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Lush #3
Crush
During Bluebell's Lush Ambassador tour of the Concords, Three was attacked. The Council imposed a mandatory curfew, suspended nonessential travel, and ordered her back home to One. Before leaving for home she receives a cryptic message telling her, "Make your father remember. It's the only way." Will Bluebell be able to find the truth before someone discovers she knows more about Concord than any Citizen should?
CRUSH is the conclusion of the LUSH Trilogy.
CRUSH is the conclusion of the LUSH Trilogy.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2014
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122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 6, 2014
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
This was an okay end to the series, but I wasn’t 100% satisfied.
I don’t know what it was about this book, but I just didn’t like it as much as the other two books in the series. I lost interest a bit, and not a lot seemed to be happening.
When the ending came, it wasn’t 100% satisfactory either.
6.5 out of 10.
This was an okay end to the series, but I wasn’t 100% satisfied.
I don’t know what it was about this book, but I just didn’t like it as much as the other two books in the series. I lost interest a bit, and not a lot seemed to be happening.
When the ending came, it wasn’t 100% satisfactory either.
6.5 out of 10.
April 1, 2014
I don't usually keep up on release dates, so I didn't know this one was released until I saw an online review today which prompted me to pick it up and read it immediately. My feelings on this last book are mixed, and I wish I could give it 3.5 stars, but it's closer to 3 than to 4 in my opinion.
This book (as expected) wraps up the storyline of Bluebell, the Lush Ambassador of the land of Concord, where everything is tightly controlled. The writing in this novel was just as good as the first two, with compelling characters and events that kept me reading straight through until it was done. At least one character had a big change in their makeup, which was critical to the story so I won't spoiler it here.
However, the book overall was not the best ending to the series. It felt shorter than the other two (and I believe I commented on that in my review of Hush as well), and it seems that the author wanted to get this done so they could do something else. The final conflict happened all in a rush, there was no real resolution, very little suffering, and no revenge against or redemption of the evils present in the rulers of Concord. New characters showed up all of a sudden, which seemed HIGHLY unlikely given the circumstances, and there was very little resistance to the final conflict when Bluebell tried to share the truth of Concord with its populace. I'm not saying that people have to die (in fact, it was refreshing that nobody did), but when everyone that Bluebell has been hiding from basically goes "all right fine, leave" that's pretty anticlimactic. The complete lack of affecting the larger world of Concord was also very disappointing, as after the story ends life will go on as before...with the bonus of tighter control and more drugs.
With all the drug and science and political propaganda covered in the second book, I was expecting so much more out of this one. While I enjoyed the read, and there were quite a few interesting bits going on (such as the Petunia/Petal love-by-reality-show storyline), overall this one fell flat and didn't conclude the series very strongly.
This book (as expected) wraps up the storyline of Bluebell, the Lush Ambassador of the land of Concord, where everything is tightly controlled. The writing in this novel was just as good as the first two, with compelling characters and events that kept me reading straight through until it was done. At least one character had a big change in their makeup, which was critical to the story so I won't spoiler it here.
However, the book overall was not the best ending to the series. It felt shorter than the other two (and I believe I commented on that in my review of Hush as well), and it seems that the author wanted to get this done so they could do something else. The final conflict happened all in a rush, there was no real resolution, very little suffering, and no revenge against or redemption of the evils present in the rulers of Concord. New characters showed up all of a sudden, which seemed HIGHLY unlikely given the circumstances, and there was very little resistance to the final conflict when Bluebell tried to share the truth of Concord with its populace. I'm not saying that people have to die (in fact, it was refreshing that nobody did), but when everyone that Bluebell has been hiding from basically goes "all right fine, leave" that's pretty anticlimactic. The complete lack of affecting the larger world of Concord was also very disappointing, as after the story ends life will go on as before...with the bonus of tighter control and more drugs.
With all the drug and science and political propaganda covered in the second book, I was expecting so much more out of this one. While I enjoyed the read, and there were quite a few interesting bits going on (such as the Petunia/Petal love-by-reality-show storyline), overall this one fell flat and didn't conclude the series very strongly.
