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Shards of Sevia #2
Final Chance
Three months have passed since Preen learned that her husband, Rama, was captured and killed by a rival militia. Now the pieces of her shattered life are falling back into place. It's getting easier to breathe again. Preen finds herself smiling over her daughter's antics. She's engaged to her wealthy, handsome cousin, who loved her long before Rama stole her heart. Then, late one night, Rama calls. He asks Preen to come back to the dangerous city of Dor, back to the life she thought she'd left behind forever...
ebook
Published July 1, 2020
18 people want to read
About the author
E.B. Roshan
13 books88 followersE.B. Roshan has enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle for several years, living in the Middle East, Asia and various parts of the U.S. She is now temporarily settled in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children.
To learn more about E.B. Roshan and her books, visit: https://shardsofsevia.wordpress.com
To learn more about E.B. Roshan and her books, visit: https://shardsofsevia.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 22, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Final Chance is an interesting and poignant book with a great cast of characters. The book opens in July 2020 in what came across as a middle-eastern country judging by the landscape and the characters/place names. We meet Preen and her boyfriend Rama, who is expecting a child, though no one knows this yet.
Rama is explaining to Preen that he has to go to the city of Dor for work to pay off his father’s debts and that he will be there for two years.
The book then moves forward in time to 2023 with Preen coming to terms with the death of her husband after a war in the city between two rival militia. That is until one night she receives a phone call from him asking her to come to Dor to be with him.
The story at just 125 pages long is a quick read. I liked the main characters, especially Preen who was so headstrong, although she was a little rash. However, the world-building to me lacked. It was hard to imagine what the places/scenery looked like. The secondary character’s stories also felt left out, but then this is a novella so no time really to focus on them I suppose.
I also wasn’t a lover of the flashbacks which just seem to appear, were random in time and came often. I became confused by the story on more than one occasion and had to re-read sections as the flashbacks had thrown me off.
Overall, it is a short, quick read that was different from anything I had read before but I wanted more backstory, more world-building, and fewer flashbacks. I know that sounds contradictory but I would have preferred the book to have been written in chronological order then keep having flashbacks, just one of my bugbears in books, sorry.
Final Chance is an interesting and poignant book with a great cast of characters. The book opens in July 2020 in what came across as a middle-eastern country judging by the landscape and the characters/place names. We meet Preen and her boyfriend Rama, who is expecting a child, though no one knows this yet.
Rama is explaining to Preen that he has to go to the city of Dor for work to pay off his father’s debts and that he will be there for two years.
The book then moves forward in time to 2023 with Preen coming to terms with the death of her husband after a war in the city between two rival militia. That is until one night she receives a phone call from him asking her to come to Dor to be with him.
The story at just 125 pages long is a quick read. I liked the main characters, especially Preen who was so headstrong, although she was a little rash. However, the world-building to me lacked. It was hard to imagine what the places/scenery looked like. The secondary character’s stories also felt left out, but then this is a novella so no time really to focus on them I suppose.
I also wasn’t a lover of the flashbacks which just seem to appear, were random in time and came often. I became confused by the story on more than one occasion and had to re-read sections as the flashbacks had thrown me off.
Overall, it is a short, quick read that was different from anything I had read before but I wanted more backstory, more world-building, and fewer flashbacks. I know that sounds contradictory but I would have preferred the book to have been written in chronological order then keep having flashbacks, just one of my bugbears in books, sorry.
April 11, 2024
This wasn't like my usual reads, but it was strangely compelling. The world building was quite loose, for want of a better word. It's a contemporary setting with a fictitious country, though there wasn't really any detail on the cultural backgrounds of the two ethnic groups involved. It certainly captured my attention and I happily read it in one sitting.
A part of me wanted the author to have gone into more detail over how and why Preen and Rama first embarked on a relationship. (There was a very brief intimation towards the end of the book.) Though on reflection I like that the author didn't direct us in this way. They allowed us to make our own decision, rather than sway our opinion. This was very much written as a story but in a nonpartisan way, there was no bias, no leading us to favour one side over the other.
There are some very powerful messages within this story, along with heartache, mystery and personal growth. I found Preen to be a strong and determined character. Yes she was sometimes the fool that rushed in where angels feared to tread, but at 18 years old she was allowed to be impulsive and naive. I liked Preen, she had made a commitment to Rama and was determined to honour that promise, regardless of the difficulties it might cause.
This is very much NOT my usual style of read, both in genre and structure. I clearly need to cast my net further as I did enjoy it. It was a poignant and hauntingly beautiful story and I will definitely read more work by this author.
