The End of Ends

I wrote a review for the fifth installment of this killer series, A Crystal of Time, sometime last year. It's hard to believe that I am now writing a review for the sixth and final book, One True King. This series is truly one of my favorites; I wish more people would realize what a diamond in the rough it is! But to start this review as honestly as possible, I did feel like parts of this book were a little "drawn out." While I absolutely love Chainani's superb characters and refined writing style, I was beginning to feel like some parts of Agatha, Sophie, Tedros, and company's story were a little far-fetched. I think that it is probably best that this is the final book; too much of a good thing very quickly becomes a sour thing. In essence, I want to make it clear that I still highly enjoyed this book. I don't remember the exact year that I just happened to pick up The School for Good and Evil in a Barnes and Noble, intrigued with the title and cover art. But I do remember that it didn't take many chapters for me to realize that I would follow its characters across as many books as it took to get them to their Happily Ever Afters. Without giving away any spoilers, I was very glad with the End of Ends that this book presented, after many a trial with the Snake and confusion over who is really the true heir to Camelot. What I found myself liking about the book most of all (other than getting to essentially reconvene with some of my favorite literary characters) were its biblical allusions. They are subtle but most definitely there. I found myself viewing Japeth as a form of the Devil, the "Prince of the powers of the air," as the Bible refers to Satan. This Snake battles against all that is Good in the novel, stealing, killing, and destroying while living a lie that he believes will bring him power and satisfaction. But Tedros, King Arthur's son, stands as a source of hope, a roaring Lion, a defender of not only his father's throne, but all things Good in the Woods. And as my pastor said in his church sermon that I listened to just tonight: "Last time I checked, a Prince's authority is way less than a King's!" Elements of Jesus' death and resurrection are also present in the book, making up what I believe to be a truly epic as well as justified End. I highly recommend this book to all of my fantasy lovers out there. But like I said in my Crystal of Time review -- make sure you read the first books in the series first!



Some of my favorite quotes from One True King:

"But love has to be received as much as it is given."

"Not everyone can see the truth, Mother. It is so easy to be blind to it. But those of us who can see the truth have the responsibility to help others see it too. Even if it's dangerous. Even if it puts us at risk. The truth is worth it."

"Give yourself permission to be happy. That is the magic spell. Then everything will be possible."

"Because life was fleeting and pointless unless you let yourself enjoy it, savor it, down to its lightest, most insignificant moments."

"Love can't be controlled any more than a wildfire can... We do our part, we hope, we wish... but it writes its own story in its own time, the way its meant to be."

"An eagle on high has no view to the details, only the possible paths."

"In time, the truth will be written, no matter how many lies someone might tell to obscure it. And the truth comes with an army."

"We are all objects of our fate, but our will decides whether we overcome the challenges fate brings us."

"But ignoring the hurt or pretending it's not there doesn't make it go away. It just means you're not using all of your heart... And the funny thing is, once you're bold enough to welcome the hurt, to give it a hug and face it unafraid... then suddenly, it's gone."

"Every step she took seemed as if she was taking eight steps back, like she was clinging to the fringes of a dream just when she was waking up."

"Every good story needs a little impossible. Otherwise no one would believe it."

"All she wanted was the most ordinary of ends: to love with all of her heart and to be loved the same way in return."

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