I’m crying right now. This book completely destroyed me.

450 pages of hurt

The simplest way for a book to get me choked up? Separate some of the main cast over the course of a book or two, and let them have a happy, tearful reunion after both parties thought the other was dead. (See The Battle for WondLa, “Frankenweenie,” etc.) It’s the little things, man, it’s the little things.

I was itching to find out what happens to my beloved gang of misfits ever since finishing DEV1AT3 about a year back, but I truly didn’t expect the absolute masterpiece that book 3 would bring. TRUEL1F3 brings back every stellar aspect about the previous two novels, and brings them all together in a blazing fireworks display of a trilogy ender. I laughed, I cried, my eyes bugged out of my head…this novel made me run the emotional gamut, but in the best way possible.

In this end to the trilogy, Kristoff introduces a whole plethora of catastrophic twists and new aspects, especially to the post-apocalyptic android mythos, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The various family ties–be it true family or found family–are explored even more in-depth. Even though it’s been nearly a year since finishing book 2, I was fully invested in everybody within the first few pages. (Also, the little recap/glossary/whatever you’d like to call it helped.) All of the varied, multifaceted cast had their time to shine, and shine they did, until the very last page.

Lemon and Cricket are still my favorites, and they were as wonderful as ever in this final book. Solomon and Abe are up there too, but…I’m thinking that Kristoff had a bit *too* much fun playing with our feelings in their department. (No spoilers, but…yikes, can anybody in this book get a rest? Jeez…) There’s no shortage of fascinating themes, from the morally gray to the role of AI in our lives. I loved the plotline with the virus–not only did it make for some great action, there’s some seriously tense psychological business that results from it as well. (Remember what I said about Kristoff having a bit too much fun?)

TRUL1F3 took me a little longer to read because I was still adjusting to online school, but that doesn’t mean that every page was positively action-packed. The tension is higher than ever, and Kristoff’s lush and fast-paced writing never fails to throw you right smack in the middle of the action, making you feel as if you’ve fallen into the Yousay yourself. The worldbuilding was as detailed and immersive as ever, making for a final book that I won’t forget anytime soon.

All of these elements made for a trilogy ender that I ate up every last page. It chokes me up to say goodbye to Eve, Lem, Cricket, and all the rest, but the Lifelike trilogy is one that I’ll never forget. 5 stars!

I liked it but it wasn't one of the WOW books I am used to. Definitely recommend though for the message of what makes a human and how far humane you can be when the world has gone to s*t.

This entire series has been one giant roller coaster to the end of the world. The world of LIFEL1K3 is one of my favorites created by Mister Kristoff. I've been an avid reader of his stories since his debut with [b:Stormdancer|10852343|Stormdancer (The Lotus Wars, #1)|Jay Kristoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337359560l/10852343._SY75_.jpg|15767096]. But the grit and grim and betrayal and humor woven throughout these books is a true homage to what kind of writer and storyteller Jay Kristoff is.

TRUEL1F3 picks up right where DEV1AT3 ends, the nuke bound for Juggertown is saved by the deviates, Lemon is taken to Cityhive, and Eve, Gabriel, and Ana are transported to Megopolis. And from there we get points of view from mostly the entire ensemble. Jay Kristoff does not have any concept of hitting the breaks; every second of TRUEL1F3 is fueled with plot development, character arcs, and no-stop explosive banter and dialogue--and it was one wild ride. From the brewing war between the two CorpStates, the lifelifes goal of unlocking the Myriad super computer and gaining access to the Libertas virus and creation of new lifelikes, and the unlikely group we all know and love fighting to stop the world from going to even more shit, this series is one that I truly recommend to all.

Spoiler

I will say, the betrayal of Solomon actually broke my heart. That little fugger was the highlight of reading book 2, and I was upset that he turned on Cricket and Abe and the rest when Libertas released him from the Three Laws. I do give Jay Kristoff props for really tugging my leg at Solomon's deceit, that I did not expect. And while, with Preacher, I should have expected his constant betrayal, I just enjoyed his crude character so much I held out time and again. Though his just desserts was mighty fine, too.

It is a bittersweet ending coming to the conclusion of TRUEL1F3, and while I wasn't sure where this book would eventually end up, the way everything ties together is somewhat nice and wholesome

Spoiler

as Eve scrounges up spare parts to bring back Cricket, and the original group is almost all together again with a hopeful future

. The characters that really shine in this installment are Lemon Fresh (but she honestly shone bright in all three books), Ezekiel, and even Eve, who has been a rough character for me to read as she undulates from hero to anti-hero throughout the series.

With an enjoyable fight scenes and final battle scene, character deaths that stung and others that were so, so well-deserved, and an ending that tied a ribbon on it all, I am both happy and sad say goodbye to these wonderful cast of characters.

Fabulous finale to a delightful, but deadly series. Truelife, book 3 in the Likelife trilogy by Jay Kristoff is action packed, as you would expect, the characters spring onto the page fully formed and you're thrust into the plot from page 1. The cast of quirky and unique characters takes the emotional roller coaster through the coming of age over and over, all with Kristoff's unmistakable voice.
Good story, good end to the tale.

lovely ending for the crew.

Action packed, heartbreaking yet ending on a hopeful note. True cert...I'm gonna miss these crazy kids. Well done Mr. Kristoff!

Merged review:

lovely ending for the crew.

Action packed, heartbreaking yet ending on a hopeful note. True cert...I'm gonna miss these crazy kids. Well done Mr. Kristoff!