Review of After The Last Fall
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Review of After The Last Fall
After The Last Fall by Amy Babiarz offers the reader fresh insights into the realm of magic. The book delves into the story of Aleca and Jace, exploring themes such as magic, dictatorship, romance, bravery, and resilience. A century ago, Battlewood entered into the Pact of Silence, a set of rules governing the behaviors of its inhabitants. While these rules are questionable, only the most courageous people would dare oppose Commander Raznik's authority. Jasper and Aleida venture forth in pursuit of the truth, but their efforts yield no results. Stepping into their parents' incomplete quest, Aleca and Jace must confront their innermost fears and harness their abilities to face the merciless ruler.
The journey from Battlewood to Apaiji allows us to make several comparisons. Jace's interactions with the people of Garyn, Kydier, and Yolchame prompt her to re-evaluate her long-held beliefs. She is struck by the stark contrasts in culture, leadership, hospitality, and attitudes towards magic when compared to Battlewood's. Her encounter with Willow introduces us to the realm of spirituality, delving into the mysterious powers of Goddess Karishua. Furthermore, a comparison is drawn between Aleca and Jace. Despite the differences in their personalities, it is intriguing to observe how they complement each other amidst disagreements and fear. Noteworthy is the character Empress Syiera, whose compassion and wisdom illuminate the shadows and long-held secrets that have plagued Battlewood for years.
The author explores how leaders can utilize magic to impact the lives of their subjects. Aleca's intense fascination with magic offers the two siblings access to a world beyond Battlewood. The revelation of the truth about Commander Raznik through magic bolsters Aleca and Jace's confidence to confront him. The climax of this narrative occurs when the two sisters decide to face Raznik, fully aware of the dangers involved. Armed with the truth, a warrior's courage, and magic's enigmatic power, the sisters boldly argue their case, causing tension and chaos in Raznik's chamber. The showdown between Raznik and the Grimmes ultimately determines the fate of Battlewood. I invite you to journey through the conclusion of this spell-binding story.
This book has several positive aspects. First, through detailed descriptions and imagery, the author successfully immerses readers in the events of the book. Second, the book has a straightforward plotline, allowing a smooth reading experience. Lastly, I admire the author's courage to include sensitive and controversial topics such as same-sex relationships. However, I realized that the author mainly focused on narrating Jace's journey to Apaiji while providing minimal information about Aleca, who also went through a similar route. This disparity led me to speculate about Aleca's journey, a gap in the narrative I did not like.
The editing team did well; I encountered zero errors while reading. The flaw mentioned above is insufficient to deny this book a perfect rating. I hereby rate this book five out of five stars because of the positives mentioned above. I recommend it to those enthusiastic about magic.
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After The Last Fall
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