The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas: Review

Synopsis:

In a pursuit that has spanned continents, Iolanthe, Titus, and their friends have always managed to remain one step ahead of the forces of Atlantis. But now the Bane, the monstrous tyrant who bestrides the entire mage world, has issued his ultimatum: Titus must hand over Iolanthe, or watch as his entire realm is destroyed in a deadly rampage. Running out of time and options, Iolanthe and Titus must act decisively to deliver a final blow to the Bane, ending his reign of terror for good.

However, getting to the Bane means accomplishing the impossible—finding a way to infiltrate his crypt in the deepest recesses of the most ferociously guarded fortress in Atlantis. And everything is only made more difficult when new prophecies come to light, foretelling a doomed effort....

Iolanthe and Titus will put their love and their lives on the line. But will it be enough?

With The Immortal Heights, Sherry Thomas brings the acclaimed Elemental Trilogy to its breathtaking conclusion.

***

"A prayer of courage," murmured Kashkari, "the kind of courage for facing the end of the road." It was quite possibly the most beautiful song Iolanthe had ever heard, as haunting as it was stirring. "'For what is the Void but the beginning of Light?'" said Titus, quoting from the Adamantine aria. "'What is Light but the end of Fear?"'

Truly a nice conclusion to the series. While I actually really like reading and re-reading the previous two books, I'm not attached to this series like I do some other ones. But this is a book that I love, with all the turns and twists and an ending that is the most unexpected. 

Iolanthe and Titus has to defeat the Bane. But when an ultimatum is forced upon them, they have to take drastic measures as a last ditch effort. However, their methods are anything but safe. Old and new prophecies revealed failure that is inevitable. It's entirely up to them to turn the tables.

I like how there is no information dumping in this book. I guess it has to do with the fact that so many things are happening at once (partly). But it's okay. There is a lot of action involved and a lot of clever strategizing. Both Iolanthe and Titus has reached their darkest pits and innermost strengths in this book. No break time for you, just intense plots and twists. I love it.

It's kinda hard to write this review without wanting to reveal spoilers. However, to be more precise, there are certain moments that irritates me. Not because anyone or anything is being annoying. It's just that the author is good at keeping mysteries in the dark, so much so that there are times where Iolanthe and Fairfax are like separate people. Which is clearly not true. There are also moments when the truth is revealed so late that I thought I missed something from the plot. I don't like feeling stupid, after all. However, I have actually grown to like it, because it captures my attention perfectly. That can actually be classified as one of the special features of this book. 

And then there's the ending. Let's just say there are surprising details in it. I wouldn't say if it's a good or a bad ending for the characters [though it's pretty (mostly) obvious], because the book hasn't been officially released yet, but I like it. It's unexpected but natural. I'm happy that I read these three books.

Rating: 8/10

The Perilous Sea: Review

Synopsis:

After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future.

***

The Perilous Sea is so much better than The Burning Sky. The plot is really different, dividing into two parts. I will call it the Before and the After to make things simpler. They are written in alternate chapters, one after another. Both are awesome plots individually. In the Before, suspicion is tense. I always love some suspicion because it makes everything unpredictable. There are quite some WTF moments that I don't expect at all. And there are things hidden in Iolanthe's past which makes her a great mage. Since the Before is just half of the book, everything is fast-paced. It's not as action-packed as you might think, but it's definitely exciting and heart-pounding.

Personally I love the After more. For one thing it's much more action-packed and more magic is involved. What's the point of mages if there is no magic in the book? It's also time for connections to characters, aka Titus and Iolanthe. It's hard to connect to both of them when so much is at stake. It's incongruous how sweet moments exist when the After is just as tense as the Before (and there's a lot). The After has a big question mark that isn't solved until the very end, which effectively puts me on edge. Yes, something happened to both Iolanthe and Titus. It's excruciating to wait for clues just to reveal part of the answer. Although both plots exist in different time, they are written simultaneously and for some reason that is not awkward at all. There are weird moments where I just don't know the purpose of a side plot. This time both are equally important. It's actually brilliant.

Although both plots are fantastic on their own, there's actually one big flaw. There's hardly any connection between the Before and the After. The book drops enough hint to tell us that the After is the consequence of the Before, but it doesn't exactly tell me how the After happens. It's a little frustrating because it's kind of ridiculous they are transferred from Eton College to the Sahara freaking desert with no indication of any possible transportation at all. They can vault, obviously. But that doesn't really tell me how they end up there anyway, because there's no way they just vault to the desert with no reason at all. This void goes unexplained. Seriously?

I like the ending. It's not your typical cliffhanger ending that makes me want to strangle someone. It's hopeful and bright, like they actually have a great future without all the darkness and obstacles standing between them. It makes me want to third book without wanting to kill someone. It's such a great sequel, which is rarely said these days. I hope there will be an ending suitable for this trilogy.

Rating: 8.5/10

Cover Reveal: The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas

Warning: This cover is going to be seriously cool :)

Synopsis:

After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future.

***

Expected Publication: September 16, 2014

The Burning Sky: Review

Synopsis:

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

***

The Burning Sky is set in London, 1883. Which is the Victorian Era. I always have a soft-spot for a story set in 19th-century England. This story is about Iolanthe Seabourne, trying to fulfill the prophecy as the defeater of the Bane. 

I love the concept of Iolanthe disguising as Archer Fairfax, a boy (who does not even exist) attending Eton in London. I've never seen this kind of disguise in a story before, not to mention it stays throughout the story. Iolanthe's disguise is impressive. You wouldn't know this Fairfax is not actually even a he if you hadn't already know this is Iolanthe. I also like the concept of the Crucible, where everything seems possible, including coming back to life, apparently. The existence of the elemental mages is quite fascinating, although the whole spells and wands thing makes me think of Harry Potter all the time. The book is detailed and refined. It's not short, but I like the background.

The characters, however, despite the fact that they have a strong personality, I don't feel attached to them. Iolanthe is strong, that I give her credit. But for some reason I just don't like her as much as I thought I would be. And Titus... well besides the fact that he brings out my curiosity, he's quite a douche sometimes. Sometimes I really don't get his act of hiding his affection towards Iolanthe even though I know the exact reason why. I guess they are likable at some point, but I obvious don't stand on that. I also don't know the whole purpose of Titus always thinking Iolanthe as Fairfax when he obviously know she's Iolanthe. That kinda kills the mood.

It's a story I enjoy, but only because of the paranormal elements in it. I'm really curious what will happen next since... well, it ends well.

Rating: 6.5/10