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yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
What an ending for this trilogy, WOW-it had it all- intrigue, betrayals, action, political upheavals, and of course love. What a wonderful end to the series. I found myself cheering at the demise of some nasty characters, they really asked for it so many times. I was also in tears for the ones lost for no reason other than cruelty. There is a lot of drama packed into this one book. It all comes to a fine point that left me satisfied and a bit jarred from the thrill ride.
I can't tell you anything about the story without spoiling it.
I can't tell you anything about the story without spoiling it.
clairedrinkstea's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! Just.... WOW!
I feel like I need to take a deep breath after reaching the end of The Vampire Empire trilogy.
It's bitter sweet which is only right.
I am left with a few questions but they are more concerns that hopefully the Griffith's would address in a sequel around Simon or even a new set of characters as Gareth and Adele's story has concluded. If they never give me more I'm still satisfied.
I can't praise this series enough. At no point was I disappointed. There is an excellent mix of action, intrigue, politics, romance, fear, desperation, joy and loss. Every characters motivation, drive and belief is clear to the reader and you can understand their perspective even if it goes against your own.
Throughout Kingmakers there is an urgency around the characters and as the reader you feel it emanating of the page as you are anxious to see resolution.
I can't praise this entire series enough and don't want to right more because it will be FULL of spoilers.
Do your library a favour and read these books! Seriously... Go and do it now!
I feel like I need to take a deep breath after reaching the end of The Vampire Empire trilogy.
It's bitter sweet which is only right.
I am left with a few questions but they are more concerns that hopefully the Griffith's would address in a sequel around Simon or even a new set of characters as Gareth and Adele's story has concluded. If they never give me more I'm still satisfied.
I can't praise this series enough. At no point was I disappointed. There is an excellent mix of action, intrigue, politics, romance, fear, desperation, joy and loss. Every characters motivation, drive and belief is clear to the reader and you can understand their perspective even if it goes against your own.
Throughout Kingmakers there is an urgency around the characters and as the reader you feel it emanating of the page as you are anxious to see resolution.
I can't praise this entire series enough and don't want to right more because it will be FULL of spoilers.
Do your library a favour and read these books! Seriously... Go and do it now!
mistydawnwaters's review against another edition
5.0
A-MAZE-ING conclusion. This series had no shortage of conflict. What a great mix of action and romance. Not sure how I wanted this to end, but I'm completely satisfied.
hidingincorners's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful conclusion to a wonderful series! I can't wait to read the spinoff series, as I'm hooked on the characters!
reddyrat's review against another edition
5.0
Horror of horrors! The Vampire Empire series is over! At least it ends with a bang. the Kingmakers is a fabulous conclusion to one of my favorite series.
The book begins with Europe in full scale vampire war. And it's not going well for the humans. The vampires are thwarting all their plans. Almost as if they know their moves before they make them. Perhaps there are spies in Equatoria's mist. Adele and Greyfriar are the humans' best hope for victory. But they are only two people. The battles and politics are as complicated as ever in this final novel. They are described with a bit too much detail at times, making the book drag, especially at the beginning. But then again that attention to detail is one of the things that sets this series apart from others.
Adele and Greyfriar are as good as ever. I love Adele's bravery and skill in the battlefield. She is similarly intelligent in politics and strategy and shows compassion for her people. Greyfriar is one of my all time favorite characters. His subtle, dry wit is hilarious. Even Anhalt can't help like him. He is a man of action - he attacks first and thinks later. Unfortunately, he is increasingly worried about his role as Greyfriar, savior of the people. As great as it is to swoop in and kill tons of vampires, his role is very limited. He saves a few while hundreds of others perish. Is there a point to still being Greyfriar?
An interesting theme of this series is compassion for creatures who are not like you. Adele and Anhalt have realized that vampires aren't all the mindless, evil creatures they once thought them to be. Similarly, Greyfriar realizes that not all vampires have misused their powers and are not all deserving of death. The war is going to result in the mass slaughter of innocent vampires as well as humans? Right and wrong is no longer black and white. It's amazing how creatures who seem entirely alien quickly seem "human" when you get to know them.
Their romance continues to be touching and satisfying. Nothing can match the simple sweetness of the first book but I still love reading about them together. They are a pair of equals. Adele trusts Greyfriar to act on his own but also feels the need to keep him from danger. Greyfriar is extremely protective of Adele and very chivalrous but always respects her abilities and independence. Even if her actions are dangerous he knows she can take care of herself.
The Kingmakers hits all the right notes for a concluding novel. The beginning is a little slow but we get into the story and characters quickly enough. Soon we're carried away by very complex drama - politics, battles, assassination attempts (plural), subtle humor, geomancy (still confuses me), and romance. The story shifts between France, Alexandria, London, and Edinburgh (Morgana and Baudoin are back!). I am so sad to leave Adele and Greyfriar. I'd love to read more about their story. Maybe a spin-off featuring Greyfriar in his earlier days. Please write more! Until then, everyone should read this series.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
A bit torn, it's more 3,5 or 3,75. Not as good as book 1, but much better than book 2. hm
My thoughts:
Can it end well, can it? Can it? That was my question throughout this book; make that throughout the whole series. I will not give you that answer; you have to read the book for yourself. I will not say if it ends well, bad, I will just say that, oh I will not say anything at all about that.
