Image from Goodreads Title: Last Rite
Series: Personal Demons #3Author: Lisa DesrochersPublisher: Tor TeenPublication Date: 13 June 2012Synopsis from Goodreads
In this final installment of the thrilling, edgy Personal Demons series, the battle between Heaven and Hell has become critical, and Frannie Cavanaugh is right at the center of it.
With the help of the powerful angel Gabe and demon-turned-mortal Luc, Frannie has been able to stay one step ahead of the forces of Hell. But when the demons killed Frannie's best friend and destroyed her brother, they raised the stakes. If Frannie wants to keep her family and friends safe, she knows she has no choice but to go on the run.
Their best defense is the power Frannie has been struggling to master, but her attempts to hone her skill go horribly awry. If Frannie doesn't learn fast, the consequences could be devastating--even apocalyptic.
What happens when you can't outrun Hell...or trust the ones you love?
REVIEW
Please bear in mind that this is the third and final book in the series and may therefore contain spoilers to the previous books.
I did something a little different with this book and thought I would show you the notes to myself I made while reading, well this is what I sound like when I talk to the book (yes I am that crazy, lol). I only decided to do this from page 125 so bear with me and then I will give you my review [ ; D ]
Page 125 - Me: WTH????????????
Page 130 - Me: well that makes a bit more sense.
Page: 164 - Me: *drools*
Page 168 - Me: Grrrrr - LIES - Grrrr
Page 173 - Me: *drools*
Page 177 - Me: Frannie you're an idiot.
Page 178 - Me: Ohhh to have that kind of power *plots*
Page 185 - Me: Hmmmmm interesting
Page 206 - Me: Oh SHOCK but makes sense
Page 222 - Me: Unexpected *ponders*
Page 235 - Me: What is going on - twisty twists
Page 243 - Me: Wow unexpected - sympathy
Page 316 - Me: OMG OMG OMG *sniff* *sob* *sniff*
I cannot help comparing the religious aspects to the Fallen series by Lauren Kate (big fan here) re-enforcing the idea that not everything can be viewed in black and white there are shades of grey in everything and everyone. The main thing is everyone has a choice, we choose the type of person we want to be not matter what circumstances we have been raised in.
The book picks up the plot from the exact point Original Sin (review HERE) finishes, there is very little recapping so it is essential to read the previous books first in order to fully appreciate the plot and interactions. The amount of guilt the three main characters apportion to themselves at the start was a little annoying but understandable. Each of them feeling responsible for their current situation. Touches of sarcastic humor lighten the guilt ridden tension.
One of the things that stand out with this series for me is Lisa's ability to tell the story from 3 different viewpoints, each picking up the story a the exact point the previous character left it off. I did feel that Gabe abused his position of protector in a way. Although Frannie needed his calming presence and her need to gain peace where contributing factors; it is Gabe's actions that cross the acceptable boundary. It made me angry as I think that men that take advantage of women who are in a vulnerable state are little more than scum.
There are plenty of twists and turns alongside an explosion of revelations that leave you wondering why you didn't pick up on these points earlier as the clues are there and the way the plot unraveled made perfect sense.
The way in which the characters both main and peripheral grow and develop is a credit to Lisa's writing talent. Although some aspects of the plot were unexpected they worked brilliantly in context of the story as a whole tying every single outstanding plot thread together.
The action and emotion kept the pace flowing quickly, there were times when I couldn't turn the pages fast enough in order to find out what happened next.
One of the things that stand out with this series for me is Lisa's ability to tell the story from 3 different viewpoints, each picking up the story a the exact point the previous character left it off. I did feel that Gabe abused his position of protector in a way. Although Frannie needed his calming presence and her need to gain peace where contributing factors; it is Gabe's actions that cross the acceptable boundary. It made me angry as I think that men that take advantage of women who are in a vulnerable state are little more than scum.
There are plenty of twists and turns alongside an explosion of revelations that leave you wondering why you didn't pick up on these points earlier as the clues are there and the way the plot unraveled made perfect sense.
The way in which the characters both main and peripheral grow and develop is a credit to Lisa's writing talent. Although some aspects of the plot were unexpected they worked brilliantly in context of the story as a whole tying every single outstanding plot thread together.
The action and emotion kept the pace flowing quickly, there were times when I couldn't turn the pages fast enough in order to find out what happened next.
I cannot help comparing the religious aspects to the Fallen series by Lauren Kate (big fan here) re-enforcing the idea that not everything can be viewed in black and white there are shades of grey in everything and everyone. The main thing is everyone has a choice, we choose the type of person we want to be not matter what circumstances we have been raised in.
This book really does provide a fantastic end to the trilogy. I loved it.
