Hollis Timewire never wanted to be a hero. But when Arthur Evandrum, the leader of the Pure Ones, forces her to use her incredible power to control and imprison citizens, Hollis has no choice but to fight back.
As she struggles to resist Arthur's coercion and grapples with the responsibility of being a leader, Hollis discovers there is more at stake than her own freedom. Mysterious events are unfolding at the lab in Area 7, and she must uncover what they are before it's too late.
With the help of her closest allies, Hollis races against time to unearth what’s happening behind the scenes. As she delves deeper into Arthur's twisted vision for the future, Hollis’s own morality is called into question. Will she make the ultimate sacrifice to protect what she believes in? Or will she succumb to Arthur's power and become another pawn in his game? The fate of society rests in her hands.
Danielle Harrington is a stay-at-home mom, award-winning author, and hardcore science nerd. She earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Biola University and taught high school chemistry for five years before becoming a full-time writer. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of Quidditch, BookTok, Middle Earth, and the perfect hand-crafted chai tea latte. Danielle lives in Idaho with her husband, daughter, and three cats. Her current mission: Give readers twists they don't see coming and imaginings that keep them thinking long after the story ends.
An epic, thrilling, heart-wrenching finale that will leave you breathless until the very last page! Just when you think you've figured out what's going to happen...BAM! Plot twist! Full of action, mind games, and some really cool abilities. This is a finale, and series, you definitely don't want to miss! Perfect for fans for Divergent and the Shatter Me series.
It has been my pleasure to read these books, as they remind me of my teen dystopian phase in the best way possible. Hollis has grown so much, matured and become the person the world needs. The other characters sparkle in their turns. I could have a whole series just about Jonah, I find him so interesting. I also loved the fact that Hollis became so close to Olivia, another teleporter like Tiffany. Tiffany left the series too soon, and I felt like in Olivia, the author gave a little bit of her back to us.
I appreciated that the romance of this book felt stable, ie, I didn't have to worry about Keith and Hollis working out (except if either one died!) and I could enjoy the stability. I have always been fascinated by Ashton, and I think his growth is the best of the series.
Arthur is a terrifying villain, and the final twists of the story had me surprised and desperate to finish. My only critique and the reason for the 4 stars is the final moments of the conflict. I just would have liked it to have played out a little differently. Nevertheless, I'm excited to continue reading Harrington's next works, and I would happily suggest this series to others.
This conclusion to The Hollis Timewire series was phenomenal and absolutely astounding. Filled with deep emotions, incredible character growth, and beautiful world-building, it was a story unlike anything I’ve ever read. Though many tears were shed, The Empowered Ones is one of the best series conclusions I’ve ever read. I was sucked into this amazing journey with every chapter, not wanting to stop and hoping the story would never end. It’s sad this series is over, but each book has such realistic characters that it feels like the story will continue to live on. I may have been emotionally destroyed, but I can not recommend this series enough. The Hollis Timewire Series will forever be on my list of favorite books.
A more detailed review of the entire series will be released soon!
I can’t believe I can actually say this: I WROTE A WHOLE BOOK SERIES! WOW! When I started this series back in 2017, I never imagined that it would launch my author career. I also never imagined that I’d complete a project as huge as this. I’ve found a life-long passion to pursue, and I hope to have a long career of writing and publishing books.
So without further ado, here is my non-spoiler assessment of the final book in The Hollis Timewire Series <3 Here are the things I'm particularly proud of:
1. Arthur Evandrum. He is truly one of the best villains out there. I HATE him with every fiber of my being, and I hope everyone who reads TEO hates him too. He was so much fun to write! It was kinda crazy how much freedom I had to be evil with him (should I be concerned about my own mental health? Maybe, lol). I'm intimidated by whatever villain I'm going to try and write next, because I don't know how I'm going to top him!
2. CH 21 (iykyk). That chapter took me a year to plan (because I had to map it out while I was writing The Pure Ones). It took me a full day to outline, five days to draft, and another four days to revise after I got notes back from my husband & my CP. I am DAMN proud of it! The reveals! The pacing! The shock value. All of CH 21 is *chefs kiss* (and it's the longest CH of my writing career so far, sitting pretty at 9,583 words)
3. Hollis's character growth. Looking back at how brainwashed and blinded she was in The Diseased Ones (Book 1) and how much she's changed and what she had to fight to become by the time we get through The Empowered Ones (Book 4) is AMAZING. Hollis's story is so near and dear to my heart. It took me 7 years to write this series, so I grew up with Hollis. We have changed together. <3
4. CH 32 (iykyk). In terms of the stakes, they couldn't get ANY higher. I wanted to write something that felt so desperately hopeless, like there was absolutely NO way out. This chapter leads into the finale of the whole series, and it was absolutely everything I hoped it would be! I can't tell you how much time I spent imagining THIS SCENE in my mind before I finally got to write it. It absolutely crushed my heart. I couldn't breathe while I drafted it. It broke me down in a way not many other scenes have.
