kathrynleereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Lightbringer, the finale to the Empirium trilogy by Claire Legrand, follows Eliana and Rielle through the final stages of each of their wars against the angels. Rielle in the past, and Eliana 1,000 years in the future.
Across time and space, they both find themselves being manipulated and coerced by Corien, leader of the angels and the Undying Empire.
Across time and space, they both find themselves being manipulated and coerced by Corien, leader of the angels and the Undying Empire.
•
Pace
Unlike it’s predecessors, the first half of Lightbringer really felt like a chore. After the action-packed first and second books, I felt as if Lightbringer was dragging on and on for the first half. Around the half-way mark it picked up and returned to the quick pace I was used to, but it took quite a bit of effort to make it to that point.
•
RIELLE'S TIMELINE
Rielle - Honestly, I found Rielle just plain frustrating in this book. Her character arc had so much promise in Furyborn and Kingsbane, but there were very few times in Lightbringer when we got to see the spark that I associated with Rielle.
With Corien and the Empirium both fighting with her mind, I understand why this was, but I still expected her to fight back a bit harder, instead of just turning her back on everything and everyone she loved so completely.
Spoiler
I will say, however, that I found her ending to be quite fitting. It was a perfect balance of demonstrating that she made the right choice, while also acknowledging that she was still too deeply connected to the Empirium to live a normal human life anymore.Audric - Staying true to the first two books, Audric was a very cookie-cutter book boyfriend.
Sticking to the trend of this book, however, his character did step up a level (or a few levels) about halfway through, when he really embraced his title as the Lightbringer.
Spoiler
My favorite hat on Audric was definitely fatherhood at the end of the book. Seeing him moving on from the events of the prior years and really just embracing his role as Eliana’s dad was wonderful to read.Ludivine - Throughout this entire series, Ludivine is the only character around whom I found inconsistencies.
Rielle and Audric claimed countless times that they had come to terms with Ludivine’s true identity, but still threw that deceit in her face whenever their emotions ran high.
They were both so all over the place with their shifting opinions about Ludivine that it was hard to keep straight.
There wasn’t a single time while reading Lightbringer that I doubted Ludivine’s want to keep Rielle and Audric safe, no matter what her original or ultimate motive had been.
Spoiler
The other main inconsistency with Ludivine was the fact that she left.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.
I understand not wanting to see your friends hurt each other, but that had been a possibility from the start.
Throughout the entire series she had fought so hard to keep both Audric and Rielle safe, and then, out of the blue, she up and leaves? It made no sense to me.
Corien - I was almost expecting a sort-of redemption arc for Corien, some tragic backstory, or change of heart, but in the end I’m glad it didn’t happen.
There are very few times when readers are given full reign to really hate a character, and this was one of those times.
Corien’s “love” for Rielle was way over the line into obsession, and even though he did seem to actually care for her, not just her power, it was extremely toxic in the worst possible way.
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.
Spoiler
Her trust in Rielle as they walked to Rielle’s death was so complete and incredible after everything Rielle had put her through.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).
Garver was always kind to her and treated her with respect, and it felt fitting for him to be with her at the end, just as he had been in the original Furyborn prologue.
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.
Spoiler
I wasn’t sad when she killed him.Obritsa - For such a young girl, Obritsa really had herself together.
She was strong and chose the right side the second she was free to do so, despite the abuse that Corien and Rielle put her through.
Atheria - I love Atheria with my whole heart. Her presence acted as a sort of moral compass.
When Rielle was doing the right thing Atheria was there to help, but as soon as Rielle made a bad choice (attempting to open the gate, running away from Audric to Corien), Atheria left.
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.
•
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.
The amount of physical, mental, and emotional growth Eliana went through in Lightbringer was amazing.
She came to terms with her power, held on through all of Corien’s torture, and carved herself a safe space to hold on to her sanity.
Spoiler
And all that growth, all the strength that this beautiful girl held, all the trials and hardships she went through were erased, just like that.I’m so grateful for Zahra and the fact that, through her, a spark of the person that Eliana was still lives on.
But the loss of the person that Eliana was is one that I felt deeply.
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.
I had been holding out hope that his timeline would accidentally be reset, but I couldn’t imagine any scenario in which he would secretly still be on Eliana’s side.
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.
Corien (p2) - At this point, Corien has driven himself completely insane with his desire for Rielle.
