There will be spoilers, theres no way to talk about this book without them but im going to try and not give the game away. If you havent read the book proceed with caution.
First off, lets talk about the issues around just getting the book out to people. If ever someone asks why buy a Kindle, the answers simple. The book arrives on time, in good condition. There were hundreds of people sharing that they’d gotten the book early, frustrating those that were expecting their editions to be on time. Followed by books arriving damaged, mouldy and with misprints. I had ordered the digitally signed edition direct from Bloomsbury, assuming that as the publisher they would get it out on time. BIG MISTAKE. Not only was it 4 days late they send me the one I ordered plus somehow duplicated my order, and send me a ‘plain’ version too. I only noticed becasue they took another payment and despite the order still showing open on their system they ve now told me I have to pay to return it for a refund. Dont get me wrong – I enjoy the books, but its easy to see how easily the book charts can be manipulated. Books late – people buy the electronic version, or the publisher just sends extra orders. I doubt the series actually needs the extra sales!
Anyway, to the book. Its got humour, emotion and wit. It just makes Bryce and her friends really likeable.
The transition from CC2 to CC3 is seamless, we jump straight in. I said in my previous post I hadnt reread ACOTAR and wondered if I should have. You really dont need to. Bryce needs to learn about Nesta and her ‘talents’ so we get the bit of the recap we need easily enough. We know the asteri need to be disposed of, and its interesting that not one of them is written as likeable in any way. makes you wonder why people followed them in the first place. Bryce is on a mission to save Midguard, and if she has to sacrifice herself then so be it. I also imagine the Asteri to look like the volturi from the Twilight films!
There really is alot of things that happen, but I just want to focus on Tharion for a moment. He started a side character, who was likeable. But in CC2 and for most of CC3 although his motives are understandable hes really selfish and becomes dislikeable, almost the Nesta of CC. However with the knowledge that there will be another book thats easy to expect to be the House of Many Waters he had to become likelable and a selfless hero. It works but feels like it was set up to feed into the next book.
Now, Jessiba. I really hope SJM finds a way to tell her full story as a Novella. Shes been an amazing character, a great friend to Bryce and really deserves to be credited for all she does a little more.
Ithan and Hypaxia make a great team. We saw some of this in CC2 but it really goes to the next level in CC3. Id love to see Lydia and Hypaxia really reunite and take on someone, somewhere, I just think it would be interesting.
Short verion, Bryce levels up, steals weapons, portals to various worlds, fools people on a regular basis into still believing shes a dumb girl and saves the world. Hunt is more cautious, it feels like hes really grown as a character through the books and becomes almost too engrossed in saving someone who keeps teling him she doesnt need him to. Typical Alphahole behavious I guess.
Id have liked to have seen more of Fury and for Ariadne to step up, but I the addition of the fire sprite loyalty, connor and the various deaths make up for it.
I think the amount of theories about what would happen in the book overtime seemed to be accepted as fact and it made some a little annoyed their theory hadnt come true. Honestly, I think it spoils a book when you try to guess the story – whats the point of going on the journey with the characters if you have already decided you want them to do something else?
Ive decided Im going to take some time then start a full reread from ACOTAR all the way through. Maybe on audiobook whilst Im walking the dogs / driving / on the train.
One More Chapter 