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pandothiel's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Night of Flame marks the ending of the series. Going into this book, I expected this last instalment to be fast-paced and full of events just like in the climax of (almost) every other book before that. The pace was definitely faster than the previous instalments, and yet not as much as I would've liked it. The beginning was a bit slow, but then the action picked up and events kept happening without too much breathing room in between.
I really appreciated this instalment. It still had many flaws hence why I can't give it more than 3.5 stars, but it was an enjoyable end to an enjoyable series.
The characters are meant to be portrayed as intelligent and yet keep falling into good old traps and being betrayed by people they should not have trusted in the first place.
The magic did not surprise me one bit, nor did Dara's role in all of that. Of course she was gonna be targeted by a prophecy, cause no hero ever defeats the great evil if there's no prophecy to assure them victory in fantasy fiction nowadays. You know what I want to read about? Everyday heroes who decide to save the world when a million people could do it, but they're the only ones to have the guts to sacrifice themselves and save the others. I would find it much more compelling.
I liked Vine Stilltine's character throughout the series... but that romance with Rollendar is just yuck. Her Air power turns her into a Deus Ex Machina to save heroes whenever they're in a bad position.
As for the ending, I found it very... convenient.
And of course Sel was gonna like Latch. No one deserves a bad ending, right?
I didn't quite like the fight with the dragons. I felt it was unnecessary and too dramatic. It was just an occasion for Dara to showcase her use of the three powers combined as one, as had not happened in thousands of years... and can we know how she learned to use Air, please? When did she become a Sensor?
Talking about Dara and the three powers...
In the end, I was disappointed by the happy ending. The good guys all got what they wanted, the bad guys were all defeated. I guess I prefer bittersweet endings because they feel more real and impactful. I like how they make you wonder if all of this was worth it. When endings are just happy, it removes the stakes of the story. Had Dara died it would've been impactful and shocking. As much as I like having Siv and her end up together, I'm mildly disappointed she made it out okay.
Night of Flame marks the ending of the series. Going into this book, I expected this last instalment to be fast-paced and full of events just like in the climax of (almost) every other book before that. The pace was definitely faster than the previous instalments, and yet not as much as I would've liked it. The beginning was a bit slow, but then the action picked up and events kept happening without too much breathing room in between.
I really appreciated this instalment. It still had many flaws hence why I can't give it more than 3.5 stars, but it was an enjoyable end to an enjoyable series.
The characters are meant to be portrayed as intelligent and yet keep falling into good old traps and being betrayed by people they should not have trusted in the first place.
The magic did not surprise me one bit, nor did Dara's role in all of that. Of course she was gonna be targeted by a prophecy, cause no hero ever defeats the great evil if there's no prophecy to assure them victory in fantasy fiction nowadays. You know what I want to read about? Everyday heroes who decide to save the world when a million people could do it, but they're the only ones to have the guts to sacrifice themselves and save the others. I would find it much more compelling.
I liked Vine Stilltine's character throughout the series... but that romance with Rollendar is just yuck. Her Air power turns her into a Deus Ex Machina to save heroes whenever they're in a bad position.
As for the ending, I found it very... convenient.
Spoiler
I was actually disappointed to see Sora leave Vertigon when she did so much to protect her country despite the Ruminor's reign of terror. She just agrees to let her brother have the crown. I wish we could have seen the birth of a new nation where Siv, Sora and Dara rule together over Vertigon.And of course Sel was gonna like Latch. No one deserves a bad ending, right?
I didn't quite like the fight with the dragons. I felt it was unnecessary and too dramatic. It was just an occasion for Dara to showcase her use of the three powers combined as one, as had not happened in thousands of years... and can we know how she learned to use Air, please? When did she become a Sensor?
Talking about Dara and the three powers...
