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kathrynleereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Across time and space, they both find themselves being manipulated and coerced by Corien, leader of the angels and the Undying Empire.
•
This was so out-of-character for her that I actually went back and reread a bit to make sure I hadn’t missed something.
Evyline - Honestly, Rielle didn’t deserve Evyline. She was loyal to Rielle without a single doubt.
Even when Rielle sided with the angels, Evyline shifted her loyalty to Audric, knowing that he was Rielle’s best chance to come back to herself and the right side.
Garver - I love this man. Right in the Furyborn prologue, he had reminded Simon to not judge Rielle too harshly because she had once been just a girl.
He seemed to understand better than most of the characters that what Rielle was going through was not her fault (at least entirely).
Tal - At no point in this series was I a fan of Tal. His whole relationship with Rielle was so weird and bordered on the line of an obsession.
Obritsa - For such a young girl, Obritsa really had herself together.
Atheria - I love Atheria with my whole heart. Her presence acted as a sort of moral compass.
I also appreciated that Atheria’s role as a moral compass extended past Rielle to Audric as well. She was by his side the whole time he fought, helping when she could, but being a constant supporting presence.
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ELIANA'S TIMELINE
Eliana - I’ve been trying for days to put down all my feelings about Eliana and the ending that she got, but I just can’t seem to fin the right words.
I’m so grateful for Zahra and the fact that, through her, a spark of the person that Eliana was still lives on.
I’m happy that she now gets to grow up properly, with Audric and Zahra and Simon there, but the hardships that she went through made her the person she was.
Simon - Simon’s story simultaneously aggrevated me and made me so deeply sad.
The idea that he underwent such incredible torture starting at the age of eight is horrible.
And for that revelation to happen only hours before he is then killed by Corien? Brutal.
He deserved so much more than that ending, and I hope that little Simon eventually gets the ending he deserves with little Eliana.
The Prophet - After a book and a half of guessing who The Prophet was, Lightbringer finally confirmed my hunch.
He followed in his sister's footsteps but stayed true to the person he was, studying and loving stories more than anything else.
"May I tell you the rest?" she asked. "May I tell you the story of your daughter?"
Tears in his eyes, completely undone, Audric nodded, and then he listened through the night as Zahra spoke of a future that would never be.
Those were the words that broke me and finally drew out all the tears I’d been holding in.
Suffice it to say, Lightbringer broke me.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, and Pregnancy
eve_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
⁕ Rielle is one of the most complex heroines in the New Adult Fantasy genre and no one can convince me otherwise. Thank you, Claire Legrand, for writing a woman who has depth, makes morally flawed decisions and is not guided solely by her relationships with men. While I absolutely don't agree with or support many of Rielle's decisions, it means so much to see a woman truly put herself first.
⁕ Without giving anything away, this is a series you want to read if you're looking for something to make you FEEL. I'm talking Song of Achilles/Clockwork Princess levels of emotion in the last several chapters.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and War
allisonisabel's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
As for the other characters, I think they all showed great development, and while some could’ve come earlier (Audric), or given more more explanation (Ludivine), what they were given did them justice. I didn’t know the scope of what I was getting into when I started this, and I said multiple times that at no point did I know where it was going. And for that I am somewhat grateful. It is refreshing to follow an epic fantasy series that continually keeps you on your toes. That attempts something so ambitious that it could easily fall flat. I remember a piece of writing advice I read somewhere that whatever you do in your story you have to believe it if you want your readers to, you cannot question yourself. And while so much of the story hinges on the unbelievable it is written in a way that makes it palatable and comprehensible for readers.
I found myself falling in love with character relationships characters, and feeling so much dread that the prologue of the first book had given away the ending. Even though I knew something would change. Although I did take some issues with some of the ways things were written, in particular the ending of the last book. I both love and hate it. Because it comes full circle, it allows closure in name for everyone, and yet get something feels incomplete.
I think the only character that I was iffy about was Ludivine because she was a bit too hard to reach, and I could not quite understand her. But that paled in comparison to everything else I was reading, and so it does not affect my rating much.
I have so many more thoughts, but many are restatements of what I have already said. The Empirium Trilogy is epic fantasy at its best, and I am glad for the time I spent reading it. I do not find myself yearning for changes to what was done, but rather wishing for things that weren’t, and if anything, that is a compliment to the author. Because she was able to weave a story so compelling, I cannot stop asking questions.
I think my final thought is similar to what I opened with: While we may not like the path a character is on, or the actions they may commit, or the atrocities that they usher in, when they are true to how they are written, when they are not forced into the palatable happy ending simply for the sake of it, the story becomes so much richer.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Child death and Suicidal thoughts
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly, this book was a bit tough to get through. I still enjoyed it and the story kept me engaged enough, but it was pretty depressing and had more violence than I really wanted to read.
Happy ending meter (no spoilers, just the general vibe of the ending):
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Sexual assault, and Vomit
alizam's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
And I have to bring up the problem with this book that is heavily discoursed by book twitter et large: Yes, there is explicit sex. No, it's not appropriate for the young teens who will read this.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Grief