5. Maddy. All I'm going to say is that his story arc through all four books (to me) is just as compelling as Hollis's. I love his character. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Sweet little Maddy. The boy with the golden light<3
6. Ashton Teel! I had the BEST TIME writing with him in TEO. For all the Ashton fans out there, this is the book I promised you. I hope you love his story arc as much as I do.
7. Keith & Hollis's relationship. TEO took on a life of it's own with those two. I've always enjoyed Keith's cinnamon roll character in previous books, but in TEO, he got to play a much more active role. I fell in love with him just as much as Hollis did. There are some sweet and tender moments between Keith & Hollis, but there are also moments that will steal the BREATH from your lungs! It makes me happy that so many readers have enjoyed their steady relationship through the series. I love everything about them, especially in TEO.
8. Wren Zayla. For a new character, I'm shocked at the depth and complexity of her character arc in the span of one book. I'm proud of what I was able to accomplish with her.
9. Jonah!<3 I love Jonah. He has consistently been one of my favorite characters throughout the series. He was my Christ figure in so many amazing scenes along the way. In TEO, it was interesting transitioning him out of the mentor/teacher role. Hollis was on her own. Jonah taught her so much in previous books, but in TEO, she had to be her own person. And it was beautiful thing to write.
10. CH 38... I have cried at my keyboard before. I cried writing each book in this series, but THIS scene shattered me. I had to stop writing it several times in the drafting stage because I couldn't see past my tears. I don't even know how to communicate what this scene took from me. It was probably one of the most raw things I've ever written for a number of reasons.
11. The tension & stakes of TEO. If you felt like you couldn't BREATHE reading this book, GOOD! If you had to put the book down over and over again because you couldn't handle the stress, GOOD! If you wanted to reach into the pages and strangle Arthur or if you sobbed your eyes out or if you cheered aloud or if your heart was beating wildly in your chest, GOOD! I threw everything I had into this. They say write the book you want to read. Well? I LOVE books like this! I hope you can't catch your breath ;)
And with that, Hollis Timewire’s story closes. It might seem strange for me to thank a character who I made up, but these characters have become my family, so here goes:
Hollis, thank you for what you gave me. Writing your story was always something I could fall back on when life got crazy or when I felt down. You were with me through my teaching career, through Covid, and through having a baby. I can’t believe I have to say goodbye to you. Your story will always hold a special place in my heart, and through the years, as I grow older, I will definitely re-read these books. Only other storytellers will fully understand me when I say this but… you’ve become a dear friend, and I will cherish all that we went through together on the page. Goodbye, friend. I’m never going to forget you. <3
I'll end with the quote that started The Diseased Ones:
"The world will tell you that your ability to feel things deeply, your sensitivity, and your empathy is a weakness. It is not. It is a superpower. And the world needs more of it." - Melissa Webb
god damn this book got me good. every time i thought i knew what was coming, i was wrong and danielle harrington had better plot twists than i could have imagined. this book is amazing. i screamed. i wept. etc. full review to come once i've put the pieces of my brain back together.
updated review after the mourning period:
This was a very fast paced read. The pacing is exciting and really makes you keep reading. It takes the whole ‘just one more chapter and then I’ll go to bed’ thing to another level (spoiler, I did not go to bed. I read this book for three nights and barely slept, but it was worth it). The world building and descriptions were awesome. I love “glittering class city of Area 19” in particular.
I loved getting more about Hollis’ dad, Silas. Basically all of the scenes with him were really emotional and powerful and fun to read.
I love the expansion of Hollis’ powers and the creature that comes with them. I think it’s super cool how the creature changed to gold for Maddy. I love how Hollis communicates with the creature like a friend throughout the story too. Awesome lore.
I am OBSESSED with Ashton’s hero/redemption arc. He has been my favorite character since the very first book and I’m so glad he wad redeemed. When Arthur offered him him mercy and he said ‘fuck your mercy’ I full SCREAMED. I was gagged. I was like ??? I need a t-shirt that says ‘fuck your mercy’ even though I probably wouldn’t wear it out of the house. Ashton is my man. He deserves the world. I’m so happy he and Hollis become friends and I’m so happy he and Vianne are happy together too. Also, Vianne learning to accept her scars was a lovely touch at the end!
