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Crispin #3
Crispin: The End of Time: A Moving Tale for Kids (Ages 8-12) About Danger, Hope, and the Price of Freedom
As long as I could keep myself out of bondage, I would be true to Bear's teaching. And so it was that beyond all else, I was determined to keep my freedom.
After the death of their beloved mentor, Bear, Crispin and Troth are more desperate than ever, wandering the desolate French countryside, where they don't speak the language and know no one. The only hope they cling to is that somehow they can reach Iceland, where Bear had said there were no kings or lords, and where they can live in freedom. Crispin is determined to fulfill this dream, both for himself and to honor Bear's memory. But the road to liberty is filled with danger, betrayal, and loss. Crispin must decide for himself what freedom really means—and how high a price he is willing to pay for it.
After the death of their beloved mentor, Bear, Crispin and Troth are more desperate than ever, wandering the desolate French countryside, where they don't speak the language and know no one. The only hope they cling to is that somehow they can reach Iceland, where Bear had said there were no kings or lords, and where they can live in freedom. Crispin is determined to fulfill this dream, both for himself and to honor Bear's memory. But the road to liberty is filled with danger, betrayal, and loss. Crispin must decide for himself what freedom really means—and how high a price he is willing to pay for it.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
49 people are currently reading
1232 people want to read
About the author
Avi
345 books1,721 followersAvi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,
Nothing but the Truth,
and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
February 17, 2017
A kinda weird, cliffhanger ending to an annoying series. I was just glad to be done with Crispin, though.
July 5, 2010
Starting right where the Crispin: At the Edge of the World left off, this final installment in the trilogy has Crispin and Troth staggering, exhausted and tattered, through France as they search for Iceland. Bear always told them Iceland was a place where people could be free, and though Bear is dead, Crispin sees Iceland as a shining beacon of hope.
Troth finds a haven early on, but Crispin pushes on, falls in with a band of traveling musicians who also happen to be murdering thieves, makes his way with them to Calais, and finally finds himself on a cog sailing toward Iceland. And there the story ends, my friends.
Although a boy named Owen who is traveling with the musicians might become a friend, Crispin doesn't have much opportunity to get to know him, and so he spends most of this novel cold, scared, and most of all alone. Readers will miss Troth, but I must say I was happy that she found a place where she can be safe, appreciated, and even happy. As for Crispin, he is his usual good, sweet self. I can't understand how every half-way decent person he meets doesn't want to take him home, dress him warmly, and stuff him with nourishing stew - but then again, he doesn't meet too many half-way decent people in this book.
Not a whole heck of a lot happens, as Crispin is mostly trying to get away from this scary family that has rather forcefully admitted him into their midst. This family is portrayed in quite an interesting and sinister manner. The matriarch, Elena, is obviously a woman of great complexity and intelligence - you can feel Crispin's disappointment that her warmth is directed only at her own family.
The oddest episode has to do with the manner in which Crispin comes across a warm and attractive outfit - in what apparently is an old grave. What does it mean? Why is it that the best thing that happens to him in the whole book is courtesy of a dead man?
The ending is both a relief and a worry, as Crispin is finally free of that hideous and dangerous family but is setting off for a very uncertain future. What on earth will he do in Iceland? Will he even make it there? Won't he be awfully chilly in the cold north? I'm concerned about the poor boy and I wish I had some reassurance that he's got a lifetime of full bellies ahead of him. He has had to endure so much hardship in his 13 years.
Although not as satisfying as the first two in the trilogy, this is still action-packed and well-written, a must for Crispin fans. For ages 10 and up.
Troth finds a haven early on, but Crispin pushes on, falls in with a band of traveling musicians who also happen to be murdering thieves, makes his way with them to Calais, and finally finds himself on a cog sailing toward Iceland. And there the story ends, my friends.
