Cast out by her kingdom and far from home, she's the Kanin people's only hope.
Bryn Aven-unjustly charged with murder and treason-is on the run. The one person who can help is her greatest enemy, the gorgeous and enigmatic Konstantin Black. Konstantin is her only ally against those who have taken over her kingdom and threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. But can she trust him?
As Bryn fights to clear her name, the Kanin rulers' darkest secrets are coming to light... and now the entire troll world is on the brink of war. Will it tear Bryn from Ridley Dresden, the only guy she's ever loved? And can she join forces with Finn Holms and the Trylle kingdom? Nothing is as it seems, but one thing is certain: an epic battle is underway-and when it's complete, nothing will ever be the same...
I would just like to start by saying thank you so so so much St. Martin's Press for sending my ARC of this book, and for getting it to me so quick. Ya'll are seriously book gods over there :D
Ok so if you've been keeping up with my reviews I'm sure you have seen that I have been following this series the past few months as the books release. I absolutely love them and could not be sadder to see the series come to an end *tear
But the thing is, while I'm sad to see it end... What an ending it was. We were left with a crazy intense ending in Ice Kissed, and man was I going crazy to know what was going to happen. I'm a sucker for a good ol' happy ever after and well after Ice Kiss ended I wasn't sure what was going to happen.
I think the best part of this book is that the set evil vs. good lines became blurred. Just as you thought you had a handle on who was doing what it all went up in smoke. And I have to say I loved that. I love when a book can keep me on my toes and always guessing about what will happen next. Although, ok I can admit that my book mojo powers were working double time on this one. I actually wrote down I think six predictions after the first 3 or 4 chapters. I will share them at the end for those of you who want to take a sneak peak at my guesses, but I will make sure if you don't want to see them that you have fair warning to not scroll to them.
Anyways, all of our favorite characters are back for this book. well except for the ones that we lost in book 2, but I won't tell you who they are encase you haven't read Ice Kissed yet. But like I said everyone is back and things have gone crazy in the Kanin world. We do get to meet a lot of new faces in this book as well, and even some favorites from the Trylle books. *Cough Wendy, Loki, and Finn Cough*
But the addition of the new and old characters added so many more layers to this story. We no longer just see the Kanin and hints of the Skojare but also the Trylle, Vittra, and Omte. Sides will be chosen as all out war looms and I found it amazing how Amanda decided everyone would divide up. Plus I found it so cool to finally get this huge look at all 5 of the troll kingdoms. Between this series and the Trylle series this is by far the most we have ever seen. And not only do we get to see the trolls from each kingdom but we actually get to go see and visit in those kingdoms as Bryn makes her journey as a fugitive. We probably see more of everywhere else than we do the Kanin kingdom itself. Which to me was fun seeing how Amanda really expanded on this mythical world. The woman's mind works in such an amazing way,and I love seeing how her books build and build layer on layer until we have this complex world. She covers every base and not once did I find myself questioning her logic or plausibility. Heck I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be surprised if I stumbled on the Kanin world by accident one day hehe. She just writes that good :)
This book is the longest in this series if that clues you in any on just how much stuff happens (My ARC is 409 pages.) And man every single page is jam packed full of on your toes oh god whats going to happen excitement.
Like I said before pretty much everyone's favorite characters are back for this book, but like I also mentioned earlier the lines are much more blurred on who is friend and who is foe. But really that is something I enjoyed. I feel like it drew me into the book more. I would get so happy that one group of people was working together than I would be furious to see who no longer was with a particular group. I'm trying to keep this as spoil free as possible, but I'm also kinda going on the assumption that if you are reading this review you have also read the first 2 books from this series. (So I won't mention anything big big, like who dies or doesn't die in the previous books, or who betrays who, but just know it's a bit hard to give an honest review for this book without a little about the other books)
So lets just pick a neutral side for now. Bryn. We all know she is the heroin here, and well at the end of book 2 she is on the run alone. She has no clue who to trust and yet at the very end we are kinda thrown this massive ohhh ahhhh moment, and then BAM!!! cliff hanger. So this book picks up from that point and a new alliance is formed, reluctantly.
Also I can tell you that Ember is yet again in this one, still a good guy but a bit trapped in the middle of everything, Tilda is the same too.
And then there is Ridley... Poor adorable Ridley. (He is still one of my favorite book boyfriends just so ya'll know) We finally had this perfect #TeamBrynley moment in Ice Kissed and it was all rainbows and unicorns and stuff. I was like a happy bunny with the worlds biggest carrot. No lie. And then I was like the bunny who that other bunny stole that awesome carrot from. I mean there was potential book throwing this time if I hadn't been in a small enclosed car reading when I found out what happened to Ridley after Bryn had to run. But then after all of that craziness we get to see just how amazing Ridley really is and how sexy and smart, and shall I go on tehee (Can you tell I love him yet?!?)
Ok soooo if you have read these books I'm sure you're sitting here going hey woman I believe you are leaving a particular hot mysterious bad guy out!!
And my response is I have no idea who so ever you could be talking about *snicker snicker
Ok FINE!!!! I do know who you are referring too. You are wondering about Constantine Black right?
Well He is back, and I have to say I was actually kinda excited about that. He kinda has the anti hero thing going for him and I really enjoy characters like that. They are the bad guys you really want to like and hope they have some sort of redeeming quality that will show up. Well without giving too much away, I can tell you he is pretty much in the whole book and he is one of those characters where you will be shocked and awed at the choices he makes.
Pretty much when all is said and done this book is by far the best in the series. So much happens and so many things change and man I just really do love books like this that will keep you on your toes until the very last page. But there were some moments, ending especially I got a bit misty eyed. But I think that is because Amanda writes so well that I get sucked in so deep that I feel a bond to her books. I highly recommend to anyone to either start this series for the first time or go ahead and finish this one off by getting this last book. You will not be disappointed. Promise :D
I give Crystal Kingdom:
*****HERE IS MY PREDICTION LIST*****
If you don't want to see them please stop here. If you do keep scrolling
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List of My Predictions While Reading Crystal Kingdom
*This is not a list of things that will or wont happen. Just things I thought would as I read*
1. Tilda and Konstantin will get together
2. Linus Berling will become the Kanin king
3. Bryn or Mikko will take out Mina
4. Ember is going to die (Sad I know)
5. Bryn will become a Hogdragen
6. Team Brynley will make adorable babies :)
Which do you think will be right and wrong?
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