled writer can. If you’re looking for a good dystopian that’s unique in plot and light–though it burns intensely– on the romance side of the story, then look no further than Kristen Simmons’s Article 5 series.
♠ The Lowdown: Three picks up right where we left off in Breaking Point, where Chase, Ember, and a small group of refugees had arrived at the safe house only to find that it was completely demolished. Their only saving grace from falling into despair over their loss of finally finding freedom is the tracks that lead away from the wreckage, giving them a flicker of hope that there were survivors. Following this trail soon leads to Chase encountering someone from his past that he thought was long gone, only they’re alive and could be the key to finding the illustrious Three, the head organization for the rebel movement.
But even if they do find them, their fight wouldn’t be over. As the head of resistance operations, they’d want them to stand up and wage war alongside the other rebels. They’d want them to take back the country. Ember just has to decide, once and for all, if she’s strong enough to make a final stand.
♠ My Thoughts: SPOILER FREE! Just when I think this series couldn’t get any better, Simmons shocks me with the impact her stories make. Each novel builds on its predecessor, and that leaves Three being the biggest and baddest of the entire series. Now at the finish line and looking back, it’s easy to see how carefully crafted this series has been from the very first building stone in Article 5. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to plot the tale of these three books as a combined unit, how each story would be navigated and the journey that each character, especially Ember and Chase, would undergo, and how each of those aspects would tie collectively to the arc as a whole. But kudos, Ms. Simmons, for doing it flawlessly.
As for Three as an individual novel, it was riveting from beginning to end. My biggest grievance (and it was really small, to be honest) with the previous two books had been the secrecy that surrounded the government and the rebellion and its links to Three, and I can say that every question that I ever had was answered in this novel. But more importantly, it was addressed in a way that left me completed satisfied and understanding to why it had to remain private until those pivotal moments. I appreciated that Chase and Ember’s romance was allowed a little more attention that it had in the first two books as well. It still wasn’t the main focus of the book, but it was great to see them grow together and watch their relationship fully realized. Lastly, the pacing and plotting in this novel were perfection. I felt like it kept my heart thundering and I was shocked by betrayal at every turn. I didn’t know who to trust and how it would all unfold, but it was done amazingly well, and I’m grateful for that. Also? The epilogue gave me all the feels. I couldn’t have asked for it to end for any better… except maybe a few deaths less of characters I’d grown fond of, but that’s all I can say on that.
♠ Swoons: Though the romance between Ember and Chase has never been at the forefront of this series, there were definitely more kissing swoony moments in this book. I loved it!
♠ Swoony Teaser:
♥
(Even Ember managed to swoon me in this book.)
♠ Rec It? Yes, it was a fantastic conclusion to an incredible series; I’m recommending everyone read them. Simmons knocked it out of the park with this final installment. I’m sad to see this story go, and I’ll truly miss all the characters (even some of the bad guys), but I’ll carry them in my heart for always.
♥ A very special thanks to Tor Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
**SPECIAL NOTE:** An eARC of this title was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
♠ Initial Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! Packed with action, long-awaited revelations, and sweet, swoony moments, Three was everything I could have hoped for in the conclusion of this series. Ms. Simmons rocked it out in style, managing to pull me back into this tale and romance with only the kind of ease a skilled writer can. If you’re looking for a good dystopian that’s unique in plot and light–though it burns intensely– on the romance side of the story, then look no further than Kristen Simmons’s Article 5 series.
♠ The Lowdown: Three picks up right where we left off in Breaking Point, where Chase, Ember, and a small group of refugees had arrived at the safe house only to find that it was completely demolished. Their only saving grace from falling into despair over their loss of finally finding freedom is the tracks that lead away from the wreckage, giving them a flicker of hope that there were survivors. Following this trail soon leads to Chase encountering someone from his past that he thought was long gone, only they’re alive and could be the key to finding the illustrious Three, the head organization for the rebel movement.
But even if they do find them, their fight wouldn’t be over. As the head of resistance operations, they’d want them to stand up and wage war alongside the other rebels. They’d want them to take back the country. Ember just has to decide, once and for all, if she’s strong enough to make a final stand.
♠ My Thoughts: SPOILER FREE! Just when I think this series couldn’t get any better, Simmons shocks me with the impact her stories make. Each novel builds on its predecessor, and that leaves Three being the biggest and baddest of the entire series. Now at the finish line and looking back, it’s easy to see how carefully crafted this series has been from the very first building stone in Article 5. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to plot the tale of these three books as a combined unit, how each story would be navigated and the journey that each character, especially Ember and Chase, would undergo, and how each of those aspects would tie collectively to the arc as a whole. But kudos, Ms. Simmons, for doing it flawlessly.
As for Three as an individual novel, it was riveting from beginning to end. My biggest grievance (and it was really small, to be honest) with the previous two books had been the secrecy that surrounded the government and the rebellion and its links to Three, and I can say that every question that I ever had was answered in this novel. But more importantly, it was addressed in a way that left me completed satisfied and understanding to why it had to remain private until those pivotal moments. I appreciated that Chase and Ember’s romance was allowed a little more attention that it had in the first two books as well. It still wasn’t the main focus of the book, but it was great to see them grow together and watch their relationship fully realized. Lastly, the pacing and plotting in this novel were perfection. I felt like it kept my heart thundering and I was shocked by betrayal at every turn. I didn’t know who to trust and how it would all unfold, but it was done amazingly well, and I’m grateful for that. Also? The epilogue gave me all the feels. I couldn’t have asked for it to end for any better… except maybe a few deaths less of characters I’d grown fond of, but that’s all I can say on that.
♠ Swoons: Though the romance between Ember and Chase has never been at the forefront of this series, there were definitely more kissing swoony moments in this book. I loved it!
♠ Swoony Teaser:
“Two months in I tried to run.” A hint of a smile touched his lips. “There was this girl at home. The kind that made you want to try.”
~quote taken from my eARC of Three at 12%
♥
(Even Ember managed to swoon me in this book.)
“We’re all broken,” I said. “We just have to put each other back together.”
My loose fist holding the flower came to rest in the center of his chest, locked between us. He leaned down, his forehead touching mine. His eyes closed.
“What if I’m too far gone?”
“Then I’ll find you,” I said. “And I’ll bring you back.”
~quote taken from my eARC of Three at 21%
♠ Rec It? Yes, it was a fantastic conclusion to an incredible series; I’m recommending everyone read them. Simmons knocked it out of the park with this final installment. I’m sad to see this story go, and I’ll truly miss all the characters (even some of the bad guys), but I’ll carry them in my heart for always.
♥ A very special thanks to Tor Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.