Scan barcode
coco_lolo's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
My original rating back in 2014 was 4.5 stars, but in the years since I finished this series, I sometimes find myself looking back on The Forever Song in a less than favorable light. Did I enjoy it at the time? Most definitely. Would I consider reading it again? If I reread the others books, probably. Is it the best book in the trilogy? Not by a long stretch - it was actually my least favorite. I no longer own this series simply because of how this last book played out and how disappointing it was compared to the second and even the first book.
As can be expected of a Julie Kagawa novel, the descriptions were breathtaking and the world building pretty impressive; by this final book, I had a definite grasp on the universe in which Allie and company lived in. The imagery only grew more powerful as the series reached its close: the grim decay of the cities, the bitter winter and the snow that covered everything, the near hopelessness of a broken, barren country. I felt like I was in every scene, like I could feel the icy wind and smell the blood on the air. I also really enjoyed this story's climax, and although certain areas before it dragged, those last chapters made up for it. I especially liked how specific questions I had (one even being a problem I was afraid wouldn't be resolved) were addressed.
The main characters were part of what made this last book such a disappointment in comparison to the previous two. I did like how Allie grew to be more than a standoffish survivalist and began to depend on others and to want them to rely on her in return, taking comfort in he ragtag family. She bothered me for the first few chapters, and though there was some reasoning to her actions, I still disconnected from her because of this; unfortunately, the distance I felt between myself and Allie carried on through a great portion of the book. I didn't particularly enjoy Zeke's plotline. Sadly, I never regained my love for Zeke, which knocked this book down several notches. And while I liked seeing the romance develop between Zeke and Allie, I actually would have rather read more action scenes because their dialogue often felt cheesy.
Jackal was what made this book for me: he was snarky and sarcastic and selfish, but there was something deep, and I do mean deep, down inside him that wasn't totally heartless. I especially loved how he never put up with Allie's crap and didn't hesitate to put people in their place. If he got his own series, it just might make me overlook some of my issues with this book. And Kanin, I believe, was by far my favorite character: he knew he'd made mistakes, took full responsibility for them and bore the guilt without complaint, but did this make him bitter? No. He was a compassionate soul in his own right, and I fell in love with his relationship with Allie.
In my review for The Eternity Cure, I begged for a good ending (my wording was PLEASE END WELL). And for the most part, I think I got that. In a dystopian series, I don't believe there is such thing as an entirely happy ending, and The Forever Song was no exception: sacrifices were made, lives were lost, and no one would ever be the same by the end of it all. But overall, it closed on a light note. And yet...I had problems with it. I think part of this is because my expectations were so high after reading The Eternity Cure, which is my favorite in the series, and while this book mostly delivered, I didn't connect with it on the same level as the other two. Like I mentioned, some parts sort of stretched out longer than I thought were necessary, and truthfully, Allie's inner monologue and her conversations with Zeke made me cringe.
My original rating back in 2014 was 4.5 stars, but in the years since I finished this series, I sometimes find myself looking back on The Forever Song in a less than favorable light. Did I enjoy it at the time? Most definitely. Would I consider reading it again? If I reread the others books, probably. Is it the best book in the trilogy? Not by a long stretch - it was actually my least favorite. I no longer own this series simply because of how this last book played out and how disappointing it was compared to the second and even the first book.
As can be expected of a Julie Kagawa novel, the descriptions were breathtaking and the world building pretty impressive; by this final book, I had a definite grasp on the universe in which Allie and company lived in. The imagery only grew more powerful as the series reached its close: the grim decay of the cities, the bitter winter and the snow that covered everything, the near hopelessness of a broken, barren country. I felt like I was in every scene, like I could feel the icy wind and smell the blood on the air. I also really enjoyed this story's climax, and although certain areas before it dragged, those last chapters made up for it. I especially liked how specific questions I had (one even being a problem I was afraid wouldn't be resolved) were addressed.
The main characters were part of what made this last book such a disappointment in comparison to the previous two. I did like how Allie grew to be more than a standoffish survivalist and began to depend on others and to want them to rely on her in return, taking comfort in he ragtag family. She bothered me for the first few chapters, and though there was some reasoning to her actions, I still disconnected from her because of this; unfortunately, the distance I felt between myself and Allie carried on through a great portion of the book. I didn't particularly enjoy Zeke's plotline.
Spoiler
The twist involving him honestly did not even cross my mind (which is should have), and I wish Kagawa hadn't taken this approach, as it took away from the lovers-who-can-never-completely-be-together idea that we're first introduced to. I thought it was too easy how Allie was able to snap him out of Sarren's control, and then for the next hundred-plus pages, he was extremely unappealing.Jackal was what made this book for me: he was snarky and sarcastic and selfish, but there was something deep, and I do mean deep, down inside him that wasn't totally heartless. I especially loved how he never put up with Allie's crap and didn't hesitate to put people in their place. If he got his own series, it just might make me overlook some of my issues with this book. And Kanin, I believe, was by far my favorite character: he knew he'd made mistakes, took full responsibility for them and bore the guilt without complaint, but did this make him bitter? No. He was a compassionate soul in his own right, and I fell in love with his relationship with Allie.
