Reviews

While these books seem to have everything work out in the end, I still really enjoy the journey. The worlds that Brandon Mull creates are amazing. For the record, this book isn't near as dark as the title would suggest. Definitely recommend.

adambroud's review against another edition

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3.0

This book does so many things right and so many things wrong.

Let's go ahead and start with the wrong so that I don't end with the impression that I hated this book. First off, the journey has mostly consisted of the same core group of characters.

Spoiler

For whatever reason, Brandon Mull decides to completely incapacitate the majority of these known characters for the entirety of the book. This means that all of the relationships that you've grown to know and love are practically pointless in this book. This would be like a Harry Potter book where Ron and Hermione are just on vacation for a whole book. Or maybe Fablehaven but for a whole book Kendra is by herself and doesn't talk to anyone else you know about. It cut off so much of the emotion in the book.

Spoiler

I feel like Mull did this so that he could get to some of the deeper stuff that he was wanting to get to. I feel like he wanted to explain the creation of the Outskirts, the origin of the nemesis, and all the other neat things, and just didn't quite know how to do it with all of the existing characters, so he essentially made them non-existent in this book. Kinda lame.

Now let's talk about the other thing that bothered me. Basically, this whole book is just the main character

Spoiler

running around being told that he just missed what he was looking for. Each person sends him somewhere else, and it ends up feeling like a lot of pointless travel. The book even acknowledges this to some extent when Cole mentions to one character that everyone he sees just sends him to talk to someone else instead. I can understand the desire to want to show off the world that you have created as an author, but it needs to come with purpose. Too often, that purpose wasn't there.

Alright, enough bad, let's talk about the good. This book does a great job of showing that there's more to this kid book than just a kid doing good things. The book dives deeper into interesting lore, and explains many questions that I didn't think would need to be answered, but it turned out I was really glad Mull did answer them. I love it when books show that the author thought deeply about the world that they've created.

The other thing I loved about this book was

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the inclusion of the much loved characters from The Beyonders series! I couldn't believe it when they showed up, I was so excited! I had originally complained when I read the first book that this series felt a little too Beyondersish, but now that I know that that was intentional, I love it. I can't think of a single other children's series that crosses worlds and series like this one has. The inclusion of The Beyonders characters was seriously fantastic.

So there it is. I still really like this series, but ultimately, the seemingly pointless running around equaled the cool things that happened in this book for me. I almost gave it a four, but I just can't do it. I'm still looking forward to the 5th book though!

oliviafern555's review

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The library wanted it back 😭

bizzybee429's review against another edition

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4.0

I can't believe ferrin and drake are boyfriends in heaven in this also ferrin is so valid "friendship is a novelty worth exploring" shut tf up you're making me cry GOD

froggiez8396's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This entire book is building up to the finale - the great climax. The sense of urgency through Cole’s adventures in Necronum is palpable throughout. I literally read this book in one day the story was that good

talon1010's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely excellent! I had mixed feelings, for various reasons, in anticipation of this volume but it so, so superseded them. Mull obviously took a lot of time building the echolands as an intriguing, considerate afterlife zone. I'm not even typically one for necromancy in stories; I think it's easy to do it lazily, banking on the appeal of the magic to be complex for itself, but there were no mediocre zombies and maniacally-cackling wraiths to be found.
My one, big note is a bit spoilery: I saw

Spoiler

the revelation of Nazeem as a torivor

coming from a book away. It seemed so clearly set up that it was absurd to see Cole surprised by it (and pretty funny that no one that he tells seems to be surprised). While that did bog me down a bit, I was picked right back up by the next several chapters. The revelations made about the nature of the Outskirts and shaping, and the absolutely bonkers events including Destiny and

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Dandalus

were incredible, and had me up insanely late to find out what comes next.
This book works so well, and is so well thought out. Like Fablehaven, Mull seems to reach a point in the fourth of five books where, now that the world, magic, and characters have a bit of wear on them, he can take it in a new and insane direction. I cannot emphasize how well this book is put together and considered; it's meant for kids, but again, I was on the edge of my seat late at night reckoning all of the newly-known stakes and powers of the world. So good.

theredpanda17's review against another edition

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5.0

This may be my favorite Brandon Mull book. It has it all: inspiring world building, wonderful and dynamic characters, deep meaning that goes beyond the book, perfect pace, an unpredictable yet well-constructed plot. You name it. It also perfectly sets up book 5. I'm genuinely amazed at how perfectly crafted this book is. Can't wait for the final installment!

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