Alsea Rising: The Seventh Star

Chronicles of Alsea #10

by Fletcher DeLancey

The Voloth have arrived.

Their opening gambit upends months of planning. Their second assault leaves Alsea’s defenses scrambling. The third may end it all.

While Captain Serrado and her forces desperately fight to prevent a catastrophe, Lancer Tal activates her secret weapon: the divine tyrees, led by Salomen Opah. But Salomen is no warrior, and a changing battle can unravel even the best of plans.

Divine tyrees have been absent from Alsea for one thousand cycles. Perhaps there is more to their return than science can explain, for when their collective power is wielded by the planet’s strongest empath, the consequences will reach beyond Alsea.

They will reverberate across the galaxy.

128,500 words

Genres: Science Fiction, LGBT, Queer, Romance, Lesbian, Fantasy, Fiction

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2020

About the author

Fletcher DeLancey spent her early career as a science educator, which was the perfect combination of her two great loves: language and science. These days she combines them while writing science fiction.

She is an Oregon expatriate who left her beloved state when she met a Portuguese woman and had to choose between home and heart. She chose heart. Now she lives with her wife and son in the beautiful sunny Algarve, where she writes full-time, teaches Pilates, tries to learn the local birds and plants, and samples every regional Portuguese dish she can get her hands on. (There are many. It’s going to take a while.)

She is best known for her science fiction/fantasy series, Chronicles of Alsea, now comprised of four novels and a novella. Among them, the Alsea books have won an Independent Publisher's Award (2017 bronze medal), a Golden Crown Literary Society Award, a Rainbow Award, and been shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award.

Fletcher believes that women need far more representation in science fiction and fantasy, and takes great pleasure in writing complex stories with strong, believable women heading up the action. Her day is made every time another reader says, “I didn’t think I liked science fiction, but then I read yours.”

Reviews

[Elle Hyden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been an avid reader since the age of ten, and since I’m now almost sixty-five, I’ve read a hell of a lot of books over those fifty-five years. I can honestly say that The Chronicles of Alsea series is my all-time favorite, and it had some pretty stiff competition like the Anne of Green Gables books, The Valdemar series, and When Women Were Warriors.

But this last book Alsea Rising: Seventh Star tops them all. It brings the story full circle and closes so many story arcs that started with The Caphenon. It was such an emotionally charged book that I savored every single word and lived through so many joys and sorrows that my world slowed down to a crawl.

There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe Fletcher DeLancey’s artistry with words that made Alsea and the characters that inhabited these books as real to me as if I lived there too.

And even though this series is coming to an end, I know when I’m homesick for Alsea, and all my favorite ladies: Tal, Ekatya, Lhyn, Salomen, Rahel, Vellmar, Candini, Dr. Wells, Sharro, Vellmar, and last but not least the love of my life Lanaril, they will be there for me to visit. All I need to do is pick up my Kindle and start rereading the whole series again, which happens every few months. lol

Thanks for the wonderful ride Fletcher.

[MJSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard review to write, 1) because this book marks the end of the series, and 2) I have mixed feelings about it.

As you’d expect since book 9 ended on a cliffhanger, this picks up immediately after those events. The first 35% of the book moves a pretty rapid clip, so much so that I looked down at one point and was amazed that I was only at the 20% mark. This section changes perspectives a bit, and for me, some of the perspectives worked better than others. I enjoyed the battle scenes, and thought the way the tyree bond was used was ingenious. There were also some parts that had me worried over certain character’s fates, so it was quite the ride.

Once that section of the book wraps up though, the pace slows and some of the more emotional elements come in to play (not saying there aren’t moments like that in the first part, just that these are given more breathing space).

Since this is the final book in this series, Fletcher goes out of her way to tie up loose ends. We get a lot more scenes featuring the 4 main characters together, but for all the talk of the ‘balance’ between them, I found the book too Ekatya/Tal heavy. This happened in part 1 of Alsea Rising too, and I assumed that this book would even things out by giving similar time to Salomen/Lhyn, but their bond is largely explored ‘off-screen’. I found it ironic that there’s a scene where Salomen has to more or less defend her place in the multiple bonds, and for me, all it did was raise those same questions.

