Rêves de liberté

The Tainted Accords #4

by Kelly St. Clare

Rêves de Liberté est le dernier tome bourré d’action de la série des
Accords Corrompus.

Jamais le voile n’a semblé si lourd. Mais je suis plus forte que jamais.
Le voile n’a pas d’importance.

***

Depuis que l’on m’a kidnappée d’Osolis, une part de moi a toujours su
que lorsque je reviendrais – si je vivais assez longtemps pour revenir –
j’apporterais la mort et la destruction aux portes de mon monde.

C’est là l’ironie de la paix. Elle vient seulement après la guerre.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy Romance, New Adult, Fiction, Paranormal

376 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2017

About the author

When USA Today bestselling author, Kelly St Clare is not reading or writing, she is lost in her latest reverie.

Books have always been magical and mysterious to her. One day she decided to start unravelling this mystery and began writing.

The Tainted Accords was her debut series. The After Trilogy is now available.

A New Zealander in origin and in heart, Kelly currently resides in Australia with her soon-to-be husband, a great group of friends, and some huntsman spiders who love to come inside when it rains. Their love is not returned.

Find out more at her website, and claim a free paranormal dystopian short story, coloring book, and free bonus chapters from The Tainted Accords.

http://www.kellystclare.com/free-gift

Reviews

[Ashley S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the history of Osolis and Glacium, the powerful Osolis people (Solati) have never lost a war on their home ground. In Fantasy of Freedom, Olina and Jovan are challenged to finally change that as the Tatuma of Osolis wages war on them.

Fantasy of Freedom throws us right into the war before Olina even finishes recovering from her fatal injury after her close call with death in Fantasy of Fire.

All loose ends are nearly tied as battles are fought and secrets are unraveled. However, I can’t say that there were any bizarre twists that made this last installment truly epic.

I expected much more behind Kendrick’s assassination because Olina’s search for answers had spanned a total of four books – perhaps a small but deadly army who acted in the name of vengeance towards Glacium’s king and whose master plan is to overthrow him, or even a complex and mysterious backstory linked to Kendrick’s past that would result in more repercussions in the final war – but we were given but a simple isolated incident that had been put to motion by only one man, who has no significant or deep ties to any rulers of kingdoms and whose only role was linear and uncomplicated. (I'm trying to be as vague as possible here to avoid any spoilers.)

I was also hoping there would be a surprising development that involved the Ire, but the Ire’s role is also predictable and very straightforward.

Despite this, I was kept turning the pages until the end. What this book lacks for in complex plot development, it makes up with action, intriguing drama, and characters you can’t help but love.

This installment is rich with constant action, revelations of secrets, relationships that weather, relationships that bloom, and of course, our favorite King Jovan, whose relationship with Olina is tested.

As they journey and battle, he and Olina are finally brought to the reality that they may live the rest of their lives pining for each other from the opposite ends of their world. Their uncertainty about how they could possibly rule both the people of Osolis and Glacium tests and strains their relationship.

Will their unequivocal love be enough for them to choose each other? Or will their loyalties to their kingdoms force them to smother what they’ve allowed to burn between them?

I don’t chase after him.
I don’t know what stops me from calling out to him.
And I don’t ask him why his expression darkens, why his head is bowed down.
Because I know.
We are the biggest impossibility of all.

(3.5)

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Kelly St. Clare.)

“War is raw. It is like love in this way. You think you’re prepared for both, but you cannot predict what either will do.”

This book was a good end to this YA fantasy series.

Olina stayed strong in this book, even when faced with insurmountable losses. She also had the strength of character to totally change things when she needed to, and never lost sight of what she needed to do.

The storyline in this book was about Olina and Jovan trying to overthrow Olina’s mother; the Tatum of Solati. This wasn’t an easy task though, and many lives were lost along the way. I was pleased that Kendrick’s killer was finally revealed, and Olina and Jovan were quite sweet together.

The ending to this was pretty good, and I was pleased with the way things worked out.



