Review: Finale by Stephanie Garber

Review

After reading the first two books I was excited for the third and final book. What will happen to Valenda? When will the Fates wake up? Will Paradise ever wake up? Are Tella and Legend a thing? Or a situationship? 

This third book answered all of my questions. I thought the plot was really action-packed. There were bombshell reveals at every corner. A lot of the chapters had me going “OH MY GOD DID THAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN????” The stakes were definitely the highest they’ve ever been in this trilogy, and it really makes the reader invested in the story. Nonetheless, there were still some plot choices that I thought came out of nowhere, and could’ve been better set-up. Some choices felt a bit rushed (see my rant). The ending was okay. I kind of expected more from the ending. It just didn’t give off the same vibes as the ending of the other books. The plot felt a little unnatural and forced, but it did tie up everything in a neat little bow and didn’t leave me any questions. 

Although the plot disappointed me a little bit, the characters did not let me down. The book really showcases the growth that both Scarlett and Tella experienced in their respective books. You can see that Scarlett has become more emboldened, and Tella has more easily opened herself to the idea of love, however, I think that, although Tella is still such a headstrong character, she’s become very “damsel in distress” like. Yet, both characters figured out what they wanted in life, and I really liked that. 

Finale also gave a chance to showcase other characters and their development. I got to see a more vulnerable side to Jacks and Legend, which I enjoyed reading. Tella’s relationship between Legend and Jacks was definitely more focused on in this book, and I have to say, it was well written.

There were a lot of Tella in this book, which is not a bad thing, per se. I really enjoy Tella’s character. However, I feel Scarlett was just as important in this book, and there weren’t many chapters featuring her, so I wished to see more chapters from her perspective.

And to tie it all up was Stephanie Garber’s writing. As always, I thought the writing was beautiful. The book had steady pacing, but it could be a bit slow at times. Unlike the others in this series, this book is written from two POVs, Tella’s and Scarlett’s.

All in all, this trilogy will always hold a special place in my heart. It was filled with magic, and twists and turns, heartbreak, and romance. Although Finale wasn’t the best, I still loved it. It was a bittersweet for me to finish this trilogy that I love so much. I’m excited to read Once Upon a Broken Heart and more books from Garber. 

TLDR: A satisfying ending to the trilogy, however I’m left wanting a little more

Notable Quotes

“This is my choice, and I choose you, Donatella. I don’t need immortality. You’re my forever.” -pg 455

“I choose you, Julian, and I promise I will always choose you, and I will always love you. I will love you with every bone in my body, so that even after my heart stops beating, a part of me will remain to forever love you.” -pg 223

“Some things are worth pursuit regardless of the cost.” -pg 191

“I want to feel love in its every form…I think love is another type of magic. It makes everything brighter, it makes people who have it stronger, it breaks rules that aren’t supposed to exist, it’s infinitely valuable. I can’t imagine my life without it.” -pg 187e like falling in love with darkness, but now she imagined more like the starry night: the constellations were always there, constant, magnificent guides against the ever-present black.” -pg 273