Some destinies are written in the stars, others are forged from the fire.
In the dark and stunning conclusion to The ARC Series, Elle finds herself deep in hiding. Battling with the talents she struggles to control, she fights for only one thing: revenge.
(This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN: B01FQ6ISM4)
Alexandra Moody is an Australian author who writes romance novels for young adults. She lives in Adelaide with her husband, three children and naughty dog. When she’s not busy writing, you’ll find her reading or spending time with her family. She loves to travel, is addicted to caffeine and has a love/hate relationship with the gym.
Destined is the 4th and final book in the ARC series. When I started the series I had no idea where it would go - and yet here we are, with people with special powers fighting for their friends and family against a mad leader. I again really enjoyed this final installment in the series. It provides action and character development and comes to a satisfying conclusion.
Sometimes it was a bit cliché - the love triangle that was hinted at throughout the series, the sweet, kind of adopted daughter, the evil leader they fight against. There's nothing especially new here. But the talents added a cool touch and the book was still enjoyable. (And as with every genre, once you've read a certain amount of books, you've read them all.)
There was further character development in this book and I liked that. Elle has grown a lot throughout the series and I always love to see how far characters have come. She's a different person now. And while she's a really strong character, she isn't perfect but has her flaws and weaknesses, which makes her more believable. As for the love interests, I've always been team Hunter, but Sebastian is a nice guy too and he really cares about Elle. And there was a dog! Awesome! I liked reading more about the different talents too. Sometimes they reminded me of the X-men, but in a good way. The fights involving the talents were fast paced and fun to read.
The ending was satisfying too. There was a moment I wasn't so sure about what was happening and I was like "please don't let it end like that, I've read that a hundred times before already". And what can I say, it kinda did end like that, but then again, it didn't. I'm being cryptic, I know. But I liked the ending. In conclusion, the ARC series was an enjoyable one that I would recommend to lovers of the ya dystopian genre (with a supernatural/superpower touch). I enjoyed reading a series from a lesser known author for once, and I liked that the books weren't like 400 pages each, but rather short, because it proves you can also tell a good story and build a believable world in less pages :)
This review is going to be a little long, because I have SO MANY THOUGHTS, so please bear with me ....
I've been waiting for Destined for a while, and I'm pleased to say that it provides a very satisfying conclusion to the ARC series.
I liked seeing Elle develop her powers, and how she adapted to the different challenges she was faced with. She is my favorite kind of strong female character -- she's kind and loving, but she's also no damsel in distress. If anything, she's the knight in shining armor, riding to save her loved ones even when victory seems impossible.
I also liked Hunter's character development. I'm thrilled that .
And RYAN. Oh my goodness, I did not see that coming. I did feel like there were a few flaws in the solution, though. Still, props to the author for a brilliant reveal.
And the ending, the most crucial part of any series? In my opinion, absolutely stellar. I kid you not, I genuinely thought for a second that they weren't going to make it. There was just the right amount of threat (lots), death (not saying whose, though!), and ultimately, happiness. Perhaps it was a bit frolicking-off-into-the-sunset right at the very end, but whatever, I'm a sucker for happy(ish) endings.
One final note before I finish. The grammar in this book isn't the best. There are a few run-on sentences, lots of adverbs, and passive voice. Also, if I had a nickel for the number of times when Elle's heart was "beating in her chest" ... well, actually, I'd have 90 cents. I just searched on my Kindle and it happened 18 times in the entire book, which I guess isn't bad for a 400-page novel (seriously, though, where else is your heart going to be beating? Your big toe?).
My overall verdict is four stars. As a series ender, Destined works perfectly. Now that it's all wrapped up, I can safely say that the ARC series is perfect for anyone who loves YA dystopia, superheroes, or just a cracking good story.
