julieabe89's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
I love this book. It has such a bittersweet ending. I cannot get enough of this main character. I can’t wait to read Endgame!
lizzy_22's review
5.0
I just bumped this up to 5 stars because as I thought about the review I would write the feelings I had when I finished Aftermath reared up on me again.
Rather than recap and analyze what has happened in the Jax series so far I would rather say that despite what I am sure shippers of Sirantha and March would say was a sad and disappointing ending, I saw the most optimistic and beautiful threads of love, friendship and destiny laid out for the last book, Endgame, to weave into what I am sure will be a magnificent finish.
Much of this has to do with Sirantha's relationship with the incomparable Vel. Their friendship and deep connection has to be the most amazing and heartfelt I've ever read between two non-romantic companions ever. Their understanding and empathy towards each other along with the commitment and loyalty they feel is just amazing and as breathtakingly peaceful as it is simple. I get the sense that they are two integral souls never to be parted and no matter where she ends up on this journey, Vel will be there at her side.
Rather than recap and analyze what has happened in the Jax series so far I would rather say that despite what I am sure shippers of Sirantha and March would say was a sad and disappointing ending, I saw the most optimistic and beautiful threads of love, friendship and destiny laid out for the last book, Endgame, to weave into what I am sure will be a magnificent finish.
Much of this has to do with Sirantha's relationship with the incomparable Vel. Their friendship and deep connection has to be the most amazing and heartfelt I've ever read between two non-romantic companions ever. Their understanding and empathy towards each other along with the commitment and loyalty they feel is just amazing and as breathtakingly peaceful as it is simple. I get the sense that they are two integral souls never to be parted and no matter where she ends up on this journey, Vel will be there at her side.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Loved reading this book, it was anther great adventure, and I can't wait to finish this series!
anzuk's review
3.0
First of all I have to say that I’m never reading a book like this. 10 days - what the hell? And postponing it made me forget certain things/ thoughts so eventually I ended up giving it the neutral score: three.
I’m not sure if the book was good for you guys but it was strange for me. Whenever I’d start reading Aftermath something would happen. Vampires Suck playing on HBO, my PC needing to be formatted or moving to another freakin’ country (true story)! So of course I had to postpone reading in order to fix these things. Just like moths to a flame…
The start caught up with the wonderful decision of Jax leaving everything behind. Again. I still don’t see the reason why she did that. Can someone please enlighten me? (Answer: “To carry word of the shift in grimspace, so she could save as many lives as possible.” – meh!) I see this whole matter as Jax complicating everything (as usual). I really used to like this chick but the last two books ruined it for me. She’s getting more and more annoying. But anyway, I think she deserves everything that’s coming her way since she asked for it. Too bad I’m not so interested in this anymore. I think I lost my love for this series so waiting for the last book won’t be so difficult. And I’m not going to be excited about it, this I’m sure. I’ll read it, find out how it ends and celebrate.
Back to the point. Of course Jax will do something stupid at the end of the book. It’s a habit now… Wait… *getting to the final chapter* What did I tell you?
Because you’re all stupid, that’s why. Sacrifice in the name of love? You’re doing it wrong!
And yet she had the balls to leave him. Now I don’t know if she’s that strong or that stupid.
March was no good either. First his decision to go nephew hunting, then settling down (which probably came one book too early for Jax) and then declaring his eternal love to a woman who always dumps him. WTF?! You’re cool about it March? You’ll waste all your life waiting for someone who will never settle down with you?
What I liked the most about the book? Vel. Yes, he’s still my favorite. His story with Adele was touching and his loyalty to Jax is worthy of some respect. I say some because of not liking the puppy eyed pansy he’s becoming around Jax. I hope they won’t ruin him in Endgame…
P.S.
I’m not sure if the book was good for you guys but it was strange for me. Whenever I’d start reading Aftermath something would happen. Vampires Suck playing on HBO, my PC needing to be formatted or moving to another freakin’ country (true story)! So of course I had to postpone reading in order to fix these things. Just like moths to a flame…
The start caught up with the wonderful decision of Jax leaving everything behind. Again. I still don’t see the reason why she did that. Can someone please enlighten me? (Answer: “To carry word of the shift in grimspace, so she could save as many lives as possible.” – meh!) I see this whole matter as Jax complicating everything (as usual). I really used to like this chick but the last two books ruined it for me. She’s getting more and more annoying. But anyway, I think she deserves everything that’s coming her way since she asked for it. Too bad I’m not so interested in this anymore. I think I lost my love for this series so waiting for the last book won’t be so difficult. And I’m not going to be excited about it, this I’m sure. I’ll read it, find out how it ends and celebrate.
