**This is a spoiler-free review!!**
I just finished, "Unveiled," the 5th book in Cosette Verga's "Fated" series, and I absolutely LOVED it. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I gasped, I smiled…. 💙
It was everything I hoped for in the final story of a series! (though a novella is soon to arrive!)
While Areya and Sebastian ("Ash") have been the main characters of Books 1-4, this book shifts its main focus to Calyx and Reize.
Calyx, who is the Commander of Ambrosia's forces and Ash's best friend, is a fiercely loyal, loving friend- and just as fierce and determined of a warrior.
Reize, Ash's sister- has a quiet, often humble strength, a character who keeps everyone at arm's length- especially Calyx.
Since the moment they met hundreds of years ago, they were instantly drawn to one another. But Reize has a secret she's kept to herself all these years. Something that keeps her from being able to open herself up to Calyx and the obvious and deep connection that is between them.
For the first four books of the series, we have seen Calyx YEARN - and my goodness, does he YEARN. He loyally stays by Reize's side, even though he doesn't know why she pushes him away when she so clearly cares.
Calyx has never given up on Reize, has been dedicated and committed to being patient for her to be ready, as he believes with all of his heart that one day, they WILL be together (and even if Reize never chooses him, his heart will always belong to her). But until then, he will be there every step of the way- supporting her, protecting her, fighting alongside her and the rest of their friends and family to save the world.
What this book does EXTREMELY well is shift focus from the original main characters, to two other characters late in the series- which could have been difficult to accept as a reader if it hadn't been done so seamlessly by author Cosette Verga. Ash and Areya are still very much in the story, as are all of the other characters we have grown to love over the series, but we've been given an incredible gift in that we get an ENTIRE book about these two characters who definitely deserved an entire book about them and their story.
This shift in main characters was so rewarding after getting to know them so well over the first four books, and now we were able to see their stories through their eyes.
We get so much of their backstory that we didn't know until now- and every part of that backstory just fit so well into the dynamic we've seen them share through the series. I found myself saying, "oh, that makes SO much sense!" so often while learning about how they met, how they fell for each other, and what challenges they faced in the beginning. I definitely feel that the backstory was written so incredibly well that a reader will always find new things to appreciate when going back and reading the first books again.
In fact, so many questions were answered that I, as the reader, was able to connect with Calyx as he learned the answers to questions he's held for hundreds of years. It made me appreciate Calyx even more, because we learn so much about how selflessly he truly has always loved Reize.
And with that understanding, we see why Reize has kept him at arm's length- to protect him. No matter how badly she wanted to give in to what she wanted- to be with him- she could never allow herself to risk his safety and his soul.
The love these characters have is beautiful in every way. They love each other not only in beautiful words in their newly-found transparency in their relationship, but in their everyday actions. They are always thinking of how to help and support each other.
While we experienced major victories at the end of Book 4, there are still HUGE challenges to overcome, evil to battle, and safety of loved ones and their futures to fight for.
And as this "Fated" family has always done- they'll fight it together. All of our favorite characters are here to celebrate the victories and milestones, and also support each other through every challenge and hard time that comes their way.
You can definitely feel the author's love for these characters and their stories. She took SUCH care to give us so many moments to experience with them all- not just the big, action-packed ones, but the quiet, everyday moments that provide a sense of familiarity that one feels with their closest of family and friends.
I love these characters so much- Cosette has created such tangible people that definitely jump off the page and feel so real- because to us, the readers - they ARE. 🙂
I can't wait for the world to experience "Unveiled"- I know you'll love it as much as I did!
If you like these themes, you'll love this series and book:
Slow-Burn
Fated Bonds
"Touch Her and Die"
Magic
Spice/Passion
Found Family
Good vs. Evil