Addicted to YA discussion

This discussion will be lead by Sofia. The discussion leader will be here to help keep the conversation going. Look out for comments and questions the discussion leader might make and respond back to them!

Hello everyone, and happy 2021!

I haven't finished reading yet. I'm about halfway through.


- What are you expecting to see in this book (for those who haven't started yet)?

- In this book, Laia gets even more powers. Do you think they were a good addition, or do you think she's becoming a Mary Sue character?

- Was this a good ending to the series? Were all the loose ends tied?

- What do you think of Elias and his character arc?

- Who's your favorite character and why?

Alright, I am picking it up right now, so... I am expecting, well, lots of destruction, really. I have a feeling this series goes out with a bang. I expect (and hope) it brings me to tears at least once. I am hopeful of what the alliance between Helene and Laia might bring (though I am wary of these additional powers the latter apparently will get), and I am really looking forward to what Elias' role will bring in this installment.

Miranda wrote: "Alright, I am picking it up right now, so... I am expecting, well, lots of destruction, really. I have a feeling this series goes out with a bang. I expect (and hope) it brings me to tears at least..."

I can assure you, the friendship between Helene and Laia is wholesome and amazing. Although it does come out of nowhere. There's not really much development. I'm prepared for the ending, which will definitely probably be painful. I hope no one dies.

I've already finished it and I didn't enjoy it at all. If you haven't finished it and want to read my review: Avoid its comment section at all costs, for it's dark and full of spoilers.

To Sofia's questions: imo, Laia is one of the worst Mary Sues I've ever encountered. She gets new superpowers all the time and then she constantly forgets about using them because it's so convenient for the plot. Like, she uses a new power for the first time and ten pages later, in the exact same situation, she doesn't use it because apparently Sabaa Tahir had no idea how else to stir the plot in the direction she wanted it to go. Laia's POV was the only one I still enjoyed in Reaper - here, she's completely destroyed. She was that incredibly relatable human being and that's been completely taken away from her.

The ending is one of the worst I've ever read. I like the last chapter, but the epic battle is an utter catastrophe. Especially the whole Keris storyline in this one makes me really aggressive because it doesn't fit her character at all... I saw every single character death coming miles ahead and I didn't care about a single one because they were all handled terribly.

Elias has been useless since the start of book three. Basically, he's been reduced to the role of Laia's love interest. That constant back and forth between them was just useless and infuriating.
(Elias: I am the Soul Catcher. I have no friends and no ties to the word of mortals.
Laia: But I love you!
Elias: I am the Soul Catcher. I have no friends and no ties to the world of mortals.
Laia: But I really love you! Kiss me!
Elias: I am tempted, I might kiss you. Oh no, I am the Soul Catcher. I have no friends and no ties to the world of mortals.
Laia: I'm leaving!
Fifty pages later.
Laia: I love you!
...)

Helene's and Laia's friendship is nicely written but it also has cringe factor 1000. Because: what the hell? Where does it come from? You cannot make one of your main characters hate another main character for three full novels and then just say 'Oh, they're friends now' at the start of the fourth book. Either write how that friendship comes into existence or don't make them friends - saying they're besties out of nowhere is just lazy writing.

My favourite character? I'll just say Helene's baby nephew. He's the only one that isn't a Mary Sue and hasn't been going on my nerves :D

Klaus wrote: "I've already finished it and I didn't enjoy it at all. If you haven't finished it and want to read my review: Avoid its comment section at all costs, for it's dark and full of spoilers.

To Sofia's..."

I agree with everything you said!

I think the reason I liked Laia before was because she was so relatable. She didn't have any special powers, she was just a girl. And then that got ruined. (view spoiler)[She has a jinn? living inside her? Wow, so relatable. (hide spoiler)] And I agree, her friendship with Helene was SO rushed.

I just finished last night! I rated it three stars, but I might lower it to two. It was very mediocre, and the last battle scene was terrible. It was over so quickly. All the build-up to this tiny little battle, and Keris only died because of her random tragic backstory that came out of nowhere.

And that Mirra thing... omg. That made me almost DNF it although it was nearly at the ending 😅

Klaus wrote: "And that Mirra thing... omg. That made me almost DNF it although it was nearly at the ending 😅"

Agh same. I read the last 200 pages in one sitting because I just wanted it over with. Before I had been reading in five-page increments and then taking long breaks because I was so bored.

Talk about deus ex machina.

I wrote my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Sofia wrote: "Klaus wrote: "And that Mirra thing... omg. That made me almost DNF it although it was nearly at the ending 😅"

Agh same. I read the last 200 pages in one sitting because I just wanted it over with...."

Sofia wrote: "Hello everyone, and happy 2021!

I haven't finished reading yet. I'm about halfway through.


- What are you expecting to see in this book (for those who haven't started yet)?

- In this book, La..."

is it so good?

kindly suggest how many pages are there?

ALOK wrote: "is it so good?

kindly suggest how many pages are there?"

516 pages!

Has anyone else had a hard time reading this series. I have had to resort to audiobooks because I just can't get invested in the characters or their plights. It's disappointing for me. I have heard so much hype for these and I was excited to read the, but I am not enjoying them at all unfortunately.

I really enjoyed the first one but then it got worse and worse IMO.

Bonita wrote: "Has anyone else had a hard time reading this series. I have had to resort to audiobooks because I just can't get invested in the characters or their plights. It's disappointing for me. I have heard..."

Personally, I was extremely invested for most of the series. Until the end of Reaper and the entire Sky.

to me the writing style is really calm, and it has this mood. that sometimes is boring, but in some places is really interesting.

Jayne wrote: "I really enjoyed the book. There were only a couple of thing's I wasn't keen on. One being Keris. I was just expecting something magnificent and it just didn't happen.

Favourite character, it's b..."

I actually wanted Keris to be the Soulcatcher as a form of redemption for all her misgivings. But I guess that's not what she was going for. I think Mirra should have been built up more. Her intro back into the story felt so.....lacklustre. It just wasn't as exciting as it should have been :-(

N ♡ wrote: "Jayne wrote: "I really enjoyed the book. There were only a couple of thing's I wasn't keen on. One being Keris. I was just expecting something magnificent and it just didn't happen.

Favourite cha..."

That's a really good point. (view spoiler)[I think having Keris become the Soul Catcher would be a fitting punishment. (hide spoiler)]

I really have not been enjoying this series, but I committed to reading it so I am. I had such high hopes because of everything I have heard but.... it is rare I struggle as much to read a book, much less a series, as I have with this one. I cannot connect with the characters, I find the story disjointed and the characters extremely wishy washy. The only positive thing I can say about this final book is, thankfully its the last one. It just goes to show that not every book is for everyone. If I had not committed to reading this for a book club I would have DNF’d less than halfway through the first book.

Takeaway, I can see how some people can like this series, but definitely not for me.

I liked the way Elias and Laia's story wrapped up and was satified...to an extent of the ending. Like Laia's mother freeing Elias from being soul catcher got me in tears and they were so cute.
BUT... HELENE. No. i just kept thinking give this girl a break- my heart broke from her. And i didnt like that she said she would never marry of bear children i thought she deserved sm better but she is undoubtedly the STRONGEST female character i have read about.
And other small things i just wanted wrapped up. Like i really wanted a longer scene with Elias and Keris than that brief warning she gave.
And in the forest there was a perfect opportunity for 'soul' of Darren and Cook/his mother to reunite at the end- maybe she could have helped pass him on.
But overall, even though i will forever mourn Harper, the book gets you really thinking about humanity and deep things....i couldve been more poetic but this book is just REAL. AND BRUTAL.
Strongly recommend for YA readers.
4 stars

Klaus wrote: "And that Mirra thing... omg. That made me almost DNF it although it was nearly at the ending 😅"

i loved how she just popped up i did not expect it but niw that i think about it, woman is a SURVIVOR!

Sorry, but that was just so terrible IMO. So she just survived fighting off the entire Karkaun army at the end of Reaper? They just let her lie there, thousands of enemies, not realising she was still alive?🙈O.M.G. And then she just pops up in the middle of the battle and Keris who was the most powerful Mary Sue ever up to this point just... lets her kill her? Just like that? The worst deus ex machina I’ve ever witnessed in any book 🤦🏻‍♂️

Klaus wrote: "Sorry, but that was just so terrible IMO. So she just survived fighting off the entire Karkaun army at the end of Reaper? They just let her lie there, thousands of enemies, not realising she was st..."

Y E S

I was really disappointed in Keris's character in this book. She felt so weak.

I feel like in attempt to be full circle, and tie out the unexplainable plot holes, a lot of magic gets shoved in where it shouldnt be. my favorite was book 2 i think. after that i feel like there needed to be a dramatic ending. the war in book 3 actually would have been a great ending to me. I almost didnt pick up book4 but i loved the first three so much i decided to try it

Aditi wrote: "I feel like in attempt to be full circle, and tie out the unexplainable plot holes, a lot of magic gets shoved in where it shouldnt be. my favorite was book 2 i think. after that i feel like there ..."

Mmhm. I agree with all of that. My favorite was also book 2--back when Laia still had weaknesses and Elias was still a compelling character.