Wednesday, May 7, 2014

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
 

Find Jessica:

WebsiteBlogEmbrace WebsiteFacebookGoodreadsAmazon

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.
 

41 comments:

  1. Fantastic review! I am reading this book soon, so I skimmed your review a little, but I am happy to see you gave it 4/5 and that nearly all of our questions are answered in this final book. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and am glad to see that this last book does it justice. Great review, Jenny!

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think Christina!

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  2. Okay, so this IS the final installment. While I enjoyed the series as a whole, it went on a bit too long (thus me giving up before the final book. I'm a YA quitter!). “can’t see the forest for the trees” *snort* Poor Violet. At least she's firm in her convictions, even if they're WRONG! Sounds like a solid ending.

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    1. Yes, I thought the last one was and then based on that ending it was clear there was going to be another book:) I liked how everything wrapped up even if I was frustrated that we went backward a bit in the beginning.

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  3. Sounds like this was a fantastic series, Jenny! I'm not sure if I feel like reading another series with angels, but if I do I know I'll have this one finished and ready for binge reading!
    Great review!

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    1. I've really enjoyed this series Pili! It's dark and gritty, but so good:)

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  4. Oooh! A final installment that delivers. And now that it's over, I can pick up the series if I want and bang them out. BONUS. :)

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    1. YES!!! Probably best to read them close together there are a lot of small details and a lot of characters to keep track of, but not in an overwhelming way. She does a good job of placing reminders to help those of us that completely forget a story a week after we read it:)

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  5. I've heard great things about this series but I have yet to start it. I seem to struggle with angel books for some reason, but I'm going to have to give this a shot.
    I think I would be a little frustrated with Violet with the secret keeping in this last book. I mean they seem to have endured a lot in the past 4 books, so you would think that they would me much closer! I'm glad that it doesn't take too much time for them trust each other again though.
    Lovely review, Jenny!

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    1. I will say I struggled big time with book one Nick. I didn't like Violet AT ALL until the very end, but I feel in love with the series at book two and I think each book just got better:) I was definitely frustrated in parts at the beginning of this one, but once some things got straightened out, I was good to go!

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  6. I really need to start this series, especially now that the last book is out, the covers are gorgeous and so hard to resist!

    I am so glad you were happy with this final installment Jenny and that most of your questions were answered.

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    1. They are really pretty aren't they? And yay for answers!

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  7. Why haven't I not heard about this series. One, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. Two is this really a young adult book? It looks like and sounds like a Paranormal Adult Book... Violet and Lincoln sound like extraordinary characters and ones I would love to connect with soon. Thank you fro bringing this series to my attention. Lovely review, Jenny! :)

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    1. It is young adult Emma! Violet is young to start - 16 or 17. She's 19 in this last book because there's a two year gap between books 4 and 5. I hope you give it a try!

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  8. Every time I see this series I want to pick it up, but I'm so behind - four books! This gives me hope though with it being a great conclusion to the series. I love all these covers, each one gets better if possible. Thanks for the wonderful review on EMPOWER, Jenny :)

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    1. I'm so far behind on so many series Kim! Everyday I feel like I write "I need to read this" on people's reviews! I need more hours in the day please:)

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  9. I need to get caught up with this series! Although Violet starts off being annoying, it's good that she finally decides to open up to Lincoln. I'm glad this one left you satisfied, Jenny, and answered any questions you had remaining.

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    1. Yes. I could have throttled the two of them in the beginning to reverting back to the two people who didn't know how to communicate, but it didn't last too long which was nice:)

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  10. wow it's book 5? I was sure it was a book 1. I confess that I love the cover and it intrigues me. I didn't expect a YA book from it but it's also nice to have something like that. I wonder if I know the series, I'll have to check book 1... thanks for the review, I'm curious about the world!

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    1. Yes, book 5:) Book one is Embrace if you're interested!

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  11. I wish I had jumped on this series back when it first came out. I know you have been a big fan of it all along. Glad that for the most part it delivered in the end. So many series are ending this year.

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    1. I know! And I'm always so scared to start the last book. I fear bad things will happen. This one ended really well though, so I was pleased:)

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  12. I'm and ending girl so as long as everything comes together in the end, I'm a happy girl. This sounds like a decent ending. I now need to catch up... I've only read book 1! :( However, it's great since I can read them all in one sitting not worried about those darn cliffies. LOL

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    1. Me too Melissa! I went straight to the back of this one and read that first to make sure it was worth reading all the way through. If a major character had died, I sadly would have had to pass on it. I just can't deal:(

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  13. Book 5 already? I had missed that

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    1. Yes! It feels like this series blew by:)

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  14. I have not read this series Jenny, but I am so glad that nearly all of your question were answered. So glad you have enjoyed this series:) TGIF

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    1. I love it when my questions are answered Kim! Especially after something like 5 books. Don't leave me hanging!

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  15. Hmmm... is it weird that I've never heard of this series before?! You're definitely convincing me that I should check it out. :) Great review!

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    1. Glad I could put it on your radar Lisa! I've just loved this series though it did get off to a rocky start for me. If you read book 1, stick with the series, it gets so much better!

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  16. I thought this series was already over. I guess now it is. I know you're love for it has grown with each book. I am so glad you are happy with the final book. It always stinks when the last book is a let down. Maybe I'll get to this series one day. I've always loved the covers and especially enjoyed the post of how they made the cover that you featured.

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    1. I thought the last book was the final one, but I was apparently very wrong:) I was definitely pleased with how everything worked out, it was a successful conclusion for me Heather!

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  17. Whoa, the first book is Embrace, right? Seems like the author has pushed the series out fairly quick. I haven't read it, but I remember wanting to read it.

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    1. Yes! That's book one. I think part of why they seemed to release so quickly is they were already available in Australia, so we've been a book behind them the whole time:)

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  18. I'm glad you're still enjoying the series! I can't believe there are so many books out already!

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  19. The beginning sounds frustrating, Jenny. I don't like being kept in the dark about why a character is pushing her romantic interest away. It sounds like you enjoyed this series overall, though and I happy you had most of the questions answered for you. Wonderful review! :)

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  20. Jenny . . . I have yet to read the first book . . . I KNOW. I have no excuse. I do have it though. Will read it soon! Probably not before I read One Past Midnight though (WOOT!) But I'm glad you loved this series--it's always highly motivating when I see that you've gotten this far, and liked them this well ;)

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  21. Oh no! I thought we were past the drama when it comes to Lincoln and Violet, and I'm bummed to hear I have to go back to that, even for a little while in the beginning of this. I mean, I guess I understand, but still. :-) I have a copy of this and can't wait to get to it! I'm glad I'll be getting answers and that the ending was satisfying for you. Lovely review!

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  22. I still have not read the last book! I'm falling behind. I must read it and soon!

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  23. Books about angels are always tricky for me, because at the most cases I end up not liking them at all. That's why I skipped this series, but If you are that much amazed by it, I might reconsider it.

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  24. Hmmm. I was hoping to binge read these at some point, but it sounds like maybe too much drama for me. 5 books of this, and this character still acting immature and hiding things from others in the last book is not appealing. I am not at all a fan of the "I'm going to stay away from you for your own good - and also not tell you why." plot. Also, this description makes it sound like there's a revival of a love triangle, though I'm pretty sure you said that ended really early in the series. IDK if it would be worth it for me to endure all of this. 30% into the final book is pretty far, and you make it sound like she and Lincoln are with other people at the time, which will be hard for me this far into the series. Please advise!

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