7 out of 10

[Ann (annreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Reread June 2019*

“War is raw. It is like love in this way. You think you’re prepared for both, but you cannot predict what either will do.”

FOREVER CRYING BECAUSE I LOVE THIS SERIES WITH ALL MY HEART AND I JUST WISH WE HAD MORE😭
Perfect ending to one of my all time favorite series💜

————————————————————————
*First read June 2017*

“Hands linked, we watch our people help each other. And it is the most beautiful thing I will ever be privileged enough to see.
At our lowest moments we recover the essence of who we are.”

I need 20 more books plEASE
It's been a while since I've been this obsessed with a series but honestly guys, this books are freaking amazing and so worth the read!
I fell completely in love with the story and this characters, I think I could literally read a million books about their adventures and I'd never get enough of them! Also, I'm really really happy with how things wrapped up, the ending was so perfect and beautiful I can't eVEN! Lina and Jovan are my everything❤️
Seriously, if you haven't read this series yet, I HIGHLY recommend that you give it a try because it's absolutely FANTASTIC!

5/5★★★★★

[Rosaline (Rosaline's Rolls & Scrolls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I AM NOT READY!

 

This was such a rollercoaster and I can't believe it's over. I have a massive book hangover that I don't know how to fix.
This series needs more recognition, honestly!

Even though I thought the fourth and final installment was the weakest of the four books, I still loved it very much. I laughed out loud, and cried, and held on to my sleeves in panic. Yes, there were some parts I thought could have been better, but I would like to talk about the good parts first.

I have to say, I absolutely LOVE Olina, and you know it's a good book when I love the MC, cause that just doesn't happen often. She is fierce and strong and grows so much in these books, it's unbelievable. To think the veiled girl of the first book is now this warrior alpha woman! Girl, we stan!
I also think I may have a massive crush on her Frost persona! Can I please have more books with Frost-like MCs? That's why the second book is my favorite and I may have to revisit my review of it just to talk more about Frost.

Now, what we all have been questioning throughout this entire series: will they or won't they at the end?

Barrons and Curran, step aside, there's a new book husband in town. Cause these men deserve more than just to be book boyfriends! (There's something seriously wrong with this sentence but I'm too hyped to care!)

 

Jovan stole my heart. I have no heart anymore! These fictional men make it harder and harder for me to get attracted to real life men. Send help!

Okay enough with the swooning, Rosaline!

 

Overall, I was satisfied with the conclusion to the series. Except, for a few things that made this book a little weak in my eyes.

Don't read any further if you haven't already read the first three books as there may be a few spoilers here. (No spoilers for book four).

The entire plot of this book is about Olina's quest to kill her mother. So the entirety of the book is spent in war. And while I love me some action and the occasional heartache, I felt as though the execution was a little underwhelming and that took from the usual magic of the book. I don't want to say it dragged, as I enjoyed every second of reading this, but it was not as good as the other books. I found there was something lacking in the side character's chemistry and overall awesomeness, which was probably because of the mood of the war. But still, I missed my happy little idiots.
We find out a lot about Olina and the Tatum's past, and watch as Olina overcomes the rest and most hidden of her demons. However, when it came to the moment of truth in which she was facing her uncle and mother, the book flopped! Maybe I'm a sadistic weirdo, but I needed a bit more revenge and satisfaction. She waited so long for this to end so unceremoniously. Even though that's usually the way of real life...

I was satisfied with the rest of the ending though. I think I will float around for a while, lost without my newest favorite series. I think I have to go back to Karen Marie Moning and Sarah J. Maas to fill up this void.

I will forever recommend this book as one the best high fantasies I've ever read with a set of wonderful and lovable characters, strong MC, terrific world building, and the hottest male in three worlds.



I am so disappointed we didn't get to learn who Olandon's lover was though. I was kinda leaning towards Arla, despite everything.

