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adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Slavery, Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
I am in awe with this series. I have loved every single book. It is not perfect and relys heavily on tropes but for me it worked. This final book ran me through the emotional gambit and I am so grateful to have read this story. I do not want to make any comments about the main cast of characters to avoid spoiling any moments.
Sabaa Tahir is a true Kehanni and I look forward to reading all of her other stories.
Sabaa Tahir is a true Kehanni and I look forward to reading all of her other stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery, Grief
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Sexism
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I don't know if this book was really necessary. I think the series could've been a trilogy too.
In conclusion, all of the books were really good, but in the end it was just too much high fantasy for me and things just got crazier and crazier. Also I wasn't as touched by the characters pain as I should've been. I didn't really care about Elias and Laias realationship and I didn't love them as characters either. I did like Helen though, but her love story with Avatas wasn't as well written as it could've been. It had potential, but I feel like it was wasted. There is A LOT of plot, but pretty high fantasy and not that down to earth as the first book.
The first book is amazing and will always stay at 5 stars, but it really just went downhill after that, at least for my taste. The only character I actually cared about was Helen and maybe also Avatas, but sadly we didn't get to know that much about him.
Wouldn't call this series a time waste, but it wasn't the story I would've expected after the first book.
In conclusion, all of the books were really good, but in the end it was just too much high fantasy for me and things just got crazier and crazier. Also I wasn't as touched by the characters pain as I should've been. I didn't really care about Elias and Laias realationship and I didn't love them as characters either. I did like Helen though, but her love story with Avatas wasn't as well written as it could've been. It had potential, but I feel like it was wasted. There is A LOT of plot, but pretty high fantasy and not that down to earth as the first book.
The first book is amazing and will always stay at 5 stars, but it really just went downhill after that, at least for my taste. The only character I actually cared about was Helen and maybe also Avatas, but sadly we didn't get to know that much about him.
Wouldn't call this series a time waste, but it wasn't the story I would've expected after the first book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, Violence, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
aw, I cried during the ending! i really liked the ending of the series and this was definitely my favourite one in the whole series (I did have to Google all of the world history because I had forgotten them from the previous books).
i liked the writing and atmosphere, k enjoyed the character banter and dynamics, so much KILLING OF CHARACTERS (she did not hold back, all the consequences), andII loved how it resolved too
i liked the writing and atmosphere, k enjoyed the character banter and dynamics, so much KILLING OF CHARACTERS (she did not hold back, all the consequences), andII loved how it resolved too
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Whew! What a saga! I don’t think I can really review only this book (it was really just a small part of the entire story), but: it was so good. Heart wrenching. Beautiful. There is so much to love and so much to grieve. The story is gritty and real and doesn’t pull punches. It is full of violence and love and horror and hope. Although the resolution is gorgeous and satisfying, do not start reading this series expecting a happy story. You’ll learn to love so many fascinating, diverse characters and... some of them won’t make it to the end. Overall, these books are heavy, but beautifully written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, a solid finish for the Ember series and I liked where all of the main characters wound up. This book really goes deeper into the pitfalls of revenge v justice and emphasizes the ideas that if your forbearers did harm to a population, it is your responsibility to make it right as best you can. All of that wrapped up with incredibly fast-paced action, wonderful characters (also, I was about to tear my hair out with Elias and Laia for like 9/10ths of this book and it ruled. The pining was magnificent), and what I considered a pretty solid ending.
However, I did have some problems with the ending I think that my biggest qualm came with the ending on a more philosophical scale (I was fine with all the deaths and the personal ends of the main characters).I don't know how I feel about the fact that the Martials still get to have an empire and that an Empress (even if that empress is Helene) is in charge of this country. I feel like I would have personally felt a more equitable ending would be...I don't know, giving the Tribal people complete independence (or at least a vote on if they wanted to leave) and the Scholars should have gotten either a full on country supported by the Martials or every Scholar should have gotten so much money and land since they just went through another genocide. As I said, the book does reiterate the point that you are responsible for making right the sins of your forbearers, and that even if you didn't personally do something that you need to make it right. Also, I would have loved it if Tahir had kept with the idea that Helene is not going to be forgiven by all she hurt and she would have to be okay with that, rather than implying that she is eventually forgiven by those like Mamie Rilla. As my rating indicates, I didn't find it *that* much of a hinderance in my enjoyment of the series, and I can accept this ending as fair to the extent that the world Tahir will allow it to be.
I honestly can't wait to read whatever Tahir comes out with next, because if I like it half as much as I liked this series, I'm going to love it.
However, I did have some problems with the ending I think that my biggest qualm came with the ending on a more philosophical scale (I was fine with all the deaths and the personal ends of the main characters).
I honestly can't wait to read whatever Tahir comes out with next, because if I like it half as much as I liked this series, I'm going to love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual violence, Torture, Vomit
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Rape