RE the serum. I called it!! I remember DISTINCTLY writing a note about the serum when I read book 3 and I KNEW that it would be important!! The entire serum situation was awesome to read. Did not expect any of that and it was so cool. The foreshadowing with that was good in book 3 as well. At the end when Hollis stamps on the last syringe in Arthur’s office was a good touch.
The battle at the end where all of Hollis’ friends with type 1 powers pull up to help is awesome. I feel like the type 1 characters are sometimes viewed as less important because their powers aren’t as strong, but I loved them all coming together in the resistance and it was awesome that they all got to be an important part of ultimately defeating Arthur.
The epilogue was too much for me. It was TOO good. The party?? The proposal?? The education centers?? UGH it was perfect. I am such a Hollis and Keith shipper and I am so happy that Hollis finally get’s a happy ending because she went through so much.
I would say that my only critique (not really a critique, just more of a question) is how Arthur’s body was able to hold 5 strong abilities at once? I low-key thought he would like explode from an overload of power. I thought he would end up killing himself accidentally from that, therefor saving Hollis from her moral conflict about murdering him even though he was a terrible person. She struggles to even say the words ‘I want to kill him’ for a long time so I really thought that she ultimately wouldn’t.
Overall, epic read. Epic conclusion to the series. Definitely recommend!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Short version: I loved this book! It was absolutely the best book in the series and I truly think that any fans of YA Dystopian books would love this series.
Longer Review: Hollis Timewire's journey in The Empowered Ones is an electrifying and emotionally gripping adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I truly could not put the book down. From the very first page, I was drawn into a world where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the weight of responsibility rests on this young girl's shoulders.
Harrington masterfully weaves together a gripping narrative filled with suspense, moral dilemmas, and very unexpected twists. (I mean, usually I can guess at what's coming next, but there were quite a few moments that completely caught me off guard!) Hollis's reluctance to embrace her extraordinary power adds depth to her character, making her journey towards leadership and self-discovery all the more compelling. The weight and depth of the challenges that Hollis faces not only makes the story interesting, but I think that it makes Hollis very relatable as a character. You will find yourself grappling with the morality of her choices right along with her.
The conflict between Hollis and the manipulative Arthur Evandrum is portrayed with such intensity that it had me questioning loyalties and second-guessing motives at every turn. Hollis's struggle against coercion and her evolving understanding of the greater good add layers of complexity to the storyline, keeping me engaged and emotionally invested throughout.
Let's not forget about the rest of the cast! The supporting characters are well-developed and add richness to the story, their unwavering support for Hollis highlighting the strength in unity and friendship even in the face of adversity. Not only that, but it is such a large cast, and yet Danielle was able to make each character unique and full enough for the reader to become attached to all of them!
In conclusion, The Empowered Ones (and the whole Hollis Timewire series, really) is a must-read for anyone who craves a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure. Harrington has crafted a phenomenal tale that not only entertains but also challenges perceptions and TUGS at the heartstrings. The climax is both heart-pounding and emotionally resonant, leaving me in awe of the choices made and the sacrifices for the greater good. Fair warning, you WILL cry!! I eagerly anticipate more from Danielle Harrington!
Danielle, Danielle, Danielle. DANIELLE! Oh my goodness gracious—this girl is trying to kill me! Since page one, she had my heart pumping. I felt Hollis’s anxiety as if it were my own. Is it just me, or did Hollis have way more anxiety in this book than the others? Poor thing.
I absolutely love how Danielle just tears me right through the pages. Her technique is so captivating, making me truly appreciate her skill in moving a story forward. There was rarely a calm moment when I wasn’t cringing, biting my nails, wanting to punch something, rolling my eyes, CRYING, or picking my jaw up off the floor.
I was completely shocked by the constant twists throughout the story (man, do I have whiplash). I mean, that shouldn’t actually be a shock since she’s been doing it since The Diseased Ones. And Hollis’s freaking power! OH. MY. GOSH. Thank you so much for the nightmares—I’m not kidding, it happened. I did not like being on the other side of her power.
This book really brought home how even if you feel like you’re alone, you’re not. At the end of the day, we need to trust ourselves and believe that we have the strength within to keep us moving forward. When we feel like our voice and our free will have been taken away, we still own who we truly are.
“As limiting as Terrace’s ability is, he can’t read my thoughts or guess my intentions. I still own my mind. And even though Siena Rose’s food can control my emotions, I still own the way I truly feel.” *chef’s kiss*
I highly recommend this series because it is such crazy fun and a fast read and will definitely leave you breathless. I’m so excited for Danielle for doing such a great job with this series, and I can’t wait to read her future books! Farewell, Hollis—until the next time I read about your journey.
