Tag «trilogy termination»

Series Review: Angel by L A Weatherly

Trilogy Termination: Angel by L A Weatherly

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Angel Burn(from Goodreads):

They’re out for your soul.
And they don’t have heaven in mind…

Willow knows she’s different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people’s dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from.
But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he’s one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.

breakdown

Series: Angel Trilogy
Author: L A Weatherly
# of Books: 3 (Full Series Order)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Angels, Paranormal, Action
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person + Third Person
Publication Dates: January 2010 – August 2013
Source & Format: Public Library–Hardcover; eBook

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Like many series I started in university many years ago, I don’t really remember how I discovered it. I assume it had something to do with the Angel Trend that was huge around that time (2010). Either way, I really enjoyed the first novel in the series and that enjoyment is what kept this series on my TBR for over 5 years after the finale was published.

The Concept / The World:

I always think back fondly on this series because it was one of the more unique Angel concepts I had come across. Angel stories are always about good angels vs bad angels (or one faction vs another) but here, nearly all angels are evil and humans are fighting for themselves. It’s a fresh take on the world.

Unfortunately, that cool premise gets overshadowed by your typical YA paranormal cliches and the like but at its core, this is a cool story.

The Plot:

I remember being totally engrossed in the first novel. I loved watching Alex and Willow navigate this new world and their budding feelings. It was a fun adventure that kept me on my toes.

I’ll be honest and admit that I don’t remember much about the second novel (Angel Fire) other than the fact that it introduces a love triangle that seems to take over the entire novel. Ugh.

But despite a “meh” experience with the second book, I was eager to see this series completed and was determined to pick up the finale (Angel Fever) 5 years later. Only I was thrust back into a mundane plotline that seemed to be taking its sweet-ass time and a seemingly resolved love triangle that would resolve every chapter with new ire.

Which is why I DNF’d it at 25% and skipped to the last chapter to give myself some closure.

The Characters:

Willow is one of those “special snowflakes” combined with a “Mary Sue”. It wasn’t really apparent to me in the first novel but I definitely saw it in the third. She’s just becomes so wish-washy in her convictions and morphs into your stereotypical heroine of a paranormal YA series.

The rest of the cast fits into their typical roles with ease.

The Romance:

This started strong for me but the introduction of a useless love triangle really killed any positive feelings I had towards this.

Series Rating: 3/5

Angel Burn 4/5 | Angel Fire 3/5 | Angel Fever DNF

overall

Like many of the angel romances released around the same time, this series takes your typical cookie cutter pieces and assembles them for your average angel read.

Read if You Like: angels, YA paranormal reads
Avoid if You: dislike love triangles, want more action

similarreads

  • Newsoul by Jodi Meadows (Newsoul Trilogy #1)
  • Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush Saga #1)
  • A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford (A Touch Trilogy #1)
  • Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton (Angelfire Trilogy #1)

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Series Review: The Devils of Dover by Kelly Bowen

Series Review: The Devils of Dover by Kelly Bowen

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

booksynopsis

Synopsis for A Duke in the Night (from Goodreads):

Duke. Scoundrel. Titan of business. August Faulkner is a man of many talents, not the least of which is enticing women into his bedchamber. He’s known-and reviled-for buying and selling companies, accumulating scads of money, and breaking hearts. It’s a reputation he wears like a badge of honor, and one he intends to keep.

Clara Hayward, the headmistress of the Haverhall School for Young Ladies, on the other hand, is above reproach. Yet when she’s reunited with August all she can think of is the way she felt in his arms as they danced a scandalous waltz ten long years ago. Even though her head knows that he is only back in her life to take over her family’s business, her heart can’t help but open to the very duke who could destroy it for good.