He has absolutely no regard for anyone or anything other than Rielle, and doesn't even seem to care about the power he stands to lose as his obsession grows deeper and drags him further into insanity.
Similar to Corien in Rielle’s timeline, I felt absolutely nothing but hatred toward him.
The Prophet - After a book and a half of guessing who The Prophet was, Lightbringer finally confirmed my hunch.
While the identity of The Prophet did leave me with a lot of unanswered questions, it also fit their storyline really well.
The only part that I found difficult to wrap my head around was The Prophet’s relationship and interactions with Simon.
Spoiler
Ludivine always tried to be so respectful when entering someone’s mind, and I found it difficult to believe that she would ravage Simon’s mind like she did.Especially with the knowledge that she knew him as a child and knew his father, the idea that she would torture him the way she did seems far-fetched to me.
Remy - While I wasn't happy about everything Remy went through in Lightbringer, I think the journey was fitting for him.
He followed in his sister's footsteps but stayed true to the person he was, studying and loving stories more than anything else.
Spoiler
I also think it was fitting for him to go with Eliana and be with her on the terrace that night. For Eliana's sake, I think that was the only way for Remy's story to end.Right beside her, seeing all his heroes come to life, and having a complete understanding not only of what they were doing but of what the consequences were as well.
Navi - Although I know it was the only way it could've gone, I hate the way Navi's story ended.
She was my favorite perfect little badass, and I wanted so much more for her.
I was incredibly happy, however, that she found Ysabet.
The two of them complemented each other wonderfully, and I’m glad that Navi got a little happiness after everything she went through.
Zahra - Zahra was probably the only character whose ending I was satisfied with.
Spoiler
She had the opportunity to see the life that Eliana lived in the future before it was erased and therefore was able to see how she had loved and died for Eliana."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.
After dragging slowly for the first 250 pages or so, the end of the book, and subsequent finale of the Empirium trilogy, was everything I’d hoped it would be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Physical abuse, Torture, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, War, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Suicide, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Pregnancy
_aimsreads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
kevinweitzel44's review
4.0
Not without its flaws. I was fragile as HELL about the ending. This story means a lot to me and I was satisfied with this conclusion ☺️
hsecen's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
I have so many thoughts about this final installment - Kingsbane left me with so many questions and I do get answers in this book which was definitely appreciated. But there's an element introduced in Kingsbane and it becomes even more prevalent in this book which just confuses me too much. If you know you know, and it's just one of those loops that I don't think anyone could really explain perfectly, and throwing it into an already mildly confusing magical world. It didn't go over well for me. I truly don't understand what was going on with Corien, Simon, and the Prophet. Totally lost me. And unfortunately, Eliana had the arc that I was most interested in and it was both confusing and very drawn out. I lost interest about halfway through that timeline.
Rielle, I still don't like. She infuriated me so much and despite the chapter on the terrace, I was still unimpressed with her character. Nothing felt redeemed. And her last chapter was hugely triggering for me and I'm not sure I liked feeling as sad as I did in her final chapter. I'm not sure this is a series I will ever revisit in the future, but maybe now that I have answers, things will make more sense. Who knows.
I have so many thoughts about this final installment - Kingsbane left me with so many questions and I do get answers in this book which was definitely appreciated. But there's an element introduced in Kingsbane and it becomes even more prevalent in this book which just confuses me too much. If you know you know, and it's just one of those loops that I don't think anyone could really explain perfectly, and throwing it into an already mildly confusing magical world. It didn't go over well for me. I truly don't understand what was going on with Corien, Simon, and the Prophet. Totally lost me. And unfortunately, Eliana had the arc that I was most interested in and it was both confusing and very drawn out. I lost interest about halfway through that timeline.
Rielle, I still don't like. She infuriated me so much and despite the chapter on the terrace, I was still unimpressed with her character. Nothing felt redeemed. And her last chapter was hugely triggering for me and I'm not sure I liked feeling as sad as I did in her final chapter. I'm not sure this is a series I will ever revisit in the future, but maybe now that I have answers, things will make more sense. Who knows.
dani_ela0's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sunniestories's review
come talk books with me over at my twitter!
i tried, i really tried, but this was a chore to get through and i had to call it quits around the 50% mark. i'm actually surprised i got as far as i did, because i told myself i was gonna DNF this so many times that i lost count.
