By Shannon Messenger
This week I would have liked to do a “What I’ve Been Reading” post but honestly I haven’t read that much. I’ve started three audiobooks and have yet to finish them. Also I started reading Vengeful by VE Schwab but I’m having a hard time reading the book. It’s good just a little more violent than the last one. I did, however, read Everblaze book 3 in the Keepers of the Lost Cities series. So, I thought I would review that this week.
Everblaze is a very good book. I can say that so far each book in the series is better than the last. The stakes are higher and the relationships become deeper. In this book Sophie, the main character, and her friends join forces to take on the mysterious rebels who are fighting to change elven society because they feel they are saving their world from humankind. Their methods are questionable and violent. We learn much more about the rebels and there is a twist that took me by surprise. Ms. Messenger does a wonderful job of leading the reader down one path only to make a switch at just the right moment.
I am trying to think of something I didn’t like about the book and, honestly, there really isn’t anything. The book is a big longer than the last two and because it is so jam packed the story moves along at a good pace. I did wonder about some of Sophie’s motivations but then I reminded myself she is a 13 year old who is trying to make sense out of a very adult and intense situation.
What I loved about the book is Ms. Messenger doesn’t pull any punches with her characters. She isn’t afraid to have them experience some very real consequences for their actions and go through emotional highs and lows that really bring heart to the story. There has always been some tension between Dex and Sophie due to her friendship with Fitz, who Dex doesn’t like, and in this book that tension comes to a boil and we watch as they both struggle to maintain their friendship. One mystery is solved that leads to one of many climaxes that do not disappoint. Make no mistake, this may be in the juvenile section in the library but it can be read by an adult with a lot of enjoyment.
All in all I can highly recommend this book. If you loved the Harry Potter series you will also love Keepers of the Lost Cities. I promised myself this week that I was’t going to take anymore books out of the library until I finished my TBR pile of books that I actually own but I found myself getting the next book in the series. I want to know what happens next and that is a good indication of the quality of the book. I give this book a 5 out of 5. Excellent.
TBR: I have started reading Vengeful and I’m also reading the new book in the Keepers of the Lost Cities series. I’m also listening to Skyward by Brandon Sanderson and Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. I’ve also started The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card. As you can see I’m all over the place and can’t seem to focus. I think this is in no small part to the new Animal Crossing New Horizons game that is coming out this month and the more I learn about the game the more I want to play. I’m a little distracted. But I’m going to buckle down and do some serious reading and commit to finishing the audiobooks I’ve started and provide a review for you.
So until next time my friends, happy reading.
Therese
Therese M Woolley 