awhxxhinte's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
leah_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a perfect ending to one of my all time favourite trilogies. Amy Ewing can do absolutely no wrong in my eyes. Finding out that the Duchess of the Lake was holding Violet's sister hostage at the end of The White Rose had me diving headfirst into The Black Key. There was no way I could hold back - I had to find out what was happening! I was excited to see the ultimate climax of this trilogy and to hopefully see the downfall of the royalty, particularly the Countess of the Stone.
I absolutely loved meeting so many new characters and seeing what each surrogate could do with their powers. I also loved that Violet didn't let her relationship with Ash hold her back at all during the rebellion. She is as impulsive, strong and badass as ever and throws herself straight back into the hands of the Duchess of the Lake to save her sister and end their reign. Seeing Garnet defy his mother again and again was a pure joy and I loved learning more and more about Lucien. There is so much depth to these characters and I would happily read stories from all of their point of views. I feel so attached to them and I just want to know how everything plays out for them following the ending.
The Black Key is such a powerful book and I found myself crying, laughing and feeling full to the brim of frustrating as events unfold. Hazel suffers some absolutely awful horrors at the hands of the Duchess and we once again meet with Frederic, the torturer of Raven. The battle was everything I wanted and I would love to read it from all different point of views. I'd love to know what Ash got up to in his efforts with the rebellion. I just want more and more and more. I had the ultimate book hangover at the end of this.
The Lone City is a perfect trilogy and one of my all time favourites. I can't wait to read more of Amy Ewing's work because this was just beautiful. She is one talented author and I would definitely recommend picking these books up!
I absolutely loved meeting so many new characters and seeing what each surrogate could do with their powers. I also loved that Violet didn't let her relationship with Ash hold her back at all during the rebellion. She is as impulsive, strong and badass as ever and throws herself straight back into the hands of the Duchess of the Lake to save her sister and end their reign. Seeing Garnet defy his mother again and again was a pure joy and I loved learning more and more about Lucien. There is so much depth to these characters and I would happily read stories from all of their point of views. I feel so attached to them and I just want to know how everything plays out for them following the ending.
The Black Key is such a powerful book and I found myself crying, laughing and feeling full to the brim of frustrating as events unfold. Hazel suffers some absolutely awful horrors at the hands of the Duchess and we once again meet with Frederic, the torturer of Raven. The battle was everything I wanted and I would love to read it from all different point of views. I'd love to know what Ash got up to in his efforts with the rebellion. I just want more and more and more. I had the ultimate book hangover at the end of this.
The Lone City is a perfect trilogy and one of my all time favourites. I can't wait to read more of Amy Ewing's work because this was just beautiful. She is one talented author and I would definitely recommend picking these books up!
jem44's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A great end to a great series I just feel like the start was a little slow getting to the climax
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Colonisation, Confinement, Slavery, War, Classism, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Trafficking
bross_shelly's review
5.0
Good series for young adult girls. A little bit of Handmaids Tale and little bit of Selection.
paigelamoureux's review
5.0
This dystopian series has a golden plot, and is intriguing from the first chapter of all three books, and is impossible to put it down once its in your grasp. The evolution of the characters from chapter to chapter is very important to the plot, conflicts, and rising and falling action. Their choices affect not only them, but many of the people around them as well. Violet, who is the main character, is a very determined young adult who desperately, in the third book, wants to destroy the royals who have done her and many other people in The Lone City wrong. There is truly a perfect balance of strategy, drama and "fantasy" in this book. I personally loved the book, and would definitely read it again if I had the opportunity. Amy Ewing wrote this book incredibly well, and the message, characters and plot really stick with you, even after you finish it.
missyansell's review
4.0
The people you love make you strong, Violet. They make you brave and fearless. I wish there were some way I could make you see that.
Conclusion to the trilogy where Violet and her friends try to take down the royalty so that all people could be equal and make their own choices. I definitely liked this one more than the second, more action and suspense. The ending is kind of predictable, but I liked it. Definitely not a favorite series, but well worth a read.
Conclusion to the trilogy where Violet and her friends try to take down the royalty so that all people could be equal and make their own choices. I definitely liked this one more than the second, more action and suspense. The ending is kind of predictable, but I liked it. Definitely not a favorite series, but well worth a read.
readingwithemmett's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed the ending to this book. The only thing I didn't like was that some things seemed a little unrealistic, almost like they were thrown into the book to make an event possible. For instance, Overall, I really enjoyed the series.
