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libby_thelibrarian 's review for:
The Nightshade God
by Hannah Whitten
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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:
Yes
This was a 5 star read until the ending... I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet. Overall I love the series and this one really hits home on the theme of religious trauma and believing that if we keep trying to make the world better, in big and small ways, that we can and that kindness is enough. I appreciated Lore's realization that the world isn't saved by one big act of magic or sacrifice (in this case putting the Fount back together, or destroying the one ring, killing the villain, etc.) because people are still human and we're bound the keep making the same mistakes given enough time and power. I'm not a huge reincarnation trope fan but it's done well in this series and I'd read more books set in this world.
One of the reasons I don't know if I like the ending is how the romance is handled- so much of the book is about Lore, Gabe, and Bastian accepting their love for each other and being a triangle but we get virtually no time with them all together on page. I liked Alie and Gabe's POV chapters but I think we spent too much time with them before everyone gets to the climax of the story because then everything after that is sort of anticlimactic. Lore seems removed from her snarky self (and part of that she acknowledges is having the gods in her head and being manipulated by the power of the Fount) but I didn't feel like we get to see her be herself again. I get what the author was trying to do with the ending I just know if it worked for me, but I still recommend the series.
One of the reasons I don't know if I like the ending is how the romance is handled- so much of the book is about Lore, Gabe, and Bastian accepting their love for each other and being a triangle but we get virtually no time with them all together on page. I liked Alie and Gabe's POV chapters but I think we spent too much time with them before everyone gets to the climax of the story because then everything after that is sort of anticlimactic. Lore seems removed from her snarky self (and part of that she acknowledges is having the gods in her head and being manipulated by the power of the Fount) but I didn't feel like we get to see her be herself again. I get what the author was trying to do with the ending I just know if it worked for me, but I still recommend the series.