I really enjoyed this book, and blazed through it quickly, right up to the end. The epilogue/conclusion was just, in my opinion, okay.

I loved the relationships and dynamics between the main group, which largely continued from the previous book. It was also great seeing them meet more people who had similar powers (except Mob and Scam), and how prison changed Nate and the group's dynamics, as Riley took a bigger role as a leader.

I also loved the expansion of the mythology, while still making sense. There were new powers, and they discovered that their powers had two sides to them, which I thought was fantastic because it allowed them to 'power up' in a believable/contained/different way. They also continued to struggle with the negative aspects of powers, especially Anon as he got lost/drifted, Chizara as she found out she could kill people, and Kelsie as she struggled not to kill/absorb people.

The NOLA setting for a good chunk of the book was great, and I liked the main villain/glorious leader. Her idea, to preemptively strike to make sure Zeroes came out on top, made sense (in theory and if you don't care about killing people) as the government already had interest in people with powers and the public was starting to realize (and be afraid) that they existed. Finally, I enjoyed reading about the various romantic relationships in addition to the friendship/group bonds, which is a little unusual for me with Scott Westerfeld.

My only real issue with the book, and why I knocked it down a star, was the ending. While I enjoy a happy ending, it felt ridiculous to me that not only did they save the day, they inordinately solved all of the world's problems in about ten pages. I mean, come on. I appreciated the peeks ahead of each of their lives, but Ethan's power was never really explained and now he's omniscient? Sure the irony was nice and it sucks that he's mute. But he knows everything now and there are plenty of ways to communicate other than speaking out loud.

All in all I enjoyed the plot and characters of the book and would be happy to read about more of their adventures, but the pat ending was a bit of a bummer.

Mr. Westerfeld's final volume of the Zeroes was, unhappily, not what I had hoped it would be. Following on the heels of Swarm, there was an expectation for new powers, and the possibility for growth among the characters that didn't materialize.

Spoiler

Instead, to use the corruption of the hero's powers themselves felt too easy.

The description remained beautiful, and the introduction of a governmental task force - particularly following the events in Swarm - felt appropriate. The ending itself (the very end) was fantastic, and I praise Mr. Westerfeld for that concept, because it left me with a smile. I just wish the remainder of the book had not felt as weak and so close to a cliche.

Not my favorite series…glad to have finished it so I can leave the unlikeable characters and their slow moving antics behind.

Honestly, I love these characters and the story has always been fun and intriguing. And I love Scott Westerfeld!

But wowee, that ending was...something. Not a big fan.

Liked the build-up, but the ending felt extremely inconclusive, apart from the final scene with Ethan.

Interesting premise and overall good books. Just wished that with such a long series the character development had been better.

Enjoyed this last in the series (or is it). The ending felt a bit rushed and tidy, but there's definitely room for more installments.

What a wild way to end the trilogy.
SPOILER ALERT
I thought Scam was going to lose his ability, but instead, he fully becomes it, yet was unable to communicate the knowledge he possessed. Very Stan Lee-ish; all that power but with a crippling physical deterrent. It was nice seeing Flicker tempt her narcissism, showing she's not wholly innocent. And it was nice seeing Bellwether humbled, though his narcissism showed one definat time more before the story ended: one of his zeroes was on the throne, and that was a victory. I really do wish though, the authors could have kept Zara from seeing the certain and specific limit of her ability. No matter what their future holds, all of the Zeroes are scarred. All of them have killed, save Scam and Bellwether. Although, Bellwether does seem very capable of it. I mean, it was revealed he was okay with destroying the world of normal folks.
Seriously, the last piece of this trilogy was wild. It was slowly paced with snipits of thrill and excitement, but the last few chapters had me reeling. I loved the quick pace, short chapters.

I must admit, I am a bit perturbed that my fan fiction may no longer be a valid future for the Zeroes. But then again, I only had written a few chapters. There may be something remaining to salvage :-)