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A review by koistyfishy
Earth's End by Elise Kova
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There is a point in every saga, where it becomes exceedingly difficult to rate a book independently from the previous books. As the story evolves, the plot becomes more intricate and overall the experience is turned biased by everything that has been read previously. It is molded and shaped by the culmination, influence, and build-up of what transpired before, and I have officially reached that point.
Please note, I cannot comment on aspects of this book without mentioning spoilers from Air Awakens and Fire Forged. If this would bother you...I would advise you to stop reading and go and enjoy those books first before continuing onward
Right so... as with the previous two in the Saga, we are thrown (literally off that cliff) right back into the action with a Crown Prince on his deathbed and a desperate Vhalla who will stop at nothing to save Aldrik. With her enticing will, defiance, and a little luck she uses everything within her power to save him. Soon we find our Heroes at the war-front of the North, where Vhalla is even more determined to help win the final Battle for the Empire - because if she fails it will mean her death.
Knowing how the previous books have influenced the story; I can say I believe this book was by far the most enjoyable and the best in the series I have read yet. But it is also the most emotional whilst being frustrating and anger-inducing.
Finally I can see the puzzle pieces we were given in the previous books. Air Awakens was the introduction and foundation of our characters and the story, it sets the scene (whilst lacking character development). Fire Forged focused a lot on the development of the relationships within the story, including the build-up of the romance; but also spent a lot of time on the character development of Aldrik and Vhalla (at the sacrifice of the plot). We now find ourselves in Earth's End, which is the MOST plot heavy out of the three but also adds the "missing" political intrigue, battle strategy, and culmination of the war. This is the moment they have been striving for.
This book also largely elaborates on world-building and provides a new perspective on the magic system that wasn't touched on as much previously. Many say that this is Avatar and whilst it does share regions with elemental magic, that is all that is the same. This magic system is complicated, layered, and very unique for each person's affinity. Add to this the further complexity of the Bond and Joining, we end up with something I believe is done really well.
In terms of Vhalla, her relationship with the Prince is constantly challenged as she has to not only figure out what a relationship between her and a Crown Prince can look like but also has to navigate Aldrik being an ASSHOLE. They have quite a few disagreements and fights. However, Vhalla is no longer "developing" her character, she has developed so we find this once shy library apprentice standing up for herself, standing up for what she believes, challenging what she has been taught, and proving she is a "literal" gale force to be reckoned with. I loved how she questioned the purpose of the war and stood by her ideals when she realises that The North is not just warriors but people and children.
Now I have become emotionally invested in these characters (I am not exactly sure when it happened but it did and they are now all my babies and I shall love them forever) - let me touch on the frustrating and anger-inducing aspects.
I am hiding these behind spoiler tags cause they touch on spoilers....hehe
I did find myself missing the quaint moments between Vhalla and her friends. We are introduced to a new character called Jax (who I think is quite frankly one of the best characters written in these books) but I missed Fritz. A lot of this book is just the time Vhalla spends with Aldrik, so there isn't much dedicated to the side characters. They almost feel forgotten and it hurt that Vhalla was taken away from Fritz after Larel died and hasn't spent any time with him really since then. He was Larel's friend too and is mourning and I wanted to see the two of them dealing with this and bonding but most of the time they are together, Fritz is asleep.
I also did not like what was done with Daniel. I feel sorry for him and his treatment is mean. He should not be strung along like that and it made me annoyed to see Vhalla who I had grown to respect so much, treat him so badly. I don't particularly like love triangles and when the reader can see one relationship is futile and doomed to fail, it's just awful to see a character strung along for angst.
I was REALLY annoyed that the entire buildup for the war was over in 12 BLOODY PAGES! At this point I had read over 900 pages to arrive at 1 battle that was over basically as it began. I have seen Elise Kova can write, and write well and she has written previous action and battle scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat. So the overall resounding "meh" of that final battle just left me unsatisfied and disappointed. Talk about premature ejac.......
I am also plagued by the mention of "Gummy Throats" as I cannot for the life of me understand what this means - and every mention of this description in the book sends me to the point of wanting to throw my iPad out the window. Seriously if anyone can explain what a "Gummy Throat" means I shall love you forever!
