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onceandfuturebooknerd's Reviews (1.02k)
I don't even know what to write.
Okay I'll try.
A Sky Beyond the Storm is a story of hope, loss, and pain so great you don't think you could possibly bear it. The Ember quartet in general encompasses all of that and this final book was a worthy conclusion to the stories of Laia, Helene, and Elias.
Everything about this book is bitter-sweet - from stolen moments of love and joy between the characters and messages of unity, to the terrible reality that in the world like this one not everyone is meant to live a long, full life, not everyone is meant to get a happy ending. And there's not always a reason for it. Sometimes things just happen - without some deeper meaning, one door closes and the other doesn't open.
I think this is one of the many reasons Sabaa Tahir is such a brilliant writer - her world mirrors our own in many ways, revealing the ugly truths but also drawing out the purest beauty.
Now for the spoilery part.
And Laia and Elias, oh those two. I was like 90% sure there would be no happiness for them (*cough* Soul Catcher), and I am soooo damn happy that they found it in the end. Laia's story is one for the ages and the fact that after everything she's been through, shne at last finds peace in Elias's embrace will never not make me emotional.
Also can I just add how much life Helene and Laia's friendship gave me? I was so happy we finally got to see these two SLAYING TOGETHER!
All in all a bitter-sweet but beautiful conclusion to one of the best fantasy series out there.
Now excuse me while I burst into tears for the umpteenth time and try to collect myself.
PS I wrote this review at 1:30 AM because I couldn't sleep after finishing this book. If it makes no sense... that's why.
Okay I'll try.
A Sky Beyond the Storm is a story of hope, loss, and pain so great you don't think you could possibly bear it. The Ember quartet in general encompasses all of that and this final book was a worthy conclusion to the stories of Laia, Helene, and Elias.
Everything about this book is bitter-sweet - from stolen moments of love and joy between the characters and messages of unity, to the terrible reality that in the world like this one not everyone is meant to live a long, full life, not everyone is meant to get a happy ending. And there's not always a reason for it. Sometimes things just happen - without some deeper meaning, one door closes and the other doesn't open.
I think this is one of the many reasons Sabaa Tahir is such a brilliant writer - her world mirrors our own in many ways, revealing the ugly truths but also drawing out the purest beauty.
Now for the spoilery part.
Spoiler
Not gonna lie, all four (five?) major deaths were devastating. I'm talking about Faris, Livia, Darin, and of course Avitas. I wanted a happy ending for Helene, one where she didn't lose basically everything, one where she didn't have to bear all of that weight by herself, where she didn't lose almost everyone she's ever loved. I guess there is a lesson there somewhere about staying strong even after you've been broken into too many shards to count. About persistence. And while I think the death of Avitas will always feel like a dark abyss - bear with me and my dramatics here, I am still not over it - I can also add that the specific ending of Helene's story filled me with hope. Weighted down and only just beginning to bloom, but there nonetheless.And Laia and Elias, oh those two. I was like 90% sure there would be no happiness for them (*cough* Soul Catcher), and I am soooo damn happy that they found it in the end. Laia's story is one for the ages and the fact that after everything she's been through, shne at last finds peace in Elias's embrace will never not make me emotional.
Also can I just add how much life Helene and Laia's friendship gave me? I was so happy we finally got to see these two SLAYING TOGETHER!
All in all a bitter-sweet but beautiful conclusion to one of the best fantasy series out there.
Now excuse me while I burst into tears for the umpteenth time and try to collect myself.
PS I wrote this review at 1:30 AM because I couldn't sleep after finishing this book. If it makes no sense... that's why.
