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Spellcaster #3
Sorceress
To save the lives of countless people in Captive’s Sound, Nadia has sworn herself to the One Beneath, to black magic. Her plan, and the town’s only hope, is for Nadia to learn enough sorcery to strike back against the forces of darkness. But now that she’s separated from her friends, her family, and her Steadfast, Mateo, Nadia is more vulnerable than ever to darkness. And as the sorceress Elizabeth summons torrential rains and brings the One Beneath closer to the mortal world, Nadia is running out of time to stop her. The final battle lines are drawn, surprising alliances are made, and true love is tested in the action-packed conclusion to the breathtaking Spellcaster series.
Sorceress is richly woven with New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s signature dark magic, captivating mystery, and star-crossed romance.
Sorceress is richly woven with New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s signature dark magic, captivating mystery, and star-crossed romance.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2015
73 people are currently reading
4635 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Gray
79 books14.2k followersClaudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.
I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.
I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
June 11, 2022
#1) Spellcaster ★★★☆☆
#2) Steadfast ★★★☆☆
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March 29, 2016
SUCH a fantastic wrap up!
April 27, 2015
This series just never really got much beyond a meh for me. I don't dislike it, but neither can I say I really like it. I don't think it's memorable enough for me to have a strong opinion either way. It is in some ways fairly YA-cliché. New girl in town, fabulous insta-love with beautiful boy who is different and dangerous. Yeah, yeah, read it all before. So, this couple generated no real interest from me.
The saving characters of this series are Verlaine and Asa. These two are interesting, passionate and get to know one another. Yes, again, we have the dangerous boy, well, in this case, a demon, but there is more depth to him and Verlaine than the other pair. The interactions of these two crackle with life. They seem more fully developed than the main couple.
The character of Elizabeth simply seems one dimensional.
Having said that, I did like the way the magic is presented and I thought that was unique.
The overall plot is well done, but still feels a bit off. It's just lacking something, maybe it's the main relationship that I simply didn't feel.
I still like this author and will likely give her future books a try.
The saving characters of this series are Verlaine and Asa. These two are interesting, passionate and get to know one another. Yes, again, we have the dangerous boy, well, in this case, a demon, but there is more depth to him and Verlaine than the other pair. The interactions of these two crackle with life. They seem more fully developed than the main couple.
The character of Elizabeth simply seems one dimensional.
Having said that, I did like the way the magic is presented and I thought that was unique.
The overall plot is well done, but still feels a bit off. It's just lacking something, maybe it's the main relationship that I simply didn't feel.
I still like this author and will likely give her future books a try.
March 15, 2022
Basically Elizabeth is bringing about the apocalypse, and Nadia is by her side, lending strength to the spells after her promise in the last book.
Anything that can go wrong in this book, does. It's non-stop action and reaction, confrontation and disaster.
I loved Asa in this one. He's been a standout character for a while, and this book just proved why. I'm always going to root for the demon with a heart of gold.
This was a beautifully epic ending to the series, and somehow still managed to have a HEA. It has the best sort of obsessive all-consuming first love, without the terrible angst and billion red flags. So glad I finally took the time to read this.
Anything that can go wrong in this book, does. It's non-stop action and reaction, confrontation and disaster.
I loved Asa in this one. He's been a standout character for a while, and this book just proved why. I'm always going to root for the demon with a heart of gold.
This was a beautifully epic ending to the series, and somehow still managed to have a HEA. It has the best sort of obsessive all-consuming first love, without the terrible angst and billion red flags. So glad I finally took the time to read this.
June 28, 2019
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
I was lucky enough that this entire series was available on audiobook at my local library (except the novella, which was available as an ebook), and that's the primary reason I wanted to listen to it. To be able to get through an entire series on audio, well that's one of my bookworm dreams.
So to actually enjoy it enough to keep going, that's another thing in this series' favour.
Not only is the narrator truly skilled at reading, able to give different, believable voices to every character, and include subtle inflections consistently, not only is the series a very solid YA read with interesting, diverse characters and a plot with twists that aren't entirely predictable, not only is the magic system something I've not come across before in supernatural fiction… but I just really enjoyed it.
I really like how Nadia took charge in this novel. She hasn't shown the most growth in the series, but she's powerful and kicking butt, just not in a punching faces kind of way. She's a quiet but determined leader, and I like that quality in her. Her devotion to Matteo and her never-failing goodness, even when she is supposedly bad, win points with me. I also really liked the not everything was resolved in a happily-ever-after manner.
Some of the sequences in this book were just breathtaking. After the plague in the previous book, the disaster affecting the town is constant rain turning into floods. There's one sequence that lingers in my mind, where Verlaine is desperately trying to save the town's newspaper archives from being destroyed in the office basement, and descriptions of the devastation and her own struggles against this obstacle, as well as the heroic efforts of other characters involved, have really stayed with me. It was powerful writing, and Verlaine is my favourite character. That's why it was so satisfying to see the resolution of Verlaine's story.
I really enjoyed this entire series on audio plus the addition of the novella telling the start of Elizabeth's story so long ago (I really do recommend you read it if you can get a copy, as it really helps to round out Elizabeth's character).
I was lucky enough that this entire series was available on audiobook at my local library (except the novella, which was available as an ebook), and that's the primary reason I wanted to listen to it. To be able to get through an entire series on audio, well that's one of my bookworm dreams.
So to actually enjoy it enough to keep going, that's another thing in this series' favour.
