Chaos

Guards of the Shadowlands #3

by Sarah Fine

With Juri in control and everything in absolute chaos, Lela plunges into the depths of hell to free Malachi from creatures that have waited decades to exact their revenge. But the Judge has her own way of doing things, and Lela must work with Ana, the new Captain, who has a very personal mission of her own. Together, they infiltrate the most horrifying realm either has yet encountered in the Shadowlands—the bitter landscape ruled by the Mazikin.

The stakes could not be higher, and Lela must accept the help—and love—of people she barely knows or trusts. As alliances and loyalties shift and she realizes the soul she came to save isn’t the only one in need of rescue, can Lela summon the strength to see the fight through to the very end?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Dystopia, Angels

399 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

When I'm not writing, I'm psychologizing (really, I even get a paycheck for it). Sometimes I do both at the same time. The results are unpredictable.

To receive updates on new releases, sales, and bonus material, go to http://sarahfinebooks.com/ and click at the top of the page to sign up for the newsletter.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahFineBooks/

Instagram: Sarah.e.fine

Reviews

[✨ Helena ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a SATISFYING end to this trilogy omg. Talk about a new favourite. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Every time I thought I knew how the story was going to go...Sarah Fine threw me another curveball AND I LOVED IT.

I haven’t been this passionate about a couple since Karou and Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. In fact, Lela and Malachi reminded me A LOT of them. Both couples literally defied life and death in order to be together. Talk about relationship goals. This trilogy is reason #2828317273 I’m going to die alone lmao.

I highly recommend picking up this criminally underrated, yet BRILLIANT, trilogy. Although book two arguably comes across as a filler book, books one and three definitely make it worth the while. Now, how long is long enough before I binge this trilogy again? ;)

[Alicia Batista (Addicted Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS FREAKING BOOK BLEW ME AWAY!!! I MEAN LITERALLY, I AM DYING INSIDE BY ALL IT'S AWESOMENESS!!



BUT I'M NOT READY TO SAY GOODBYE YET! I NEED JUST ONE MORE BOOK, PLEASE, JUST GIVE ME ONE MOREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!



ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT THIS IS THE BEST SERIES I HAVE EVER READ!!! IT TOUCHED MY HEART IN A MILLION PLACES AND STILL LEFT ME YEARNING FOR MORE!!




~~~~~~EDITED REVIEW~~~~~~


5 Stars

Wonderfully written, and brilliantly crafted, CHAOS was a dark and dangerous world full of monsters, vengeance, blood-lust and insanity, twisted with romance, sacrifices, and the power of true love...

CHAOS was an absolutely wonderful conclusion, with epic twist and turns, and nothing short of deadly. Sarah Fine packs a whole new punch in this explosive conclusion to the Guards of the Shadowlands trilogy that will leave you utterly satisfied, but still demanding more.

Pheww... What a ride!!! CHAOS was nonstop chills, thrills, action and adventure. I was left with a huge smile on my face when it was over. I can't remember the last time I felt utterly satisfied at the end of a series as I was this one.

Our main characters Malachi and Lela have been though so much together and apart, that it was truly heartwarming to finally see them come to the end of their journey. And I think Sarah Fine did a wonderful job with that closure—but at the same time still left it open enough in case she ever wants to revisit these characters in the future, in which I REALLY HOPE she does!

The plot thickens in this final installment in the Guards of the Shadowlands trilogy. And we finally—FINALLY, get to visit hell. And ooh, what a vicious hell it is too!! The Mazikin are even more vile then I thought they were. Vengeful, bloodthirsty, power-hungry animals, but what deliciously entertaining vile creatures they were! They were some nasty things, but made for a thrilling ride.

THE PLOT

Lela's world is shattered when Malachi is forcefully ripped from her life and taken to the worse kinda hell imaginable, the Mazikin City. She abandons all other responsibilities and dives head first into hell itself, and is determined to save the boy she's come to love—or die trying...

It was suppose to be them against the world—that's how it's always been since Malachi came into her life and brought the only sunshine it's seen in years. Now, she's not so sure life is meaningful without him. So Lela does the only thing she can, and storms the judges court and demands to go to hell and bring Malachi back herself. But what Lela doesn't except is the judge to willing submit without a fight, and not only support her mission, but also have a bigger mission for her in hell with the help from a former fallen ally that has her own mission in hell—Ana, a former guard who just so happens to have unfinished business in hell as well...

Lela and Ana have a plan:

Infiltrate the Mazikin City, scope it out, find Malachi and Takeshi, complete the judges mission, and get the hell out of there without getting killed in the process. Simple right?? I think not!! Two against the whole Mazikin city, fighting to find their men and completing their mission is going to be no easy feat, but Lela and Ana will stop at nothing until they save the ones they love. But once they actually get to the Mazikin City, they realize their is way more to this mission then they once thought. And how can they save two souls, when they're are thousands if not more in need of saving too? Can they abandoned all the other souls to only save the two they love, and can their hearts really bear that kind of sacrifice??

Lela, Malachi, Ana, and Takeshi all reunite in this epic journey through the treacherous depths of hell, and discover the full capabilities of the power of true love. All while facing down their ultimate battle as they try and fight their way out of hell and defeat the Mazikin once and for all...

CHAOS was a wonderful conclusion to an epic series that I absolutely adored. I really hope Sarah Fine decides to revisit this series again, because the love I have for Lela and Malachi runs deep, and I would be thrilled to have more from them and their horrifyingly wonderful world. But if it has to end, then the way it did was perfect, and satisfied in more ways then one. I loved the thickened plot, the character growth, and how love and loyalties were tested and proven, and the journey they all took and conquered together was torturous but endured all in the name of love. CHAOS was positivity emotional and utterly satisfying, and will go down as one of my favorite series of all time!!

Overall, Sarah Fine knows how to pack a powerful story that utterly grabs you from the beginning and never lets up. I will read anything this woman writes and I'm sure I'll love it. I'm terribly saddened to see this series and characters come to an end—but what's the saying—All good things must come to an end!?!?!? And that definitely applies to this series. FIVE BRILLIANT STARS to CHAOS, the epic conclusion in Shadowlands trilogy that is not to be missed!!!

NOTE: I received a eARC from Skyscape for reviewing purposes! All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way!

[Pie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been craving the finale of this series since last December. I happened upon it when I finished Hunger Games for the second time and the Divergent series and was looking to fill the void with similar dystopian young adult novels. Imagine my surprise when I finished Fractured and went searching for book 3 and it...wasn't...available. SAY WHAT! And I had to wait almost a year just to find out its name. Of course I preordered it AND woke up early on October 7 to make sure it downloaded and start reading. Like most of my sweet escapes, I wish I hadn't devoured it. I wish I had savored it...slowly...lovingly. Unfortunately I have no willpower or self-control and now, it's over. And I cried...not just over the beautiful ending, but of losing another beautiful world after being submersed in it for so long (four days). I would gladly walk into hell and fight my way out of Heaven to escape this world...to live in someone else's world...where love and healing and tragedy and despair all exist together but there is an eternity to figure it all out. Where a gust of wind can take you to another life...and a man is willing to lose his soul for you...and God tells you to Be Brave and Do Good. I miss you, Malachi and Lela. I hope you have a wonderful life together, and live happily ever after in the Countryside.

[Wendy Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, Fine knows how to write a great romantic relationship. I had a few quibbles, but overall this was a pretty satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

Full review is on the blog! http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2014...

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I'd go to hell for you Stars



Chaos revisits some of the elements that brought me into this series in the first place. I love the idea of the dimensions the author creates after death. Sanctum was full of different, sometimes grotesque imagery of a portion of hell set aside for those who committed suicide. Fractured lost something when they were in the real world and just attending High School. Yes, it can be like hell on earth, but it really didn’t begin to compare to the suicide city. Chaos returns to that otherworldliness that was such a draw in Sanctum.

Lela must travel to the Dome across the wastelands to the Mazikin city if she even wants a chance to rescue Malachi from his horrible fate. And it is horrible, he is prisoner of the creatures he has tormented for decades and they have plans for him, cruel degrading and horrendous plans.

”I not only think they have Malachi—I think they will guard him with every bit of cunning they possess. And I think they will show him absolutely no mercy. I think they will destroy him, over and over again.”

At least she will pick up a few friends along the way so she isn’t alone in the terrible city where she will face her past and try to save the man she wants in her future. The judge has given her a few additional tasks along the way as if her goal to save Malachi wasn’t going to be hard enough. This is the chance the Judge has been waiting for in order to put to rights what the Mazikin have set asunder.