I also had the same issue with the Micah storyline here as I did in part 1, if any storyline deserved to be handled ‘off-screen‘, it was that one, with five chapters devoted to something in that storyline that I largely skimmed over, while Lhyn/Salomen’s bond isn’t really explored at all. There’s also chapters devoted to the Phoenix/Caphenon that involved long winded explanations by Lhyn that dragged for me, I’d have preferred that time to have been spent on Lhyn/Salomen, or Salomen’s family, who were a large part of earlier books but barely rate a mention in these two, Nickin’s new relationship and Herot either weren’t mentioned or rated a line as parts of other scenes, and I would have enjoyed an exploration of how they felt about the new bonds and watching the tyrees navigate these new family bonds.

As I noted before, most loose ends are tied up here, most I saw coming, but one of the choices I was surprised by, though it does set up the new series. This sort of feels like how I felt about the Harry Potter series, I enjoyed the last book in that series but the middle books are my favourites, and that’s how I feel here too. I’ve loved the Alsea series, and the many characters we’ve been introduced to. From a world building perspective it can’t be beaten, I wish I could live on Alsea. But I probably preferred the books from Catalyst to Uprising. I think I need to let this one sit and then do a re-read of these two. I will miss these characters though, and am glad that some of them will likely show up occasionally in some fashion in the new series.

[khi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing series! Not usually my genre but loved this

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is difficult for me to write reviews for books in this series for whatever reason. So I'll note why I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars like so many others gave this book 5 stars. Good thick book, great characters, great plot. And I found myself skipping along at times - for the first time. If the book had ended after 50% mark, I'd probably have given this book 5 stars, but that doesn't mean the second half of the book isn't good. It is good. It just . . . was a change. It is a war book merged with a . . . slice of life book? Something like that. But the book wasn't too long, no, it was a good length, just two different things merged together.

Also, there was a lot of build up over 10 books and yet the war part was over . . . well, not too quickly, but quicker than expected; course it wasn't really a war series by any means.

As a side note, the ending kind of reminded me of when I watched the Tolkien films, somewhat one or another of the Star Wars films when the part where there kind of were several many 'endings' then yet another ending, then another ending; it wasn't bad so much as the film was already about 4 hours long when the multiple endings started and . . . I was in the movie theater and well . . .

Wow, really didn't say anything up there, eh? mmphs.

Rating: 4.50

August 19 2020

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to rate the conclusion of these series so low, but while I did find it generally satisfying, the pacing here was WAY off and I really think it could have used a firm and aggressive editor. The main thrust of the plot is really finished by ~30%, and the rest of the fic reads as a veeeery long extended epilogue in which every little open thread is tied into a bow. I didn't mind getting this extra time with the characters and seeing them flourish after everything, but there really wasn't any driving plot for most of the book and it just didn't have the balance of tension it needed to really hold me. I thought it was a very odd choice that the author chose to fade to black for Andira and Ekatya's sex scenes given they've been dancing around each other for 10 books and we got an extremely detailed sex scene for Micah/Wells, two side characters, in the previous book. Emotionally I found it unsatisfying. IDK, this was a fine conclusion, I'm happy for the characters, but it wasn't as tightly written as I wish it had been and it's a bummer to leave the series on this note.

[Em Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want this series to ever end…..I loved every single book in the series.

[Alealea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a blast. Go for it.

There. Review done. Reread number two starting.

[AV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series and opened my possibility to both that a proper sci-fi series with lesbian romance, without the romance taking over the storyline, is possible, and that an asexual character's story can be explored in an engaging way.
I liked the world building, the characters, the handling of philosophical issues, and of course, a slightly positive interpretation of caste that I don't think I can expect to be written by a Hindu. I don't have mixed feelings about caste. It is evil and it was evil in its origin as well. When you read South Asian history, that is the only conclusion you can draw. As such, any exploration of caste by Hindus cannot have a positive tint because it would be propaganda (real one, not imagined) given the deep oppressive inequalities it still continues to encourage in South Asia. I guess, that may not hold true for a non-Hindu (probably).
In any case, it was an interesting look. It also reinforces my idea that caste is evil. The Alsean version is more guild than caste, but there are some inherent inequalities.
As much as that, I loved the exploration of different types of families and loves. (And, I really liked how Rahel kept finding older parental figures wherever she went).