[Kelly Clare]

Release date is set for October 10th, 2016 :)

[AℳY♔Queen of Fat cats♔Ain't no lie Baby Byebyebye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!

[Fran P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great ending to a series I've enjoyed from start to finish.

[Cécile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review in english / plus bas pour mon avis en français.

First of all, for all the ones that read and love the first 3 books and are afraid to be disappointed : don't be ! This book is perfect.

Now for the others who didn't read the series yet:
1- what are you waiting for ?
2- let me tell you why you have to read it :

What a perfect conclusion to a perfect series ! I loved every single moment and sentence of this book and series.

I don’t even know how to express all my feelings in a review (even more in english) but let me tell you I read the four books in a raw and I have a massive book hangover.
It’s hard to say goodbye to all of them. And It’s hard to tell you all the things I loved about The Tainted Accords Series. But let’s try :
- First of all, Kelly’s writing is beautiful, flowing and intelligent.
She created characters that were perfect even in their imperfection (I wanted to punch Olina one or twice in book 2 and 4).
Olandon, Ash, Jovan, Olina… All of them did some questionable choices, all of them I wanted to shake sometimes, but their imperfections made them human, and I also loved them for that.
Kelly didn’t manage to only made us fall to Olina and Jovan, she also made us loved (or hate sometimes) a lot of secondary characters.
She created characters who evolve and question themselves a lot during their journey, and looking back to book 1, i’m amazed by what they all became.
Not only Olina who was once veiled and afraid, but all of them, even the people from both worlds who had to question their beliefs.

- The plot was flawless, entertaining, addictive, and we never get bored even for one page from book 1 to end of book 4.

- Kelly didn’t do things easily just because it will please the readers. She made some very realistic and sad choices sometimes.
Now, about book 4 : This book was very representative of the complete series, we are hooked from the first page to the end, we see in awe the evolution of the characters, we laugh, we cry, we understand, we want to throw our kindle, we swoon, and we fall in love.
Yes, we fall in love. HARD ! I thought I was in love with Jovan in book 3 but … my my… after this book.
Jovan, I LOVE YOU. You earn your place in my top 3 book boyfriends with Curran (Kate daniels) and Barrons (Fever series).
This book was stressful, painful, beautiful and full of revelations ! I was surprised, I was sad, I had compassion… I felt. A lot.

What a journey I've got since book 1 ! As said before : this was a perfect conclusion of a perfect series.
It's not that often that, as a reader, we feel so much, and that we can read a complete series without getting bored or finding some flaws to the plot or characters.
Not even was it not the case but this book, as well of the complete series, was the perfect balance between action, laugh, swoon, love and sadness.

I can only recommend it to all.
Thanks to Kelly for this amazing series and thank you for the ARC of book 4 !


***********

Mon avis en français :

Pour ceux qui n’ont pas encore découvert cette série :
1- Qu’attendez-vous ?
2- Laissez moi vous expliquer (sans spoiler) pourquoi vous DEVEZ la lire :

Ce tome est une parfaite conclusion à une série parfaite.
J’ai aimé chaque moment et chaque phrase de ce tome et de cette série.

C’est difficile d���exprimer tout mes sentiments car j’ai lu les 4 tomes d’affilés et que je referme ce dernier tome avec un grand sentiment de vide.
Il m'est difficile de dire au revoir à tous ces personnages.

- Tout d’abord, l’écriture de Kelly St Clare est magnifique, fluide, intelligente.
Elle a su créer des personnages qui sont parfaits jusque dans leurs imperfections (j’avoue avoir voulu baffer Olina deux ou trois fois).
Olandon, Ash, Jovan, Olina… Ils font tous à un moment donné des mauvais choix, j’avais parfois envie de les secouer mais leurs imperfections les rendaient également humains. Et je les ai aimés aussi pour ça. (ceci dit, ils admettent leurs erreurs !).
Non seulement je suis tombée amoureuse de Jovan et Olina, mais aussi de tous les personnages secondaires.
L’auteur a su créer des personnages qui évoluent au fil de la série, qui se remettent en question (beaucoup) et quand je repense au premier livre, je suis admirative de leur évolution.
Et je ne parle pas seulement de la Olina voilée et terrifiée du premier tome mais de tous les personnages!

