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The Outlands Pentalogy #5
A Time of Prophecy
In the years since Kitty, Nate and Thom escaped the Kingdom, the Plague has ravaged the population and the rebels have seized two of the northern countries. In an attempt to bring order to the chaos, the leader of the rebels, Nate’s old friend James, has agreed to hold trials for those responsible for intentionally leaking the Plague.
Unfortunately, the rumour in the Kingdom is that Kitty is responsible. To make matters worse, Blaise tells Kitty that the Council, who still count her father as one of their own, are once again experimenting on Radiants. It’s a horrifying realisation that hits too close to home, and for the first time in her life, Kitty thirsts for vengeance. It’s a thirst that’s matched by the one person who has always been her mirror — her Complement, Thom.
On the other side of the Wall in the Outlands, desperate to bring Kitty home and finish the Council once and for all, Thom begins plotting, using the skills he’s long honed to outsmart those with more power. But outsmarting his enemies might turn Thom into the very thing he’s always feared becoming, and war soon seems the only possible solution to stopping the Council and the Hangman. But with more than a few looking to the ancient prophecy of peace, Thom searches desperately for a way to circumvent more bloodshed.
Yet the weight of the years have taken their toll, and as Thom’s physical and mental health deteriorate, Nate struggles with the fallout of past crimes, both the ones he did commit, and the ones he didn’t …
Unfortunately, the rumour in the Kingdom is that Kitty is responsible. To make matters worse, Blaise tells Kitty that the Council, who still count her father as one of their own, are once again experimenting on Radiants. It’s a horrifying realisation that hits too close to home, and for the first time in her life, Kitty thirsts for vengeance. It’s a thirst that’s matched by the one person who has always been her mirror — her Complement, Thom.
On the other side of the Wall in the Outlands, desperate to bring Kitty home and finish the Council once and for all, Thom begins plotting, using the skills he’s long honed to outsmart those with more power. But outsmarting his enemies might turn Thom into the very thing he’s always feared becoming, and war soon seems the only possible solution to stopping the Council and the Hangman. But with more than a few looking to the ancient prophecy of peace, Thom searches desperately for a way to circumvent more bloodshed.
Yet the weight of the years have taken their toll, and as Thom’s physical and mental health deteriorate, Nate struggles with the fallout of past crimes, both the ones he did commit, and the ones he didn’t …
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
1 person is currently reading
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September 24, 2021
R A T I N G: 4.25 stars to A Time of Prohecy! ★ ★ ★ ★
'What matters is that humans, halfbloods, Outcasts and Radiants are all fighting as one,' said Thom softly. 'Whatever comes of this war - whatever the outcome - let history remember that we fought together. That we died side by side. In the end, that still means a great deal.'
‘This is not a world where friends fall out of the skies. We haven't met anyone worth knowing in a very long time.
I'm not a fan of goodbyes. I characteristically assume cluelessness or resort to immediately burying my woes in the words and pages of another book. It's effective palliation for loving and leaving a series, the equivalent of staunching some sorrows with a first line of defense: another book.
It feels like only yesterday that the author sent over the opening chapter to this pentalogy. When I made the time to read it, I quickly understood that I'd underestimated this cloak-and-dagger composition of conspiracy, which is why I make a point singing my sonorous praises so you curious readers don’t senselessly follow suit in the shoes of my foolhardiness. I had every intention and every desire to pick this up the next day, and the day after that and I think that's the best compliment I can give any body of work. This prophetic pentalogy is all kinds of engaging.
To leave a world and its afflicted personalities behind is always a cause for bookish bereavement but I haven't maintained this feeling since early 2019. That's how long it's been since I nurtured a full-length saga of any kind. And here I am, not one to humour the final farewell, but facing the final dusk of a five-part healthy, stealthy series, fresh with fascination and infused with bleeding hearts and broken minds. As I take a final last breath for the Outlands saga, I tell you what a beautiful disaster it has been.
This series has brought with it tormentors and tyrants. Ascendancy and power. Trauma, tribulation, taken freedoms, stolen freedoms and fought-for freedoms. Broken faith, layered sentiments and the age-old clash of adversarial conflict with some twists in the surviving woodwork. It's brought with it violation and viciousness, stolen rights and perverted order. It pivots its premise on baseless, undaunted hate passed on like pollution and worshiped like a legacy. The worst happens and the worst comes to pass.
But this series has also escorted with it the strength of found friendships and good faith, of impromptu families, unapologetic characters and unpitying love. Of lofty odds with speculative principles to mull and muse upon. And perhaps most importantly, what can be achieved on the other side of species-wide fear when a Kingdom-wide partition is realised to be little more than cake and concrete. And it's this cast that find every reason to scale it.
This last and final instalment sheds some skin and presents some answers but most of all, it provoked a succession of fond recall; of everything it took for the disaster cast to get here. How none of this would have come to fruition had an abused high-society son not disturbed the peace so many years ago. How two brothers kept each other alive through abuse, grief and distance. How the daughter of the most despicable antagonist sought a different path after facing the unknown a lot sooner than expected. The central cast are sons and daughters of monsters and oppressors so it plays with the idea of made paths rather than inheriting the darker make-up of those who gave them life. Choices aren’t biologically bequeathed and we all make our own.
Despite Riddle, Engus and the remaining Radiants joining the adventure later into the series, they give appearance, visibility, humanity and honour to the species over the wall. This story is as much theirs as anyone else's. Especially when it's the Kingdom's vice and villainy that hauls their people back into the fight once more. And perhaps the pièce de résistance is how radically believable it all is; that this is exactly what frightens and enlightens with speculative fiction.
For those who have read and kept up with the series, we could see it leading here. It all started in the Kingdom so it's in equal belief that its end must succeed where it began while using forgotten history, artifice and espionage to get there. No surprise then that our eclectic group of Outlanders find themselves back over the wall, facing a Kingdom that broke them to the bone. But they've also returned to a Kingdom home to riots, wreckage and commotion, all at the hand of a rebellion that would never once have reduced themselves to such extremes.
Now that the rebels have marked their territory, and with a Provisional Government intact, half want justice for spreaders of the Plague as much as they want Kitty's death as payment. For Kitty, the past is still a poison but she has new choices relative to potential life and potential death, all while she continues to protect Nate with a secret. All while she decides what to do about an enemy she calls father.
For Thom, there's a steadily burning brutality rinsing his bones, one that reaches a tipping point as all the hardship has his frame of mind collapsing in on itself. It was interesting to see him utilise the sleight of hand we've heard so much about, strategising over who he'll have to go far for to work the rebellion in his favour. Nate becomes absorbed by the consequences of confronting the choices he's made while facing some new lows. Out of all the characters however, and while Nate and Kitty remain my favourites, I stress that it's probably Thom who is the most brilliantly characterised. The characterisation is naturally complex and I’d chalk it up as one of the strongest features of this series. Wonderful for me since characters that rivet become the soul of the reading experience for me.
The romance between Nate and Kitty has always been a brittle and breakable one, which was why I was keen to see how this book might strengthen the ties between them. I felt that they reconcile after A Dance of Lies perhaps too quickly, and that their partnership wasn’t quite infused with the romantic maturing I was hoping for come this last book. In simple terms, I would have liked to see some open lines of communication between them. I also wouldn’t have been averse to sharing more page time with my favourite couple.
In terms of the developments for this closing chapter, I had assumed that Kitty's trial would bring with it some interesting findings. I also thought it might run with the style of a procedural while she's forced to stay within the Kingdom but it wrapped up incredibly swiftly for my liking. I was intrigued by Wolfgang’s character and imagined he'd build himself up as another body to beat but after the trial, he's nowhere to be seen again, despite that cryptic comment from Elara about him looking at Kitty like Lyra looked at Thom. The prophecy angle was nicely exploited, the author wiping the floor with cliche in the way she tackles that end as much as she delivers a culmination that doesn’t resort to a full-blown and frenetic war. And yet there's still a very open-ended resolution that doesn't feel the need to finalise every answer. All in all, very exciting and especially compulsive.