There are quite a few typos, errors, and grammar mistakes in the author's writing, and even though they don't confuse the sentences, I still find them disturbing. Apart from that, though, Destined has been a remarkable read! The first half of the book is not so memorable to me, but the plentiful of action in the second half kept me under constant suspense and caused me to turn the pages faster than I normally would when reading the ARC series. Alexandra Moody writes magic pretty well. I love the variety of things Elle could do with her talent and her powers are just so awesome and badass! Elle's generosity and altruism are what stood out to me the most. She's willing to go whatever length she could to protect Sebastian, her best friend and the boy she loves. She tries her best to protect everyone, in fact, especially those she care about. Gosh, she even worries about Copper being injured, and like Luke said, he's just a dog! I am thrilled to discover Hunter is not the bad guy and that he has been supporting M and The Movement the whole time. Hunter has become my favourite male character in the series. When he divulged to Elle about the mistreatment and abuse he suffered under his father Joseph in the park, I was filled with sympathy. My heart went out to him.
The revelation about Ryan being the future Sebastian Scott...oh, that is such a SHOCKING, TERRIFIC twist! It is completely out of the blue. It is heart-rending that Ryan is gone in the end. That last conversation between him and Elle is moving. When he popped out of existence, it made me want to cry.
I generally find stories involving prophecies about the future really, really scary, because no matter how hard you try to escape the preordained events, they end up happening anyway. That's what makes them so creepy. I thought this book was going to end the same way, with either Sebastian or Elle dying because it is what's destined to happen. But then part of me is whispering, "No, it can't be," or else Joseph will wreak havoc on the surface and Hope City will be truly divided, and the final book of a series can't end that way! "And then, I go happily into the darkness that awaits me." The last sentence in chapter twenty-nine really had me believe that this is the end of Elle, and that the author has decided to kill off the main character and bring the series to a tragic close just like with what Veronica Roth did to Tris in Allegiant. I am elated it didn't go that way! Joseph the evil dictator died (annihilated by his son Hunter), Elle and Sebastian both got to live, the cure to stop the mutations from occurring to people who are not tainted worked, Elle was reunited with Gemma, Adam, and all the others she used to know back in the ARC, and everybody gets to live happily ever after. What a pleasing and satisfying conclusion! I have never previously seen or read about a story in which the future can be changed. This kind of thing has never happened before (not that I know of, anyway) and a prophecy is usually supposed to be set in stone - it cannot be modified or altered. But according to Destined, isn't it fantastic to know now that it can?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1.5/5. The Ryan thing lowkey irritated me. He disappears, everyone forgets and nobody wonders how he manages to time travel. It just wrapped up a bit easy but it was interesting. Also the cure was a bit too easy, again everything moves too fast and seemed a bit too cliche. And yay everyone is rescued everything works out fine. (!)
Good series. Clever twist at the end. Definitely refresh yourself on the 3 previous books before you start. I was a little lost when I started. 4 stars bc the ending was quite predictable but still a good read. Would recommend.
"As we walk to the helicopters waiting to take us home, surrounded by our friends, I can’t help but feel that maybe we can’t answer the question of what comes next. Maybe our destiny is yet to be written."
Oh my lord this book was so freaked amazing and heartbreaking at the same time! I wasn't really impressed with the first two books, but reading the last two books in the series made up for it. This author does a really good job with ending series. I also loved her ending to The Liftsal Guardians series.
Okay, some thoughts on the characters:
Hunter: This dude officially mind screwed me. I didn't started trusting him again till the end of the book. I kept waiting for him too turn around and stab them all in the back.
M: I haven't trusted this guy since the first time he popped up. Kelsey said she had a bad fee!omg about him and I trust her more so. Also, I kept thinking about how Ryan (we are calling him Ryan) said that he wouldn't have died that day anyway and then never told us how. I kept thinking that maybe M had sold then out and he was the mole.
