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The Ends of Mavericks
In the stunning conclusion to the Secrets of The Tally Series, uniting old
enemies against a common threat may be the only way for the kingdom
to survive, but such unity will only come at a great and terrible price.
As our heroes must finally face off against the greatest foe of all,
everybody envisions the same ends, but must ask themselves whether
those ends could ever justify the means. Is a beautiful future worth
sacrificing their morals, their friends, and their own lives along the
way?
enemies against a common threat may be the only way for the kingdom
to survive, but such unity will only come at a great and terrible price.
As our heroes must finally face off against the greatest foe of all,
everybody envisions the same ends, but must ask themselves whether
those ends could ever justify the means. Is a beautiful future worth
sacrificing their morals, their friends, and their own lives along the
way?
698 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2025
6 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 22, 2025
I hate to say this, but this book rather disappointed me. Perhaps I had too high expectations going in. Yet I feel that my qualms aren't trivial. And it saddens me because I loved this series and still do.
For a non-spoiler portion, this is how I would rate the conclusion of this series.
Plot: It's your classic rebellion, and honestly, it's written quite well. (Minus points to the resolution and magic system issue.) 6/10
Pacing: A slow start to be sure, but great otherwise. 9/10
World-building: Halie does a great job making the places the characters visit or live feel real. 9/10
Characters: I enjoy the onsumble cast we get in this book. My only complaint would be that some of the more essential characters aren't really given much of a character arc. Liz, Ratuan, Steph, and Leaf, just to name a few. I felt like the book could have been stronger if they weren’t reduced to being simple transportation mages. That's not all they did, but that's the majority of what they did. Then there's Kit... I'm sorry, but for the majority of the book, it really felt like he was a plot device. I'll explain more in the spoiler section, but he was a letdown. As for our main characters, I don't have any major complaints. 6/10
Romance: Aside from the side plot with a certain couple... we don't really focus on it. And for the most part, that’s fine. But for that certain couple and a few more that emerge in the book, they kinda come outta the blue. They weren't teased or built upon from previous books; they just exist now. Which is fine, I suppose... it just makes it unbelievable when characters make comments like (wow, you two are so good together) when, other than a few moments in this book, we never saw much that proved that. Then there's THAT romance, which I'll leave for the spoiler section. 5/10
Magic system: Unfortunately, it is the whole reason my rating is so low. Without spoiling a key plot point, the author does the thing when they reveal a key point of the magic system without any setup in previous novels. It opened so many plot holes for the series that it makes my head spin. There are also other things that feel too convenient that I can’t explain without spoilers 3/10
Predictability: This is parhaps the strongest thing about this book and the rest of the series. I genuinely almost never know whats happening next. 10/10
SPOILERS BEWARE. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Before I go into all that I think is wrong with Ends of Maverick, let me give what I felt was well done.
Allie and Archie never disappoint as protagonists. The bits with Ratuan, Liz, and their group were nice. I honestly wish we had gotten more time with them. The back and forth between Archie, the rebellion, and Maverick was well done. Albeit mainly Maverick outmaneuvering them, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a shame the Climax and resolution were the weaker links because they could have been spectacular. Nonetheless, it was an entertaining cat-and-mouse chase. The pacing is solid; it didn’t feel too quick or slow. The world-building doesn't let down. You really get immersed in any location where our heroes are. Flak's return was nice, especially after her long absence in the previous book. The best part of this book is that it's truly unpredictable in the best way.
Let's start with the most glaring problem... the magic. Apparently, Humans and Escalis can steal a mage's power by killing them and looking into their eyes... The problem was that there was absolutely no buildup to this in the previous books. It opens a huge plot hole; how does everyone not know this?? We're just supposed to believe that in the 500-year war between the Escalis and Humans, not a single mage was killed and had their power stolen. HOW CONVENIENT. Human or Escali killers haven't stolen powers before. How about the plethora of people the Zhauri have already killed, they never once looked at their eyes when they died. I find that very hard to believe. If there had been other requirements, I could understand why it might be unknown. But it's so incredibly simple that our main characters even contemplate doing it. Honesty, the largest problem with this book is the conveniences that our heroes and villains have.
Which leads me to the next problem. Allies revival. I by no means was hoping for her to die, and I'm glad she's not. However, the way the healing was set up was yet again another convenience. When all hope seems to be lost, and Allie seemingly dies, out comes Dreya from the Everarch Cyrstals, and she just conveniently has extra magic strength on her to give to all our epics so they can fully heal/revive her. Other than the brief setup from earlier in the book, this isn't believable. And we're never explained how Freya having the energy is at all different from being near the crystals. It simply feels like a cop out. Much like Flynn Rider and Rapunzel's tears. Yet even that still makes more sense than this.
And how would Dreya know she could help the epics heal Allie?? Not only that, but the cryptic exchange she had with Archie feels weird when you think about the context of it all. Why say she's not here for him? Why not say she's not here to take Allie or anyone?? It was more for the reader since we're supposed to believe that she's the Grim Reaper. But why would she say that? Why not clarify?? It felt like she was just a plot device rather than a character.