A part of me wanted the author to have gone into more detail over how and why Preen and Rama first embarked on a relationship. (There was a very brief intimation towards the end of the book.) Though on reflection I like that the author didn't direct us in this way. They allowed us to make our own decision, rather than sway our opinion. This was very much written as a story but in a nonpartisan way, there was no bias, no leading us to favour one side over the other.
There are some very powerful messages within this story, along with heartache, mystery and personal growth. I found Preen to be a strong and determined character. Yes she was sometimes the fool that rushed in where angels feared to tread, but at 18 years old she was allowed to be impulsive and naive. I liked Preen, she had made a commitment to Rama and was determined to honour that promise, regardless of the difficulties it might cause.
This is very much NOT my usual style of read, both in genre and structure. I clearly need to cast my net further as I did enjoy it. It was a poignant and hauntingly beautiful story and I will definitely read more work by this author.
September 20, 2022
Overall, this was a fun read. I was confused at times, and there were some things I didn’t love, but it had some good suspense that kept me intrigued.
What I liked:
- The suspense and tension. The suspense of this story is what kept me reading and turning the pages (electronically).
- Sanjit. He was a really intense villain, and I rather enjoyed his brutality.
- Rama and Preen’s flashback scenes. I’m always a sucker for the scenes that show us how a couple fell in love. Rama was sometimes stupid, but he still loved her, and that really showed in the flashback scenes.
What I didn’t like:
- Rama’s Death. Everything in the story was building toward Preen and Rama’s reconciliation, so for him to just die…it felt like nothing the story had been building toward even mattered. I could understand why the author might choose to kill this character, but the ending didn’t clarify why the death mattered to Preen’s character growth.
- The implication that Preen was going to marry her cousin and how everyone was just okay with that. It felt unnecessary, since the story wouldn’t have been affected if Kiva was just a family friend instead.
- Some of the dialogue. There was a fair amount of dialogue that felt unnatural or forced. This is just my opinion, but it did pull me out of the story sometimes because it felt like the characters wouldn’t have really said certain lines.
What confused me:
- The war between the Sevians and the Turs. I couldn’t remember what they were fighting over or why they hated each other.
I gave this book 2.75 stars because it felt like it wasn’t finished. I wanted more resolution between Preen and Rama…a bigger sense of Preen’s character growth as a result of her journey…and maybe an epilogue that showed her learning how to live – really live – after her second chance.
Content warning: Death, violence, blood, injury/injury detail, gun violence, war, attempted trafficking, implied incest (kind of?) and mentions of torture.
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
What I liked:
- The suspense and tension. The suspense of this story is what kept me reading and turning the pages (electronically).
- Sanjit. He was a really intense villain, and I rather enjoyed his brutality.
- Rama and Preen’s flashback scenes. I’m always a sucker for the scenes that show us how a couple fell in love. Rama was sometimes stupid, but he still loved her, and that really showed in the flashback scenes.
What I didn’t like:
- Rama’s Death. Everything in the story was building toward Preen and Rama’s reconciliation, so for him to just die…it felt like nothing the story had been building toward even mattered. I could understand why the author might choose to kill this character, but the ending didn’t clarify why the death mattered to Preen’s character growth.
- The implication that Preen was going to marry her cousin and how everyone was just okay with that. It felt unnecessary, since the story wouldn’t have been affected if Kiva was just a family friend instead.
- Some of the dialogue. There was a fair amount of dialogue that felt unnatural or forced. This is just my opinion, but it did pull me out of the story sometimes because it felt like the characters wouldn’t have really said certain lines.
What confused me:
- The war between the Sevians and the Turs. I couldn’t remember what they were fighting over or why they hated each other.
I gave this book 2.75 stars because it felt like it wasn’t finished. I wanted more resolution between Preen and Rama…a bigger sense of Preen’s character growth as a result of her journey…and maybe an epilogue that showed her learning how to live – really live – after her second chance.
Content warning: Death, violence, blood, injury/injury detail, gun violence, war, attempted trafficking, implied incest (kind of?) and mentions of torture.
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2021
Final Chance is a deeply emotional and captivating story, and my favorite out of all three books. I especially loved the plot twists, the intriguing characters, and the difficult themes presented. For such a short book, it was surprisingly deep and gripping!
Characters: Each of the characters was complex—flawed, yet sympathetic. Preen was my favorite. I really admired her intense loyalty to Rama, yet her desire to do what was right, no matter the cost. She supported Rama, but she was also brave enough to stand up to him and prevent him from getting revenge. And yet, for all her lovely qualities, she was still human. She had a baby with Rama before they were married and didn’t make a wise decision in marrying him. Yet, she still chose to stand by Rama, even when it was dangerous. And I admire her all the more for that.