- L’intrigue était prenante, addictive même, sans aucun faux pas et je ne me suis pas ennuyée une seule fois du premier au dernier tome.

- L’auteur ne tombe jamais dans la facilité pour faire plaisir à ses lecteurs. Elle a su faire des choix difficiles, tristes mais réalistes.

Maintenant, à propos de ce dernier tome : il est représentatif de la série. On est pris dès le début, on admire l’évolution des personnages, on rit, on pleure, on comprend, on a envie de balancer notre kindle, on couine, et on tombe amoureuse…
On tombe VRAIMENT amoureuse. Moi qui pensait l’être après le tome 3…. ce n’était rien comparé à maintenant.
Pour vous dire, Jovan rejoint directement mon top 3 auprès de Barrons et Curran.

Ce livre était stressant, touchant, beau et pleins de révélations. J’ai été surprise, triste, pleine de compassion…. En d’autres termes, j’ai ressenti. Beaucoup.

Comme je le disais au début ce livre est une parfaite conclusion à une série parfaite.
Ce n’est pas souvent qu’en tant que lecteur, on ressent autant de choses et qu’on peut lire 4 tomes d’affilées sans se lasser ou trouver des défauts à l’intrigue ou aux personnages.
Et là, non seulement ce n’est pas le cas, mais en plus, l’auteur arrive à trouver le juste milieu entre action, rire, couinement, amour, amitié et tristesse.

Un sans faute et un must read.

Merci à l'auteur de m'avoir donné la possibilité de lire ce dernier tome avant sa sortie.

[Simply Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying end to a satisfying series. It captivated me from beginning to end. Yes, Olina was a little bit too special, but it honestly never bothered me. I loved her growth from beginning to end. I fell in love with the incredibly hot and hulky King Jovan (obviously) and all of the others, from Avalanche to Shard to Adnan and Sin. And yes, Kendrick and Flurry too :( I can't wait to delve into the novellas and possibly explore more of the writings by Ms. St Clare.

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had so much fun reading this series. I started crying eleven pages in, this was the most emotional of them all. I kind of want more Olina and Jovan, I just don't want them to end.

It's earned a spot on the Top 20 series I love, that's for sure.

[✧ FLINN ✧ (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was a bit flat for me, but this series is fantastic! I haven’t slept in 24h just to finish this, it was great! 3.8

Still incredible!


Re-read - 18/12/23
Re read - 12/08/21

[Umaiya ❄️Ramblings of a Scattered Mind❄️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister did not appreciate the significance of my words so I hope y'all do when I say,

Jovan can give Curran a run for his money.

*hides*

[Grace A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a triumphant finale when the good guys win and the bad guys lose and pay for their evilness (Yeap! my very own personalized Webster).
Fantasy of Freedom was a remarkable conclusion to the series. There were so many parallels to our current world and the divide that exist between us, that I couldn’t help but dream that someday we will be better. That a day will come where the colour of our skin, our gender, or whatever manufactured societal caste system we create won’t determine our worth. Enough babbling.
As usual, I enjoyed the twists and turns, the vivid descriptions of the landscape, and the well crafted dialogue between the characters. My favs still being Lina and Jovan. Five stars.