Not only is the narrator truly skilled at reading, able to give different, believable voices to every character, and include subtle inflections consistently, not only is the series a very solid YA read with interesting, diverse characters and a plot with twists that aren't entirely predictable, not only is the magic system something I've not come across before in supernatural fiction… but I just really enjoyed it.
I really like how Nadia took charge in this novel. She hasn't shown the most growth in the series, but she's powerful and kicking butt, just not in a punching faces kind of way. She's a quiet but determined leader, and I like that quality in her. Her devotion to Matteo and her never-failing goodness, even when she is supposedly bad, win points with me. I also really liked the not everything was resolved in a happily-ever-after manner.
Some of the sequences in this book were just breathtaking. After the plague in the previous book, the disaster affecting the town is constant rain turning into floods. There's one sequence that lingers in my mind, where Verlaine is desperately trying to save the town's newspaper archives from being destroyed in the office basement, and descriptions of the devastation and her own struggles against this obstacle, as well as the heroic efforts of other characters involved, have really stayed with me. It was powerful writing, and Verlaine is my favourite character. That's why it was so satisfying to see the resolution of Verlaine's story.
I really enjoyed this entire series on audio plus the addition of the novella telling the start of Elizabeth's story so long ago (I really do recommend you read it if you can get a copy, as it really helps to round out Elizabeth's character).
September 27, 2018
Dit boek was eigenlijk precies wat ik ervan verwacht en gehoopt had. Hoewel dat betekent dat er weinig echt grote verrassingen waren en hoewel dat ook betekent dat het einde niet bijzonder spectaculair was, heb ik het boek toch wel met een glimlach en voldaan gevoel dichtgeslagen. Misschien is Claudia Gray niet de allerbeste schrijfster ooit, maar ik merk wel dat ik haar boeken gewoon heerlijk vind.
Allereerst heeft ze gewoon een hele fijne, snel leesbare, vlotte schrijfstijl. Ik kan met meer dan 120 pagina's per uur door haar boeken vliegen, zonder een woord of nuance te missen. En hoewel ik het soms wel leuk vindt om intellectueel en taalkundig net iets meer uitgedaagd te worden, vind ik dit op zijn tijd ook gewoon heel lekker.
Daarnaast vind ik de personages in dit verhaal heel leuk. Zijn het de meest gelaagde en originele personages ooit? Wellicht niet. Maar ze zijn herkenbaar, ze bezitten een bepaalde mate van intelligentie waardoor ik me niet aan hun domheid zit te ergeren en ze communiceren. Vooral dat laatste vind ik ongelooflijk prettig en ongelooflijk belangrijk. De drama voelt daardoor niet als drama omdat het nu eenmaal moet. De drama ontstaat ONDANKS het feit dat de karakters het niet zelf veroorzaken of bedoelen.
Het plot van deze serie is niet bijster origineel, maar het komt wel heel mooi samen in het laatste boek. Alle puzzelstukjes van het eerst boek en het tweede boek, worden in dit verhaal op de juiste plek gelegd, waardoor een mooi geheel ontstaat dat nog wel wat open eindjes achterlaat, maar geen cliffhangers of grootse onbeantwoorde vragen.
Al met al heb ik heel erg van dit verhaal genoten, waarbij boek 2 wat mij betreft de zwakkere schakel van de serie was, en ik heb er nu al zin in om mijn volgende Claudia Gray serie te gaan lezen!
Allereerst heeft ze gewoon een hele fijne, snel leesbare, vlotte schrijfstijl. Ik kan met meer dan 120 pagina's per uur door haar boeken vliegen, zonder een woord of nuance te missen. En hoewel ik het soms wel leuk vindt om intellectueel en taalkundig net iets meer uitgedaagd te worden, vind ik dit op zijn tijd ook gewoon heel lekker.
Daarnaast vind ik de personages in dit verhaal heel leuk. Zijn het de meest gelaagde en originele personages ooit? Wellicht niet. Maar ze zijn herkenbaar, ze bezitten een bepaalde mate van intelligentie waardoor ik me niet aan hun domheid zit te ergeren en ze communiceren. Vooral dat laatste vind ik ongelooflijk prettig en ongelooflijk belangrijk. De drama voelt daardoor niet als drama omdat het nu eenmaal moet. De drama ontstaat ONDANKS het feit dat de karakters het niet zelf veroorzaken of bedoelen.
Het plot van deze serie is niet bijster origineel, maar het komt wel heel mooi samen in het laatste boek. Alle puzzelstukjes van het eerst boek en het tweede boek, worden in dit verhaal op de juiste plek gelegd, waardoor een mooi geheel ontstaat dat nog wel wat open eindjes achterlaat, maar geen cliffhangers of grootse onbeantwoorde vragen.
Al met al heb ik heel erg van dit verhaal genoten, waarbij boek 2 wat mij betreft de zwakkere schakel van de serie was, en ik heb er nu al zin in om mijn volgende Claudia Gray serie te gaan lezen!
November 10, 2016
5 The gang are badder than hell stars
I have to say this book is really interesting. We got to see the different sides of the characters and how they were going to defeat evil. I love how even though each character had their own problems in this book, they all came together in the end. Nadia had proved herself to me in this book and that she can be a strong leader even if darkness is killing her on the inside. Mateo is not just someone who can predict the future, but that he can protect the other people around him. Verlaine, has come a long way from being the girl that everyone ignores, now she is stronger by the love of someone who can see right through her. This book, I have to say is the best out the three because everything comes together and all our question are answered and it feels complete. This book is a really good way to end the trilogy and everyone got justice and happiness they deserved.
