Panic by Lauren Oliver 3/5 stars

Hey, guys! I've been meaning to read Panic for two years.  I enjoyed Lauren Oliver's previous series, Delirium, so I decided to give it a shot.  I thought it was pretty "eh" for the most part and hated the ending.  It wasn't all bad, but I was a little let down.

The Cover:

It shows Heather's face against a plain back background.  It looks nice aesthetically.  The title, "panic" is the name of the central competition in this book.  The cover doesn't tell you anything about the book, but I like it anyway.  B+ cover

Official Description:

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.
Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.
For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most. 

My (Ridiculously simplified) Description:

Graduated high school senior have an annual competition where they perform dangerous challenges to hopefully win a pot of money.  Drama ensues.  

My Review:

Panic sounded so good.  I thought it would have action or be a psychological thriller or something.  It was mostly high school type drama, with six action scenes thrown, each with only a few pages devoted to it. 

I didn't like the characters.  Most of them felt painfully shallow, and I couldn't connect with them. Not only were they dumb (and probably on a suicide mission) for even entering the competition but they also were whiners.  

Most of Panic was devoted to the internal drama of the characters, whom I didn't care about.  It was just filled with filler content.  We get detailed descriptions of Heather's day working but of little else.

Sure, not connecting with the plot/characters was a problem, but the part of this book that bugged me the most were the points.  If a character completed an especially difficult part of a challenge, they might win bonus points.  Fair enough.  But, the bonus points go nowhere.  They don't get a head start (eg Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) or win based on points.  It didn't even effect the betting, so why bother?

I would have given this book four stars, but the ending let me down.  At the climax, I was distracted by Lauren Oliver's attempt to place every single plot point in the book at a single point.  It felt cluttered and distracted me from the book.  Also, during the epilogue (always a bad ideas, epilogues), she decides to make a moral and shove it down the reader's throat.  A bad ending overall that left me dissatisfied.

Overall, I would not recommend Panic.  There is little action and uninteresting characters.

Phrase:

Revenge/ Get out of Dodge

Audiobook Review (read by Sarah Drew):

I wasn't a fan.  Sarah Drew, the narrator, only had two voices.  Her main character voice (that could be both from Dodge's or Heather's point-of-view) and her "other" voice for characters such as an old lady and a love interest.  It was hard to tell characters apart. 

It was a fine audiobook, but it had no special characteristics.

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The Game of Lives (Mortality Doctrine #3) by James Dashner 4/5 stars

Hey, guys!  This'll be a quick review.

I finally finished the Mortality Doctrine series by James Dashner.
Previous Books: Eye of Minds, Rule of Thoughts (review)
Reading Ready Player One inspired me to finish a different video game/ alternate reality series.  I loved this series, but I think I lost the plot sometime between when I read book 2 and book 3.  I still enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, but it was harder to get through than the previous books were.

The Cover:

The title is kind of neat.  A play on words of both game (strategy vs video game) and lives (real vs video game lives). I don't think this cover shows any scene in particular.  Just something mildly tech-y with Michael jumping in the background.  It's not a very relevant cover, but it'll do.  B cover

Official Description:
Michael used to live to game.
Now the games he was playing have become all too real. Only weeks ago, Sinking into the Sleep was fun. The VirtNet combined the most cutting-edge technology and the most sophisticated gaming for a full mind-body experience. And it was Michael’s passion. But now every time Michael Sinks, he risks his life.
The games are over. The VirtNet has become a world of deadly consequences, and Kaine grows stronger by the day. The Mortality Doctrine—Kaine’s master plan—has nearly been realized, and little by little the line separating the virtual from the real is blurring. If Kaine succeeds, it will mean worldwide cyber domination. And it looks like Michael and his friends are the only ones who can put the monster back in the box—if Michael can figure out who his friends really are.

My Review:
The Game of Lives was a fitting end to the series.  
The plot surprised me with its twists and the relationships between characters felt organic.  
A crazily unbelievable happily-ever-after was not pushed onto the reader at the very end, which I appreciated.  The series had a nice ending that finished the story arcs and left me satisfied.
The plot was interesting, but it dragged on a little too long.  
If you've read the previous books, you should definitely read this book to finish off the series.  It's a good and satisfying conclusion to the series, but it won't blow you away.