Speaking of plot device characters... Kit. The resolution makes no sense because of him. Basically, we're supposed to believe that he killed Maverick because he was killing Allie?? Except the king wasn't killing Allie and made it clear he wanted her alive. So Kit’s change of heart, or I suppose a gigantic leap from not helping to being the one to deal the final blow, makes absolutely no sense. Honestly, I think it would have been more believable if he joined them before the battle and, like Dauer, had his mind altered. Because the only thing that we've seen make him turn on Maverick is Maverick not upholding his wish. Alternatively, if Kit asked Maverick to spare Allie with his wish before Maverick pinned her to the wall, impaling her but still doing so anyway would have also been believable. But it just seemingly come out of nowhere.
So was Allie getting her memories returned. The sheer amount of conveniences in the finale is crazy. This just felt unnecessary. Kind of cute, but we don’t get a chance to really sit in that victory.
Finally, Ebby and Vack. This may be more of a personal opinion, but I felt no chemistry between them. Vack and Jalia, yes, not Ebby and Vack. This is one of those romances that seemingly came from nowhere. There was no setup in the previous books. But maybe I just don't see it.
It wasn't horrible and unenjoyable; I did enjoy it. The resolution just really broke my suspension of disbelief, and typically, I can ignore such conveniences. I just wish they were set up a little better. I give the book as a whole a 3.5. I wish I liked it more.
For a non-spoiler portion, this is how I would rate the conclusion of this series.
Plot: It's your classic rebellion, and honestly, it's written quite well. (Minus points to the resolution and magic system issue.) 6/10
Pacing: A slow start to be sure, but great otherwise. 9/10
World-building: Halie does a great job making the places the characters visit or live feel real. 9/10
Characters: I enjoy the onsumble cast we get in this book. My only complaint would be that some of the more essential characters aren't really given much of a character arc. Liz, Ratuan, Steph, and Leaf, just to name a few. I felt like the book could have been stronger if they weren’t reduced to being simple transportation mages. That's not all they did, but that's the majority of what they did. Then there's Kit... I'm sorry, but for the majority of the book, it really felt like he was a plot device. I'll explain more in the spoiler section, but he was a letdown. As for our main characters, I don't have any major complaints. 6/10
Romance: Aside from the side plot with a certain couple... we don't really focus on it. And for the most part, that’s fine. But for that certain couple and a few more that emerge in the book, they kinda come outta the blue. They weren't teased or built upon from previous books; they just exist now. Which is fine, I suppose... it just makes it unbelievable when characters make comments like (wow, you two are so good together) when, other than a few moments in this book, we never saw much that proved that. Then there's THAT romance, which I'll leave for the spoiler section. 5/10
Magic system: Unfortunately, it is the whole reason my rating is so low. Without spoiling a key plot point, the author does the thing when they reveal a key point of the magic system without any setup in previous novels. It opened so many plot holes for the series that it makes my head spin. There are also other things that feel too convenient that I can’t explain without spoilers 3/10
Predictability: This is parhaps the strongest thing about this book and the rest of the series. I genuinely almost never know whats happening next. 10/10
SPOILERS BEWARE. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Before I go into all that I think is wrong with Ends of Maverick, let me give what I felt was well done.
Allie and Archie never disappoint as protagonists. The bits with Ratuan, Liz, and their group were nice. I honestly wish we had gotten more time with them. The back and forth between Archie, the rebellion, and Maverick was well done. Albeit mainly Maverick outmaneuvering them, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a shame the Climax and resolution were the weaker links because they could have been spectacular. Nonetheless, it was an entertaining cat-and-mouse chase. The pacing is solid; it didn’t feel too quick or slow. The world-building doesn't let down. You really get immersed in any location where our heroes are. Flak's return was nice, especially after her long absence in the previous book. The best part of this book is that it's truly unpredictable in the best way.
Let's start with the most glaring problem... the magic. Apparently, Humans and Escalis can steal a mage's power by killing them and looking into their eyes... The problem was that there was absolutely no buildup to this in the previous books. It opens a huge plot hole; how does everyone not know this?? We're just supposed to believe that in the 500-year war between the Escalis and Humans, not a single mage was killed and had their power stolen. HOW CONVENIENT. Human or Escali killers haven't stolen powers before. How about the plethora of people the Zhauri have already killed, they never once looked at their eyes when they died. I find that very hard to believe. If there had been other requirements, I could understand why it might be unknown. But it's so incredibly simple that our main characters even contemplate doing it. Honesty, the largest problem with this book is the conveniences that our heroes and villains have.
Which leads me to the next problem. Allies revival. I by no means was hoping for her to die, and I'm glad she's not. However, the way the healing was set up was yet again another convenience. When all hope seems to be lost, and Allie seemingly dies, out comes Dreya from the Everarch Cyrstals, and she just conveniently has extra magic strength on her to give to all our epics so they can fully heal/revive her. Other than the brief setup from earlier in the book, this isn't believable. And we're never explained how Freya having the energy is at all different from being near the crystals. It simply feels like a cop out. Much like Flynn Rider and Rapunzel's tears. Yet even that still makes more sense than this.