Elle: Overall her character development was really go and I loved reading about it. There were a couple stupid decisions that she made in my opinion. Like when she decided to sneak onto the mission to the ARC. (I thought that Hunter had mind manipulated her into this and was leading her into a trap but we don't talk about that smh). It ended up working out in the end so.
FInally, the ending. The worst two parts for me were when Elle went into the darkness and when Ryan died (I say he died). The conversation with Ryan and then Elle forgetting him was the worst😱😭. I know that we still technically have a version of Sebastian, but Ryan was a character I loved from the beginning and he didn't deserve that. When Elle went into the darkness I thought we were gonna have to deal with a depressing ending and that was not what I needed to read at 1am, but we didn't so yay!
Well, sorry for the long review and I hope you guys enjoyed this book as much as I did! (Sorry for anything that doesn't make sense I wrote this at 1:30 am.😁)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A great ending to a pretty good dystopian series. I'm thankful that the author FINALLY answered a number of questions that had plagued me since the first book--especially as to the mysteries of Ryan. While I still feel that he was a bit of a creeper, I totally get it now.
I'm actually glad that in the end she ends up with Sebastian. I'll admit, I lost hope near the end and thought that she would eventually end up with Hunter--which to be honest I wouldn't have been opposed to either. He was one of my favorites throughout the series, and I could have seen a future for him and Elle. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. But I'm totally ok with that.
Elle's character actually surprised me a bit in this book. I felt that she FINALLY showed the kind of growth I'd been yearning for in the previous three installments. She was less selfish, and more aware of herself and her abilities. Thankfully she was a lot less whiny too.
I would have liked to see more depth where it came to some of the other characters though. Particularly with April, Soren, Luke, and M. I felt like the reader barely gets to know them at all--alas, I suppose that's what fan fiction is for. Or maybe the author will see it in her heart to revisit this story in a new way? Who knows?
The pacing of this book was great and never left a dull moment. I enjoyed the action, though I would have liked to see more in the way of politics. It would have been interesting to know what went on in the ARC during Elle's time away. For instance, what was the political connection between Hope and the ARC? And I know that Hope wasn't the only talented city built, so how do the others play into the entire thing? Again, this could be great to revisit in a new series in the same world. Just a thought.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ok I’m in love. This book was so good. I enjoyed the series but this final book is by far my favorite. There was some complex storyline stuff going on here and the author weaved it all in so well. The major takeaway- who Ryan was!!!!! I feel like I can generally predict stuff yet I never ever saw that coming. Not even a hint. The only open ending thing that kind of annoys me - Kelsey had feelings and they were always right. She had a bad feeling about M. So I just kept expecting something to happen there but it never did. And there was the moment when Guage told Elle it wasn’t safe in their hideout in book 3 right before mysteriously disappearing. It’s almost like the author had intended to go another direction with M in book 3 and then changed her mind for book 4. Also how did 1 dog survive the asteroid hitting earth? As a dog lover I’m glad Cooper was there, but it seems impossible. Either way, I loved this book. Also I’m a sucker for happy endings even if they’re cliche :) ignore my complaints and read it. I gave it 5 stars so obviously I think it’s awesome!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Haven't read yetbut I can say already I hate it. What I mean is I lost my wallet and can't buy it yet and I HATE IT,
Its the fourth in the series and I've read three.Sped through every chance I got. Which wasn't too often.
As I said I lost my wallet! Had to cancel my cards. So will have to wait. Also the author is sneaky ( <3 ) she keeps raising the price and the fourth - once we're totally hooked is five dollars. Don't think for a minute its not worth that AND MORE.
If I had the money I'd spend 17.99 on a complete set in hard cover or more whatever the going rate is. I am just short of funds. Single mom special needs childs, expensive transportation to a special school (he's smart,super and awesome he just has some challenges.
