Maybe I've been reading too many YA series lately bc by the time I was finished, I was glad it was over. I started the Guardian Trilogy after having read Angelfall. I really enjoyed that book and this series popped up under recommended books. The reviews weren't bad so I gave it a shot. After reading Fallen I thought it wasn't a bad start to a series. It was by no means a stellar book but I was entertained enough by the story line. The whole Messenger and Guardian concept was new to me and I found it interesting. I liked learning more about the Messengers, their purpose, abilities, Maggie's past lives. But that's kind of where it ends for me. Whereas I had thought Fallen ended sort of abruptly, Eternity seemed to drag on.
This whole book is leading up to this huge, monumental battle that seemed to end after a page or two. The battle is over so quickly it's almost like it never happened! While reading I'm thinking what's being played out is being stretched out into weeks but in all actuality it's days. It's very repetitive with wake-up, eat breakfast, school, Eran leaves, Maggie trains, Maggie sleeps and explores her past lives, then the cycle begins again...and again...and again...and, well you get my point. The most interesting part through all of that was Maggie's past lives. Other than that, kind of a dull read. I guess I could have looked past all that if I didn't develop a dislike for some characters the further along I read. Is it just me or do I feel another Clary Fray type in this book? Maggie didn't bother me in the first book. Yes she's headstrong but, my god, in this book it's just irritating! Just like Clary, Maggie is starting to learn what she really is, her purpose, her past, her abilities (or lack thereof from being reborn) and just like Clary she thinks bc a week has gone by she's a pro and knows better than everyone around her. When a character starts being demanding, making irrational decisions and insists on getting her way at all costs, I'm over it. And the love story....it was awful. Ok, so Maggie and Eran have been "together" for many lifetimes, even having been married at one point. I get it. But come on.... My adult brain can't handle how attached and absolutely devoted these teen love stories develop w/in a matter of days. With that being said, I can forgive all this since it is YA fiction. I guess in the minds of teens, love is the be all and end all for them so I get it. But this one was just so unconvincing and cheesy. It was a little heavy to the point of being ridiculous. I pretty much rolled my eyes every time Maggie and Eran were spewing their absolute devotion to each other. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a good, sappy love story but this was just too much. I guess the love story and Maggie's character development are what really ruined the book for me. **spoiler** With Maggie leaving in the end of the book with just a note to Eran, I don't get it. He's her Guardian. He's going to go to the ends of the earth to find her and she knows that. She claims she's keeping everyone safe by leaving them behind but they will just find her anyway. All she's doing is leaving herself unprotected. That won't cause any problems at all *cough**cough*. If the next book is just Maggie and hardly any of the other characters, I think I'll pass. The book synopsis doesn't sound that convincing on it's own. Maggie's put herself in even more danger, Eran struggles finding her, and Maggie unwittingly ignites the final battle. Again, irrational decisions lead to everyone else scrambling to put things back together and save our main character. Good job Maggie....
Like I said, maybe I've read too many YA books lately and I just need a timeout. I need to go read a few books geared towards adults to satisfy my need for a convincing love story or characters who are rational and logical in their thinking and actions. I'm sure I'll finish the series at some point and eventually read Reckoning but for now I'll wait. I rarely never finish a series but I'm definitely in no hurry with this one.