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Canadian Author, Must Read Author
Series: The Devils of Dover
Author: Kelly Bowen
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)

There is a novella: #3.5 Night of the Scoundrel

Book Order: Connected
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Heat Rating: Toasty
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: February 2018 – May 2019
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook (#1 & #2); eBook (#3)

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I fell in love with Kelly Bowen’s work after reading her Season for Scandal Series. She reminds me of my favourite historical fiction author Tessa Dare only that Kelly has a slightly darker approach to her characters and their pasts. She’s also Canadian and I love to support my fellow Canucks so she easily became a must-read author for me. I couldn’t wait to try another series by her.

The Concept:

One of the biggest reasons I’m drawn to Historical Fiction is the fact that our female leads usually defy the societal norms of the time. They challenge the prejudices and roles of their time by being their authentic selves. So the whole concept of a school that teaches women subjects like art and medicine in times when those were perceived as simply hobbies or something that challenged their delicate constitution was a great aspect to the story.

The Plot:

My only other experience with Bowen’s work is A Season for Scandal which follows a group of people who were the Olivia Pope (Scandal) Fixers of their day (just not as crazy as that group). So there were an edge of danger and suspense to those novels that I expected to be here but really wasn’t given the setting. (Book #3, A Rogue by Night falls back into that mold though which is probably why it was my favourite of the series). I try not to compare series to other series but I did have to curb my expectations a bit to get into the story.

But once I got acquainted with everyone and what the plot was, I enjoyed the drama that we do get.

The Characters:

Writing great, solid characters is a talent and it’s one Bowen excels at. Everyone is just so rounded as a character. They all have their flaws and strengths and that allows them to grow as the story evolves. And everyone just has great chemistry together. I really loved the family dynamic of the Hayward clan.

The Romance:

All these couples had really fabulous chemistry together. And I loved how they all challenged their partners to become better people. In my books, I like the idea that you have to “work on ‘me’ before we become ‘we'” and that’s what we get here. I really saw the connections and draws for each couple…and I definitely swooned a few times.

My Audiobook Experience (#1 & #2):

I would have loved to have read the entire series in audio but I was at the whims of my library for this one. Great narration throughout.

Series Rating: 4/5

A Duke in the Night 3/5 | Last Night With the Earl 4/5 | A Rogue by Night 5/5 | [Night of the Scoundrel N/A]

overall

A solid series about a family that defies convention–all the while falling in love with their perfect match!

Read if You Like: regency reads, romance
Avoid if You: want more erotica

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Trilogy Termination: The Chemical Gardens by Lauren DeStefano

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Spring 2017

Trilogy Termination Blitz: I finally finish some trilogies I started years ago by reading the final book! But don’t let my delay in finishing them deter you from picking them up…or should it?

Miss the Introduction Post? Read it here!

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Wither (from Goodreads):
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape–before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden’s servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Cover Love
Series: Chemical Gardens Trilogy
Author: Lauren DeStefano
# of Books: 3 (Wither, Fever, Sever)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance, Science Fiction
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Dates: March 2011 – February 2013
Source & Format: Public Library–Hardcover; eBook (Sever)

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I can’t remember how Wither crossed my radar all those years ago. I might have been browsing my library’s new catalogue items when the cover caught my attention. These covers are some of my all time favourites…well, not Sever so much but they are beautiful.

For Wither and Fever, I was the first one to read them at my library. I made sure my name was first on that holds list and I pretty much read them on their release date. But my not so great experience with Fever stopped that trend when it came time to read Sever the following year.

The Concept / The World:

As a scientist myself, the whole premise is what drew me to this story.

A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years.

Talk about intriguing!

It adds a layer of desperation to this series. There is nothing more thrilling in a novel than watching what happens when people are pushed to their extremes. It also creates the potential for a great villain (which we get here!).

And while this series doesn’t focus too much on the science of it all (not really until the last book), the premise itself creates a unique backdrop for this story.

The Plot:

Don’t go into this series thinking it is more science fiction than it is romance. While the romance isn’t the primary focus, it drives the plot more I find than the science of the world (which acts as a backdrop more than anything). It’s hard to pinpoint the main genre of this story.

And I think that might be this series problem: it’s hard to define.