I also know once I read it I will say I am very disappointed. That its ended. :)
And finally, the right people end up in the right places...or, at least, where they belong. I enjoyed this whole series from start to finish although certain parts might have suffered if not for Elle's propensity for ignoring, bending or doing her own thing where rules & orders are concerned. This Book #4 explored both triumph and tragedy in just the right proportions. Naturally there are some surprises in store but you'll have to read it to acquire them. I'll be on the lookout for more novels & series by Alexandra Moody. Thank you for this.
Having just finished this final book in the story, I am truly blown away by the entire Arc series. I started the first book cautiously, but soon, I found myself drawn into the world and lives of the characters. I felt the heartbreak, soared with the realization of hope and awed at the love and cringed from the evil presented by some characters. Looking forward to the next series to see what world and characters Alexandra Moody brings to life for each if us.
Wow! I didn't see all of that coming! I did kind of hope she would find some blood relative of her own in this final chapter, but overall was definitely shocked and surprised. There was foreshadowing that implied something was being kept from her and it was up to me to wonder what that something was. I was in shock when the twist is revealed and that makes this book most definitely five plus stars. Incredible series, I look forward to more from this Author!1
Turns out that our main girl is special after all, and that's what ended up disappointing me about the conclusion of the series. But on the bright side, there is a concise conclusion to the story with things wrapped up nicely. But overall, I found that this book moved along slower than the others and it was just kind of MEH compared to what it could have been.
Ah!!!!! I loved this book! Perfect ending to the series. Also, my questions about Ryan finally get answered. Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is all I have to say. That was sooooo not expected! You’ll just have to read it for yourself. Great series! I can’t wait to re-read it all over again. :)
This series will keep you guessing and hoping. More twists and turns than a road map. Great, real, exciting characters. An ending that will keep you surprised and happy!
I read this entire series in about 3 days. I loved it! I would have finished it sooner but I refused to read the last five pages for awhile because I didn't want the series to end.
This series was pretty epic. I look forward to reading more from this author and going on new adventures with her characters. Please you must read them. You won't be disappointed.
I had an inkling about Ryan at the very beginning, but thought there was nothing Elle could do to prevent the fate already laid out for either of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
After their leader "M" was taken, the members of the movement find themselves back underground in hiding. Joseph, the diabolical leader of Hope City and doctor who experimented on Elle, is still on the loose. Elle wants nothing more than to get revenge on Joseph, especially after the death of Will. But after the last showdown, and loss of control of her talents, she needs time to learn control them first. Unfortunately, Joseph may not give her that time, as he wants his prized experiment back.
This is the fourth and final book in the ARC series. Just like every book since her debut book 'Tainted' (ARC series book 1), the author's talent has grown exponentially. It's not that the first book wasn't good, it was, it just happened to be a first book and struggled with pacing. Since then, every book has gotten better and evolved, and this one was no exception. The storyline picks up shortly after the last, and the action ramps up quickly. I liked how the story came full circle, and the questions that I had in the first book(s) were answered. Overall a nice ending to a good series.
My only constructive critiques are this: although the buildup to the end showdown was done well, the climax itself felt a bit rushed. I would have liked to see the author have slowed down that part, letting the reader savor the culmination of every book leading to this part. It also would have helped add more heartbreak to what should have been a very emotionally charged scene. Also, I wish there had been a bit more of a refresher early in the book, to remind me what had happened in the previous book(s). It had been several months (and 150+ books) between books three and four. I honestly couldn't remember what had happened at the end of book three. I was 30% into the book prior to being able to piece it together. So a little more information, and having it within the first couple chapters would have made for a smoother transition. Although, that is something many authors fall short on. Nonetheless, Despite my two personal critiques, this book was well written, and tied in nicely with the complete series. I look forward to reading more by Alexandra Moody in the future.
Like the other reviewers, I enjoyed the final book in the ARC series. That may be due to reading so many sad endings in other series. However, it was awesome not to be in tears at the end of a long read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. It seemed the main character didn't grow with the story. Couldn't wait to end the bad guy then doesn't when the chance comes. An ok story.