Although a boy named Owen who is traveling with the musicians might become a friend, Crispin doesn't have much opportunity to get to know him, and so he spends most of this novel cold, scared, and most of all alone. Readers will miss Troth, but I must say I was happy that she found a place where she can be safe, appreciated, and even happy. As for Crispin, he is his usual good, sweet self. I can't understand how every half-way decent person he meets doesn't want to take him home, dress him warmly, and stuff him with nourishing stew - but then again, he doesn't meet too many half-way decent people in this book.
Not a whole heck of a lot happens, as Crispin is mostly trying to get away from this scary family that has rather forcefully admitted him into their midst. This family is portrayed in quite an interesting and sinister manner. The matriarch, Elena, is obviously a woman of great complexity and intelligence - you can feel Crispin's disappointment that her warmth is directed only at her own family.
The oddest episode has to do with the manner in which Crispin comes across a warm and attractive outfit - in what apparently is an old grave. What does it mean? Why is it that the best thing that happens to him in the whole book is courtesy of a dead man?
The ending is both a relief and a worry, as Crispin is finally free of that hideous and dangerous family but is setting off for a very uncertain future. What on earth will he do in Iceland? Will he even make it there? Won't he be awfully chilly in the cold north? I'm concerned about the poor boy and I wish I had some reassurance that he's got a lifetime of full bellies ahead of him. He has had to endure so much hardship in his 13 years.
Although not as satisfying as the first two in the trilogy, this is still action-packed and well-written, a must for Crispin fans. For ages 10 and up.
February 9, 2017
Crispin and his best friend Troth were desperately looking for a new home while lost in France and they find a convent in France that takes them in and feeds them. Troth ends up staying there because she’s a very good healer and she shows that she can help everyone there, while heartbroken Crispin leaves in search of Iceland. Crispin runs into and joins a family of English musicians that seemed pretty nice at first, they were headed to Calais to play at a wedding and needed a recorder player, soon did Crispin realize that the family was a group of bandits, thieves and murderers. Crispin and his new friend Owen, the abused servant boy of the family, hatch a plan to escape to Iceland once they got to Calais. While being hunted down by the family and the whole town they finally escape on a boat to Iceland. A theme of this story could be, when Crispin said “The more love you have for others, the more pain there is in losing them”(36). This could be a theme because it was so hard for Crispin to leave Troth after being her best friend and guardian after their real guardian, Bear, died.
My favorite character in this book was Crispin. I reacted very strongly to Crispin because he actually left Troth behind and went his own way. When Crispin left he thought “By the time the rising sun cast a red sheen upon overcast clouds, I was well gone. I was sure I had left my heart behind”(40). He and Troth had been together for the longest time but Troth decided to stay because the convent needed her and Crispin couldn’t stand staying. I think the author did intend this reaction because Crispin was like a big brother to Troth and he had to leave her for good, that would make anyone sad. I was also thrown back by Crispins loyalty to his new friend Owen. When he finds out the family is a no good group of thieves Owen begs Crispin “‘I beg you...take me with you!’...I nodded”(93). Crispin could have easily left the family as soon as he found out what they were all about but he didn’t to be able to escape with Owen as well. I think the author did intend this reaction because Crispin always had the mindset of going off to find Iceland, even if he had to go alone, but then he promised Owen that he would help him escape too. Crispin could have been so loyal to Owen because of the fact that Crispin hadn’t had a friend in a long time considering he lost Troth and was all alone for a long time, wanting company.