I loved book Catalysts, Outcast, Resilience and Uprising. Outcast and Uprising remain my favourite because they contain my favorite characters and favourite relationships: Rahel, Salomen, and Lhyn (no order) and Lhyn-Salomen and Rahel-Salomen. with Lanaril and Lanaril-Lhyn-Salomen an intriguing second.


I guess, that would explain my deep disappointment with the final books.

Most of the time, Lhyn felt like an afterthought in the series, a useful tool to be used to provide cultural information, and of course, by serving as a catalyst for the Salomen-Andira-Ekatya bond while getting happily tortured. (Especially after the way Andira went full Karen on her in Uprising just because Andira was jealous and how that could have led to Lhyn's death, these two books have been painful to read).

The Lhyn-Salomen bond was the relationship I had been looking forward to seeing flower at the end of the uprising. With an equal amount of Andira-Ekatya for the symmetry. But, that was not to be.

There isn't just a quantitative difference but a qualitative difference as well.
There were very few Lhyn-Salomen interactions. Where they were, Salomen's focus was more on Andira and Ekatya as was Lhyn's. At this point, it is quite hard not to conclude that Salomen-Lhyn was just there so that Andira and Ekatya can have their love unburdened by guilt, while also having best of possible worlds.

Given Lhyn was the only one there without family, and given her lack of experience of love from other quarters, I'd have loved to see the intimacy (both physical and emotional) between her and Salomen (because Salomen is kind when Andira is not involved and Lhyn so non-judgmental).
Also, even if Lhyn had no complicated feelings to explore (that itself seems a bit unbalanced), I would have still liked to see her POV and her love for Salomen develop (and vice-versa).

Given that we got quite a lot of Andira's angst, Salomen's angst, Ekatya's angst, and even Micah's angst through the ten-book series, Lhyn's is a huge miss. Lhyn seems a tool to be trotted out when needed.

We got more about Micah and Alejandra, and the whole second set of their interactions later towards the book, than with Lhyn and Salomen (way more). Every other character, including the minor ones, have complicated feelings about their past and gets to deal with them, but not Lhyn.


This essay has gone on for too long and I am not even sure if anyone would read this, but if you have read the book, the following spoilery bit illustrates the issue.

