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deeplyanchored's review against another edition
4.0
According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead.
I can't. I just can't.
I can't. I just can't.
toastedmuffin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even though I read this years ago, I love this series and I still remember the way this book ended the trilogy. It's hilarious yet emotional. I love the dry and ironic humor (I think it really shaped my own humor). It's really interesting to see how all the characters changed over the course of the series. While I don't remember a ton about the plot itself, I remember really enjoying it. Bartimeous (can't spell his name) is one of the best fictional characters written, and I love the way his POVs are written.
dwibble92's review against another edition
5.0
Stroud has a way of making you care for characters you didn’t think you would, I love the ending of this series.
roo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
exquisite_ashes's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know. The 4th star is for Ptolemy. Ptolemy and every scene he gets to have in this book.
The way Bartimaeus talks about Ptolemy pulls my every heartstring. Thinking about the scene where Kitty brings him up--that scene is what I wanted this whole book to be, maybe this whole series to be--and thinking about the way Bartimaeus talks about Ptolemy in that scene makes me start to tear up.
I wish I cared about Nathaniel and Kitty as characters more than I do, more than I ever did. I've always wanted to love Kitty, but her story feels very: Told, not shown. I'm told why I should like Kitty, over and over, but it never rang quite true.
But the way Bartimaeus talks about Ptolemy? Made me go read fanfiction again.
The way Bartimaeus talks about Ptolemy pulls my every heartstring. Thinking about the scene where Kitty brings him up--that scene is what I wanted this whole book to be, maybe this whole series to be--and thinking about the way Bartimaeus talks about Ptolemy in that scene makes me start to tear up.
I wish I cared about Nathaniel and Kitty as characters more than I do, more than I ever did. I've always wanted to love Kitty, but her story feels very: Told, not shown. I'm told why I should like Kitty, over and over, but it never rang quite true.
But the way Bartimaeus talks about Ptolemy? Made me go read fanfiction again.
chrisannee's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this book proved to me that I haven't lost the touch. Two days! Two days to finish this practically perfect work of fiction! That being said... Stroud is a an incomparable writer. He triumphs over almost any fantasy writer I have read. To be sure (and it seems very brazenly insolent of me to say this), I didn't quite buy the sudden change in Nathaniel at the end... Logically, it didn't seem to add up. But, hey, IT DIDN'T MATTER!!! Stroud makes you laugh, love and (cruelly) pulls your heart out just seconds before the end. I warn you, though, regret is a side-effect of reading this series. You will regret is that the series isn't longer, that the author who accomplished the impossible didn't compromise himself in order to make the story longer or the impossible happen, and that you've already discovered it and, in so doing, you can't rediscover it again. READ THIS SERIES!
brisances's review against another edition
5.0
This is the perfect end to a trilogy. Each character's arc is so satisfying, and the plot comes together so well. I read this book for the first time in middle school, and I was surprised when I reread it as an adult and found it just as enjoyable as the first time.