I thought that this book was a pretty good ending to a series. The ending of this book was really full of suspense as they were being hunted down by the whole town while trying to get to the boat. There are also some really mean characters that you come to hate in this book, Rauf especially. I also found it way too convenient that Crispin just happened to run into a family of English wandering musicians in France, which was what Crispin used to do with Bear back in England. I would recommend this book to others, as long as they read the first two books in the series before reading this one. I would recommend this book or series to anyone who likes a good adventure and also stories about medieval times
My favorite character in this book was Crispin. I reacted very strongly to Crispin because he actually left Troth behind and went his own way. When Crispin left he thought “By the time the rising sun cast a red sheen upon overcast clouds, I was well gone. I was sure I had left my heart behind”(40). He and Troth had been together for the longest time but Troth decided to stay because the convent needed her and Crispin couldn’t stand staying. I think the author did intend this reaction because Crispin was like a big brother to Troth and he had to leave her for good, that would make anyone sad. I was also thrown back by Crispins loyalty to his new friend Owen. When he finds out the family is a no good group of thieves Owen begs Crispin “‘I beg you...take me with you!’...I nodded”(93). Crispin could have easily left the family as soon as he found out what they were all about but he didn’t to be able to escape with Owen as well. I think the author did intend this reaction because Crispin always had the mindset of going off to find Iceland, even if he had to go alone, but then he promised Owen that he would help him escape too. Crispin could have been so loyal to Owen because of the fact that Crispin hadn’t had a friend in a long time considering he lost Troth and was all alone for a long time, wanting company.
I thought that this book was a pretty good ending to a series. The ending of this book was really full of suspense as they were being hunted down by the whole town while trying to get to the boat. There are also some really mean characters that you come to hate in this book, Rauf especially. I also found it way too convenient that Crispin just happened to run into a family of English wandering musicians in France, which was what Crispin used to do with Bear back in England. I would recommend this book to others, as long as they read the first two books in the series before reading this one. I would recommend this book or series to anyone who likes a good adventure and also stories about medieval times
January 2, 2018
The Cross of Lead - the first book in this series - didn't need a sequel, and I still think that. However, its sequels - At the Edge of the World and The End of Time - are just as good as The Cross of Lead. And I get the feeling that this one may have yet another one after it. It doesn't need one, but I have faith that Avi will do a good job, just as he did with the others. Avi is a very talented author. Never have I encountered one who can write so effectively in any genre he wishes - and for all ages. But I'm especially fond of his historical novels.
I don't really have much to say about The End of Time simply because there are no criticisms and no extreme praise that I have not already said. Normally, by the 3rd installment, an adolescent narrator becomes annoying. But Crispin, being thirteen and in general a good boy, is not annoying and I am quite fond of him. I missed Bear in this one, but as an Author, I can appreciate and understand why he had to die. I was sad that Troth left the story fairly early on, but Owen has his own charm and is an acceptible "replacement" - though that doesn't seem the right word, because he isn't a replacement; he's a new character not meant to fill in Troth's role, but just another unfortunate who Crispin meets along the way.
Like the other two, The End of Time is a very quick read, and I think can be enjoyed by any age. What I really like is in some ways each book in this series can almost act as a stand-alone volume, which is nice when one hasn't read the prequels in a while, and doesn't really have time to go back and read them first. If you haven't read At the Edge of the World, then you won't understand the full story behind Troth nor Bear's death. And if you haven't read The Cross of Lead, you won't be able to appreciate the great loss Crispin feels when Bear dies, nor will you understand why Crispin is so desperate for freedom. But the events that take place in either of those do not so heavily influence its successor that you cannot read one without the other.
The Crispin Series is a very good, quick, enjoyable read. The End of Time doesn't need a sequel, but I will not feel dread as I so often do when an Author adds on to a series that really ought to be finished. Indeed, I'll be content whether or not Avi writes another.
I don't really have much to say about The End of Time simply because there are no criticisms and no extreme praise that I have not already said. Normally, by the 3rd installment, an adolescent narrator becomes annoying. But Crispin, being thirteen and in general a good boy, is not annoying and I am quite fond of him. I missed Bear in this one, but as an Author, I can appreciate and understand why he had to die. I was sad that Troth left the story fairly early on, but Owen has his own charm and is an acceptible "replacement" - though that doesn't seem the right word, because he isn't a replacement; he's a new character not meant to fill in Troth's role, but just another unfortunate who Crispin meets along the way.
