Review: Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes

Title: Crystal Storm

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Series: Falling Kingdoms #5

Genre: Fantasy/Magic

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: December 13th, 2016

Edition: Hardcover, 379 pages

Source: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BAM

Synopsis:

   The ruthless Empress Amara of Kraeshia has taken the Mytican throne, and now uncertainty looms over the three kingdoms. Since Lucia unleashed the fire Kindred, wreaking havoc throughout the land, Myticans have been looking for someone—anyone—they can trust. They believe in Amara, not knowing her grand promises are built on lies.

  In Paelsia, Magnus and Cleo reluctantly follow King Gaius to the home of his exiled mother, Selia. Selia is a powerful witch and claims she can help unlock the magic of the Kindred—if the visitors agree to her terms. When Jonas arrives from Kraeshia, he is shocked to find that his rebel army now includes his sworn enemies. Along with Nic, Felix, and the mysteriously resurrected Ashur, the contentious group agrees to cast aside old grudges—for now—and united against their common enemy: Amara.

  Meanwhile, bearing the child of a Watcher and feared by all, Princess Lucia travels across Mytica to find her family. But time is running out. The impending storm signals the dark prophecy Timotheus warned her about. Her fate is written, and it includes none other than the rebel Jonas. When their paths collied, Jonas and Lucia must decide between blindly following their destiny or fighting for their own free will.

  The battle for power culminates at the Paelsian palace, where Amara resides. Rain pours. Blood spills. And soon all will discover that the darkest magic comes at an even darker price.

Review:

 So, it took me longer than it needed to, to finish this book. But I didn't want it to end, once I've read this book then I only have one left and then that's the end of this world, and I don't want to leave it yet. I may not have read the spin-off series, but I love these characters and don't want to say goodbye yet.

This book was so freaking intense. (Understatement). There were so many twists and turns I wasn't expecting. Things I wanted more of, and characters who I was kind of done with and wanted gone sooner than they seem to be leaving.

I really liked getting to know more of King Gaius' past, even though he's still an evil shit. It was interesting finding out how he came to be who he has been in this series. He's... less evil in this book, but really he could hardly get worse. Improvement was his only path. 

Magnus and Cleo, I wish there was a touch less angst when it comes to their romance. With it being one of my favorite enemies to lovers, I just want them to be happy in their bliss. Magnus had a little bit of backtracking with his character development, kind of. He's pretending to be the same jerk he was at the start of the series, but we all know that he's just a cinnamon roll. Cleo, she needed to grow up sooner and be okay with admitting how she feels about Magnus much sooner than she did. LET ME TELL YOU, especially considering Magnus has far more enemies than he does allies, she needed to show that she was in his corner just to that people might not try to kill him any more than they already were trying to. 

Jonas, I honestly forgot what happened to him in the previous book, I know he's supposed to be some big key player in what's going on. But for me, his character has always been rather forgettable. 

Lucia, what to say about her. I don't remember when she started hating Cleo. Last I remember they were some-what friends. I guess it started as that weird thing a lot of siblings do, when they are used to having their sibling's sole attention and someone else comes into the picture and they stop spending as much time with them. And with her being manipulated by a Watcher and the Fire elemental, it got a little twisted along the way. 

I kind of am starting to really dislike Nic in this series. He has these weird ideals of protecting Cleo, but it comes across as him treating her like she's too naive to make informed decisions on her own. And I don't like it very much. That's not how friends are supposed to treat each other. He never outwardly askes Cleo how she's been, if she's okay, how she has managed to remain clam being with Magnus by herself all this time. He just assumes, treats her like she's delicate and impressionable.

I am really nervous about reading the final book. I want it to have at least a somewhat happy ending. I might wait to read it though just so I can make the series last a little bit longer.