I didn’t like Rama at first, but he grew on me. At first, he seemed like the typical irresponsible guy who gets a girl pregnant and then isn’t willing to provide for her and the baby. But, as the story progressed, his honorable side came out too. Yes, he had his faults, but he has some redeemable qualities too—he is brave, and he’s fiercely protective of his family and friends.
As for the romance, the interactions between Rama and Preen were not really romantic, but still sweet and touching.
The side characters were interesting as well. Dr. Neyrev was a gentle, wise, and understanding mentor, there to support Preen when she needed him. Arjun was the typical protective brother. Kiva was kind and forgiving. And Erkan was the perfect sidekick and friend. I really enjoyed learning more about his background here. I actually liked him more in this book than book three (which I read before this book). Here he’s kind and sacrificial, and a loyal friend to Preen.
Plot: The plot was very interesting and unpredictable. There were several twists that surprised me and really pulled me into the story. The tension was well-paced and built to a great climax, and the ending was well pulled off without being too convenient. The conflict in this book was compelling, with serious consequences if the story’s goal was not achieved. Sanjit was a well-crafted villain—evil, and yet sympathetic in a way.
Preen’s grief and trauma felt very realistic and not overdramatic.
The violence and tension were also well-written. It’s obvious the author has had some experience with this kind of conflict.
The only aspect I didn’t like so much was all the flashbacks. Most of the time they were confusing and didn’t advance the story in an important way. The author could have incorporated most of that information in a way that wove more seamlessly into the story and didn’t interrupt the pacing.
Worldbuilding: I really enjoyed finally being able to read a story from a Tur’s perspective! I loved getting a glimpse into Preen’s family and their life in the country. I got a sense of their tight-knit, loving relationship. Their cultural rituals were also very interesting to learn about.
The author is very good at weaving information about the culture and time into the characters’ conversations in a way that informs but also doesn’t feel like it’s there just for the reader’s benefit. There was a little more description in this book than the others, which I appreciated. The author did a great job establishing the mood from the first page.
However, I still would have liked to know a little more about the conflict between the Turs and Sevians. How did the war start? Have they always been at odds with each other? Why are these two ethnic groups living in the same city, or even the same country, in the first place? The story would be a lot more compelling and interesting if the author gave a little more background information.
Themes: The author raised some tough, complicated questions that didn’t have easy answers. For example, should you stay loyal to your family, even when it means the death of an innocent person? Preen faced many moral dilemmas, and although she didn’t always make the right choice, in the end she chose to sacrifice her love for Rama to do what was right. I really appreciated the complexity and how the author developed these themes.
Once again, there is a definite Christian element to the story, but it’s not the central focus of the story. It’s subtle while still present.
Content:
Despite being short, this story is a beautiful story of second chances, love, and forgiveness. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy Christian romance and suspense.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Characters: Each of the characters was complex—flawed, yet sympathetic. Preen was my favorite. I really admired her intense loyalty to Rama, yet her desire to do what was right, no matter the cost. She supported Rama, but she was also brave enough to stand up to him and prevent him from getting revenge. And yet, for all her lovely qualities, she was still human. She had a baby with Rama before they were married and didn’t make a wise decision in marrying him. Yet, she still chose to stand by Rama, even when it was dangerous. And I admire her all the more for that.
I didn’t like Rama at first, but he grew on me. At first, he seemed like the typical irresponsible guy who gets a girl pregnant and then isn’t willing to provide for her and the baby. But, as the story progressed, his honorable side came out too. Yes, he had his faults, but he has some redeemable qualities too—he is brave, and he’s fiercely protective of his family and friends.
As for the romance, the interactions between Rama and Preen were not really romantic, but still sweet and touching.
The side characters were interesting as well. Dr. Neyrev was a gentle, wise, and understanding mentor, there to support Preen when she needed him. Arjun was the typical protective brother. Kiva was kind and forgiving. And Erkan was the perfect sidekick and friend. I really enjoyed learning more about his background here. I actually liked him more in this book than book three (which I read before this book). Here he’s kind and sacrificial, and a loyal friend to Preen.
Plot: The plot was very interesting and unpredictable. There were several twists that surprised me and really pulled me into the story. The tension was well-paced and built to a great climax, and the ending was well pulled off without being too convenient. The conflict in this book was compelling, with serious consequences if the story’s goal was not achieved. Sanjit was a well-crafted villain—evil, and yet sympathetic in a way.
