Review: Endless

ENDLESS
The Violet Eden Chapters #4
Jessica Shirvington
Paranormal Young Adult
480 pages
Sourcebooks Fire
Available now
Source: eARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
LOVE WILL KILL US ALL
 
Violet Eden thought she was getting things under control. Then all hell breaks loose-literally. In the war between angels and exiles, she's about to face the biggest baddie of all time. Except she's not nearly ready.
 
The dark exile Phoenix is still messing with her head-not to mention her heart. And her undeniable attraction to Lincoln has gotten downright dangerous. When Hell unleashes its worst, Violet must embrace every facet of her angel self to save the people she cares about and the world as she knows it. But death is not the worst thing she will face...

MY THOUGHTS
Endless is a story we enter into with heavy hearts, knowing this second-to-last installment will likely be a case of “it’s always darkest before the dawn” and thus bracing ourselves for the emotional onslaught. Ms. Shirvington does not disappoint on this front, delving deeper into the connections between Violet and those closest to her and poking at our hearts hard enough that we flinch in response, instinctively recoiling to protect ourselves from the bigger blows we know are likely to come. Though this story is certainly the darkest and most painful yet, Ms. Shirvington doesn’t leave us totally adrift in the turbulent swells of our feelings, often granting us extraordinarily beautiful moments right when we need them most to ensure we stay afloat with Violet as she takes on Lilith.

In the past, this series has been one of those where we would strongly benefit from a reread of the prior book before wading back into the world of the Grigori, but unlike in previous installments, Ms. Shirvington provides a brief but detailed recap of what’s happened thus far as Violet explains her world to her very human father. She not only reminds us of details we’d forgotten, but she also explains things in a way that brings new clarity to Violet and her story as a whole, leaving us with a greater understanding and appreciation for a series with which we’re already desperately in love.

Violet continues to prove herself a force to be reckoned with, growing in both power and fighting prowess and maturing in her decision-making, her communications with Lincoln and Griffin more open than they have been previously. Her relationship with Lincoln–one stunningly excruciating–reaches a more level playing field for majority of the book, the push-pull nature of their romance (it should be noted that the push/pull in this case is for extremely valid reasons and not simply a result of teenage whims and angst) finally finding a bit of a happy medium with the two of them accepting that though they can’t be together, they also won’t be with anyone else.

The happy medium of their relationship is one of those aforementioned fleeting moments of haunting beauty though, and in the final chapters of Endless Ms. Shirvington tests just how much a heart can take before shattering beyond repair, bringing tears to our eyes even as we smile with pride at what Violet has become. The most romantic, heartbreaking, and deeply moving installment yet, Endless should be moved to the top of everyone’s must read list.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find Jessica:

Website • Blog • Embrace Website • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon

Don't forget to check out my interview with Jessica for more info on Endless!

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.

Endless Blog Tour: Interview with Jessica Shirvington

I'm beyond pleased to welcome author Jessica Shirvington back to the blog today to answer a few questions about the newest installment of the Embrace series, Endless (releasing October 1st from Sourcebooks Fire). I absolutely LOVE this series, it's dark and emotionally challenging, and each book is better than the one that came before it. I can't recommend this series enough and I hope you all enjoy the interview!

If Lincoln and Violet could recruit one character from any other young adult book to fight with them against Lilith, who would they most like to join their team?

Valek from Maria V Snyder's Magic Study Series! He'd kick some serious exile butt! (and look good doing it!)

Now that Violet’s been putting all her physical training and fighting skills to use as she battles exiles, what would she say has been the best tip/trick/piece of advice she’s gotten on facing down an opponent?

Win at all costs even if you have to fight a little dirty. Exiles have no morals, no ethics when it comes to the fight. It is kill or be killed and Lincoln made sure Violet understood that getting caught up in code conduct fighting would be a fast way to get dead!

Let’s say Josephine requires Violet and Lincoln to take a class or two of their choice while at the Grigori academy in New York. Which ones might interest each of them most?

Violet definitely errs on the side of anything artistic or combat focused. In the Academy I imagine she would choose the more physical classes above any history studies etc. For Lincoln, though he is very physical I actually think he would thoroughly enjoy the academic side of studies so I would throw him into the history of mythology! Although, if Violet is next door sparring, I can't imagine Lincoln would miss his opportunity to be her partner. ;-)

Violet’s dad has been largely absent for most of her life, but he finally has his eyes opened and gets to see the young woman his daughter has become in this book. If he were given 5 minutes alone with her, what’s the first thing he would say?

I think he'd say something along the lines of: I'm sorry it took me so long to open my eyes and I hate that I let you, even for one minute, believe you weren't enough.

If you were in Violet’s shoes during testing in front of the assembly and were faced with the same three choices of weapon with which to demonstrate your skill, which one would you choose?

Tough choice considering one of the weapons isn't a ticket the hell out of there! Ah, so I guess I would go with the katanas like Violet. Not for the reasons she did of course, more because they would give the most distance between me and my opponent!

There are some dark and painful moments in this book, is there anything specific (listen to music, take a walk, etc.) you do to gear up to write those scenes?

I listened to a lot of music while writing ENDLESS. Music like Florence and the Machine, Sia, Land Del Rey, Muse... And not just while writing it, but also while writing the other books in preparation for it. I always knew this storyline was coming and my mind would often travel to it. It is safe to say a lot of emotion went into writing ENDLESS. I cried. A lot!

*Ummmmm. ME TOO. My heart hurts just thinking about this book, but it's a must read for fans of the series!*

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JESSICA SHIRVINGTON

One day, instead of picking up a new book, I started to write. The first name that came to mind was Violet. From there the rest naturally followed. I can honestly say, once Violet was discovered – she really did write the rest of the book!

Writing this book has drawn on my life experience – in my travels around the world and the different people I have met. It draws on love and loss and the overall confusion that comes with growing up. It also looks to many of my friends and their experiences.

I have always loved ancient history – tales and stories of the best kind.

Website • Blog • Embrace Website • Facebook 

 

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ENDLESS

 

 

LOVE WILL KILL US ALL
 

Violet Eden thought she was getting things under control. Then all hell breaks loose-literally. In the war between angels and exiles, she's about to face the biggest baddie of all time. Except she's not nearly ready.
 

The dark exile Phoenix is still messing with her head-not to mention her heart. And her undeniable attraction to Lincoln has gotten downright dangerous. When Hell unleashes its worst, Violet must embrace every facet of her angel self to save the people she cares about and the world as she knows it. But death is not the worst thing she will face...

 

Goodreads • Amazon