I have waited to find out more about the Mazikin and their origins and ambitions since the first book. I was not disappointed, finding out why they were created and what the backstory was to them was….well disturbing but I ate up every spare piece of knowledge about them. The city was dangerous and I felt so bad for most of the humans who lived there and what they had been reduced to.

The greatest thing about this book was the reunions. Lena reunited with not just Malachi but also Anna and her mother. There are also a few other couples that earn their dues and get to be with the people they love. With all the reunions there are some very tender and sappy moments that I just ate up.

“Lela,” he said tenderly. “You walked into hell for me. I fought my way out of heaven for you. No matter what happens, there is one thing I don’t doubt at all: we will find each other again.”

The rest of the story is about redemption. Malachi thought for so long that he was saving the souls of humans only to find out he had sentenced them to remain forever in the Mazikin city. He finally will have the chance to redeem the mistakes he made and save them. He will also have an opportunity to bring down the city forever, so that no other Mazikin can ever hurt a human again.

Chaos is filled with action and well chaos, so it is aptly named. This is a strong conclusion to the series and all ends will be tied up nicely. I really loved how the romance angle of Chaos was handled and I thought the conclusion to that to be beautiful and fitting to the story.

If like me you felt like something of the series was lost in Fractured, have no fear Chaos revisits the stories roots and the series ends just as strongly as it began.

[Keertana · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you'd asked me even a month ago, I'd have told you that Chaos was probably a finale I'd pass on. I loved Sarah Fine's Sanctum but ever since Fractured, I've been less-than-impressed by her work. Granted, Of Metal and Wishes was promising and I haven't even read Scan, but nothing Fine has written since Sanctum has managed to truly capture my attention.

And then Chaos arrived on my doorstep.

I rarely say this, but Chaos is an incredible conclusion to an innovative series. Sanctum was thought-provoking, compelling, and above all, intelligent. I loved the emotional discourse, the in-depth analysis of a depressive psyche, and I only hoped to see more of it in Fractured. Unfortunately, the latter devolved into a string of love triangles, unnecessary drama, and a cliffhanger ending as the cherry on top. Needless to say, Chaos sank quite low on my list of books to be read.

Oddly enough, it was Sarah Fine's Stories from the Shadowlands which finally convinced me to pick up Chaos. Malachi's journal entries in Stories from the Shadowlands, giving readers insight into his thought process during the dramatic events of Fractured, grudgingly allowed me to re-evaluate these characters and dive into Chaos with an open mind. And, readers, am I glad I did. Chaos completely lived up to the potential within Sanctum--and then some. As a finale, it satisfied. As a novel, it kept me entertaining. And a piece of literature, it made me think. I really don't ask for much more.

Chaos picks up directly where Fractured left off, throwing us back into the realm of the Shadowlands. What I love about re-visiting Fine's fantasy world is the fact that it is such an intelligent one. It exists because of depression, suicide, and other issues of mental illness that plague the human race. As a result, I constantly find myself re-evaluating what I know of these issues from Fine's perspective and I feel as if she uses the medium of paranormal/fantasy in the best possible way: to use fictional situations to highlight real-life problems. It's brilliant, gripping, and above all, integral to our society today. I particularly love that here is a YA trilogy that actually says something that needs to be heard by teens. To all those who constantly oppose the YA genre, Fine's trilogy proves that there is plenty of substance in YA just as in Adult fiction.

Yet, the reason Chaos stands out is due to its impeccable style. Fine strings together a variety of plot threads in this novel; so many that, at first, it seems impossible she's going to pull it off. But she does. Chaos never feels rushed or too slow. Fine's pacing is perfect and, moreover, even after two previous novels, her characters still feel fresh. Lela and Malachi are characters we've been with for years now and while parts of them are transparent and predictable, they are a far cry from the people we originally met them as. Furthermore, Fine brings back old villains and new heroes which make Chaos stand out within the trilogy instead of merely blending into the background as "just another" book in the "Guards of the Shadowlands" series.

Nevertheless, the romance is where Fine truly shines. Forgetting the drama of Fractured, we finally see Lela and Malachi as a united front in Chaos and the result of their strengths combined--their weaknesses balanced--is unbeatable. I love these two. I believe in these two. And they give me so much hope for the people in this world. Their journeys throughout Chaos are littered with despair, instances where fragility is on the brink of strength, but as Fine shows us, what doesn't kill you truly does make you stronger. I love the continued ambiguity in their morality and their depth never ceases to amaze me. I almost don't want to leave these characters behind because, really, there is more to them we still don't know and seeing them change over the years? I want that.

If it isn't already clear, Chaos has made me a die-hard fan of this series all over again. I can't wait to pick up Fine's next novel, in the hopes it surprises me as pleasantly as this one did, and if Fractured was even a fraction as irritating for you as it was for me, I can't recommend Chaos highly enough. Sarah Fine: well done.

[Penny Well Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 1.5 stars.

Unoriginal and predictable. I don't care for it.


Book 1: Sanctum - 3.5 stars.
Book 2: Fractured - 2 stars.

[Lori]

[Giselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHH can't believe this trilogy is over :( I have so many feelings right now.. Love her writing so much

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaos was such an amazing conclusion to The Guards of Shadowlands series. I know everyone is probably fed up with my constant praising of this series, but honestly, it's a series that truly does deserve to be read by many more readers. For me, it's one of my favorite series and one that I will not hesitate to go back to in the near future.

The ending of Fractured nearly killed me, so I was glad to already have Chaos in hand. This final installment takes Lela to the Mazikin city and if you thought the world building in the first book was dark and depressing, wait until you read this one. The Mazikin city was a scary scary place. Multiple times throughout the book, I would get goosebumps because of how absolutely terrifying it was. The great thing about Sarah Fine's writing is that she has a way of making you feel like you are part of the story. It's incredibly vivid, so you can imagine what state I was in throughout the book when I was basically experiencing the Mazkin city develop right in front of my eyes. It was definitely a haunting experience. Chaos also had non-stop action, which you know I love in my books. There were many plot twists and revelations that I thought were predictable and at the end, I liked how everything really tied together. I was left rather breathless at the end because of how brutal and intense Chaos was. The writing was as, I have come to expect of Sarah Fine, first class. She has a very unique prose that tends to stick with you days after you have finished the book.