Which brings me to the story. Doomed love, utterly doomed love. All vampires are evil and will kill and drink. The good ones will perhaps think not to kill all as they need their cattle. Then we have our hero Gareth, a good vampire. Why? Who knows? Maybe it was the madness after killing thousands. But he is an awesome hero, pretending to be a hero called Greyfriar and the chosen of Empress Adele. A heroine who has the power of the earth and now who could kill him with that. She is getting to be quite toxic to him. But that is not why their love is doomed. He is masked all the time, because if people knew he was a vampire. Yes there can be no happy ending for this too and it kept breaking my heart thinking of it. Some just have to be together!
War is here. Human vs vampires. Killing across Europe. Adele does have the power to end it all, but will she? The price is high, but some do not care. Just like those outside the vampire held lands think that the humans left behind are mindless cattle. It's not a pretty world. And I seriously hate some characters. For some reason no vampires, no, it's just their nature.
It was a thrilling conclusion to a good series. A world where all went to hell when vampires rose to crush all humans. It's such a well thought world, cool and different. A world of steam and vampires. So if you want evil vampires (but still one that is sexy and nice) then this is sure the series for you.
Conclusion:
Do read it.
My thoughts:
Can it end well, can it? Can it? That was my question throughout this book; make that throughout the whole series. I will not give you that answer; you have to read the book for yourself. I will not say if it ends well, bad, I will just say that, oh I will not say anything at all about that.
Which brings me to the story. Doomed love, utterly doomed love. All vampires are evil and will kill and drink. The good ones will perhaps think not to kill all as they need their cattle. Then we have our hero Gareth, a good vampire. Why? Who knows? Maybe it was the madness after killing thousands. But he is an awesome hero, pretending to be a hero called Greyfriar and the chosen of Empress Adele. A heroine who has the power of the earth and now who could kill him with that. She is getting to be quite toxic to him. But that is not why their love is doomed. He is masked all the time, because if people knew he was a vampire. Yes there can be no happy ending for this too and it kept breaking my heart thinking of it. Some just have to be together!
War is here. Human vs vampires. Killing across Europe. Adele does have the power to end it all, but will she? The price is high, but some do not care. Just like those outside the vampire held lands think that the humans left behind are mindless cattle. It's not a pretty world. And I seriously hate some characters. For some reason no vampires, no, it's just their nature.
It was a thrilling conclusion to a good series. A world where all went to hell when vampires rose to crush all humans. It's such a well thought world, cool and different. A world of steam and vampires. So if you want evil vampires (but still one that is sexy and nice) then this is sure the series for you.
Conclusion:
Do read it.
hlizmarie's review against another edition
4.0
A solid ending to a great and unique series. I wish I could see how Gareth and Adele go forward from here but I'll be content with what I know.
skyzinnia's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what an end to this series!
I'm knocking off a star because the first half somewhat dragged on for ages and we will never learn what becomes of half the characters. Some never appear again and some have changes that will never be explained, even though it was set up as though we were going to learn more. Forever like ten cliffhangers.
The last part and ending were spectacular. I thought the ending was interesting and it was a sufficient end to the overall story. It truly fleshed some of these characters out by the end and the character development was wonderful. Many scenes were so well described and well done. The story remined interesting the entire time and I'm happy to have read it!
The scene with the horses was so beautiful and well written. It was spectacularly accurate and beats out some dedicated horse fiction. It perfectly depicts how they would act and respond to a situation like that. Very big applause on that from me. I loved every second of it.
I'm knocking off a star because the first half somewhat dragged on for ages and we will never learn what becomes of half the characters. Some never appear again and some have changes that will never be explained, even though it was set up as though we were going to learn more. Forever like ten cliffhangers.
The last part and ending were spectacular. I thought the ending was interesting and it was a sufficient end to the overall story. It truly fleshed some of these characters out by the end and the character development was wonderful. Many scenes were so well described and well done. The story remined interesting the entire time and I'm happy to have read it!
The scene with the horses was so beautiful and well written. It was spectacularly accurate and beats out some dedicated horse fiction. It perfectly depicts how they would act and respond to a situation like that. Very big applause on that from me. I loved every second of it.
earsore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
monica_r_jae's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked it. I thought Flay was a bit less multi dimensional given her potential to be oh so much more. I remember thinking more of the first two books but perhaps after the brilliance of Martin’s epic, some books will pale in comparison for a while; although, in fairness this one held up rather well. It was a novelty to have all the storylines wrapped up within 400 pages, I must admit! And I like what Gareth becomes, in the end. It was great to see Baudoin again and Adele ;}. I sincerely hope the Griffith's will choose to write more about this universe, even if not specifically about Adele and Gareth.