[Rebecca C. Cardenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first three books in 'The Tainted Accords' series this week. Each book took me a day or night to read, because I am COOL like that. This always happens to me if I love/like a series; good luck trying to pry my Kindle Fire from my hands on such occasions. I may have gimpy hands with my rheumatoid arthritis/Lupus but when it comes to holding onto a good book, no one beats this warrior's kung fu ninja grip. FYI: I am not a spoiler, the following is my opinion on the story, the author, etc. Also the editing in the series was pretty darn good, especially considering what is typically seen with this particular e-book genre, or honestly with e-books in general.
I have to say I am impressed with the imagination and creativity that Ms. St. Clare put into her books. St. Clare has a writing style which draws you into her story rapidly. If you should happen to shut your eyes for a moment, her characters simply come alive. Remember do try not to blink, or it may just be you who enters into the pit.
Once St. Clare's quick witted writing style draws you in you soon find yourself unable to put down her story. Once you finish reading the first book in this series, you know you have found a new author to haunt via the Goodreads. By the second book you are hooked and make sure you have every book in the series on your ' to read' shelf with Goodreads, as you get to the third book you then lament on the fourth book having not being released yet then 'follow' St. Clare on Goodreads and the Facebook.
It has always been exciting to me, when I take a chance on a new author, to find that I have indeed found another gem to hoard as one does a priceless treasure. Oh, and yes I did read each book one after the other. The benefits of insomnia and long summer nights! After finishing book three I sure did pout after I discovered I would have to actually wait until book four is released (sometime this year, in October, according to the Author's Amazon/Kindle page). Me, a woman who used (I used past tense, as if being an adult has made this stealthy talent no more. ha!!) hunt, to find, unwrap, then rewrap all her surprise Christmas and Birthday gifts...well this is a blasphemous travesty of the utmost torture for me. This unknown waiting. Wait? I cannot WAIT to discover what happens next with Lina's story. I am still pouting. Pouting....and waiting.

Remember people, do not rat me out to my Mom, Mums the word. HA!!!

HAPPY Reading...
Rebecca

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was 'dragged' into this series because Fantasy of Frost was my first Amazon free read. I almost dropped it, but decided to skip through it during a rather boring train ride, and, as I can rarely leave things half way, I decided to read the next books in the series.

So, it finally reached the end: pretty fast paced, easy to read, compensating this way the lack of complex plot and interesting twists. The revealing of Kendrick's killer was kind of meh (after you build expectations in 3 previous books, you really should make it impressive).

I also found some things prettttyyy disturbing:

- “My brother and I have the same blue-black hair, but that is where similarities end. His eyes are brown, for starters, and he towers over me by a good three heads—a typical difference between males and females on Osolis.” - really, she barely reaches up to his belly button?!

- ““I am the Tatuma of Osolis. You cannot order me around like a subject,” I state. Jovan throws his hands in the air and stalks to the door, nearly ripping it from the hinges. “Guards!” he bellows. There’s an urgent clatter of men and spears in response to his booming shout. Anger boils within me as Jovan throws me a triumphant look before turning to face the ten or so watchmen who have gathered outside my chambers. He points a finger to where I perch on the bed. I glower at the watchmen until they avert their eyes. “The Tatuma does not leave this room until she can be trusted to stay where I damn well put her.”” - talking about bossy and abusive

- “The king doesn’t speak a word. He just bends, picks me up, and places me over his shoulder. My wound doesn’t appreciate the treatment. Kaura trots after us, whining at the sight of her chief ear-scratcher being carried away, until Rhone whistles her back. “Put me down,” I hiss. I swear he’s carried me more lately than I’ve walked. He answers with a stinging slap to my bottom.” - again kind of abusive – I don’t think YAs should be made to think of this kind of behaviour as normal and appropriate

- “He pushes me off the blanket. I land on the cold rock next to the bedroll. Before I can punch him in the kidney for it, he shifts into my spot, picks me up, and places me on top of his chest.” - couldn’t help but imagine some giant holding a little girl

- and some spelling mistakes, the one screaming at me being the use of emancipated instead of emaciated :/

So, probably even 3★ are too many, but I was feeling indulgent. I wouldn't recommend this series to my friends, though..

[Archives of Jina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect ending. ZERO complaints. *Happily sighs*

I don’t know how to feel, express myself or ANYTHING! What is life?! I’ve been buried in these books for days and now I’m done. What do I do with my life????