Phrase:
Going off on a Tangent

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The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) by Patrick Ness 5/5 stars

Hey, guys! I just finished listening to the audiobook of The Knife of Never Letting Go.  I'd seen it referenced before and thought I'd give it a shot.  It was fantastic!  I'm so glad I read it!

The Cover:

This is a really cool cover.  Before I go too far into it, let's talk about the title.  It fits this book perfectly.  Todd's hunting knife is a huge part of this book, plus the title's symbolic.  The edges of the cover has various jumbled phrases, resembling the Noise (more on that later).  It works really well for this book.  Obviously a lot of thought was put into it! A+ cover

Official Description:
Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.
But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?

My Review:
I loved it.  It's definitely the best book-in-a-series that I've read in months.  Just wow.
That being said, look at the formatting before you read it.  Not often, but at certain points, Patrick Ness characterizes the Noise by having a jumble of unimportant phrases (like those of the edge of the cover) or different fonts.  If that worries you, check out the preview at Amazon before reading it.  It gives you a good feel for the style.  I thought it added to the book, but if that sort of thing bothers you...

I loved the characters.  They were not perfect in any way, but that's what made them neat.  The character development was the best thing about them though.  Todd completely changed as the book went on.  As much as I liked the protagonists, I will admit the villains were a bit undeveloped, though I think that's the whole point.

The plot was interesting and engaging.  There were plenty of mysteries to solve.  Some of them were predictable, others took me completely by surprise.  I didn't find myself becoming bored with the storyline at all.

The best part about this book was its writing style.  It was different and refreshing.  It was serious and funny and made me think.  The writing was really hooked me, and I could tell by only a few pages in that I'd love this book.

I'd recommend reading The Knife of Never Letting Go if you are up for something a bit weird but mostly great.

Audiobook Review (read by Nick Podehl):
Nick Podehl did a great job bringing life to this story.  The Knife of Never Letting Go works particularly well as an audiobook because of the style of the book, as well as the speech patterns (basically southern accent) of the narrator.  I really enjoyed it.  At the segments where I earlier mentioned the format, the audiobook talked over itself to give a really neat perspective of the Noise. Overall, one of my favorite audiobook interpretations.

Phrase:
Ow, Todd.

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
Books by Neal Shusterman

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Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks 3/5 stars

Hey, guys! I listened to the audiobook of Of Poseidon and finally finished it.  I was excited to be done with the book, only to discover it was the first in a series (The Syrena Legacy series).  It's safe to say that I will not be reading the rest of this series.  That's not to say it was all bad, but I wouldn't recommend reading it.

The Cover:
It shows a girl, who I would assume is Emma (the main character), but the character has light hair. So I assume it's Reyna? Either way, the cover doesn't really make sense.  C- cover

Official  Description:
Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...
Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view(only Emma's is in first person), here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

My Review:
Basically, this book was about a merman who falls in love with a girl who may or may not be a mermaid.  I know, it sounds a bit stupid.  Believe it or not, the bad part of this book had no relation to the actual storyline, which was as good as could be expected for a mermaid book.

The problem was  that it just wasn't realistic.  I'll excuse all of the mermaid stuff, but the regular life parts were unrealistic.  I understand that this book was made for younger audiences, but if a senior in high school avoided cursing by saying, "Oh my sweet goodness!" all the time, they would be made fun of.  Harshly.  

All of the interactions with Emma's mom were incredibly awkward.  Awkward to the point that if I was the mom, there is no way I'd allow my daughter to hang out with Galen. 

Speaking of their relationship, there is a scene when Galen confronts Emma and a guy.  His actions honestly felt like an abusive relationship.  It was out of character, but still if I was guy Emma was with, I would feel obligated to have a serious chat with Emma.

That being said, the dialogue was witty and natural feeling.  The situations they found themselves in were not so organic.  Of Poseidon was a fan of creating conflict through unclear communication and... That was it.  As well as unnecessary scenes such as Reyna Drives a Car!

Obviously, I was not a fan.  It wasn't all bad, of course.  There were fun scenes and a bit of drama.  I might've just aged out of it.  I could see all the plot twists coming a mile away, but there were still plot twists! I finished the book, so it wasn't horrendous.  This is more of a middle school book.  

I would not recommend Of Poseidon. 

Phrase:
Oh my sweet goodness!

