As far as gorgeous book covers goes, I think that one has to be in the top three. I have always had a weakness for book covers, and that series certainly delivers its promises on this, each cover getting better and better than the previous one. However, when it comes to talking about what’s inside, I hate to admit that I was a bit disappointed by this finale. I buddy-read this with the lovely Kat and Càtia, and this was a LOT of fun. Don’t forget to check out both of their reviews by clicking on their names!
AN INTERESTING CONCEPT FROM BEGINNING TO END
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“Every moment, every day, we are all making something — whether it’s science or art, a relationship to a destiny — building it choice by choice, moment by moment.”
This series has some kind of crazy, crazy potential to be one of the best series out there – and I’m not saying it’s not, maybe it is for some people, unfortunately it wasn’t, for me. Traveling between worlds and multiple dimensions, where you know the whole world is different because of one unique decision sending the whole course of the world in a whole different way. Who never imagined what would be different if something did or did not happen? I always did, and for that, I really loved, right from the beginning of this series, exploring this. The world-building is, as always, a treasure of imagination – taking us in the blink of an eye from Egypt to Russia, from a life of archeology to a family life in the suburbs, really making us feel like we are reading a thousand different stories at a time and making this book really, really rich.
A FRUSTRATING MAIN CHARACTER
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“But this role doesn’t need an adventurer as much as it needs someone who can… look at each world with fresh eyes. Who can perceive things deeply. Not an adventurer—an artist. You were the one we needed all along.”
As you know it by now, whether it’s fantasy or contemporary, my characters always hold a great deal of potential to me, and influences the way I feel about a book a lot. Here, unfortunately, I found myself having a hard time connecting and enjoying the main character, Marguerite. First of all, something has to be said about a particular event happening in the first book of this series, that I didn’t understand for what it was at the beginning, even if I felt uncomfortable about it. I won’t spoil anything here, but here is a link to Liam’s blog post mentioning this particular issue, and it’s very, very important to read and made me see this series, and Marguerite’s character differently while I was reading this book. About that, I really thought that she got off too easy with some terrible things she has done. Marguerite still felt very human and well-shaped, from the beginning of the series there is definitely some characters’ growth, however if she questioned her own actions, she didn’t really get the repercussions I wanted her to. Don’t get me wrong, I am really glad that everything ended up well, but maybe it was too well?
PACING, A BIT OF REPETITION BUT STRONG RELATIONSHIPS
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“Fate doesn’t guarantee us a happy ending. We’re not promised to be together no matter what. But in dimension after dimension, world after world, fate gives us a chance. Our destiny isn’t some kind of mystical prophecy. Our destiny is what we do with that chance.”
This brings me to another point in my review, which is the overall pacing and evolution of the plot. I loved following Marguerite in her adventure through multiple worlds, the book was fast-paced. However, I thought that in 400 pages, it happened to be a bit repetitive, with actions following each other very quickly, but events being fairly similar and Marguerite not learning from her actions too much, or thinking to do deep in the root of the problem and just do from the start what would have been the best thing to do. All of this repetition could have easily been avoided, unfortunately, well, I had to deal with it for a good first part of the book.
If the repetitions and the main character weren’t my favorites, I can only say good things about the relationships here, especially the strong presence and role of Marguerite’s family in this book. How often can you say that the family has a role in fantasy books like that? If you have any book title in mind, let me know, please, because I’d love to read more. As far as relationships goes, Marguerite and Paul’s one, star-crossed lovers of some kind, evolved especially from Marguerite’s point of view. I found her learning that every Paul in the multiverse wasn’t hers, which was refreshing thank you, also I liked them together even if they weren’t my main ship here. My favorite character of the lot was Theo for sure – sweet, ready to sacrifice himself no matter which worlds they are in, and well, I shipped him with Marguerite right from the start and, erm, whyyyyyy. I was a bit sad to find out that he didn’t get too much “page time” in this book.
As for the ending, it was not perfect – Kat actually talked about it being a bit anti-climatic, and I kind of agree here. After the roller-coaster that this series was, somehow at the end I found the tension dying down and everything being resolved in the matter of a few pages ended up being a bit frustrating – I think I expected more from this somehow.
