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evenshadow's review against another edition
3.0
I adored this series, but the ending felt rushed. He didn't leave any loose ends, but it was very weird and I felt somewhat unsatisfied by it.
loxleyhall's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
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
4.25
michellemm85's review against another edition
3.0
3/6 I suppose
Spoilers
I'm glad Anne didn't destroy the world I suppose, though it was a close thing. None of my ships came to be so, I didn't much care towards the end lol. I did like Cape Chavel and Anne went through all the trouble to make him king, so I don't know why she didn't just marry him and then betroth her child to Hansa and instead has to marry the King... ( I get why, I'm just saying lol)
Actually hated Stephen/Black Jester, though I do wish we got to read more of his translations of Virgenya's journal. THAT was interesting at least. Didn't like Aspar either, but him being the new Briar King made sense.
Maybe it was because I was skimming, but did Anne give up all her power? Also, did Austra and Cazio get married? Did Anne make him a duke? I both want to know and at the same time don't care lol
I'm apathetic about this at the moment.
I did like how we never know who was "good" as they were each fighting for their own thing, though I'm sure everyone had the character they were rooting for. Will I read this series again? Probably not, tbh. There were parts that I liked, but there was also parts that were a slog. SO maybe I'd just mark all the parts I liked and only re-read those. I'll keep the books for a little bit and made a determination at a later date lol
Spoilers
I'm glad Anne didn't destroy the world I suppose, though it was a close thing. None of my ships came to be so, I didn't much care towards the end lol. I did like Cape Chavel and Anne went through all the trouble to make him king, so I don't know why she didn't just marry him and then betroth her child to Hansa and instead has to marry the King... ( I get why, I'm just saying lol)
Actually hated Stephen/Black Jester, though I do wish we got to read more of his translations of Virgenya's journal. THAT was interesting at least. Didn't like Aspar either, but him being the new Briar King made sense.
Maybe it was because I was skimming, but did Anne give up all her power? Also, did Austra and Cazio get married? Did Anne make him a duke? I both want to know and at the same time don't care lol
I'm apathetic about this at the moment.
I did like how we never know who was "good" as they were each fighting for their own thing, though I'm sure everyone had the character they were rooting for. Will I read this series again? Probably not, tbh. There were parts that I liked, but there was also parts that were a slog. SO maybe I'd just mark all the parts I liked and only re-read those. I'll keep the books for a little bit and made a determination at a later date lol
glowbump's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
wynwicket's review against another edition
4.0
And the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone saga comes to an end with a few pleasant surprises, a few less pleasant surprises, and a few oh-my-goodness-I-can't-believe-that-HAPPENED.
On one hand, I think the plot got a bit too complicated for its own good. On the other, I thoroughly enjoyed some of the character arcs, and the ending was epic in every sense of the word. Good stuff.
On one hand, I think the plot got a bit too complicated for its own good. On the other, I thoroughly enjoyed some of the character arcs, and the ending was epic in every sense of the word. Good stuff.
cat_queen005's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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
3.0
katmarhan's review against another edition
5.0
9.5/10
A completely satisfying conclusion to the series, with a happier ending for many of the characters than I expected or than they perhaps deserved.
A completely satisfying conclusion to the series, with a happier ending for many of the characters than I expected or than they perhaps deserved.
cavalary's review against another edition
5.0
This is the end of certainly one of the very best series that I ever read. The story is interesting, the pacing is extremely intense, with next to no filler and very, very little that doesn't actually drive the story forward, and any complaints that may in all fairness be made regarding character development and the huge amount of extremely lucky events that happen to the characters easily get forgotten.
As for the very end... It's a whirlwind of action, a chain nightmare, a series of fever dreams which has been building up all along and suddenly explodes in your face, leaving you gaping and grasping at it, trying, perhaps in vain, to come to terms with all that's going on. When it's all over, all too soon, you'll probably still be at least somewhat confused and perhaps, as Mery put it, "feel a better kind of sad".
As for the very end... It's a whirlwind of action, a chain nightmare, a series of fever dreams which has been building up all along and suddenly explodes in your face, leaving you gaping and grasping at it, trying, perhaps in vain, to come to terms with all that's going on. When it's all over, all too soon, you'll probably still be at least somewhat confused and perhaps, as Mery put it, "feel a better kind of sad".
caedo06's review against another edition
4.0
This series had its ups and downs, but overall it was an enjoyable ride. The world building was mostly solid: the magic system was really interesting, and the politics well constructed. The actual feel of the different nations was a little too on the nose (as in VERY clearly lifted from medieval Europe).
The characters too were a mixed bag. Almost every major character had times when they really shone, and had a compelling arc or narrative. However, a number of characters (including some of those same major characters) had times when they fell into overused stereotypes and tropes. While this happened with both male and female characters, it did feel that it disproportionately affected the female characters (unfortunately not surprised. Though a little disappointed as other books of Keyes didn't fall into this pitfall).
In the end though, this was an entertaining series that did manage to take some unexpected, emotional, and exciting turns throughout.
The characters too were a mixed bag. Almost every major character had times when they really shone, and had a compelling arc or narrative. However, a number of characters (including some of those same major characters) had times when they fell into overused stereotypes and tropes. While this happened with both male and female characters, it did feel that it disproportionately affected the female characters (unfortunately not surprised. Though a little disappointed as other books of Keyes didn't fall into this pitfall).
In the end though, this was an entertaining series that did manage to take some unexpected, emotional, and exciting turns throughout.
mkpatter's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I was not expecting any of THAT to happen. Why couldn't the rest of the series been this surprising? Ah well.