norcali's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
rachelduxbury's review against another edition
2.0
Such a lacking end to the story, it all felt very anticlimactic
Lost all momentum reading this and was very happy to finish it
Lost all momentum reading this and was very happy to finish it
renate_rog's review against another edition
2.0
So basically it is way too slow paced for me. Besides that, I don’t like or get why Jules is getting so much time in the book compared to Arsinoe. Also don’t get why Mirabella had to be thrown off a cliff.
I would’ve loved to see more in detail about the history of Daphne and Illian and then through that find a solution for the mist. I feel like there was so much potential in getting more background story on how it all started.
Next to that it wasn’t even sure if Mirabella would be able to get rid of the mist by dying. Moreover, why even let her prove herself that she can hold the mist and then basically let her die when it matters most?
Even though most of the time I didn’t like Katherine that much, I did not like how she died. It was done way too quickly same as Mirabella. They both deserved a more worthy death than this to be fair. Or maybe a solution to the mist which kept them all three alive.
Furthermore, I don’t like how it kinda has an open end but also doesn’t really. I feel like it could’ve had a better ‘closing’ end.
Besides that I have quite a few complaints about it I did like the story behind it. It seemed like such a good story idea for a book. I didn’t completely hate it but for me it’s definitely not one of the best books I have read. This also means I won’t read them again. As much as I did want to like it.
I would’ve loved to see more in detail about the history of Daphne and Illian and then through that find a solution for the mist. I feel like there was so much potential in getting more background story on how it all started.
Next to that it wasn’t even sure if Mirabella would be able to get rid of the mist by dying. Moreover, why even let her prove herself that she can hold the mist and then basically let her die when it matters most?
Even though most of the time I didn’t like Katherine that much, I did not like how she died. It was done way too quickly same as Mirabella. They both deserved a more worthy death than this to be fair. Or maybe a solution to the mist which kept them all three alive.
Furthermore, I don’t like how it kinda has an open end but also doesn’t really. I feel like it could’ve had a better ‘closing’ end.
Besides that I have quite a few complaints about it I did like the story behind it. It seemed like such a good story idea for a book. I didn’t completely hate it but for me it’s definitely not one of the best books I have read. This also means I won’t read them again. As much as I did want to like it.
pagesbycaroline's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and War
Moderate: Torture and War
margaux_gdb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
yanners's review against another edition
3.0
Finally, my prayers has been answered. Everywhere I look, I’m staring into the face of death quite literally. I can’t even count how many people died in this book but only Katherine’s really matter and my heart shattered when she just died like this. I’m just so stunned now that the whole series is finally over. This book has been a maelstrom of emotions for me because so many things happened.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the embedded subterfuge in the plot because there were so many double crossings and hidden agendas that sometimes I don’t know if I’m just overthinking it or it’s really some elaborate betrayal. As usual, Katherine’s character’s flair and vulnerability was so well expressed and I could really feel her struggle as the dead queens kept trying to take control of her body. Her childhood and how it scarred her ability to trust others makes it so wholesome when she begins opening up to others, especially Mirabella, whom I have always seen as a foil because her personality is seriously the opposite of Katherine. Like where she is charming or kindhearted, Katherine is just really clammed up or skeptical. It’s this balance that makes their alliance with each other very exciting because Katherine is forced to walk the tightrope between commanding the Arrons’ respect and listening to Mirabella’s wishes.
BUT, as usual, there were certain flaws which made it really hard for me to warm up to the book. I didn’t like how long it took for Jules and Pietyr to wake up from their catatonic state because the plot appeared really draggy at the start where Arsinoe is just fretting over Jules all day long and Katherine is just being emo. More crucially, I absolutely despised Arsinoe’s character in this book. While there was a paradigm shift in her character at the end which made her slightly more tolerable, I still cannot forgive her for being such a pain in everyone’s ass.
Take this scene for example. Arsinoe leaves Daphne alone for like the duration of almost an entire book just to expect her to come and help the rebels fight when she summons her. Like, girl, you really one-upped yourself there.
And can we just talk about the unholy number of pages it took for Katherine’s possession by the dead queens to become public?? The suspense was so long to the point where I felt like dying of boredom because no one could even connect the dots together.
Also, let’s talk William (Henry) Chatworth Jr. The world’s most irritating little fly. Sure, some of you might argue that he’s adorable and caring and that I’m being unexceptionally mean, but the boy’s really gotta go. His whole sob/rage scene over his father’s death just made the how-annoying-is-billy meter shoot sky-high. Him grieving over his cold-blooded scum of a father just made me feel like slapping him back to the mainland. If you’ve ever gotten the feeling where a character makes your blood boil, this is exactly how I feel about Billy boy. His lucky that he died a quick death (at least that’s what I’m assuming because it appeared that Arsinoe wasn’t aware Pietyr had stabbed him from what I read in the epilogue) else I would’ve hunted him done after all of this is over and smack him.
Suffice to say, Five Dark Fates was slightly better but I’m still kinda salty about the whole extending-it-to-four-books decision. 3 stars
I’m pleasantly surprised by the embedded subterfuge in the plot because there were so many double crossings and hidden agendas that sometimes I don’t know if I’m just overthinking it or it’s really some elaborate betrayal. As usual, Katherine’s character’s flair and vulnerability was so well expressed and I could really feel her struggle as the dead queens kept trying to take control of her body. Her childhood and how it scarred her ability to trust others makes it so wholesome when she begins opening up to others, especially Mirabella, whom I have always seen as a foil because her personality is seriously the opposite of Katherine. Like where she is charming or kindhearted, Katherine is just really clammed up or skeptical. It’s this balance that makes their alliance with each other very exciting because Katherine is forced to walk the tightrope between commanding the Arrons’ respect and listening to Mirabella’s wishes.
BUT, as usual, there were certain flaws which made it really hard for me to warm up to the book. I didn’t like how long it took for Jules and Pietyr to wake up from their catatonic state because the plot appeared really draggy at the start where Arsinoe is just fretting over Jules all day long and Katherine is just being emo. More crucially, I absolutely despised Arsinoe’s character in this book. While there was a paradigm shift in her character at the end which made her slightly more tolerable, I still cannot forgive her for being such a pain in everyone’s ass.
Take this scene for example. Arsinoe leaves Daphne alone for like the duration of almost an entire book just to expect her to come and help the rebels fight when she summons her. Like, girl, you really one-upped yourself there.
And can we just talk about the unholy number of pages it took for Katherine’s possession by the dead queens to become public?? The suspense was so long to the point where I felt like dying of boredom because no one could even connect the dots together.
Also, let’s talk William (Henry) Chatworth Jr. The world’s most irritating little fly. Sure, some of you might argue that he’s adorable and caring and that I’m being unexceptionally mean, but the boy’s really gotta go. His whole sob/rage scene over his father’s death just made the how-annoying-is-billy meter shoot sky-high. Him grieving over his cold-blooded scum of a father just made me feel like slapping him back to the mainland. If you’ve ever gotten the feeling where a character makes your blood boil, this is exactly how I feel about Billy boy. His lucky that he died a quick death (at least that’s what I’m assuming because it appeared that Arsinoe wasn’t aware Pietyr had stabbed him from what I read in the epilogue) else I would’ve hunted him done after all of this is over and smack him.
Suffice to say, Five Dark Fates was slightly better but I’m still kinda salty about the whole extending-it-to-four-books decision. 3 stars
acozyadventurer's review against another edition
5.0
Yessssssssssss x 1000. This book has everything I’d hope for out of a fantasy series conclusion. I HIGHLY recommend.