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS

“If there’s one thing I understand by now, it’s that no matter how much you prepare, all you can do when faced with your worst nightmare is use whatever is at your disposal. War is raw. It is like love in this way. You think you’re prepared for both, but you cannot predict what either will do.”

Hmm, this was actually a decent ending. I like that Olina was free to the prison she wasn't supposed to be in the first place. Glacium and Osolis have achieved the peace they wanted despite the diversity on their culture. And everyone were happy on their own accords. However, there were points that made the book unsatisfying for me.


1) I felt like the conflicts surrounding Tatum Avanna wasn't given a proper justice. She was introduced as an abusive, merciless and selfish queen to the people of Osolis but the weight of her death was taken lightly. The author wanted us to feel bad after everything she'd done and it kinda disappoints me that I feel obligated to feel bad for her.

2) I love Olina. She's a badass heroine in my book but she makes the dumbest decisions sometimes. I also admired the romance between her and King Jovan but I hated how Jovan kept treating her as some kind of weakling. I understand that he just wanted her safe but my god, I honestly trust she can managed on her own out there.

3) There wasn't any big plot twists or turning point to the entire story. This whole journey started with Kendrick's murder but the revelation to his murderer was rather personal than political which made it less interesting.


Fantasy of Freedom is the final installment in the The Tainted Accords series and though there were aspects that made the book anticlimatic, this is still a good ending to the series. I honestly enjoyed the entire series and I still recommed reading it for yourself.

[TJ ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad that we really got to see the difference in Bruma and Solati culture in this book. The subtly on Osolis was fascinating and I liked the no-questions thing. I also enjoyed reading Olina's struggle to relate back to her own culture after experiencing such freedom and acceptance on Glacium. I was v content with the ending. Jovan's grand entrance to the Solati court was so swoon worthy why couldn't his character always be like that??

"What brings you to Osolis, King Jovan?" My voice shakes.
"You," he replies, calmly.
A large hand rests on my thigh.
I brush the hand off. "What do you require?"
"You."



He's still not my favorite, but I gotta give credit where credit is due: the man had game by the end of this. Aquin was def my fav character and his death ruined me, especially bc of Lina's callous words to him before. I mean, he hung on days to die just to hear her forgive him!! Just carve my heart out why don't you! How you gonna kill the sensei? How?? Sin was a close second he had me laughinggg in this book. First, when he kidnapped that sick baby and then proceeded to act so nonchalant about the whole ordeal. Second, when he lost his hair bahahahah. Overall this was a rly great series. Interesting worldbuilding, amazing protagonist and strong supporting cast, a fulfilling amount of action and lots of laughs. I'd def recommend.

[✿ℎazℯℓ - thℯ ℛock Cℎick ℱairy✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT WAS SUCH A GREAT ENDING!!!

I don't know what to read now because this book just left me speechless! Lina and Jovan's epic story will forever be one of my faves now!

This fourth book proved to be not only entertaining, it's also full of surprises and some things that I already suspected. Heh ;) The war was indeed difficult and I'm just glad that none of my favorite secondary characters died.

I love, love how it all wrapped up. So glad I gave this series a shot! :)

[Pilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5* sería la valoración ara toda la serie de libros. Debo decir que me a sorprendido mucho, no llevaba idea de lo que me iba a encontrar y eso ha sido un punto muy a su favor.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to have tears in this one, but damn if I didn't.

Olina had some great character growth throughout this series. I loved the relationship she grew with so many of these characters. It really does just pull you into these books!

Jovan has my heart. I loved him and how he was with Lina. He was the strength she needed so many times throughout these books. But she was that to him as well.

I loved their ending, but I really did wish we got more of them together, together. I hope that maybe we see some of that in the little novellas with Sin, Olandon, Rhone and Shard!

[Patrick Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tainted Accords is, without a doubt, one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. The worlds that Kelly St. Clare has created are rich, well-realized, and vivid, as are the characters that inhabit them.

