beansprog's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
amylittleford's review
3.0
*3.5 stars
I finally finished this series! I was really looking forward to reading Summer and Victor's soul finder story and I did end up enjoying the book. Having said this I can't really ignore the major red flags this was giving me. Firstly, the sexism at the start of this book was mortifying, just like the last book, Angel Dares. Hal, Summer's soul finder, was very sexist when he first met Summer, and of course it was considered teasing because he liked her. Completely ridiculous. The other thing that I found problematic was when Summer, not knowing the names of some Asian characters, nicknames them Aladdin and Jafar (cultural appropriation) which really annoyed me. Also, a completely ignorance about Afghanistan overall.
I did enjoy Summer's background story with her family and her powers as a savant were very unique. Hal's abilities where as unique and their abilities paired together were brilliant. I loved the plot line of this book and how it brought the series to a satisfying end. We got to see every character that was important in the ending and I really loved it! To see the savants working together was really fun. I feel like this series is a little outdated for me and sadly when it was released it probably wasn't seen as problematic. However, I'm glad to finally have finished this series!
Amy x
I finally finished this series! I was really looking forward to reading Summer and Victor's soul finder story and I did end up enjoying the book. Having said this I can't really ignore the major red flags this was giving me. Firstly, the sexism at the start of this book was mortifying, just like the last book, Angel Dares. Hal, Summer's soul finder, was very sexist when he first met Summer, and of course it was considered teasing because he liked her. Completely ridiculous. The other thing that I found problematic was when Summer, not knowing the names of some Asian characters, nicknames them Aladdin and Jafar (cultural appropriation) which really annoyed me. Also, a completely ignorance about Afghanistan overall.
I did enjoy Summer's background story with her family and her powers as a savant were very unique. Hal's abilities where as unique and their abilities paired together were brilliant. I loved the plot line of this book and how it brought the series to a satisfying end. We got to see every character that was important in the ending and I really loved it! To see the savants working together was really fun. I feel like this series is a little outdated for me and sadly when it was released it probably wasn't seen as problematic. However, I'm glad to finally have finished this series!
Amy x
aylinbernal's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
gigi_h's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
n1c0l3_1905's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
matouli's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.0
mai_day's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
beccakatie's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good final conclusion to the series. Allowing the final members of the Benedict family and the younger friendship group to find their soulfinders rounded everything off nicely. I did enjoy the change of scenery, many of the locations for the previous books have been quite interchangeable, and I've previously noted that Stirling tries too hard to prove that she is familiar with the area.
Bringing in the same characters and plot arc that's appeared in the previous books was an effective decision, as the readers were able to find out what happened after the books ended, as well as gaining a wider understanding of the practicalities of the Savant world and justice system.
It was enjoyable to get to know Victor's character better. He's always been the Benedict brother we know the least about, and his character trait of 'strong and silent' too often meant that he was left in the background. Watching him struggling with how to help his soulfinder and his torn loyalties between his work and his family was a great development.
One problem I do have with this book, and the entire series really, is how the female characters are often written as needing 'saving' and pushed to the side in the final fight scenes. Although they do have strong, standout moments, compared to the Benedict brothers they seem to be typecast as physically weaker, more suited to the emotional labour that comes later. Even in the final fight of this book, they were often left out of focus which I definitely feel was a waste as they are such good characters with such varied potential.
Bringing in the same characters and plot arc that's appeared in the previous books was an effective decision, as the readers were able to find out what happened after the books ended, as well as gaining a wider understanding of the practicalities of the Savant world and justice system.
It was enjoyable to get to know Victor's character better. He's always been the Benedict brother we know the least about, and his character trait of 'strong and silent' too often meant that he was left in the background. Watching him struggling with how to help his soulfinder and his torn loyalties between his work and his family was a great development.
One problem I do have with this book, and the entire series really, is how the female characters are often written as needing 'saving' and pushed to the side in the final fight scenes. Although they do have strong, standout moments, compared to the Benedict brothers they seem to be typecast as physically weaker, more suited to the emotional labour that comes later. Even in the final fight of this book, they were often left out of focus which I definitely feel was a waste as they are such good characters with such varied potential.
its_soup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75