jenn_geeks_out's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to like this series, and I never really connected to the characters fully. It was entertaining, though.
ajworkman77's review against another edition
4.0
Well developed characters, intriguing quest, unpredictable plot turns, and a satisfying ending to the trilogy. So much fun to read
monetlilypads's review against another edition
5.0
The first book to make me scream and yell while reading...and I've read a LOT of books. This one was absolutely phenomenal. Definitely suggest it for anyone that hasn't read it.
nissahh's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars.
All over I liked it, there was some parts, well Rachel's parts, that I found boring and dragged out. Maybe, because I never really liked Rachel as a character. I definitely bawled my eyes out during the character deaths, I had to put the book down and wait several minutes to pick it up again.
Jason's letter to his parents really didn't do it for me. Like, I know Jason loves his parents, and I never pictured them close. There's some weird part of me that wishes Jason would've mentioned how he felt like he did in the first book. I guess I get it because he's older, but...yeah. I didn't feel it .
One part that really upset me
All over I liked it, there was some parts, well Rachel's parts, that I found boring and dragged out. Maybe, because I never really liked Rachel as a character. I definitely bawled my eyes out during the character deaths, I had to put the book down and wait several minutes to pick it up again.
Jason's letter to his parents really didn't do it for me. Like, I know Jason loves his parents, and I never pictured them close. There's some weird part of me that wishes Jason would've mentioned how he felt like he did in the first book. I guess I get it because he's older, but...yeah. I didn't feel it .
One part that really upset me
Spoiler
was when Rachel called on Maldor! Like, what were you thinking. I wish Galloran would've been a little hard in her. Rachel doing that was a no. I get it, it helped defeating Maldor with the help of the lurkers, but no. That really upset me.warriorpickle's review against another edition
5.0
I ended up falling in love with this series. What a beautifully crafted story with some downright memorable and enjoyable characters. Mull has created a world hear unlike anything I've read before and I love it. I'm incredibly sad that there seems to be like there will be no more stories in this universe.
I got attracted to this series because I noticed a mutual Goodreads friend had rated it pretty high and I was entranced by the cover of the first book. I barely knew who Brandon Mull was. Well I know now and I am probably going to jump into his Fablehaven series at some point too. This is just good storytelling.
This series is some of my favorite reading this year and I want more people to experience the trials and tribulations of Jason and Rachel. Farrin is one of my favorite characters to have come out of any book or series ever. And how unique Giants are and how cool Displacers are....just read it. Give these books a chance. I hope you end up walking away as pleased as me.
I got attracted to this series because I noticed a mutual Goodreads friend had rated it pretty high and I was entranced by the cover of the first book. I barely knew who Brandon Mull was. Well I know now and I am probably going to jump into his Fablehaven series at some point too. This is just good storytelling.
This series is some of my favorite reading this year and I want more people to experience the trials and tribulations of Jason and Rachel. Farrin is one of my favorite characters to have come out of any book or series ever. And how unique Giants are and how cool Displacers are....just read it. Give these books a chance. I hope you end up walking away as pleased as me.
smoore05's review against another edition
3.0
Prologue: A hero falls- Throughout the series since his appearance in book two Nedwin has been a very intriguing character. His view of the fall of Galloran is interesting and a good way to start off the book, it also sets up certain other characters as strong characters for later in the story. I too think it gives Nedwin a very strong reason to feel the strong connection with Galloran like he does.
Acolyte/Mianamon/Departure- Rachel obviously got the better of the deal here in Lyrian. She has amazing powers and has made some strong friendships. She also gets to communicate with her mind. Her character did a nice job developing throughout the story, although there are some hang ups along the way. One thing I did not like the obvious calling in the night to an obvious sneak attack. It is common in many books, but I had liked so far that the Beyonders series wasn't falling into all the clichés, this portion of the book made me question Rachael and her judgment. It also gave that heroic feeling that Galloran always knows what she is doing, which is kind of creepy by the way.