May 22, 2014
This series had a GREAT foundation to be an AWESOME dystopian themed book. CRUSH was very RUSHED in my opinion. It went STRAIGHT to the point. I figured it would be like this as it was less than 200 pages. But goodness, the true anxiety, doubt, anguish and stress that should have been built up for a great climax, was simply narrowed down to 3 paragraphs. I wanted to give this book a 4 or 5....but that ending was very premature.
I do like this series, I am just trying to provide healthy and honest feedback. I do enjoy Bluebell's character and I LOVE the entire part about being Free thinkers, questioning things. I was once brainwashed and Institutionalized regarding my spiritual faith. One I began to question Authority and get no real answers, My eyes were completely opened and I have been Made FREE. This was an inspiring book, regardless of the length.
I do like this series, I am just trying to provide healthy and honest feedback. I do enjoy Bluebell's character and I LOVE the entire part about being Free thinkers, questioning things. I was once brainwashed and Institutionalized regarding my spiritual faith. One I began to question Authority and get no real answers, My eyes were completely opened and I have been Made FREE. This was an inspiring book, regardless of the length.
April 16, 2021
A big build up for almost no real conclusion. Meh....
March 27, 2019
The only thing I hate about this story is that it is over already. And the ending was kind of perfect considering some of the concepts that came up in the series since the beginning of the story (regarding the main character's feelings toward stories, without giving away spoilers), and any more of the story would have just felt too long and drawn out. I like how the characters grew in just the short time that passed since the beginning of the series. Overall, just an excellent story.
May 11, 2014
The Lush series started out with such potential that it immediately peaked my interest. Then, book two continued the mystique and charm leaving me panting for "Crush," the final book in the trilogy. Unfortunately, this finale failed miserably in so many ways that I cannot begin to list them all.
Blue, the Lush Ambassador, is left reeling from the message she received from her real mother recommending that the only way to discover the total truth is to restore her father's memories. As Blue and Thorn attempt to secretly meet, Aspen continues to try to manipulate every situation she can. She continuously goes behind Blue's back inviting Weaver to accompany her to social gatherings. We discover the fate of the twins and which brothers were selected for them to enter lifelong partnership agreements with.
In the midst of everything, Thorn is always there for Blue and assists her in removing her tracking chip. Weaver comes to Blue and Thorn in confidence sharing that his mother is suffering from an incurable disease and afraid to return to her doctors for fear of an untimely end.
The moment Blue has always wanted finally comes; she gets to meet her real mother, Hope. She has unfathomable information that will change Blue's world forever. Now,there is where things really go downhill. I don't know of any major revolution in the history of the world that did not involve a fight, war, insurrection of some sort. Yet, the author expects that people who have manipulated by their own government forever have no trouble believing, accepting and following the advice of one teen girl featured in a televised broadcast. Really?
Throughout this series, I have remarked that their was a lack of action. It did not really bother me in both book one and two; but, while I don't condone violence, the lack thereof lowered the believability factor of this read to a zero. Additionally, it made the ending of the series rather anticlimactic. Crush is a very short read; so, the author could have easily added action scenes without boring the reader. It is just too bad that it did not occur. Read the series for yourself and decide. Book one is currently being offered for free on Amazon.com.
Blue, the Lush Ambassador, is left reeling from the message she received from her real mother recommending that the only way to discover the total truth is to restore her father's memories. As Blue and Thorn attempt to secretly meet, Aspen continues to try to manipulate every situation she can. She continuously goes behind Blue's back inviting Weaver to accompany her to social gatherings. We discover the fate of the twins and which brothers were selected for them to enter lifelong partnership agreements with.
In the midst of everything, Thorn is always there for Blue and assists her in removing her tracking chip. Weaver comes to Blue and Thorn in confidence sharing that his mother is suffering from an incurable disease and afraid to return to her doctors for fear of an untimely end.
The moment Blue has always wanted finally comes; she gets to meet her real mother, Hope. She has unfathomable information that will change Blue's world forever. Now,there is where things really go downhill. I don't know of any major revolution in the history of the world that did not involve a fight, war, insurrection of some sort. Yet, the author expects that people who have manipulated by their own government forever have no trouble believing, accepting and following the advice of one teen girl featured in a televised broadcast. Really?
Throughout this series, I have remarked that their was a lack of action. It did not really bother me in both book one and two; but, while I don't condone violence, the lack thereof lowered the believability factor of this read to a zero. Additionally, it made the ending of the series rather anticlimactic. Crush is a very short read; so, the author could have easily added action scenes without boring the reader. It is just too bad that it did not occur. Read the series for yourself and decide. Book one is currently being offered for free on Amazon.com.