Spoiler
does she really think creating a school to teach young people to master the three powers - or at least Fire and Watermight - a good idea? She knows about the thirst for power, she witnessed where it can lead... but she's just ready to hand it to a bunch of people who'd have the possibility to destroy the world with it? Had I been her, I would've just let that knowledge be forgotten. Better that way.In the end, I was disappointed by the happy ending. The good guys all got what they wanted, the bad guys were all defeated. I guess I prefer bittersweet endings because they feel more real and impactful. I like how they make you wonder if all of this was worth it. When endings are just happy, it removes the stakes of the story. Had Dara died it would've been impactful and shocking. As much as I like having Siv and her end up together, I'm mildly disappointed she made it out okay.
mikaylataggart's review
4.0
i enjoyed this series, it was nice to get out of a slump. i originally only planned to read it to read a series that’s attached to it that mentioned it spoiled this one, but i ended up really liking this series. it is definitely YA, but has strong characters, excellent world building, and a good plot line. the romance was cute and cheesy at times but it helped when there was violence throughout the course of the story. it was a good balance, plus there was dragons. you know i can’t resist a good dragon story.
aelynreads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This series is bomb. It's got some great characters, some surprising and shocking plot twists and a great magic system that feels natural and believable in the rich world Jordan Rivet has created. The series isn't perfect (which is why I haven't given it 5 stars). My primary complaint is that there are issues with the pacing of the plot through the books, which made some of the POV seem pointless and boring at times. However, it is still a great fantasy series overall and I would definitely recommend it to any YA fantasy lovers.
This series is bomb. It's got some great characters, some surprising and shocking plot twists and a great magic system that feels natural and believable in the rich world Jordan Rivet has created. The series isn't perfect (which is why I haven't given it 5 stars). My primary complaint is that there are issues with the pacing of the plot through the books, which made some of the POV seem pointless and boring at times. However, it is still a great fantasy series overall and I would definitely recommend it to any YA fantasy lovers.
emmar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
studycat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rnorvegicus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
thebookrefuge's review against another edition
5.0
The build up of this series was amazing. I enjoyed myself so much! I cannot wait for more in this world and to see what happens with my babies.
Siv, Dara, Sel, and Sora are in my favs for life!
A little more in depth:
I was very impressed with how this series build up. The difference in what I thought the plot was going to be in book 1 compared to where we ended up was so different! I have to say that, although I have enjoyed myself through the whole series. (Giving it an average of 4.5 per book!) I thought it would be pretty predictable where everything went. That was not the case!
I loved the magic system. How we expand into all the elements and I thought how it was used was very well expanded upon. Dara became a little too good in my opinion, but that is something that happens in YA Fantasy and not so much a sin against this novel particularly.
I loved the relationships! The romances are all adorable but they by no means take over any of the books. The characters all have clear motivations to save their country and although there are moments of swoon, it never overpowers the story.
I loved the Dragons!!!!! I am a big old softy for dragons in any story. I loved that these ones had unclear motivations and had personalities and goals. I won't say too much more because the dragons have a large part to do with the final plot.
All up, this series is one of my favorites I have read lately. I think I will always have a soft spot for them in the future.
5 stars for me!
Siv, Dara, Sel, and Sora are in my favs for life!
A little more in depth:
I was very impressed with how this series build up. The difference in what I thought the plot was going to be in book 1 compared to where we ended up was so different! I have to say that, although I have enjoyed myself through the whole series. (Giving it an average of 4.5 per book!) I thought it would be pretty predictable where everything went. That was not the case!
I loved the magic system. How we expand into all the elements and I thought how it was used was very well expanded upon. Dara became a little too good in my opinion, but that is something that happens in YA Fantasy and not so much a sin against this novel particularly.
I loved the relationships! The romances are all adorable but they by no means take over any of the books. The characters all have clear motivations to save their country and although there are moments of swoon, it never overpowers the story.
I loved the Dragons!!!!! I am a big old softy for dragons in any story. I loved that these ones had unclear motivations and had personalities and goals. I won't say too much more because the dragons have a large part to do with the final plot.
All up, this series is one of my favorites I have read lately. I think I will always have a soft spot for them in the future.
5 stars for me!
morj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5