ReaderMarija's Reviews

Sonya remarks, “Rose, you’re wise in so many ways… and so young in others.” I think that pretty much sums up Rose throughout this book and the series. Though in truth, Rose’s “wise moments” don’t actually originate from her at all, but come from the people around her… Tatiana, Victor, Sonya, Dimitri, Lissa, Adrian, et.al. It truly is amusing. Yet, as Adrian later points out in a scene I just love, there’s always collateral damage where Rose is concerned. And even though this is last book in the series, not all of the plot points are entirely resolved—perhaps purposely left on hold to set up the conflict for the next series.

I probably would’ve said that I hated this book, if it didn’t have all of those ironic and entertaining Rose moments that made me shake my head and laugh. My favorite line of hers is a response she gives to Sonya’s description of Dimitri’s words of wisdom: “I… I’m not even sure what half of it means.” ;) Throughout the book, Rose is often lost and confused, not capable of understanding the significance of all that’s happening around her, as well as her ineptitude at reading people. Yet this fact doesn’t stop her from acting impulsively, getting herself and her friends into even more sticky situations. For instance, think of Rose sending mixed signals (note that she already has two love interests already in toe) to that Keeper kid, Joshua. She gets warnings from Dimi, Sydney and even Joshua himself, who comes out with phrases like, “Would you like to see my cave?” Yet she’s completely blindsided when Josh proposes to her! *shaking head in frustration*

Yet for the most part they still love her. Look at poor Dimi: “You were amazing when we first met, and somehow, inexplicably, you’ve come even farther. You’ve always been pure, raw energy, and now you control it. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.” Ugh! This profusion might not have been so bad had it not come directly after the moment Rose brutally murders someone in a spirit induced fit of rage. I also hated Dimitri’s part in this murder cover-up and how he leaves “things” in that parking lot. I thought that was creepy and uncalled for. Yet, this little murderous act serves as the catalyst bringing about that cathartic symbolic fall of the walls of Jericho. I don’t know... for me this supposedly beautiful moment is cheapened by that association. And like Adrian I’m ready to wipe my hands of them. I just loved that final scene between her and Adrian! In Spirit Bound, he was like a sick cat—I’m again borrowing from one of my grandmother’s pat phrases. But here, the way he completely dismisses Rose’s tawdry attempts to appease his anger—ah, it was great!

In response to the murder plot, I’m glad that I said in my previous review for Spirit Bound that I wasn’t entirely willing to give up my theory that it was desperate act of a disillusioned lover. Even though then I was pointing my finger at Ambrose, I wasn’t too far off the mark. The murderer is exposed in one of those Agatha Christie style scenes—group gathering, a review of all the possible suspects’ motives, all leading to the final shocking reveal and it’s equally climactic conclusion. Instead of “disillusioned lover” we’re faced with the machinations of a jealous rival for someone’s affections.

As I hinted at before, considering that Last Sacrifice marks the end of the series, there is actually not that much of a conclusion. There’s a sort of conclusion for Rose, though as I wrote in my review for Spirit Bound, it’s a conclusion I foresaw after finishing the first book in the series. Given the title, “Last Sacrifice” I think it would’ve been more fitting for there to have been a true sacrifice—with a tragic end. There is a sacrifice of sorts in terms of what Rose does for Lissa at the very end, but the outcome of this sacrifice seemed kind of hokey, given that it’s one that none of the characters really understand or can explain. But aside from Rose, the story seems to be just starting for the other characters, namely Lissa, Christian, Jill, Adrian, Rose, Eddie and Sydney.

From book one, I was never really crazy about Rose’s story, but I liked the supporting cast of characters from Christian to Adrian to Sydney to Eddie to Mikhail and Sonya to Abe, to Victor, and at times even Dimitri (Dimi)—I particularly love the mental picture of him with his leather duster… that signature look defining that image of him as a force of nature. ;) Now that Rose’s story has reached its conclusion, I wonder if the new series might be better, especially if the supporting cast plays a greater role and if, as Mead states, that she’s writing it in third person. Though I can’t say that I’m waiting with bated breath for this next installment.