jade_trader's review
1.0
This is Gray's final chapter - and thank goodness. He's decided on a girl (Bree) and is now actively pursuing her, but she's in feminist-mode (doesn't need no man). The group is now moving to go against the Order lead by Frank the big bad guy. OooooOOooooh. The dude gets caught and held by the Order way too much - it seems like this is a constantly repeating game of catch and release. He's caught, he escapes - he's' interrogated, he's him, wash, rinse, repeat. This book has three acts (almost) - they seem like completely different story lines. Getting into a water plant to see what is there under the direction of the Order. Then Gray getting caught and pulled apart by the Oder through torture. His brother and Emma (gag) are with him. Blaine is killed by Gray's evil doppelgänger. Then them planning and executing the actual take over. Good thing? Adian is adorable and PTSD aspects were handled well, realistically and appropriately. That's about it.
I didn't like it - at all. The characters were boring, most deaths seemed pointless and did nothing for the main character, like Blain's death. The main character is irredeemable. He does things that make no sense. IDIOT.
I didn't like it - at all. The characters were boring, most deaths seemed pointless and did nothing for the main character, like Blain's death. The main character is irredeemable. He does things that make no sense. IDIOT.
jojodonut12's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
j_spencer's review against another edition
1.0
I honestly just got so tired of it. People dying and then not being dead but then getting killed again. Over and over. It was a twist the first time it happened. (A predictable twist but still a twist) But the 5th time? It just doesn't work anymore. I also hate Gray. And Bree. And Emma. And Blaine. And every single other character. In the end, I just got tired of hearing them talk. They're all whiny and obnoxious and if I somehow got stuck with them in their stupid rebellious team, I would have killed them all in their sleep. (I'm aware I'm being dramatic. I'm sorry. I'm just salty that I wasted so much time trying to make this book work.)
roseakum's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this at a book fair at school when I was like 14 ish. I didn’t know it was part of a series but I LOVED IT so much that I definitely will read the full series. It’s extremely complex and so brilliantly written I loved every second of it!
sarcrawsh's review
3.0
This book was good. Bowman is pretty ruthless for a YA author, and a number of important characters are killed off. Still very reminiscent of The Hunger Games, particularly with Grey as the reluctant symbol of the revolution.
Emma is the character I wound up liking the least. I never liked her and Grey together but I thought they would be good as friends. Her anger when Grey chooses his TWIN BROTHER over her is way over the top. Obviously she would be hurt and upset. But how could any shred of her actually believe she was more important than his TWIN BROTHER? Even if she was his girlfriend at the time - and she was far from being that - I would think a reasonable human being would understand his choice. Particularly as he grieves after that choice backfires.
Emma is the character I wound up liking the least. I never liked her and Grey together but I thought they would be good as friends. Her anger when Grey chooses his TWIN BROTHER over her is way over the top. Obviously she would be hurt and upset. But how could any shred of her actually believe she was more important than his TWIN BROTHER? Even if she was his girlfriend at the time - and she was far from being that - I would think a reasonable human being would understand his choice. Particularly as he grieves after that choice backfires.
milaisreading's review
5.0
I started this book thinking I wasn't going to remember much or that it had been too long since I read the other two and that I wasn't going to feel as strongly about it. BOY, WAS I WRONG! holy cow! I have no idea why I didn't finish this series sooner?? because that was amazing! and it gave me pain and it gave me love, but most importantly it reminded me why I love reading so much in the first place. So thank you, Erin!!
emotionally: 100/5 stars
Goodreads: 5/5
emotionally: 100/5 stars
Goodreads: 5/5
storiesandsours's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emiling256's review
4.0
This was, in my opinion, the best book of the trilogy.
Gray finally figured his shit out.
There was one forgery that I'm not quite sure about. Not sure when they got the time or opportunity to get enough info to clone said person.
There was one very un needed death I felt but the ending was nicely wrapped up and it felt like its own story finally, not a hybrid of some other ones.
Gray finally figured his shit out.
There was one forgery that I'm not quite sure about. Not sure when they got the time or opportunity to get enough info to clone said person.
There was one very un needed death I felt but the ending was nicely wrapped up and it felt like its own story finally, not a hybrid of some other ones.
islalassiter's review
5.0
One thing I love about literature is its diversity, and the ability for every reader to find "that book" which stamps itself on them and leaves a mark of some emotion. If as readers we are lucky, we find multiple books which leave an impression. For me, the Taken Trilogy found a home. This is the first series with a male protagonist which I have loved since reading Harry Potter (I seem to be picky with my male main characters).
I was anxious to read the final installment after being torn to pieces by the end of the second installment, Frozen, but had faith Erin Bowman would set things right. I had my wish fulfilled, though first I had to read through more gut wrenching scenes and hair yanking suspense, but the ending was a balm for those shattered pieces.
In a world where trust in another could lead to a death sentence, Gray Weathersby clings to those he loves and risks everything to expose the truth which divides the nation. Forged becomes an example of the challenge to humanity when faced with no clear moral answer, and the fortitude of unbreakable bonds between family, friends, and lovers.
This books is fast paced (I finished it in one reading as there was never a good stopping point) with the perfect amount of suspense, humor, and endearing moments. But the true strength of this book can be found in the characters. The entire cast is so well-written, each with their own unique voice and set of quirks, that they linger even after completing the book. I could write more, but there would be spoilers.
If you love books full of suspense, adventure, moments where you want to scream because everything is about to fall apart-then read the Taken trilogy. If you love books with characters who are raw and real and flawed, then read the Taken trilogy. If you love books which present challenges to the human spirit, then read the Taken trilogy. If you loved Hunger Games-read the Taken trilogy. And if you love that big fat thing called cosmic irony-then this series is for you!
I was anxious to read the final installment after being torn to pieces by the end of the second installment, Frozen, but had faith Erin Bowman would set things right. I had my wish fulfilled, though first I had to read through more gut wrenching scenes and hair yanking suspense, but the ending was a balm for those shattered pieces.
In a world where trust in another could lead to a death sentence, Gray Weathersby clings to those he loves and risks everything to expose the truth which divides the nation. Forged becomes an example of the challenge to humanity when faced with no clear moral answer, and the fortitude of unbreakable bonds between family, friends, and lovers.
This books is fast paced (I finished it in one reading as there was never a good stopping point) with the perfect amount of suspense, humor, and endearing moments. But the true strength of this book can be found in the characters. The entire cast is so well-written, each with their own unique voice and set of quirks, that they linger even after completing the book. I could write more, but there would be spoilers.
If you love books full of suspense, adventure, moments where you want to scream because everything is about to fall apart-then read the Taken trilogy. If you love books with characters who are raw and real and flawed, then read the Taken trilogy. If you love books which present challenges to the human spirit, then read the Taken trilogy. If you loved Hunger Games-read the Taken trilogy. And if you love that big fat thing called cosmic irony-then this series is for you!