September 9, 2016
I enjoyed the first 2 books far more than the final book. Crush's story line feels rushed. There is quite a few spots in the book where the author provides an explanation of the how & why, rather than letting the reader experience it through the character. I had to go back and forth a few times, feeling like I was missing a lot. The ending of the book feels abrupt - everything comes to a head without a lot of preparation. And when after Crush hits it's most climatic point, I felt let down.
And while I'm not a writer (and I really hate to say this), the plot line felt amateurish. I don't mean that it was geared for a younger audience. More that the story wasn't well thought out.
I still intend to read more of Baum's books! I came to love Bluebell in Lush and Hush - the character development was very believable. Despite my disappointment over Crush, I'm very interested to read her other works.
And while I'm not a writer (and I really hate to say this), the plot line felt amateurish. I don't mean that it was geared for a younger audience. More that the story wasn't well thought out.
I still intend to read more of Baum's books! I came to love Bluebell in Lush and Hush - the character development was very believable. Despite my disappointment over Crush, I'm very interested to read her other works.
January 1, 2015
This was the least enjoyable installment in the series for me.
It wasn't awful, but i lost interest, and the story just couldn't pull me back in.
This series went downhill, which is a shame. Lush was pretty good, but Hush and Crush fell flat.
Overall, It was good to see how the series finished, but it was the weakest one in the series.
It wasn't awful, but i lost interest, and the story just couldn't pull me back in.
This series went downhill, which is a shame. Lush was pretty good, but Hush and Crush fell flat.
Overall, It was good to see how the series finished, but it was the weakest one in the series.
August 31, 2015
I actually thought my kindle had malfunctioned when i got to the end. It just ended right in the middle of everything. The book actually ended where the rising action began - go figure. If the author took the first book and half of the second and got a good editor to help put them together, there would be a decent book there. Then take the second part of the second book and this, and add to it to get an actual ending, that would be great.
December 4, 2020
Disappointed for sure. The ending was anti-climatic and didn’t give the satisfying world building that could’ve been. Should’ve gone more with Thorn, with Hawaii, what happened to America, everything.
February 25, 2015
In this final installment of the trilogy, Bluebell's suspicions about Concord are confirmed. Fortunately, she makes contact with some like-minded people who form a risky plan of action. But, who can she trust? I really enjoyed this book! I was surprised by a few people - some I thought were foes and some I thought were friends who would follow her to the ends of the Earth. I'll be honest: the book didn't end exactly as I thought it might. I do think if one thing had been shared in the final announcement that things might have gone a little differently (no spoilers here). There were a few twists and turns. Although there were some minor typos in this book, they weren't nearly as numerous as in book two. I highly recommend this trilogy to others. I had initially let the cover art deter me from even reading the description of this series, which was a shame.
May 27, 2014
Reading other reviews of Crush, the final instalment of the Lush trilogy, it seems quite clear that people are perched on both sides of the fence on this ending.
Personally, I had long been awaiting the closure that this novel brought, and I highly enjoyed the journey there. SL Baum writes an exciting and tense story - and as others have said, without a lot of action, though in my opinion this makes it much more of an achievement - leading up to what I found to be a climatic end.
I really don't want to say much about the plot (I HATE SPOILERS!) but it's nice to see some development in here, along with some new characters and seeing new sides to characters you'd never imagined would happen.
Great read - really would recommend this series.
Personally, I had long been awaiting the closure that this novel brought, and I highly enjoyed the journey there. SL Baum writes an exciting and tense story - and as others have said, without a lot of action, though in my opinion this makes it much more of an achievement - leading up to what I found to be a climatic end.
I really don't want to say much about the plot (I HATE SPOILERS!) but it's nice to see some development in here, along with some new characters and seeing new sides to characters you'd never imagined would happen.
Great read - really would recommend this series.
June 3, 2015
The story moved at a glacial pace because of irrelevant filler but the character development felt rushed. As much as I love a good 1984-esque story this trilogy was just overall unsatisfying and predictable. And come on. Underwater tunnels in Hawaii..lets just not even address the geological ridiculousness of that and I won't even get into all of the gowns and evening wear they put on. Humidity? Naw. Not in the future. Unless There was a climate control section I slept through, entirely possible since it was a chore to stay focused on these books.
