Review: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Title: The Fate of the Tearling
Author: Erika Johansen
Pages: 496
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: Free ARC from Harper

Rating: A

Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Harper via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review (and trust me, honest is always what you’ll get).

Review: Last night, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this because I was so close and I HAD to know how it all ended. And now I sit her, the next morning, feeling as though I drank too much the night before and woke up naked in bed with my best friend, wondering what the hell just happened and how did we get here?!?

Don’t get me wrong. The book is good. Really, really good. And up until the last few chapters, I was all “finally the ending of a trilogy that is just as good as the second book!!!”

But no.

I don’t know how I imagined it all ending, but I can tell you with complete certainty that I never, ever could have imagined how it did end. At this point, I can’t say how I feel about the ending other than unsettled and confused. Not confused as in “I don’t understand what happened”, but confused as to why it went in that direction. And I feel a little disappointed, and then a little mad at myself for feeling that way because it is such a good trilogy. Really. So. GOOD. And even knowing how it ends, I’d recommend it. Not just recommend, but urge you to read it if you like YA and fantasy. It is so wonderfully written. The first story in a long time that felt unique in a genre that has gotten somewhat “samey”. And there is so much in the story that echoes – in a really scary way – what has been going on in society lately that I think it will resonate with a lot of readers. The themes are good and important and poignant and timely. And it’s just plain entertaining. So, while I admit the ending left me a little unsure, this trilogy is brilliant collectively. Brilliant enough that despite having the egalley, I’m buying The Fate of the Tearling to complete my collection. Because I know I’ll be going back.

And I can’t wait to see what Ms. Erika Johansen has in store for us next.

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