Started: 14/03/22
Finished: 30/03/22
Spoilers: No
There are not many book series that can get such a consistently stellar rating, but this book (and series in general) is exceptional, and worth every star.
Characters
I have been on a mother-fucking journey, and I don't want it to end. These characters will stay with me for a very long time, and when I eventually reread this series, it will be because of these characters and my need to simply be in their company again. They are wonderful, each and every one of them.
Frey, Crake, Silo, Malvery, Jez, Ashua, Harkins, and Pinn. I'm going to miss you all so much. They experience every emotion a human is capable of. I've seen them all at their lowest and also at their highest. They grow close, drift apart, and then once again become closer than they've ever been. their friendships have been a rollercoaster. Not everyone is perfect, sometimes people make selfish decisions, but the true test of friendship is to stand strong for each other when they really need it. These characters experience all of this. They have the truest friendship there is. They suffer so much for each other, and despite their anger at one another sometimes, they suffer anyway, because they love each other. They're a family. A dysfunctional one, but still a family.
Extra shout out to Silo who is fucking wonderful, and my favourite line of the entire series.
'"We a losin' hand, Cap'n,' he said. 'But you the Ace of Skulls. Anyone can turn us to winnin', you can."'
When Silo said this to Frey, I almost got a bit misty-eyed. Silo is a true friend, loyal to a falt and an incredibly decent man. This was exactly what Frey needed to hear during his 'dark night of the soul' moment. Silo is the MVP of the Ketty Jay and I love him dearly.
Plot
Everything established in the previous three books comes to fruition here. It's all been building to this moment, this civil war between the Awakeners and the Coalition army. It all comes to a head here, and the crew of the Ketty Jay must choose a side (like there's even a choice), they must stand and fight, or fall.
This book has one of the most satisfying conclusions I've ever read. Such a perfect ending, had me crying my eyes out and laughing my head off in equal measure. Had me up until 3 in the morning finishing it cause I just had to know how it would all end. The final battle was phenomenal. Visually in my mind, the battle was stunning and huge and brilliantly executed. Blew me away.
The aftermath of the battle had me reeling (which is where the crying and laughing come from). I got trolled in the best possible way and I'm not even mad about it. It was so brilliantly timed and delivered that I had to just put the book to one side while I processed that things hadn't turned out the way I thought they had (thankfully so). That being said, it certainly turned my frown upside down.
Setting
The world in which these books are set consistently remained interesting. Always moving forward, ever-growing and expanding. One thing this world can never be accused of is being stagnant. I loved the range of countries we got to visit during this whole series, and there was something almost like closure to this one. It felt like it took us back to where things started, being on the wrong side of the Archduke and finally having the choice to either walk away or do the right thing.
The world Wooding has created is incredibly cinematic. Just picture sweeping cityscapes with an air fleet overhead, aircraft shooting about, guns firing, explosion overhead, all while on ground-level a war of its own is taking place. This is one of those book series I could very easily imagine as a TV show. It's practically made for it.
Writing Style
Chris Wooding has proven time again he is the master of the multi-pov beast. He writes many well-developed characters with ease, weaving their stories together like it's nothing. With each POV shift and mini-cliffhanger at the end of each chapter, I never once resented returning to any one character. I loved them all equally and was always excited to return to each of them and see their side of things. I just love how Wooding brought everything together at the end in that final battle. So well done.
Final Impression
Man, I'm going to miss these guys. I'd pretty much do anything for more Ketty Jay books, but at the same time, they're finally happy and dragging them all out of retirement, so to speak, will only spell further disaster for them. I love them and I miss them already, but they've earned their happiness, and I'd hate to see that taken away from them.
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