Every time I read Stiefvater’s work it feels like she devastates me and stitches me back together all with the same breath. These brothers are so compEvery time I read Stiefvater’s work it feels like she devastates me and stitches me back together all with the same breath. These brothers are so complex and wonderful and angry and it was so nice to see their arc.
Knowing this was the last book in my favorite world of all time, I really took my time with it. The themes are incredibly potent around identity and growth and love. How far you will go to protect what you love. The grief and repression hurt can cause.
The mask of older sibling existence really tore me apart, and Declan is so much more in this series than the Raven Cycle. Matthew snaps in a way we’d never seen before, and for good reason. Ronan risks losing everything. It was a lot. And I loved every moment of it. This truly was a story about the brothers Lynch.
I didn’t expect how much this made me cry - but that could be due to my own recent shadow work tackling the repression I have had for so long, just like Declan. The story of Niall’s influence on Ronan’s birth. The raw adoration and devotion within a family and among friends. Declan’s reaction when he thinks the worst has happened. Hennessy tackling her trauma and pain. Jordan’s struggle for autonomy. This book is a test of endurance for everyone involved, including the reader, oof.
These characters have a very solid place in my heart chamber, ever since I first met them. I will return to them eventually. Who knows, maybe I’ll decide to start back at the beginning and see this wild ride all over again....more
This really had me by the throat and then gave me everything I ever wanted in the end, huh……. I adore this series so much, of course I loved this!
”In This really had me by the throat and then gave me everything I ever wanted in the end, huh……. I adore this series so much, of course I loved this!
”In your hands lie the gates of godhood,” she whispered. “Let none pass.”
I am not exaggerating when I tell you I love every protagonist within this story. I can’t play favorites, I desire all their happiness equally. The triad I dreamed of becoming a reality might top for favorite moments of this series, though. Their whole dynamic is so wonderful but I love the entire group as a found family. The way they bicker with each other is the thing that makes my heart sing. Gentle teasing and camaraderie among them always puts a smile on my face.
The plot in this really gripped me, likely because of that attachment to the characters. We picked up from a rather intense cliffhanger where I was already tense. I am always so pleasantly surprised when books make me ride a roller coaster of emotions, as this one did. Things are bad and good and horrible and fantastic and life is never just one thing at a time for this group. There are mysteries to solve, histories to uncover, and fights to win! Struggles to tackle and heartbreak to mend.
I was incredibly happy with the ending Chokshi went with. It felt fitting and right to me. I’m absolutely revisiting this series at some point, once the outlines of Séverin, Laila, Enrique, Zofia, and Hypnos become a little fuzzy around the edges in my mind! Once I have forgotten enough for it to feel new again....more
As we get further into the Garcia + Picolo rendition of Teen Titans, the more I love it. They’re breathing a freshness into it I really like while honAs we get further into the Garcia + Picolo rendition of Teen Titans, the more I love it. They’re breathing a freshness into it I really like while honoring the original characters I love so much. And, as always, Picolo’s style is unmatched.
”No peeking.” “I’m not.” “You are.”
Finally, the gang is starting to come together! Slade’s being…….. Slade. Which is great because he’s one of my favorite villains. Always in the shadows, that fella. Leaving both Gar and Raven confused.
I do think some will say the romance is sped up in this book, but to me it seems natural after spending several days together and sleeping in the same room. Either you’ll think it’s sweet and great like I did, or it’s not your cup of tea! No shade either way, I just love these two too much to be in any way upset lol. Very strong bias on my part, just to be honest!
We got a glimpse of my favorite titan though and now I’m wondering when Slade’s gonna get his ass handed to him for meddling in the affairs of these teens. ...more
If you like your retellings with a bit of added charm, this one could be for you! I found I really, really liked reading this.
”I could find something If you like your retellings with a bit of added charm, this one could be for you! I found I really, really liked reading this.
”I could find something you wanted. I could give you something you wanted. I’m good at that. I’m the best.”
This Gatsby retelling is imbued to be something a bit different with the inclusion of queer relationships, the discussion of race issues in the 1920’s, and magic. There’s a heady sexuality to this book with open and frank discussions about different relationships. Where there was no romance in the original, Vo has pushed some characters together in a way that was fun and fascinating to read.
I really liked the prose in this as Vo gently pulls you along by the power of, like Jordan, wanting to be a spectator to wonderful and terrible things. Jordan herself is a very self-serving narrator which I found interesting but some may find rather unlikable! To me it seemed her selfishness worked as armor so she could say she doesn’t care about racist opinions from those in her social class. Her being the only Vietnamese girl amid her group is definitely a main focus of this book and I appreciated it a lot. The discussion of exotification of people of different cultures was super impactful since Jordan would so bluntly call attention to it.
Unfortunately it felt like some of Vo’s wonderful original concepts could not quite materialize amid the constraints of being a retelling. The magic definitely gave this setting an even more heightened sense of looming threats and differences, but we don’t learn a lot about where magic comes from in this alternate world! It’s made me very hopeful to pick up Vo’s original works because I think that’s where her concepts would shine.
Overall, I think this book would definitely be an acquired taste. Some things I loved others will detest, and such is the nature of books! I will be keeping Vo on my radar and I hope to pick up something else by her soon....more
With the completion of this series, I can solidly place it among my list of self-indulgent fantasy politics literature to read when I need a pick me uWith the completion of this series, I can solidly place it among my list of self-indulgent fantasy politics literature to read when I need a pick me up. I know a lot of people seemed to dislike that heavy focus on the war, but I liked it! High tension, high stakes, big emotions.
“As before, the only way to defeat Lilith is not to play.”
I found myself really satisfied with this ending! I agree with some other reviews that bouncing between four points of view mean sometimes it felt like some elements were not as emphasized as they could be, but I think the closing chapters did a good job of smoothing that over.
Lilith remains one of the scariest villains I think I’ve seen in YA fantasy because she really just runs entirely based on her own wants and needs. She’s horrible and cruel and what she does to everyone is so graphic. This is the first time we really get to see even a picture of what it was like when she first cursed Rhen.
Also, I’m just… biased because I really love these characters. My adoration of fantasy is not in any way a shocking thing. This is one of my favorite genres and I adore all four of the protagonists in this series. Rhen for his strength and flaws. Harper for her compassion and bravery. Grey for his morality and honesty. And Lia Mara for her kindness and determination. They all play off each other so well and I love their interactions, and I know I’ll revisit this series at some point to see them all again.
Overall, I’m so pleased with my experience with this series. Even if I took a while to finish it all!...more
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