Rebecca Crunden has a wonderfully unceremonious style of delivery which is a complement to the authenticity of the world imagined; whether that be imparting information, dropping new content or opening up newer developments, it’s done without calling the cavalry so to speak. It's a quality that I easily took to because it doesn't hyperbolise what doesn't need to be oversold while casting the light upon tough subject matter. It does, however, sometimes lend itself to inexplicit allusion, and I had to ask myself 'Wait, that happened?' or 'Did I missing something?'. Sometimes introduced to findings that I felt I was expected to know. In addition, I would have liked to see Radiant reactions to the Kingdom’s culture. It would have made for some fun interaction to see their nomadic people adjusting to a big, organised world structure.
This saga of speculative fiction does what its genre bracket claims: makes one speculate. Could our own people survive centuries underground while fire and mutation ravaged the land above? Would we fight tooth and nail and attack with our own fear to harvest power? Even against other living lifeforms abandoned to the catastrophic elements above earth? What's also interesting with this series is that, for the most part, the central characters aren't a part of the active ‘take down the Kingdom’ movement. Their rebellion is more about removing themselves from the tyranny. They want a life fit for them and it's not in this Kingdom. It's in A Time of Prophecy when we see them temporarily join forces with Nate’s resistance group.
I think we all have an ambivalent attitude towards any finale. We rush headlong for that end while, at the same time, hoping it never comes to fruition. If there's a silver lining to be had for being the slow reader that I am, it's that I really get to make the most of what I'm reading. The more time I give to a book, the more time I get to remains within that book. I'm going to miss being a bystander to this world and everything that happens within it but I'm over the moon that our central characters found a climax suitable to each of them. I'm making it a point to avoid excess with disclosure but I'm also making it a point to stress how delighted I've been to enter the ether and shadow the climate of this chronicle of catastrophe.
It’s treacherous to resist eating this set of books up with abandon so I’d recommend eliminating the resistance altogether. Rebecca Crunden has devised a futurised world where humanity had once been forced to survive both above and below ground, all at their own hand, all of their own making. As the final curtain closes, nobody wants more blood between their fingers or grief in their hearts but while life is still in the veins of the remaining players, there’s a reckoning to be had, to punish the ones who punished them.
The storytelling has been fresh without overwhelming complexity. The world-building has been layered with presage and the prose has moved with sober subtext. I’ve likely got a novel’s worth of quotes stored up from this series collectively and this compilation has filled my mind with bouts of love from start to finish, from beginning to end. The Complements to the end, Thom and Kitty, share the POV spotlight in A Time of Prophecy but Nate also gets to voice his part with a few perspective handovers.
A Kingdom that doesn't want to confront its own immemorial iniquity and doesn't believe in its own error backdrops this world of demons and mutants, death and rebellion, law-benders, lawbreakers, war and mutation. The past can't broker it's absence, Kingdom conquests rule and Kingdom haters have nowhere to hide. There are no sensationalist schemes, just a cast of humans who have to face a five-book-long altercation with adversity that runs the gamut from boiling hate to burning horror to morbid misbelief of all that's within and all that's without.
This indie-published series by Rebecca Crunden brings with a sterling set of titles that are fascinating, frightening and formidable. Five books down the hatch and I finally come up for air. One of my favourite movie icons would say ‘It ain’t over till it’s over’. Much to my umbrage here lies the end of my road but I’d like to believe it’s a bright start for any reader even remotely moved by the current of dystopian ethos. The brilliance is big and you can't not be moved by its expanse. Crunden's Outlands sequence is a proud page-turner.
C O N T E N T _W A R N I N G: Mentions executions and death. Talks about sexual assault and the rape of central characters. Death of children and sacrificing children. Disease, sickness and describes Plague victims. Violence. Panic attacks. Intent for suicide. Drinking/swearing. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts. OCD and PTSD. Mentions abortion and forced pregnancies. Mentions child abuse/child sexual abuse. Owning/enslaving humans. Underfed/malnourished bodies.
________________________________________________
E X T R A _T H O U G H T S:
1) It is sometimes confusing to keep up with who is who in terms of the side characters introduced.
2) For the most part, the editing is good, but I have stumbled upon a number of spelling mistakes with the last two books especially. Nothing major but just something to point out.
3) I’m not sure if this is an error on my part but there were two scenes with continuity errors. Gao is said to be heading for the Wall when they’re at Blaise’s brother’s house (I think) but she’s also described to be there during the chase when the hovers come for them> Whether she remained for whatever reason isn’t really cleared up either. On another occasion, in the final scenes when the battle is happening, I’m sure Blaise was said to be at the prison with Kitty and Riddle, but then he’s also at the alternative setting aka the palace where Thom and Nate are.
4) In the review I sort of touch on the sometimes-vagueness of the storytelling. The prose doesn’t explicitly disclose what might be happening etc so I was really surprised when Nate recalls Archie’s attack from book as being an attempted rape on Kitty? As far as I remember, he attacked but not in a sexual way so I’m kind of confused about that.
5) Another thing I really love about this series is its philosophy of body rights and abortion rights. I also love the integration of childless couples and the discourse surrounding not wanting children. Being a parent isn’t for everyone and some characters make their refusal known. I don’t often see this kind of rep so more power to the author for it. A few other inclusive topics include racial diversity and same-sex couples themes that promote unrepentant/individualism beliefs.
6) Also, I would have loved some extra chapters from Nate's POV.
----------------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
----------------------------------------------------
'What matters is that humans, halfbloods, Outcasts and Radiants are all fighting as one,' said Thom softly. 'Whatever comes of this war - whatever the outcome - let history remember that we fought together. That we died side by side. In the end, that still means a great deal.'
‘This is not a world where friends fall out of the skies. We haven't met anyone worth knowing in a very long time.
I'm not a fan of goodbyes. I characteristically assume cluelessness or resort to immediately burying my woes in the words and pages of another book. It's effective palliation for loving and leaving a series, the equivalent of staunching some sorrows with a first line of defense: another book.
It feels like only yesterday that the author sent over the opening chapter to this pentalogy. When I made the time to read it, I quickly understood that I'd underestimated this cloak-and-dagger composition of conspiracy, which is why I make a point singing my sonorous praises so you curious readers don’t senselessly follow suit in the shoes of my foolhardiness. I had every intention and every desire to pick this up the next day, and the day after that and I think that's the best compliment I can give any body of work. This prophetic pentalogy is all kinds of engaging.
To leave a world and its afflicted personalities behind is always a cause for bookish bereavement but I haven't maintained this feeling since early 2019. That's how long it's been since I nurtured a full-length saga of any kind. And here I am, not one to humour the final farewell, but facing the final dusk of a five-part healthy, stealthy series, fresh with fascination and infused with bleeding hearts and broken minds. As I take a final last breath for the Outlands saga, I tell you what a beautiful disaster it has been.
This series has brought with it tormentors and tyrants. Ascendancy and power. Trauma, tribulation, taken freedoms, stolen freedoms and fought-for freedoms. Broken faith, layered sentiments and the age-old clash of adversarial conflict with some twists in the surviving woodwork. It's brought with it violation and viciousness, stolen rights and perverted order. It pivots its premise on baseless, undaunted hate passed on like pollution and worshiped like a legacy. The worst happens and the worst comes to pass.
But this series has also escorted with it the strength of found friendships and good faith, of impromptu families, unapologetic characters and unpitying love. Of lofty odds with speculative principles to mull and muse upon. And perhaps most importantly, what can be achieved on the other side of species-wide fear when a Kingdom-wide partition is realised to be little more than cake and concrete. And it's this cast that find every reason to scale it.