Back to the point. Of course Jax will do something stupid at the end of the book. It’s a habit now… Wait… *getting to the final chapter* What did I tell you?
“How can love be so magnificent and still hurt this much?”
“I don’t know. Over the turns, I’ve asked myself the same thing.”
Because you’re all stupid, that’s why. Sacrifice in the name of love? You’re doing it wrong!
“Jax … you know how I said … before your trial—that I’d be there waiting? I always will be. Five turns. Ten. Twenty. There’s no one else for me. I live in hope that there will come a time when you’ll need no more wandering, and you’ll come home to me.”
And yet she had the balls to leave him. Now I don’t know if she’s that strong or that stupid.
March was no good either. First his decision to go nephew hunting, then settling down (which probably came one book too early for Jax) and then declaring his eternal love to a woman who always dumps him. WTF?! You’re cool about it March? You’ll waste all your life waiting for someone who will never settle down with you?
What I liked the most about the book? Vel. Yes, he’s still my favorite. His story with Adele was touching and his loyalty to Jax is worthy of some respect. I say some because of not liking the puppy eyed pansy he’s becoming around Jax. I hope they won’t ruin him in Endgame…
P.S.
Spoiler
Killing Doc and Evie like that was not cool. Bad move IMHO.ricottae's review
5.0
I really enjoy that every book in this series is unique, and every scenario is an opportunity to learn more about each character and the universe Aguirre has built. Aftermath is by far my favorite of the series. Jax does a lot of growing and really makes some adult decisions, and it is great to experience her relationships with everyone. A wonderfully well done book.
kgroberts13's review
3.0
I LOVE this series, and this author's style, but this book felt repetitive. Velith and Jax get trapped elsewhere, which allows for March and Jax to be separate, and to continue to separately brood about there on-again-off-again relationship.
I love the characters enough to get through it, but the plot wasn't nearly as engaging as with her other books.
I love the characters enough to get through it, but the plot wasn't nearly as engaging as with her other books.
delaneybull's review
3.0
It felt plotless, and also like 15 plots put into one. I liked it, but Jax constantly martyring herself gets pretty old.
book_hoarding_dragon's review
1.0
Ugh. That is what I think of this book, Ugh. I really enjoyed Grimspace but now... I'm getting tired of Jax and her "grimspace is a bitch mistress" attitude. Also, her selfishness throughout the entire book. Yes, she's wracked with survivor guilt and for the responsibility of killing the 600 hundred soldiers. I understand that, but she has had that attitude for all of the other books. It's just getting tiring.
I mention her selfishness. It really comes through in regards to March. At one point of the book, the things March and her want are different but instead of TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO DEAL WITH THAT, she leaves him! For someone who claims to love March so much she won't try to fight for him. She's always leaving March and he's always holding out for any scrap of attention she throws his way. I don't see why he loves her so much same with Vel. I absolutely adore the character of March, but I'm just getting tired of Jax. I actually found myself skimming through this book which I never thought I'd do with an Aguirre book, I usually like her stories. I don't know, maybe I'm less tolerate of this stuff since reading Songs of Scarabaeus. You have a character who has a haunted pass, but she's still likable.
After five books, I'd wish to have at least seen some growth with Jax.
I mention her selfishness. It really comes through in regards to March. At one point of the book, the things March and her want are different but instead of TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO DEAL WITH THAT, she leaves him! For someone who claims to love March so much she won't try to fight for him. She's always leaving March and he's always holding out for any scrap of attention she throws his way. I don't see why he loves her so much same with Vel. I absolutely adore the character of March, but I'm just getting tired of Jax. I actually found myself skimming through this book which I never thought I'd do with an Aguirre book, I usually like her stories. I don't know, maybe I'm less tolerate of this stuff since reading Songs of Scarabaeus. You have a character who has a haunted pass, but she's still likable.
After five books, I'd wish to have at least seen some growth with Jax.