The characters too, continued to grow stronger. Lela, especially, has rocketed to the top of my favorite heroines list. I've loved this girl since the first book, but in this final book, I was in complete awe of her. She truly has grown over the course of this series and I was just amazed by how she was the epitome of a strong and badass heroine. She is the sort of heroine I wish all YA fantasy books would have. Then of course there is Malachi who continued to shine and warm my heart up. The number of times I swooned over him in this book is quite ridiculous for a grown woman like me, but Malachi does unexplainable things to me. The romance in Chaos was so endearing. There were many moments where I worried that they wouldn't make it or that the Mazikin city would break them apart, but I absolutely love how Sarah Fine proved me wrong. Lela and Malachi worked through their obstacles hand in hand and that was just beautiful. It was also exciting to see some of the secondary characters from the first book, like Ana, make a comeback in this book.

I have read every book by Sarah Fine so far and she has yet to disappoint me. She is one of the most talented authors in the YA world and Chaos and this series in general just goes to prove that. I'm sad that my adventures with Lela and Malachi are over, but I'm also thrilled that Sarah Fine gave them the kind of ending that they wholeheartedly deserve.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

This series and I have sort of a love/hate relationship. I listened two the first two book in audio format, and enjoyed both, to varying degrees. The second book was far worse, with the high school setting being boring and the plot being repetitive, but it still had some redeeming factors. My favorite part of this series has always been the concept. The whole afterlife realm was something I hadn't seen before in paranormal, especially in YA paranormal. I was very excited to see what book 3 had to offer and I wasn't disappointed.

I liked the excitement and danger of the last book in the trilogy. It was a very welcome departure from book 2, where the high school politics irritated me to no end. I thought that the best parts of the book took place in the Mazikin realm. The world-building concepts were, again, excellent. The way the people there would heal or not heal was very well done, and the concept of food and nourishment was pretty brilliant. I also loved the characters that they met in the Mazikin realm and all the twists and turns along the way.

However, it wasn't all adoration for me. This book was still too long, measuring at 400 pages, with the plot again growing tedious and repetitive at times. I think it could have been tightened down a lot and the story made a bit sharper. I also fundamentally have an issue with death in this book. Because they are in an afterlife realm already, the whole danger factor of dying really doesn't have the same weight in this installment. It just took away some of that heart-pounding element, knowing that there are very, VERY few ways for these characters to die and never come back.

I think for most readers, especially teen readers that are looking for something fun, unusual, and with a heavy dose of romance, this series will hit the spot. For me, it was satisfying but won't make any favorites lists.

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

[Steysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Fine is the Queen of angst. The second half of the book was an emotional rollercoaster. I will miss those characters.
_____________________________________________
OMG, have you seen this beauty???



I love those creepy thrones made of human skulls! I thought it`s impossible, but now I want to read it even more! Can`t wait!

[Nereyda (Nick & Nereyda's Infinite Booklist) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know, I know. I'm late to the Sarah Fine/Guards of the Shadowlands/Malachi party, but better late than never! After that shocking ending in Fractured, I was nervous and wasn't sure where Chaos would take us. I love and hate that feeling where you're not sure if the main characters will get their HEA. I was on edge the whole time while I was listening to this! It's always hard to review end-of-series books without any spoilers, but here's my best shot...

I was a bit surprised by how dark this book was, which, really I shouldn't have been considering most of this series takes place in some sort of hell. Luckily, I have a thing for books set in hell and was fascinated by how vividly everything was described. It was so easy to picture and visual everything in my head, like a movie. There were moments that broke my heart and moments that shocked the hell out of me. This series has it all! Amazing characters you can root for, an oh-so-good relationship, a crush-worthy and swoony book boyfriend, so much action and villains that you can truly hate with a passion. I was a little bit frustrated by how little of Malachi there was in the beginning of the book. I know it made sense to the story, but still. I just wanted more Malachi dammit! I did still have a few questions at the end and I'm not sure if I missed the answers somehow, like what was the deal with Lela's mom always mentioning teeth? I loved the story, the characters, the plot and the amazing yet completely realistic ending that Fine gave us. I can't wait to read the rest of her books!

Audiobook Comments: There are audiobooks that I listen to that I think I might not like as much if I were to read it instead. That is not the case with this series at all! While I absolutely loved the audiobook performance of this series, I know I would have loved these books even if I had read it instead. But, I'm so glad I ended up going with the audio route because 1) Amy McFadden was an amazing narrator. 2) I was totally pronouncing Malachi's name wrong in my head before and 3) I can re-listen to these any time I want! If you haven't read this series yet and don't have time to 'read' these books, I highly recommend listening to the audiobooks. If you have read these books, you should definitely get the audiobooks so you can enjoy it in a different way.

4.5 out of stars!

Where I See Fashion: Chaos! by nereyda1003 on Polyvore

***
Read full review & more of my favorite quotes at Mostly YA Book Obsessed


Follow me at:
Bloglovin │ Twitter │ Tumblr │ Pinterest │ Polyvore

[Claire (Book Blog Bird) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A copy of this review is also on my blog: www.bookblogbird.weebly.com

Chaos is the third instalment in the Guards of the Shadowlands series. I read the first two books, Sanctum and Fractured, last year and was really looking forward to the conclusion.

At the end of Fractured, everything seemed to have gone a bit wrong for poor old Lela and her companions. The mazikin had broken through to the mortal realm and were busy terrorizing everyone; people were killed, Malachi was possessed and it was just a big old mess. I got to the last page and had one of those ‘Nooooo!’ moments, so I was really excited to read Chaos.

Unfortunately, Chaos just seemed to fall a bit flat for me. Looking at some other reviews, I get the impression that this is a bit of a minority opinion, but the storyline just didn’t draw me in like the other two books did and I found it hard to keep my concentration. The action scenes, of which there are plenty, felt a bit jumbled. It was also quite a long book and I thought that by cutting it down a bit it would have sharpened the plot up and increased the tension.

There were still aspects which I enjoyed: Lela is an awesome MC, really gung-ho and not one of these little ‘Save me, save me’ girls who rely on the boys to do all the fighting. I also liked the way you never really knew who was a friend and who was an enemy - it gave the plot a nicely nightmarish quality. And I was glad Lela and Malachi got their happy ending!

Possibly I’ll go back to the Guards of the Shadowlands series at some point in the future - Sanctum and Fractured have a lot of re-read potential - and hopefully Chaos will work better second time round.

[starryeyedjen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An advance copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

I could not have asked for a better ending to one of my favorite series...seriously. Some things went the way I'd expected, but there were a lot of surprises, as well...and not all of them welcome. But I can honestly say that this final installment was everything I was hoping for, and then some.