every character sucks and is either unlikeable or boring. i truly had enough of rielle, who i just found pathetic in the way that she constantly fawns over corien and does nothing but cause death and destruction (entirely of her own free will, might i add). trust me, i like a morally grey main character but this was too much, and i really could not stand her. eliana does nothing but get abused by corien and it's boring. audric is boring. ludivine is boring. simon is boring. tal is boring. jessamyn is so boring. navi is... maybe not boring, but definitely forgettable. and yet, all of these people are given their own POV chapters. the pacing was slow as hell. i felt like i might just skip to the last few chapters and see how the series ends, but, honestly, i actually don't care enough to. what a disappointment of a series after how promising furyborn seemed to be.
i tried, i really tried, but this was a chore to get through and i had to call it quits around the 50% mark. i'm actually surprised i got as far as i did, because i told myself i was gonna DNF this so many times that i lost count.
every character sucks and is either unlikeable or boring. i truly had enough of rielle, who i just found pathetic in the way that she constantly fawns over corien and does nothing but cause death and destruction (entirely of her own free will, might i add). trust me, i like a morally grey main character but this was too much, and i really could not stand her.
Spoiler
her killing tal was honestly the final nail in the coffin for me.miadesjardins's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
braszinski2's review against another edition
2.0
Finally! Lightbringer! What will happen? How will Legrand end her wonderful start to a story? I loved the first book, did not like the second book, and so the final book in the series had something to prove but I was hopeful for more of what I got in Furyborn than what I got in Kingsbane. Did Legrand deliver?
Hell-to-the-NO.
Lightbringer is one of the worse YA books I have read in a long time. I ran through it because I kept wanting it to get better, and the end was nice, but it was very anti-climatic. Eliana spends over 2/3 of the book in mental prison in Elysium under Corien's crazy control. Simon betrayed her and the rest of Red Crown, killing almost all their allies. While his true loyalties are not questioned, he is quite annoying through most of this novel. Legrand DRAGGGGGGGGGGS Eliana's development on until she literally runs out of room to. The Prophet (yeah... have not mentioned her in my other reviews... ooops) finally reveals herself to Eliana (in angel-speak), but if you did not figure out who it was after the first book, then you were not paying attention. It's one of the few spoilers I kept out of my reviews. Anyway, this book is a mix of Rielle going crazy, Eliana getting mind-raped, Navi (another character I did not care enough about to mention in my other reviews) creating a pitiful army and getting to Elysium to rescue Eliana, etc.
I will say this: Legrand had a plan, knew what she wanted to do, and got her readers there in one piece. I just wish she did not have to make books 2 and 3 so unbelievably anti-climatic and non-story driven. On top of this disappointment, Legrand must have gotten praised for her graphic sex scenes (I'm not surprised), as she chooses to add more of them in this book. I had to tell my mom not to read the series because these scenes ruin the integrity of the story. Of course Rielle's and Audric's love is tested... it's clearly based on sex. Of course, Legrand shapes it as more than that, but that's all she presents. Rielle does not marry Audric until after multiple sexual encounters and then the day of their marriage is the day Rielle leaves Audric (I'm not explaining that). Eliana and Simon have the same kind of relationship: sex, more sex, betrayal, and then even more sex after she escapes from Corien and finds the Prophet. Love is very one-dimensional in this series and I did not appreciate it.
The best example of love Legrand happens to create is the end, when Eliana, after traveling through time again to her mother to end the tyrannical reign of Corien, changes the timeline completely and ends up being born in her own time. Audric, her father, loves her dearly and shows that affection. It's amazing, really. When good authors create scenes of real love it makes me wonder why they take up so much time and space making me word watch sex. It takes away from the whole story and is one of the major reasons why I think the novel failed as a good story.
Claire Legrand had a great start in Furyborn: she did not overdue sex, she focused on the story and character development, and provided some awesome twists right when we needed it. However, she strays from that same intention in Kingsbane and Lightbringer. I was sorely disappointed.
Hell-to-the-NO.
Lightbringer is one of the worse YA books I have read in a long time. I ran through it because I kept wanting it to get better, and the end was nice, but it was very anti-climatic. Eliana spends over 2/3 of the book in mental prison in Elysium under Corien's crazy control. Simon betrayed her and the rest of Red Crown, killing almost all their allies. While his true loyalties are not questioned, he is quite annoying through most of this novel. Legrand DRAGGGGGGGGGGS Eliana's development on until she literally runs out of room to. The Prophet (yeah... have not mentioned her in my other reviews... ooops) finally reveals herself to Eliana (in angel-speak), but if you did not figure out who it was after the first book, then you were not paying attention. It's one of the few spoilers I kept out of my reviews. Anyway, this book is a mix of Rielle going crazy, Eliana getting mind-raped, Navi (another character I did not care enough about to mention in my other reviews) creating a pitiful army and getting to Elysium to rescue Eliana, etc.
