bangiebangs's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oh this book.
So, first off: almost perfect, and the "almost" here is some iffy pacing mainly (the story of Death and Lazarus felt a little off in the first half, but recovered for the second).
This book gives all our favorite tropes (dark romance, enemies to lovers, fated mates, forced proximity, and an eons-old virgin MMC - love those!), and once more the journey is the destination.
That said, I think the middle is a bit eh. Death and Lazarus are mainly fucking (which, 3/5 for spice, that was really, really well written and better than in previous books imo), but Death's motivation to never relent and keep killing is "it's my job", and we don't get a satisfying reason. If the horsemen are here to punish humanity in ways we have used to kill each other, then what is the point of Death just dropping entire cities without even entering them sometimes?
I didn't particularly like the epilogue (it gave Vampire Diaries final scen), but the ending itself is satisfying and honestly, I'd been wondering how the author would wrap up all the storylines that dragged over from previous books (yes, we see Victor/Pestilence, War, and Famine again). So that was surprisingly well done.
So, whole series review: LOVE the series, and my favorite book is still Pestilence, I think? Followed by War. I might re-read those first two, but maybe not the second two? Not entirely sure. Maybe reading them not in one go but as palate cleansers between other books makes more sense.
Wholly recommend this if you're looking for a series with well-trodden tropes where you still get surprised sometimes, especially if you relish some frustration with the characters that isn't based on miscommunication for once. Nice levels of spice throughout, mostly on a slow - medium burn.
So, first off: almost perfect, and the "almost" here is some iffy pacing mainly (the story of Death and Lazarus felt a little off in the first half, but recovered for the second).
This book gives all our favorite tropes (dark romance, enemies to lovers, fated mates, forced proximity, and an eons-old virgin MMC - love those!), and once more the journey is the destination.
That said, I think the middle is a bit eh. Death and Lazarus are mainly fucking (which, 3/5 for spice, that was really, really well written and better than in previous books imo), but Death's motivation to never relent and keep killing is "it's my job", and we don't get a satisfying reason. If the horsemen are here to punish humanity in ways we have used to kill each other, then what is the point of Death just dropping entire cities without even entering them sometimes?
Spoiler
There is one scene where he explains that if God is everything, she (and it's a she in this story) is constantly being hurt by humans destroying the world, and if humans are only part of a much bigger whole, then they are like a festering sore that needs to be cut out for the whole to heal. That makes sense in principle, but even if humans are only a part of creation and seen as part of a much bigger whole, humanity's ability for redemption is portrayed much better on the examples of Pestilence, War, or even Famine.. but doesn't work for Death.I didn't particularly like the epilogue (it gave Vampire Diaries final scen), but the ending itself is satisfying and honestly, I'd been wondering how the author would wrap up all the storylines that dragged over from previous books (yes, we see Victor/Pestilence, War, and Famine again). So that was surprisingly well done.
So, whole series review: LOVE the series, and my favorite book is still Pestilence, I think? Followed by War. I might re-read those first two, but maybe not the second two? Not entirely sure. Maybe reading them not in one go but as palate cleansers between other books makes more sense.
Wholly recommend this if you're looking for a series with well-trodden tropes where you still get surprised sometimes, especially if you relish some frustration with the characters that isn't based on miscommunication for once. Nice levels of spice throughout, mostly on a slow - medium burn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Medical trauma, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
caseygirlreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5 finally finished a series this year stars!
I really loved this series. I remember Pestilence blowing me away. I am so glad I finally managed to read the conclusion of the four horsemen's story. I thought Lazarus was a really interesting character, and her inability to die was a great touch for death's book. There were so many interesting quotes about life, death, love, and humanity. I really enjoyed this book. I will say some of the plot felt a little forced (but that could be due to the creator Herself's influence), and the ending was very predictable. However, a predictable ending could be good if it's due to good writing or it could be bad if it's cliche or unoriginal. I felt like it might have been a little bit of both (reminded me of twilight -if you know you know). Overall, I think this series was fantastic and had a solid ending. I would 100% recommend this series and if you need the push to read the final book this is it. It's dark and it's lovely.
I really loved this series. I remember Pestilence blowing me away. I am so glad I finally managed to read the conclusion of the four horsemen's story. I thought Lazarus was a really interesting character, and her inability to die was a great touch for death's book. There were so many interesting quotes about life, death, love, and humanity. I really enjoyed this book. I will say some of the plot felt a little forced (but that could be due to the creator Herself's influence), and the ending was very predictable. However, a predictable ending could be good if it's due to good writing or it could be bad if it's cliche or unoriginal. I felt like it might have been a little bit of both (reminded me of twilight -if you know you know). Overall, I think this series was fantastic and had a solid ending. I would 100% recommend this series and if you need the push to read the final book this is it. It's dark and it's lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Body horror, and Gore
breerosiey's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Murder, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Medical content, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, War, Blood, Child death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
More...