Now it’s finally time for me to write a review on the final book of what has now become one of my favorite series. Also one of the largest series I’ve ever read: The Sun Eater.
(By Christopher Ruocchio)
This series was recommended to me by a coworker I don’t even work with anymore. Honestly, I owe her some thanks. Lol
The first book wasn’t mind-blowing, but it was interesting enough that I picked up the second. From then on, I was hooked. With each book I finished, I became more and more invested in the story, the worlds, and the people living in it. I honestly wish I had started doing book reviews sooner, because I would’ve loved to document how each book hit me along the way. But I guess we’re both going to have to settle for my feelings on the final book, and the series as a whole.
Shadows Upon Time was not my favorite book in the series, but it absolutely tied everything together in a way that satisfied me. I took about a six-month break between the second-to-last book and this one, because that penultimate book destroyed me on an emotional level I was not prepared for. I was convinced the final book would break me even harder, and I honestly didn’t feel ready to start it, even after that long break. But when I finally did, I burned through the pages all the way to the end, and to my surprise, it didn’t make me emotional in the way I expected. Instead, it left me feeling fulfilled. Complete. I somewhat knew how the story would end, (if you’re familiar with these books, you know what I mean,) but at the same time, when the very last sentence was spoken, I audibly yelled “WHAT?” I suppose that’s a good sign… even if it didn’t feel great in the moment. Lol.
This series genuinely made me rethink what it means to be a writer and a storyteller. I physically cried when Hadrian’s wife died. I hated some of the villains with every fiber of my being. But at the same time, I didn’t hate some of the villains… My favorite character will forever be Lorian Aristides, and I’m so glad he didn’t turn out to be a traitor like I once feared. I won’t give any more spoilers than that, but I will say this: I am deeply grateful for the experience of reading The Sun Eater. It stayed with me. It mattered.
There are endings, dear Reader, and this is one of them. I will carry on alone.
by Caffeine_And_Regret