Like the other two, The End of Time is a very quick read, and I think can be enjoyed by any age. What I really like is in some ways each book in this series can almost act as a stand-alone volume, which is nice when one hasn't read the prequels in a while, and doesn't really have time to go back and read them first. If you haven't read At the Edge of the World, then you won't understand the full story behind Troth nor Bear's death. And if you haven't read The Cross of Lead, you won't be able to appreciate the great loss Crispin feels when Bear dies, nor will you understand why Crispin is so desperate for freedom. But the events that take place in either of those do not so heavily influence its successor that you cannot read one without the other.
The Crispin Series is a very good, quick, enjoyable read. The End of Time doesn't need a sequel, but I will not feel dread as I so often do when an Author adds on to a series that really ought to be finished. Indeed, I'll be content whether or not Avi writes another.
September 27, 2011
Though I'm not sure that the story received the ending that it deserved, I was glad to finally have finished this trilogy that hadn't even been completed when I started it. Overall, Crispin's tale is certainly full of adventure and his growth seems to have been completed. Taken individually, this third book is good. But the problem is that when viewed as part of the whole, I can't help but feel a little shortchanged. The big surprise at the end of the second book would seem to point to Crispin and Troth's growth as a family unit. But that idea is quickly quashed and we find Crispin in similar circumstances to how it all began, only this time armed with more experience and wisdom. The second book ended abruptly and needed this third book. But even this book seems to leave the reader at a fair point in Crispin's tale, but without an enormous sense of closure.
October 3, 2011
It's been two or three weeks now since I finished this book and the series. If this story sticks with me much longer I'll be coming back and raising the ratings. The third book seemed to enhance the enjoyment of the whole series for me. Very good story; very well conceived and written. It's emotionally accessible to the younger reader but doesn't sacrifice any of the feel for the history and living in the time. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and the Crispin series have made me add some more of Avi's work to a couple wish/purchase lists and I'm looking forward to them.
January 26, 2018
Three books to set up for that non-ending?
May 16, 2018
Full of action and suspense with cliff hangers at the ends of chapters! Excellent third book and I'm sad that this is the last one. I would love to read more of Crispin's adventures.
February 18, 2019
I just loved the whole series. I wish there was more!
May 21, 2023
I greatly enjoyed Avi's other Crispin novels and, like with the others, this one left me hoping Avi writes another. Following the death of Bear, Crispin gains membership in another group of musicians on their way to join more musicians in celebrating a wedding in Calais. Part of the group includes a small boy Owen and his pet monkey. Only once agreeing to be a member of the band does Crispin learn they are thieves and murderers with a plan to sacrifice Crispin should there be any trouble. Crispin must save not only himself, but also young Owen who was kidnapped after the group killed his father and was then turned into the family's slave. A bit of a nailbiter!
May 14, 2020
Good. Not as good as the other two, in my opinion.
August 5, 2021
Answers some questions, but definitely isn't the end of the story. I hope Avi is able to write Book 4. It's easy to care for his protagonists, especially the main character Crispin. I'm interested in reading more books by this author.
August 13, 2025
Couldn't put it down!
Great storytelling.
Great storytelling.