And how would Dreya know she could help the epics heal Allie?? Not only that, but the cryptic exchange she had with Archie feels weird when you think about the context of it all. Why say she's not here for him? Why not say she's not here to take Allie or anyone?? It was more for the reader since we're supposed to believe that she's the Grim Reaper. But why would she say that? Why not clarify?? It felt like she was just a plot device rather than a character.
Speaking of plot device characters... Kit. The resolution makes no sense because of him. Basically, we're supposed to believe that he killed Maverick because he was killing Allie?? Except the king wasn't killing Allie and made it clear he wanted her alive. So Kit’s change of heart, or I suppose a gigantic leap from not helping to being the one to deal the final blow, makes absolutely no sense. Honestly, I think it would have been more believable if he joined them before the battle and, like Dauer, had his mind altered. Because the only thing that we've seen make him turn on Maverick is Maverick not upholding his wish. Alternatively, if Kit asked Maverick to spare Allie with his wish before Maverick pinned her to the wall, impaling her but still doing so anyway would have also been believable. But it just seemingly come out of nowhere.
So was Allie getting her memories returned. The sheer amount of conveniences in the finale is crazy. This just felt unnecessary. Kind of cute, but we don’t get a chance to really sit in that victory.
Finally, Ebby and Vack. This may be more of a personal opinion, but I felt no chemistry between them. Vack and Jalia, yes, not Ebby and Vack. This is one of those romances that seemingly came from nowhere. There was no setup in the previous books. But maybe I just don't see it.
It wasn't horrible and unenjoyable; I did enjoy it. The resolution just really broke my suspension of disbelief, and typically, I can ignore such conveniences. I just wish they were set up a little better. I give the book as a whole a 3.5. I wish I liked it more.
June 10, 2024
At first I didn’t think I’d like this one as much as the others, mostly because of Maverick. I HATE and LOATH Maverick, but I continued on for Vack.
This book is by far the longest, and has debunked A Deal For Three as my all time favorite of Halie’s books!!! I was TERRIFIED that I might lose Vack or Ebby, even Prince Avalask!
Thankfully, I didn’t BUT EMERY??????????!!!!!!!!!!??!? HALIE WE NEED TO HAVE A TALK BECAUSE….. NOT EMERY!!!!! First it was Nessava, then Jalia, AND NOW EMERY!!!
The only last favorite of mine that didn’t die is Vack, WHICH IS WHY I WAS SCARED!!!
NOT TO MENTION RATUAN IS BACK??!????????? I can’t stand him, but hate Maverick more. I’m glad he’s seeing things the right way now!!!
The adrenaline throughout this book had me LITERALLY leaning into the book, my nose a mere inch away I had to be reminded to calm down. Then I would be on the edge of the seat, screaming, throwing my hands up and just jumping. I’m sure I looked crazy, but this book made me crazy because THIS WORLD IS CRAZILY AMAZING!! It’s action from start to finish, with a bit of Vebby (or Ebback??) sprinkled in (my favorite ever!! I cannot say how satisfied I was when they FINALLY admitted their feelings!!) Not to mention that Allie and Archie finally get their well-deserved happy ending!
The ending though!!!!! Nothing was more gratifying than THAT ENDING!!! I still will never get over Emery’s death, but, overall:
I could envision no ending more perfect.
✨
This book is by far the longest, and has debunked A Deal For Three as my all time favorite of Halie’s books!!! I was TERRIFIED that I might lose Vack or Ebby, even Prince Avalask!
Thankfully, I didn’t BUT EMERY??????????!!!!!!!!!!??!? HALIE WE NEED TO HAVE A TALK BECAUSE….. NOT EMERY!!!!! First it was Nessava, then Jalia, AND NOW EMERY!!!
The only last favorite of mine that didn’t die is Vack, WHICH IS WHY I WAS SCARED!!!
NOT TO MENTION RATUAN IS BACK??!????????? I can’t stand him, but hate Maverick more. I’m glad he’s seeing things the right way now!!!
The adrenaline throughout this book had me LITERALLY leaning into the book, my nose a mere inch away I had to be reminded to calm down. Then I would be on the edge of the seat, screaming, throwing my hands up and just jumping. I’m sure I looked crazy, but this book made me crazy because THIS WORLD IS CRAZILY AMAZING!! It’s action from start to finish, with a bit of Vebby (or Ebback??) sprinkled in (my favorite ever!! I cannot say how satisfied I was when they FINALLY admitted their feelings!!) Not to mention that Allie and Archie finally get their well-deserved happy ending!
The ending though!!!!! Nothing was more gratifying than THAT ENDING!!! I still will never get over Emery’s death, but, overall:
I could envision no ending more perfect.
✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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