The Journey North: This set up the treefolk coming into the battle later in the story, but they were never really vital to the story. The thrown in tiger like cat battle threw in a fresh take of the land and showed the power of the treefolk, but I would have maybe liked to see their power better used. Maybe taking one of the three towers in Felrook? I don't know seems like a wasted scene after the book ends.
A Private meeting: A set up chapter that did what is purported to do. Set up the path for Galloran to re-take his kingdom. It also gave Rachael another chance to show off her fancy new powers. I think Galloran made a mistake keeping Copernum as a top seated official and later it does come back to bite him, but I guess he needed him for legitimate purposes.
Durna/Hijackers- I envisioned this to be a big boat and so when I envisioned them stealing it I was left with only one question, how did they have the man power? Not to just take the boat over, but also to maneuver and get away? I understand the drinlings were strong, but strong enough to man a huge ship? Just didn't seem like enough people, but with anymore the sneaking aspect would have been gone. I guess this is not a big gripe, I didn't overthink it and moved on from the question quite quickly actually.
Coronation- Just a quick motivating speech and we are off to war!
A Proposal- Ahh! I had been waiting for the dream scene! I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. I write, so I know how hard they are to avoid. You just need the villain to have his moments, and when better than the hero sleeping? I jest at the scene, but I liked it. The lurkers were an interesting concept throughout the books, and here imitating Rachael's mother and father was done well to set up the presence of Maldor. I don't know about anyone else, but where do I sign up for the powers, long life, and shelter from all this war?
Avenger- Thor! Ironman! oh wait wrong series. The little battle on the water served its purpose. I do wonder if the drinling made it? Never even a word about him after. Did he swim to the shore? I need to know if he survived!!!
Advice: Ferrin is by far the best character in the story right? I mean not only are the displacers really neat, but his character development was superb. He changed, but never did so for reasons that were farfetched. He wanted to help Jason because he thought he could get away with it. He couldn't and so he changed sides to stay alive. He never lied about that aspect of things. He never let on that his mind did not wander to betrayal and that made me like him even more. I knew in the end that he would be a great hero, but at any moment I would have believed him to be a traitor.
Windbreak Island/Maumet: Was it just me or were there too many creatures that you could hack away? Displacers, the Maumet, The wanderer, all could be killed by making them loose some type of mass. Also, was it not the most simple minded plan to kill the Maumet ever? I understand Jason is a good tactic mind, but you can't tell that no wizard mind thought of that ever? Also, it would seem like the battle would have been ended sooner if Rachael were with them. The creature came at them as wood and she could have easily burned him right? So a wizard with more power could have burst the creature into flames even quicker. The whole situation never felt dire to me and that took away from the scene for me.
Library/ Scroll: This was a fine set up showing that each had their place in the prophecy. I am just again surprised that not another person spoke the Petruscan.
Marching- A good quick catch up job, so we didn't forget any of the main cast.
Swords in the Night: Whelp I am off to the corner to cry now! Drake was one of my favorite members of the fellowship of prophecy and I didn't want him to die. The line where he said tell Rachael I am sorry, I wonder if Jason ever told her? I am sure he did right? The sacrifice was one of many, but it was a good one still, Jasher and Drake were a great team there at the end and Drake died in a very fitting way.
The Western Pass/ Fourkeeps- It seemed a lot of this was filler so that way we just didn't forget about the marching army. I didn't really get excited about these parts of the book. I wanted to get past them to read more about Jason's mission. There was too little going on during these portions of the book. Rachael was so concerned and indecisive throughout the book that it lost effect on me after awhile. I just wanted her to get on with her development and continue forward, but it seemed she would have a conversation with one of the characters and become happy, only to be sad again in another chapter and need another inspiring conversation in the next.
Landfall/The Fuming Waste- This journey sucked for Jason. I think he deserved a lot of credit for all that he did for Lyrian. He was probably more vital than Galloran in the end.