Obviously, with the way Fractured  ended, we knew Lela was going before the Judge again and that she wasn't going to let Malachi go without a fight. Lela's fierceness and her willingness to sacrifice herself for those she cares about are what I like best about her, and that hasn't changed. And now she's got Ana -- or rather, Ana's got her -- as they trek through the Mazakin realm to rescue both of their loves.

This novel is kind of split between the Mazakin city and the rescue attempt and then what happens after. This final book is fraught with emotional moments: tearful reunions -- and amorous ones! -- heartbreaking goodbyes, daring escapes and startling realizations. It wouldn't be any kind of finale, though, if it didn't make you feel the whole gamut of emotions. I've always felt that there was a good balance between the darkness and the light in this series, though, even if it didn't always feel like it at the time. And nowhere is this balance more evident than in the dark, chaotic atmosphere of the Shadowlands and the nearly palpable romantic tension between Malachi and Lela.

I love happy endings as much as the next girl, but I'm also okay with a realistic ending, one in which the hero doesn't get the girl or the world isn't saved. I honestly couldn't tell you which type of ending I prefer because it really depends on the story thus far. But I can tell you that it is much easier for me to let go, to say goodbye to characters if I see them on their merry way before doing so. With this series, though, I don't think either ending would have made saying goodbye any easier. (Make of that what you will.)

I will say that this conclusion to the Guards of the Shadowlands series was completely satisfying. And it made everything these characters have been through totally worth it. This series has been so intense and so emotionally draining at times, but it has also been completely lovely at times, too. I cannot fathom never having experienced this world or never having met these characters.

GIF it to me straight:

I don't want it to be over. :(

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the devastating cliffhanger in the previous book Fractured, I was dying to know the fate of Lela and Malachi! I had no idea what would go down or how things would be resolved in this final book, but knowing what the characters had already gone through in the first two books, I knew it wasn't going to be easy for them. Or even me as a reader, since I knew I had to prepare myself for the all the heartbreaking moments to come.

It really was no surprise that Chaos had me hooked from the very first page. It picked up right where Fractured left off with Lela determined to do everything she could to save Malachi. I was so happy when Ana, a familiar face from Sanctum, teamed up with Lela on the mission, even though their reunion wasn't what Lela expected (if you've read Vigilante, you'll understand Ana's reaction). Plenty of other characters made an appearance throughout the book as well. Some were familiar, others were new. And just like in Fractured, it wasn't easy figuring out which characters were trustworthy or not. It caused me to question every single action of certain characters and definitely raised the tension in the book.

Something I really appreciated about Chaos, and this series in general, was how important love is to the characters. Being loved and loving someone gave them the hope and strength they needed to keep going after all the hardships and trauma they had endured. Which brings me to one of my absolute favorite relationships ever: Lela and Malachi. I don't want to get into too much detail about what happened between them in Chaos because it's one of those things that shouldn't be spoiled. However, I will say that there were many times where I was swooning and smiling like crazy and many times where my heart completely broke for them. Their moments together were some of the most emotional parts in the series, and I'm going to miss reading about them.

Chaos was addicting and filled with the explosive action and sweet romance I've come to expect from this amazing series. Even though the ending was bittersweet to me because the story is now over, and I'm going to miss Lela and Malachi and all the other wonderful characters, it was the perfect conclusion to Lela's story and one that she deserved. The Guards of the Shadowlands series will always be one of my favorite series, and if you have not started this series yet, I highly recommend that you do!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Chaos by Sarah Fine
Book Three of the Guards of the Shadowlands
Publisher: Skyscape
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

With Juri in control and everything in absolute chaos, Lela plunges into the depths of hell to free Malachi from creatures that have waited decades to exact their revenge. But the Judge has her own way of doing things, and Lela must work with Ana, the new Captain, who has a very personal mission of her own. Together, they infiltrate the most horrifying realm either has yet encountered in the Shadowlands - the bitter landscape ruled by the Mazikin.

The stakes could not be higher, and Lela must accept the help - and love - of people she barely knows or trusts. As alliances and loyalties shift and she realizes the soul she came to save isn't the only one in need of rescue, can Lela summon the strength to see the fight through to the very end?

What I Liked:

YOU GUYS, THIS SERIES. Easily one of my favorite series in general. And with that, Sarah Fine is easily one of my favorite authors in general. I've read all of her published novels - Sanctum, Fractured, Scan, Of Metal and Wishes, and Chaos. I think I've read her novellas, but I haven't reviewed any. To be rectified, maybe - I find it difficult to review novellas. Anyway. I loveeee this series. I loveeee this author. Ahhh!

As many of you know, Fractured left me completely heartbroken. Let's just say the cliffhanger is, well, killer. Take that as you may. Waiting for this final novel has been quite the torturous wait. I'll just let you know from now, there WON'T be any Chaos spoilers in this review, but there MAY be Sanctum and/or Fractured spoilers.

So Malachi has been taken by the Mazikin. Lela does the only thing she can do - appeal to the Judge of the Shadowlands, and try to be sent on a mission to bring Malachi back. The Judge sends Lela with Ana, who has returned for this purpose. Together, they go to Mazikin City, to rescue both Takeshi (Ana's love and former Captain) and Malachi. They run into familiar faces and new faces, and must make tentative alliances with power-hungry and untrustworthy leaders of rebellion in the city. But it's not just as simple as rescuing Malachi and finding Takeshi...

Nobody panic because you think this entire book is going to be about getting Malachi back and therefore we spend the whole book waiting for Lela and Malachi to get back together. That is not at all what happens (though I won't say more than that). I'm really glad that Fine didn't construct the story that way.

In fact, it's interesting, because I feel like there are two climaxes in this story. Your typical story has rising action, a climax, falling action, etc. But this story almost seems to have two climaxes - one involving what happens to Mazikin City (in general), and one that involves what happens to Lela's (human) world versus the Shadowlands (like, the two worlds colliding. Ish). This was an intriguing way to set up the story, because readers will THINK that the story is ending at like, 60%, but it's not... ooooo...

So I really enjoyed the plot of the story, in general, and the story itself. Fine is a natural storyteller, and I really like reading what she comes up with. She has a way of weaving a story into more than a story, and I'm never bored or about to lose interest.

Also? No love triangle, throughout the entire series. HUGE win. Despite what you might think of the structure of this book's plot, there are a ton of fabulously delicious romantic and steamy scenes in this book. A lot transpires between Malachi and Lela, but Fine always reminds readers of the little things, like how Lela isn't 100% comfortable with intimacy. It's awesome how consistent Fine keeps everything - not that I wouldn't expect her to do so, but she never lets us forget how consistent she keeps everything. Which is good!