Preen’s grief and trauma felt very realistic and not overdramatic.
The violence and tension were also well-written. It’s obvious the author has had some experience with this kind of conflict.
The only aspect I didn’t like so much was all the flashbacks. Most of the time they were confusing and didn’t advance the story in an important way. The author could have incorporated most of that information in a way that wove more seamlessly into the story and didn’t interrupt the pacing.
Worldbuilding: I really enjoyed finally being able to read a story from a Tur’s perspective! I loved getting a glimpse into Preen’s family and their life in the country. I got a sense of their tight-knit, loving relationship. Their cultural rituals were also very interesting to learn about.
The author is very good at weaving information about the culture and time into the characters’ conversations in a way that informs but also doesn’t feel like it’s there just for the reader’s benefit. There was a little more description in this book than the others, which I appreciated. The author did a great job establishing the mood from the first page.
However, I still would have liked to know a little more about the conflict between the Turs and Sevians. How did the war start? Have they always been at odds with each other? Why are these two ethnic groups living in the same city, or even the same country, in the first place? The story would be a lot more compelling and interesting if the author gave a little more background information.
Themes: The author raised some tough, complicated questions that didn’t have easy answers. For example, should you stay loyal to your family, even when it means the death of an innocent person? Preen faced many moral dilemmas, and although she didn’t always make the right choice, in the end she chose to sacrifice her love for Rama to do what was right. I really appreciated the complexity and how the author developed these themes.
Once again, there is a definite Christian element to the story, but it’s not the central focus of the story. It’s subtle while still present.
Content:
Despite being short, this story is a beautiful story of second chances, love, and forgiveness. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy Christian romance and suspense.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 28, 2024
4.5 stars (5/10 hearts). My favourite story in this series is Preen’s. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s a little more intriguing than the others, or maybe I just particularly like her. Anyways, having read book 5 earlier, I really enjoyed getting to know the first half of her story. I liked how much it was done in flashbacks, too.
I already mentioned I liked Preen; I also really liked Arjun. He’s such a big-hearted, responsible man. I liked Erkan and his sister—they’re so rough but so soft-hearted underneath. I don’t know why I like Rama so much—mostly because he haunts me. I wanted him to be good; I THOUGHT he’d change… and then he didn’t. The storyline there is terrible but made me think a lot. The doctor is once again a wonderful old fellow and I’m so glad he shows up throughout the series.
I won’t mention how fascinating I find the setting again… but this time the story includes the refugee camp, which was once more unusual and super interesting. It ties into the serious themes of the story, with questions on how to handle the civil unrest and whether the government and foreign actions towards the Tur population is justified or not. There was also some really awesome world building once again—the whole series is well done but somehow I see it more when Preen is concerned, haha. Preen’s & Rama’s extramarital relationship and out-of-wedlock pregnancy and Sejun’s sexual trafficking is more of a focus in this book, but it’s handled pretty discreetly and nothing is gratuitous. I look forwards to rereading this book and the others soon.
Oh. And I LOVE the short story at the end. It breaks my heart.
A Favourite Quote: Waiting too long to do the right thing is just as bad as doing the wrong thing in the first place.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: [I push] my glasses up higher on my nose. They don't fit nearly as well as they did before I sat on them.
*Content list to come upon reread. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
I already mentioned I liked Preen; I also really liked Arjun. He’s such a big-hearted, responsible man. I liked Erkan and his sister—they’re so rough but so soft-hearted underneath. I don’t know why I like Rama so much—mostly because he haunts me. I wanted him to be good; I THOUGHT he’d change… and then he didn’t. The storyline there is terrible but made me think a lot. The doctor is once again a wonderful old fellow and I’m so glad he shows up throughout the series.
I won’t mention how fascinating I find the setting again… but this time the story includes the refugee camp, which was once more unusual and super interesting. It ties into the serious themes of the story, with questions on how to handle the civil unrest and whether the government and foreign actions towards the Tur population is justified or not. There was also some really awesome world building once again—the whole series is well done but somehow I see it more when Preen is concerned, haha. Preen’s & Rama’s extramarital relationship and out-of-wedlock pregnancy and Sejun’s sexual trafficking is more of a focus in this book, but it’s handled pretty discreetly and nothing is gratuitous. I look forwards to rereading this book and the others soon.
Oh. And I LOVE the short story at the end. It breaks my heart.
A Favourite Quote: Waiting too long to do the right thing is just as bad as doing the wrong thing in the first place.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: [I push] my glasses up higher on my nose. They don't fit nearly as well as they did before I sat on them.