June 22, 2018
I liked reading Avi’s third book of the Crispin series, The End of Time because of how it was written. The plot was nice and everything was quite simple. Nowadays, simplicity is a rare and magical thing. It’s easy to make something so flashy and appealing but when you delve deeper it’s just junk. Also I liked reading this one because it had less of the Christian stuff in it. Even though Jesus is good and all that, it’s kind of bothersome when you read. Especially for atheists and whatnot. They could pick it up, begin to read it, see all the Christian stuff, then set the book back down cause it’s just plain annoying. The characters were quite interesting and it was a touching ending. The thieving family was at the least absolutely awful and a bit monstrous. The way they made Crispin steal from a dead man that they had just murdered was downright cruel. But Crispin wasn’t exactly a saint either and I’m not even talking about when he killed that man. I’m talking about when he promised Owen to take him with him when Crispin left for Iceland. He was thinking about how stupid he was for agreeing then suddenly he thinks that he could redeem himself with Owen. If he saved Owen’s life maybe he wouldn’t be such a bad guy after all! Dude, if you’re going to seriously use a little kid to redeem yourself you’ve just gotta be greedy. And let’s not get started on Troth deciding to stay at the convent. Change of plans, let’s get started. So Troth gets all fussy about moving around, blah, blah, blah, she doesn’t want to travel anymore and wishes she’d stayed in England, blah, blah, blah. Well I’m sorry. You seemed plenty happy when you were travelling with Bear and Crispin through towns, earning money and whatnot!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
read-to-jp
September 17, 2023We almost didn’t finish this given a distressing event in the last quarter of the book that really upset JP. He eventually decided to not give up, as we had traveled with Crispin almost to the end of the trilogy.
November 22, 2011
Crispin's story finally comes to an end with Crispin: The End of Time by Avi. I have followed Crispin's story from the beginning, when he fled his village after his mother's death, wondering why there was a price on his head. I watched as Bear took him in and together they joined fates and fortunes with Troth. All along the way, I hoped Crispin would finally find freedom and his place in the world.
This last book in the trilogy opens with Crispin and Troth trudging across the French countryside. They don't know anyone and don't even speak the language. Now that Bear is dead, they hope to make it to Iceland, if they can figure out where it is. On the brink of starvation, they find reguge in a convent where one nun speaks English. Troth finds her place here, and decides to stay where she can be of use. Her knowledge of healing herbs is greatly needed by the nuns. Like Crispin, I missed her company on the rest of his journey, but I am glad she found her place.
Crispin next falls in with a gang of thieves. He is swept up in their crimes before he even realizes what they are. He is horrified but trapped. As he journeys with them toward the coast, Crispin must decide whether to flee for freedom on his own or keep a promise to Owen, another boy trapped by the thieves. Is Crispin ready to step up and be all that Bear showed him he could be.
If you haven't discovered Crispin's story, you are missing out. Avi paints a brilliant picture of Medieval life in England and France. Against the forces of nature and history, Crispin must make decisions about who he will be and who he will become.
First published on my blog at http://kaymcgriff.edublogs.org/2011/1...
This last book in the trilogy opens with Crispin and Troth trudging across the French countryside. They don't know anyone and don't even speak the language. Now that Bear is dead, they hope to make it to Iceland, if they can figure out where it is. On the brink of starvation, they find reguge in a convent where one nun speaks English. Troth finds her place here, and decides to stay where she can be of use. Her knowledge of healing herbs is greatly needed by the nuns. Like Crispin, I missed her company on the rest of his journey, but I am glad she found her place.
Crispin next falls in with a gang of thieves. He is swept up in their crimes before he even realizes what they are. He is horrified but trapped. As he journeys with them toward the coast, Crispin must decide whether to flee for freedom on his own or keep a promise to Owen, another boy trapped by the thieves. Is Crispin ready to step up and be all that Bear showed him he could be.
If you haven't discovered Crispin's story, you are missing out. Avi paints a brilliant picture of Medieval life in England and France. Against the forces of nature and history, Crispin must make decisions about who he will be and who he will become.
First published on my blog at http://kaymcgriff.edublogs.org/2011/1...
June 9, 2012
This is a fantastic trilogy for children by the wonderful writer Avi. My 5th graders read the first book in the series Crispin: The Cross of Lead for book club last week. One of my students and I went on to read the sequel, discussing it every morning before school; then he finished the 3rd book before me and he was under orders not to talk to me about it until I finished. So we finally got to discuss the ending and we both loved the series. Great for ages 10-14, give or take a year either way.
I always appreciate when an author makes historical fiction compelling, because my students learn without necessarily intending to...the story carries them along. There are many many tough moments in this series, and things don't always work out like the reader may like; but, through it all, Avi has created characters whose faith and determination are consistent and the source of their strength and hope. That is so refreshing to read in YA literature, BRAVO AVI!
I always appreciate when an author makes historical fiction compelling, because my students learn without necessarily intending to...the story carries them along. There are many many tough moments in this series, and things don't always work out like the reader may like; but, through it all, Avi has created characters whose faith and determination are consistent and the source of their strength and hope. That is so refreshing to read in YA literature, BRAVO AVI!
March 11, 2011
I think this is my favorite of the Crispin books. I was sad to see Crispin and Trogh part ways, but was glad that Trogh herself ended up in a place where she would be accepted and needed. Crispin was mature enough to recognize where she would be safest and was willing to let her remain at the convent.
I especially enjoyed the ending and thought it appropriate, where Crispin finds the mariner from Iceland and becomes part of his crew. I can see if the story were to continue Crispin would become part of the Mariner's family and find belonging. The end where the Mariner shows Crispin how to navigate by the stars and he seeks out the familiar shape of the Bear in the sky was perfect, a stunning tribute to the man who's brief influence guided Crispin to better things.
I especially enjoyed the ending and thought it appropriate, where Crispin finds the mariner from Iceland and becomes part of his crew. I can see if the story were to continue Crispin would become part of the Mariner's family and find belonging. The end where the Mariner shows Crispin how to navigate by the stars and he seeks out the familiar shape of the Bear in the sky was perfect, a stunning tribute to the man who's brief influence guided Crispin to better things.
December 10, 2016
If I could, I would give this third book in the Crispin trilogy 3.5 stars, but I round up. The poor, wretched boy really goes through tremendous struggles and is never safe. There are a lot of repeated themes here that I noticed in the first two books: never trust strangers, always have an exit plan, do what you have to in order to survive. I am not a fan of Medieval history, but there are so many cliffhangers that I feel I have to read on. If I were alive back then, I probably wouldn't make it through the week. If I learned anything, it's be thankful for what you have, living in the USA in 2016. Wouldn't want to be in any other time or place. The trilogy was very good (but not excellent) and I am glad I read it!
July 28, 2010
I was disappointed in this last book of the trilogy; it's as if the energy of the story had petered out by the end of book two...except that book left the reader hanging with the death of Bear. In this, Crispin and Troth set out together, until Troth's healing abilities make her useful at a nunnery, so Crispin continues on alone. He falls in with a group of thieves and barely escapes from them (on a ship bound for Iceland)...and there it ended! It just didn't seem like that should be the end of Crispin's story...abrupt and not really resolved.
April 19, 2013
I enjoyed this ending to the Crispin series. We say farewell to Troth who finds acceptance and a place in a convent early on in the book. Crispin, feeling sad at her departure, falls in with a group of traveling musicians who are not what they seem. Crispin is still seeking out the faraway land of Iceland.
Like the other two books, it's fast paced and easily read in an hour or two (if you're a strong reader). Avi fills in the absence of Bear nicely. I liked the scene with Crispin and Owen and the bride-to-be and thought it was a nice little commentary on arranged marriage.
Like the other two books, it's fast paced and easily read in an hour or two (if you're a strong reader). Avi fills in the absence of Bear nicely. I liked the scene with Crispin and Owen and the bride-to-be and thought it was a nice little commentary on arranged marriage.
August 31, 2011
Not one of my favorite trilogies or even that of Avi's. I should remember that this plot and character was written for a younger audience, however the main character lack of self-realization and confidence was enough to drive me insane and I really spent the entire three books disliking him. I would recommend Avi's true tales of history, "I Witness" for characters with more of a backbone.
July 25, 2017
This book was as full of sadness, sorrow, misery, and pain as the second in the trilogy. As such, though it ended in victory, it felt like a hollow victory. The 2 stars are for Avi's gift of drawing one into the story, and for my fondness of Crispin's character. This, though is a trilogy I will remember with sadness. I wish I had stopped after the first book (which was terrific).
June 7, 2017
This book I really liked. Again, very real. Throughout the book you were sure that Crispin would at least survive. I mean, he always has. But you never knew the cost. The book is hard to take in at times but quite fun to read. 3 1/2 stars, but I'll round it up to 4 for the excitement.
December 31, 2016
the final book of the trilogy
March 3, 2011
This book has no ending. It just stops.
April 13, 2021
Not very satisfying. True to life, I suppose, loose ends, unresolved conflict, bad guys go unpunished, uncertain conclusions for the main character. Exhausting and always full of strife and danger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2018
I just finished the book called CRISPIN: THE END OF TIME by Avi. The story takes place in France and Crispin and Troth are trying to get to Iceland. The main characters in the book are Owen,Elana,Troth, and Crispin. I found the book in the library and it looked mystical and wondering so I grabbed it.
Crispin and Troth have a dream to go to Iceland. They are on the edge of starving and they find bread and shelter in the woods. A couple of sick nun gets Troths attention. Troth finds out how to cure them and he does and stays. Crispin is by himself going on the journey. Crispin finds five thief's in the woods and finds out how to escape them.
I thought the book ended kinda shakey. My favorite part is when he can't find the boat. Because it causes a Little tension and they get worried.
There are more of these books and the other two before it. Someone that likes mythology and other things common to it would love this book. I honestly didn't like this book because I didn't really know what was going on.
Crispin and Troth have a dream to go to Iceland. They are on the edge of starving and they find bread and shelter in the woods. A couple of sick nun gets Troths attention. Troth finds out how to cure them and he does and stays. Crispin is by himself going on the journey. Crispin finds five thief's in the woods and finds out how to escape them.
I thought the book ended kinda shakey. My favorite part is when he can't find the boat. Because it causes a Little tension and they get worried.
There are more of these books and the other two before it. Someone that likes mythology and other things common to it would love this book. I honestly didn't like this book because I didn't really know what was going on.
April 9, 2025
Ok, so this was good but not great. I really liked that Crispin was finally on his own. I think part of what made the first one so good was Crispin figuring things out by himself. There wasn't enough of that in the last book. I actually also really like that Troth stayed at the convent. She clearly was tired of running, and I think she needed to be in a place that needed her. She got the opportunity to use her skills and could stop feeling constantly on edge.
One thing that I didn't love about this book or the last one is that Crispin seemed a lot less like himself. I don't know what it was...but it didn't seem like he had as much personality as in the first book. I wish he referenced his past more maybe? Like, did he ever talk about his mom at all in the second two books? She was all he had for the first 13 years of his life! Bear was only with him for what? A few months? It just didn't seem natural, and I didn't like it.
Again, this book isn't bad, it's just not exactly what I'd call good.
One thing that I didn't love about this book or the last one is that Crispin seemed a lot less like himself. I don't know what it was...but it didn't seem like he had as much personality as in the first book. I wish he referenced his past more maybe? Like, did he ever talk about his mom at all in the second two books? She was all he had for the first 13 years of his life! Bear was only with him for what? A few months? It just didn't seem natural, and I didn't like it.
Again, this book isn't bad, it's just not exactly what I'd call good.
June 17, 2019
This one definitely had a more defined plot than the second book and the last half really kept me hooked. We see Crispin struggle with being stuck between a rock and a hard place and trying to keep on the right path, trying to do what is right but being forced in his circumstances do things he doesn’t want to do. I can see now how good kids end up in gangs when they have no other option or how kids end up trafficked when they have no way out. It’s a horribly harsh world to live in when you’re alone, with no one on your side, and no resources. But despite the terrible situation he’s in, it was an exciting story of risk, courage and loyalty. I wish there were more books about what happens after! He’s truly a memorable character and it’s been a great trilogy following him as he grows from the dependent, helpless one to one that leads and finds a way to survive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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