Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
This was a very fitting end to the Gemstone Kingdoms books. I was a bit skeptical about it taking place so far in the future, but it actually worked quite well. While the focus was definitely mostly on Bertram and Pax, it allowed for some reflection with the characters from past books. It was just a very nice send-off!
Pax and Bertie are just as sweet and loving as the other couples in the series
Bertie and Pax's romance was a captivating adventure with magic, mischief, and heartfelt emotions. I got sucked into the journey effortlessly and completely lost my heart to the two of them as they explored the "what if" universe where Bertram never became king. I love the way Amanda Meuwissen blended playful exploration with life lessons, and it was very eye opening to see the consequences of the conflict in Emerald play out when no one was able to establish a compromise. Along the way Bertie and Pax developed a deep physical and emotional bond, and I adored every silly, steamy, and romantic moment they shared together during their explorations. Don't even get me started on their ridiculously passionate lovemaking--the shape shifting, dragon-y nature of Pax made every encounter exciting and overwhelmingly good, and I equally loved seeing how enthralled Bertram was with every minute he got to spend tangled up with Pax. It was impossible not to love Bertram for his loyalty and unselfish desire to do what was best for his people, but Pax really blew me away with his character journey throughout this book. As a platinum dragon, he had the most secrets and history that shaped him into the kindhearted but emotionally distant version of himself that Bertram met, and it was deeply moving to unpack his most heartbreaking moments and see him move past them. When the time came for Pax and Bertie to return home and take action to save Emerald, it seemed like they were no closer to finding a solution than when they'd started, but I had faith that the lessons they'd learned along the way would serve them well. And Bertie and Pax certainly did fight for the future they wanted, not just for the kingdom but also for a love that was just beginning to blossom. The inner romantic in me is totally swooning at the way these two brought out the best in each other and didn't let each other hide from their fears and insecurities. And seeing Pax find a lover that wouldn't use him for selfish needs, wouldn't discard him after all three wishes were spent, well that was enough to fill my heart to bursting.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
This last installment of the gemstone series had everything that I loved about the first book, plus
An important reminder that you can't close off your heart by wishing it. đ It was a wonderful goodbye to this world and these characters.
An important reminder that you can't close off your heart by wishing it. đ It was a wonderful goodbye to this world and these characters.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Un grand merci Ă lâauteure pour cet ARC et sa confiance.
Le Sorceleur rencontre What If (Marvel).
Pax est un dragon ayant choisit de dormir ensevelit au fond dâune cavernes du Royaume de Rubis pendant des siĂšcles Ă la suite dâune tragique histoire.
Mais des mineurs nains le rĂ©veillĂšrent par inadvertance, sonnant le dĂ©but des derniers mĂ©faits du dragon en ce monde avant quâil ne retourne dĂ©finitivement dans le sien.
Bertram est le tout nouveau roi du Royaume dâEmeraude. Un roi qui souhaiterais ne jamais avoir postulĂ© pour ce poste.
Ćuvrer dans lâombre au bon dĂ©roulement du royaume est une chose, mais devoir ouvertement prendre une rĂ©volte Ă bras le corps en est une autre. Bertram ne peut sâempĂȘcher de se demander ce quâil serait advenu du royaume et de sa propre vie sâil avait renoncĂ© Ă la couronne.
Qui nâa jamais rĂȘvĂ© de voir Ă quoi sa propre vie aurait ressemblĂ© sous dâautres circonstances?
Eh bien, qui lâeut cru, les Ă©cailles magiques de Pax ont le pouvoir dâexaucer les vĆux.đ
Le caractĂšre hĂ©doniste de Pax vient se heurter au sens du devoir de Bertram et Ă son abnĂ©gation face aux besoin de son peuple (faisant voler des Ă©tincellesâĄïž). MĂȘme si jâai trouvĂ© que Bertram manquait de poigne sur son peuple.
Câest peut-ĂȘtre ce qui mâa fait moins apprĂ©cier ce tome que les autres (mais il faut bien quâil y en ait un dernierđ
).
Mais ce fut tout de mĂȘme une bonne lecture.
Jâai adorĂ© la signification du trĂ©sor de Pax. Si jâĂ©tais un dragon je thĂ©sauriserais sans doute quelque chose de similaire. Ou bien des livres, qui sait.đ
Et surtout jâai adorĂ© le clin dâĆil de lâauteure Ă sa standalone The Last Courtesan of Olympus.đđđ¶ïžđ„
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
This is a new-to-me series, I'm unfamiliar with the other books that are apart of this series along with the other characters. This book's description really caught my interest and Amanda said that it could be read as a standalone, so I was to test to see if that was correct. And...
It was! For the most part anyway. The story itself definitely stands on its own, the plot was there and done well, each and every character from the more villainous to the ones with good intentions all played a massive role in the story. I don't normally enjoy books that go back and forth across time periods, however, Amanda blew me away by how she wrote those moments. I wasn't confused or lost, I was able to discern what point in the future or past the scene was taking place in, which I was impressed by. Those types of books that go back and forth through time can be a hit or miss, and Amanda definitely nailed that. I really enjoyed Pax's character, I've never read a book that has had a platinum dragon before, nor a book that has a dragon scale being the currency for a wish. That was really unique and creative! Pax's character was honestly adorable, he had a child-like character at times but that was because of someone betraying him in his past. I liked watching his character grow and realize that not everyone he starts to care for will betray him.
Bertram's character was definitely the grumpy to Pax's sunshine. He got elected to be king even though he feels as though that's a mistake. Throughout the course of this story, and with help from his journeys across time, he realizes that maybe he can be king and appease both sides.
The character development that occured on page in this story was terrific! I loved seeing these characters grow. The background was described really well, snd consider that the book not only took place across different time periods, but it also took place in different kingdoms, so for each place to be well described is quite an achievement. Now, here's where reading it as a standalone is tricky. Upon starting this book I was left feeling a bit lost due to all the references to different people/couples, and their kingdoms. I'm assuming that those were references to the other stories, so I did feel a bit lost whenever those things were mentioned. After the first couple of chapters though I was able to just dive right into this story, and not feel confused or as though I was missing anything.
It was! For the most part anyway. The story itself definitely stands on its own, the plot was there and done well, each and every character from the more villainous to the ones with good intentions all played a massive role in the story. I don't normally enjoy books that go back and forth across time periods, however, Amanda blew me away by how she wrote those moments. I wasn't confused or lost, I was able to discern what point in the future or past the scene was taking place in, which I was impressed by. Those types of books that go back and forth through time can be a hit or miss, and Amanda definitely nailed that. I really enjoyed Pax's character, I've never read a book that has had a platinum dragon before, nor a book that has a dragon scale being the currency for a wish. That was really unique and creative! Pax's character was honestly adorable, he had a child-like character at times but that was because of someone betraying him in his past. I liked watching his character grow and realize that not everyone he starts to care for will betray him.
Bertram's character was definitely the grumpy to Pax's sunshine. He got elected to be king even though he feels as though that's a mistake. Throughout the course of this story, and with help from his journeys across time, he realizes that maybe he can be king and appease both sides.
The character development that occured on page in this story was terrific! I loved seeing these characters grow. The background was described really well, snd consider that the book not only took place across different time periods, but it also took place in different kingdoms, so for each place to be well described is quite an achievement. Now, here's where reading it as a standalone is tricky. Upon starting this book I was left feeling a bit lost due to all the references to different people/couples, and their kingdoms. I'm assuming that those were references to the other stories, so I did feel a bit lost whenever those things were mentioned. After the first couple of chapters though I was able to just dive right into this story, and not feel confused or as though I was missing anything.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No