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The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2) by Marie Lu 4.5/5 stars

Hey, guys! I just finished The Rose Society by Marie Lu.  It was great... once I figured out what was happening.  It had been about a year since I read The Young Elites (click for review of book one!) so I had forgotten quite a bit of the book, including the entire ending.  If you are reading this review and you don't remember, do yourself a favor and reread the last fifteen pages of book one.  The Rose Society will only explain it at page 250 or so.

The Cover:

The cover shows Adelina's codename (the White Wolf) looking over some water.  I'm not impressed with the image, but it's okay.  The name of the book, The Rose Society, is the same thing that Adelina names her secret society.

Official Description:
Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she flees Kenettra with her sister to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good when her very existence depends on darkness?

My (Super-Simplified) Description:
Adelina got kicked out of Raffaele's secret society, so she decides to make her own secret society.  All's fine, except her secret society is a lot bloodier and not opposed to fighting Raffaele's society.

My Review:
The purpose of this series is to watch Adelina slowly become the villain of the story, which is great.  She is not high and mighty, her sister is mildly afraid of her, and she takes what she wants without regard to consequences.  It's an interesting premise and is executed wonderfully.  

The plot was not the focus of the book, but it was good and engaging.  There were numerous action scenes as well as character development scenes.  The book went by quickly.  There were two main storylines, what was going on with Adelina and what was going on with the Daggers.  At times, one was much more interesting than the other, making the book go by a little slower.

My only real complaint was that Adelina's inner monologue became repetitive at times.  I get that it was an important part of the book, but there was a lot of repetition going on.

Overall, I enjoyed The Rose Society and would recommend it.  Be sure to refresh yourself on The Young Elites before you start it though.  It doesn't warm you up at all.  

Phrase:
Why did you kill him?


Happy Reading!

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
Red Queen
The Young Elites
The Wrath and the Dawn

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Crystal Keepers (Five Kingdoms #3) by Brandon Mull 4.5/5 stars

Hey, guys!  I just finished Crystal Keepers by Brandon Mull.  It was great, just like the rest of this series.  If you haven't read any books in this series, here's book 1/ book 2.

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows a robot attacking Cole and Constance in Zeropolis. It's not my kind of cover.  At all.  B-

Official Description:
Cole Randolph is trapped in a world where magic is powerful and dreams are real. He found his friend Dalton and has survived the first two kingdoms of the Outskirts. But none of that has prepared him for the magnetic highways and robotic bounty hunters of Zeropolis.
Ruled by Abram Trench, the one Grand Shaper who stayed loyal to the evil High King, the government of Zeropolis uses advanced technologies to keep tight control. Luckily, the resistance in Zeropolis is anchored by the Crystal Keepers, a group of young rebels with unique weapons.
On the run from the High King's secret police, Cole and Dalton venture to find more of their lost friends, and help their new friend, Mira, locate her sister Constance. But as their enemies ruthlessly dismantle the resistance, time runs out for Cole to uncover the secrets behind the Zeropolitan government and unravel the mystery of who helped the High King steal his daughters' powers. Can Cole fix The Outskirts magic, or will he be stranded forever?

My Review:
This book was very pleasant.  Despite the fact that it had been a year and a half since I read book 2, it was not hard to orient myself inside the story. If you enjoyed the first two books, you will like this one as well.  
That being said, this was not my favorite book in the series.  There was a lot of setup for the next two books in the series and significantly less action than the previous books.
That just left more time for character development, which ran rampant in this book.  The characters in this series are very relatable and are unique.  From just a line of dialogue, you can tell which character is speaking because they are so distinct.
The plot was exciting and the adventure was thrilling. 
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, but then again, I enjoy everything that Brandon Mull writes.  If you enjoyed the previous books, definitely pick up Crystal Keepers.  If you haven't read any of this series, give it a shot (keeping in mind, its target market is closer to twelve-year-olds than most posts on my blog).

Phrase:
Roxie the robot

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
The Outcasts
The Sword of Summer
Tesla's Attic

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 5/5 stars

Hey, guys!  After struggling to find an action/adventure book that wasn't exactly like another book I've read, a friend recommended Ready Player One.  I really enjoyed it! It's a perfect mix of nerdy and dorky.  If you like books, pop culture, video games, action/adventure, or really anything else, you'd like this book.

The Cover:

The Cover:
It's simple, which I like.  The "c" looks like Pacman and the "o" has an avatar jumping for a key, a main part of this book.  I like it (except for the "a novel,"  Why do they always add that?).  A+ cover

Official Description:
In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the  OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

My Review:
This book was just great.  I knew I was going to love it within the first twenty pages.  There weren't really any slow moments.  The plot moved fast, despite six-month gaps between plot points.  It was engaging and energetic.

The characters are three-dimensional.  Wade experienced some extreme character development over the course of the book.  The other characters were also as complex as they could be, given their "air time" in the book.  It was very focused on Wade's character, so the other characters were not nearly as significant.

Don't worry if you have no knowledge on video games before reading this.  I haven't had much exposure and had no problem following the story.  Prior knowledge might enhance your enjoyment, but it is definitely not necessary.

The writing style was humorous and action-packed.  It was smart, dorky, and quirky.  Perfect.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Ready Player One.  It was fun and exciting.  Definitely a great read.

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
Eye of Minds
Ender's Game

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The Time Machine by H.G. Wells 4/5 stars

Hey, guys!  Reading this book (or, more accurately, listening to its audiobook) was a half-hearted effort to make myself more cultured.  I wanted to listen to War of the Worlds, but the library didn't have it, so I settled for The Time Machine.  It was beautifully written and less dated than you would expect from a book published in the 1890s.

The Cover:

The Cover (of this version):
It shows the Time Traveller and Weena in a forest with the Morlocks sneaking up behind them. I like the cover.  A+

Official Description:

“I’ve had a most amazing time....”

So begins the Time Traveller’s astonishing firsthand account of his journey 800,000 years beyond his own era—and the story that launched H.G. Wells’s successful career and earned him his reputation as the father of science fiction. With a speculative leap that still fires the imagination, Wells sends his brave explorer to face a future burdened with our greatest hopes...and our darkest fears. A pull of the Time Machine’s lever propels him to the age of a slowly dying Earth.  There he discovers two bizarre races—the ethereal Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks—who not only symbolize the duality of human nature, but offer a terrifying portrait of the men of tomorrow as well.  Published in 1895, this masterpiece of invention captivated readers on the threshold of a new century. Thanks to Wells’s expert storytelling and provocative insight, The Time Machine will continue to enthrall readers for generations to come.

My Review:
The Time Machine starts with the Time Traveller explaining his theory of time travel, followed by an account of his trip to the distant future, and ended with a dinner party's reaction to his tale.
The Time Traveller's trip to the future was full of interesting social commentaries.  How the world dealt with the problem's of H.G. Wells' days, which relate more than you would think to the problems of today.  Feminism, conflict between the rich and poor, environmental issues.  

It was an interesting read that exists to make you start thinking.  It wasn't too heavy handed though. The ideas were hidden behind an adventure story of the Time Traveller's escapades.  

My only problem with The Time Machine was its lackluster ending.  I understand what the intention behind it was, but I feel there was a better way to finish this book.

The language is very plain and fairly modern.  You will be able to read it easily.  It isn't very dated.  Some of the scientific observations made are obviously wrong in this day and age, but the rest of the book is timeless.

I'm glad that I read it and feel suitably cultured.  It's only about 100 pages, so it isn't much of a commitment.  Go ahead and read it!

Audiobook Review (read by Sir Derek Jacobi):
It was a very pleasant narration.  The audiobook experience wasn't distracting, nor particularly spectacular.  Jacobi has a British accent if that affects your decision there.  

Phrase:
Flowers in pockets

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
1984
Feed
Fahrenheit 451
Animal Farm

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The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh 5/5 stars

Hey, guys! I finished The Wrath and the Dawn, and it was amazing.  Let's just get right into it.
(Disclaimer: the character names are quite complicated, and I listened to the audiobook.  I'll try to be accurate, but if not, please forgive me.)

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows Shahrzad hiding.  It's probably supposed to be symbolic of her hiding in Khalid's castle.  I'm not a fan of the cover.  In this book's case, a plain color background would work just as well, if not better, but it's not an embarrassing cover.  B+

Official Description:
One Life to One Dawn.
In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.
Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?
Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end.

