Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - The Memory of Babel

I'm honestly disappointed how this series kept going downhill for me.

The setting changed completely– instead of the Pole, it's Babel, another ark in this world. The set of side characters changed too. I'm not really a fan of that change but I understand that this fantasy world is getting bigger.

My problem starts with how Ophelia was potrayed. Her motivation since the start was to find Thorn and follow his footsteps. But let's be real, she had no idea what she was doing. Any adversity she encountered, she somehow managed to conveniently overcame it. Even the clues she found, it all felt like chance. She's brave, I'll give her that. Because no matter what, she stuck to the end. But her motivation to endure was probably also because of Thorn. It didn't bode well with me that once she found Thorn, all she wanted to do was to seek his approval. She didn't even seem to care that there is an entity that is out there trying to do something to her world.

And Thorn– Before, I thought that he was an enigmatic man and I found him interesting. But now, I'm just annoyed. First of all, I feel like we skipped a whole book on how Thorn himself managed to be in a position of power in Babel (I know there was a time skip of 3 years and Thorn explained it, but still, it did not feel believable. The Geneologists seemed like characters who were conveniently created to make it believable). Secondly, his complete lack of communication with Ophelia annoyed me. It's not until the end that they finally opened up to each other. But even then, I still felt like there was a barrier between them. Their strained tension got on my nerves. Three books in and I barely feel any chemistry between them.

There was a map at the beginning of the book– a map of all the different arks in this fantasy world. I was disappointed that the map barely had any relevance in this third book. I thought Ophelia was going to travel to the different arks. But alas, we were stuck on Babel, trying to be an aspiring virtuoso because of reasons.

I was only properly invested during Victoria's chapters. Because let's be honest, her powers are so intriguing. If only we got more of that. If only we got more of Archibald traveling to find LandmArk. If only!

The mystery part made me both confused and curious. But, I don't know if I want to continue with the 4th book just to satisfy that curiosity.

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chaoticace's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

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grimmdark's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring mysterious 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

4.25

out of all 3 books i've read so far, definitely my favorite. it's actually really cool to see how much the author improves and where with each tome. loved babel as a setting!!!! so many cool characters!!!! can't wait to read the next and final book. maybe i'll come back for a review later phew!!

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

Two and a half years after returning to Anima, Ophelia travels to the Ark of Babel in search of Thorn and any information that could help her defeat God. Babel is supposed to be a perfect utopia, but she soon finds that things are not as peaceful and orderly as they seem. Ophelia must keep her true identity secret as she studies to become a virtuoso and access the highly guarded secrets at the center of the Babel library.

The beginning of this third installment in the Mirror Visitor series was a bit slow, but I really loved the introduction of a new Ark with new people and family powers. The world-building was incredibly rich and the characters more diverse, which made it more interesting.

Spoiler

I was sad about Thorn's absence in the first half or so of the book (who knew I'd come to like him so much!). Even when Ophelia finally found him, his coldness made it feel like he'd reverted to how he'd been at the beginning of A Winter's Promise, which was frustrating! I am a complete sucker for a slow-burn, though, so I loved the ending.

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):

Spoiler

Pretty happy! But, as is Dabos' style, it was a bit of a cliffhanger, too. Now I just have to wait for the English translation of the fourth book to be released!

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spearly's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The tension electrifying his body immediately intensified, tightening his jaw and hardening his eyes. It was then that Ophelia realized that what she had always taken for determination was, in reality, true rage.

The Memory of Babel continues Ophelia's story 2 years after Thorn escapes his prison with her mirror visitor power. Ophelia travels to Babel in hopes of finding him, and some answers that can help them in their fight against God.

Wow, as I write these small blurbs, I'm realizing how difficult it is to explain these books. All you need to know is: it's fantasy, it's magical, it's incredibly original, and it's a slow burn romance (and I mean it... the burn is driving me absolutely NUTS and I love to hate it and hate to love it).

I regret to say that I feel... there were a few places where the english translation suffered a bit. I'm sure that in french, a language that has different connotations and historical context, the r-slur isn't something people bat an eye at, but it felt like an unnecessary addition. I would have liked to see a synonym in it's place to describe

Spoiler

Victoria, Berenilde's now 2-year old daughter who doesn't walk or talk

.

Likewise, while the pose was still enjoyable and the world-building exquisite, The Memory of Babel didn't read quite as melodious to me. I'm not sure if this was a translation issue or not.

Ophelia just keeps getting better with every novel. Chapter after chapter, I am awed by her strength, her cunning, her loyalty. Even at times when I grew frustrated, she always stayed sure of herself. Book after book we've watched her grow from a timid, non-confrontational girl to a woman who will cross the world (or what is now considered the world after the Rupture) to find the man she loves. Even when

Spoiler

he's cold, unreadable, stern, seemingly indifferent, her devotion is astounding.

. Also, lets put our freaking hands together for Dabos who managed to write an exceptional heroine who's incredible powerful, at the centre of all that needs to be done in the universe, and she ISN'T A MARY SUE. THANK THE LORD.

Let's talk about Thorne for a sec, because being the sap I am, I am fu*king INVESTED in Ophelia and Thorne. I had little doubt

Spoiler

they would reunite, though I'm glad it happened in this book because I wouldn't have put it past Dabos to wait until the fourth and final instalment. I don't know that I've anticipated a reunion so much since Peeta and Katniss in Mockingjay, and like that reunion, I must admit, I was disappointed. Was it totally in keeping with the story? Yes. Was Thorne pretty much exactly as he's always been? Still, yes. Does that mean I can't wish for SOMETHING to light my fire?

Thorne remained as cold and impassive as ever. Honestly, in any other character like this, I would probably HATE it. I'd shake my head at our beloved Ophelia and say <i>how can you stand it!!</i> But somehow, someway, Thorne just... *chef's kiss*. I would pay GOOD MONEY to get a few of their interactions from his POV cause I am DYING TO SEE HIM PINE. I LOVE IT. I LIVE FOR IT.

I would NEVER let a guy talk to me that way, but him and Ophelia just balance each other out so well, I can't help but root for them.

I'm on the edge of my seat for The Storm of Echoes. Seriously. I NEED IT.

I have such a book hangover after this, my god. I need some YA, brb.

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