The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
I just about screamed at the ending of this.
I AM SO PUMPED.
I'm not that bothered about the death. Nor am I bothered about the wide spread illness something that if you read previous books you'd know they pretty much predicted.
Before we go into it. READ STITCHED. Its the novella before this book and you need to read it otherwise you'll miss so much. If you skip it you'll start this and wonder what is going on.
What this book didn't do was answer if I should finish the Elemental series first. I kind of think I should as I'll have to spoiler tag this: but I'm not sure if the final book for the Elemental series will either clear that up OR reveal Rylee's final battle and therefore spoil the last book of this... This is a peeve of mine for series that are intertwined. Its difficult for the author to write these books that don't reveal or spoil the other series for readers BUT keep the context and information in so people don't feel almost lost. I don't think this is done very well by Shannon. If you don't want to have your series so spoilers are shown even accidentally there should be an easy find reading order. I've looked and I can't see one so IDK. I'm going to be pissed if I read the Elemental book next and it ruins it for me!
Anyway off of my rant. I love Rylee in this. You have already seen her mothering side and YOU NEED TO READ STITCHED. To understand why I say that. Although me hinting has probably confirmed what I mean from you all having feelings about what was going on in the last Rylee book I know I had an idea and Stitched confirmed it (A really nice Novella btw)... Rylee is still badass and from what I glimpsed in the Elemental book. Rylee is still kicking butt and we see her still fiery temper and often impulsiveness. However she seems wiser. I can't explain it but shes very peaceful in her actions. Her actions make sense and they are logical actions to make in her path.
I can't go into any other characters without spoiling it to anyone that may come across this review. However I like the POV from Pamela. Its very interesting and I enjoy her conflict and character development. I feel like in previous books Pamela although being told she is powerful and you see her use the power sometimes shes still a child and acts very innocent and almost naive. This book shows her really facing the downsides of being treated like a child and protected. She was warned the darkness would take her and she still lets her mind be warped and pulled in different directions. She defiantly improves in my mind during this book even during her bad decisions I found myself liking her as she became Rylee quite a bit.
I remember restarting this series back earlier this year (like Feb but its March now so sh) and Milly and Liam insulting each other while she was pregnant and Rylee noticing how Pamela picked up on traits and was mimicking Milly without realising, and now we're here at this book the book before the big show down and its crazy we've lost so many and we've changed the lasting characters so much their characters have grown and aged even though this book series doesn't seem like it spans many years... Looking forward to #10 and finishing a very good series which is bitter sweet.
I AM SO PUMPED.
I'm not that bothered about the death. Nor am I bothered about the wide spread illness something that if you read previous books you'd know they pretty much predicted.
Before we go into it. READ STITCHED. Its the novella before this book and you need to read it otherwise you'll miss so much. If you skip it you'll start this and wonder what is going on.
What this book didn't do was answer if I should finish the Elemental series first. I kind of think I should as I'll have to spoiler tag this:
Spoiler
Its revealed that Lark has helped Rylee and was a friend to her in early life. It was hidden from her by Lark's father and she only remembered when Griffin said Larkspur that she remembered.Anyway off of my rant. I love Rylee in this. You have already seen her mothering side and YOU NEED TO READ STITCHED. To understand why I say that. Although me hinting has probably confirmed what I mean from you all having feelings about what was going on in the last Rylee book I know I had an idea and Stitched confirmed it (A really nice Novella btw)... Rylee is still badass and from what I glimpsed in the Elemental book
Spoiler
VERY like her mother and very little IMO of her father) something I really enjoyedI can't go into any other characters without spoiling it to anyone that may come across this review. However I like the POV from Pamela. Its very interesting and I enjoy her conflict and character development. I feel like in previous books Pamela although being told she is powerful and you see her use the power sometimes shes still a child and acts very innocent and almost naive. This book shows her really facing the downsides of being treated like a child and protected. She was warned the darkness would take her and she still lets her mind be warped and pulled in different directions. She defiantly improves in my mind during this book even during her bad decisions I found myself liking her as she became Rylee quite a bit.
I remember restarting this series back earlier this year (like Feb but its March now so sh) and Milly and Liam insulting each other while she was pregnant and Rylee noticing how Pamela picked up on traits and was mimicking Milly without realising, and now we're here at this book the book before the big show down and its crazy we've lost so many and we've changed the lasting characters so much their characters have grown and aged even though this book series doesn't seem like it spans many years... Looking forward to #10 and finishing a very good series which is bitter sweet.
jamie515's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
shelovestoread81's review against another edition
5.0
These books are so good. I love that hey end on a crazy note. I can't wait to read the Destroyer next.
mzzmia's review against another edition
4.0
I had forgotten how stressful and action-packed a Rylee book was. And as usual, I didn't see any of that coming.
shells's review against another edition
5.0
Finally, once again, the worlds of Rylee and Larkspur come together.
Rising Darkness is number 9 in the Rylee Adamson series, and after leaving Larkspur behind so long ago at the end of Windburn, Rylee has found The Destroyer. And now that there's one more book in Rylee's story, I am not ready to end it.
Shannon Mayer has done an excellent job at building characters with fulfilling story arcs in this series. Her characters are not black or white, but full of shades of gray. They stumble, fall, but pick themselves up and push forward. The growth of Rylee and Pamela has been super satisfying to see. And like Pamela, I couldn't help but feel a little sad about Alex; however, it will be interesting to see his growth in the next book. He has to be my favorite character.
Rising Darkness is number 9 in the Rylee Adamson series, and after leaving Larkspur behind so long ago at the end of Windburn, Rylee has found The Destroyer. And now that there's one more book in Rylee's story, I am not ready to end it.
Shannon Mayer has done an excellent job at building characters with fulfilling story arcs in this series. Her characters are not black or white, but full of shades of gray. They stumble, fall, but pick themselves up and push forward. The growth of Rylee and Pamela has been super satisfying to see. And like Pamela, I couldn't help but feel a little sad about Alex; however, it will be interesting to see his growth in the next book. He has to be my favorite character.
theficster's review against another edition
5.0
Every book in this series leads to the next. I love the growth and change in the characters. These stories are great. I just keep reading and reading
suzjustsuz's review against another edition
3.0
I probably would have gone to 4 stars with this one, but I feel like this is the point in the series where not having read the novellas and the Elemental series becomes a problem. I would recommend that someone who wanted to get the most out of this series stop reading it at book 8 and then go read the others before continuing.
I very much felt like I was missing huge chunks of the story because I hadn't read the other series and the shorts.
****************
Actually listening to the audio (which isn't currently listed on GRs) and am finding that I feel like I missed a book. There is a novella in between this book and the prior book and I'm thinking it's probably pretty necessary for continuity sake although I haven't read it yet.
I just feel like I missed critical plot points.
I very much felt like I was missing huge chunks of the story because I hadn't read the other series and the shorts.
****************
Actually listening to the audio (which isn't currently listed on GRs) and am finding that I feel like I missed a book. There is a novella in between this book and the prior book and I'm thinking it's probably pretty necessary for continuity sake although I haven't read it yet.
I just feel like I missed critical plot points.
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