Thrilling, emotional, action-packed, twisty and ensnaring!
I want to thank Danielle for the opportunity to read this epic finale so long before it's even released, it has been an honor. I am so excited for all other readers to read this once it comes out and hear about their reactions.
Danielle BLEW MY MIND with this epic finale! Just when I thought I knew how it would go and how it would end, she continued to shock me with her plot twists and surprises! Definitely the best book in the series. The Empowered Ones will have you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book, from the complex group of characters, to the intense, shocking, and unexpected twists and turns. Danielle really had us in for a treat (and a side of heart wrenching feelings) with this book.
The word-building and character-building in this book was phenomenal. I was VERY impressed with Arthur, the forever-loathed villain of this book. And the well loved favorite characters of the series have a special place in my heart. I have so much that I want to say about them but I want to keep my review as spoiler-free as possible <3
Thank you for this series Danielle, I can already say it has had an impact on many people and will have an impact on many more! I have loved following your journey in becoming a published author, finishing your series, and even becoming a mom. I know your journey does not end here though, I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us (and yourself) next!
What a finale!! I literally cannot believe this series has come to an end. It was my first real young adult dystopian read and I fell in love with the genre because of it! I got to watch these characters grow from the beginning, I got to follow their journeys and get attached to them. I felt their rage, their pain, their hopes and their happiness and this series will forever live in my heart.
I think I've probably said this in all of my other reviews but I love how much Hollis grows into herself throughout these four books, she's starts out as a misguided teenager and ends up as one of the strongest characters in the book. She puts everyone before herself, she does what she has to for what she believes in, she's a fighter who never gives up and I love that about her.
To say I was nervous going into this book would be and understatement. Knowing it's the last book made me terrified to read it because I just knew some sh*t was gonna go down. I loved the plot, I think Danielle is so freaking good at creating truly villainous characters, I wanted to throws things and cry and scream because that's just how evil Arthur Evandrum is. Although we did not see to much of the other characters in this book, I still love them all. I loved the introduction of Wren and I can't believe Ashton finally got his redemption arc, it was absolutely wonderful.
I did not see that plot twist coming though, the climax absolutely broke me. Trust Danielle to make me cry and then end a series! But I think that, other than the pain caused to readers lol, the Hollis Timewire series had the perfect ending, after fighting for their lives, after losing people they loved, after everything they had to endure, they deserve happiness and I'm so glad I got to be apart of their journey! 🖤
I did not intend to write a second part of my review after re-reading this book, but I just couldn't help it. The fact that this book, this whole series really, has the ability to have the emotional impact it does even though I know what is going to happen just shows how amazing of a storyteller Danielle is.
Rereading TEO allowed me to see an entirely different, equally loveable, side of the characters in this story and I connected with Hollis even more than I did before. I am so proud of Hollis for coming as far as she did. The covers reflect her growth amazingly, but then you dive into the books and just see how well-thought-out and real Hollis is. She grows from a 'brainwashed' society girl into a strong, confident young woman and learns to accept herself and her ability. She fully accepts who she is and can, through the peace she gets through this acceptance, pour into others the way people like Jonah, Vianne, and Keith poured into her when she needed it most.
I still cannot believe that TEO is the ending of this series, but I love its ending and can go on living in peace because of that. Danielle did so much more than just tear me and my heart to shreds with this series and I am eternally grateful for it because it shaped me not only as a reader, but also as a person and helped me look at life and its gifts, beauties, and trials through a new lens.
Hollis helped turn me into the person I am today and I can only thank one person for that: Danielle Harrington. Thank you, for this heart-wrenching and impactful world you created. __________________________________________________
--First time read--
"Be a light for people when they're going through the dark"
Saying that this book wrecked me is a severe understatement. With this book, Danielle Harrington stabbed my heart, twisted the knife, pulled it out, and then tore it to SHREDS. She took our expectations and raised them, and still exceeded them.
This book was everything I hoped it would be: with PLENTY of tension for a lifetime, a satisfying romance, and an ending that had me sobbing more than any book I've ever read.
This book was intense from beginning to end. The characters. The plot. The messages. I have so much to say about this book and it's only positive!
