Lily Proctor has come a long way from the weak, sickly girl she used to be. She has gained power as a witch and a leader, found her way home, chosen to face battle again, and (after losing her first love and being betrayed by her new love) she has learned more about loss and grief than she ever wanted to know.
Thrust once again into a society different from anything they have ever seen, Lily and her coven are determined to find answers―to find a new path to victory, a way to defeat the monstrous Woven without resorting to nuclear weapons or becoming a tyrannical mass murderer like her alternate self, Lillian. But sometimes winning requires sacrifices . . . and when the only clear path to victory lies at Lillian's side, what price will Lily be willing to pay?
Internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini takes us on another emotionally wrenching thrill ride in the stunning conclusion to her Worldwalker Trilogy.
It’s never a good idea to read a trilogy with two years apart between each book. I think that’s pretty much where my troubles lied with this series. Witch’s Pyre is the final book in Josephine Angelini’s Worldwalker trilogy. It’s a trilogy filled with magic, time travel, love, betrayal...all the good stuff. But yet, sadly I just struggled with it.
Like I said, I really think my reading the books nearly two years apart each didn’t do me any favors. This is a trilogy that picks up right where it left off with little to no recap in between. You’re thrust right into the middle of all the action and you better know what’s going on or else you will find yourself lost like I was.
Here’s what we know, Lily and her friends find themselves in a new place called Bower City. Grace, the one in charge, has brought them there because she thinks it will be for the best. Yet the city is far different than any they’ve been to before. Here witches aren’t allowed to have mechanics and whatnot, because they see it as a form of slavery. Toshi, Grace’s assistant, has been helpful in showing the group around the city, almost too helpful and it’s not long before Lily and her friends start to suspect something fishy is going on.
Rowan makes a surprise appearance shortly after their arrival into the city as well. And if you remember, because I barely did, Lily was betrayed by Rowan in the worst possible way. Yet, he’s still one of her mechanics and despite all that’s happened there’s still a bond that ties them together. And they may eventually need his help in order to leave Bower City, for things aren’t exactly as perfect as they seem.
This series was rather intriguing with the whole alternate worlds and realities. That everyone had a doppelganger as well was interesting. Though I was surprised that Lillian, Lily’s doppelganger, didn’t really have too much of a role in this one. I felt like we didn’t even see her really, the only time she came on the page was when Lily was mindspeaking with her. I was always under the belief that Lillian was a villainous sort as well. But it seemed like by the last book (from my most vaguest of recollections) that she was on a path towards redemption. It soon becomes clear that the real villain of this story is Grace and Lily and her friends are going to need all the help they can get to put a stop to her tyranny.
There wasn’t much for romance in this one since it seems Rowan and Lily were on the outs. That’s the other problem with my poor memory. I can’t really remember if I am supposed to care about these two as a couple! I know I loved Rowan in the first book and his own novella from way back then too. And a part of me was heartsick at seeing these two separated, though I can’t really remember much about Rowan’s betrayal anyway. Only that I was somewhat hesitant to call it a full on betrayal! We do get insight on that though in this one!
It’s really hard to write a review for a book I didn’t fully understand. That’s not to say it was bad, it wasn’t. I just have a really bad memory and I couldn’t really find my groove back with this series. It’s definitely one you would want to binge read in order to full grasp the intricate worldbuilding. It was definitely an interesting read, I just feel like I would’ve done better to have binge read it. If only I could’ve known that ahead of time!
I feel like the ending wasn’t quite complete either. Granted, there’s resolution and what not, but I feel like there should have been more to say about all the characters’ fates and happy endings. We get a little teaser with the epilogue that only leaves me more befuddled than anything. I just wish I knew where more of the characters were at after all was said and done.
Overall Rating 2.5/5 stars—and remember for me, this means it was an okay read! None of that “I didn’t like it” nonsense Amazon and Goodreads go with.
It's also the worst to read a book in which you only remember certain things! I have done that to myself time and time again. Now I try to read the whole series (if published, that is!) within a year. I read the first book in this trilogy last fall, so it is due time for me to read the sequel if I want to remember anything important. :) I do remember though that Lillian was my favorite character because of how complex she seems!
ReplyDeleteI still have not read the second book. this will be a series i will need to start over and just read all the way through. i know i enjoyed the first one but for some reason the second got lost in my enormous tbr pile.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of scared to read this one. I absolutely adored the first book in the trilogy and I enjoyed the second, though I was super angry at Rowan. However, it has also been years since I read it too, so I'm worried I will feel detached and not remember details. I recently had this issue with another book, so I had to simply stop reading because I was so confused. I'm sorry you didn't love this one! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteBrittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles