Exciting, beautiful, tragic, and bittersweet
599266
Wow! What a great ending to the divergent series! The final installment to this series with make you think, it will make you smile, it will make you angry, it will break your heart. Worth reading!
3537822
Reading teasers here and there about the book gave me a brief idea of what to expect, but I received so much more. I couldn't put the book down until 3 am, as each time I turn the page my heart beat a lot faster. I had my theories on what came next and nope, it wasn't it. Unexpected, thrilling and all kinds of emotionally draining. I loved it.
3282424
From the eyes of Jacinda, a sixteen year old draki, a dragon who can shape-shift into human form, comes a world full of intensity, drama, star-crossed lovers with a world-pool of blissful bittersweet reading joy. I first discovered this book through Youtube. I was just aimlessly browsing around when I saw a review of this book, and in the first time in years, became utterly enticed by its plot. So I went on Amazon, and after reading a brief summary of what it had in store, I purchased it. And I am quite glad I did. Not only is the writing exquisite, but this book leaves you craving for more and more until its very end. With a promised trilogy installment, Firelight an irreconcilably needed book to add onto your shelves. I cannot wait for Vanish to come out next year! :3 Oh, and did I mention there's a possible movie adaptation of this book coming soon to theaters?

Firelight: 10/10. :D
218043
This book is beautiful and interesting and ends joyfully, but it deals with tragedy, so proceed with caution.  I do recommend it highly, because the characters are wonderful. Sure, it's being marketed as a romance novel, and Alex and Paul are romantic and erotic and everything promised, but I wish I could foist it on a wider audience, because its authors deserve to be recognized for their profound understanding of human weirdness, and human kindness. This is such a remarkable book about family.

I also wish to report that I've finally fallen tail over tea kettle for Alex.  I've always enjoyed him, but the way he grows into his adult self, makes his decisions, and relates to the people around him, is amazing to watch.
572654
This was a gripping, emotional rollercoaster filled with I knew it! and I did not see that coming! and everything in between. A happy-yet-bittersweet ending to a story of love, loss, war, and the search for peace. Brian keeps finding ways to surprise and delight the reader, and only becomes a more engaging author as the pages go on. I look forward to his future works.
3879904
Oh my goodness!!!! This sequel is exciting, sad, maddening, and heartbreaking and heartwarming all in one!!!! The obstacles the heroine has to go through are distressing! And then when there should be a happy ending there is A HUGE TWIST!!!
1220698
It's the sign of an extraordinary writer when we find ourselves as readers so affected by the characters that we want to yell at them, slap or shake them, or cry with frustration--and Gregory is an extraordinary writer, as she demonstrates in all three of the Wideacre books. It took me two tries to finish this story; Julia's emotional journey is truly heart-breaking. This is after all the tragic second act, when things are left in a state that seems beyond repair. But her devastated world is held together by the heroic strength of Ralph, the winning charm of James Fortescue, the courage of John and Celia, and the beautiful descriptions of the setting: of plant life, city life, landscape, and the spunky, endearing residents of Acre whose fates touch us as deeply as if they were our friends. I had to finish the story simply to discover how Gregory manages to make everything seem so real. There's an emotional power to these books that seems to be missing in the later Boleyn books, but the evocative description is Gregory's trademark, and is in great evidence here.
633648
This is such a well written novel. It is an exciting read and like other reviews say, it is a definite  page turner. I read this book in a few hours; I really couldn't put it down. The author draws you in with her beautiful, touching, truthful, and sometimes shocking storyline. The story is so deeply emotional. I feel like I have been let in on the secrets of Taylor's life, every dark detail. I would recommend  this book to anyone who is looking for a dramatic story that just keeps getting better.
619421
Four multilayered characters --- Leslie, Billy, Rafe and Sam --- come to life in the pages of this devastating and elegant novel set in 2007. They intersect in the repercussions of the memory of Gus, who died on September 11, 2001 when the plane on which he was a passenger slammed into the World Trade Center. We meet Gus's older sister, Leslie, whose closeness to her brother had been as maternal as sisterly. As the book opens, Leslie and her physician husband, Pierce, are preparing to attend a play written by Billy, who had been Gus's girlfriend. Leslie has never truly quit grieving for Gus; as she gets ready to see Billy again and watch his play, she's emotional. She plans to introduce her friend, Sam, to Billy. Since Leslie's feelings toward Sam are complicated, she feels almost as if she is presenting him to Billy.

Billy's play, The Lake Shore Limited, is a story about how an act of terrorism impacts a marriage. Although Leslie repeatedly assures Sam and Pierce that she is fine with the subject matter, certain themes reverberate for her over a period of time, changing some of her attitudes toward her own tragedy. The star of the play is an actor named Rafe, who is dealing with what some might regard as an act of terrorism in his own life. His wife is in the long, slow decline of Lou Gehrig's disease. Their hard-won contentment following a roller-coaster period has been shattered by the illness, leaving Rafe unmoored by his wife's deterioration. This situation leaves Rafe vulnerable to a variety of things, including an epiphany during his acting that not only opens his eyes toward his own relationship but also enables him to use the emotions he experiences during his revelation to fuel his acting.

We know of Sam from Leslie's memories of meeting him and his wife. As a realtor, she had long ago showed Sam properties. While he bought one, and began designing and building a house for his wife, he and Leslie became close friends. Leslie describes a tremendous yearning she felt toward Sam. When Sam narrates his side of the story, we discover how he felt toward her. Now, as he meets Billy, he is confused by his emotions toward the playwright.

As Sue Miller peels back the truth, layer by layer, we learn the nuances of the secret surrounding Billy and Gus's relationship. One problem that troubled Gus during their time together was the way in which Billy used their private jokes and touch points in her screenplays. This theme echoes throughout The Lake Shore Limited, in the play Rafe stars in and Leslie attends. A reader can't help but wonder if the same holds true for Miller as the author of this book --- a dizzying but intriguing type of Russian nesting doll notion. Those theories aside, Miller is often spoken of as a national treasure for her ability to draw readers into her imagined world and then stir our emotions. In her latest book, she continues to dazzle us with her complicated, aching, wholly real characters, whose elegantly interwoven lives fascinate.
3125022
I don't know where to begin, and I definitely don't know how Ive missed this book from 2013 to now; but Im sure happy I found it.  Its a tragic love story that takes place in the present, while Miss Isabelle recalls her life story to her much younger friend, Dorrie. Its about racism, segregation, true love that is color blind and the devastation that can be caused by hatred, lies and secrecy. Its also about friendship, resilience and family...whether by blood or other bonds. It is rich and deep and hard to put down, and I give it my highest recommendation.
1929156
This book is a beautiful finale to the series, it's moving, funny, intelligent, harrowing, exciting, insightful, poignant, and intelligent.  The story draws you in and surrounds you with mystery.
4500007
Bittersweet with a lot more substance than I expected. This story had it all; mystery, action, comedy, tragedy, and of course, romance.
I didn't want it to end.
4770524
This is a very beautiful story. It is filled with tragedy, bitterness, grief and addiction. But it is about love, family, discovery and renewal.  Only predictable where the author let it be. Wonderfully written and deeply descriptive.  My anticipation and expectations for the book were high, I was not let down.

I received an early copy of this book via Jason Gurleys The Movement Newsletter
4770537
Fascinating, enchanting and bittersweet!

This story is predominantly set in Norway during the late 1800s, as well as present day, and is told from two different perspectives, Ally, a young sailor who journeys to Scandinavia to unravel the mystery surrounding her ancestry after suffering heartbreaking tragedies; and Anna a country girl with an angelic voice that at times was not only a blessing but a curse.

The story, itself, is a dramatic tale filled with family, love, loss, grief, introspection, and new beginnings; as well as a comprehensive look into the composition of music and the art of sailing.

The prose is lyrical, fluid and vividly descriptive. The characters are complex, intriguing, sympathetic and real. And the plot is written in a back and forth, past/present, style that captivates and engages you as it sweeps you along through the highs and lows of both Ally and Annas life.

This once again is another large novel by Riley, with over 700 pages, but it is so remarkably researched and well written that before you know it the story is finished and you're yearning for more. I absolutely loved this story and even though it can be read as a standalone novel I strongly recommend you read The Seven Sisters (Book #1) first.
3206808
Mary Shelley, who, in my assumption, was truly a fascinating author. She weaved together a very fast moving extraordinary saga, THE LAST MAN that kept me enthralled. Lionels life began on a cheerful note, but then tragedy struck. As I watched Lionels emotions go from sorrow, to bliss, back to sorrow, then grief in one brief moment took him by the throat and would not let go until his heart was broken. As deep depression set in he felt pure torment and could do nothing but try to comfort those around him as his dear friends, neighbors, and family departed, one by one, from what seemed to be a never-ending epidemic that swept through each countryside. This skillfully written masterpiece of a seriously tragic and also an intensely passionate story regarding love found, then lost through devastation, which led to unspeakable sorrow and loneliness, held me as I read line after line, and page after page, savoring every word.
 As I followed Lionel through his existence, in each chapter he must take action against this foe that always seemed to have the upper hand in everything, and yet, each time, he knew he must move on because of the need to find others. Will he have to live in constant silence, or will there be someone out there waiting to be heard? From the Sibyls Cave, where it all seemed to initiate, all the way through to the end, or the start of a new beginning, this fascinating tale of intrigue led me down some desolate paths, and through some unforgettable and very picturesque forlorn valleys. Wonderful read!
2459060
I am a little bit speechless.  It was beautiful.  Poetic, lyrical, haunting.  I was never bored.  Not once. It was so wonderfully written I felt completely immersed, completely transported to this world the author created, crafted really.  I loved Juliette and Adam.  And this intense love they had.  It was always very much about touch, for obvious reasons, between them.  And that was so beautiful and intoxicating and gut-wrenchingly romantic it stole my breath, literally stole my breath at times.

Juliette was so broken in the beginning, it was amazing to watch her unfold like a flower. So brave. So desperate in her need for acceptance and human touch and friendship. It was heartbreaking at times.

I was really just blown away by this book.  It's exciting.  The action is as exciting and thrilling and fast paced as the romance.  At times I thought either my heart might explode or drop into my stomach.

It was wonderful, beautiful, haunting, magnetic, gripping.  I loved it.  LOVED IT!

I will say, I know not everyone likes this type of writing. I however appreciated the heavy emphasis on the romance, which is what I feel is so missing in lots of popular YA fiction. To be perfectly honest, THAT'S what I want to read. Lots of that in fact.  The kissing scenes were epic. And I loved the descriptions.  Yes, they are more poetic and not very realistic but I appreciate that stylistic choice.  And yes, it's heavy on the angst.  But Juliette has been broken, NEVER touched since she was an infant, thrown away like trash.  I think the author did a fantastic job of expressing that while helping the character heal, bringing her full circle.
2574163
This series is my favorite read of the year so far. Both books (for Banewreaker and Godslayer aren't so much a series as two halves of one book) were amazing. They were heartwrenching and inspiring and tragic and lovely beyond telling. I stayed up until three last night to finish the story, but it was four before I stopped crying enough to go to bed. I'm still in mourning today. I liked all the characters, even the ones I was sure I would despise, and the world, though a bit much initially, came alive in short order and by the end it felt as real and beautiful as anywhere I've ever been. The writing could feel overwrought in another book, but here it fit right in with the deliciously epic feel of the story. Make no mistake, this is a sprawling, epic fantasy of the best sort, and yet Carey handled every detail with such care, so attention, that the enormous scope never spun out of control. You never feel far away or disconnected from the action, but right in the thick of events so huge they can only be rendered in fantasy.

In short, it was one of those reading experiences that reminds us why stories are necessary and we should read more of them. The best kind of book, really. The kind you only find once, maybe twice a year if you are both lucky and looking. I loved it dearly, and I hope you will too.