I will start by saying that this series holds an extremely special place in my heart. Hollis has accompanied me on my high school journey and changed my outlook on life forever. Not only did I get to grow alongside this girl, but seeing her story come to a close as I finish my high school journey is something absolutely special and something I will treasure for the rest of my life. I got to grow and learn to handle and embrace my emotions, let others in and love me, and love others together with her. Hollis made me feel more seen and more worthy than I did a lot of the time in the last four years. And I want to thank Danielle for that; for creating a character I can see myself in as much as in Hollis and for letting me have an extraordinary experience getting to know Hollis the way I did.
Having the opportunity to read "The Empowered Ones" this early has been so so special and meant the absolute world to me. Thank you, Danielle, for that. Thank you for Hollis. Thank you for this series. This series stands to be probably my favorite series of all time for so many reasons. It has been truly amazing to follow you along on Hollis's journey over the last three years and I am confident that whatever you write next will be just as amazing and I will be on the sidelines cheering you on all the way. You truly outdid yourself with this book. Thank you so much for this series.
And now let's get into some more plot-related stuff...
1. Arthur I'll-Burst-Your-Eardrums was the best villain I have encountered since Davy Jones! This man had me wanting to throw my brand-new laptop across the room every time he was on the page. The audacity this man has for doing what he did to my sweetheart Hollis and my baby Maddy...I don't know how to put it into words!!! It just makes me wonder who hurt this man and makes me wonder how he would have turned out if he had been treated with more love, kindness, and acceptance in his earlier life. HOWEVER!!! This man got what he deserved and I couldn't be prouder of Hollis.
2. Thank you, Danielle, SO SO much for not getting rid of our dear and beloved Jonah. He's the man who believed in Holis when no one else did and I cannot imagine what his death would have done to not only Hollis but ME. I LOVE LOVE LOVED seeing how Hollis became the 'Jonah' for characters like Wren and Vianne; how she was there for them when it seemed like no one else was. It just showed how much she's grown since TDO and made me feel the same pride that Jonah expressed to her. Their connection is so special and I cherish it so much. Jonah is someone who I wouldn't be afraid to go to. He's someone who just listens, tells you he understands, and then takes your hand and helps you move on. I love how he represents Christ in this series and it makes me look at my walk of faith differently; it has made me grow even closer to Him and I have found myself speaking to Jesus a lot more regularly than before.
3. Keith is my new romantic ideal (and a lot less concerning than immortal men with wings 🙃). One thing I loved so much about this series was that it was a single-love interest story. Throughout the series, Keith helped Hollis open up and learn that having someone who will just hold you when you need it most is one of the most special connections two people can have. Keith is also the opposite of most fictional men found in today's novels. He is sweet and gives her time. He's not 500 years old. He's human and he needs Hollis as much as Hollis needs him.
4. Another thing I adored was Hollis's affection and care for Maddy. Seeing how she loved and fought for him in this novel especially made me just get excited for her future and confident that she will be the best mother to her children one day. Also, like, no one's ever going to bully these kids because their mother is Hollis freaking Timewire....or should I say Hollis Keaton?
I will also continue to vouch for their couple's name to be Hollith.
5. Maddy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I can't promise I won't spoil some things, but I'll do an overall review, then warn yall when those come up.
I've been following this series since the beginning, and it truly feels like a long time coming. My heart broke. I cried (twice mind you, thanks to my dog for emotionally supporting me). And now it hurts because it's over.
There's this overwhelming sense of joy to the ending. But also just this heartache for knowing that a good thing has come to an end, and now this series is just a memory I hold forever.
It's worth the read. I cannot recommend these books enough. This book was SO wild from beginning to end. And I loved every second of it. (Well, sorta, looking at you, Danielle. I'm coming for you, muhaha.)
NOW *spoilers* ahead.
I'm crushed. The entire purpose was to save Maddy and they couldn't even do it. And I cried just thinking of how this sweet boy couldn't grow up.
I hated Arthur and genuinely didn't believe when he died that he died. I kept assuming he would pop back up. So I never properly got to rejoice in his demise.
Also I'm dumb and it took me way too long to figure out how what was happening when he found them on the plane as they arrived from rescuing Maddy. 🤣
Good show, good show.
Now this will be on my mind for a while so I may need a week or two...
ok, WOW. The conclusion to this series is PHENOMENAL!!! I read this book for the second time in a matter of days, and it felt effortless as I enjoyed the ride from page to page. What I love most about the final book is that everything about the world Harrington built becomes so much more vibrant: the stakes are at an all time high tug-of-war of power that has you turning the page in a desperate need to know who will win?!!, the character development of so many (including bold changes from people you would NOT expect and Hollis herself growing up so much), the further details in the world building, the display of creative powers that help tell the story, etc. I could say so many wonderful things! I really appreciate that this is the type of story where I feel like I can make an educated guess at the outcome of some things, but later I am absolutely baffled when there was actually SO MUCH MORE in addition to what I had guessed. You can really tell the careful thought and fun Harrington had in writing the stakes of this finale. Normally while reading a book I enjoy, I can picture parts here and there as a movie. But EVERYTHING about this book I could picture as a cinematic masterpiece. I'll be here waiting for producers to come to their senses about this work of wonder... A huge recommend!!!
