I'm not going to review this book in the same format as I would normally do. Consider this a biased review, from a reader whose life has been affected by this series.

When I was young I truly hated reading. You could ask my grade and middle-school teachers and they will agree that words were never my strong point. The realms of Poetry and Music seemed inseparable. (I was also considered tone-deaf by my peers)I had went through a majority of my life (currently 20) hating books.

I started this series during the fall of my sophomore year in high-school on a whim. (I thought the name was cool and alchemy sounded a lot like chemistry; lo and behold they were related!) The book was given to me by my cousin from England and ultimately I didn't expect to read it in its entirety.

And so after I was introduced to the worlds Michael Scott had compiled, I went on a massive journey. I tore through book after book relentlessly, reading as much as I could, whenever I could. It wasn't just fantasy, sci-fi, or young adult though, I read almost everything; from Classics to Magazines, from Mythology to Astronomy. I read books purely for a sake of learning and became almost purely indiscriminate to their genres. And in about five or so years, I'd like to say that I've gone on my fair share of adventures! :D

My life changed in conjunction. It had its ups and downs, I acquired some taste in music, began writing poetry, fell in love, fell out of love, fell in love again, wondered what exactly love was, ^Insert repetitively vicious cycle here^, and ultimately I grew.

The reason why I praise this series so highly is not just because it started my love for reading and books. (Which by the way I now possess over 200 of them in my personal library spanning two eight by four foot tall book shelves and one three by three).

It is because throughout my hectic life, I always had something to look forward to in the summer. It was because I could always count on a masterpiece from Michael Scott. Because I always loved the characters, the twisting of the plot, the masterfully written prose that heavy in lush detail, but wasted no words.

Because I loved the worlds that were created and compiled together.

The work, as a whole matters much to me, and though it does sadden me that this book marks the end of the series, I felt that it was about time the end came.

If some form of companion novels come out, you can bet I'll scramble as fast as I can to get my hands on them.

Till then, or maybe forever onwards, I guess I'll keep reading. There are infinite worlds out there to explore. And with them, infinite possibilities.

^Insert sappy comment on how reading has changed my life^

I loved this book. Everything came full circle and because of that I give it a perfect rating. Characters were developed, worlds were created (and destroyed) ;) , and life went on.

You can argue whether or not this was a happy ending. I on the other hand will argue the fact that it seemed like the best possible ending that could have happened.

I really wish there was more I could say, or at least state everything in a slightly more coherent way. (My mind is sort of jumpy at the moment)

Thank you Michael Scott for a masterpiece. I truly have and will always appreciate it.

Sincerely,

-Lyf-