I really enjoyed Wither for its unique premise: a girl thrust into a dire world she desperately wants to escape. Learning about Rhine’s world was probably my favourite aspect of that book.

But Fever has a completely different feel–it’s darker and lacks the romanticism underlying in Wither. But it also had a plot that seems to lack direction other than the passing of time. Sure, you get little bits and pieces of information but nothing is really done with it all. I found myself getting bored; especially when I was so absorbed in the world I had seen in Wither. It was a big disappointment for me.

Sever has that same slowness to it as well. I thought with the intense ending of Fever that it would continue that thrilling pace…but not so much. I would have DNF’d it if it wasn’t for it’s decent page count and my desire to see how this was all going to wrap up. Sure, it had its surprises but by that point I was past caring.

I think what this series needed was a more definable overarching plot-line. Perhaps it is just a result of me reading these books over the span of the course of years (thus missing the finer details), but I felt like each book was its own plot and world, only briefly linking to the one before it. There isn’t a complex plot to this series–or at least one that gets teased enough to keep you interested. I suppose the “cure” is the complex plot but it takes such a backseat for 80% of the series that it doesn’t contribute much to the notion.

The Characters:

Rhine doesn’t do much for me as a main character. It’s hard because you do learn a lot about her and her circumstances; I just wasn’t finding myself rooting for her throughout the series. She’s jaded and even though I understand why, she was just so “blah” to me as a character.

I think my biggest problem with Rhine is that she lets everything happen around her. And yes, she does have some pretty difficult situations and circumstances to navigate. Vaughn sure doesn’t make her life easy. But unless it was to save her own butt, she takes the meeker approach and that bored me. I just wanted some tenacity and not “meh”.

Truthfully, Linden was probably my favourite character. I’m not particularly sure why but I really felt for him as the series progressed.

The Romance:

This one didn’t do much for me. I’m sure my dislike of Rhine contributed to me not enjoying her romances. Not that she really had any. I suppose a better way to phrase the romance would be “love interests” that potentially could go somewhere.

But I wouldn’t suggest reading this series if all you wanted was a romance. There are much better science fiction romances out there if that is your main draw to this series.

Series Rating: 3/5

Wither 4/5 | Fever 3/5 | Sever 2/5

overall

This series is one of those missed opportunities for me. It has a cool premise but the execution just falls short for me. Perhaps, seek out a second opinion because I feel like I am in the minority. But if you want a science fiction novel that isn’t overly complicated, this is an interesting series to try.

Read if You Like: jaded heroines, light science fiction
Avoid if You: want more romance, want a more complicated plot

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Thanks for tuning in for this review blitz! I hope to have another one in the very near future!

Trilogy Termination: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

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Spring 2017

Trilogy Termination Blitz: I finally finish some trilogies I started years ago by reading the final book! But don’t let my delay in finishing them deter you from picking them up…or should it?

Miss the Introduction Post? Read it here!

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Angelfire (from Goodreads):

First there are nightmares.
Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.

Then come the memories.
When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie’s power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie’s memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.

Now she must hunt.
Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

breakdown

Series: Angelfire Trilogy
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
# of Books: 3 (Angelfire, Wings of the Wicked, Shadows in the Silence)

There is a prequel novella: #0.5 A Dance With Darkness

Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Angels, Paranormal, Action
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Dates: February 2011 – January 2013
Source & Format: Public Library–Hardcover; eBook

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Angels were all the rage when I was a teen and I grabbed this book during the trend. This series is praised for its action scenes and I love books with a little physical confrontations along the way.

The Concept / The World:

This story is very rich in terms of its history and lexicon. There is a solid background and substance to create this world and is very unique compared to other angel YA reads. I wish I read the third one closer together because I did forget some of the history despite having notes on the first two novels.

The Plot:

Throughout this series, I struggled with its pacing. You have these pockets of mundane, everyday teenage problems pocketed with scenes of action and plot development. The problems with the everyday teenage stuff I’ll address below but the actions scenes are great. They are written in a way that is like watching a movie so it was super easy to visualize.