'The Empowered Ones' - the final book of the Hollis Timewire series, is a riveting dystopian tale that thrusts Hollis Timewire, an unwilling hero, into a struggle against the tyrannical Arthur Evandrum. Hollis's journey of resistance and discovery, set against a backdrop of secretive experiments and moral dilemmas, is a compelling exploration of power, freedom, and the human spirit. The author masterfully blurs the lines between right and wrong, challenging readers to question their own beliefs about sacrifice and leadership. With its fast-paced narrative and intricate character dynamics, this book captivates from start to finish, making it a standout read for fans of thought-provoking dystopian fiction.
It's not just a story of rebellion in a dystopian society; it's an introspective look at the price of standing up for one's beliefs. The novel's pacing is relentless, propelling the reader through a series of revelations that build toward a climactic (and emotional!) confrontation. In the end, the reader is left pondering the true meaning of empowerment and the sacrifices necessary to achieve it.
This book is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction who crave stories that not only entertain but also provoke thought about the essence of power, the nature of freedom, and the complexities of human morality.
Well...that book about wrecked me in the best way possible!!
A series finale should be an epic story with incredible twists, character arc resolutions, and a compelling story to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. THIS BOOK WAS ALL OF THOSE!
I read TEO in one sitting and just sat there staring at the ending for a few minutes before actually processing what had happened. The depth to the backstories, the complexities added to the characters, and the hero/villain arc were absolutely incredible. And seriously, if there's anything Danielle knows how to do exceptionally well, it's write a good villain because YEESH we love to hate this one!
Hollis' growth is one for the books too. Going from a brainwashed 16 year old girl to the hero she turned out to be is an incredible arc, and it never once felt like the story was being forced on her. Hollis truly grew into herself and found her place in the new world she'd been thrust into, becoming a character you really couldn't help but root for.
I usually don't leave spoilers/plot points in reviews, so I'll just say this...GO READ THIS SERIES!!
This was an incredible ending to an incredible series, and I'm so glad to have gotten to read Hollis' story. Because man was it worth it!
I had the unique opportunity to be a critique partner with the author on this book so I had the chance to watch this story grow and evolve into something I never expected. Now, I have always had a hard time with YA Dystopian finales because it almost always seems like the author didn't quite know how to end the story. But with this series, and this book, the author took things to a whole new level. Obviously I won't give anything away, but I did not see the ending coming. I was in shock, disbelief, felt anger, sadness, all the emotions one could feel. The story wraps up in the most beautiful and heartbreaking way and I dare say, this series rivals The Hunger Games in it's overall scope. This series is the sort of series that I want a weekend with nothing to do, lots of snacks and coffee, and two straight days to read it from book 1 through to the end. The character development hits on a whole new level, and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I highly recommend not only this book, but the entire series. Don't just buy the first book, because if you do, you will kick yourself for not having the second book available immediately.
This was a fantastic book! I really couldn't put it down and I would read late into the night even though I knew I had work the next day. I have been reading this series from the beginning and was thrilled to have the finale in my hands. It was all I hoped it would be!
Hollis has grown so much and I was rooting for her the whole time. I felt like my heart was on the line as I experienced the adventure, danger, excitement, sorrow, and love weaved throughout the story. Somehow, my heart was broken in the most beautiful and gut-wrenching way (explaining would be a spoiler).
It is always fun and intriguing to read a Harrington book, because I know I'll be engaged immediately, and taken into a world full of super powers and heroes, darkness and light, friendship and love, and of course the high stakes of world ending conflicts (can't forget that). I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dystopian futuristic genres, full of twists and turns you will never see coming. This is the last book of the series, so I felt fully satisfied with all the open ends being tied up in ways that surprised me and left me wanting to read more books by this author.
The conclusion to the Hollis Timewire series was honestly a bit of a drag for me.
The pacing seemed slow in comparison to the last book, and the final 10 chapters seemed really drawn out. I found myself checked out before ever getting to the end, and I skimmed to try and get the most important bits.
I really wanted to love the conclusion as much as I loved the third book, but I decided finally on 3 stars simply because the ending felt unrefined to me.