My Review:
Wow.  The Wrath and the Dawn  was incredibly dramatic and intense, yet still very character-driven.  The only issue I had with the book was the names of people/places.  It added authenticity to the book, but it sometimes got hard to follow, especially with additional nicknames.  After a few chapters, it wasn't even an issue anymore.
The plot was fast-moving.  There's never a dull moment.  From wondering what Shahrzad's next move would be, to unraveling who exactly Khalid was, to discovering the mystery of why the murders at dawn took place, there was never a slow moment.  
The writing itself was beautifully written, as well.
The characters were phenomenal.  The were complex.  Despite being absolutely nothing like them, I found myself constantly relating to them.  And not just to the main characters but the lesser ones as well!  Shahrzad is one of the best female protagonists I've read.  She isn't irritating/needy or two-dimensional.  As of book one, she is strong without it being her only characteristic.  (Round of applause to Renee Ahdieh.)
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It had elements of every genre intermixed without one overpowering the other.  You like mystery? drama? magic? assassins? or romance? This book has it all.
I'd definitely recommend this book.  It was simply fantastic.  

Audiobook Review (read by Ariana Delawari):

Ariana Delawari did a great job bringing the emotion to the book and making each scene exciting. However, occasionally the dramatic tone got a little out of hand, especially in the beginning.  She would describe Shahrzad laying in bed with a tone of such intensity that it got a bit ridiculous. 
That being said, once the plot got going, the audiobook was amazing, as well as the book.  Delawari brought a lot of life to the telling of this story.
I wouldn't reread it just to listen to the audiobook version, but if you're already planning on listening to The Wrath and the Dawn, go ahead.  It's a good version.

Happy Reading!

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
Red Queen
The Young Elites

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Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #3) by Laini Taylor 3/5 stars

Hey, guys!  Dreams of Gods & Monsters is book three (book 1) (book 2) in a series that I would not really recommend.  The first two books were half good and half bad, but book 3 is about 3/4th bad.
Overall, it was about two hundred pages too long, had a secondary plot that was just unconnected and should've been left out, and had a conclusion so unsatisfying that I doubled checked to make sure there wasn't another book in the series.
It wasn't all bad, but I was not satisfied.

The Cover:

The Cover:
Look at the dramatic eye makeup! Really, this cover is just a desperate attempt to fit the pattern of the last few books when it doesn't quite work.  It shows Ziri's antlers in the foreground with a girl in the background.  I think it's meant to be Karou, but the book constantly points out that Karou has blue hair, so I have no idea.  Anyone know who it is? Comment! A C- cover

Official Description:
By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.
Common enemy, common cause.
When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.
And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.
But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.
What power can bruise the sky?
From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy. 
At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

My Review:
Before I get too far in, I just want to point out that this book is 613 pages long.  And mediocre.  I understand reading Dreams of Gods & Monsters if you enjoyed the last two books, but if you, like me, weren't particularly impressed, just don't bother.  The only reason I read it was because of the cliffhanger of the last book, but this book doesn't conclude the story, so don't bother reading it.  
The only redeeming quality of this book was the characters.  Whatever flaws the plot had, the characters were well developed and had interesting interactions with each other.  The dialogue was well constructed, as well.  The writing itself is skilled, but not the ability to make a good plot.
Besides that, I found myself bored while reading this.  It might've been the length, mixed with storylines that didn't go anywhere.
I expected this book to mostly be Misbegotten angels and chimera vs Jael.  This was the main conflict for the first half, but then the real enemy was introduced.  Basically, giant beasts.  The story developed the looming threat for the remainder of the book and then just cut off.  There will be no continuation of how these great beasts will be defeated.  The story is done with a happily ever after that seems more than artificial, not to mention just dumb.  It was, quite frankly, a stupid ending.  Laini Taylor could've brought this whole series to a close with a 300 page book that had an actual ending.  Opportunity lost and the series can't be redeemed.
My other main complaint was the introduction of the character Eliza.  A new character was introduced in the third book in a trilogy.  She had about every third chapter dedicated to her point of view, which really wasn't linked the the rest of the story until after the climax of the book.  Her point of view disrupted the flow of the book and was just boring.  It definitely should've just been left out.
Overall, I do not recommend this book.  I would stop myself from reading it if I could.  
If you've spent this entire review fuming because you loved the first two books, go ahead and read it. This series is just more your thing than mine.  
If you were thinking about starting the series, don't.  
If you were debating whether to continue the series, don't.

Phrase:
We get it, Zuzana likes cake.

Happy Reading!

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