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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.snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Abandonment
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
tays_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, and Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Self harm, Torture, Death of parent, and Alcohol
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
eberzy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved all the scenes and the outcome of this last book, but like a lot of others have already said—it was rushed and there are a lot of unanswered questions. I honestly still don’t understand all of the world and the connection between characters…that could very well be because I didn’t do a reread or recap before this last book. BUT, like fairy tales, I didn’t have to understand it and not everything had to make sense for me to love it. Stephanie is a queen at writing tension and romance without being explicit about it. I had to remind myself constantly that this was YA.
Side note—the rush with this book was also apparent with the typos. I found at least three, which is a bit frustrating.
I really hope there will be a spin-off or continuation. I will definitely read it. I finished this series without hating anyone. Like most fairy tales, the motives of the “villain(s)” are understandable. I could still potentially root for them!
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
This whole series was incredible. Every single book was a binge read for me. Love love love the entire concept of fairy tale with a twist. I loved all the scenes and the outcome of this last book, but like a lot of others have already said—it was rushed and there are a lot of unanswered questions. I honestly still don’t understand all of the world and the connection between characters…that could very well be because I didn’t do a reread or recap before this last book. BUT, like fairy tales, I didn’t have to understand it and not everything had to make sense for me to love it. Stephanie is a queen at writing tension and romance without being explicit about it. I had to remind myself constantly that this was YA. Side note—the rush with this book was also apparent with the typos. I found at least three, which is a bit frustrating. I really hope there will be a spin-off or continuation. I will definitely read it. I finished this series without hating anyone. Like most fairy tales, the motives of the “villain(s)” are understandable. I could still potentially root for them!