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relliem08's review
4.0
Strong, intelligent, sarcastic, witty female lead characters who aren't damsels in distress, trying to be one of the guys, or making incredibly stupid decisions out of some misguided attempt at "twuu wuv" (true love)!
No Insta!Love!
Smart, funny, charming male characters that aren't flaming jerks!
Incredible world-building!
Intrigue!
Action!
Realistic relationships (platonic and romantic)!
*happy sigh*
This was fantasy done well and I'm truly sad to see this series end.
...Bone Palace (book 2) was my favorite, by the way.
No Insta!Love!
Smart, funny, charming male characters that aren't flaming jerks!
Incredible world-building!
Intrigue!
Action!
Realistic relationships (platonic and romantic)!
*happy sigh*
This was fantasy done well and I'm truly sad to see this series end.
...Bone Palace (book 2) was my favorite, by the way.
campbelltaral's review
3.0
I really enjoyed the first two books, and while I liked the style and the premise of the story in this one, it felt too scattered. The author did a great job with the setting, however.
artemishi's review
4.0
Despite a length that initially seemed excessive, this was well-paced and developed. I felt connected to the story (and the side characters) and some chapters were really compelling.
The concept of Al-Joda'im is fascinating and I loved it. The idea of Qais and Quietus seems pretty much exactly what humanity would do. Asheris' story and Kash's story are compelling and deeply sad. Brenna's story is relatable, in a way. And in my head, Nerium is played by Dame Judi Dench.
My primary disappointments were what little development Moth got in this story, after being introduced in book 2, and a slightly confusing consequence at the end of the story. It's always nice to have familiar faces come back into a story, as with Adam and Asheris, as well as new intrigue. I'm not sure how I feel about Isyllt's journey. Throughout the trilogy, she's essentially wasting away (physically) and re-defining her priorities (morally/ethically) while becoming a stronger mage and spy through the near-constant danger and intrigue she's thrown into.
She's mangled and grieving, and somehow this third story becomes something of a redemption arc, where she finds purpose and direction (at the very end, anyway). She wakes up to the wrongs she's committed and she does her best to fix things- either because she's finally gotten her head above the water of grief enough to look around her, or because she's decided she's going to die and wants to make amends while she can (depending on how cynical you are about this).
I'm mostly frustrated bythe fact that Isyllt didn't die at the end, after taking the Void into her flesh as a vessel for its escape, and then releasing it into the world, and then *ripping her spiritual heart open as a gateway for them to go back into space*. Aside from being in a 3-day coma, that act had zero consequences for her- not even pain. Isyllt made a sacrifice with unknown consequences- that's the power of her choice, that she knew something would alter her forever, or kill her, but it was for the right reason. No consequences to this sacrifice turns her from everyday person who happens to be a necromancer into a Chosen One trope, which cheapens the story for me. I would've liked to have seen SOME consequence to that action, even just hinted at.
Aside from that, the story was a good one, and could potentially be read as a stand-alone.
The concept of Al-Joda'im is fascinating and I loved it. The idea of Qais and Quietus seems pretty much exactly what humanity would do. Asheris' story and Kash's story are compelling and deeply sad. Brenna's story is relatable, in a way. And in my head, Nerium is played by Dame Judi Dench.
My primary disappointments were what little development Moth got in this story, after being introduced in book 2, and a slightly confusing consequence at the end of the story. It's always nice to have familiar faces come back into a story, as with Adam and Asheris, as well as new intrigue. I'm not sure how I feel about Isyllt's journey. Throughout the trilogy, she's essentially wasting away (physically) and re-defining her priorities (morally/ethically) while becoming a stronger mage and spy through the near-constant danger and intrigue she's thrown into.
She's mangled and grieving, and somehow this third story becomes something of a redemption arc, where she finds purpose and direction (at the very end, anyway). She wakes up to the wrongs she's committed and she does her best to fix things- either because she's finally gotten her head above the water of grief enough to look around her, or because she's decided she's going to die and wants to make amends while she can (depending on how cynical you are about this).
I'm mostly frustrated by
Aside from that, the story was a good one, and could potentially be read as a stand-alone.
dee2799d's review
4.0
A really big problem resolved all too easily in the last few pages of the book. Seriously, Ms Downum, it's all right to write a 600-page novel if you want to. I will read it all. I kind of think the pacing isn't too good because it all feels hurried.
But to be fair, I did feel all the heat of the desert in this one. I really feel bad for Isyllt, to be honest. It's like she's set out to be destiny's whipping boy or something.
And in the end, really, she's all alone. With Adam, who was in love with a woman who's not even real. And Asheris who is in love with a man who was forced to marry someone else. What a happy trio.
*whispers* I still love it, though.
hotpinkmess's review
5.0
Short, sweet, and truth.
How well did I love these books?
I devoured them. In three days. One book a day.
Wow. Wow. What an amazing story, amazing character, wonderful, rich world. Heart breaking and elating.
How well did I love these books?
I devoured them. In three days. One book a day.
Wow. Wow. What an amazing story, amazing character, wonderful, rich world. Heart breaking and elating.
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