Nadia life has turned into living hell, literally. She has agreed to work with the evil sorceress Elizabeth to bring the One Beneath to their world, so he can create chaos and destruction. Nadia has to find a way to stop him from coming into this world and Elizabeth gaining overall control, but how can she do that when the darkness is calling to her even stronger than before. Mateo feels guilty for not finding a way to help Nadia from not going into the dark side. Now with everyone else he is trying to find a way to set her free, but the only way of doing that might cause him danger. Verlaine has a chance to feel loved, but their something stopping her, because the man she loves is a demon and works for the One beneath. How can she love him when everything she heard from the Demon could be false. These three friends try to cope with their decision without causing mast destruction and saving everyone they love.
I recommend this series who love witches and love learning about the history this author takes. Also you get very attached to the characters and root for them all the way and pray nothing happened to them. My favorite character who have to be Verlaine because she is so bad ass even though her feelings to be loved got taken away. She doesn't care and will do anything to help her friends and even aid the boy she's not suppose to love. This book had a great ending to a awesome trilogy and highly recommend.
“If I'm going to meet the devil you better believe I'm wearing Dior”
I have to say this book is really interesting. We got to see the different sides of the characters and how they were going to defeat evil. I love how even though each character had their own problems in this book, they all came together in the end. Nadia had proved herself to me in this book and that she can be a strong leader even if darkness is killing her on the inside. Mateo is not just someone who can predict the future, but that he can protect the other people around him. Verlaine, has come a long way from being the girl that everyone ignores, now she is stronger by the love of someone who can see right through her. This book, I have to say is the best out the three because everything comes together and all our question are answered and it feels complete. This book is a really good way to end the trilogy and everyone got justice and happiness they deserved.
Nadia life has turned into living hell, literally. She has agreed to work with the evil sorceress Elizabeth to bring the One Beneath to their world, so he can create chaos and destruction. Nadia has to find a way to stop him from coming into this world and Elizabeth gaining overall control, but how can she do that when the darkness is calling to her even stronger than before. Mateo feels guilty for not finding a way to help Nadia from not going into the dark side. Now with everyone else he is trying to find a way to set her free, but the only way of doing that might cause him danger. Verlaine has a chance to feel loved, but their something stopping her, because the man she loves is a demon and works for the One beneath. How can she love him when everything she heard from the Demon could be false. These three friends try to cope with their decision without causing mast destruction and saving everyone they love.
I recommend this series who love witches and love learning about the history this author takes. Also you get very attached to the characters and root for them all the way and pray nothing happened to them. My favorite character who have to be Verlaine because she is so bad ass even though her feelings to be loved got taken away. She doesn't care and will do anything to help her friends and even aid the boy she's not suppose to love. This book had a great ending to a awesome trilogy and highly recommend.
“If I'm going to meet the devil you better believe I'm wearing Dior”
June 20, 2015
Title: Sorceress
Series: Spellcaster
Book: 3
Author: Claudia Gray
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Sorceress is the thrilling conclusion to the Spellcaster series. From the moment I picked up the book I was drawn into this epic story.
At the end of Steadfast Nadia swore herself into the service of the One Beneath in a desperate attempt to save everyone she cares about. But the peace that sacrifice brought was short lived, and soon chaos returns to Captive’s Sound. The town falls under heavy rain fall and before long the roads are flooded. But the rain is just a cover for something worse to come. Elizabeth is close to completing the bridge that will allow the One Beneath to crossover into the mortal world, and the only chance Nadia has to stop her is to pretend to be in league with Elizabeth and learn dark magic.
As the story progresses we see Nadia struggle with the effects dark magic is having on her, and Mateo fight for the good within her. Soon they’re both brought to the point where they make unbelievable sacrifices to save the other.
Meanwhile Verlaine is fighting her own battle; one between her head and her heart. She doesn’t know what to make of her feelings for Asa. On the one hand he’s a demon, sworn to serve the One Beneath for eternity. On the other, he’s the only person who truly cares for her. Will their love be their downfall? Or could it possibly the thing that saves them both?
The love between Verlaine and Asa almost draws parallels with Romeo and Juliet; except instead of a family feud standing between them, these star-crossed lovers have to overcome being on opposite sides of the war between good and evil.
The entire story is gripping but the final few chapters will have you in the end of your seat, especially the final attempt to keep the One Beneath out of the mortal world.
Series: Spellcaster
Book: 3
Author: Claudia Gray
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Sorceress is the thrilling conclusion to the Spellcaster series. From the moment I picked up the book I was drawn into this epic story.
At the end of Steadfast Nadia swore herself into the service of the One Beneath in a desperate attempt to save everyone she cares about. But the peace that sacrifice brought was short lived, and soon chaos returns to Captive’s Sound. The town falls under heavy rain fall and before long the roads are flooded. But the rain is just a cover for something worse to come. Elizabeth is close to completing the bridge that will allow the One Beneath to crossover into the mortal world, and the only chance Nadia has to stop her is to pretend to be in league with Elizabeth and learn dark magic.
As the story progresses we see Nadia struggle with the effects dark magic is having on her, and Mateo fight for the good within her. Soon they’re both brought to the point where they make unbelievable sacrifices to save the other.