*Content list to come upon reread. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
January 30, 2021
First, I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Characters: Preen was a realistic and relatable main character. She had her struggles and her doubts as everyone does. The side characters and villain were all well-developed. I liked that Preen was a normal person instead of the military/police/FBI etc. characters who are so often found in suspense books.
Language: Clean.
Moral: To me, the moral was that God's ways are higher than our ways. Preen spent a lot of the book thinking God planned to use her in a certain way and was really confused/distressed when her situation took a different turn. I can't say too much because I don't want to give any spoilers. :) There was also a moral about second chances, and I love how that ties into the title.
Plot: Even though this book was shorter than average (about novella length), I didn't feel like the plot was lacking. In fact, I think the length worked well. It didn't allow for any dull moments that sometimes sneak into books. The author definitely kept the plot moving!
I also liked the Eastern European country the author created. It seemed like a real place!
Romance: Clean. Just a few brief kisses. I appreciated that the main focus of this book wasn't romance. And I liked that it ended in such a way that the story can be continued.
The villain did attempt to sell Preen to another bad guy, but that was more implied than anything.
Writing: The little details the author included made this book. These details allowed me to feel as if I were part of the story.
Overall: I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to readers who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense.
Characters: Preen was a realistic and relatable main character. She had her struggles and her doubts as everyone does. The side characters and villain were all well-developed. I liked that Preen was a normal person instead of the military/police/FBI etc. characters who are so often found in suspense books.
Language: Clean.
Moral: To me, the moral was that God's ways are higher than our ways. Preen spent a lot of the book thinking God planned to use her in a certain way and was really confused/distressed when her situation took a different turn. I can't say too much because I don't want to give any spoilers. :) There was also a moral about second chances, and I love how that ties into the title.
Plot: Even though this book was shorter than average (about novella length), I didn't feel like the plot was lacking. In fact, I think the length worked well. It didn't allow for any dull moments that sometimes sneak into books. The author definitely kept the plot moving!
I also liked the Eastern European country the author created. It seemed like a real place!
Romance: Clean. Just a few brief kisses. I appreciated that the main focus of this book wasn't romance. And I liked that it ended in such a way that the story can be continued.
The villain did attempt to sell Preen to another bad guy, but that was more implied than anything.
Writing: The little details the author included made this book. These details allowed me to feel as if I were part of the story.
Overall: I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to readers who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense.
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June 27, 2024Author’s Content Rating
Violence: shooting, discussion of killing/murder. One character is killed during the course of the story. The death is briefly described.
Sexual Content: an unmarried couple have a baby together, sex/human trafficking is alluded to. Neither of these things are described at length or in detail.
Language: none
Other: a character loses teeth a painful coming-of-age ritual, use of cigarettes and alcohol
Violence: shooting, discussion of killing/murder. One character is killed during the course of the story. The death is briefly described.
Sexual Content: an unmarried couple have a baby together, sex/human trafficking is alluded to. Neither of these things are described at length or in detail.
Language: none
Other: a character loses teeth a painful coming-of-age ritual, use of cigarettes and alcohol
May 21, 2023
I’m loving this mini series wow this so so different to the first book a true romance suspense page turner. The year gaps in between also get you thinking of what’s to happen next
August 13, 2020
Final Chance is the second book in the "Shards of Sevia" series by E. B. Roshan. I also read the first book, Wrong Place, Right Time.
Final Chance is very different than Wrong Place, Right Time. The story setting is the same: the city of Dor and some smaller towns or cities near Dor. The situation also remains the same: trouble between the Tur and Sevian people. There is fighting and killing, but not disturbingly graphic.
About the Book
Preen is a young woman who makes a decision that does not please her family. Then the story jumps ahead a couple years and the unrest and fighting are still happening, and now Preen finds that she is able to smile at her daughter's cute expressions and behaviors as Preen has begun to put the pieces of her broken heart together again, after the capture and death of her husband, Rama. She even has plans to remarry. Then Rama calls one night. He's alive! He wants her to return to Dor, a city filled with danger and violence.
My Review
E. B. Roshan is a very talented writer. Her descriptions are rich and paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind -- pictures of people, cities and all environments and surroundings. She uses all five senses.
In addition, it's obvious that E. B. Roshan has intimate and experiential knowledge of the places and people of her stories. She pulls the reader into her stories in such a complete way, they really feel the character's feelings and experiences. Her stories and characters are so real.
Page after page I followed Preen through physical danger, emotional turmoil, fear, doubt, and guilt. Several times the story had me on the edge of my seat, and at least once, the story made me shed some tears. When a story moves me and stirs my emotions like this, it is a good story -- one that will stay in my memory for a long time to come.
If you haven't read one of E. B. Roshan's books, I highly recommend them. And it doesn't matter if you read Wrong Place, Right Time or Final Chance first because, though they are a series, they can also easily be read as stand-alones.
I look forward to more books by E. B. Roshan.
I give Final Chance by E. B. Roshan 5 stars.
I received an ARC for my honest review of this book.
Final Chance is very different than Wrong Place, Right Time. The story setting is the same: the city of Dor and some smaller towns or cities near Dor. The situation also remains the same: trouble between the Tur and Sevian people. There is fighting and killing, but not disturbingly graphic.
About the Book
Preen is a young woman who makes a decision that does not please her family. Then the story jumps ahead a couple years and the unrest and fighting are still happening, and now Preen finds that she is able to smile at her daughter's cute expressions and behaviors as Preen has begun to put the pieces of her broken heart together again, after the capture and death of her husband, Rama. She even has plans to remarry. Then Rama calls one night. He's alive! He wants her to return to Dor, a city filled with danger and violence.
My Review
E. B. Roshan is a very talented writer. Her descriptions are rich and paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind -- pictures of people, cities and all environments and surroundings. She uses all five senses.
In addition, it's obvious that E. B. Roshan has intimate and experiential knowledge of the places and people of her stories. She pulls the reader into her stories in such a complete way, they really feel the character's feelings and experiences. Her stories and characters are so real.
Page after page I followed Preen through physical danger, emotional turmoil, fear, doubt, and guilt. Several times the story had me on the edge of my seat, and at least once, the story made me shed some tears. When a story moves me and stirs my emotions like this, it is a good story -- one that will stay in my memory for a long time to come.
If you haven't read one of E. B. Roshan's books, I highly recommend them. And it doesn't matter if you read Wrong Place, Right Time or Final Chance first because, though they are a series, they can also easily be read as stand-alones.
I look forward to more books by E. B. Roshan.
I give Final Chance by E. B. Roshan 5 stars.
I received an ARC for my honest review of this book.
July 12, 2020
This book pulled me in right away. Preen is a very memorable character and her story is really touching. The only thing that disappointed me was the world-building (it could have been done better) and character development. I would have loved to see more snippets from 2020 or before that when Preen and Rama were together. Also, even Kiva and Preen's relationship was underdeveloped.
Overall, I do think this short read deserves your time. It's a very high stake book that would leave you turning pages after pages.
Overall, I do think this short read deserves your time. It's a very high stake book that would leave you turning pages after pages.
May 18, 2021
Grand read
Roshan pens a grand story in Final Chance. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were realistic and very strong. This may have been a short story, but nothing was taken away from the story. I really liked this read, and it wasn't just powerful, with a hint of darkness linger, but also how Preen was dealing with her husband's deal, but also being able to engage with her daughter. A very well-written story, and I enjoyed it. An inspiring story. The title drew me in, but the story made me stay. I have fast become a big fan of Roshan. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. Final Chance is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Roshan pens a grand story in Final Chance. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were realistic and very strong. This may have been a short story, but nothing was taken away from the story. I really liked this read, and it wasn't just powerful, with a hint of darkness linger, but also how Preen was dealing with her husband's deal, but also being able to engage with her daughter. A very well-written story, and I enjoyed it. An inspiring story. The title drew me in, but the story made me stay. I have fast become a big fan of Roshan. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. Final Chance is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
April 5, 2025
4.5 stars
I found this novel nearly as impressive as—if not more so than—Wrong Place, Right Time. While Anna and Boris are still my favorite characters in the series, Preen was a well-written MC and Rama—well, I’m conflicted about him. He’s one of those characters whom you want to like, yet they still have so many unpleasant traits...which is a testament to Roshan’s skill at creating complex characters. It’s quite impressive how a novel of less than 50K words manages to encompass realistic themes, a captivating plot, and heart-wrenching character relationships.
I found this novel nearly as impressive as—if not more so than—Wrong Place, Right Time. While Anna and Boris are still my favorite characters in the series, Preen was a well-written MC and Rama—well, I’m conflicted about him. He’s one of those characters whom you want to like, yet they still have so many unpleasant traits...which is a testament to Roshan’s skill at creating complex characters. It’s quite impressive how a novel of less than 50K words manages to encompass realistic themes, a captivating plot, and heart-wrenching character relationships.