This last and final instalment sheds some skin and presents some answers but most of all, it provoked a succession of fond recall; of everything it took for the disaster cast to get here. How none of this would have come to fruition had an abused high-society son not disturbed the peace so many years ago. How two brothers kept each other alive through abuse, grief and distance. How the daughter of the most despicable antagonist sought a different path after facing the unknown a lot sooner than expected. The central cast are sons and daughters of monsters and oppressors so it plays with the idea of made paths rather than inheriting the darker make-up of those who gave them life. Choices aren’t biologically bequeathed and we all make our own.
Despite Riddle, Engus and the remaining Radiants joining the adventure later into the series, they give appearance, visibility, humanity and honour to the species over the wall. This story is as much theirs as anyone else's. Especially when it's the Kingdom's vice and villainy that hauls their people back into the fight once more. And perhaps the pièce de résistance is how radically believable it all is; that this is exactly what frightens and enlightens with speculative fiction.
For those who have read and kept up with the series, we could see it leading here. It all started in the Kingdom so it's in equal belief that its end must succeed where it began while using forgotten history, artifice and espionage to get there. No surprise then that our eclectic group of Outlanders find themselves back over the wall, facing a Kingdom that broke them to the bone. But they've also returned to a Kingdom home to riots, wreckage and commotion, all at the hand of a rebellion that would never once have reduced themselves to such extremes.
Now that the rebels have marked their territory, and with a Provisional Government intact, half want justice for spreaders of the Plague as much as they want Kitty's death as payment. For Kitty, the past is still a poison but she has new choices relative to potential life and potential death, all while she continues to protect Nate with a secret. All while she decides what to do about an enemy she calls father.
For Thom, there's a steadily burning brutality rinsing his bones, one that reaches a tipping point as all the hardship has his frame of mind collapsing in on itself. It was interesting to see him utilise the sleight of hand we've heard so much about, strategising over who he'll have to go far for to work the rebellion in his favour. Nate becomes absorbed by the consequences of confronting the choices he's made while facing some new lows. Out of all the characters however, and while Nate and Kitty remain my favourites, I stress that it's probably Thom who is the most brilliantly characterised. The characterisation is naturally complex and I’d chalk it up as one of the strongest features of this series. Wonderful for me since characters that rivet become the soul of the reading experience for me.
The romance between Nate and Kitty has always been a brittle and breakable one, which was why I was keen to see how this book might strengthen the ties between them. I felt that they reconcile after A Dance of Lies perhaps too quickly, and that their partnership wasn’t quite infused with the romantic maturing I was hoping for come this last book. In simple terms, I would have liked to see some open lines of communication between them. I also wouldn’t have been averse to sharing more page time with my favourite couple.
In terms of the developments for this closing chapter, I had assumed that Kitty's trial would bring with it some interesting findings. I also thought it might run with the style of a procedural while she's forced to stay within the Kingdom but it wrapped up incredibly swiftly for my liking. I was intrigued by Wolfgang’s character and imagined he'd build himself up as another body to beat but after the trial, he's nowhere to be seen again, despite that cryptic comment from Elara about him looking at Kitty like Lyra looked at Thom. The prophecy angle was nicely exploited, the author wiping the floor with cliche in the way she tackles that end as much as she delivers a culmination that doesn’t resort to a full-blown and frenetic war. And yet there's still a very open-ended resolution that doesn't feel the need to finalise every answer. All in all, very exciting and especially compulsive.
Rebecca Crunden has a wonderfully unceremonious style of delivery which is a complement to the authenticity of the world imagined; whether that be imparting information, dropping new content or opening up newer developments, it’s done without calling the cavalry so to speak. It's a quality that I easily took to because it doesn't hyperbolise what doesn't need to be oversold while casting the light upon tough subject matter. It does, however, sometimes lend itself to inexplicit allusion, and I had to ask myself 'Wait, that happened?' or 'Did I missing something?'. Sometimes introduced to findings that I felt I was expected to know. In addition, I would have liked to see Radiant reactions to the Kingdom’s culture. It would have made for some fun interaction to see their nomadic people adjusting to a big, organised world structure.
This saga of speculative fiction does what its genre bracket claims: makes one speculate. Could our own people survive centuries underground while fire and mutation ravaged the land above? Would we fight tooth and nail and attack with our own fear to harvest power? Even against other living lifeforms abandoned to the catastrophic elements above earth? What's also interesting with this series is that, for the most part, the central characters aren't a part of the active ‘take down the Kingdom’ movement. Their rebellion is more about removing themselves from the tyranny. They want a life fit for them and it's not in this Kingdom. It's in A Time of Prophecy when we see them temporarily join forces with Nate’s resistance group.
I think we all have an ambivalent attitude towards any finale. We rush headlong for that end while, at the same time, hoping it never comes to fruition. If there's a silver lining to be had for being the slow reader that I am, it's that I really get to make the most of what I'm reading. The more time I give to a book, the more time I get to remains within that book. I'm going to miss being a bystander to this world and everything that happens within it but I'm over the moon that our central characters found a climax suitable to each of them. I'm making it a point to avoid excess with disclosure but I'm also making it a point to stress how delighted I've been to enter the ether and shadow the climate of this chronicle of catastrophe.
It’s treacherous to resist eating this set of books up with abandon so I’d recommend eliminating the resistance altogether. Rebecca Crunden has devised a futurised world where humanity had once been forced to survive both above and below ground, all at their own hand, all of their own making. As the final curtain closes, nobody wants more blood between their fingers or grief in their hearts but while life is still in the veins of the remaining players, there’s a reckoning to be had, to punish the ones who punished them.
The storytelling has been fresh without overwhelming complexity. The world-building has been layered with presage and the prose has moved with sober subtext. I’ve likely got a novel’s worth of quotes stored up from this series collectively and this compilation has filled my mind with bouts of love from start to finish, from beginning to end. The Complements to the end, Thom and Kitty, share the POV spotlight in A Time of Prophecy but Nate also gets to voice his part with a few perspective handovers.
A Kingdom that doesn't want to confront its own immemorial iniquity and doesn't believe in its own error backdrops this world of demons and mutants, death and rebellion, law-benders, lawbreakers, war and mutation. The past can't broker it's absence, Kingdom conquests rule and Kingdom haters have nowhere to hide. There are no sensationalist schemes, just a cast of humans who have to face a five-book-long altercation with adversity that runs the gamut from boiling hate to burning horror to morbid misbelief of all that's within and all that's without.
This indie-published series by Rebecca Crunden brings with a sterling set of titles that are fascinating, frightening and formidable. Five books down the hatch and I finally come up for air. One of my favourite movie icons would say ‘It ain’t over till it’s over’. Much to my umbrage here lies the end of my road but I’d like to believe it’s a bright start for any reader even remotely moved by the current of dystopian ethos. The brilliance is big and you can't not be moved by its expanse. Crunden's Outlands sequence is a proud page-turner.
C O N T E N T _W A R N I N G: Mentions executions and death. Talks about sexual assault and the rape of central characters. Death of children and sacrificing children. Disease, sickness and describes Plague victims. Violence. Panic attacks. Intent for suicide. Drinking/swearing. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts. OCD and PTSD. Mentions abortion and forced pregnancies. Mentions child abuse/child sexual abuse. Owning/enslaving humans. Underfed/malnourished bodies.
________________________________________________
E X T R A _T H O U G H T S:
1) It is sometimes confusing to keep up with who is who in terms of the side characters introduced.
2) For the most part, the editing is good, but I have stumbled upon a number of spelling mistakes with the last two books especially. Nothing major but just something to point out.
3) I’m not sure if this is an error on my part but there were two scenes with continuity errors. Gao is said to be heading for the Wall when they’re at Blaise’s brother’s house (I think) but she’s also described to be there during the chase when the hovers come for them> Whether she remained for whatever reason isn’t really cleared up either. On another occasion, in the final scenes when the battle is happening, I’m sure Blaise was said to be at the prison with Kitty and Riddle, but then he’s also at the alternative setting aka the palace where Thom and Nate are.