April 29, 2014
YA Dystopian
Part Three of the Lush series
An Bluebell returns home from her shortened goodwill trip, she learns more about the secrets of Concord, including that her real mother is alive. All through the city are people secretly working to reveal the truth about how the populace is drugged and controlled by the ruling members. A wonderful ending ensues! Better editing in this book, but overall the characters were flat and simplistic. Interesting and easy to read trilogy though.
Part Three of the Lush series
An Bluebell returns home from her shortened goodwill trip, she learns more about the secrets of Concord, including that her real mother is alive. All through the city are people secretly working to reveal the truth about how the populace is drugged and controlled by the ruling members. A wonderful ending ensues! Better editing in this book, but overall the characters were flat and simplistic. Interesting and easy to read trilogy though.
March 31, 2014
A FANTASTIC ENDING TO THIS SERIES!!!! Bluebell finally gets the answers shes been looking for in the 3rd in the Lush series. After the explosion in 3, she has to make another speech, but she gets a surprise. When she finally gets home, she has to make her father remember. Once she does things start falling into place, and she learns there are more people that question everything.
May 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this series. I read them all in a span of 3 days. I loved book 1 and 2. I liked book 3 but wish we had more info about what happened "after", thus I dropped a star. I don't need an ending wrapped up in a pretty bow but this one felt a bit too rushed like the author was just trying to satisfy a deadline and dropped the ending that could have been.
June 30, 2014
This series was an enjoyable read. The series was published as a serial. It wasn't a slow read but I didn't feel rushed to finish and find out the ending. At the very ending, the author revealed the location of the books setting. It was a scratch your head and say "Huh? Not likely!" moment. That said, I thought the dystopian world was very interesting.
June 7, 2014
Eh
The writing style was extremely bland. The creative descriptions were few and felt forced. The characters also felt flat. The premise of the story was fresh, however. The ideas were there...they just needed a better execution.
The writing style was extremely bland. The creative descriptions were few and felt forced. The characters also felt flat. The premise of the story was fresh, however. The ideas were there...they just needed a better execution.
June 11, 2014
A little bit of a let down, as I was reading it felt rushed. I was left with more questions about natural disasters that can take place in the area that the stories took place. I have recommended all 3 books to my nieces and other friends. They are a good read.
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July 14, 2020What a huge let down! What in the world was the rush? I feel like the series built me up to just let me right back down. I really wish the author would've taken her time in this last book and let things happen at a slower, steady increasing pace. Yikes!
September 30, 2015
This is the last book in the series and it ended with whimper. Not at all what I expected for a serious which started out with such promise. Overall it felt rushed and didn't keep my interest.
But in the upside I've found a new author and will be looking out for more of her books.
But in the upside I've found a new author and will be looking out for more of her books.
June 10, 2015
It was a pale shadow of The Village and The Hunger Games. That's not to say it wasn't interesting. Not super exciting but I enjoyed the story. Overall probably more like 3.5 stars but it did hold my interest so I rounded up.
May 4, 2014
SL Baum never ceases to amaze me with her writings. Her way of describing things and making you feel the emotions of the characters. Great read. Highly recommended
May 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this trilogy, but I hated to see the ending rushed so much.
May 21, 2014
The Lush series is so amazing!! Crush did not disappoint me at all!! I kept thinking how crazy would it be to live in a world like that!! I am a new fan S.L.!!
May 24, 2014
Quite an excellent series! And CRUSH had some twists that I definitely wasn't expecting, and I loved it! If you are a fan of dystopian, I do recommend it!
May 29, 2014
I loved the series but gave this book a 4 because the ending seemed rushed. the author wrote with lots of detail until the end... but great series!
June 5, 2014
I loved the premise of the series. However it moved much too slow for my liking and then it was over so fast. Great story, just wished there was more tension and action, especially at the end.
June 10, 2014
I have to agree with the other reviewers. Books 1 and 2 drew me in, but Book 3 rushed to a conclusion way too fast. Overall, it is a good series, just wished for a little more out of this book.
June 9, 2014
I expected a more drama at the end of the book but I still liked all 3 books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews