bookstoashes's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
It's so sad to see a series I enjoyed come to an end. So many of these characters made me laugh, cry and swoon as I went through this world with them. Despite all the different characters and point of views I had to follow in Deathcaster, I actually enjoyed it. I found myself wanting to know what everyone was up to, and how they would all have a part to play in the end.
We had 5 reunions in this book alone, which was incredibly fun to read. The only thing that I would have liked to see was more of an end story of the characters. Considering there are so many of them, I hoped we would get to see how they were after the fighting was over, instead we only got to see one of the couples. Though it was very cute, there were other things I had hoped would tie up nicely before ending the series, and was kinda disappointed it didn't end as openly as I thought it would.
Otherwise, it was a really enjoyable read and I'm sad to be done with this world and these characters, but I'm so happy to have finished it <3
It's so sad to see a series I enjoyed come to an end. So many of these characters made me laugh, cry and swoon as I went through this world with them. Despite all the different characters and point of views I had to follow in Deathcaster, I actually enjoyed it. I found myself wanting to know what everyone was up to, and how they would all have a part to play in the end.
We had 5 reunions in this book alone, which was incredibly fun to read. The only thing that I would have liked to see was more of an end story of the characters. Considering there are so many of them, I hoped we would get to see how they were after the fighting was over, instead we only got to see one of the couples. Though it was very cute, there were other things I had hoped would tie up nicely before ending the series, and was kinda disappointed it didn't end as openly as I thought it would.
Otherwise, it was a really enjoyable read and I'm sad to be done with this world and these characters, but I'm so happy to have finished it <3
aelynreads's review against another edition
5.0
A really fantastic series that just got better as it went on. This final book had me hooked!
I only have one criticism and it's that
I only have one criticism and it's that
Spoiler
it wasn't explained AT ALL how Jenna survived being sacrificed. Like yes, it was fire/lava and she's resistant or whatever, but surely that means she's completely immune to being sacrificed and was never at risk?? That would mean her gift could NEVER be passed on - seems like a bit of a flaw in the whole sacrificing system??livvthepig's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
IM FINALLY DONE WITH THIS SERIES!!! Great way to start a review. Holy god this book was so freaking boring, and here I was expecting it to be better as the last book in Shattered Realms but nOPE. It took me a solid 16-17 days to read when normally I can finish a book MUCH faster. It was a struggle to pick it up again every time.
The story is solid enough, I just hate the fact that this 650 page book is 90% lead up to the final confrontation with Celestine (which is the thing we’re supposed to care about). I understand there’s a war going on, that’s great and all, but the entire book does not need to be dedicated to every last detail of said war, every movement made, every strategy used. Only in the last 100 pages do we get any info on Celestine, the magemarked, the Nazari, their whole family, LIKE WHERE WAS THIS IN THE REST OF THE SERIES OR AT LEAST THIS BOOK? The only reason I liked this book was the dragons, that’s basically it. Breon, my favorite character of the series, DOESNT EVEN HAVE A POV meanwhile literally every one else in this series has one. Like Lila? Why? I do not care about her. Breon could have been a good way to give us more info from Celestine since he was literally stuck with her, before, yknow, the LAST 100 PAGES. Then at that point the ending just felt incredibly rushed after 600 pages of buildup.
Also off topic slightly but apparently Celestine is the one on this cover, I was trying so hard to figure out who it is but like?? She’s described as having SILVER HAIR HOW IS THAT—-
And how is she a Deathcaster anyway?? Flamecaster- literal dragon with literal dragon girl
Shadowcaster- Breon, his magic is described as being like shadows
Stormcaster- Evan literally creates and controls storms
Deathcaster- ??? Ehh??? I don’t even know what kind of magic she uses honestly? I guess she makes bloodsworn, is that what it means? Is Deathcaster even talking about her?
I DONT CARE ANYMORE I read this series out of obligation and hoping it would get better after the first. That is true for Shadowcaster and Stormcaster but just barely. Peace out
The story is solid enough, I just hate the fact that this 650 page book is 90% lead up to the final confrontation with Celestine (which is the thing we’re supposed to care about). I understand there’s a war going on, that’s great and all, but the entire book does not need to be dedicated to every last detail of said war, every movement made, every strategy used. Only in the last 100 pages do we get any info on Celestine, the magemarked, the Nazari, their whole family, LIKE WHERE WAS THIS IN THE REST OF THE SERIES OR AT LEAST THIS BOOK? The only reason I liked this book was the dragons, that’s basically it. Breon, my favorite character of the series, DOESNT EVEN HAVE A POV meanwhile literally every one else in this series has one. Like Lila? Why? I do not care about her. Breon could have been a good way to give us more info from Celestine since he was literally stuck with her, before, yknow, the LAST 100 PAGES. Then at that point the ending just felt incredibly rushed after 600 pages of buildup.