In my review for The Eternity Cure, I begged for a good ending (my wording was PLEASE END WELL). And for the most part, I think I got that. In a dystopian series, I don't believe there is such thing as an entirely happy ending, and The Forever Song was no exception: sacrifices were made, lives were lost, and no one would ever be the same by the end of it all. But overall, it closed on a light note. And yet...I had problems with it. I think part of this is because my expectations were so high after reading The Eternity Cure, which is my favorite in the series, and while this book mostly delivered, I didn't connect with it on the same level as the other two. Like I mentioned, some parts sort of stretched out longer than I thought were necessary, and truthfully, Allie's inner monologue and her conversations with Zeke made me cringe.
melreadss's review against another edition
5.0
incredible, amazing, spectacular, show-stopping, need i go on? this series was just as good, actually even better than i remember it being TEN WHOLE YEARS ago. i DID however completely forget the ending involving kanin’s self-sacrifice which absolutely tore my heart into pieces for a second time.
this series was so enjoyable and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. i felt so many emotions while reading and i’m not over exaggerating when i say this is quite possibly my favourite book series ever written. i love zeke and allie’s romance and jackal is one of the funniest characters ever (despite being a murderous vampire king). so many of my highlights are just “lol” or “he is so funny”
i am 100% sure i will reread this series again and again and i can only hope that i continue to love them as much as i do right now (and have for the last ten years!!!!) i’m truly so impressed and amazed that this series not only held up to but exceeded my very, very high expectations from my first read.
one million ⭐️/5
this series was so enjoyable and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. i felt so many emotions while reading and i’m not over exaggerating when i say this is quite possibly my favourite book series ever written. i love zeke and allie’s romance and jackal is one of the funniest characters ever (despite being a murderous vampire king). so many of my highlights are just “lol” or “he is so funny”
i am 100% sure i will reread this series again and again and i can only hope that i continue to love them as much as i do right now (and have for the last ten years!!!!) i’m truly so impressed and amazed that this series not only held up to but exceeded my very, very high expectations from my first read.
one million ⭐️/5
magnolia4039's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
2.25
wendy_verbiest's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cmsomerville's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
julieabe89's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a great wrap up to the series. I really love the characters and their journeys. I love Julie Kagawa’s books so much.
emily4reads's review
5.0
This book was fabulous i read it in one day and i loved it just as much as the other two! It was just amazing!
vbibz18's review against another edition
5.0
I have now officially reached the end of my journey with this book - and its ever intriguing story. It has not failed to impress or fascinate me. I give it a 4.9 rating out of 5 - only because I expected to cry at some point while reading it, just like I did during the ending of the second novel.
Miss Julia Kagawa's writing was undoubtedly amazing once again. The writing style was great and flawless. It suits very well with the plot of this story, and overall fitting for this novel. Encountered no issues there.
The plot-line was also as kickass, action-packed, and humour-filled as always. Allison Sekemoto continued to uphold her badass and epic fighter personality. Kanin was an interesting character to read about, and a favourite. Jackal was as irritable, funny and cocky as ever. Nonetheless I loved him and all the other characters, as they embarked on an exhausting journey to find Sarren - an evil, completely psychopathic vampire intent on destroying the rest of the remaining world by inventing another plague to kill off the remaining humans in existence - and kill him before he could manage to set it out against the people. Officially creating the end of the world.
There were many battles fought and blood shed (mostly with the rabids) to get to Eden and defeat Sarren as revenge for all the pain and harm he managed to inflict on these characters.
It was a satisfying ending to a fascinating trilogy and its story will forever be remembered by me.
Miss Julia Kagawa's writing was undoubtedly amazing once again. The writing style was great and flawless. It suits very well with the plot of this story, and overall fitting for this novel. Encountered no issues there.
The plot-line was also as kickass, action-packed, and humour-filled as always. Allison Sekemoto continued to uphold her badass and epic fighter personality. Kanin was an interesting character to read about, and a favourite. Jackal was as irritable, funny and cocky as ever. Nonetheless I loved him and all the other characters, as they embarked on an exhausting journey to find Sarren - an evil, completely psychopathic vampire intent on destroying the rest of the remaining world by inventing another plague to kill off the remaining humans in existence - and kill him before he could manage to set it out against the people. Officially creating the end of the world.
There were many battles fought and blood shed (mostly with the rabids) to get to Eden and defeat Sarren as revenge for all the pain and harm he managed to inflict on these characters.
It was a satisfying ending to a fascinating trilogy and its story will forever be remembered by me.
breezy610's review
5.0
i am very shock by what went on in this book. I really though he would never besometng like that and accept it. I think this is a awesome conslusion to an awesome trilogy. I can't wait to read more of her stuff.