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robotnik's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It lived up to pretty much zero of my expectations. And maybe that was just me. Maybe I was holding the books to such a high standard that I was expecting way too much of this book and it simply couldn't deliver on what I wanted. I guess that's okay. It's still a disappointment.
The best part of the book remains the chemistry and relationship between Evangeline and Jacks. Unfortunately, they do not interact in this book nearly enough. In the first half, their interactions are incredibly sparse. When that was the real selling point of the series, it kind of makes the early part of the book drag on.
The worst part of the book is Apollo.
At the ending of the second book, the memory loss got me and I was so ready for the angst and the agony and the drama, but boy did this book make me regret being so into the idea.
I appreciate the supporting cast. Lala, Castor, even fucking Aurora. They were fun and added a little sparkle to the story that felt like it was missing a lot of the whimsical magic that the previous two books were so full of. I think that was one of the issues with the book: it did not feel magical the way that the other two books did.
I'm on the fence about how I feel about the ending. I kept waiting for something real and substantial to wrap it up with but it felt almost tacked on and rushed, as if there wasn't enough time to write a full and proper ending that wrapped up the plot threads the previous two books - hell, that this book - laid out. Unsatisfying, is the best word to describe it. It's not about whether or not it was a happy ending (
It honestly just feels like there was very much one thing fans of this book wanted (Evangeline x Jacks and lots of drama, angst and romance) and we got... not that. I just can't believe Jacks got shafted so hard in his trilogy's finale. He probably showed up way more in Finale than he did in this. He deserved sooo much better than this.
Honestly, if you enjoyed it, good for you. I'm glad you did. I, sadly, didn't but that's the way it goes.
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
noellegrace8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Good things: Evajacks is as enticing as ever. And the plot introduces new elements like the two trees and Jacks' heart, which keeps the interest up. Evangeline is portrayed as having more willpower than ever (if you don't think that's possible, just wait). I like that even she has some character development in this one, not just Jacks. I also usually hate the amnesia trope but man. This one... actually does it well?? I finally understood WHY people use it. You're given even more insight into just how much Evangeline is drawn to this man (fate), that not even loss of memory can separate them. Certain characters get their comeuppance. Others' is foreshadowed... but yeah. It was just... a well-written book.
The bad: again, loose ends. I'm confused as to why Marisol and Luc both just kind of disappeared. The history of the arch, the Valors, Jacks, etc.? That's clear as mud, still. I need more answers! Also, we really needed to have been given a glimpse into Apollo's character before meeting him in OUABH. Because his absolutely treacherous, vile behavior in this book is confusing. Was he always like this? Did the curses drive him mad? Unsure. Also, you get a quarter of the way through the book before Jacks makes an appearance, which is torture! But I also think it was done kind of well.... Additionally, I'm confused about Jacks' blood on the arch and the tavern door?? I kept expecting that maybe it's a protection spell or something? But no explanation. Just like there was no explanation for Eva's kiss breaking the spell. I have a theory that maybe someone else has to kiss him first, instead of him being the instigator? Unsure though. We better get a Lala book by the way. I need to know if she and Dain find love and break her curse. Also... how do they take out Jacks' heart and put it back in? It's just casually mentioned that we all have 2 hearts but never explained...
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. Too loud sometimes, but generally accurate to the text.
I give Dan Bittner 4/5⭐️. He didn't always sound the way I imagined the characters were talking, and his narration seems less organic than it should be.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
I added sexual assault/violence to the "minor" section because it's difficult to ignore the writing style of the scenes in which Apollo is restraining Evangeline, stealing memories, etc. It's written with sexual threat even if none actually happens.jessversteeg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Torture and Vomit
kaneli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
cornelia24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
asianadrienne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Minor: Domestic abuse
kari_f's review against another edition
1.5
Tell me how a curse can have eyes and ears, enough sentience to understand human language and ability to follow and watch characters, but it doesn’t have lungs to be able to take a breath. Because THAT is where we need to suspend belief, here. Just… what?
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
taylorjayne's review against another edition
0.25
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
katvou'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War