Also off topic slightly but apparently Celestine is the one on this cover, I was trying so hard to figure out who it is but like?? She’s described as having SILVER HAIR HOW IS THAT—-
And how is she a Deathcaster anyway?? Flamecaster- literal dragon with literal dragon girl
Shadowcaster- Breon, his magic is described as being like shadows
Stormcaster- Evan literally creates and controls storms
Deathcaster- ??? Ehh??? I don’t even know what kind of magic she uses honestly? I guess she makes bloodsworn, is that what it means? Is Deathcaster even talking about her?
I DONT CARE ANYMORE I read this series out of obligation and hoping it would get better after the first. That is true for Shadowcaster and Stormcaster but just barely. Peace out
lycheecha's review against another edition
2.0
This is something I've noticed throughout all the series I've read so far, but as wonderful as she is at worldbuilding and character writing, Chima seems to struggle a bit at ending things. Major plot points are wrapped up very neatly without much explanation, and what is touted as a major battle throughout the series is resolved fairly quickly so we can have our happy ending. That is not to say that I don't like happy endings; I love them! I just feel that this fell a bit short in comparison to how great the other books in the series were. As someone who is admittedly not very good at writing herself, I can't really offer solid critique as to what she actually needs to do to make her final books better, but I really do feel that if she can improve wrapping things up, Chima will become unbeatable at her craft. She's honestly one of the best in the YA fantasy game right now and I want her to stay that way.
jnlletrry's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of vaguely spoilerish review of the whole series, not just this book
When I first saw the cover and read the synopsis for Flamecaster, I was SO excited. The Seven Realms, even after ten years, is still one of my favorite series. To be gifted with a whole sequel series - to get even just a little more story about these characters I've grown to love, to get to meet their kids and get to explore the Realms more - I was elated!
Within the last year or two, I made the decision to not read a series before the last book was released. Flamecaster came out before I made that choice (and may have been one of the books to push me to it), so the first time I read it, I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting to be seen. Three chapters in, and hit me right in the feels: major character death. I took a few days before diving back into the book, but once I did, I enjoyed it, and it made me look forward to the rest of the series.
Fast forward to 2020 (*makes sign of the cross*). I'm finally ready to read the whole series together. I reread TSR to re-familiarize myself with the story, loved it just as much as the first time around. When I was ready to pick up Flamecaster again, I was prepared to have my heart broken again. I was ready to git 'er done!
Flamecaster, right? GOOD first book. A wizard healer who's also an assassin? Oxymoronic, but I'm here for it. A rebellious young woman who likes to blow shit up, has a mysterious magemark on the back of her neck that gives her some cool powers, AND is fighting for her home against a tyrannical king? Tell me more! Bloodsucking, wizard-hunting priests? Gross, but intriguing. DRAGONS?!?! Honestly, could take them or leave them, but cool integration into the canon.
But as I got into the next books in the series, especially the last one, there were a lot of moments where I felt like I was just reading to get through the story, not really soaking anything in, not really enjoying the content. For example, Evan, the protagonist of Stormcaster, basically lives on a boat. Obviously, from his POV, gonna be a lot of boat stuff, but it felt kind of excessive at points. Like so much stuff about masts and riggings and sails and mizzens. I got lost a few times. Additionally, the overarching plotline revolves around a twenty-five-year long war, so there's a lot of talk about battle strategies and tactics and stuff my brain just kinda glossed over.
Mostly though, I felt like there was a lot of exposition or build up that lead to one of the quickest resolutions I've ever encountered. This seemingly all-powerful antagonist introduced in book one is gone in a matter of seconds in the penultimate chapter of the last book and that's it. No epic battle. No one fighting for their lives. Just here one second, gone the next. Arguably, could be comical but was more disappointing.