The epilogue reinforced the multiple levels of inherently unequal power dynamics in the four-way relationship for me.
Note: It is not the inherently unequal power dynamics in a relationship that is the problem. All relationships have it to some extent; especially between men and women in a patriarchal society (or minority-majority in any country). However, a good working relationship would be one where that is acknowledged and the effects mitigated. The issue here is not the imbalanced initial power distribution but the lack of recognition of it and the lack of work towards mitigating it (even lack of intent and acknowledgement).
First: There is the privileging of Salomen-Andira-Ekatya relationship over the other threesome of course.
Second (which is a corollary of first): The privileging of three people over the fourth.
Third: The majority/minority imbalance. This is to some extent mitigated by the mighty power of the protectorate, but, not immediately so; as seen in Uprising where Lhyn's life was put at risk quite easily by Andira because she was feeling jealous. And without acknowledgement of the potential fallout by anyone including Andira and Lhyn.
Fourth: The high empath/sonsales imbalance. Over a thousand years, Alsean society organised itself to have high empaths at the top of the government. While Uprising seems to have worked somewhat towards mitigating it at a caste level (by ensuring more equal distribution between castes), from what I remember, it doesn't does do much with respect to the inequality at the empathetic ability level.
Fifth: The lancer-subordinate imbalance.
And there are interlocking chains of inequalities here where multiple inequalities work in tandem. So, how do these work in the case of that last example in epilogue?
Andira, as the lancer, had a responsibility towards her subordinate to understand her past history and reveal a news that would hurt her in a gentler manner. She did not do that. In fact, she was especially callous towards a person who sacrificed a lot in her and Alsea's service, including of course, her crew members. She didn't concern herself with trying to understand how Ekatya would react before the reveal.
This was bad enough.
Then, when Ekatya reacted badly, Salomen, due to the 'biological imperative' ensured that Ekatya was the one who felt terrible about it (Andira feels terrible about Ekatya feeling terrible but not about her own lack of understanding). And of course, the 'biological imperative' also made sure that Ekatya will forever feel an outsider in that relationship.
While Andira got a gentle explanation for Ekatya's reaction from Lhyn, Ekatya was excoriated.
Then Ekatya had to set aside her own cultural build and qualms to work to bridge the fracture that developed due to Andira's lack of consideration for others.
The Andira-Ekatya sex with Salomen watching was sex under duress.
Ekatya had only two options there: Give in; or live with the reality of feeling like she has done an unforgivable crime--because Andira acting with highhandedness was not the issue here. Ekatya pointing out from an unfortunately emotional position because she had suffered mental torture for 2 years was.
Ekatya may have felt relieved at the end because Salomen trusted Ekatya with Andira. But, the weight remained with her for a fault that, as the Lancer, was Andira's. Nobody acknowledges that.
Also, if that is going to happen every time they had a disagreement, and that seems to be the implication here at least when Andira or Salomen is pregnant, well then, that three-way relationship is two-tiered with Andira-Salomen at the top and Ekatya at the bottom.
Andira gets everything here. Ekatya has to give up a lot. Salomen has to make a bit of compromise too but far less than Ekatya.
The pressure of giving up to keep balance seems to be all on one side here. And, the benefits on the other. I don't see how it is a good relationship.
Second: The 'biological imperative' or divine tyree bond between Alseans ensures that at all times, Andira and Salomen have a connection to each other. Plus, the high empath ability means they will also always know what the Gaians are feeling.
Ekatya and Lhyn don't have that mental link. Not towards each other, not towards either of the other two. And, they don't have empathy. They have to take a lot on faith.
That imbalance is exacerbated when both Alseans believe it is their right to walk rough shod over the Gaians whenever the other makes a mistake due to their sonsales status because their divine tyree bond somehow demands it.
Their blessing and their grace that apparently Ekatya and Lhyn are willing to sacrifice everything and then some for that secondary position in their four-way love.
(The text repeats quite a lot of times that Ekatya-Lhyn is also divine tyree and thus equal but the empathic link is not there.)
Now, let us come to Lhyn. Lhyn apparently has no demands in that relationship. She is just there to provide guidance to Andira whenever needed, as the Ekatya whisperer/key, and then to get out of the way while the other three figure the rest out. And oh, give Salomen some sexy times when Andira was feeling like taking Ekatya to bed and Salomen doesn't feel like watching. But while always being subject to Andira's jealousy without acknowledgement (Uprising, and the path of return, and later the first joining).
As broad-minded and non-judgmental as Lhyn is (and I agree there are people like that), being the peacemaker in the family responsible for everybody else's well-being is a tremendous weight on someone. That Andira barely ever acknowledges it and we don't see much of Salomen or Ekatya doing that either exacerbates the problem. That Lhyn never gets anything herself from that whole dynamics except when the other three feel like it makes it worse.
(Yeah, that 'I see you' is laughable in my mind in that regard. I see you but please take care of her and know that I will always know if she is hurt and by the way nobody will know whether you are happy, that will depend on Salomen's good regard).
The whole thing is made worse by the fact the series gives Lhyn a backstory by hinting at a hard past, but that just remains the backstory. It is never allowed to influence the foursome. Even Elanor doesn't concern herself about Lhyn in that scene where they demand proof.
What does Lhyn feel about all this? We have no idea. It is convenient that Lhyn has no issues at all, is always willing to give, except for a rare instance or two. And in one case, her panic attacks was used to move the story forward. She has a history that influences her mind and pains and hurts her even before the 'catalyst'. But, that is not explored.
Andira is protective of Salomen's kindness and willingness to give at her own expense. As she should be.
Ekatya is cognizant of that as well as Andira's responsibilities as a Lancer. And has the highest respect and admiration for the Lancer and the Bondlancer.
Lhyn is both and has to take care of Ekatya when the other two are being obtuse while also being there for Andira so as to smoothen the three way.
In all of this, who is on the side of Lhyn? Who protects Lhyn?
Not Ekatya who I have never seen take a stance against Andira except that first fisticuffs in Caphenon (which Lhyn says was also about Ekatya-Andira love). Not Salomen whose first priority is always Andira. And not Andira whose first priority, after herself and Alsea, is Salomen, and then, Ekatya.
As I said, a happy and perfect subordinate; that is Lhyn. There when you need her, not there when you don't. Has no demands that would hurt you, make you uncomfortable, or need you to reevaluate and reassess your assumptions and work better. What more can you ask of a love?
That whole going into Path of Return does nothing to mitigate it. In fact, it on one side, worsens it by saying Andira had the right to go after Salomen but couldn't because of her Lancer responsibilities. On the other side, it doesn't even show Lhyn's own pain with respect to Salomen. As a stand alone it works (because it shows Lhyn's scholarly mind), but with the neglect showed throughout the series, not really.

