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emzbookz's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
sylfaun's review against another edition
2.0
"[Artemis] was so confident in the superiority of his own intellect that he rarely developed a plan B. If plan A proved to be a dud, there was no fallback. " I almost stopped reading this book so many times, but crucially at this line. One of the reasons that makes Artemis so clever is that he sees every possible avenue and therefore has plenty of plans. It's even stated as such in an earlier book.
The Last Guardian was so disappointing. I feel like the series built up so much possibility that was completely abandoned or forgotten or random elements were brought in to this book that though they were crucial for this final installment, had never even been thought of within Canon. There were random rules being added to the magic system that broke rules established before.
We do have some stake put into this novel that is not present in earlier novels, but it's under cut by deus ex machina style saving graces that are completely unearned.
Trolls are established as mindless killing machines in the whole series but now?
The last negative thing I will say is: what was the point of the Atlantis Complex when you're going to abandon everything that it worked to try and do, and the only reference we have to Artemis's former condition is again as a joke.
This book works well as a YA novel in that it gives a final bout with all the important characters we have up to this point. And importantly we don't have random an unnecessary coupling up that YA tends to do to wraps things up. We have a lot of common tropes but that comes with the caveats that many readers would not recognize them as this is written for a younger audience, we do have well rounded characters that hell teach important lesson, and an interestingly complex plot that is told simply but without talking down to the reader too much.
I wonder if I had read these last books at the age when I read the first 5 books of the series, would I have reacted differently.
To sum up my feeling about the series, read the first 5 books and you'll be happy. The last three were disappointing in comparison.
The Last Guardian was so disappointing. I feel like the series built up so much possibility that was completely abandoned or forgotten or random elements were brought in to this book that though they were crucial for this final installment, had never even been thought of within Canon. There were random rules being added to the magic system that broke rules established before.
We do have some stake put into this novel that is not present in earlier novels, but it's under cut by deus ex machina style saving graces that are completely unearned.
Trolls are established as mindless killing machines in the whole series but now?
The last negative thing I will say is: what was the point of the Atlantis Complex when you're going to abandon everything that it worked to try and do, and the only reference we have to Artemis's former condition is again as a joke.
This book works well as a YA novel in that it gives a final bout with all the important characters we have up to this point. And importantly we don't have random an unnecessary coupling up that YA tends to do to wraps things up. We have a lot of common tropes but that comes with the caveats that many readers would not recognize them as this is written for a younger audience, we do have well rounded characters that hell teach important lesson, and an interestingly complex plot that is told simply but without talking down to the reader too much.
I wonder if I had read these last books at the age when I read the first 5 books of the series, would I have reacted differently.
To sum up my feeling about the series, read the first 5 books and you'll be happy. The last three were disappointing in comparison.
astrilde's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
4.0
How are the last three going to be better than the rest? Why did I have to get through 1-5 to get to the good ones?
I wanted to love these and they were meh... I don't know if it was the narrator, the story, my frame of mind, me in general but these were not enthralling like I hoped and Carson was right. The movie and the book are like Ready Player One book vs movie. or The Shining book vs movie. They are inspired by but they are totally separate entities.
Basically Ireland is a land of magic and the Fowl family is a heist crew for magic. But Artemis and Holly are the odd couple of friends who need each other and are the last person each other need to keep life interesting and adventurous.
I wanted to love these and they were meh... I don't know if it was the narrator, the story, my frame of mind, me in general but these were not enthralling like I hoped and Carson was right. The movie and the book are like Ready Player One book vs movie. or The Shining book vs movie. They are inspired by but they are totally separate entities.
Basically Ireland is a land of magic and the Fowl family is a heist crew for magic. But Artemis and Holly are the odd couple of friends who need each other and are the last person each other need to keep life interesting and adventurous.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
One last adventure with Artemis, Holly, Butler, Foley and, of course, Mulch. It’s also one final showdown against Opal Koboi. But this one’s been set up very well, and everyone knew it was coming. I’ll be honest, when we first faced Koboi, I’d never have thought that she would become the series villain. But she’s proven herself to be quite formidable. And insane.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great conclusion. It starts with Koboi’s plan going into action, and there are consequences appropriate for a final book. Though I wish that the faerie warriors that Koboi used had been even remotely set up in a previous book. That’s actually my only real issue with the book. Their presence was still fun.
But even with the villains and the magic and schemes, the heart has always been the characters and the relationships. I can’t tell you how much I love the relationships Artemis has with Butler and Holly. Or the one of mutual respect and experience between Butler and Holly. I also love how Mulch continues to pop up in unusual ways and be (reluctantly) helpful.
The book also completes Artemis’s personal arc that was started in book one with him kidnapping a faerie for gold. He’s come such a long way, and so gradually and believably. The characters have been the best executed aspect of this series. And I’m satisfied with how all their stories ended.
I also wanted to give one last shoutout to Nathaniel Parker for his fantastuc narration for this entire series. You did an amazing job.
And… there’s not much else to say. This book was fun and fast paced like all the others. I loved how competent all the characters were. And I’m very glad Artemis’s Atlantis Complex wasn’t present here, because I wasn’t a fan of that in the last book. So overall, this was a great book and conclusion, and I’m very happy to have started this series. It’s made me want to read more middle-grade, and it was just a blast.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great conclusion. It starts with Koboi’s plan going into action, and there are consequences appropriate for a final book. Though I wish that the faerie warriors that Koboi used had been even remotely set up in a previous book. That’s actually my only real issue with the book. Their presence was still fun.
But even with the villains and the magic and schemes, the heart has always been the characters and the relationships. I can’t tell you how much I love the relationships Artemis has with Butler and Holly. Or the one of mutual respect and experience between Butler and Holly. I also love how Mulch continues to pop up in unusual ways and be (reluctantly) helpful.
The book also completes Artemis’s personal arc that was started in book one with him kidnapping a faerie for gold. He’s come such a long way, and so gradually and believably. The characters have been the best executed aspect of this series. And I’m satisfied with how all their stories ended.
I also wanted to give one last shoutout to Nathaniel Parker for his fantastuc narration for this entire series. You did an amazing job.
And… there’s not much else to say. This book was fun and fast paced like all the others. I loved how competent all the characters were. And I’m very glad Artemis’s Atlantis Complex wasn’t present here, because I wasn’t a fan of that in the last book. So overall, this was a great book and conclusion, and I’m very happy to have started this series. It’s made me want to read more middle-grade, and it was just a blast.
carlyxdeexx's review
2.0
It ain’t great folks but like. It’s not total trash. I finished it a while ago and haven’t really had a chance to note that and take down my feelings, but. Reviews of the other later books in the series sum it up well, lots of the same bleh choices but more and not much else to enjoy along with them. The writing itself is generally fine. Stick to the early books, fam.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
4.0
Ending was too obvious, it would have been possible for Artemis to sacrifice something for the escape which should at least have occoured to him as a possible solution. Not wanting to spoil the end, I will not go into details, but it would have been bloody and painful.
Except for that it was a usual, good Artemis book, highly entertaining.
Except for that it was a usual, good Artemis book, highly entertaining.
maimaitu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
kbcollinskai's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
thypos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5