August 1, 2020
(3.5 / 5)
Preen has just fully accepted that her husband, Rama, died at the hands of a rival militia, in the tumultuous city of Dor. But a late-night phone call with her husband's voice on the other end prompts her to travel to the war-torn city, where she used to live with her husband and daughter. What follows is a dangerous journey that will force Preen to relive unpleasant memories and test old loyalties.
This is a difficult book to rate, and a difficult review to write. I didn't really know what I thought of it as I was reading it, and I'm not sure how I feel about it now, over a week after finishing it. This is not to say that the story is bad, nor the writing. More that I didn't feel much draw to the characters and had no real understanding of the theme or purpose of the story.
The biggest thing that I took away from it was a sadness for the Tur people who were being evacuated from Dor and forced to live in a refugee camp. The fact that they didn't even seem to have a complaint about their living conditions seems to say that either they have already been living in terrible conditions so long that they're used to it, or that their lives in Dor was so terrible that the camp was an upgrade. I'm not entirely sure which, but it still made me sad, considering that, though the setting was fictional, the situation is entirely too real.
The book is novella-length, so there is not a lot of depth in the world-building or characterization. On the former point, I wasn't bothered at all. Once I got used to the melding of modern and primitive, I appreciated the way the author used it in the story. There were some allusions to culture and customs that made the setting feel real. For various reasons, I imagined the story to be taking place somewhere around the Middle East, but again, that is not specified. Regarding the characters, the history between Preen and Rama is basically empty. If I was meant to feel much at all about their relationship and whether or not Rama is alive, it's very difficult when I know almost nothing about them.
I think the story is worthy of a good rating, but in the end, I think I am not quite the right audience for it. I'm not sorry I read it, however, and because my review may not be entirely helpful, I definitely suggest checking out what others have to say.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Preen has just fully accepted that her husband, Rama, died at the hands of a rival militia, in the tumultuous city of Dor. But a late-night phone call with her husband's voice on the other end prompts her to travel to the war-torn city, where she used to live with her husband and daughter. What follows is a dangerous journey that will force Preen to relive unpleasant memories and test old loyalties.
This is a difficult book to rate, and a difficult review to write. I didn't really know what I thought of it as I was reading it, and I'm not sure how I feel about it now, over a week after finishing it. This is not to say that the story is bad, nor the writing. More that I didn't feel much draw to the characters and had no real understanding of the theme or purpose of the story.
The biggest thing that I took away from it was a sadness for the Tur people who were being evacuated from Dor and forced to live in a refugee camp. The fact that they didn't even seem to have a complaint about their living conditions seems to say that either they have already been living in terrible conditions so long that they're used to it, or that their lives in Dor was so terrible that the camp was an upgrade. I'm not entirely sure which, but it still made me sad, considering that, though the setting was fictional, the situation is entirely too real.
The book is novella-length, so there is not a lot of depth in the world-building or characterization. On the former point, I wasn't bothered at all. Once I got used to the melding of modern and primitive, I appreciated the way the author used it in the story. There were some allusions to culture and customs that made the setting feel real. For various reasons, I imagined the story to be taking place somewhere around the Middle East, but again, that is not specified. Regarding the characters, the history between Preen and Rama is basically empty. If I was meant to feel much at all about their relationship and whether or not Rama is alive, it's very difficult when I know almost nothing about them.
I think the story is worthy of a good rating, but in the end, I think I am not quite the right audience for it. I'm not sorry I read it, however, and because my review may not be entirely helpful, I definitely suggest checking out what others have to say.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2020
Having read E.B. Roshan's first book, Wrong Place Right Time, I was looking forward to the second installment of her Shards of Sevia series. The book, Final Chance, did not disappoint. I loved the unique setting, a fictionalize place that represents multiple regions with ethic tensions, used in both books. The characters are well drawn, their story compelling and totally believable. This short book is packed with action and tense moments as the MC makes life altering decisions which will determine the path her life will take. The writing is excellent and the end comes all too soon. I think I liked Final Chance more than first. I want to thank the author for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2020
how powerful is Love? What would you do to reunite with someone you thought you had lost forever? What would you do to put your family back together? These questions, and many more are just a few that are dealt with in this book. imagine how difficult it would be to leave your child, in order to find, and reunite, with your child’s father. Leaving someone you love, to reunite with someone else that you love. Not only would this be difficult, under any circumstances, but it is much more difficult when your life is on the line! when you read this book, you will definitely shed some tears, you will find yourself angry at times, and you will feel what it’s like to have Love tested.
July 5, 2020
“Waiting too long to do the right thing is just as bad as doing the wrong thing in the first place.”