4) In the review I sort of touch on the sometimes-vagueness of the storytelling. The prose doesn’t explicitly disclose what might be happening etc so I was really surprised when Nate recalls Archie’s attack from book as being an attempted rape on Kitty? As far as I remember, he attacked but not in a sexual way so I’m kind of confused about that.
5) Another thing I really love about this series is its philosophy of body rights and abortion rights. I also love the integration of childless couples and the discourse surrounding not wanting children. Being a parent isn’t for everyone and some characters make their refusal known. I don’t often see this kind of rep so more power to the author for it. A few other inclusive topics include racial diversity and same-sex couples themes that promote unrepentant/individualism beliefs.
6) Also, I would have loved some extra chapters from Nate's POV.
----------------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
----------------------------------------------------
December 2, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Rebecca Crunden’s final epic chapter in The Outlands Pentalogy brings everything home, as Thom, Nate and Kitty must not only face the day to day rigors of life in the Outlands, but the turmoil that arises between those they love.
As Kitty is brought into the Kingdom to face charges as “Ground Zero” for the plague that ravaged the land, truths become horrors when they are uncovered and Thom will risk his life to save her and put on end to the monsters on the Council. Can he do so without shedding innocent blood? The nightmare must end, even if it means war and one man in particular must die, the Hangman.
Meanwhile, loyalties and love are tested as the chaos continues on both sides of the Wall. Will there ever truly be peace?
An incredible finish to this series that puts a solid ending in place as these more mature characters come to life, once again. Rebecca Crunden's A TIME OF PROPHECY has brought the dystopian genre another solid winner to the reading table in a near perfect tale that is as emotionally challenging for some of the characters as it is action-packed.
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: The Outlands Pentalogy - Book 5
Publication Date: July 19, 2019
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Dystopian
Print Length: 332 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Rebecca Crunden’s final epic chapter in The Outlands Pentalogy brings everything home, as Thom, Nate and Kitty must not only face the day to day rigors of life in the Outlands, but the turmoil that arises between those they love.
As Kitty is brought into the Kingdom to face charges as “Ground Zero” for the plague that ravaged the land, truths become horrors when they are uncovered and Thom will risk his life to save her and put on end to the monsters on the Council. Can he do so without shedding innocent blood? The nightmare must end, even if it means war and one man in particular must die, the Hangman.
Meanwhile, loyalties and love are tested as the chaos continues on both sides of the Wall. Will there ever truly be peace?
An incredible finish to this series that puts a solid ending in place as these more mature characters come to life, once again. Rebecca Crunden's A TIME OF PROPHECY has brought the dystopian genre another solid winner to the reading table in a near perfect tale that is as emotionally challenging for some of the characters as it is action-packed.
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: The Outlands Pentalogy - Book 5
Publication Date: July 19, 2019
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Dystopian
Print Length: 332 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 4, 2024
amazing
A thrilling and action-packed, perfect ending to the series. This is a well written dystopian adventure that drew me in more and more with every book. I’m quite sad to have reached the end of the story and will miss Kitty, Thom and Nate.
A thrilling and action-packed, perfect ending to the series. This is a well written dystopian adventure that drew me in more and more with every book. I’m quite sad to have reached the end of the story and will miss Kitty, Thom and Nate.
September 2, 2020
The last book in the series is like the climax of a book. If it isn't up to our expectations, then it would ruin the story. As "The Outlands Pentalogy" has already become one of my favourite series I had a lot of expectations in this last book 𝑨 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑶𝒇 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒚. What can I say more than this book is the perfect end to the perfect series and my love for this series had gone to its next level.
Unlike the other books in the series, this book has multiple pov from Thom, Nate and Kitty. The characters never lost their uniqueness form the beginning of the series until this book. How our circumstances and situations change us into a new person was so emotionally expressed in this book. It has very well developed characters and I was so much connected to them.
Kitty and Nate were perfect for each other. I just adore them. Lately, I have been loving LGBTQ novels a lot. I loved it that the author had included many bisexual characters here. I wish so badly for Thom to end up with Charles. I still ship them a lot. I don't felt that Thom really loved Riddle. He respects him and cares for him but he didn't love him the way he loved Charles. Anyways, I don't hate Thom for it because he was such a sweet brother for Nate and sweetest friend for Kitty.
I love the way the plot had developed. It was so gradual and realistic. This part has answered many questions made in the previous series and it all made a total sense to the series. The fight in the climax ended so fast. I felt like everything happened all of a sudden. I love the author's way of describing the fights in the previous books and I did miss it in here. Other than that everything was so perfect.
I'm glad I read this series and it became one of my favourites. All you have to do is read the first book in the series "A Touch of Death" and I bet, you couldn't stop yourself from picking the next book until you finish the whole series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE who loves to read books with lovely characters and a strong plot.
Rating: 4.7 stars
Unlike the other books in the series, this book has multiple pov from Thom, Nate and Kitty. The characters never lost their uniqueness form the beginning of the series until this book. How our circumstances and situations change us into a new person was so emotionally expressed in this book. It has very well developed characters and I was so much connected to them.
Kitty and Nate were perfect for each other. I just adore them. Lately, I have been loving LGBTQ novels a lot. I loved it that the author had included many bisexual characters here. I wish so badly for Thom to end up with Charles. I still ship them a lot. I don't felt that Thom really loved Riddle. He respects him and cares for him but he didn't love him the way he loved Charles. Anyways, I don't hate Thom for it because he was such a sweet brother for Nate and sweetest friend for Kitty.
I love the way the plot had developed. It was so gradual and realistic. This part has answered many questions made in the previous series and it all made a total sense to the series. The fight in the climax ended so fast. I felt like everything happened all of a sudden. I love the author's way of describing the fights in the previous books and I did miss it in here. Other than that everything was so perfect.
I'm glad I read this series and it became one of my favourites. All you have to do is read the first book in the series "A Touch of Death" and I bet, you couldn't stop yourself from picking the next book until you finish the whole series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE who loves to read books with lovely characters and a strong plot.
Rating: 4.7 stars
July 23, 2022
A perfect ending to this wonderful series. I’m not ready to leave these characters behind but I’m so glad they got the endings they deserve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2019
"... it seemed there was no way to be truly free of the lives they'd left behind."
A rumor has spread in Cutta that the Hangman's daughter was responsible for leaking the Plague in order to be with Nate, and in barely no time at all, Kitty is arrested and taken back to the Kingdom to answer for her "crime". While at the Kingdom, it's discovered that the Radiants captured by the Council are undergoing experimentation, but for what purpose this time? Later, the horrifying truth is revealed and it boils Kitty's blood. She wants vengeance.
"She was just a runaway fugitive who'd learned how to to shoot and fight back."
Kitty is questioned on how the Plague spread and the conversation quickly turns to a sentencing, some suggesting she should be punished by death. Blaise stages a distraction and sneaks Kitty out of there -- thank goodness for that. The next day, she's reunited with Nate, Thom, and Riddle. Phew!
They break into a testing facility and Kitty is shocked by who confronts her inside. Thom admits to Nate that he owes this terrible person a favor and can't kill him -- despite wanting to. Nate, who is struggling with emotions and guilt, finds this hard to accept.
Later, Charles' presence stirs up jealousy in Riddle. A secret Charles reveals leaves Nate despondent with guilt and further angry with himself.
Many are sick with what appears to be the Plague. Kitty journeys to heal people and discovers the purpose of the experimentation on Radiants. What follows next is a series of events involving covert operations, much bloodshed, destruction of property, and amidst it all, a wonderful surprise that left me smiling.
I gotta say, I'm going to miss the heck outta this series. I've absolutely fallen for these characters, specifically Kitty and Thomas, and I'm kinda bummed that I'll never get to experience this story-world again with this being the concluding book.