I will say this: Legrand had a plan, knew what she wanted to do, and got her readers there in one piece. I just wish she did not have to make books 2 and 3 so unbelievably anti-climatic and non-story driven. On top of this disappointment, Legrand must have gotten praised for her graphic sex scenes (I'm not surprised), as she chooses to add more of them in this book. I had to tell my mom not to read the series because these scenes ruin the integrity of the story. Of course Rielle's and Audric's love is tested... it's clearly based on sex. Of course, Legrand shapes it as more than that, but that's all she presents. Rielle does not marry Audric until after multiple sexual encounters and then the day of their marriage is the day Rielle leaves Audric (I'm not explaining that). Eliana and Simon have the same kind of relationship: sex, more sex, betrayal, and then even more sex after she escapes from Corien and finds the Prophet. Love is very one-dimensional in this series and I did not appreciate it.
The best example of love Legrand happens to create is the end, when Eliana, after traveling through time again to her mother to end the tyrannical reign of Corien, changes the timeline completely and ends up being born in her own time. Audric, her father, loves her dearly and shows that affection. It's amazing, really. When good authors create scenes of real love it makes me wonder why they take up so much time and space making me word watch sex. It takes away from the whole story and is one of the major reasons why I think the novel failed as a good story.
Claire Legrand had a great start in Furyborn: she did not overdue sex, she focused on the story and character development, and provided some awesome twists right when we needed it. However, she strays from that same intention in Kingsbane and Lightbringer. I was sorely disappointed.
mariaeb06's review against another edition
5.0
I dreaded the end of this book so much I stopped reading for an entire month. The anxiety inducing story is burnt in my heart forever. Seriously it took me way longer than what I was anticipating, but once I got over my own anxiety problems - the book was amazing, it was heartbreaking but achingly beautiful and magical, and how could I wait to read it I will never understand!! I am still crying while writing this, so I am gonna try and remain coherent and non emotional (emphasis on try).
I have so many things to say about this book that I do not know where to start. I think my ideas will be a lot more consolidated when I reread this entire series, because this was a heartbreaker which tends to mess my thoughts. It's a complex, dark but full of magic (and sexy) story with the uncommon story of the hero turned evil ch loved the idea of good guy turned villain, which is so unique.
But that ending, was what blew me away. Don't get me wrong I loved the multiple POVs and the time travel ( I was DYING to see the two worlds collide, seriously Rielle and Eliana in the same room I WAS NOT READY), but what that ending did to me was not normal. It was brilliantly written, so full of raw power, love and strength. Both Rielle and Eliana were complex and utter amazing characters, which made - they are two sides of the same coin and it made the story so much more interesting. AndThe interaction between Rielle and Eliana was amazing, and it left a permanent mark on my heart. Corien was a brilliantly written villain, Audric was the perfect prince hero and Simon, oh SIMON I KNEW IT.
Seriously, I need more of this story and this world with its magic.
Favourite quote: "We all have light and darkness inside us. That is what it means to be human"
I have so many things to say about this book that I do not know where to start. I think my ideas will be a lot more consolidated when I reread this entire series, because this was a heartbreaker which tends to mess my thoughts. It's a complex, dark but full of magic (and sexy) story with the uncommon story of the hero turned evil ch loved the idea of good guy turned villain, which is so unique.
But that ending, was what blew me away. Don't get me wrong I loved the multiple POVs and the time travel ( I was DYING to see the two worlds collide, seriously Rielle and Eliana in the same room I WAS NOT READY), but what that ending did to me was not normal. It was brilliantly written, so full of raw power, love and strength. Both Rielle and Eliana were complex and utter amazing characters, which made - they are two sides of the same coin and it made the story so much more interesting. AndThe interaction between Rielle and Eliana was amazing, and it left a permanent mark on my heart. Corien was a brilliantly written villain, Audric was the perfect prince hero and Simon, oh SIMON I KNEW IT.
Seriously, I need more of this story and this world with its magic.
Favourite quote: "We all have light and darkness inside us. That is what it means to be human"