Friday, May 8, 2015

ARC Review: End of Days by Susan Ee ♥ .. A Bittersweet End.

Friday, May 08, 2015






End of Days
(Penryn & The End of Days #3)
Susan Ee

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  • Publisher: Skyscape (May 12, 2015)
  • ISBN-13: 978-1444778557
Genre: Fantasy, Mature YA

Pre-order Amazon | Barnes & Nobles 
Source: Review Copy was sent via Skyscape.
NOTE: Mild spoilers of the previous books up ahead.
  • Synopsis: End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy. After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all. When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: their own kind, or each other? 

    • End of Days is the third final installment of Susan Ee's Penryn & The End of Days series. A short recap: this is a series about humans and angels during the aftermaths of the apocalypse. In Angelfall, Penryn is our anti-heroine who seeks the help of an enemy angel by the name of Raffe in order to seek her child sister Paige. Paige was abducted by the angels for god knows what, and Penryn is constantly on the run for her. During their long journey, Raffe and Penryn develop strong feelings for each other which continue in World AfterFurthermore, in End of Days, as always, Penryn and Raffe are on the run, they are looking for a doctor who can help Raffe and Paige. They want to undo the damage done by the angels, although, now Penryn is seeking answers about Raffe's past after she has a glimpse of it. Is he really the good angel? Humans and angels are at a war now, who do Raffe and Penryn pick: their own race or or each other? Does love overcome all?
    • Previously, I had done a  WOW post on End of Days, and it is one of my most highly anticipated releases this year. How beautiful is the cover of End of Days?? This is the final cover of the series, and it is by far my favorite. The wings look stunning, and I love the golden effect of the background instead of the usual black background. I would pick up this novel in a bookstore as well. As the actual story begins, the first half of the novel is great, it was fascinating to see where it was going. I did start to lose interest afterwards though, I skimmed a page.. THAT DEPRESSED ME. The book is still good, but it just lacked more of a raw and emotional feel. I just didn't feel the same connection as I did with the previous books that were epic.
    • Penryn is my all-time favorite heroine, she is badass, strong, witty, yet vulnerable. She has flaws, and that's exactly why a reader can adore her character. It was interesting to see her character growth when she realized she can't always be there for her sister Paige. Sometimes, people should be left on their own so they can discover themselves without you. Finally, Penryn is portrayed as someone to look up to, she has leadership abilities which clearly are shown in the final book. As for the male lead, Raffe as always is charming. It was intriguing to see him fighting an internal battle with his feelings. 
    • They had several cute scenes together, and I would always enjoy the scenes where they had their witty conversations, although they are much deeper now that they have an emotional connection. Penryn and Raffe are getting more chummy chummy, and the sexual tension is building up. As a reader, I just wanted them to get together soon! The humor and charm of the series is still there, it still makes me smile.
    • The characters are great and the world building plot is fantastic; however, the most disappointing aspect of the novel is the emotional feel of it. It lacks emotion, it didn't make me feel all kinds of emotions as it did with the previous books. Don't get me wrong, it's still a satisfactory ending and I do like it, however I expected a lot more from the author. It's the same thing that happened with Richelle Mead's Bloodlines series ending, it was not as epic as I wanted it to be. There is sexual tension and drama, but I didn't see the magic of Susan Ee's writing. The magic is.. gone, I didn't want to be disappointed by this novel, but I kind of am. I'm aware that the author can write powerful moments, she has done it before, but I'm not sure what happened with the final book. 
    • Angelfall is my favorite young adult novel, World After was badass as well, sadly End of Days is the weakest of the books. It wasn't a bad novel, but my expectations were quite high for the last book. It is depressing to say goodbye to a beloved series and characters though. I will miss you Penryn, the insane mother, Paige, pookie bear, and especially Raffe. This is a fantastic series so please do check it out!

    Recommended for fans of Angelfall, Guild Hunter, The Iron King.

    Shukran for reading this! Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & drop by :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures..

    “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” —Nora Ephron 
    femmmefatalee@gmail.com 

    56 comments:

    1. I am glad that you were able to enjoy the end of the series! Seeing all the reviews for these have made me anticipate whenever I get started on the series an awful lot. The only shame here is that it was missing some of the key emotion that made the previous books so great. Anyway, I love this layout for you reviews!

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      1. Thank you Olivia! I think you might just love this series :)

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    2. It is a shame that you felt this particular book lacked emotion. It sounds like a fantastic series though. And I do love that cover!

      Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace

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      1. All the covers of this series is stunning, this is by far my most favorite ♥

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    3. Exactly, I love flawed characters, so I know I'll love her character. and now the series is finished I'm going to have to start it when I can. But shame about the lack of emotions. :( Still sounds badass though.

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      1. Aaah, I know the last book wasn't that bad but it's still the weakest in the series. ♥

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    4. I am sorry this one didn't pan out for you as you had hoped. I had a similar experience last year with Lani Taylors' Dreams of Gods and Monsters. Yes, I liked it but it didn't grab me and make me feel LIke Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Still I am glad that it was a good ending. At least it didn't end open ended or worse.

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      1. I agree, I'm happy that the ending is satisfying atleast.

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    5. I'm so excited for this one, but now I'm a bit anxious because you didn't enjoy it as much as you hoped. I hate that read you did lose some interest in it and that you lost that connection with it as well. Thanks for you honest review! Though I am nervous about the emotional aspect, I still can't wait to pick it up! :)

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      1. I hope you enjoy it Magen, it's still worth reading :)

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    6. That's sad that the last book in the series was the weakest, I always hope that series end awesome as well. I am glad you still liked most parts although it's still disapointing that the emotional connection lacked. I know many people love this series, but I am nto sure if I'll want to read it.

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      1. That's so true actually, usually the first book or the last book is the weakest. Although, as a whole the series is wonderful though.

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    7. Phooey, I am sad that it didn't end very well. I do want to finish this series, but at least I will know now not to have seriously high expectation
      Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

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      1. As a whole, I do love the series though ♥

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    8. AHHH...I had this fear that it would some how let me down. I'm still going to get and read this book, but I'm a little bit bummed now. Great review, it's pretty helpful.

      Dreams @ Once Upon A Dream Books

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    9. Despite being the weakest, I must admit you have me curious to try the trilogy. For some reason book three seems to be the weakest link of late.

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      1. You should try it Kimba, I would strongly recommend it! ♥

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    10. I already have the first two books, so I plan to read all three very close together. I'm so glad the final installment is good!

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      1. Yes, I still liked it though ♥ I will miss this series </3

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    11. This is the second review I've seen which notes that the magic and raw energy that made the first two books so fabulous is missing in this instalment. :( I was hoping for a more explosive finale, not just a good one. Fantastic review though.

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      1. Thank you & I agree I needed an epic ending, but I guess this will due. It's still sufficient enough.

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    12. I STILL have yet to read Angelfall (I know, I know) but I'm really excited about this series! Penryn sounds totally freaking awesome, which is fantastic because I am obsessed with good characterization. Too bad there wasn't that emotional connection, that can really bring a book down.

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      1. Aww, no worries. I hadn't read this series until a month ago. You should so try it out though ♥

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    13. I've wanted to give this series a try for what feels like ever but now that all three books are out (and you've given this final installemt a good review) i'm making time for this series! Binge weekend here i come!

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      1. YES! Hope to hear your thoughts on this series Lily, I really do love it as a whole ♥

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    14. Oh no, sorry to hear that it disappointed in the emotional department! I've been looking forward to the third book coming out, so I can purchase a potential box set and basically binge read them all. Everyone seems to rave about this series, but angels...I just don't get along with them very well. Hopefully this series will change my mind! Lovely review as always Benish xx

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      1. I agree, I hadn't thought about angels much in books but this series blew me away though! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Thank you Joy :) ♥

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    15. This has been one of most most anticipated reads as well Benish, I've been waiting until it was released to get stuck into World After. I loved Angelfall so much that the wait would have been horrid, so I've put off reading two and three until the series was finished. The few reviews I've seen for this one have echoed your sentiments exactly. So disappointing. I'm glad Penryn still has that snarky edge, but the lack of an emotional connection worries me. I'm really skittish when it comes to series finales, more often than not, they just fail to come close to our expectations. Wonderful review Benish and glad you were still able to find enjoyment with it <3

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      1. YES, Angelfall was defo. the best book out of the series :) Thank you Kelly, I still liked the last book though, the ending is satisfying though but as not epic as I would have liked it to be. Hope to hear your thoughts on it soon!

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    16. Awww, you aren't the first to say that there was a certain lack of pizzazz or emotion than in the previous books. Perhaps the author focused too much on delivering that HEA that we were all looking after. Although I must say, I'll definitely miss the book and the series. I'm looking forward to reading it!