The underlying theme of this installment is that the hatreds of the past can be conquered... that despite how bleak things seem, there's always a silver lining. It's about survival, but also honor, and love. It's about how wretched people can be when stripped of their pretenses and facades, but also how wonderful and good we can be.
I know this book is categorized as a speculative fiction but I see a lot of literary fiction elements in this series too. I say this because of the writing style. It reminds me of another writer I enjoy very much, K.P. Ambroziak, a literary fiction author. Their prose is quite similar -- eloquent, powerful, and moving.
I loved this book, especially the surprise at the end, and I absolutely adored this series. If you're into post-apocalyptic fiction, you really need to check this series out. Solid 5 stars, all the way!
A rumor has spread in Cutta that the Hangman's daughter was responsible for leaking the Plague in order to be with Nate, and in barely no time at all, Kitty is arrested and taken back to the Kingdom to answer for her "crime". While at the Kingdom, it's discovered that the Radiants captured by the Council are undergoing experimentation, but for what purpose this time? Later, the horrifying truth is revealed and it boils Kitty's blood. She wants vengeance.
"She was just a runaway fugitive who'd learned how to to shoot and fight back."
Kitty is questioned on how the Plague spread and the conversation quickly turns to a sentencing, some suggesting she should be punished by death. Blaise stages a distraction and sneaks Kitty out of there -- thank goodness for that. The next day, she's reunited with Nate, Thom, and Riddle. Phew!
They break into a testing facility and Kitty is shocked by who confronts her inside. Thom admits to Nate that he owes this terrible person a favor and can't kill him -- despite wanting to. Nate, who is struggling with emotions and guilt, finds this hard to accept.
Later, Charles' presence stirs up jealousy in Riddle. A secret Charles reveals leaves Nate despondent with guilt and further angry with himself.
Many are sick with what appears to be the Plague. Kitty journeys to heal people and discovers the purpose of the experimentation on Radiants. What follows next is a series of events involving covert operations, much bloodshed, destruction of property, and amidst it all, a wonderful surprise that left me smiling.
I gotta say, I'm going to miss the heck outta this series. I've absolutely fallen for these characters, specifically Kitty and Thomas, and I'm kinda bummed that I'll never get to experience this story-world again with this being the concluding book.
The underlying theme of this installment is that the hatreds of the past can be conquered... that despite how bleak things seem, there's always a silver lining. It's about survival, but also honor, and love. It's about how wretched people can be when stripped of their pretenses and facades, but also how wonderful and good we can be.
I know this book is categorized as a speculative fiction but I see a lot of literary fiction elements in this series too. I say this because of the writing style. It reminds me of another writer I enjoy very much, K.P. Ambroziak, a literary fiction author. Their prose is quite similar -- eloquent, powerful, and moving.
I loved this book, especially the surprise at the end, and I absolutely adored this series. If you're into post-apocalyptic fiction, you really need to check this series out. Solid 5 stars, all the way!
September 29, 2019
4.5/5
A Time Of Prophecy by Rebeca Crunden is the last instalment in The Outlands Pentalogy.
What a great end to a great series! OMG, what can I say? There are YA books which revolve around such petty conflicts that they are entirely cringe-worthy and go a long way in destroying the reader's trust in the genre itself, but then there are some rare gems, like this series, that come out of nowhere and restore your faith in a genre you thought was on the verge of being lost.
This book served as a great end to the series as it answered all the questions I had and provided me with a satisfactory closure. Most of the times, series continue to be great until the last book where everything falls flat or at the least, you are left disappointed or unsatisfied because nothing can do justice to the awesomeness of the story. Many times writers simply don't know how to end a series and that is what ruins it entirely. But when it comes to this series, we have a writer who not only knows how to begin something epic and but also knows how to end it with the same rigour and grace.
And this series deserved a good ending because it was such a thrilling, complicated, exciting and engaging story about gripping, strong, believable and well-developed characters in realistic and intricate settings. This dystopian series is a hundred times better than most of the "best-selling" series of today. I would happily place this series with the likes of Hunger Games and Six Of Crows because the characters in this series face bigger problems than teenage hormonal dilemmas and are relatable in an unbelievable way.
The writing in this book was on par with the other books so far and made the reading of this book a pleasant ride. The tension and pacing were apt and I finished this book in no more than 3 days, so it was a very quick read. I'd recommend this book to all dystopian and fantasy lovers and to those who want to explore a unique new series by a new author.
Check out the other parts in this pentalogy here: A Touch Of Death (The Outlands Pentalogy #1), A History Of Madness (The Outlands Pentalogy #2), A Promise Of Return (The Outlands Penology #3) and A Dance Of Lies (The Outlands Pentalogy #4)
A Time Of Prophecy by Rebeca Crunden is the last instalment in The Outlands Pentalogy.
What a great end to a great series! OMG, what can I say? There are YA books which revolve around such petty conflicts that they are entirely cringe-worthy and go a long way in destroying the reader's trust in the genre itself, but then there are some rare gems, like this series, that come out of nowhere and restore your faith in a genre you thought was on the verge of being lost.
This book served as a great end to the series as it answered all the questions I had and provided me with a satisfactory closure. Most of the times, series continue to be great until the last book where everything falls flat or at the least, you are left disappointed or unsatisfied because nothing can do justice to the awesomeness of the story. Many times writers simply don't know how to end a series and that is what ruins it entirely. But when it comes to this series, we have a writer who not only knows how to begin something epic and but also knows how to end it with the same rigour and grace.
And this series deserved a good ending because it was such a thrilling, complicated, exciting and engaging story about gripping, strong, believable and well-developed characters in realistic and intricate settings. This dystopian series is a hundred times better than most of the "best-selling" series of today. I would happily place this series with the likes of Hunger Games and Six Of Crows because the characters in this series face bigger problems than teenage hormonal dilemmas and are relatable in an unbelievable way.
The writing in this book was on par with the other books so far and made the reading of this book a pleasant ride. The tension and pacing were apt and I finished this book in no more than 3 days, so it was a very quick read. I'd recommend this book to all dystopian and fantasy lovers and to those who want to explore a unique new series by a new author.
Check out the other parts in this pentalogy here: A Touch Of Death (The Outlands Pentalogy #1), A History Of Madness (The Outlands Pentalogy #2), A Promise Of Return (The Outlands Penology #3) and A Dance Of Lies (The Outlands Pentalogy #4)
June 19, 2020
Fantastic ending novel to the pentalogy. The stories really came together in this one and I loved seeing the characters continue to progress & evolve right down to the last pages. This series is highly recommended to read with relatable characters, real-life emotions and action, comedy, and love rolled up into a delightful packet of books. Kudos to Rebecca for achieving the challenging feat of writing a five book series that was enjoyable to read right to the very end.
December 23, 2021
I was provided with an e-copy of the book by the author in exchange for a honest review.
This is exactly the kind of finale this series needed. I couldn't have thought of a better way to finish this amazing series.
The whole book is leading you to the inevitable rebellion that has been expected since book one. But at the same time there's so many things on the way, in part because none of the main characters really wants that rebellion as that will mean they will end up even more broken than they already are. And whereas these things add some mystery to the book - you are never sure if the rebellion is really about to start until it actually starts -, sometimes they also drove me crazy as there were moments the characters seemed to be doing nothing but existing - which is already a lot for characters that are broken beyond repair and haunted by terrifying demons that only exist inside their mind, but that doesn't really add much to the story and makes the pace a bit too slow.
I did like to see the characters handling those demons, their past, their traumas. That's something Crunden did really, really well. She has never once forgotten what her characters went through and she never used it just to make them more interesting - those traumas are present in every moment of their lives and condicionate them, those traumas are acknowledge and dealt with as they should be. And that is quite amazing, because in a kingdom where everyone has way too much to deal with, it would have been so easy to forget part of what happened sometimes. Crunden never does.