At the center is, of course, Olina, the heroine who has grown from a frightened, veiled, abused girl to a strong, capable leader who can hold her own in a fight against anyone. In this final installment, she must finally face down her evil mother and uncle, who have designs on conquering both worlds and destroying however many innocents who stand in their way.

The final battle and showdown is epic, and well worth the wait. It's been building up to this point for four books, and the culmination is satisfying and bittersweet. Readers will not be disappointed in the slightest at how it all plays out.

I cannot recommend this series more highly for lovers of YA fiction. It has everything you could want - action, romance, humor, thrills. I can't wait for the upcoming novellas!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an epic finale ! I really think this series started off as average and aged like fine wine. This one was action-packed, full of twists and surprises and I'm glad it ended this way. There were a few emotional scenes, and Jovan and Olina's relationship was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Also that ending ? Surprised by the choice, but not surprised by the events. There was some foreshadowing for sure. Keep in mind this is YA, so don't come looking for spice, you won't find it. I recommend this series !

[LexiLikesLiterature · Rating 4 out of 5]

This final book of the Tainted Accords series was very satisfying. There was drama, suspense, love, war, death, and reunions. Not in that order at all. I think this is a great example of how to do a final book. It had a clear ending. The climax of this book could also be the climax of the series as a whole. The author covered all her bases. There is a clear ending. Which I loved. Everybody wants to do cliff hangers these days.

My favorite phrase is when Olina speaks with her cook: "Look at how we've affected the world with just a bundle of apples"

The author was able to leave things open just a little bit so that she has an opportunity to come back to the series if she had the urge.

The author was able to take us into the war between the two worlds. It wasnt overdone with technically explanations nor was it over the top that you couldn't follow. It was written in a way to pull you into the battle but not weigh you done with so many details that you drown in them.

Olina and Jovin get hot and heavy. But are potentially pulled apart by the need to do what's best for their worlds. This makes their relationship realistic. The inner issues that come between them are things we all face in our own relationships.

Characters were further developed. Even in a Finale there is room to grow. Olina is still quite young and has to grow in maturity from hated half breed into someone her people can respect. she wants to be able to rule but has to learn not to run head first into everything. of course she does that a few times in the beginning but you can see when she starts to learn from her mistakes.

Again, good finale to an overall good series.

The narrator did a good job once again. She read with excitement which made the battle scenes that much more interesting.

Audible Books Listener
Alexis :-)

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this release forever but sadly it took a week for me to have time to sit down and read. I started to begin it one day but knew I wasn't going to be able to give Olina the attention she deserved. So I held off on our reunion. Instead, I read this today and I don't even know what I'm feeling. This was so awesome I can't even write an eloquent review. It was just soooo good (note another sad adjective this time coupled with an over eager adverb).

So, yup, that's where I am right now. The ending of this series made me feel so many things. Sad to see it end, happy it went how I hoped, and in awe with how amazing of a writer Kelly St. Claire is. I will be rereading this and look forward to reading more from her.

Oh, and who the Solis is Olanden saying "hello" to?!?

[Jemimah Decker-Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sitting here kicking myself for not having read this whole series sooner. Seriously it is awesome and has now become one of my favourite series, ever!
I'm so sad that it's over, but also glad that we got to see Olina's story come to a fitting conclusion. I have laughed and cried many times through this series and particularly in this last book. It was such a fitting end and the twists on the emotions that Kelly has managed to pull is part of what made this book so great. Jovan has now become one of my favourite book boyfriends, and Bruma has become one of my favourite literary places that if I really could press that magic button then I would be there.
What an awesome end to an enjoyable and captivating series. I am now going to go back and re read this series all over again as that is what I do when I've fallen in love with the world an author has created.

[Irma *Irma The Book Whisperer* · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hands linked, we watch our people help each other. And it is the most beautiful thing I will ever be privileged enough to see.
At our lowest moments we recover the essence of who we are.”