Treachery/Ambush: Nedwin's final chapters were all very well written. I hung on them and they were one of the saving graces to this final book in the series. His missions were all intriguing and I wonder what it would have been like to read some of his other explorations during the other books.
Decision: This is where Rachael started to hold a little more of my interest with her story. Although by this time I was really just waiting to see how Maldor was going to bite the bucket. I figured out that the master who lost his servant was the Lurkers far to early in the book. So, the only thing I really needed to know from Rachael was how she pulled it all off.
The Narrow Way- The reveal in this chapter did catch me off guard a bit. I won't like I didn't expect a traitor in the midst of our group of heroes, but after the reveal it kind of lost its luster. I started to think well why in the world would he wait? Why not just kill them as they traveled? He could have done so while Aram was small, wouldn't that have saved him some trouble? Taken them out one by one even? I just think for a very strong and smart war mind, that he made a lot of dumb choices and ended up biting the bucket in a very underwhelming fashion. Also, another thing was that he could turn into anything, but his power ended up being less than the Maumet creature who was practically the same thing in unhuman form earlier in the book. Very poor choices here and it killed some of the momentum the book was gaining.
Secrets from the past- the last of Jason and a fine ending, he succeeding beyond all hope and gave the rest of the cast their ammunition to succeed as well.
The Last Wizard: Except he isn't the last wizard since Rachael is a wizard too right? Maldor for seeming so smart, so vicious, and so unforgiving sure did give Rachael a lot of leeway here. He let her back talk him, try to kill him, and openly say she was going to oppose him. Then he decides that she isn't worth putting better guards at her door? This all seems like Maldor would have been dead long ago with these silly decisions.
Destiny: Good for Tark he finally gets to die. He has been trying for so very long and now it is finally going to happen. Why is no one sad for Tark? People want to save Ferrin and people are sad, but no one wants to save Tark, just go blow yourself up kid you are a good man.
Justice: Or not so much, poor Nedwin. I wanted to see him get revenge! But I also like what happens next so I am not too upset.
A Prudent Precaution- Seems like this came a little late. I don't know why they would bother now. Ferrin could have left and went to the Wizard with his message, but instead he gave it to the opposing side. He relayed everything to Galloran and the crew, and he gets shunned for his efforts? I don't understand where the seedfolk would get the notion after he obviously could have left and told the secret, that he would go and tell now after he told Galloran.
Telepathy/Beyonders/- Rachael really did nothing exciting for me this entire book. I don't know if it was because it was to predictable or because I am cynical or because my reading level is to high? Brandon Mull why would you entice me in a young adult series? To make me feel extra smart when I figure everything out far to soon?
An interrupted feast: Goodbye sweet Nedwin!
The end scenes: Ferrin and Tark are dead and no one cares about Tark, but Ferrin its sad to see you go old pal. Rachael has acquired everyone slaves and saved the day. Maldor is no more and that land of Lyrian is once again save, as long as Nedwin really didn't lose any of those worms!
I really wanted to see an amazing battle between Galloran and Maldor. It seemed that Galloran got those eyes for nothing he never used them in the end. He didn't watch the top commanders of Maldor as they died, he didn't use them to show Maldor something devastating, he didn't use them against Maldor to kill him, he just kind of had them. No one cared, it could have been controversial, but instead it wasn't anything at all, but two mismatched eyes. The ending was a bummer, Maldor ended up being easily outsmarted by Rachael in the end. He did not have to face the swordmaster Galloran. Galloran didn't even face a horde of Lurkers to show off one last time, it just kind of ended. It didn't say how the world coped with the loss of Maldor, I guess the rest of his army just quit? There didn't seem to be any straggling war as Rachael went home. None of the characters that lived really got any resolutions either! There were many good parts to this series and it kept me entertained and maybe it shouldn't have since I am much older than the reading targets, in the end I would recommend it to people looking for a easy going read, but don't over analyze it, at least not until you finish ;-)
Acolyte/Mianamon/Departure- Rachel obviously got the better of the deal here in Lyrian. She has amazing powers and has made some strong friendships. She also gets to communicate with her mind. Her character did a nice job developing throughout the story, although there are some hang ups along the way. One thing I did not like the obvious calling in the night to an obvious sneak attack. It is common in many books, but I had liked so far that the Beyonders series wasn't falling into all the clichés, this portion of the book made me question Rachael and her judgment. It also gave that heroic feeling that Galloran always knows what she is doing, which is kind of creepy by the way.