I hate to say that this book ends on a cliffhanger, but unfortunately it does. Luckily the series is complete so you can jump directly into the next book if you choose. I need an emotional break though. Not because the end was bad, but because the ending shot my heart with an arrow, ripped it out, and then stomped on it numerous times. I sat with tears falling down my cheeks reading the last few pages and whilst I can't wait to see what my new babies will be up to soon. I need something happier to give my emotionally bruised heart a hug.
Ultimately I don't think you would regret picking up this book - if you managed to get past book 1.
Please note, I cannot comment on aspects of this book without mentioning spoilers from Air Awakens and Fire Forged. If this would bother you...I would advise you to stop reading and go and enjoy those books first before continuing onward
Right so... as with the previous two in the Saga, we are thrown (literally off that cliff) right back into the action with a Crown Prince on his deathbed and a desperate Vhalla who will stop at nothing to save Aldrik. With her enticing will, defiance, and a little luck she uses everything within her power to save him. Soon we find our Heroes at the war-front of the North, where Vhalla is even more determined to help win the final Battle for the Empire - because if she fails it will mean her death.
Knowing how the previous books have influenced the story; I can say I believe this book was by far the most enjoyable and the best in the series I have read yet. But it is also the most emotional whilst being frustrating and anger-inducing.
Finally I can see the puzzle pieces we were given in the previous books. Air Awakens was the introduction and foundation of our characters and the story, it sets the scene (whilst lacking character development). Fire Forged focused a lot on the development of the relationships within the story, including the build-up of the romance; but also spent a lot of time on the character development of Aldrik and Vhalla (at the sacrifice of the plot). We now find ourselves in Earth's End, which is the MOST plot heavy out of the three but also adds the "missing" political intrigue, battle strategy, and culmination of the war. This is the moment they have been striving for.
This book also largely elaborates on world-building and provides a new perspective on the magic system that wasn't touched on as much previously. Many say that this is Avatar and whilst it does share regions with elemental magic, that is all that is the same. This magic system is complicated, layered, and very unique for each person's affinity. Add to this the further complexity of the Bond and Joining, we end up with something I believe is done really well.
In terms of Vhalla, her relationship with the Prince is constantly challenged as she has to not only figure out what a relationship between her and a Crown Prince can look like but also has to navigate Aldrik being an ASSHOLE. They have quite a few disagreements and fights. However, Vhalla is no longer "developing" her character, she has developed so we find this once shy library apprentice standing up for herself, standing up for what she believes, challenging what she has been taught, and proving she is a "literal" gale force to be reckoned with. I loved how she questioned the purpose of the war and stood by her ideals when she realises that The North is not just warriors but people and children.
Now I have become emotionally invested in these characters (I am not exactly sure when it happened but it did and they are now all my babies and I shall love them forever) - let me touch on the frustrating and anger-inducing aspects.
I am hiding these behind spoiler tags cause they touch on spoilers....hehe
I also did not like what was done with Daniel. I feel sorry for him and his treatment is mean. He should not be strung along like that and it made me annoyed to see Vhalla who I had grown to respect so much, treat him so badly. I don't particularly like love triangles and when the reader can see one relationship is futile and doomed to fail, it's just awful to see a character strung along for angst.
I was REALLY annoyed that the entire buildup for the war was over in 12 BLOODY PAGES! At this point I had read over 900 pages to arrive at 1 battle that was over basically as it began. I have seen Elise Kova can write, and write well and she has written previous action and battle scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat. So the overall resounding "meh" of that final battle just left me unsatisfied and disappointed. Talk about premature ejac.......
I am also plagued by the mention of "Gummy Throats" as I cannot for the life of me understand what this means - and every mention of this description in the book sends me to the point of wanting to throw my iPad out the window. Seriously if anyone can explain what a "Gummy Throat" means I shall love you forever!
I hate to say that this book ends on a cliffhanger, but unfortunately it does. Luckily the series is complete so you can jump directly into the next book if you choose. I need an emotional break though. Not because the end was bad, but because the ending shot my heart with an arrow, ripped it out, and then stomped on it numerous times. I sat with tears falling down my cheeks reading the last few pages and whilst I can't wait to see what my new babies will be up to soon. I need something happier to give my emotionally bruised heart a hug.
Ultimately I don't think you would regret picking up this book - if you managed to get past book 1.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Suicide attempt