The Shattered Realms is beautifully written. Vivid imagery. Great example of world building. A variety of well-crafted characters. I'm always down for smart, strong, badass women, and Alyssa Gray is someone I should aspire to be. Again: dragons, named Splash and Slayer and Goat who were loyal and funny and taunting of 'puny humans'. There was espionage and deceit, wartime love and unlikely newfound friendships, family reunions and the loss of loved ones in more ways than one.
Overall, I'm glad I read it, and I did enjoy what I read. I'm glad I got to meet the kids and get conclusions to plot points left open in the first series. However, not sure if I'll be picking it back up anytime soon. 3.5 out of 5.
When I first saw the cover and read the synopsis for Flamecaster, I was SO excited. The Seven Realms, even after ten years, is still one of my favorite series. To be gifted with a whole sequel series - to get even just a little more story about these characters I've grown to love, to get to meet their kids and get to explore the Realms more - I was elated!
Within the last year or two, I made the decision to not read a series before the last book was released. Flamecaster came out before I made that choice (and may have been one of the books to push me to it), so the first time I read it, I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting to be seen. Three chapters in, and hit me right in the feels: major character death. I took a few days before diving back into the book, but once I did, I enjoyed it, and it made me look forward to the rest of the series.
Fast forward to 2020 (*makes sign of the cross*). I'm finally ready to read the whole series together. I reread TSR to re-familiarize myself with the story, loved it just as much as the first time around. When I was ready to pick up Flamecaster again, I was prepared to have my heart broken again. I was ready to git 'er done!
Flamecaster, right? GOOD first book. A wizard healer who's also an assassin? Oxymoronic, but I'm here for it. A rebellious young woman who likes to blow shit up, has a mysterious magemark on the back of her neck that gives her some cool powers, AND is fighting for her home against a tyrannical king? Tell me more! Bloodsucking, wizard-hunting priests? Gross, but intriguing. DRAGONS?!?! Honestly, could take them or leave them, but cool integration into the canon.
But as I got into the next books in the series, especially the last one, there were a lot of moments where I felt like I was just reading to get through the story, not really soaking anything in, not really enjoying the content. For example, Evan, the protagonist of Stormcaster, basically lives on a boat. Obviously, from his POV, gonna be a lot of boat stuff, but it felt kind of excessive at points. Like so much stuff about masts and riggings and sails and mizzens. I got lost a few times. Additionally, the overarching plotline revolves around a twenty-five-year long war, so there's a lot of talk about battle strategies and tactics and stuff my brain just kinda glossed over.
Mostly though, I felt like there was a lot of exposition or build up that lead to one of the quickest resolutions I've ever encountered. This seemingly all-powerful antagonist introduced in book one is gone in a matter of seconds in the penultimate chapter of the last book and that's it. No epic battle. No one fighting for their lives. Just here one second, gone the next. Arguably, could be comical but was more disappointing.
The Shattered Realms is beautifully written. Vivid imagery. Great example of world building. A variety of well-crafted characters. I'm always down for smart, strong, badass women, and Alyssa Gray is someone I should aspire to be. Again: dragons, named Splash and Slayer and Goat who were loyal and funny and taunting of 'puny humans'. There was espionage and deceit, wartime love and unlikely newfound friendships, family reunions and the loss of loved ones in more ways than one.
Overall, I'm glad I read it, and I did enjoy what I read. I'm glad I got to meet the kids and get conclusions to plot points left open in the first series. However, not sure if I'll be picking it back up anytime soon. 3.5 out of 5.
abrick's review against another edition
5.0
Love CWC's writing and worldbuilding, a worthy continuation of her Seven Realms series world and solid last book of 2022 :)
kerrisbooks13's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good ending to this series! I love when all the players finally come together after so much time in their individual perspectives. Also a reunion between Lyss and Ash that was years in the making melted my cold dead heart.
gregoreads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This was going to be 5 stars because I loved it but I did not wait two books for a Destin and Evan reunion that was only ONE PAGE LONG okay bye
abigailrosalynn's review against another edition
4.0
Great finale, but it was slow-moving and staccato-y for a large part of the book. It felt like the other 3 were simply exposition to get to this, but it gave me whip-lash to go from POV to POV so suddenly. All in all it was a good read and the plot threads came together in a great way.
hanna_loveletterstobooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was so good! I can’t believe it was the last one 😭 Can we please get another series set in this world?!