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noellegrace8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Good things: Evajacks is as enticing as ever. And the plot introduces new elements like the two trees and Jacks' heart, which keeps the interest up. Evangeline is portrayed as having more willpower than ever (if you don't think that's possible, just wait). I like that even she has some character development in this one, not just Jacks. I also usually hate the amnesia trope but man. This one... actually does it well?? I finally understood WHY people use it. You're given even more insight into just how much Evangeline is drawn to this man (fate), that not even loss of memory can separate them. Certain characters get their comeuppance. Others' is foreshadowed... but yeah. It was just... a well-written book.
The bad: again, loose ends. I'm confused as to why Marisol and Luc both just kind of disappeared. The history of the arch, the Valors, Jacks, etc.? That's clear as mud, still. I need more answers! Also, we really needed to have been given a glimpse into Apollo's character before meeting him in OUABH. Because his absolutely treacherous, vile behavior in this book is confusing. Was he always like this? Did the curses drive him mad? Unsure. Also, you get a quarter of the way through the book before Jacks makes an appearance, which is torture! But I also think it was done kind of well.... Additionally, I'm confused about Jacks' blood on the arch and the tavern door?? I kept expecting that maybe it's a protection spell or something? But no explanation. Just like there was no explanation for Eva's kiss breaking the spell. I have a theory that maybe someone else has to kiss him first, instead of him being the instigator? Unsure though. We better get a Lala book by the way. I need to know if she and Dain find love and break her curse. Also... how do they take out Jacks' heart and put it back in? It's just casually mentioned that we all have 2 hearts but never explained...
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. Too loud sometimes, but generally accurate to the text.
I give Dan Bittner 4/5⭐️. He didn't always sound the way I imagined the characters were talking, and his narration seems less organic than it should be.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
I added sexual assault/violence to the "minor" section because it's difficult to ignore the writing style of the scenes in which Apollo is restraining Evangeline, stealing memories, etc. It's written with sexual threat even if none actually happens.onewhogivesthevictory's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book got me!
“So you’d rather live without me?”
“I’d rather you live.”
“I am living, Jacks, and I am not going to die anytime soon.” Evangeline
closed her eyes and then she kissed him.
It was a kiss like a prayer, quiet, almost pleading, made of tremulous lips
and nervous fingers. It felt like reaching out in the dark, hoping to find alight.
The moment I read that line I kid you not-
I gasped and my eyes widened so hard!!! Like Stephanie, fan service delivery!
I loved this series and the ending was so satisfying despite the trials and plot.
Every scene was necessary for the plot. She outdid herself with this masterpiece. As a writer, this is one of those moments where I am honestly starstruck at how beautifully orchestrated the story was and how the characters grew!
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
kaneli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
libantoinette10's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Whilst I enjoyed the easy read that this book was, it did leave me feeling a little disappointed and underwhelmed. I felt a lot of the anticipation built in th second book unfortunately did not reach its peak in the third, and left a lot of questions unanswered. The mix of three POVS personally worked for me but I did feel like there wasn't enough Jacks POV's. I felt the love declaration was somewhat missing despite it being set up to be immense in the first two books.
I'm so pleased Jacks and Eva got their happy ending, and it was an enjoyable read but overall it just didn't quite live up to the first books, which is a shame as I really really wanted to love this.
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
tedier's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Minor: Gore and Blood
taylorjayne's review against another edition
0.25
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
izzyreadswhilequilting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
katvou's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
jillie's review against another edition
5.0
Y’all. I read this the day it came out & have struggled to review it, especially after seeing all the people disappointed with it. For me, this was PERFECT. I loved this conclusion & wouldn’t change a thing! I thought it was the most romantic & the focus of the two fighting for what they wanted aaagg (trying to avoid spoilers). Conclusions are always so difficult to write & the only other time in recent years I’ve found one as perfect as this was The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden.
Garber’s writing is so beautiful! I’m impressed with how it keeps getting better. In this installation she did a masterful job building off of the foundations she set in the first two books & I loved where she focused this one. I laughed, I cried, I loved every second of this journey. Thank you, Stephanie!!
ps I included the quote at the top because I think it explains a lot of what her intent was & it just worked so well. I love this storybook atmosphere she’s created 🥰
October 2023
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, and Blood
chronicacademia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, and Pregnancy