The one thing I liked the most, though, was the rebellion. How even that was conditioned by their traumas. How they had to fight those traumas in order to make the rebellion happen. And in the end, that rebellion is the ultimate fight against their traumas, it's the key to actually start healing, because for as long as the kingdom exists, there will always be new traumas, new losses and no one can really heal like that.
There are also things that bothered me, though. For once, how dumb can the entire kingdom be to buy Thom's story that easily? Even Taenia did it with little hesitation. How and why?! Who in their right mind (or as close as anyone in that kingdom can get to that) would buy that story? Thom had his life way too facilitated by people who should have never believed him and the only reason I can see for that is plot convenience and I hate when that happens.
Other thing I find way too hard to believe is how everyone that is actually important to the story found a way to survive. Let's be realistic, the most important characters are also the ones who risked the most, who fought the most dangerous enemies. And yet not even one of them is dead?! How??!!
Quick note: the way Crunden approaches so many controversial matters in such a natural way is absolutely perfect and I really admire her for doing that. Not wanting kids, abortion, sexual orientation. And much more. All handled perfectly.
Full review coming soon!
SCORE: 4.25 out of 5.00 stars
This is exactly the kind of finale this series needed. I couldn't have thought of a better way to finish this amazing series.
The whole book is leading you to the inevitable rebellion that has been expected since book one. But at the same time there's so many things on the way, in part because none of the main characters really wants that rebellion as that will mean they will end up even more broken than they already are. And whereas these things add some mystery to the book - you are never sure if the rebellion is really about to start until it actually starts -, sometimes they also drove me crazy as there were moments the characters seemed to be doing nothing but existing - which is already a lot for characters that are broken beyond repair and haunted by terrifying demons that only exist inside their mind, but that doesn't really add much to the story and makes the pace a bit too slow.
I did like to see the characters handling those demons, their past, their traumas. That's something Crunden did really, really well. She has never once forgotten what her characters went through and she never used it just to make them more interesting - those traumas are present in every moment of their lives and condicionate them, those traumas are acknowledge and dealt with as they should be. And that is quite amazing, because in a kingdom where everyone has way too much to deal with, it would have been so easy to forget part of what happened sometimes. Crunden never does.
The one thing I liked the most, though, was the rebellion. How even that was conditioned by their traumas. How they had to fight those traumas in order to make the rebellion happen. And in the end, that rebellion is the ultimate fight against their traumas, it's the key to actually start healing, because for as long as the kingdom exists, there will always be new traumas, new losses and no one can really heal like that.
There are also things that bothered me, though. For once, how dumb can the entire kingdom be to buy Thom's story that easily? Even Taenia did it with little hesitation. How and why?! Who in their right mind (or as close as anyone in that kingdom can get to that) would buy that story? Thom had his life way too facilitated by people who should have never believed him and the only reason I can see for that is plot convenience and I hate when that happens.
Other thing I find way too hard to believe is how everyone that is actually important to the story found a way to survive. Let's be realistic, the most important characters are also the ones who risked the most, who fought the most dangerous enemies. And yet not even one of them is dead?! How??!!
Quick note: the way Crunden approaches so many controversial matters in such a natural way is absolutely perfect and I really admire her for doing that. Not wanting kids, abortion, sexual orientation. And much more. All handled perfectly.
Full review coming soon!
SCORE: 4.25 out of 5.00 stars
February 16, 2022
I hate to have to do this. Put stars and words and stuff.
It means it's over. :(
Review to come - I'm experiencing issues with dealing with closure.
***
Let me tell you the most important thing about this series. I got to the end and wanted to go right back to the start and do it all over. Book 5 gave me the answers, but it also gave me a reminder of so many of the events that led up to it that I wanted to immediately revisit. This is a testament to the complexity of the world and characters that I merely by chance happened upon, and is not to be taken for granted. It is also a salute to the writer, and don't take for granted those writers who give you acres of onion storytelling (and compelling prose), because nowadays its feels like they are few and far between.
I've never really been into throwaway books. I read a few, just to pass the time, and honestly enjoyed them at that time, in the moment, but what they were and what they said I couldn't recall now if you asked me, because I like meat. I like things hidden about that I can pick up later. I like multiple angles I can explore. I like those special little quotes that only make sense when you reach the ultimate goal of your protags and you get the Aha! moment. Books that have so many layers, so many jigsaw pieces weaving about that you'll never remember on a first visit, that require you to visit again, and all the things then start to reveal themselves in totally new ways. I adore books that can feel like totally new stories when you revisit them, and I know this series will be on that shelf when I return to it. The Outlands Pentalogy has a top spot in this genre.
If you hadn't discerned it by now from my previous reviews, I love -- LOVE -- this series. If there was such a thing as Christmas in The Outlands, Nate, Thom, Kitty et al would be on the card list already, and receiving whiskey by the bucketload.
There will be a full and explicit (but not spoilerish) series update on https://www.loyal-lyre.uk/the-outland... very soon, but what I will say is that it is so refreshing not to be drowned in a bloody YA angsty piece of shite, where so many dystopias lie nowadays, and to find yourself seeing things from multiple points of view, and agreeing(!), especially from those characters who are not your main protags. Anyone who thinks that's easy to write can frankly feck off.
There are so many brilliant bits in this book I don't want to say about because it should be experienced as you read it, and also I dont want to spoil those precious moments, but I will say I am satisfied for closure. I am irrevocably saddened the series is over, but satisfied. The finale delivered, and a huge congratulations to Rebecca Crunden for her own deep enough love of her characters and world to ensure what we receive is nothing short of brilliant. Every time I read work of this calibre it makes me a better writer and better reader. My expectations stay high, my emotions challenged.
I think if you've made it to the end like I have in this series, you know what I mean. If you haven't started yet, prepare yourself. And blimey, was it just me, or did every time they eat make you want to stuff your face? Jesus, she's good at describing mealtimes.
------------------------
Sigh. The end of an era. Yet I feel like I've completed a journey with these characters, quite like the end of Buffy, where it ended just like it should have (until it didn't, but actually, still ended up pretty perfect).
Firstly, if you're not familiar with my general feelings on this series please see my previous reviews. Now you're all caught up, my feelings on the final instalment. And I'll try my hardest not to give spoilers.
In A Dance of Lies, our heroes (Nate, Thom and Kitty) finally got the catalyst to do what they've all really been needing and wanting to do, deep down, since all the crap that happened in the previous books. ALL the crap. Lies, betrayal, theft of liberty, enforced marriage, rape, murder, plague and imprisonment...and all that jazz. Not to mention all the people that came and went in their lives; those who believed in a new world, those who subscribed to the old.
But this finale is not just about righting governmental wrongs. It's an important message about loyalty, trust, and integrity. That those you might not come to agreement with on a daily basis might still serve as that support under a broader threat. That those who seem to be your enemies might only appear so superficially, and something deeper and more unifying might dissolve all those barriers.
I particularly loved the interactions between Nate and Charles, who we knew, of course, were so similar in personality they were bound the clash dramatically, due to the circumstance. but who also found their common ground, and managed to unify the people around them.
Thom, whose horrific experiences led him down a path dramatically different to what had been expected of him, and also, it seems, were entirely expected of him, occasionally made me want to just slap him, but that's because I love him and the others and this emotional rollercoaster was just immense and I wanted what's best for them...and breathe.
"This is not a world where friends fall out of the skies... We haven't met anyone worth knowing in a very long time."
Rebecca Crunden managed to keep not only mystery and suspense in what she describes as a jigsaw puzzle of a series, but managed to ensure the characters stayed true to themselves, whilst still taking their individual journeys, growing and evolving with their experiences, and fighting to overcome their deepest fears. She ensures the nuances of our each of their past actions still resonated throughout, and that those woven threads from the previous four books were nicely rounded. The characters are different enough that their opposing views and opinions don't dictate, they offer multi-faceted argument for rounded protagonists.