And... that 'she is an Alsean at heart' thing that Andira had regarding Ekatya during the morning after: Change that to 'she is as good as a man' and see how it works. Gaians are the minority. They are physically weaker. And weaker in terms of numbers and empathic ability. Alsean exceptionalism is not a cute belief that every culture has in this scenario but a harmful one. Ekatya's side is shown somewhat with the feeling of outsider but with the author and Andira taking the stance that what is needed is to make Ekatya feel like Alsean, the resolution is problematic.

Note: I do think when the society or group in question is marginalised, it is okay to say that. A woman to man, for example. However, despite the protectorate, Alsea is pretty strong.

Fletcher De Lancey tries to think of some of these issues but not far enough. And always with the caveat that Alseans are better because they have empathy and are not gender locked.


Ah! To end on a positive note. I loved the Ekatya-Rahel relationship.

I liked the flipping of expectations for the Andira-Ekatya relationship; after all, birds of the same feather flock together is hardly a concept explored in romance, especially for warriors. Not to this extent. It was interesting, from that perspective, to see the Andira-Ekatya romance and Salomen-Andira-Ekatya romance come to fruition through a ten-book series.

I liked the Micah-Alejandra, Lanaril-Vellmar, and Vellmar-Rahel (mostly off screen, I'd have preferred some on-screen bits) developments and liked the unconventional family Micah-Alejandra-Rahel built. Glad that they had a daughter since daughters and young girls seem to get limited attention in the series as a whole. Apart from the main characters, boys, brothers, and young men get all the attention (as in real life). :)

I liked nightwing too.

And finally, thank you Fletcher DeLancey for bringing my favourite characters-Lhyn, Salomen, and Rahel to life. It is surely a testament to your capability that I loved these characters and they are my favourite even without you devoting much time to it. (Also, I don't know, but my personal preferences may have to do with my scholar bent and aspirations. :) )

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s freaking spectacular just like the rest of the series. So many spoilers to fallow that you won’t want to read beyond this point it you don’t want to know before reading for yourself. I highly recommend that you read the whole series it’s more that worth it!!

***Last Spoiler Warning****
The book opens with one hell of a battle against the Volithe! The battle was so intense. I was so scared someone I loved was going to die. Then Rahel was impaled. I was weeping as Andira, Salomen, Lhyn, and Ekatya used the powers of the Seventh Star to heal her! After the battle so many beautiful things happen. Micah, Alejandra, and Rahel have a baby. Salomen, Lyhn, Ekatya, and Andira break down all walls and fully embrace their tyree bonds. They have a beautiful home Hol-Tyree. They break social normals by going public with their multi tyree bonded relationship. Paving the way for others with different bonds to come out from the shadows and be open about their relationships and love. Ekatya is finally retired from the protectorate fleet and official in the warrior caste and the Alsean Fleet. Ekatya gets the promote to Admiral she has long deserved. Lanaril and Vellmar embrace the decision to become bondmates (finally). Andira is pregnant with the first of several young. Caphenon is finale off of Alsea soil and in space with the Phoenix protecting the planet it orbits. Caphenon is renamed the Seventh Star and Ekatya is back on her ship!! Rachel is now Captain of the Phoenix. My heart is bursting with all the emotions!! I love these characters so much and it’s been one hell of a journey from beginning to end.

