Great ending to a good series. The complexity of the characters was refreshing, the plot fantastic, the action and descriptions very good. I enjoyed listening to this very much.

Would I recommend this series to anyone? Probably not. But I think I liked the trilogy overall. This was recommended to me by a friend and is different than what I tend to read. It focused on the journey and not the destination which made the story really slow at some parts. I loved the world building and the uniqueness of the different races of creatures in the world. I know this author says he's inspired by Tolkien and this definitely reads like middle grade LotR.

I nearly lost my mind trying to finish this book. But the last quarter of it was really good, and I felt it had a strong and open ending for unlimited possibilities. I am hoping there will be a spinoff series or novel or even a short story to show how Jason’s parents reacted or whether or not Rachel returns to Lyrian. Not to mention, who will Jason have a daughter with? Will he inevitably end up with Rachel?

There is obvious intent from this book that the author meant to give a possibility of a spin-off series. After all, Jason & Rachel could not both stay in Lyrian OR go home or the land would go into darkness.

Milk. This. Thing.

Wow, I haven't plowed through a book that fast in a long time! That should tell you what I think of entire Beyonders series--this is easy, fun, popcorn reading at it's best. I loved the story and I loved the characters. Everyone got their deserved ending. I'm left with the characters in my mind, wishing I could know the rest of their story. Now I'm anxious to share the series with my kids.

Thanks Brandon Mull! You've become a favorite at my house. I recommend Beyonders for anyone who loves stories that make you want to skip sleeping and eating just so you can find out what happens next!

This is my favorite passage in this book-page 167 just after Rachel has the dream into which Maldor intrudes:
" I think you should confront the truth of the situation. I can tell you're struggling under the weight of worries that you don't want to face and desires that you don't care to admit. I've seen your passion for Edomic. You would love to learn its mysteries from a true master. Don't bury the truth. Confront it."
"How? By accepting his offer?"
Ferrin shook his head. " Not necessarily. You have a choice before you. Confront the truth by honestly assessing the alternatives. Acknowledge the price of your options." .....

In weighing the options Rachel and Ferrin see the difference between reward and price of the choices she has to make. Both are difficult and will require sacrifice and consequences Rachel doesn't like. At the end of their conversation Ferrin tells her, "The others were trying to spare you from pain. The truth can be devastating. We spend much of our lives protecting ourselves from it and shielding others as well. We use lies to take the edge off life. We dream of a better tomorrow. We hide from our regrets and inadequacies. We try to exaggerate the good and downplay the bad....."

It's so important to see the truth in our lives and apply the best decisions we can with the information we have. I liked this book. It was a good end to the series. Parts of it were sad and parts inspiring. Everyone was willing to play a part in defeating evil and bringing about the best possible outcome. Even if that meant they would die. I liked how the characters worked through their doubt and shortcomings.

crazy crashing finish to an awesome trilogy.

Great job Brandon!

Wow. I'm now a big fan of Brandon Mull. One of the best endings to a series I've read. Ever. The author depicts the horror of war, and will even kill favorite characters if the story thread leads down that path. The deaths were never forced; they were always believable, even when the deaths were of those favorite characters.

Spoiler

I especially like that 1) the mentor didn't have to die for one of the protagonists to fulfill their own destiny, and 2) the two protagonists didn't become a couple in the end.

Great finish to this well written series, really enjoyed it.

"Kebenaran bisa menjadi hal yang menyakitkan. Kita menghabiskan sebagian besar hidup melindungi diri kita dari kebenaran dan juga menutupinya dari orang lain. Kita menggunakan kebohongan untuk mengurangi kegetiran hidup. Kita bersembunyi dari penyesalan dan kelemahan kita. Kita mencoba untuk terlalu menonjolkan kelebihan dan memangkas keburukan. Kita bahkan berusaha bersembunyi dari kenyataan yang tak terhindarkan bahwa cepat atau lambat semua orang yang kita cintai akan mati."

WOW.. 690 halaman super EPIK!!!
Sebenarnya rating dan satu kalimat di atas sudah bisa mewakili perasaanku, kalau belum tambahkan review berbunga-bunga dari buku 1-2, dan kamu akan mendapatkan semua pendapatku secara lengkap.

Singkatnya, buku fantasy petualangan middle grade ini memberikan lebih banyak dari yang kuharapkan. Storyline yang komplek dengan konflik utama yang jelas, twist kejutan bertubi-tubi, aksi laga dan perang otak tanpa henti yang sangat memuaskan.

Jangan lupakan karakter-karakternya yang memukau. Baik Jason-Rachel maupun para pemeran pendukung lain yang walaupun banyak, semua memorable dan memegang peranan penting dalam buku ini. Satu pesanku, jangan punya karakter favorit. Aku punya 2 karakter fave dan aku kehilangan keduanya secara tragis. Yea, banyak kematian di buku terakhir ini. Banyak yang harus di korbankan dalam perjuangan dan perang akbar. Tapi tiap tindakan, tiap keputusan, dan tiap kematian memberi makna dan arah baru pada istilah kepahlawanan.

Ini adalah buku fantasy petualangan yang epik dan menguras emosi. Aku menghargai tiap menit yang kuhabiskan untuk membaca buku ini secara maraton.

My rating :
Star : 5/5