Meanwhile Verlaine is fighting her own battle; one between her head and her heart. She doesn’t know what to make of her feelings for Asa. On the one hand he’s a demon, sworn to serve the One Beneath for eternity. On the other, he’s the only person who truly cares for her. Will their love be their downfall? Or could it possibly the thing that saves them both?
The love between Verlaine and Asa almost draws parallels with Romeo and Juliet; except instead of a family feud standing between them, these star-crossed lovers have to overcome being on opposite sides of the war between good and evil.
The entire story is gripping but the final few chapters will have you in the end of your seat, especially the final attempt to keep the One Beneath out of the mortal world.
November 9, 2020
This book wasn't what I was expecting...ina somewhat good yet slightly bad way...what am I even talking about?!
Okay, so the Verlaine-Asa relationship was different and kinda sweet but I wasn't really expecting them literally going to hell! When Verlaine became the most loved person on earth, she was a lot more unlovable and more annoying than when she wasn't. Seriously, the way people gush at her just made me so annoyed and it was like something in her changed to become more like Elizabeth...
And Nadia! I had been hoping for more excitement of her being dark and maybe slightly evil yet hopefully changeable but all I got was a gloomy character constantly blaming herself and blinded by her lovelife. She and Mateo's relationship went downhill for me so quickly as at first, it had been sweet but as the series progressed, they quarreled even more and then became so cheesy that it was actually kinda annoying.
It wasn't all bad though. The book managed to made me cry a bit when Asa gave up to save Verlaine. I mentioned above that I liked their relationship and what Asa did was stupid yet selfless. Verlaine totally changed Asa, a demon's heart and that was AMAZING.
Another part I quite liked was when Nadia and Mateo gave up everything for each other and swore to the One Beneath. It was sad but I think it was supposed to be totally heart wrenching. I feel like the author shouldn't write them as so lovesick and just make out immediately after realizing wow, we're both on Team Evil, so let's go make out! The scene should have continued a bit more into their respective feelings, not just about their romance right after such a major plot twist! However, I reckon Gray did rather great at influencing her reader's emotions throughout the book despite some flaws. This is why the book probably deserve a sold three.
Okay, so the Verlaine-Asa relationship was different and kinda sweet but I wasn't really expecting them literally going to hell! When Verlaine became the most loved person on earth, she was a lot more unlovable and more annoying than when she wasn't. Seriously, the way people gush at her just made me so annoyed and it was like something in her changed to become more like Elizabeth...
And Nadia! I had been hoping for more excitement of her being dark and maybe slightly evil yet hopefully changeable but all I got was a gloomy character constantly blaming herself and blinded by her lovelife. She and Mateo's relationship went downhill for me so quickly as at first, it had been sweet but as the series progressed, they quarreled even more and then became so cheesy that it was actually kinda annoying.
It wasn't all bad though. The book managed to made me cry a bit when Asa gave up to save Verlaine. I mentioned above that I liked their relationship and what Asa did was stupid yet selfless. Verlaine totally changed Asa, a demon's heart and that was AMAZING.
Another part I quite liked was when Nadia and Mateo gave up everything for each other and swore to the One Beneath. It was sad but I think it was supposed to be totally heart wrenching. I feel like the author shouldn't write them as so lovesick and just make out immediately after realizing wow, we're both on Team Evil, so let's go make out! The scene should have continued a bit more into their respective feelings, not just about their romance right after such a major plot twist! However, I reckon Gray did rather great at influencing her reader's emotions throughout the book despite some flaws. This is why the book probably deserve a sold three.
February 21, 2020
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Claudia Gray is back with the final book in the Spellcaster series. There is plenty of magic, an awesome female sidekick and an ending that will please readers. This series is definitely one of my favourite fantasies.
The use of magic in the Spellcaster series is different from other witchcraft books. The ingredients for spells are memories, which I have never read about before. I love this idea, because it sort of breaks the witch stereotype (with the broomstick and black cats). Claudia Gray has created both good and evil witches, making the Spellcaster books so compelling.
I really enjoyed how Verlaine, the main character, Nadia,’s best friend, has a bigger role in Sorceress. The reader is able to get to know her better and learn more about her amazing retro fashion sense. Verlaine gets to have more of her own story as well as take part in Nadia’s mission to stop The One Beneath from entering the human world. She has an interesting backstory, making her lose the ability to be loved. The way she solves this in the book is so funny to read. She is a fantastic character that makes interesting choices that will enlighten the reader.
Sorceress is an amazing conclusion to the series. The ending is not quite happily ever after, but still very sweet. It ties up all the loose ends so the reader will be satisfied.
If you have read and enjoyed Claudia Gray’s other works, I strongly recommend the Spellcaster trilogy to you. It is filled with action, mystery and suspense. These books will definitely blow your mind.
Claudia Gray is back with the final book in the Spellcaster series. There is plenty of magic, an awesome female sidekick and an ending that will please readers. This series is definitely one of my favourite fantasies.
The use of magic in the Spellcaster series is different from other witchcraft books. The ingredients for spells are memories, which I have never read about before. I love this idea, because it sort of breaks the witch stereotype (with the broomstick and black cats). Claudia Gray has created both good and evil witches, making the Spellcaster books so compelling.