As always, I enjoyed the paranormal world that Fine has created, and the worldbuilding is solid. This book is mostly spent in Mazikin City, so we really get a feel for how they live, where they come from, etc. It's interesting, some of the abilities and magic that the city possesses. I'm a huge fan of how people heal ;)

Basically, this conclusion novel is faaabulous, and I love it, and I wish I could just gush about it for the entire review and be all like THIS SERIES IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES SO GO GO GO.

What I Did Not Like:

Honestly, I can't think of anything too pressing to go in this section. The only real reason why I'm giving this book four stars (versus five stars) is because I'm comparing it to Sanctum, which is definitely my favorite book of the series (even though Fractured received the same rating as Sanctum). To be honest, this book doesn't meet Sanctum, because Sanctum was amazing and awesome and fantastic and beyond compare, but Chaos comes close!

Would I Recommend It:

YES!! This book, if you've read books one and two. Or I'd recommend books two and this book, if you've only read book one. BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T STARTED THE SERIES, YOU SHOULD CHANGE THAT. Like, I put that sentence in caps for a reason. Off you go.

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars (though that sounds negative). Much love for this book, series, and author! She's an auto-read author for me, for sure.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the stunning cliffhanger that was Fractured, it was no wonder I was literally jumping up and down when I received a copy of Chaos. I was so very excited, nervous, anxious and of course sad to have this last installment in what has truly been a deliciously dark and haunting series.

I needed to know the fate of Malachi and Lela and yet I didn't want it to be the end either. It is so very hard to say goodbye to those characters that feel like family. To those that have wormed their way into your hearts and have left a lasting impression.

If there is one thing I could count on though is that Sarah would do the series justice. She is an amazing writer and I had complete faith in her that her talent and skills would live up my expectations again, right up to the very end.

And it did, oh boy did it! I won't go into any details but truly this is just a series that you need, no, have to, read and experience for yourself. But I will say this, Sarah did it justice and then some. She gave me everything I was hoping the ending would be. It wasn't rainbows and sunshine, Lela and Malachi's journey up to this point and I wasn't expecting the last book to be either and it wasn't. There were hardships and mistakes and deaths and sadness. But there was also joy and triumphs as well.


This was such a wonderful story. One that tore my heart open one minute and slowly mended it back to together the next. One filled with hardships and loss and one filled with a whole lot of determinations, love, and strength. It is so hard to say goodbye to all of these wonderful, well loved, and well written characters but at the same time, I am super excited to see what Sarah can come up with next because I know it will be just as fantastic and this series has been.

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're going to a place that makes hell look like a picnic...



Yes!!! That's more like it!

After the terribleness of leaving the Dark City of the first book to go to high school in the second book (ugh!), we are rewarded for trudging through it by getting to travel to the mazikin city and its horrors. And it's very horrible! Yay!



He would love it.

Finally, the brilliance of the first book shines through again.

Lela and Malachi are back to where they should be, and Lela is back to her kick-ass self who never gives up. I love that girl! She has such a strong spirit! I love how much she has grown during the series, and how she is able to look beyond herself to help others. It shows how people who are survivors are often the most attuned to the suffering of others. Lela was so insightful when it came to the suffering of those around her and used her own experiences to help them and say the right thing. (Like when she dealt with Henry)

I also liked the message that the Judge had about free will. It was a bit philosophical, but answered the age-old question of how a loving God could allow evil and suffering in the world. (I was going to put in text, but it is too spoilerish).

All in all, I am so glad that I stuck with the series and read this book. It was such a dark and thrilling ride that I just tore through it.

[Minni Mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1.) Sanctum: ★★★★★
#1.1) Captive: A Guard's Tale from Malachi's Perspective: ★★★★
#2.) Fractured: ★★★★
#3.) Chaos: ★★★★★

4.5 stars and a terrific end to a trilogy. What makes this book such a masterful end to a series is its ability to both raise what's at stake ("Save the cheerleader, save the world!") but at the same time, bring the story home on a personal level.

On one hand, Lela and her new Captain must sneak into the Mazikin city, perform an impossible rescue, somehow overthrow the Queen of the Mazikin, and destroy the Mazikin portal forever. During this process there are multiple instances of "But wait - there's more!" danger and death and betrayal until the final great exodus toward freedom is every bit as epic as a series finale should be.

But wait - there's more! Because while many authors would have let the physical action sequences serve as the final culmination and signaled the "roll credits," Sarah Fine makes the climactic last third of this book an emotional, more personal one instead. And it was a brilliant decision because it highlights Lela's leadership prowess under fire as well as her fiercely courageous heart amidst hopelessness and loss. By taking the end of the book back home where it all began, Sarah Fine reminds us that this heroine who's trying to save the Underworld and annihilate an army of evil minions isn't an all-powerful, faceless Superman - she's a Clark Kent and she's human and scared and lonely and afraid just like you and me.

THE GOOD
1) The storyline was terrific. We reunite with old friends, meet new allies, and say goodbye to loved ones. Along the way is a good 70% of almost nonstop action and thrills as well as a solid 30% of personal, 1:1 showdowns between Lela and Juri.

2) Lela is easily one of my favorite heroines, precisely because her strengths, fears, and weaknesses make her eerily relatable. This is a girl who, despite being plagued by fear or fatigue or frustration, chooses the hard path every time.

I’ve had enough,” I said to the sky, addressing the Judge, wherever she was. “I give up.”

The quiet hiss of waves was the only reply.

I rose to my feet and held out my arms. “I give up,” I shouted. “Do you hear me? I can’t do this!”

I threw back my head, waiting for the wind to carry me over, not caring where it took me as long as I didn’t have to feel this miserable loneliness anymore. “Come on,” I screamed at the Judge. “What are you waiting for?” I swayed in place, the toes of my boots right at the edge of the rocks. “Please,” I whispered. “I’m done.”

I’m in love with your strength, Malachi whispered back, an echo in my memory. I’m in love with your determination, the way you never ever give up.

The sob forced its way from my throat before I knew I was crying. I stumbled over a rock, landing hard on the gravel trail. I rolled to my back and looked up at the moon. He’d said that to me at the gates of the Mazikin city, trusting me to do everything I could to usher all those human souls to safety. I’d thought I had, but there were more people in danger right now.

Ian. Tegan. Diane. Henry. So many others who could still be saved—unless pretending was more important to me than their lives. Unless my desire for a few minutes of illusion was worth more than their safety. Unless my craving for escape outweighed my sense of duty.

