ASDFGHJKL—that pretty much sums up my feelings. I was freaking out for most of the book because, to quote Samwise Gamgee, how could it turn out happy?ASDFGHJKL—that pretty much sums up my feelings. I was freaking out for most of the book because, to quote Samwise Gamgee, how could it turn out happy? Well, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses, but I found this to be a most satisfactory and awesome ending to a fantastic series. I am sad to bid Lucas and Tanzy and Jayce and Moonlit farewell, but I am not so cruel as to wish more trouble upon them. No, not that cruel at all.
The plot:
Twisty. The plot was twisty. I kept getting hit by first this shock then that shock. I could never quite predict what was happening and I loved it. This was plotting on the level of Brandon Sanderson and I cannot get over the complexity and planning that must have gone into this—just plain awesome.
The characters:
I’m not sure I can talk about Tanzy without talking about Lucas and I can’t talk about the two of them without rampant fangirling. You should not make the mistake that assuming this story is a romance, it is far more about the adventure, I think. However, my little fangirl heart wants what it wants. I will ship them to the day I die.
For the first time ever, we see into the minds and thoughts of characters besides Tanzy. We get a peek into Jayce, Hope, Lucas, even Vanessa.
There were many twists, as I said, but perhaps the greatest one of all was when I found myself sympathizing with Vanessa. Yes, VANESSA. That was probably the last thing I ever saw coming, seconded only to love-hating Asher by the end. The twist about those two was the last thing I expected and I can do nothing but laud the author for how well she set that up.
A fabulous conclusion to a masterfully written trilogy and when our dear Ms. Jones comes out with her next book, I will fight anyone and everyone for the first spot in line. ...more
I am FREAKING OUT. How did I not see that coming? Who would have seen that coming? Holy mother of crap, how could this happen? Next book, next book, nI am FREAKING OUT. How did I not see that coming? Who would have seen that coming? Holy mother of crap, how could this happen? Next book, next book, next book, next book—give me the next book now, now, now—
*deep breath*
As you can see, this book has incited some fangirling. Because of Reasons, I didn’t start it until recently plus I took awhile to sit down and read it once I had it. Once I did…well. Please see the opening paragraph for answers. Without a doubt, this book shall be awarded a seat on my Shelf of Awesome beside it’s predecessor.
The plot: To the author, you were nearly the cause of fratricide several times when my brothers interrupted me while reading this. (And I mean that in the best possible way.) I saw somewhere this book is over 100k words, but it didn’t feel like that. I tore through it in no time and there was not a dull line anywhere. This book was even more full of betrayals, twists, and shockers than the first one and no matter how hard I tried to figure everything out, I was still surprised.
Like with the first book, I spent a good deal of time missing Lucas when he wasn’t around. (Shut up.) He and Tanzy are so beautiful together and I will ship them until the day I die.
The characters: Tanzy has basically done a whole 360 from the quiet, isolated girl she was at the beginning of Moonlit. Now she’s a determined, hardcore warrior queen pitted against the nastiest immortal in existence I’m thinking maybe he should be scared. Her relationship with Lucas has also had a few (many) hitches, but she’s still willing to work at it and that warms my little fangirl heart to no end.
We met another character at the end of Moonlit—Jayce. I wasn’t sure I’d like her and usually I don’t like the friend-type characters, but I love Jayce. Oh, sweet, adorable, artistic, intermittently deadly Jayce. If she dies, I will be furious.
As for Vanessa—I have no idea what the hell is going on with Vanessa. Let’s just say she makes politicians look honest and leave it at that.
There are a bunch of other new characters that make an appearance as well—Bridget, Reese, Iris, Abby, Kate—and one or two others. (What’s up with Mouse?) But I’m just going to skim over them here and go straight to Lucas.
I’ve mentioned him three times before this paragraph, so you have probably picked up that I’m in Lucas’ fan club. He’s another one of “my babies” (a hypothetical collective of fictional characters I wish I could protect from their creators’ cruelty). I just…he’s an awesome character. The author doesn’t make him all perfect and sparkly and gooey and I love that—his persona seems real. I need to come up with a ship name for him and Tanzy…
I recommend this book, I recommend this series, I recommend this author. If anyone asks me if I liked this, be prepared for a deluge of half-finished sentences, jumping up and down, and excited hand flailing....more
Shortly after starting this book, I decided the series is going on my very exclusive Shelf of Awesome. The first book had me biting my nails, pacing, Shortly after starting this book, I decided the series is going on my very exclusive Shelf of Awesome. The first book had me biting my nails, pacing, making plans to subject certain characters *coughcoughLennekAndBarjoncoughcough* to unspeakable torments, and generally fangirling. The sequel did not disappoint and I will be at the head of the line for War this month.
The plot: This series is very, very fast paced with less description and more action in the writing style. The plot is very “slender” with all unnecessary body fat (unimportant bits) trimmed off. In other words, if something happens, you’d best pay attention because it happened for a reason. There are a lot of places where things felt condensed and while that made for concise reading, I did wish for more description in certain places. But it wasn’t a big issue and it’s still clear what everyone looks like, how buildings are laid out, etc. This was a fast read despite its length and I think we can all appreciate a book that can be devoured in one sitting.
The characters: I have liked Rema since book one and that certainly didn’t change here. Of course, I find her passion for equines particularly endearing and I love that the writer made her an independent, strong female without having her be kick@$$ or snarky. She has to sort through a lot of issues in this book and a lot of heavy revelations and I thought she took it rather well. Though, personally, I would have been a bit more miffed at Mako for lying to me. Make that a lot more miffed. Rema is far more reasonable than me.
As for Darmik—I adore him, okay? I’m a sucker for bad@$$ good boys. He too has to sort out buckets and buckets of choices, morality, and feelings in this book. Poor baby. It takes him a little while to figure out what he plans to do, but once he does he commits to his decisions like a true military man. His relationships with his father and brother are displayed further in all their dysfunctional complexity, but I liked seeing more of the friendship between him and Neco. There was a little of it in the first book, but a much more of it here. And of course, Neco and Ellie were adorable. Not as adorable as Rema and Darmik, but still adorable.
In the description of the rebel army, there was one thing I took issue with. It says that what the female fighters lacked in the men’s strength, they made up for with superior speed. That’s well and good, except for the fact that all the research I’ve done says swiftness is by far more important. What I mean is, their male fighters need to get up to speed. (Pun intended. Micro-rant over.)
The other character I’ll mention (because this is getting a bit long) is Savenek. At first, I was terrified that the author was going to put in a love triangle. I was all prepared to scream in outrage and stomp my feet, but Ms. Davis was merciful. I did not and do not like Savenek—misogynistic, arrogant, whiny, troublemaking little brat that he is—but he’s a good fighter and ultimately means well, so I’ll refrain from completely hating him for the moment.
In summation, I love this series and I am torn about reading the final book. On one hand, I must know what happens. On the other, I don’t want it to end. I certainly recommend it!...more
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