I really enjoyed how Verlaine, the main character, Nadia,’s best friend, has a bigger role in Sorceress. The reader is able to get to know her better and learn more about her amazing retro fashion sense. Verlaine gets to have more of her own story as well as take part in Nadia’s mission to stop The One Beneath from entering the human world. She has an interesting backstory, making her lose the ability to be loved. The way she solves this in the book is so funny to read. She is a fantastic character that makes interesting choices that will enlighten the reader.
Sorceress is an amazing conclusion to the series. The ending is not quite happily ever after, but still very sweet. It ties up all the loose ends so the reader will be satisfied.
If you have read and enjoyed Claudia Gray’s other works, I strongly recommend the Spellcaster trilogy to you. It is filled with action, mystery and suspense. These books will definitely blow your mind.
April 17, 2015
*Genre* Young Adult Paranormal
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Sorceress is the final installment in the Spellcaster trilogy. Picking up right where Steadfast left off, teenage witch Nadia Caldani has done the unthinkable. She's sworn to serve the One Beneath in order to save Captive Sound, her friends, and her family who have no clue what's going on.
She's also agreed to be trained by Elizabeth Pike who has caused chaos using fear, hate, sorrow & grief to get what she's wanted for generations. Nadia can only hope that she can learn quickly what Elizabeth has to teach her, before the One Beneath makes his appearance. That means using every available resource, including her steadfast boyfriend Mateo Perez, best friend Verlaine Laughton, demon Asa, and several other characters who join Team Not Evil.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Reviews 04/17/2015* Link Shortly*
Published: March 3rd 2015 by HarperTeen
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Sorceress is the final installment in the Spellcaster trilogy. Picking up right where Steadfast left off, teenage witch Nadia Caldani has done the unthinkable. She's sworn to serve the One Beneath in order to save Captive Sound, her friends, and her family who have no clue what's going on.
She's also agreed to be trained by Elizabeth Pike who has caused chaos using fear, hate, sorrow & grief to get what she's wanted for generations. Nadia can only hope that she can learn quickly what Elizabeth has to teach her, before the One Beneath makes his appearance. That means using every available resource, including her steadfast boyfriend Mateo Perez, best friend Verlaine Laughton, demon Asa, and several other characters who join Team Not Evil.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Reviews 04/17/2015* Link Shortly*
Published: March 3rd 2015 by HarperTeen
March 29, 2015
Actual rating 3.5. I have to say that I skimmed a bit of the first half of the book. I wanted to know how the series ended but I couldn't take anymore of the 'I love him so much let me do this stupid thing' opposite 'I love her so much let me do this stupid thing'. I did get sucked in to the Asa and Verlaine love story though. That was refreshing opposite Nadia and Mateo.
March 24, 2016
This was a great conclusion to the series. I loved the way it ended and everything got tied up and so much just went down in this book.
I liked seeing dark Nadia. So cool. Her struggle was real.
Mateo I loved in the book.
Verlaine and Asa were great. Ultimate ship in this book.
Just happy to have finished this trilogy.
I liked seeing dark Nadia. So cool. Her struggle was real.
Mateo I loved in the book.
Verlaine and Asa were great. Ultimate ship in this book.
Just happy to have finished this trilogy.
February 2, 2017
The last book of this series was definitively my favourite - I really loved the way everything played out, and frankly,
March 5, 2015
4.5 stars
June 5, 2021
Overview
The conclusion to the trilogy following the young witch Nadia as she attempts to stop the apocalypse kicking off in her little town.
A good story with characters I wish we'd spent more time with. Let down by too many scenes of the evil witch doing evil-witchy stuff resulting in the the story dragging on.
To be honest I only hung around to see Varlaine get her happy-ever-after.
Mild spoilers ahead - it's the last book
My feelings average out at 3 stars, though I have mixed feelings about this series, all of which are heightened in this last volume. I'll try to break it down:
The Good
I really liked the characters. I especially liked Verlaine and her Dads. I thought that Nadia's Persian background was a nice twist and Mateo was an interesting person thrust into a fascinating position. Even the Guidance Counselor turned out to be a relatable person with a very interesting backstory.
When "Team Not-Evil" were together the writing really drew me in. The characters bounced off each other so well that I just wanted to see them all through the crisis. I really appreciated the extra few pages at the end that saw the characters grow in a non-world-ending situation.
The Bad
The characters all were very interesting. It's a shame that time wasn't spent getting to know them better. Nadia felt like a very flat character to me. She was from a Persian background rather unusual for a main character in English language books. It's a shame that this aspect was only mentioned in a few throw away passages. I would have loved to see traces of this in the terminology and traditions of the Craft, handed down from her mother's family. At a bare minimum, this girl who is supposed to love cooking could have brewed up some aush to warm them up after the flood, or munched on some tahdig or lavashak to cheer herself up.
OK, full disclosure - I love Persian food.
The Ugly
Elizabeth was nasty. Really nasty. In fact we had to be reminded in detail every few pages, at length, how really, really super dooper mega really *NASTY* she was.
The Elizabeth-does-something-horific-and-gloats cut scenes got somewhat annoying and off-putting after a while. I'd just be getting into a scene of Varlaine coming up with a plan or talking things over with her Dads when we had to skip to Elizabeth being evil and sticking her fingers into some bird/person to feel their internal organs.
I think the word is gratuitous. Though by the end of the third book it's just boring.
Once her nastiness was established in book 1 we really could have dispensed with pretty much all of the Elizabeth scenes, this would have resulted in a much faster paced story and left room for more character development of Team Not-Evil.
