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pewterwolf's review
5.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
I've had this book, the third and final book of the Name of the Blade trilogy by [a:Zoë Marriott|1025280|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1363972141p2/1025280.jpg] since last summer. Yes, since last June-ish time. And I love this trilogy. If you have read my reviews of [b:The Night Itself|20703287|The Night Itself (The Name of the Blade, #1)|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391432925s/20703287.jpg|18194593] and [b:Darkness Hidden|15723550|Darkness Hidden (The Name of the Blade, #2)|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391431560s/15723550.jpg|21398502], you know how much I love this trilogy. I adore it and compare it to [a:Cassandra Clare|150038|Cassandra Clare|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1270502031p2/150038.jpg]'s Shadowhunters series.
So why, I hear you ask, did I not read it when I got the book (and got Zoe to sign it and begged her to tell me if there were any deaths so I can brace my soul - yes, I did. I also told her that I trust authors when I read books. I just don't trust the book. [I'm weird. I know this and I accept this]) back in June 2015?
Because, I didn't want to. I love this series and I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters or this world. Plus, what happens if something awful happens to a character I love? Will it be like when I meet Cassandra Clare when City of Glass has just come out and I said to her "If Alec and Magnus don't get together, I don't know if I can forgive you"?
Enough of my panic, let's talk Frail Human Heart. After the devastating events in Darkness Hidden, Mio doesn't want to carry on. How can she is that means putting the people she loves at risk? But she must. With the final battle between gods coming to a head and London being their battlefield, Mio is the only one who can end it. But how far is she willing to go to end this war? What sacrifice is she willing to make?
I am going to say this now: I do love this series. I think this is one of the coolest urban fantasy series I have read in recent years. And because I love this series, I had to numb myself to Frail Human Heart hence my reactions might not be as OTT as you all might be expecting.
It's a strong finale. The world building and the events leading up to the final dramatic conclusion are wonderful. Zoe knows how to write action and keep the pacing strong, while writing small, private moments. There isn't a dull or boring moment in any books within this trilogy. You will keep turning those pages, needing to know what happens next. And because I loved the previous two books, I returned to this world really easily, as if returning to an old friend.
Maybe because I took a long break away from this world, but there was one or two times I think that some people might not like how Zoe wrapped everything up and left things hanging. I fear some of you guys might find this a little too clean compared to other final books in series out there.
But this is a strong satisfying end to a series I love. Fans of Cassandra Clare need to get this series in their lives and I will be reading the two Zoe Marriott's I have on my TBR shelves ([b:The Swan Kingdom|11149531|The Swan Kingdom|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335704342s/11149531.jpg|2129646] and [b:Daughter of the Flames|13075856|Daughter of the Flames (Ruan, #1)|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358745804s/13075856.jpg|2280706]) before the release of Zoe's Beauty and the Beast retelling, [b:Barefoot on the Wind|29235197|Barefoot on the Wind (The Moonlit Lands #2)|Zoë Marriott|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|49476717] and her rumoured Mulan retelling (which I am VERY excited to read!).
I've had this book, the third and final book of the Name of the Blade trilogy by [a:Zoë Marriott|1025280|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1363972141p2/1025280.jpg] since last summer. Yes, since last June-ish time. And I love this trilogy. If you have read my reviews of [b:The Night Itself|20703287|The Night Itself (The Name of the Blade, #1)|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391432925s/20703287.jpg|18194593] and [b:Darkness Hidden|15723550|Darkness Hidden (The Name of the Blade, #2)|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391431560s/15723550.jpg|21398502], you know how much I love this trilogy. I adore it and compare it to [a:Cassandra Clare|150038|Cassandra Clare|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1270502031p2/150038.jpg]'s Shadowhunters series.
So why, I hear you ask, did I not read it when I got the book (and got Zoe to sign it and begged her to tell me if there were any deaths so I can brace my soul - yes, I did. I also told her that I trust authors when I read books. I just don't trust the book. [I'm weird. I know this and I accept this]) back in June 2015?
Because, I didn't want to. I love this series and I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters or this world. Plus, what happens if something awful happens to a character I love? Will it be like when I meet Cassandra Clare when City of Glass has just come out and I said to her "If Alec and Magnus don't get together, I don't know if I can forgive you"?
Enough of my panic, let's talk Frail Human Heart. After the devastating events in Darkness Hidden, Mio doesn't want to carry on. How can she is that means putting the people she loves at risk? But she must. With the final battle between gods coming to a head and London being their battlefield, Mio is the only one who can end it. But how far is she willing to go to end this war? What sacrifice is she willing to make?
I am going to say this now: I do love this series. I think this is one of the coolest urban fantasy series I have read in recent years. And because I love this series, I had to numb myself to Frail Human Heart hence my reactions might not be as OTT as you all might be expecting.
It's a strong finale. The world building and the events leading up to the final dramatic conclusion are wonderful. Zoe knows how to write action and keep the pacing strong, while writing small, private moments. There isn't a dull or boring moment in any books within this trilogy. You will keep turning those pages, needing to know what happens next. And because I loved the previous two books, I returned to this world really easily, as if returning to an old friend.
Maybe because I took a long break away from this world, but there was one or two times I think that some people might not like how Zoe wrapped everything up and left things hanging. I fear some of you guys might find this a little too clean compared to other final books in series out there.
But this is a strong satisfying end to a series I love. Fans of Cassandra Clare need to get this series in their lives and I will be reading the two Zoe Marriott's I have on my TBR shelves ([b:The Swan Kingdom|11149531|The Swan Kingdom|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335704342s/11149531.jpg|2129646] and [b:Daughter of the Flames|13075856|Daughter of the Flames (Ruan, #1)|Zoë Marriott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358745804s/13075856.jpg|2280706]) before the release of Zoe's Beauty and the Beast retelling, [b:Barefoot on the Wind|29235197|Barefoot on the Wind (The Moonlit Lands #2)|Zoë Marriott|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|49476717] and her rumoured Mulan retelling (which I am VERY excited to read!).
amdame1's review
3.0
Book 3 (and conclusion) to the Name of the Blade series.
As is true with most series books for me, I really enjoyed the first one but found them decreasingly interesting by the final one. With that said, however, this is a satisfying conclusion to the series and picks up right where book 2 left off.
Mio has had to imprison Shinobu back into the sword, but that has not solved all of the problems in their world. London is being overrun by creatures from hell as two gods continue their destructive fight and confrontation. Mio must risk all to save the world.
As is true with most series books for me, I really enjoyed the first one but found them decreasingly interesting by the final one. With that said, however, this is a satisfying conclusion to the series and picks up right where book 2 left off.
Mio has had to imprison Shinobu back into the sword, but that has not solved all of the problems in their world. London is being overrun by creatures from hell as two gods continue their destructive fight and confrontation. Mio must risk all to save the world.
bethkemp's review
5.0
I was nervous starting this, although I'd loved the first two in the series - or perhaps because I'd loved the first two in the series and held them as precious. I should have had more faith! This is a cracking conclusion to a brilliant trilogy. I'm finding it hard to say more at this point without spoilers, but if you enjoy Urban Fantasy (fantasy elements in a contemporary setting, rather than a complete fantasy world) and Japanese folklore appeals (even if, like me, you have no prior knowledge of Japanese folklore), this series needs to go on your must-have list. I've loved spending time with these characters, and gaining insight into myths/folklore that were new to me and I can wholeheartedly recommend this trilogy.
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