The Journey North: This set up the treefolk coming into the battle later in the story, but they were never really vital to the story. The thrown in tiger like cat battle threw in a fresh take of the land and showed the power of the treefolk, but I would have maybe liked to see their power better used. Maybe taking one of the three towers in Felrook? I don't know seems like a wasted scene after the book ends.
A Private meeting: A set up chapter that did what is purported to do. Set up the path for Galloran to re-take his kingdom. It also gave Rachael another chance to show off her fancy new powers. I think Galloran made a mistake keeping Copernum as a top seated official and later it does come back to bite him, but I guess he needed him for legitimate purposes.
Durna/Hijackers- I envisioned this to be a big boat and so when I envisioned them stealing it I was left with only one question, how did they have the man power? Not to just take the boat over, but also to maneuver and get away? I understand the drinlings were strong, but strong enough to man a huge ship? Just didn't seem like enough people, but with anymore the sneaking aspect would have been gone. I guess this is not a big gripe, I didn't overthink it and moved on from the question quite quickly actually.
Coronation- Just a quick motivating speech and we are off to war!
A Proposal- Ahh! I had been waiting for the dream scene! I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. I write, so I know how hard they are to avoid. You just need the villain to have his moments, and when better than the hero sleeping? I jest at the scene, but I liked it. The lurkers were an interesting concept throughout the books, and here imitating Rachael's mother and father was done well to set up the presence of Maldor. I don't know about anyone else, but where do I sign up for the powers, long life, and shelter from all this war?
Avenger- Thor! Ironman! oh wait wrong series. The little battle on the water served its purpose. I do wonder if the drinling made it? Never even a word about him after. Did he swim to the shore? I need to know if he survived!!!
Advice: Ferrin is by far the best character in the story right? I mean not only are the displacers really neat, but his character development was superb. He changed, but never did so for reasons that were farfetched. He wanted to help Jason because he thought he could get away with it. He couldn't and so he changed sides to stay alive. He never lied about that aspect of things. He never let on that his mind did not wander to betrayal and that made me like him even more. I knew in the end that he would be a great hero, but at any moment I would have believed him to be a traitor.
Windbreak Island/Maumet: Was it just me or were there too many creatures that you could hack away? Displacers, the Maumet, The wanderer, all could be killed by making them loose some type of mass. Also, was it not the most simple minded plan to kill the Maumet ever? I understand Jason is a good tactic mind, but you can't tell that no wizard mind thought of that ever? Also, it would seem like the battle would have been ended sooner if Rachael were with them. The creature came at them as wood and she could have easily burned him right? So a wizard with more power could have burst the creature into flames even quicker. The whole situation never felt dire to me and that took away from the scene for me.
Library/ Scroll: This was a fine set up showing that each had their place in the prophecy. I am just again surprised that not another person spoke the Petruscan.
Marching- A good quick catch up job, so we didn't forget any of the main cast.
Swords in the Night: Whelp I am off to the corner to cry now! Drake was one of my favorite members of the fellowship of prophecy and I didn't want him to die. The line where he said tell Rachael I am sorry, I wonder if Jason ever told her? I am sure he did right? The sacrifice was one of many, but it was a good one still, Jasher and Drake were a great team there at the end and Drake died in a very fitting way.