I think I could read this series a hundred times and never get sick of it.
I was taken out on an adventure while reading the series. So good!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad this incredible series is over. I was hooked with the first book, the second one was a little disappointing but, looking back now, I realize what happened in book two was necessary to the story as a whole. The third book was amazing and the fourth and final book was everything I needed it to be and more. I loved every minute of it, I was invested and couldn't stop reading.

Kelly St. Clare wrote the perfect ending to this series, the long awaited war between the Bruma and Solati is finally here, we learn who was behind Kendrick's murder, who's Lina's real father and what's going to happen to Jovan and Lina's relationship once she takes her throne back from her evil mother.

As I've said, I could not stop reading. I was in a trance, eyes fixated on the words in front of me, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Fantasy of Freedom was full of twists, action and nail-biting moments.

I absolutely loved how the author handled the romance, we've waited so long for them to be truly together and we do have that in this book, but not completely. Since Olina is going to war to overthrow her mother, we knew she was going to end up Tatum and stay on Osolis, and since Jovan is Glacium's king, we also knew this was going to be a problem for their relationship. But, not once, did I feel hopeless, not once did they give up on each other. Even if they knew their duty, even if they wanted what was best for their people, their feelings were always obvious and I knew the author was going to end this series with them together.

My lips close over the juicy pear, brushing against his fingers. His expression has never been so focused on my actions. Or maybe I notice this more because of where we are and who is watching. I chew quickly, avoiding the gaze of everyone. Juice escapes and rolls down my chin. But when I move to wipe the juice away, Jovan grips my hand and leans forward. As I sit frozen, the king licks the juice away and then presses a deep, breathtaking kiss to my mouth.

I have a deep attachment to the secondary characters, I am so excited for the novellas about Sin, Olandon, Rhone and Shard. I can't wait to see what's in store for them and get right back into this world.

Reading Fantasy of Freedom was like riding a roller coaster of emotions, I laughed, it made me happy, I cried, it broke my heart more than once, I screamed, some scenes made me angry beyond measure, but most of all, I left this book feeling satisfied and with a big grin on my face. The ending was so good, I just wanted more.

All in all, this series is incredible. I highly recommend it to everyone who likes an epic fantasy romance read, while it is YA, it's definitely for a more mature audience. A lot of cursing, a lot of nasty jokes and sex is talked about very freely. It didn't really feel like a YA for me, to be honest, and that's why I loved this series as much as I did. The characters are all mature, most of them are 20 t0 25 and act like adults. The romance is intense while still being slow burn but, trust me, it's so worth it in the end. You'll get to know so many amazing characters, feel so many different emotions, you'll be surprised and shocked more than once and, by the end of it, you'll only want more.

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED the epilogue. Honestly, it was almost perfect and just needed to be longer. I've just decided to bump up the rating for the last two chapters alone.

There's a bit of angst before that but it's worked out satisfactorily. Honestly, Olina has really grown on me - she's kickass without coming off as a special snowflake, and she's smart to boot, and independent enough not to run off after the hero. Also, I really like that St Clare heroes act like heroes and not pastel gentlemen. What I mean is, Jovan will turn around while Olina changes if she tells him to, but he'll still peek. Not very gentlemanly of him and I'm sure some reviewers out there will hate it but I honestly quite liked this - it felt like a humanising touch.

[Blog]

[Darci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly everything I’d hoped it would be, and more. Every little loose end was tied up, and done in such a satisfying and logical way. There were still twists that raised my brows, and heartfelt moments that brought tears to my eyes.

Aside from one scene, I found Jovan to be very likable and the romance was perfect! I loved how bittersweet and grey some of our villains endings became. When an author can spin the story well enough to garner some pity from me for the villain(s)... well, props to them!

Overall, I’m very glad I read this series. I’m truth, I have interest in reading the set of novellas after this, but there’s not enough days in the year for me to dive into this now. Maybe one day I’ll return to these books and read them! This was a great way to end my year— it was the perfect fantasy series I needed right now.