“I don’t abandon my friends,” I said, my voice cracking. I slowly stood up and dusted off my pants. I was the disposable abandoned girl . . . I had been, at least. But I didn’t abandon people. I didn’t turn away. And I didn’t give up. “I will never give up,” I whispered.

3) The romance itself is not a strong focus of this story, and I liked that. I like that despite the motivating influence that Malachi has on Lela, this is still Lela's story of freedom and determination. Malachi himself is still a noble match for her, however. His sacrifices in this book aren't expanded upon too much and we're never given his point of view, but he's still given enough attention to his character to make him a prime candidate for a book boyfriend.

“Lela,” he said tenderly. “You walked into hell for me. I fought my way out of heaven for you. No matter what happens, there is one thing I don’t doubt at all: we will find each other again.”

THE MEH
The pacing of this book makes it young adult for sure - we move so quickly for entertainment purposes that it sacrifices depth of exploration. If the book could afford to be longer, we could delve more keenly into Lela's emotional growth as well as experience Malachi's and Lela's relationship instead of merely trusting the "telling" of it.

I also would have loved to amp up the evil of the Mazikin Queen and of Juri. The Queen was the ultimate Big Bad on a global, external character level whereas Juri was Lela's ultimate Big Bad on a personal, emotional level. I wanted to see that pushed. I wanted Sarah Fine to twist those two villains ever more crueler so that we could fully see what could be at stake should Lela fail.

THE VERDICT
A terrific trilogy. I didn't love this book as much as when I first read it, but it's extremely well done on a realistic character level.

The blatant young adult adult nature of this book seemed to inhibit it more so than the previous two books, but even for a YA it was remarkably intelligent and well-written.

And now I don't know what to do with my life.

[Jasprit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chaos by Sarah Fine was one of my highly anticipated reads of this year. With Fractured everything was tossed upon its head and we were left with many unanswered questions and a gaping hole in my heart. I was ready for anything that Sarah would throw my way and hoping that the characters that had been through so much, would finally get the happy ending that they deserved.

The settings that Fine has focused on her last two books have been spectacular, I loved the worlds she was able to create and how she appeared to make them so real. To be honest the world we found ourselves in Fractured was my favourite, it was “safer” than the previous world and I adored the group of people Lela and Malachi had around them. But the way things went down, I was preparing myself for the worst. And I was sort of right for doing so, this new world that Fine creates in Chaos is a lot darker and unsettling. Honestly you know how a setting can affect your mood completely? This happened to me with this book, I felt all the confidence I had for our characters slip away, I found myself getting angry over what our characters had to go through and how unfair life had to be for them, hadn’t they been through enough?

Despite being pushed and pushed Lela really came through strong in this book. From the way she was in Sanctum, she has really grown as a person. I adored how she was willing to sacrifice everything to get what she wanted and how she would put her neck on the line time and time again. I loved how beyond the scars and pain, what mattered the most; Malachi’s and Lela’s love for each other still came through, I don’t want to say too much without giving so many spoilers away, but it was really heartbreaking at times seeing some of our characters we’ve known to be so strong finally have their backs against the wall. I honestly lost hope so many times, assuming the worst for these characters that I’d known to love and become close with. Fine was a master at messing with your feelings, at times she would wrap you in comfort, easing your tense feeling and giving you the belief that everything was going to be okay, but in the next moment, wham, she’d hit you with something out of the blue that I didn’t know what to think.

Chaos was a story riddled with so much chaos, and destruction, but it was a story which I hold close to my heart. I enjoyed the frenzied pace, how we never knew what was around the corner, but most of all that our characters were given one more chance. The Guards of the Shadowlands series was one heck of a fantastic journey and I know for a fact it is one series that I won’t be forgetting for a long time.

This review can be found on The Readers Den

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*My Thoughts*

Chaos is the final installment in the Guards of the Shadowlands trilogy by Sarah Fine. Chaos picks up right where Fractured left off, so if you haven't yet read Fractured, do so now. Lela Santos world has literally been turned on its side ever since her best friend committed suicide. She dove in without any hesitation to save her from the Shadowlands and found love and a second chance in the process with Malachi. Now, she must put her own life on the line once again in order to bring Malachi back from the darkest place in the afterlife; Mazikin City. Lela knows that she might never see home again. She knows that the Judge is playing a very dangerous game, and she, Ana, Malachi, and others are just pawns in a much larger game.

*Full Review Posted 10/06/2015*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

Published October 7th 2014 by Skyscape

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect ending for perfect series (and really emotional one). Lela and Ana were so great together.
I love love love Malachi!

“He thought I was strong, but he was willing to lay down his life to protect me. He thought I was beautiful, but he treated me as a precious gift instead of something to take for his own pleasure. He thought I was worth something, and he was worth everything to me. This man had endured lifetimes of suffering, but he could still love, and give, and dream of his future. He was a leader who would sacrifice himself for the weak, who used all his gifts — his intelligence, his cunning, his strength — to protect others. It was a privilege to love him, even to have a shot at giving him the things he needed.”

[shady boots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that's what I call a perfect ending. I had fun with this series. It started off wonderful, but of course there were bumps along the way. Still, the end made up for all of it. Great series overall.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the series and like all the different location keeped things moving in a fast pace.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

As seen on The Quiet Concert

Chaos is the type of conclusion one wishes for. The story that we've been introduced to in the first two books peaks and wraps up in this final installment. The pace didn't slow down for a minute and kept me glued to the pages. My emotions were all over the place and so intense that I might have permanently damaged my heart. And the ending was ridiculously perfect and satisfyingly complete. In one word, it was epic.

Lela and Malachi are one of my favorite couples ever and the heart and soul of this series. I love them as individuals, but together... they are a force to be reckoned with. They have suffered such hardship but continue to fight and endure... their resilience amazes me. It is beautiful the way that they strengthen each other and show each other such unending love. I cherished the moments of tenderness that we experience amidst all the ugliness and fighting. Malachi is so delicate with Lela, it gets me every time. Their relationship progressed beautifully. I loved their ending. Gah, this couple. I just love them.

And the world-building in these books is simply amazing. Each book has a different setting and they are all equally vivid and dark. I love the reimagining of the afterlife and how complete the picture was painted. The Mazikan were the perfect villain.

