3.5/5 stars
Graphia, 2013
324 pages
YA Paranormal
3rd in trilogy
Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.
Though the previous books in this trilogy Croak and Scorch didn't really impress me, I was still caught up enough in this trilogy to want to complete it when I had the chance. My thoughts aren't super detailed and I wouldn't want to give spoilers anyway so below are some things I did and didn't like about this book.
To be perfectly honest, I don't really like Lexie or the other characters very much. I was disappointed with her damning choices in Scorch and while she is challenged on that in this book, I never really clicked with the characters as presented. On the flip side, I love this quote from the author's acknowledgements: "'I admire your willingness to kill off your characters,' which is really just a polite way of saying, 'I think you might actually be a serial killer, and I'm fine with it" (V-VI). These were hilarious acknowledgements and I do admire Damico's willingness to kill off killers-basically no one is safe especially since the book is told in third-person. Whenever a book is told in first-person, I'm fairly certain the narrator isn't going to die; less certain if it's alternating first-person.
That humor also rings throughout the book. There are many snappy quips that help to lighten what is in many ways a pretty dark book. As in Scorch, I apparently like visiting new places. In that book, I loved checking out DeMyse and here we have Necropolis. Though the characters spend perhaps more time there than the plot could handle, they were also my favorite scenes as they attempted to find a portal. In general, I thought the plot was very unpredictable and able to spring into any direction.
Something I didn't like was my difficult recalling characters. If you wanted to read these books back to back, that would be a very good decision because when old characters are brought back, they do not receive much introduction. It is assumed that you will be able to recall who they are. I think I have a handle on everyone but I'm not entirely sure (and since I don't love the characters, I don't mind that uncertainty.)
Lastly we have the ending, which I can see people being very split over though it's nowhere near as controversial as Andrea Cremer's Bloodrose (wow-there are some angry reviews on that one!) Personally I found it satisfactory. I'm not really sure how I wanted the series to end and this was an acceptable solution that is mostly optimistic though leavened by the sadness and losses of battle.
Overall: Read this if you want to finish the series-you really should read them in order as I do not think you would be able to follow them otherwise.
Cover: Definitely fits in with the others-this time though I find the bright green of the title and blue of the scythe a bit jarring against the more muted color palette of the background.
Other Opinions:
A Reader of Fictions
Chapter by Chapter
Singing and Reading in the Rain
I ordered this series for the library but I don't think I will be reading it. I thought it had promise but it looks like you really have to be invested in it or determined to finish the series once you've started.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of people who loved the whole series but for me, I never clicked with the characters the way I wanted to.
DeleteI have seen this series, and I think I might like it. I'm not sure if my library has them all or not though. Might have to check into that. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to know your thoughts now that all 3 books are out and you can read them all in one go.
DeleteThe second one didn't impress me, so I'll skip this one.
ReplyDelete(And I didn't mind Bloodrose, but that death sucked.)
Probably for the best-I really finished because I was able to get a copy through Vine and to cross another series off my list.
DeleteI still can't get over how angry people were about Bloodrose-the venom in some of the reviews appalled me.
I've never read Scorch or Croak. I don't usually mind controversial endings, unless they're open-ended. Which to me is not really an ending at all...
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
You definitely need to read the books in order-keep that in mind if you do decide to try them.
DeleteI'm curious about this series, but I'm not DYING to read it, if that makes sense. haha I like that it has some good humor, but sorry this one wasn't all that great.
ReplyDeleteHaha-I enjoyed the joke :)
DeleteOhh, you comparing it to Bloodrose makes me think there is a love triangle..? :( Hopes not. I have not yet read this series, but I have a signed copy of Croak :) Hoping to read them soon. Glad you enjoyed this final book, even though it wasn't perfect. Thank you for sharing. <3
ReplyDeleteThere's not a love triangle-I just think some people will be really upset by some of the twists and turns. Hope you get to this series soon especially since you have a shiny signed copy!
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