The Western Pass/ Fourkeeps- It seemed a lot of this was filler so that way we just didn't forget about the marching army. I didn't really get excited about these parts of the book. I wanted to get past them to read more about Jason's mission. There was too little going on during these portions of the book. Rachael was so concerned and indecisive throughout the book that it lost effect on me after awhile. I just wanted her to get on with her development and continue forward, but it seemed she would have a conversation with one of the characters and become happy, only to be sad again in another chapter and need another inspiring conversation in the next.
Landfall/The Fuming Waste- This journey sucked for Jason. I think he deserved a lot of credit for all that he did for Lyrian. He was probably more vital than Galloran in the end.
Treachery/Ambush: Nedwin's final chapters were all very well written. I hung on them and they were one of the saving graces to this final book in the series. His missions were all intriguing and I wonder what it would have been like to read some of his other explorations during the other books.
Decision: This is where Rachael started to hold a little more of my interest with her story. Although by this time I was really just waiting to see how Maldor was going to bite the bucket. I figured out that the master who lost his servant was the Lurkers far to early in the book. So, the only thing I really needed to know from Rachael was how she pulled it all off.
The Narrow Way- The reveal in this chapter did catch me off guard a bit. I won't like I didn't expect a traitor in the midst of our group of heroes, but after the reveal it kind of lost its luster. I started to think well why in the world would he wait? Why not just kill them as they traveled? He could have done so while Aram was small, wouldn't that have saved him some trouble? Taken them out one by one even? I just think for a very strong and smart war mind, that he made a lot of dumb choices and ended up biting the bucket in a very underwhelming fashion. Also, another thing was that he could turn into anything, but his power ended up being less than the Maumet creature who was practically the same thing in unhuman form earlier in the book. Very poor choices here and it killed some of the momentum the book was gaining.
Secrets from the past- the last of Jason and a fine ending, he succeeding beyond all hope and gave the rest of the cast their ammunition to succeed as well.
The Last Wizard: Except he isn't the last wizard since Rachael is a wizard too right? Maldor for seeming so smart, so vicious, and so unforgiving sure did give Rachael a lot of leeway here. He let her back talk him, try to kill him, and openly say she was going to oppose him. Then he decides that she isn't worth putting better guards at her door? This all seems like Maldor would have been dead long ago with these silly decisions.
Destiny: Good for Tark he finally gets to die. He has been trying for so very long and now it is finally going to happen. Why is no one sad for Tark? People want to save Ferrin and people are sad, but no one wants to save Tark, just go blow yourself up kid you are a good man.
Justice: Or not so much, poor Nedwin. I wanted to see him get revenge! But I also like what happens next so I am not too upset.
A Prudent Precaution- Seems like this came a little late. I don't know why they would bother now. Ferrin could have left and went to the Wizard with his message, but instead he gave it to the opposing side. He relayed everything to Galloran and the crew, and he gets shunned for his efforts? I don't understand where the seedfolk would get the notion after he obviously could have left and told the secret, that he would go and tell now after he told Galloran.
Telepathy/Beyonders/- Rachael really did nothing exciting for me this entire book. I don't know if it was because it was to predictable or because I am cynical or because my reading level is to high? Brandon Mull why would you entice me in a young adult series? To make me feel extra smart when I figure everything out far to soon?
An interrupted feast: Goodbye sweet Nedwin!
The end scenes: Ferrin and Tark are dead and no one cares about Tark, but Ferrin its sad to see you go old pal. Rachael has acquired everyone slaves and saved the day. Maldor is no more and that land of Lyrian is once again save, as long as Nedwin really didn't lose any of those worms!