The conclusion to the trilogy following the young witch Nadia as she attempts to stop the apocalypse kicking off in her little town.
A good story with characters I wish we'd spent more time with. Let down by too many scenes of the evil witch doing evil-witchy stuff resulting in the the story dragging on.
To be honest I only hung around to see Varlaine get her happy-ever-after.
Mild spoilers ahead - it's the last book
My feelings average out at 3 stars, though I have mixed feelings about this series, all of which are heightened in this last volume. I'll try to break it down:
The Good
I really liked the characters. I especially liked Verlaine and her Dads. I thought that Nadia's Persian background was a nice twist and Mateo was an interesting person thrust into a fascinating position. Even the Guidance Counselor turned out to be a relatable person with a very interesting backstory.
When "Team Not-Evil" were together the writing really drew me in. The characters bounced off each other so well that I just wanted to see them all through the crisis. I really appreciated the extra few pages at the end that saw the characters grow in a non-world-ending situation.
The Bad
The characters all were very interesting. It's a shame that time wasn't spent getting to know them better. Nadia felt like a very flat character to me. She was from a Persian background rather unusual for a main character in English language books. It's a shame that this aspect was only mentioned in a few throw away passages. I would have loved to see traces of this in the terminology and traditions of the Craft, handed down from her mother's family. At a bare minimum, this girl who is supposed to love cooking could have brewed up some aush to warm them up after the flood, or munched on some tahdig or lavashak to cheer herself up.
OK, full disclosure - I love Persian food.
The Ugly
Elizabeth was nasty. Really nasty. In fact we had to be reminded in detail every few pages, at length, how really, really super dooper mega really *NASTY* she was.
The Elizabeth-does-something-horific-and-gloats cut scenes got somewhat annoying and off-putting after a while. I'd just be getting into a scene of Varlaine coming up with a plan or talking things over with her Dads when we had to skip to Elizabeth being evil and sticking her fingers into some bird/person to feel their internal organs.
I think the word is gratuitous. Though by the end of the third book it's just boring.
Once her nastiness was established in book 1 we really could have dispensed with pretty much all of the Elizabeth scenes, this would have resulted in a much faster paced story and left room for more character development of Team Not-Evil.
October 28, 2021
It was so much fun rereading this book. This was definitely my favorite in the trilogy.
(spoilers)
The reason for that was Verlaine and Asa of course. I love them. So much. The way their relationship develops. The way they sacrifice so much for each other, and how they actually see each other for who they are. Best part of the book. I also really liked the plot. The part where Nadia and Mateo try and save each other by becoming demons was heartbreaking. And I loved when everyone got brought into the loop.
This was just so fun, and such a nostalgia trip for me.
(spoilers)
The reason for that was Verlaine and Asa of course. I love them. So much. The way their relationship develops. The way they sacrifice so much for each other, and how they actually see each other for who they are. Best part of the book. I also really liked the plot. The part where Nadia and Mateo try and save each other by becoming demons was heartbreaking. And I loved when everyone got brought into the loop.
This was just so fun, and such a nostalgia trip for me.
October 27, 2017
This series was not what I expected it to be. I didn't hate it but it wasn't very memorable. I'm not even sure why I thought it was a good idea to pick this book up when I strongly disliked the second book, but I did and I was not impressed. I was cringing and rolling my eye through most of it, which is sad because I have loved Claudia Gray's books in the past.
May 5, 2021
Der Kampf gegen Elizabeth spitzt sich zu und Nadia muss entscheiden auf welcher Seite der Magie sie steht.
Auch der dritte Teil war eine locker-leichte Lektüre für zwischendurch, die einfach nur Spaß macht.
Zum Ende hin wurde es tatsächlich richtig episch und auch etwas brutal, was mich positiv überrascht hat.
Auch der dritte Teil war eine locker-leichte Lektüre für zwischendurch, die einfach nur Spaß macht.
Zum Ende hin wurde es tatsächlich richtig episch und auch etwas brutal, was mich positiv überrascht hat.
November 27, 2019
Title: Sorceress
Series: Spellcaster (#3)
Author: Claudia Gray
Rating: 4 stars
Review to come.
Series: Spellcaster (#3)
Author: Claudia Gray
Rating: 4 stars
Review to come.
March 29, 2023
Asa and Verlaine forever! 💜🖤
October 15, 2017
@ P.S. I love that book!
EXPECTATIONS: The final book in Spellcaster series!
THE WORLD: Alright so I think after what went down in last book it is not really right to say that the world in this book is like ours. I mean it is pretty much apocalypse in process. And the town people are finally realizing that shit is happening that should not happen. It is the IT place for the fight between good and evil.
CHARACTERS: Nadia is supposedly a bad witch by now which I am just not buying. I mean you cannot just tell me she is turning bad, I need to see it. And that is missing in this book. But hey at least we get rid of Mateo to some extend as in less pages about him whining. What I just adored were Verlaine and Asa. They are just so enjoyable to read about. Plus Asa...he might be a demon but damn I would like this demon to visit me too :D I kinda think Verlaine and Asa should have been a center of this book and not Nadia and Mateo. I mean really, just look at them together, so charming and just makes you want to read more and more. I kinda wish there was a spin-off just on Verlaine and Asa...but oh well. Also Elizabeth...so I really saw her as a evil villain in previous book but in this one whole insecurity is starting to come out...I mean just cuz you were a victim once it does not make it okay to go full evil on everybody. Just saying.