I'm not going to spoil the ending, but I will tell you I almost didn't want to read it because, well, it would have then ended, but also because I might not have been able to deal with the fallout...
Suffice to say, I am still intact emotionally - just - and satisfied with the rounding up of The Outlands Pentalogy.
If you are fed to the teeth with dystopian fiction being aimed at teenagers (and, a little insultingly, dumbed down for them too), then go on a layered, heart-wrenching and emotionally-complex journey from a fantastic indie author who deserves to be vastly read.
It means it's over. :(
Review to come - I'm experiencing issues with dealing with closure.
***
Let me tell you the most important thing about this series. I got to the end and wanted to go right back to the start and do it all over. Book 5 gave me the answers, but it also gave me a reminder of so many of the events that led up to it that I wanted to immediately revisit. This is a testament to the complexity of the world and characters that I merely by chance happened upon, and is not to be taken for granted. It is also a salute to the writer, and don't take for granted those writers who give you acres of onion storytelling (and compelling prose), because nowadays its feels like they are few and far between.
I've never really been into throwaway books. I read a few, just to pass the time, and honestly enjoyed them at that time, in the moment, but what they were and what they said I couldn't recall now if you asked me, because I like meat. I like things hidden about that I can pick up later. I like multiple angles I can explore. I like those special little quotes that only make sense when you reach the ultimate goal of your protags and you get the Aha! moment. Books that have so many layers, so many jigsaw pieces weaving about that you'll never remember on a first visit, that require you to visit again, and all the things then start to reveal themselves in totally new ways. I adore books that can feel like totally new stories when you revisit them, and I know this series will be on that shelf when I return to it. The Outlands Pentalogy has a top spot in this genre.
If you hadn't discerned it by now from my previous reviews, I love -- LOVE -- this series. If there was such a thing as Christmas in The Outlands, Nate, Thom, Kitty et al would be on the card list already, and receiving whiskey by the bucketload.
There will be a full and explicit (but not spoilerish) series update on https://www.loyal-lyre.uk/the-outland... very soon, but what I will say is that it is so refreshing not to be drowned in a bloody YA angsty piece of shite, where so many dystopias lie nowadays, and to find yourself seeing things from multiple points of view, and agreeing(!), especially from those characters who are not your main protags. Anyone who thinks that's easy to write can frankly feck off.
There are so many brilliant bits in this book I don't want to say about because it should be experienced as you read it, and also I dont want to spoil those precious moments, but I will say I am satisfied for closure. I am irrevocably saddened the series is over, but satisfied. The finale delivered, and a huge congratulations to Rebecca Crunden for her own deep enough love of her characters and world to ensure what we receive is nothing short of brilliant. Every time I read work of this calibre it makes me a better writer and better reader. My expectations stay high, my emotions challenged.
I think if you've made it to the end like I have in this series, you know what I mean. If you haven't started yet, prepare yourself. And blimey, was it just me, or did every time they eat make you want to stuff your face? Jesus, she's good at describing mealtimes.
------------------------
Sigh. The end of an era. Yet I feel like I've completed a journey with these characters, quite like the end of Buffy, where it ended just like it should have (until it didn't, but actually, still ended up pretty perfect).
Firstly, if you're not familiar with my general feelings on this series please see my previous reviews. Now you're all caught up, my feelings on the final instalment. And I'll try my hardest not to give spoilers.
In A Dance of Lies, our heroes (Nate, Thom and Kitty) finally got the catalyst to do what they've all really been needing and wanting to do, deep down, since all the crap that happened in the previous books. ALL the crap. Lies, betrayal, theft of liberty, enforced marriage, rape, murder, plague and imprisonment...and all that jazz. Not to mention all the people that came and went in their lives; those who believed in a new world, those who subscribed to the old.
But this finale is not just about righting governmental wrongs. It's an important message about loyalty, trust, and integrity. That those you might not come to agreement with on a daily basis might still serve as that support under a broader threat. That those who seem to be your enemies might only appear so superficially, and something deeper and more unifying might dissolve all those barriers.
I particularly loved the interactions between Nate and Charles, who we knew, of course, were so similar in personality they were bound the clash dramatically, due to the circumstance. but who also found their common ground, and managed to unify the people around them.
Thom, whose horrific experiences led him down a path dramatically different to what had been expected of him, and also, it seems, were entirely expected of him, occasionally made me want to just slap him, but that's because I love him and the others and this emotional rollercoaster was just immense and I wanted what's best for them...and breathe.
"This is not a world where friends fall out of the skies... We haven't met anyone worth knowing in a very long time."
Rebecca Crunden managed to keep not only mystery and suspense in what she describes as a jigsaw puzzle of a series, but managed to ensure the characters stayed true to themselves, whilst still taking their individual journeys, growing and evolving with their experiences, and fighting to overcome their deepest fears. She ensures the nuances of our each of their past actions still resonated throughout, and that those woven threads from the previous four books were nicely rounded. The characters are different enough that their opposing views and opinions don't dictate, they offer multi-faceted argument for rounded protagonists.
I'm not going to spoil the ending, but I will tell you I almost didn't want to read it because, well, it would have then ended, but also because I might not have been able to deal with the fallout...
Suffice to say, I am still intact emotionally - just - and satisfied with the rounding up of The Outlands Pentalogy.
If you are fed to the teeth with dystopian fiction being aimed at teenagers (and, a little insultingly, dumbed down for them too), then go on a layered, heart-wrenching and emotionally-complex journey from a fantastic indie author who deserves to be vastly read.
September 1, 2020
This collection of five books has been a joy and an adventure to read. The main characters pulled me into the first book and kept me coming back for more. While the book fits all the descriptive labels it has been given, it is also a book of crossing all the lines of diversity. The characters do not make the story so much as the story gives the characters life.
I was a tiny bit concerned as I read because the author once again had some elegant twists that I have come to expect in this series and I could not imagine I would be content with the ending. I was wrong. While I will miss Kitty, Nate, Thom, Riddle and all the others, I hope this author creates another world for me to occupy for a time.
I was a tiny bit concerned as I read because the author once again had some elegant twists that I have come to expect in this series and I could not imagine I would be content with the ending. I was wrong. While I will miss Kitty, Nate, Thom, Riddle and all the others, I hope this author creates another world for me to occupy for a time.
September 2, 2019
5 CRANKY STARS
BOOK 5 is finally here. You must start this series at the beginning for any of the action and characters to make sense. There is so much background information needed. This is well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s scary to think that the world could end up like this if we don’t change our way of thinking and acting.
The people they thought were friends and confidants have returned in hovers to arrest Kitty. They swear it is just for questioning but so far, nothing that has ever happened has gone smoothly. Kitty is adamant that she must go with them and try to clear up all the lies being told about her, Thom and Nate. Tension’s are high in the camp in the Outlands.
This is a story of rescue and rebellion, but mostly about love and family. It is hard to review these books because so much happens and I would hate to spoil the experience for anyone. Let’s suffice it to say, a plague is cured, a rebellion is born, and everyone joins together to wipe out the corrupt government in the Kingdom. Previous enemies become friends. Life does not end happily ever after, but it comes close for this young group of survivors. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and am sad to say goodbye to these characters.
BOOK 5 is finally here. You must start this series at the beginning for any of the action and characters to make sense. There is so much background information needed. This is well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s scary to think that the world could end up like this if we don’t change our way of thinking and acting.
The people they thought were friends and confidants have returned in hovers to arrest Kitty. They swear it is just for questioning but so far, nothing that has ever happened has gone smoothly. Kitty is adamant that she must go with them and try to clear up all the lies being told about her, Thom and Nate. Tension’s are high in the camp in the Outlands.