I also really enjoyed the overarching plot of this trilogy as a whole. While each book has its own main plot line, everything bridges together nicely. It just gives this series a consistency that keeps you invested in the story and characters.

The Characters:

I admit, I was hesitant to start Shadows in the Silence because I remember really not liking Ellie’s character. She started the series as a selfish and somewhat petty teenaged girl. But when I read Shadows in the Silence, I found she wasn’t as annoying as I remembered. She really does grow and I can appreciate that.

There are a lot of characters in this story and I think it provides a richer experience. Again, I probably should have read the finale closer to the previous installments just to keep everyone straight but it was easier to dive back in than I expected.

The Romance:

Once again, I picked the “wrong team” but I knew it was never going to work with my pick. I really wasn’t a fan of the romance here, it was a little cliche and I find Will is a little dull as a hero. Then again, I wasn’t reading this for the romance!

Series Rating: 4/5

Angelfire 4/5 | Wings of the Wicked 4/5 | Shadows in the Silence 3/5

overall

This series is pretty on par with the other paranormal YA reads of its time. However, this one excels in action and a rich world that will keep readers interested.

Read if You Like: angels, YA paranormal reads
Avoid if You: want more romance based

similarreads

  • Newsoul by Jodi Meadows (Newsoul Trilogy #1)
  • Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush Saga #1)
  • A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford (A Touch Trilogy #1)
  • Angel by L A Weatherly (Angel Trilogy #1)

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Trilogy Termination: He’s So/She’s So by Kieran Scott

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Spring 2017

Trilogy Termination Blitz: I finally finish some trilogies I started years ago by reading the final book! But don’t let my delay in finishing them deter you from picking them up…or should it?

Miss the Introduction Post? Read it here!

booksynopsis

Synopsis for She’s So Dead to Us (from Goodreads):

Ally Ryan would rather be in Maryland. She would rather be anywhere, in fact, than Orchard Hill, site of her downfall. Well, not hers exactly—but when your father’s hedge fund goes south and all your friends lose their trust funds, things don’t look so sunny for you. Her mother moved her to Maryland to flee the shame, but now they’re moving back. Back to the country-club, new-car-every-year, my-family-came-over-on-the-Mayflower lifestyle that Ally has outgrown. One bright spot, however, is gorgeous, intense Jake Graydon. But it won’t be easy for the two of them to be together—not if his friends (her former friends) have anything to say about it. Is Ally ready to get thrown back into the drama of the life she left behind?

breakdown

Series: He’s So/She’s So Trilogy
Author: Kieran Scott
# of Books: 3 (She’s So Dead to Us, He’s So not Worth It, This Is So Not Happening)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, High School, Drama
Heat Rating: warm **suggestive content**
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: January 2010 – May 2012
Source & Format: Public Library–Hardcover; eBook

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I don’t know how I learned about this series but I do know that I suggested that my local library buy it and that’s how I got my hands on this series! This was back in the day when my YA horizons weren’t broader than contemporaries and this one sounded like it had some juicy drama!

The Plot:

What I liked about these books was that the plot did have a few layers to it. You’ve got Ally struggling to fit back in with her friends and new family situation; Jake struggling with his feelings for Ally (and vice versa) and then some main plot for the book. And each book fits that formula and throws in some other love interests along the way.

Basically, it’s an extended teen soap opera episode.

So while I found each novel to be terribly predictable, I also found myself sucked into the lives of Ally and company.

The Characters:

Surprisingly, I liked Ally. I say surprisingly because I often find myself annoyed with teenaged heroines in high school dramas since they seem to have priorities and views I can’t stand. But Ally has a fabulous head on her shoulders and I really loved how she handled herself with all the craziness that is around her.

And it is a whole lot of crazy. Her friends are everything I despise in YA characters. They’re petty, selfish and love everything drama has to offer. I mean, it works for the story but it also makes them a little unlikable.

Jake is a great example of that. Talk about self-absorbed! Oye, his thought process slayed me sometimes. He definitely isn’t going to be on my list of book boyfriends anytime soon.