ROMANCE: Nadia and Mateo blah blah. But Verlaine and Asa! Oh my, I have no read much of demon human love but this reminded me a lot of Charmed Tv Show and it was the best! Well done Claudia Gray, I am so shipping them!
GOOD: I really liked this whole apocalypse vibe AND people recognizing it. I mean how many books have characters who just ignore and don't see when the world is about to end. Like how unrealistic is that? But not in Sorceress, here everybody is fully on board.
BAD: So if I say Nadia and Mateo it is just repeating myself. Instead I am gonna talk about Elizabeth, her whole I was a victim once, I am so vulnerable and doing it all so I am loved...right....nope not working sorry.
OVERALL: I think it was an average but kinda okayish series? I would not reread it and I doubt it will stay in my memory for long but if you like witches definitely give it a go!
@ P.S. I love that book!
EXPECTATIONS: The final book in Spellcaster series!
THE WORLD: Alright so I think after what went down in last book it is not really right to say that the world in this book is like ours. I mean it is pretty much apocalypse in process. And the town people are finally realizing that shit is happening that should not happen. It is the IT place for the fight between good and evil.
CHARACTERS: Nadia is supposedly a bad witch by now which I am just not buying. I mean you cannot just tell me she is turning bad, I need to see it. And that is missing in this book. But hey at least we get rid of Mateo to some extend as in less pages about him whining. What I just adored were Verlaine and Asa. They are just so enjoyable to read about. Plus Asa...he might be a demon but damn I would like this demon to visit me too :D I kinda think Verlaine and Asa should have been a center of this book and not Nadia and Mateo. I mean really, just look at them together, so charming and just makes you want to read more and more. I kinda wish there was a spin-off just on Verlaine and Asa...but oh well. Also Elizabeth...so I really saw her as a evil villain in previous book but in this one whole insecurity is starting to come out...I mean just cuz you were a victim once it does not make it okay to go full evil on everybody. Just saying.
ROMANCE: Nadia and Mateo blah blah. But Verlaine and Asa! Oh my, I have no read much of demon human love but this reminded me a lot of Charmed Tv Show and it was the best! Well done Claudia Gray, I am so shipping them!
GOOD: I really liked this whole apocalypse vibe AND people recognizing it. I mean how many books have characters who just ignore and don't see when the world is about to end. Like how unrealistic is that? But not in Sorceress, here everybody is fully on board.
BAD: So if I say Nadia and Mateo it is just repeating myself. Instead I am gonna talk about Elizabeth, her whole I was a victim once, I am so vulnerable and doing it all so I am loved...right....nope not working sorry.
OVERALL: I think it was an average but kinda okayish series? I would not reread it and I doubt it will stay in my memory for long but if you like witches definitely give it a go!
@ P.S. I love that book!
May 25, 2016
“If I'm going to meet the devil you better believe I'm wearing Dior”
Sorceress is the third and final instalment in the Spellcaster series by Claudia Gray.
At the end of Steadfast, Nadia Caldani swore herself to the big bad known as One Beneath, also known as the devil. Throughout this novel, this begins to cause a drift between herself, her beloved boyfriend Mateo, her best friend Verlaine and her family.
Due to her heritage that was discovered in the previous book (the women on her father's side were witches), this makes her suspectible to the darkness, and so, this could mean she might lose control and allow it to completely take over. Elizabeth, the evil Sorceress working for the One Beneath, causes Nadia to wreak havoc on Captive's Sound and this causes herself and her loved ones to question her.
Within this novel, the cursed and unloved Verlaine obtains a more prominent role with quite a few scenes focused purely around her. I really enjoyed her scenes as her personality and story provided a great contrast to the disasters that were occurring around them. Her interactions with Asa had me holding out hope for the new star-crossed lovers!
The pace of Sorceress appeared to be a little all over the place and it really disappoints me when the big 'fight' scenes are rushed and you get to the happy ending. For Sorceress, it just seemed quite glossed over and killing the big bad came across very easily done.
As a fan of most of Claudia Gray's work, I was slightly disappointed with this book after such a great opening with Spellcaster. I'll hopefully go into a series review and if I do, I'll add a link below for you!
Overall, I am giving this book 2/5 because I liked it less than Steadfast and it just didn't hold my interest at all. Perhaps, if I had read this when I was a bit younger (13-15) I would have liked it more. However, I have seen quite a few reviews where people did enjoy it so it really comes down to personal taste.
Sorceress is the third and final instalment in the Spellcaster series by Claudia Gray.
At the end of Steadfast, Nadia Caldani swore herself to the big bad known as One Beneath, also known as the devil. Throughout this novel, this begins to cause a drift between herself, her beloved boyfriend Mateo, her best friend Verlaine and her family.
Due to her heritage that was discovered in the previous book (the women on her father's side were witches), this makes her suspectible to the darkness, and so, this could mean she might lose control and allow it to completely take over. Elizabeth, the evil Sorceress working for the One Beneath, causes Nadia to wreak havoc on Captive's Sound and this causes herself and her loved ones to question her.
Within this novel, the cursed and unloved Verlaine obtains a more prominent role with quite a few scenes focused purely around her. I really enjoyed her scenes as her personality and story provided a great contrast to the disasters that were occurring around them. Her interactions with Asa had me holding out hope for the new star-crossed lovers!