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this quick read. It’s got a lot of heart and depth for a short story.
The characters were what really drew me in to this story. Preen, Rama and Arjun particularly. I liked that Preen was a consistently caring, devoted person who didn’t waver from her convictions. The same current ran through her brother Arjun, even though he displayed his concern in a more stern way. It was nice to see how much he cared for her even when she didn’t realize it.
Preen’s relationship with Rama is what the entirety of the story revolves around. Her having thought she lost her husband and then, discovering that isn’t the truth, going on a desperate search to get him back. It was heartbreaking watching Preen fight so hard for Rama as she discovers the man she glamorized wasn’t what she made him out to be. I appreciated the author’s portrayal of the rose-colored glasses effect when looking back on a relationship that may have been and still may be toxic.
The author’s inclusion of the Christian faith as a part of the story really helped to boost the core idea of the “second chance” Preen was striving for with redeeming her relationship and hoping for better in her husband. Each character’s faith came across as authentic in the moment and believable for what they would’ve felt and said given what they were experiencing. I was glad to see faith worked into a book where it didn’t feel forced but true to the characters lives and how they conduct themselves.
I also thought the underlying narrative of a war torn country was handled well and added an extra sense of desperation to the already fraught circumstances under which everything was occurring. The fictional city of Dor is where most of the book takes place and the concepts of tension between rival militia, daily struggles of conquered people and the line between who’s the enemy and who’s the ally flowed seamlessly through the story to create a really thought provoking piece.
My only issues with the narrative would be that I wanted more. More details, more backstory, just a little more. I enjoyed the flashbacks to Preen’s history and it would’ve been great to get more of those that included some introductions into what caused the start of the conflict between Dor and Tur or a bit more depth on a couple side characters. Especially Kiva, since he became a bigger part of Preen’s life, it would’ve been nice to see some sweet earlier interactions between the two. Also I would’ve loved to have an epilogue hopefully showing Preen settled back in Tur Kej, happily married with her daughter and family.
Overall I’m glad I had the chance to read this book. It was a quick, entertaining read that had engaging characters and thoughtful moments. My only wish was there was more to tell but sometimes the beauty is in the brevity.
– I voluntarily read and reviewed an e-copy of this book I received for free from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. –
Review on my blog: Babbling Books Blog
December 23, 2023
E. B. Roshan’s Final Chance: Shards of Sevia is a drama set in a fictional country (Sevia) currently in the middle of a major internal conflict. A young woman named Preen receives a phone call from her assumed-dead husband, Rama living in a battle-ridden city. Preen heads off to find if her husband is alive. If Preen can convince Rama to return home, this may be their final chance to make their marriage work.
Final Chance is a gritty contemporary novel and not for the faint-hearted. Mostly bleak in tone, it’s a Christian thriller that doesn’t pull punches. It’s a rare offering these days to see a Christian novel depict such a hopeless situation, so it’s refreshing to see one take the risk. This book is not what one often sees on “shelves.” There should be more novels like it.
Final Chance is a gritty contemporary novel and not for the faint-hearted. Mostly bleak in tone, it’s a Christian thriller that doesn’t pull punches. It’s a rare offering these days to see a Christian novel depict such a hopeless situation, so it’s refreshing to see one take the risk. This book is not what one often sees on “shelves.” There should be more novels like it.
January 20, 2026
A heart-wrenching story from the middle of a civil war. Preen leaves the relatively peaceful rural area where she lives with her daughter and relatives, to go back to the embattled city to find her husband. That absolutely doesn't go as she expects it to.
While there's not a happy ending because this isn't the end of her story (she has another book in the series), there's a satisfying one with hope in it.
On to the next!
While there's not a happy ending because this isn't the end of her story (she has another book in the series), there's a satisfying one with hope in it.
On to the next!
July 4, 2024
The author of this book provided me with a free copy for review; however, the opinions are clearly my own.
I found the book to be very well-written and on par with other dystopian novels such as Hunger Games. The characters, at least some of them, clung to honor and faith--which I like. However, I am not a violence and there was a good bit.
So, I recommend this book if you are able to handle a realistic story of the worst mankind can offer (even though I will give credit that the worst is told at a distance) that does have a happy ending (of sorts).
I found the book to be very well-written and on par with other dystopian novels such as Hunger Games. The characters, at least some of them, clung to honor and faith--which I like. However, I am not a violence and there was a good bit.
So, I recommend this book if you are able to handle a realistic story of the worst mankind can offer (even though I will give credit that the worst is told at a distance) that does have a happy ending (of sorts).
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