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      1. Yep, that's probably it. I really do love this series, and I sure will miss it as well </3

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    17. A series ending is always such a bittersweet thing. I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one, even if it was the weakest of the series :)

      - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    18. At least you still liked it but yeah, it sucks to lose interest in the last book of the series.

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      1. Yes, it's still a satisfying ending though which I'm glad about.

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    19. I have so much love for this series. You're so lucky you got to pre-read it before the actual release! Oh but I'm kind of sad that it's not as emotionally impactful. I hope I'll fare better.

      Have a great week!

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      1. I know<33 I read it as soon as I ripped open the package lol I think you might still like it ♥ & likewise to you!

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    20. I'm sorry that you weren't able to enjoy this book as much as you'd hoped Benish. I know what you mean by having that emotional connection and it being a disappointment when it's missing. I've loved this series so far, so I can't wait to dive in once my copy arrives. Thanks for the honest review! :)

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      1. Aaah, I really do love this series though. Hope to read your thoughts on this series Jasprit ♥

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    21. This is a series that I've been meaning to get to for some time. Maybe this summer? Sorry that the ending wasn't everything you hoped :(
      Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen at YA Romantics

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      1. I think you might just like this series, it is wonderful overall :)

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    22. Awh, no D: It's such a shame that you didn't love this as much as you thought you would, Benish. Especially since you loved ANGELFALL so much. I tend to have mixed feelings about series enders. Sometimes I am disappointed, sometimes I'm left unimpressed, and sometimes I love the last book more than ANYTHING. That's always the best feeling.

      It sounds like the emotional connection was the biggest downfall in this novel or you, and I'm interested to see what I think!I read ANGELFALL about two years ago, and never got around to reading WORLD AFTER. I really want to binge read this series, actually XD I hope I end up liking this one!

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      1. Series usually do disappoint me by the end, but it's alright because I still did like how the series ended. I just wish it was more stronger you know? You should so read the series again, it's one of my favorites now ♥ Hope to hear your thoughts on it soon Chiara :)

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    23. Your sentiments is something that I've seen a few bloggers voiced out, too. Yes, this book was great, but it didn't feel as emotionally captivating as the previous ones. I'm still interested to read it though because despite all that, it was still perceived to be a pretty satisfactory ending! Plus, I can't count the many fangirls Raffe has... makes me intrigued to know about him.

      Faye at The Social Potato

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      1. The ending was satisfactory but not as epic as I would have liked it to be you know? I love Raffee though ♥

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    24. Sad this was the weakest of the books but I still really want to read it because I loved the first so much. Wonderful honest review!

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      1. It's still a good read overall though, thank you ♥

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    25. Awww, I'm sorry you didn't like this one like you liked the others! To be honest, I thought it was the best (or maybe tied with Angelfall) - I didn't really like World After as much as I'd hoped. However, I thought this one was great! Keep in mind, I hadn't been waiting that long to read this one. I read Angelfall and World After back to back in March, and then read this one in April. So there was really no room for me to be disappointed - I hadn't been waiting years, like most people! So perhaps that's why I wasn't disappointed. I'm glad you still thought this one was okay!

      Fantastic review, Benish :)

      Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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      1. Yes, I do see your point. I actually read the first two books a month ago, but I was still a bit disappointed with the last book though, it's still a good read though. Thank you Alyssa ♥

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    26. What a shame that this was the weakest book in the series, I loved Angelfall and World After and a copy of End of Days arrived for me today so I am really keen to start on it. I'm pleased to see the charm and humour is still apparent despite it lacking the emotions.

      A great review! Sharon – Obsession with Books

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      1. Yes, the last book always seems to be the weakest for me - the charm and hunour is still there so that's a plus. I do hope you enjoy it though :)

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    27. Oh, I'm sorry you didn't feel any emotional connection to the book. I on the other hand felt so sad most of the time. Because of the dark aspects of the book and because of how crappy the world had becoome. I really loved it though, and that twist with Beliel definitely surprised me! Great review :)

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      1. Thank you Marianne! :) Atleast one of us enjoyed this book a lot more. I still liked it but I just wanted a more epic ending otherwise it's still a fantastic series.

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    28. GREAT review as usual, Benish! How sad that you didn't like this book as much as the first two.....but it looks like, overall, this is still a terrific series! Angel books are not always good; I was very disappointed with the ending of Lauren Kate's "Fallen" series, for instance. But I do think I'll give this one a try. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! : )

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      1. It's still a wonderful series overall, & I do recommend trying it out! I think you might just love it ♥

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