I really wanted to see an amazing battle between Galloran and Maldor. It seemed that Galloran got those eyes for nothing he never used them in the end. He didn't watch the top commanders of Maldor as they died, he didn't use them to show Maldor something devastating, he didn't use them against Maldor to kill him, he just kind of had them. No one cared, it could have been controversial, but instead it wasn't anything at all, but two mismatched eyes. The ending was a bummer, Maldor ended up being easily outsmarted by Rachael in the end. He did not have to face the swordmaster Galloran. Galloran didn't even face a horde of Lurkers to show off one last time, it just kind of ended. It didn't say how the world coped with the loss of Maldor, I guess the rest of his army just quit? There didn't seem to be any straggling war as Rachael went home. None of the characters that lived really got any resolutions either! There were many good parts to this series and it kept me entertained and maybe it shouldn't have since I am much older than the reading targets, in the end I would recommend it to people looking for a easy going read, but don't over analyze it, at least not until you finish ;-)
sabrinaxlim's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
I used to read so many books with prophecies. Like so many. And I’d copy them down places. I miss that point in my life but I’m also very glad I’ve moved on.
embingham's review
4.0
Once again Brandon Mull does not disappoint! I only had two problems with this book. First is that Rachel's flip floppy attitude seemed out of character (and really annoying.) Second is that the ending seemed a little thrown together. I felt like there were still a few loose ends, although that might be something that gets addressed in future books that continue this series. True to Mull's style, he throws in a few interesting twists, and kept the story fun and interesting.
dandelionsteph's review against another edition
4.0
I would give it a full five stars if it weren't for how Red Shirt-like the drinlings were. Otherwise, an excellent read with some unpredictable moments.
bandnerd77's review against another edition
3.0
REVIEW OF Chasing the Prophecy (Beyonders #3) by Brandon Mull
SYNOPSIS
In the finale of the Beyonders series, Jason and Rachel must finally put an end to the reign of the evil emperor Maldor. In order to do so, Jason embarks on a quest with some allies to discover the prophecy of an ancient and powerful seer, while Rachel and others go to retake Trensencourt. Both must endure extreme challenges and loss if they want to succeed in their mission and save Lyrian.
STAR RATING
3 stars
BRIEF REVIEW
I was interested in the story, and there were several big plot twists that I did not see coming. I had some issues with some of the writing (including what I felt was a big plot hole) and characters, and it was probably the most violent Brandon Mull book I’ve read.
BRIEF CONTENT GUIDE
Sexual content: None
Swearing: One or two uses of h*llish
Substance use: None (except for use of poison in a couple of instances)
Violence: Moderate to severe
Other: Some scary/unsettling moments; use of magic; some sickness.
BOTTOM LINE
If you enjoyed the first two books, go ahead and finish the series. Just be aware that this is probably the most violent Brandon Mull book I've read.
FULL REVIEW and CONTENT GUIDE available at https://betterbookbureau.weebly.com/reviews/chasing-the-prophecy-mull
SYNOPSIS
In the finale of the Beyonders series, Jason and Rachel must finally put an end to the reign of the evil emperor Maldor. In order to do so, Jason embarks on a quest with some allies to discover the prophecy of an ancient and powerful seer, while Rachel and others go to retake Trensencourt. Both must endure extreme challenges and loss if they want to succeed in their mission and save Lyrian.
STAR RATING
3 stars
BRIEF REVIEW
I was interested in the story, and there were several big plot twists that I did not see coming. I had some issues with some of the writing (including what I felt was a big plot hole) and characters, and it was probably the most violent Brandon Mull book I’ve read.
BRIEF CONTENT GUIDE
Sexual content: None
Swearing: One or two uses of h*llish
Substance use: None (except for use of poison in a couple of instances)
Violence: Moderate to severe
Other: Some scary/unsettling moments; use of magic; some sickness.
BOTTOM LINE
If you enjoyed the first two books, go ahead and finish the series. Just be aware that this is probably the most violent Brandon Mull book I've read.
FULL REVIEW and CONTENT GUIDE available at https://betterbookbureau.weebly.com/reviews/chasing-the-prophecy-mull