That being said, I would still recommend the read. What HORROR to go through the whole series and not read the last one! I did get a sense of peace over the whole thing being done, but whether that was from the actually characters or the fact that I was actually through the brunt of the drag, I’m not sure.
The beginning, and middle, were alright and the author definitely knows how to make you angry about villains, let me tell you. And despite the ending being less than ideal for me, I do plan on reading other things from this author in the future and recommend you do, too!
I really tried to take my time and savor this one because I didn’t want the series to end (and I sometimes had to put it down for a bit because my poor little heart needed a break)! This book is a stunning conclusion to an excellent series, and it’s the best one yet! It was expertly paced and full of suspense, keeping things consistently interesting. The story was thrilling and the narrative was always true to the characters. The amount of depth that is fleshed out in each character’s story (both the old favorites and new arrivals) was astounding, and the ending definitely ties everything together perfectly. I don’t want to give away too much, but it was an incredible emotional journey, and I definitely cried. It’s been wonderful getting to know Hollis and her friends, enemies, and everything in between. I’m so grateful to the author for having me as part of the ARC team for The Empowered Ones and for bringing me into Hollis’s world.
After TPO, I didn't think things could get worse for Hollis. Then they did! Once the story pulls you in, you don't want to go back to reality. Tuning the world out was too easy for this book.
I read most of it in a day - and it's a THICK book. By the end, I was on the edge of my seat. Yelling at Danielle for being an amazing writer. Holding back tears so I could read more. Feeling so many emotions, I felt like I was IN the story and experiencing it alongside the characters.
Normally, I don't get extremely attached to characters. Something about Hollis had me enraptured from the first book. Watching her grow and go through some tough stuff. I connected with her and related so well, I was experiencing her emotions as I read. Every step of the way, I was rooting for her!
This was a wonderful way to wrap up this series. Hollis Timewire is going to be a character I always remember and come back to!
First, thank you to the author for this ARC!! I loved every single page of this book so much that I ended up reading it in one sitting. I think this series is one I am going to end up buying hard copies of so I can annotate them because some of the quotes in this book were 10/10.
This is the best conclusion to the series I could have asked for! The growth of our MC, Hollis, from book #1 to book #4 is insane! The story had so many twists that I honestly wasn’t expecting, and I ended up crying a few times while reading this.
Jonah, Keith, Ben, Ashton, and all of the other AMAZING characters helped to make this story SO interesting. Jonah will forever be a fav character of mine, his constant support and protection over Hollis through all of the books is exactly what was needed.
Overall, this has to be my favorite book of the four, but all of them were so good!! If you’re hesitant to read them, I say give them a try. :):)
What an epic conclusion to this series! The character development in this book is amazing. One thing I've loved about this series is how the writing leads me to ask questions, and then follows through in answering them. From the first mention of the serum, I wondered what would happen if someone with powers took it and the final battle gave me that answer. Arthur Evandrum is such a despicable villian, you'll hate him for the entire book until he meets a satisfying end. Maddy's storyline broke my heart into a million pieces. Ashton's arc gave me hope and Hollis is such a strong character by the end.
Dystopian series are my bread and butter. This series takes the perfectionist societies like The Uglies, Divergent, and Matched and add powers like Shatter Me, and The Red Queen into this outstanding coming of age story.
I was gifted this series in exchange for an honest review, and I've now read all 4 books twice as a result and will reread in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
There are so many things I could say about this book. But do not want to say too much And give spoilers for anybody else who wants to read just know that Hollis Timewire is a truly wonderful character. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, this story and all the wonderful details. I laughed, I cried and I was venomously angry at Danielle Harrington for a moment in this book. The series of books makes you feel all the feels and enjoy everything about it. I can’t wait to see how far Danielle comes in her writing career and this series goes because it deserves every bit of love it can muster from anyone who reads it. Part of me hopes that one day there’s a little Novella of Hollis you know five or 10 years down the line to see what’s come of the world that’s built. The fourth book truly felt like a great ending. I will forever cherish our Maddy memories, and the growth that Hollis makes in this series thank you Danielle for writing the stories and allowing us to read them.
That was a really fun end to the series! The Empowered Ones brought everything and everyone together in the end. There were also two or three spots where I was definitely shocked by the turn of events. I thought certain plot points, like the ability serum and Arthur’s control over Hollis, made this book uniquely different from other dystopian series while still giving off the same feel.
Now there were cheesy moments in this one, as with the other books in the series, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that this series was written for a younger audience and I think 16-year-old me would have been obsessed with these books! Even as an adult, I did enjoy them and would recommend them to readers who like Divergent, The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games, etc. or anyone who wants to relive the “dystopian years,” like myself.