The pace of Sorceress appeared to be a little all over the place and it really disappoints me when the big 'fight' scenes are rushed and you get to the happy ending. For Sorceress, it just seemed quite glossed over and killing the big bad came across very easily done.
As a fan of most of Claudia Gray's work, I was slightly disappointed with this book after such a great opening with Spellcaster. I'll hopefully go into a series review and if I do, I'll add a link below for you!
Overall, I am giving this book 2/5 because I liked it less than Steadfast and it just didn't hold my interest at all. Perhaps, if I had read this when I was a bit younger (13-15) I would have liked it more. However, I have seen quite a few reviews where people did enjoy it so it really comes down to personal taste.
November 12, 2019
The first half was really annoying as I'm not sure what Nadia learned from being Elizabeth's apprentice. I feel like a lot haopened in the background and wasn't mentioned until the very end. Also Nadia's feelings were confusing as heck despite having her point of view. I honestly had no idea why she did ehat she did in thr beginning. I mean I sort of do but at the same time don't. Its very confusing.
The second half was a lot better. Maybe cause they all finally decided they were going to die anyway so they might as well try something.
The series isn't bad but it doesn't stand out either and I think this is mainly because there wasn't a clear path for Nadia to become more knowledgeable abouy witchcraft. The majority of the time she's stumbles through then happens to find a spell through pure luck that might work against Elizabeth. I don't know about you, but when fighting against the Big Evil with a witch who has centuries more experience then you, I would hope I would gather people and ammunition rather then stumble along. Course Nadia finally does this but at the very last hour.
So while this is fantasy based there were some things that just didn't click logically that kept me from enjoying the series fully.
The second half was a lot better. Maybe cause they all finally decided they were going to die anyway so they might as well try something.
The series isn't bad but it doesn't stand out either and I think this is mainly because there wasn't a clear path for Nadia to become more knowledgeable abouy witchcraft. The majority of the time she's stumbles through then happens to find a spell through pure luck that might work against Elizabeth. I don't know about you, but when fighting against the Big Evil with a witch who has centuries more experience then you, I would hope I would gather people and ammunition rather then stumble along. Course Nadia finally does this but at the very last hour.
So while this is fantasy based there were some things that just didn't click logically that kept me from enjoying the series fully.
April 15, 2016
This was such a great series from start to finish.
Though I did feel that the climax and resolution to put an end to the Big Bad seemed a little quick in SORCERESS, the execution of the plan, all the elements that had been laid out and set up in books one and two to get us there, were brilliant. I definitely didn't see any of it coming. Well done, Gray! I still maintain that my favourite characters were those in supporting roles (specifically Verlaine and Asa) but as a whole there wasn't a single character I disliked. The Spellcaster series was a really well-plotted story full of clever and unique mechanics, twisty elements, cheeky humour and enough heartbreak and darkness to make my angsty soul dance with glee. I especially loved that not all characters ended up with a happy ending. It would've been so easy for Gray to say "poof, everything is fixed!" but one specific character wasn't given that -- and rightly so.
I can definitely see myself rereading this series in the years to come and can't wait to add Nadia & co. to my increasingly overpopulated bookshelves.
Though I did feel that the climax and resolution to put an end to the Big Bad seemed a little quick in SORCERESS, the execution of the plan, all the elements that had been laid out and set up in books one and two to get us there, were brilliant. I definitely didn't see any of it coming. Well done, Gray! I still maintain that my favourite characters were those in supporting roles (specifically Verlaine and Asa) but as a whole there wasn't a single character I disliked. The Spellcaster series was a really well-plotted story full of clever and unique mechanics, twisty elements, cheeky humour and enough heartbreak and darkness to make my angsty soul dance with glee. I especially loved that not all characters ended up with a happy ending. It would've been so easy for Gray to say "poof, everything is fixed!" but one specific character wasn't given that -- and rightly so.
I can definitely see myself rereading this series in the years to come and can't wait to add Nadia & co. to my increasingly overpopulated bookshelves.
August 1, 2024
At my review for the second book in the series if you read it, you will remember that I said I rated the second one of four stars because the first one I just amazing and I just had a feeling that the third one was just gonna be as amazing as good as the first.that’s why I rated the second one for stars and just as I predicted, the third book was amazing Probably even better than the first one but I’m not bringing down the first one to four stars. It still deserves to be a five but this book deserves to be a six stars. It was amazing and was just full of action. I definitely recommend this book series and I will miss the world in these books.
October 8, 2016
Malgré quelques longueurs et une fin un peu trop facile, c'est une trilogie que j'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé. Franchement, l'auteur a su faire évoluer ses personnages et leur créer chacun une véritable identité. L'aspect magique du livre est vraiment prenant et bien pensé, moi qui lis peu ce genre, je me suis régalée. J'ai bien apprécié comment l'auteur clôture son histoire, il y a un certain point final, bien qu'on sache que la magie est toujours en mouvement!
January 31, 2016
What a lovely conclusion to the Spellcaster Trilogy!! Would absolutely recommend to anyone who is interested in fast paced and interesting books! :)
November 8, 2015
Can't wait! The first 2 books were fantastic! :-)
May 7, 2016
Good read...spellbinding
The spellcaster series is amazing. A must read. Kept me interested. You'll fall in love with the characters. I'm going to read. More from this author
The spellcaster series is amazing. A must read. Kept me interested. You'll fall in love with the characters. I'm going to read. More from this author
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