5 stars I received an ARC of this book, the final installment of the Kingdom of the White Sea trilogy. To be honest, I think it could have been broken into more books, as each one is quite long. I highly recommend reading them back-to-back because, after several months, I had forgotten the names of some of the characters. This book would benefit from having the same list found at the beginning of book one. Although the author has been living with these characters and has grown to know them intimately, most readers are also reading other books in between and could benefit from a refresher after some time has passed. Having the list of characters and relationships listed again at the beginning of each sequel would be very helpful for readers like myself. I even looked online, thinking the list might be available on her website, but I couldn’t find anything there. As mentioned earlier, this is the conclusion of the series, and as such, it ties up all loose ends. It also leaves open the possibility of further adventures with some of the characters. Whereas the other books were filled with adventure and building the foundations for the characters, this one focuses on the growth of those characters—emotionally, physically, mentally, and so forth. The relationships between the various characters have changed with the deaths and disappearances of those who had been close to them. Some deaths are especially heartbreaking. They learn things they didn’t know about themselves and persevere despite tragedy and hardship. Every significant character experiences a hero’s journey. It’s hard enough to create a compelling story for one character, but to do so for so many is truly astounding. Sarah Cradit uses the skills she honed through her Crimson and Clover series to weave a supernatural and otherworldly fantasy that is immersive and, unbelievably, plausible. There is just enough familiarity to make the reader feel like he or she could be a part of this world. And there are so many moving parts! I’m in awe of her ability to keep it all straight and keep the story moving forward at a pace that is perfectly geared toward compelling the reader to keep reading as she switches from one character to the next. If I had to compare the series to anything else I have read, I would choose The Lord of the Rings series. It is a story that will live on in my memory, even if I do forget some of the names. Overall, this is one epic read, with a compelling story and engaging characters, and I highly recommend it. July 30, 2021
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Elizabeth J ConnorWriter. Editor. Proofreader. Archives
September 2022
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