Thank you again to Danielle for sending me all four books in the series!
In the Acknowledgements of The Empowered Ones, Harrington wrote "I love writing high stakes, rip-your-heart-out, insanely plot-twisty stories." Something that resonated with me early on in the series was how much of a master of plot twists she is. Numerous events went in ways I never expected in all four books. Yet, when I looked back, each one made sense. That is how you know a plot twist is successful. As for the "high stakes" and "rip-your-heart-out" statements, those are both accurate as well. There was more of tragedy and heavier aspects than I typically prefer, but it was well-suited to the story and realistic. Though I hated it at times, all those elements made sense. I knew the story wouldn't be as good without them. This book was tragic and beautiful all at once. I felt so connected to the characters by the end! It was a great way to wrap up the series.
First I just want to thank Danielle Harrington for allowing me to participate as part of this book’s ARC team! It has been an absolute gift to read this series in order from start to finish.
I first began reading this series back in mid-November, and boy did this series just fly by. To say the least, it has been an amazing journey. I couldn’t put down the first three books in the series and The Empowered Ones was just as enthralling. Easily the best book in the series, the stakes were at their highest, the twists were unexpected, and I couldn’t help getting invested with the main cast as they embark on their final journey. Each character, even the ones with the smallest part to play are memorable and unique in their own way. This book will blow you away, it will surprise you, and it will tug on your emotions. Pick up this series and you will not be disappointed!
The Empowered Ones is the stunning conclusion to the Hollis Timewire Series.
The whole series has been so well thought out. With plenty of twists and turns. Like each following book, the Empowered Ones picks up right after the events of the Pure Ones.
We follow Hollis as she is coerced into doing Arthur Evandrum's bidding. Hollis's strength of character is put to test time and again, and she proves just how far she's grown from her society drone ways in The Diseased Ones. Hollis is such a strong character that it's easy to forget how young she is. This book puts her through so much, and yet she's always positive and never falters from her ideals.
This book was fast-paced and soul wrenching. Harrington has done herself proud with an incredible dystopian series that I would recommend to anyone!
I don’t know if some of these things count as spoilers.
Alright this is the first book that made me cry and I’m happy about it
1) Ashton teel. His character grows so much in this book it’s mind blowing! He has always been my favorite character, but I hope he’s more people favorite as well
2)Hollis and Keith. My gosh I screamed at the end of TEO. Keith has always been a cinnamon roll but we get to see his meaner side, “stay away from my girlfriend!”
3) Arthur. I HATE you! Absolutely the worse villain ever. Getting to see his memories so such an amazing aspect, and it made me hate him even more.
4)Jonah. OMG MARRY ME! This man is so kind, he is always there for Hollis even when she wants to kill somebody. (Yes, Jonah is one I’m adding to my book boyfriends)
I wanted to thank you Danielle Harrington for let me and some many others read this early. It made my birthday, and I can wait for whatever you write next!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Full disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
That being said, my opinion is completely honest.
Woo.. what can I say? Harrington did a fantastic job weaving this final installment. I felt ingrained in the world of Hollis Timewire. When I thought the story would go right it went left. So much in fact that I stayed up till 4:30 AM to finish the book. I needed to know what happened.
I almost cried and had to hold in gasps more than a few times.
Harrington should expect my therapy bill soon. She's a genius, an ( evil) genius.
The Empowered Ones releases March 15th, 2024. You don't want to miss this epic conclusion to the series!
The Empowered Ones takes off right from where we left off of The Pure Ones. You guys are not ready for this book! Danielle has done it again! You thought book 3 was crazy! Wait until you read book 4. A rollercoaster that I was not ready to get off of. I love seeing how much she’s evolved her characters that we all know and love throughout these books and the journey they’ve been put on. Also, the multiple times I had to take breaks because of how frustrated I was getting with how evil this villain was. I just wanted to hold Hollis and remind her that everything would be okay. 😭 Thank you for having me be one of your ARC readers for this incredible story. I loved getting to follow Hollis Timewire’s journey since the beginning.
I just finished the Empowered Ones. I can't believe this was the last book in the Hollis Timewire Series. I have no words express how I'm feeling right now. All I know is that I was so mad at Arthur throughout the book, and just when I thought I couldn’t hate him more than I already did, I ended up hating him more and more throughout the course of the book. Now, I don't want to give spoilers here. But I will say this: This book definitely destroyed me at the end, but it also did very well with having some sort of happy ending. Again, I don't want to spoil anything, I want you to read the book. You will not regret it. The Hollis Timewire series is amazing!