OVERALL
Despite my issues with this latest installment in this series, it was, ultimately, a good ending to a series that certainly deserves your attention if you like the idea of traveling between universe, fast-paced books and a good cast of characters.
Final rating: 4 drops (well, more like 3,5)!
Do you want to read A Million Worlds With you? Did you start this series, or do you want to? Share your thoughts in comments!
Claudia Gray, A Million Worlds With You (FireBird #3), Published by Harper Teen, Novermber 1st 2016.
A million universes. A million dangers. One destiny.
The fate of the multiverse rests in Marguerite Caine’s hands. Marguerite has been at the center of a cross-dimensional feud since she first traveled to another universe using her parents’ invention, the Firebird. Only now has she learned the true plans of the evil Triad Corporation—and that those plans could spell doom for dozens or hundreds of universes, each facing total annihilation.
Paul Markov has always been at Marguerite’s side, but Triad’s last attack has left him a changed man—angry and shadowed by tragedy. He struggles to overcome the damage done to him, but despite Marguerite’s efforts to help, Paul may never be the same again.
So it’s up to Marguerite alone to stop the destruction of the multiverse. Billions of lives are at stake. The risks have never been higher. And Triad has unleashed its ultimate weapon: another dimension’s Marguerite—wicked, psychologically twisted, and always one step ahead.
Kat Impossible says
Great review, Marie! It’s really too bad that this series didn’t end up better in terms of drama :/ but the series was still sort of fun altogether and I am really glad that I have read two of them together with you 😀
Marie says
Thank you so much, Kat! I think we agree on that. The series was so much fun overall, but I really expected more of a crazy kind of ending, I guess. YES, buddy reading was so much fun 🙂
Donna says
Fab review my Sweechie! I remember deciding not to read this because of Liam’s post, but I do think the main idea of the book is very good and has lots of potential. Characters are so important, I mean even if a plot is good, if I don’t care or feel any connection to the protagonists, I’m not gonna be into it.
Marie says
Thank you so, so much my Sweechie!! <3 I agree with you, the main idea is really unique and has tons of potential, I loved it 🙂
cornreviewsbooks says
I read the first two books and I love the word building but I’m not a huge fan of Margaret especially after what she did in book one. I do like all the other characters though and I will finish the trilogy I just don’t like it as much as I wanted too. I agree that Theo is great he really grew on me it’s sad to hear that he doesn’t have much page time is this one.
Marie says
I understand the feeling, I’m not too much of a fan of Marguerite either :/ I really hope you’ll enjoy that book nonetheless, it was a fun and fast-paced read, even if, yes, Theo could have been more there and it wouldn’t have bothered me hahah.
Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) says
God I need to start this series ? I got the first book on my bookshelves since forever and it seems like it’s still going strong with 3 books until now 😀 Great review Marie!! Glad you overcame the pace and still appreciate it ?-Trang
Marie says
Ohhh yes you should start it soon, I hope you’ll enjoy it, it was a lot of fun 🙂
Megan @ bookslayerReads says
Fantastic review, Marie! I’ve not read this one yet, though I’ve been meaning to for a while. There are so many books I wanna read, but just not enough time for them all! I’ll definitely be squeezing in this one sometime soon, though. Thanks for the lovely review! Beautiful photo, by the way ?
Marie says
Thank you so much, Megan! Haha I get the feeling, there are just so many books to read, it’s hard to know which ones to start first! Thank you!! <3
Megan @ bookslayerReads says
Exactly!! ?
May Everly says
WAIT. THIS IS THE LAST BOOK? WHERE IS THE FIRST BOOK??? GIMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. XD And hmm, interesting thoughts, Marie! I’m glad you enjoyed the book. 😉
Marie says
Hahaha, you should check out the first book, A Thousand Pieces of You 😀
May Everly says
Ohhhhhh, THAT’S the name. It sounds familiar, now that I hear of it. XD
Marie says
Haha, well if you’ve ever seen it around, I think you’ll remember the cover :p
May Everly says
Yup! 😛 *taps head* Near photographic memory. 😉
ravenblake99 says
I haven’t read this series yet but I really want to maybe I should binge read the whole series.