However, in the same breathe, it provides a great opportunity to see these characters grow up a little with all the stuff that gets thrown their way. (And for the most part, they seize that opportunity).

The Romance:

Seeing as I wasn’t a huge Jake fan, I didn’t always love the romance between him and Ally. And the constant love triangles they found themselves in were exhausting. But somehow, it worked for this story so I tolerated it.

Series Rating: 4/5

She’s So Dead to Us 4/5 | He’s So Not Worth It 4/5 | This Is So Not Happening 3.5/5

overall

If you love teen soaps but want one in a book, this is a series you should have on your radar!

Read if You Like: high school drama, teen soaps
Avoid if You: dislike drama

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Trilogy Termination Blitz: Spring 2018

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Spring 2018

This blitz has been a long time coming!

Close to 3 years ago, I thought up this great idea to help me get some previously started trilogies finished. See I had a lot of books where I had read the first 2 books but had yet to read the grand finale. These were series I had started in high school or just lost track of during university. Like most people with extensive TBRs, I never seemed to be able to find the time to get that last book read.

So this has been a project that I’ve been working on since my early days of blogging. And what you are about to get over the next 4 days is about half of what I have planned. I’m hoping that by posting this now, I can encourage myself to get the last half finished by the end of this year. It felt great to get some of those half-finished review out of my draft folder!

The Goal:

Finish 10 previously started (and completely published) series where I have read Books 1 and 2 but still have to read Book 3. I even added an extra series just as a buffer in case one of the books wasn’t available at the library*.

*which obviously was unnecessary because I read these books over the course of 3 years and not in a month span like I had originally planned.

Updated Series:

When I started this project, there were a few series that I ended up writing reviews for on my blog. Most of these reviews were from the early days when I would write posts for series even if I hadn’t finished them, simply so I would have some content for the blog. I’ve learned a lot since then 😉

So check out some of my previous reviews that are now complete:

The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1) The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1)

Reviews Over The Next 3 Days:

So what series will you see over the next 3 days? You’ll have to click on the links below when the time comes (or just wait for them to show up in your reader feed). I hope you enjoy!

Day 1 // Day 2 // Day 3


Do you have a lot of trilogies unfinished?

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Series Review: Gold Seer Trilogy by Rae Carson

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Gold Seer Trilogy

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Walk on Earth a Stranger (from Goodreads):

Gold is in my blood, in my breath, even in the flecks in my eyes.

Lee Westfall has a strong, loving family. She has a home she loves and a loyal steed. She has a best friend—who might want to be something more.

She also has a secret.

Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it.

When everything Lee holds dear is ripped away, she flees west to California—where gold has just been discovered. Perhaps this will be the one place a magical girl can be herself. If she survives the journey.

breakdown

Series: Gold Seer Trilogy
Author: Rae Carson
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Adventure, Western, Magic
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: September 2015 – October 2017
Source & Format: Public Library–eBook

thoughts

**This post was originally posted as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to reflect my conclusion to DNF this series. It will not be further updated.**

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

After I read Vengeance Road, I was on the look-out for another great Western YA read. I stumbled upon Walk on Earth a Stranger when I was reading Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat’s review of Vengeance Road. I read Carson’s The Girl of Fire and Thorns years ago but never managed to read the rest of the series. That one started slow but I came to really enjoy it by the end, so I was curious to see what another series by her had in store.

It went against some self-imposed rules I had in place (ie, I’m trying not to start new series by authors that I have unfinished series for) but the wait-list was super long for this one. I actually started Walk on Earth a Stranger in November but couldn’t get into it. So I re-added myself to the wait list and patiently waited.

What I Liked:

–The Nitty, Gritty Western–

What I really enjoyed about this book was that it was very realistic. The pilgrimage to the West was a gruesome and often deadly journey for those who decided to try it. Whether it was for gold or a new life of freedom, some people and families found it to be worth the risk and I think that is all beautifully represented here. Carson has done her research about what was in store for these people and it shows throughout her writing. For world-builder fans, you will be more than satisfied with this.