I just think Sarah Fine's writing is flawless. She knows all the strings to pull to make a strong story. If you like lots of action, fantastical dark worlds, strong characters, OTPs, and emotional roller-coasters, then you need to read this series. It's definitely one of my favorites.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Read using Kindle Unlimited)

This was an interesting end to the series, and I was glad that we got a happy ending.

Lela was focused in this book, and I liked how she took charge and tried her hardest to rescue Malachi, even when the odds were stacked against her.

The storyline in this was pretty good, and Lela managed to achieve the impossible at least 3 times! Every time one task was completed, it seemed that there were still more challenges for this crew to face, and it took a while before things were wrapped up nicely.
There was a touch of romance between Lela and Malachi, but not a lot.

The ending to this was good, and I was glad that we finally got a happy ending!
Overall; good end to the series,
7 out of 10.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best book relationship I've seen and it was a satisfying ending to this long series

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars: A thrilling and brutal ending to a fantastic series.

Lela storms into the Sanctum, demanding to see the Judge. There is no way she is going to allow the Mazikin to torture her beloved Malachi. The Judge gives Lela a nearly impossible mission. Lela must storm the Mazikin city, recover Malachi, kill the Mazikin Queen and destroy the portal that allows the Mazikin to walk in the land of the living. A nearly impossible task, but it doesn't matter, Lela, accompanied by Ana, is hell bent on recovering the man she loves, even if that means storming Hell. Can Lela and Ana accomplish the impossible? Will love conquer all?

What I Liked:
*Wow! What a roller coaster ride. This is a book that will tear your heart out, only to let it heal before tearing it out again. It is an intense read, dark, brutal, scary yet filled with such tender moments. You will feel a full range of emotions, and likely be emotionally spent by the time you reach the last page. I was thrilled and satisfied to complete the journey and finally reach the end. A terrific conclusion to an epic series. I can't recommend this series enough.
*At the heart of the story are two amazing characters Lela and Malachi. Both have endured horrific hardship in their short lives, but they refuse to give up. Neither backs down from a fight, as they are true fighters. Together, they are a whole. Two souls that complete and heal one another. Their love is beautiful, deep, true and completely altruistic. I love how they go through horrible lengths for one another and how they each time and time again make tremendous sacrifices for the other. Lela storms Hell to get to Malachi and Malachi has to move Heaven to reach Lela. This couple literally moves Heaven and Hell to be together. How can you not love a relationship like that?
*There is a well rounded cast of secondary characters in this one. Ana returns and she is as passionate and fiery as ever. In the realm of the Mazikin there are new allies, and the return of old faces. The Mazikin are as vicious and nasty as ever. They make you shudder with fear every time they appear. I love the range of emotions these characters instill in me.
*The story is incredibly fast paced and action packed. There is rarely a moment of respite with this one. It is a hectic, brutal and thrilling read. I suggest setting aside some time for this one as once you plunge in, you will find yourself remiss to stop reading. If you love heart pounding action, you will love the pace of this one.
*Ms. Fine definitely knows how to write believable and beautiful romances. She puts such depth and emotion into her romances, they are stunningly beautiful and heart felt. There are no love triangles or insta love situations. You must read this series to experience the brilliant story telling and the perfection of romantic relationships.
*The world building is top notch. If you thought the Shadowlands were unsettling, wait until you reach the Mazikin city. It is the stuff of nightmares. Ms. Fine knows how to craft dark and scary worlds. Her world building is exceptional.
*After so much emotional turmoil while reading this one, I was thankful to finally reach the end. I was pleased at the way things settled out, and I was satisfied with the resolution. I am sad that this series is over, but I think the characters have earned a long respite. I most assuredly will continue to read anything Ms. Fine writes as I am in awe of her mad writing skills.
*The audiobook version is fantastic. Amy McFadden does an exceptional job with the voices. I even enjoyed her male characters, and usually I struggle with females impersonating males, but that wasn't the case with this one. I loved the emotion McFadden packs in as she reads. Her narration was excellent. I highly recommend the audiobook.
And The Not So Much:
*This was a tough read at times. There is so much violence and darkness. Malachi and Lela endure horrendous hardship, they are beaten, mauled and scarred over and over again, to the point where I was beginning to lose all hope. It was hard to watch them continue to endure such horrible circumstances. It was almost too much, and every time I thought I was going to get a small reprieve, the story bared its ugly teeth and bit into my heart again. This definitely isn't a book for the faint of heart. It is dark and downright depressing at times.
*I had a couple of niggling questions at the end. I still didn't get a concrete answer as to who the Judge really was or Michael and Raphael. I have my theories, but I wanted it spelled out for me, yeah I am difficult like that.
*I was pleased that after all the upheaval that I got resolution for almost all the characters but two. What happened to Lela's mother and Zip? What was the deal with Lela's mother's teeth?

Chaos was a satisfying and stunning finale to an exceptional series which has landed a spot on my all time favorite series list. I loved the depth of the characters, the romance and the exceptional world building and story telling. If you are looking for an exciting, original and unforgettable series, I urge you to read The Guards of the Shadowlands immediately.

I received an audiobook copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly thought this finale was going to blow me away. The series has had a great built, and I was prepared for an intense, action packed, and emotional finale. I think it was those things, but ended up feeling so over the top that it fell flat.

If I had to sum this book up in one word I would say repetitive.

For a series that started off being so unique and original this finale let me down. There was a lot of action, and by a lot I mean the whole 400 page book was action packed, and there came a point when I no longer cared about these repetitive action scenes.

Everything felt rushed with not enough time to process events. It ended up feeling tedious and I had to resist the urge to skim.

I’m not sure if this is going to make sense but this whole book had high stakes, and if you stay in those high stakes for the entire book there comes a time when the danger no longer feels real. 400 pages of this angst and intensity is tiring for a reader.

I read these back to back, and Lela was so much more angsty in this one than she had been in the predecessors. It may have something to do with at this point I no longer liked the main romance. It started to feel almost cringeworthy and their over-the-top declarations of love and pining over each other was not fun to read about.

Setting may have contributed to the problem as well. We’re in the Mazikin (demon-ish villains) city for the first 300 pages, and it was, well, chaotic, and I didn’t really find myself engaged during those 300 pages at all.

The last 80 pages where significantly better as it takes place back in the real world and was much easier to understand.

As for my overall series recommendation? I’m not sure. I truly loved the first book, and I enjoyed the second one, but Chaos was really disappointing. If you liked the first one or two I would finish it out, but I’m not sure starting the series is worth it.