Marie says
Oh, well despite my little disappointment at the end, this series is worth a read, I think you might enjoy it 🙂 Hope you’ll give it a try!
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
Great review for this book Marie, I’m glad you enjoyed this last book in the trilogy but at the same time sorry it maybe wasn’t as good as you hoped it would be. 🙂 I kind of get what you mean about things ending too well for Marguerite in terms of her actions in the first book but I guess at least it got some kind of resolution. I feel like it could have easily been something left out, sacrificed for the overall plot or the romance between Marguerite and Paul.
Overall I loved this series, the concept and world-building kind of made me fall in love from the beginning, and yeah I agree Liam’s review did shine a very different light on Marguerite’s actions in the first book but I still enjoyed the books overall.
Again great review! 😀 <3
Marie says
Yeah I agree, and in a way I’m glad that thing ended up being kind of resolved, even if it felt a bit too…easy? I’m still unsure about it, but I still loved the series as a whole, the concept was quite unique! Thank you so much Beth!! <3
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
Yeah I get what you mean about it being easy, but at the same time I wonder if there was any other way it could have been resolved.
That’s all right! 🙂 ❤
Marie says
Yeah you’re right, I don’t know how it could have been solved either, haha 🙂
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
At least we got some kind of resolution I guess. 🙂
Deepika @BookHearts Forever says
I just started this series two days ago and I am loving it so fa.I have the book 2 too but let’s see if I can read it soon.But I do agree it’s fun and the covers are gorgeous.
Marie says
Ohh I’m so lad to hear you’re enjoying it so far, I hope the feeling will continue on growing as you get through all the books! Thank you so much! 🙂
booksarelife987 says
Great review Marie! I have heard quite mixed things about this series but glad to know you enjoyed it! The things that are putting me off to start it are the facts that it has a love triangle, plus people mention that the main character is quite annoying. Anyways, glad you like it. PLUS THAT COVER OMG IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL.
Marie says
Thank you so much! 🙂 I understand, and these are the main two things that bothered me in this series, but I think it’s worth a read just for the greatness of the concept 🙂 IT IS RIGHT? <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
Ah I’ve heard similar things about this finale- not read this series yet- but I agree with you- the cover is gorgeous!
Marie says
Well I hope you’ll want to read this series anyway someday, it’s still worth a try 🙂 Thank you!!
theorangutanlibrarian says
Ah thanks for the recommendation 🙂 You’re welcome!
Dacian says
Amazing review! Book sounds interesting, might check it out!
Marie says
Thank you, I hope you’ll want to try this series and wil enjoy it 🙂
Analee @ Book Snacks says
Oh noooooooo this is so disappointing to hear? HOW COULD THE PRETTY COVER LIE. The world is definitely amazing, but the books are definitely not without faults and it’s a shame Marguerite ends up not being such a great protagonist… very hard to enjoy the story in that case! I don’t think I’m going to be in a rush to read this anymore ahah ? but lovely review! ?
Marie says
How many books have you read for now, just the first one ? I hope you’ll enjoy it more than I did when you read it. The story is still so very fast paced and original, that I loved, but I’m a bit sad that I couldn’t connect with Marguerite and enjoy her – but it could be just me and you might end up loving it 😀
Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) says
Fantastic review! I’ve heard about the multidimensional aspect of this book and it really got me intrigued. I always enjoy hearing the thoughts of people on this series, just to hear more about what they thought about the plot. Sucks that the main character didn’t feel right for you, but I’m glad you were still able to enjoy it! 🙂
– Lashaan
Marie says
Oh thank you, Lashaan! The plot really is original and if it makes you a bit curious, you should try it, who knows you might end up gfalling in love with it 🙂 Thank you!
nidh24 says
Fabulous review ! Would you actually recommend it to read?
Marie says
Thank you! I would, if you’re into fantasy and fast-paced stories with an original concept 🙂 Though this is the third book in the series, you should start with Ten Thousand Pieces of You first, it’s the first book 😀