[Gerda · Rating 5 out of 5]

And so, the end of this book series by Fletcher Delancey has arrived. Alsea Rising: The Seventh Star firmly establishes and settles once and for all the flirting relationships between the four MC’s. Love is love! War battles painfully witnessed: those that survived and those lost. A new era for the people of Alsea is now on its way. Freedom is found in different ways by its openness to all, whether personal or the planet Alsea finding its place in the galaxy and, by extension, the universe. I do wish more was written about the space elevator after it was completed and operational. (Maybe in a related Alsea themed book)

The writing was sophisticated with the author's ability to describe beautiful and colorful detail landscapes to the space ship's bridges and decks—all the books, including this one, evoked emotions within me on the positive and negative side. A couple of topics I wasn’t keen on, but I have to give Fletcher Delancey credit for her writing skills that left me wanting more of the all-over story of Alsea. I recommend this book because it challenged my views/opinion of weighty topics. I don’t read sci-fi to be dumbed down. I read sci-fi to fire-up my imagination.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some parts of the story arc in this novel that I didn’t really enjoy much, but overall, Fletcher wrapped up the series well. It seemed like it could end with a satisfactory conclusion at several points, but fortunately, there was more. In a series with 10 books, there is a lot to wrap up. I’m sorry the series has ended, but I have 10 books to enjoy whenever I need an Alsea fix.

[Neptune · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying and explosive closing for this series! I came to this series intrigued by F/F sci-fi with a mixture of humans and aliens, and then was fascinated by the world-building and Alsean society, and then grew to love the characters (and multiple swoon-worthy romances)--and this book gracefully wraps up the story in a way that does everyone justice. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of a sweet happy ending for my favorite couple, Lanaril/Fianna. Even though I would have liked to see more of them, their chapters near the end were a wonderful delight, and I'm just so so happy they made the cut!!!

Something I've long loved about this series is how *fearless* it is. And perhaps there was nothing more illustrative of that fearlessness than the human/alien lesbian poly-quad development for the two couples at the heart of this series, Andira/Salomen and Ekatya/Lhyn. This was something I was especially thrilled to see explored further in thins installment, and honestly, I'm so glad that we got THIS ending for these four women that my following criticisms feel a bit nit-picky...but they were on my mind enough while reading that I'm including them: First, I was pretty sad to find out that poly/non-monogamous relationships are still widely considered taboo/unusual in this future, for both Gaians and Alseans(?!). I found it a little jarring simply because so much modern sci-fi takes the exact opposite approach, which I strongly prefer, but I do get that it's technically anyone's guess. Second, I don't typically have strong feelings about sex scenes, but with all the build up to the new "unions" within this quad, I was stunned that we got fade-to-black implied sex... Like, if there were ever a time to just lean into fully unhinged fanfic levels of smut, it's now?! There were certainly intimate scenes within this series with less build-up that got far more detail, so it left me scratching my head!

On a more general series note (and disclaimer that this is coming from a cis reader), I was surprised that we never met any trans/nb characters in any of these novels, particularly given the more fluid Alsean experience of gender. In fairness, however, I do tend to bristle at any notion that queer fiction needs to tick every box in terms of rep, and there's A LOT to celebrate here (gay rep! bi rep! ace rep!), but it felt like a missed opportunity in this case. (A scene here where Dr. Wells struggles to wrap her head around the idea of a pregnant man struck me as particularly odd for a brilliant/experienced physician, for instance.)

Okay, final thoughts! This series has been a true gift, for me and so many others, and I'm giving Fletcher DeLancey the Alsean salute for blessing us with it. These characters and their stories will stay with me always, not just as a reader, but as an aspiring storyteller myself, newly inspired to "boldly go." I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series, if you're into sci-fi and f/f romance then this is an absolute must-read!

It took me a while to start this series as 10 books were a bit daunting and time-consuming but now I really wish there were even more books to devour. Immediately with the first book you're drawn in. All of the characters are well fleshed out and interesting. The world building is good and there is plenty of political intrigue.

I'm usually not a big fan of new characters being introduced left and right that take away time from the main protagonists. That's why I didn't much look forward to reading the sixth book in the series (Outcaste) as this was mostly about a completely new character, but this turned out to be one of the best books in the series. Rahel is one of the most interesting characters in the series.

One of my only complaints is that the relationships between Solomen-Lynn and Tal-Ekatya in book 9/10 happens pretty fast and more time could have been taken for the build-up.

I'm hoping for more books in the future and until then I'll definitely be rereading this series.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

A perfect ending to a wonderful series. Best sci fi series I've ever read and had me so entralled in the world. Alsea was perfect and unique and phenomenal. This author is one to watch out for and I can't wait to see what else she adds to this fantastic world.

[Kimberly Souder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resolves the series well and answered most of my questions. My only complaints about this book are 1. It didn't answer all my overarching questions about the seeders (but that was never really the point of the books, I just wanted to know) and 2. The pacing is a bit off because there is so much resolution. It was almost too much because a lot of the main action is resolved so early on in the book. Books 9 and 10 really feel like one really long book, and the pacing is about right if they were merged together.

Overall my thoughts on the series: I love the stories, characters, and writing. I love the strong female characters that are allowed to have emotions, be complete people, and have totally different strengths. I like the non traditional romances and families. So much good stuff! If you are debating, it's probably worth the read if that sounds like it's up your alley. Only negatives are a fair amount of alien sex scenes, so be mindful of that for younger readers, and midway I got a bit tired of the trope of characters suddenly having emotional revolutions that were pretty obvious. It calmed down again by the end, but was a bit much for a while in the middle.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to stop reading halfway through because I didn't want it to end.

This is one of the best series I've ever read—if not the best. This series touched my heart in all the right ways and in all the right places. In every book, I found myself wishing I lived in Alsea. With the emotions practically flowing off the pages, reading this made me feel like I'm also empathic—a testament to Fletcher's exceptional writing.

The story has gone on a full circle and I couldn't think of a more perfect conclusion. The characters all got what they deserve and my stars and shippers I'm happy for them.

Alsea will always have a very special place in my heart, and I'd like to think a part of me lives in Alsea too.

P.S.
I find it ironic that in the last book's preface, the author said It is not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning., and the series ended with Begin.

[Kierri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

First off if you haven't read the series... what are you waiting for? But definitely start with the first book you'd be doing yourself a disservice not too. I always hate reading the last book or watching the last show or movie in a series because I feel like they never get it quite right enough to make me happy. Not true here... I agree with DeLancey in that this is the end of the beginning and I'll add a perfect one. So here is hope you can't wait to write because I can't wait to read the next adventure of Alsea.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first and only review (Highly recommend)

I recently started this series and once I began, I could not stop to think until now.

It was an awesome journey 👏🏾!

World building, dramatic plot lines, strong characters, and more. I was reading day and night - all 11 books back-to-back. I could not stop until the story released me. Thank you, Fletcher, for the ride…I enjoyed every minute.

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I started The Caphenon but I will recognize it if I see another series from Delancey. You have set a high mark with this series.

[Darin Bawden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding series

When I started reading the first book I wasn't sure what to expect. After a couple chapters, I couldn't put it down. The depth of characters, the depth of the worlds is just astounding. This final book was a perfect ending for this saga. In my heart, I wish for more in this universe. However, what we are left with is brilliant. I can not wait to see what is next. 😁

[࣪ ִֶָ☾. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

reading this series was a unique and fantastic experience. i started this a month ago and i expected it to have a more explosive ending but it did not. nevertheless, i loved how they defeated the voloth.

this book was nothing like the previous books. this was mostly about building a conclusion for all the characters which fell short for me. so yeah, i expected a lot from this last installment and that expectations were not met

[Angela]

Fantastic ending to this series

The author took us on so many journeys throughout this awesome series - with well developed interesting characters and events. I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to be Alsean. This book does a great job of completing the multiple storylines. I can’t wait to read more books taking place on Alsea.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful conclusion to this 10 book series. I loved it and am so sad it’s over.

[Nonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters and storyline are as strong and compelling in book #10 as they were in book one. Outstanding writer.

[Liz Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Anna Furtado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect ending to a great series. All the principal characters and situations were wraped up nicely. The only thing negative: the series is now over. SIGH!

[wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

sad that series is over
not enough exposition for salonen/lhyn

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the series wraps-up the stories of all the major characters with finesse and all the feels you've come to expect for a CoA book.
I loved it.

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a ten book series since I was a kid. I’ve never read a series like this one. Just an absolute joy from start to finish.

[Jam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the Alsea books. It is so sad not to have anymore to read. Hope a new one comes out.

[Rtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The first half is a huge battle, and the second half extends into the after. It's a wonderful ending! For Fahla and Alsea!