I really enjoyed the ending to this book. The only thing I didn't like was that some things seemed a little unrealistic, almost like they were thrown into the book to make an event possible. For instance,
Spoiler
When Violet placed the keys in the mirror room, and Lucien took the blame. It seemed a little weird that she was even doing that at the time.ellensboekenleven's review
4.0
I loved the book! But the revolution was a little bit short for my taste, Amy Ewing could have told more about it, not that it was annoying or so, but she could have made more out of that part. And the ending was not that satisfying. I’ve so many question! 😱😱
But in general I just really loved the story line and the ending was okay, just not as satisfying as I hoped for!
But in general I just really loved the story line and the ending was okay, just not as satisfying as I hoped for!
bookishbuddies's review
3.0
3,5-ish stars
A good portion of this review will contain spoilers, so read at your own risk!
While I do think this was a very enjoyable book, I felt it was a bit lacking in some areas. While I really liked the idea of the Paladin and them being the protectors of the island, I felt that it could have been fleshed out more in this book. We didn't get any more explanations in this book, so we had to make do with what we were given in the second instalment.
I also felt as if everything just went too smoothly.
I really did enjoy this book, even if I had my problems with it. I would have liked this book to be a bit more elaborate in some aspects, and I really would have liked to know more about the actual island and magic: where does it come from, why do the people that have the magic have it, etc. I also would have liked to know more about the world around the island, but eh, I guess we can't all have what we want. Apart from this lack of detail, I really liked how fast-paced it was, and I still really like the characters, especially Garnet and Raven!
A good portion of this review will contain spoilers, so read at your own risk!
While I do think this was a very enjoyable book, I felt it was a bit lacking in some areas. While I really liked the idea of the Paladin and them being the protectors of the island, I felt that it could have been fleshed out more in this book. We didn't get any more explanations in this book, so we had to make do with what we were given in the second instalment.
I also felt as if everything just went too smoothly.
Spoiler
My problem with this started right at the beginning of the book, when they had to sneak into the holding facilities. Aren't there any guards stationed around those things at night? Is no one patrolling the hallways at night? In the first book they are said to be nearly impossible to break out of, but the ease with which Raven and Violet do so in this book was a bit disappointing. Then, when Violet decided she had to go and save her sister. I do realise she used the Auguries to change her appearance, but I find it very difficult to believe that no one except from Cora (and later Carnelian) recognised her in some way. Although I suppose that she didn't have that much contact with anyone while she was a surrogate. And next: the medical rooms. Seriously, if they want to prevent Hazel from escaping, why on earth are there no Regimentals stationed in the room with her. Violet just walks in and out and no one notices anything? At all? And then the entire thing with the Auction. Except for the deaths of a few minor characters (and Lucien, which was very sad :( ) nothing bad happens to any of them. They manage to get down the wall in one go, and they manage to fight of a batallion of Regimentals in one go (with minimal casualties on their side). And I know that the Paladin are special, but that's not how a war/revolution works. And then when they go looking for the Duchess of the Lake, and they can just go waltzing in. WHERE ARE THE GUARDS? I guess that question is answered when the Exetor comes in with all his guards. And again: Somehow everyone on the good side manages to survive, while the odds are twenty against four. It just doesn't work that way. Don't get me wrong, I would have hated it if any of the main characters died, but it still isn't realistic that no one actually does. It's also awfully convenient that one of her dodged bullets hits the Exetor. And it's awfully convenient that Carnelian stabs the Duchess in the back, so Violet doesn't have to. That brings up another question: what happened to Carnelian after the fighting ends? Does she survive? Does she die? Is she imprisoned? Same for the Electress: where even is she?I really did enjoy this book, even if I had my problems with it. I would have liked this book to be a bit more elaborate in some aspects, and I really would have liked to know more about the actual island and magic: where does it come from, why do the people that have the magic have it, etc. I also would have liked to know more about the world around the island, but eh, I guess we can't all have what we want. Apart from this lack of detail, I really liked how fast-paced it was, and I still really like the characters, especially Garnet and Raven!