A review by esmoogle
Suns Will Rise by Jessica Brody, Joanne Rendell

5.0

I’m torn between 4 and 5 stars because I really do love this series and I think this a triumphant finale but this series is why I hate love triangles/squares, the one time I let myself get invested in one it ends with the stupidest option.

Spoiler

I am SO MAD that Marcellus emotionally gaslit Chatine this whole book and GOT AWAY WITH IT?? Get in the bin. Etienne was right there and although I thought the twist that HE was the Eponine counterpart was really clever (and I cried at THAT scene) I’m mad that he died to pave the way for Marcellus who never deserved Chatine. I guess Alouette just stopped being part of the love square altogether at some point, even though Marcellus was still flip-flopping between them until Etienne suddenly wasn't an obstacle anymore. Chatine spent so much of the books being defined by her hopeless commitment to Marcellus, a commitment she became aware was unhealthy for her, and I really wish the ending had been that she overcame that and went on to live a fulfilled life with her brother helping raise the other orphans or working within the Sisterhood with Alouette.

ANYWAY this series really is very good despite the odd overly cheesy Les Mis reference. I listened to all of them on audiobook and have to applaud the cast who all portrayed their characters excellently. If you like Les Mis, Star Wars, The Hunger Games - give these books a go.