Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 304
Series: Birthmarked #3
Review Source: eARC from publisher through Raincoast Books
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wasteland, and upending the rigid matriarchy of Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her biggest challenge ever. She must lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorat to grant them refuge from the wasteland. In Gaia's absence, the Enclave has grown more cruel, more desperate to experiment on mothers from outside the wall, and now the stakes of cooperating or rebelling have never been higher. Is Gaia ready, as a leader, to sacrifice what--or whom--she loves most?
My Thoughts:
I loved the first two books in the Birthmarked trilogy, so I was really looking to this third installment. Unfortunately I found something missing from the book. I’m not sure I can describe it adequately, I just know I didn’t like this conclusion quite as much as the two previous books. The sense of urgency was missing, despite all the action going on, and I just wasn’t as connected to the characters. The character relationships also felt lacking. Despite declarations and actions I just didn’t feel the passion of the characters.
This is not to say that the book was all bad, because it definitely wasn’t. It had some exciting moments, and I still really enjoy the world building that the author has done. I think I just expected a lot more because the first two books were so inventive and interesting, and with this book everything felt all over the place. So much was going on in preparation for the big climax and ending, that the actual ending felt a bit like a letdown. Despite some losses and hardship everything just seemed to come so easily. Yes there were bad things happening, but in terms of page length it was over so quickly.
I absolutely recommend this trilogy as a whole, and I hope that things will be a bit more smooth in the finished version of 'Promised'. I just wish I could have felt more connection to the characters and events in this final book.
The Cover:
I like it.
Rating:
[3/5]Find Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.
I hate when the last book of a series isn't as good as the rest. I think the expectations are higher and it is always disappointing when that's the last bit you are left with.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is disappointing... I still liked this one, but definitely expected more based on how great the first two were.
DeleteI was just talking about this series with a teacher friend today! She's waiting for this one--I don't think I'll tell her this one isn't as good as the rest, since she's really looking forward to it. I don't want to disappoint her!
ReplyDeleteAww, well I hope she likes it more! I've gotten a few comments on my Goodreads review with people feeling the same as me, though. :/
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