–The Premise–

I liked the supernatural element of Leah’s ability. It really isn’t too much of a focus–I think that’s going to come into play more later in the series–but it puts a unique spin on this story.

What I Didn’t Like:

–It was more Adventure than Action–

That isn’t to say that things don’t happen in this story–because they do and Carson isn’t afraid to throw some hard realities in along the way. What I mean to say is that this story is pretty much documenting Leah’s journey West once she discovers the truth about her uncle. I wanted gun fights and showdowns, not the dark reality of a pilgrimage West. 

I don’t enjoy adventure stories all that much. I need my brain to be stimulated by conniving plot twists or revealing secrets or a romance. Adventure stories don’t provide that for me. They move at a slower pace that just builds and builds yet never seems to go anywhere. I actually contemplated DNFing this book at 60% because there didn’t seem to be anything happening and I knew that I wouldn’t be impressed by the ending or, at the very least, enticed to pick up the sequel when it came out. (For the record: guilt and the fact that it took be almost 9 months to get a copy of this book made me push through).

–The Romance–

Not that I was expecting a lot of it in this novel, but I wish it was established more in the story. It’s a minor side aspect that only gets brushed upon here and there. I wanted it to distract me from the slower pace of this novel but it didn’t.

My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:

I’m hoping that Leah’s ability takes more of a focus in the future books and the possible revenge plot-line emerges. Little inklings of information were given out early on in Walk on Earth a Stranger but nothing was ever expanded upon, leading me to believe they will be in the next book. But, I won’t be sticking around to find out.

My Rating: 2/5

Walk on Earth a Stranger 2/5 | Like a River Glorious N/A | Into the Bright Unknown N/A

overall

If you want a gunslinging story about revenge: pick up Vengeance Road instead. If you want a historical journey through the midwest with a dash of supernatural elements, pick up Walk the Earth a Stranger. This is perfect for fans of adventure stories!

Read if You Like: slower stories, world-building, Westerns, realistic historical novels
Avoid if You: dislike slow stories, want more romance

similarreads

  • Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
  • Girl of Thorns and Fire by Rae Carson (Fire and Thorns Series #1)

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Top Ten Tuesdays: Finished Series I Have YET to Finish

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Top Ten Tuesdays: Is a weekly meme feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where bloggers post their Top 10 List for an assigned topic! I will not be participating every week, but I will occasionally take a shot at it! You can always find these lists (past, present and original) on my Riffle Page

This Week’s Topic:

Top Ten Finished series I have to finish

Coincidentally, I have had these ten series on my list for a completely different reason. A few monthly inventories ago, I decided to do what I call a Trilogy Termination personal challenge.

When your blog focuses on book series, you pay a little more attention to what series you’ve finished and haven’t than most people. And so I realized that I have a lot of trilogy series that I’ve read the first two books for but haven’t read the finale for. Which irks me a little because those are a) things I have left unfinished and b) some could be brand new reviews for the blog!

My official post for this challenge will hopefully come within the next month and a half along with the reviews.

Here are the Finished Trilogies I Have Yet to Finished (in no particular order):

Endlessly (Paranormalcy, #3) This Is So Not Happening (He's So/She's So, #3) Vanquished (Crusade, #3) Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire, #3) Sever (The Chemical Garden, #3) The Rising (Darkness Rising, #3) The Morning Star (Katerina, #3) Flock (Stork, #3) S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed (Secret, #3) Angel Fever (Angel, #3) The Forever Song (Blood of Eden, #3)

(Yes, I know that there are 11 here but this is for flexibility for my Trilogy Termination blitz!)

 Do we share some series?

Leave a Link to your TTT in the comments below!

Series Review: The Blood of Eden by Julie Kagawa

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Immortal Rules (from Goodreads):

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for again.

Enter Julie Kagawa’s dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Favourite Authors
Series: The Blood of Eden Trilogy, The Immortal Rules Trilogy
Author: Julie Kagawa
# of Books: 3 (The Immortal Rules, The Eternity Cure, The Forever Song)

There are some novellas and short stories. See here.

Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic, Vampires, Science Fiction, Adventure, Action, Romance
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Dates: April 2012 – April 2014
Source & Format: Public Library–eBook & Hardcover

thoughts

I absolutely LOVED the Iron Fey Series (not sure why I haven’t reviewed it yet! The HORROR!) so when that series ended and this series was announced, I made sure my name was on the waiting list for the Immortal Rules.

This series is completely different from the Iron Fey Series–which has its pros and cons. Pro: because it shows off Ms. Kagawa’s great writing skills and her ability to create two drastically different worlds. Con: it isn’t light-hearted like the Iron Fey Series so it can get a little depressing to read.

The “depressing” feeling is important to highlight I think because not everyone enjoys reading about Post-Apocalyptic worlds. I also want to stress that not all Post-Apocalyptic novels are dystopian–there is a difference: so don’t assume that this is a dystopian novel  because it really isn’t (there are some “dystopian” elements but they play a very minor role in the novels).

I know that a lot of people are going to read the synopsis and go, “ugh, vampires” but I want to assure people that these vampires aren’t “anti-vampires” — meaning they kill people and drink human blood. There’s lots of action and bad guys so don’t think this is some light-hearted romantic read because the story is very, very dark.

What I love about Ms. Kagawa’s writing is that she is able to blend multiple genres together in her writing. You’ll see in the stats above that I listed a crap-load of genres that these books touch upon. Basically, these books have a little bit of everything in them and that makes the reading experience unique. I wish the romance was built up a little more (so don’t read this is you want a book solely focused on romance) but when we do get those snippets, I enjoy them immensely.

However, I did struggle to get through these books at times, especially the Eternity Cure. One reason is Allison. She isn’t my favourite character ever and I just don’t like her as much as I could. I’m not sure what it is, I think I just find her depressing at times because of all the stuff she has gone through. Though to be fair, Meagan Chase (Iron Fey) is a hard act to follow so that might be why.

Another reason I struggled through these books is all the detail–HOLY SHIT is it descriptive! I understand why because the science fiction elements require explanation and details but I will admit to skimming most of the Eternity Cure at times because there was just so much detail!

Both The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure start slow but they slowly build as you read and have great plot twists near the end that make things more interesting. I’m excited to see what happens in the Forever Song.

updates

–September 29, 2016– Book #3: The Forever Song

DNF’d at 40% — Start of Chapter 9

It’s been two years since I read The Eternity Cure and all I can remember is not enjoying it all that much. I think it’s safe to say that I was kinda dreading picking this book up. I was apprehensive and worried I wouldn’t be able to finish it but I did want to see how this series wrapped up and so I took a chance.

Alas, my fears were realized. I ended up DNFing this book because of sheer boredom.

The exorbitant amount of detail really turned me off. I felt like I was reading 10 pages for one scene of tiny movement. It was exhausting. I was at the point I was skimming the pages just to get the gist of what is happening. And that was my plan to finish the book; but even watching the World Cup of Hockey at the same time couldn’t keep me motivated to skim this. I peeked at the ending and can happily call this series finished.

Series Rating: 3.5/5

The Immortal Rules 4/5 | The Eternity Cure 3.5/5 | The Forever Song DNF

overall

While this is not my favourite series ever, I give props to Ms. Kagawa for creating such an awesome world. The world itself is what captures my attention the most when I read these books. Fans of the Iron Fey Series will probably be disappointed because there really isn’t much in common between these books besides the author. However, readers who like darker Science Fiction reads with vampires will enjoy this series.

Read if You Like: slow stories, vampires, post-apocalypse
Avoid if You: want more romance, dislike violence

similarreads

  • Black City by Elizabeth Richards (Black City Series #1)
  • Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy #1)
  • Poison Princess by Kresley Cole (Arcana Chronicles #1)

 

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