Review: Empower

EMPOWER
The Violet Eden Chapters #5
Jessica Shirvington
Paranormal Young Adult
496 pages
Sourcebooks Fire
Available Now
Source: eARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
It has been two years since Violet Eden walked away from the city, her friends, her future and - most importantly - her soulmate, Lincoln. Part angel, part human, Violet is determined to stand by the promises she made to save the one she loves.

Living in the perpetual coldness of a broken soul she survives day to day as a Rogue Grigori in London.

But when an unexpected visitor shows up at her door, the news he bears about someone she swore to protect leaves Violet with no choice.

Even worse, she fears that this might all lead back to the night she tries hardest to forget. And what was taken without her permission.

Violet is going back to New York ... and she knows exactly who is going to be there.

With Phoenix in her dreams and Lincoln in her heart she knows it is only a matter of time before the final choice must be made.

MY THOUGHTS
Coming off an emotionally devastating series of events in the previous book, the bar set for Empower is a high one, and while it’s not quite as strong overall as its predecessor, it beautifully concludes what has been a truly captivating series. The reason for Empower’s failure to surpass Endless in strength and intensity is Violet herself, a young woman who’s shown astounding growth throughout the series, but who in the first third of the book seems to have devolved into someone we’d thought we’d move past. She’s understandably cold and distant in the wake of all that happened in the concluding chapters of Endless, but while her pain is fresh, ours has dulled with the time in between books, so we’re left floundering as we try and remember her reasoning for running from all that was important to her.

Violet and Lincoln are the driving force in this series, and with each book the two of them have grown closer together and more in love even when circumstances have kept them from what they want most, but the game playing and secrets that were so frustrating in the very first book rear their ugly heads in the beginning of Empower. We’re given a few well-timed hints to remind us of previous events, but yet we’re kept thoroughly in the dark as to why Violet is so intent on staying away from Lincoln and hurting them both in the process. They both return to two people whose pain and anger cause them to lash out at one another–something we haven’t seen from them in several books and had hoped they had matured beyond–and as a result, we get off to a very rocky start.

Luckily for us however, after we’ve all endured unnecessary pain for nearly thirty percent of the story, the reasons for Violet’s utter conviction that keeping physical and emotional distance from Lincoln is the right thing is finally revealed, and she thankfully decides that secrets no longer have a place between them. While her reasons are valid in many ways, they also have a “can’t see the forest for the trees” vibe about them, with Violet sticking her head in the sand and refusing to consider what everyone around her continues to point out: There’s more than just the solution she’s chosen open to her. Once she decides to listen though, the story proceeds flawlessly, our team of beloved characters and a number of brilliant new characters teaming up for the showdown between the Grigori and the Exiles that’s been building since book one.

Nearly all of our questions are answered in this final installment, the truth of Violet’s angel maker and the extent of her abilities brought to light in all their glory, and the haunting and memorable type of pain that stems from the loss of those we care for settles deep in our bones. We’re not left wallowing in pain or asking ourselves why the author made the decisions she did however, instead we feel the loss of a select few in battle keenly but are left with a smile on our faces thanks to those who remain. Overall, The Violet Eden Chapters is a spectacular series, rich in characterization and emotional growth, and I simply cannot wait for more from Ms. Shirvington.

Rating: 4/5
 

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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.