This is a story of rescue and rebellion, but mostly about love and family. It is hard to review these books because so much happens and I would hate to spoil the experience for anyone. Let’s suffice it to say, a plague is cured, a rebellion is born, and everyone joins together to wipe out the corrupt government in the Kingdom. Previous enemies become friends. Life does not end happily ever after, but it comes close for this young group of survivors. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and am sad to say goodbye to these characters.
August 15, 2019
Sometimes things are not as they appear. Has Kitty already been tried and sentenced in the court of public opinion before she has even had a chance to explain? Is Kitty responsible for all the deaths from the dreaded plague?
And Thom, always the fixer. Can he fix this by using the vast information he learned to use in his former life?
Once again Ms. Crunden has not disappointed. I cannot express how much I have enjoyed reading the Outlanders Pentalogy. Her writing style is superb. Her world building skill phenomenal. In my minds eye I can see this world perfectly as if I was there. I highly recommend this entire series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
And Thom, always the fixer. Can he fix this by using the vast information he learned to use in his former life?
Once again Ms. Crunden has not disappointed. I cannot express how much I have enjoyed reading the Outlanders Pentalogy. Her writing style is superb. Her world building skill phenomenal. In my minds eye I can see this world perfectly as if I was there. I highly recommend this entire series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
October 7, 2019
The much anticipated final instalment of The Outlands Pentalogy was well worth the wait. Great build up that kept me on the edge of my seat and the most perfect ending to a series that I have completely fallen in love with. I will miss this story dearly. Thank you to the author for creating such a magical world!
January 5, 2020
A satisfying ending to a series I'm definitely going to miss.
October 30, 2021
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FR REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Rebecca Crunden for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Time Of Prophecy is the final book in The Outlands Pentalogy. When I say I adore this series and I am in love with most of the characters, I am not even exaggerating. I was putting off reading this one because I was scared and didn’t know if my heart was capable of handling any more pain. These books have wrecked me and I mean that in the best way possible. I loved my experience of all the books in the series and this one did not disappoint either. I had high hopes and Rebecca delivered!! Now that I have gushed let’s get to the review.
The book was a satisfying conclusion to this wonderful series. The story is told in multiple POVs which I am a huge fan of. With each book in the series taking one character’s POV to tell the story, this one included all the major players and we get to see them tackle the issues head-on and understand their thought processes while they were at it. The plot moved at a more sedate pace and took its time to develop and conclude. It was not only realistic, it felt natural as well. The story takes us not only through the political conflicts but also through the relationship and personal conflicts. One thing that stands out throughout the series is how well the characters and their arcs are crafted. Chef’s Kiss!!
The plot progresses slower when compared to the previous books, taking the time to ensure closure and healing for the characters. The issues that surface in the books are dealt with with ease and promptly. I loved seeing some twists that were subtle and being surprised by how even things that were believed true for years could come out to be different and say another version in the future.
The story is equally memorable like the others in the series and leaves a mark on you. You miss the characters and the world, the very moment you finish the book. This is a series I want to return to at some point. The story of survival, love, family, hope, and honor is the one to stay in the minds of the readers for a long time to come. The evolution of the characters, the expansion of the world, and the execution of the plot were all fantastic. It felt very much believable and realistic. The genuine emotions the characters showed to the perfectly imperfect relationships and flawed main characters all added to the brilliant story making it an unforgettable read. I loved how each romantic relationship was well thought out and was not picture perfect in any sense. The possibility of more to come for some of these characters leaves the readers on a high note and with so much hope.
Overall, if you are looking for a dystopian sci-fi, fantasy story to sweep you off your feet with brilliant characters, and a unique setting, and an interesting plot, do pick this one up. This is one of the most underrated series and I wish more people were talking about this. Almost everyone is sleeping on it. I also hope this gets optioned for anime as it would be phenomenal. I gave the book 5 stars and my heart. For all the people who are sleeping on this series, Wake The F Up and read this book!! You are missing out on this gem of a series and trust me when I say you need this book in your life. You don’t even know what you are missing out on!! If you didn’t understand by now, yes, I am recommending this series, and yes I am urging you to go get this book, like right now.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL : YOUTUBE
FOLLOW ME ON : TWITTER INSTAGRAM
FR REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Rebecca Crunden for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Time Of Prophecy is the final book in The Outlands Pentalogy. When I say I adore this series and I am in love with most of the characters, I am not even exaggerating. I was putting off reading this one because I was scared and didn’t know if my heart was capable of handling any more pain. These books have wrecked me and I mean that in the best way possible. I loved my experience of all the books in the series and this one did not disappoint either. I had high hopes and Rebecca delivered!! Now that I have gushed let’s get to the review.
The book was a satisfying conclusion to this wonderful series. The story is told in multiple POVs which I am a huge fan of. With each book in the series taking one character’s POV to tell the story, this one included all the major players and we get to see them tackle the issues head-on and understand their thought processes while they were at it. The plot moved at a more sedate pace and took its time to develop and conclude. It was not only realistic, it felt natural as well. The story takes us not only through the political conflicts but also through the relationship and personal conflicts. One thing that stands out throughout the series is how well the characters and their arcs are crafted. Chef’s Kiss!!
The plot progresses slower when compared to the previous books, taking the time to ensure closure and healing for the characters. The issues that surface in the books are dealt with with ease and promptly. I loved seeing some twists that were subtle and being surprised by how even things that were believed true for years could come out to be different and say another version in the future.
The story is equally memorable like the others in the series and leaves a mark on you. You miss the characters and the world, the very moment you finish the book. This is a series I want to return to at some point. The story of survival, love, family, hope, and honor is the one to stay in the minds of the readers for a long time to come. The evolution of the characters, the expansion of the world, and the execution of the plot were all fantastic. It felt very much believable and realistic. The genuine emotions the characters showed to the perfectly imperfect relationships and flawed main characters all added to the brilliant story making it an unforgettable read. I loved how each romantic relationship was well thought out and was not picture perfect in any sense. The possibility of more to come for some of these characters leaves the readers on a high note and with so much hope.
Overall, if you are looking for a dystopian sci-fi, fantasy story to sweep you off your feet with brilliant characters, and a unique setting, and an interesting plot, do pick this one up. This is one of the most underrated series and I wish more people were talking about this. Almost everyone is sleeping on it. I also hope this gets optioned for anime as it would be phenomenal. I gave the book 5 stars and my heart. For all the people who are sleeping on this series, Wake The F Up and read this book!! You are missing out on this gem of a series and trust me when I say you need this book in your life. You don’t even know what you are missing out on!! If you didn’t understand by now, yes, I am recommending this series, and yes I am urging you to go get this book, like right now.
March 12, 2022
Family is not always the people you are related to. This, to me, is the essence of this whole pentalogy. It was amazing to see who ended up being friends and family by the end of this series! I will say it again, Rebecca Crunden was able to draw me into a series that I would never have thought of reading! Her writing is wonderful. She is an amazing storyteller! She truly draws you into the lives of her characters and has you rooting for the multitude of heroes and heroines in her pentalogy!
March 23, 2020
Brilliant and engrossing. A perfect ending to a deep and well shaped world. Everything came together for these characters and many lessons were learned. I’m gonna miss these characters but I’m satisfied that they all achieved what was truly meant for them in the end. This is definitely a series that deserves a reread too. Kudos to the author for building such a fantastic world.
December 30, 2019
very good.. awesome writing.. fun story.. not too bad.. it wasnt my favorite of this series but i did still enjoy this installment.. i really like this author and cant wait to read more.
September 30, 2021
I embarked on the journey to the Outlands in February 2021. The first book drew me into the world and with each book further into the series I got, the more I fell in love with the characters. The final book of the series was the perfect completion of the pentalogy.
Kitty, Thom, Nate and the rest of the gang start out right where A Dance of Lies ends, just like the rest of the series, the transition from each book was seamless. This was not a one sitting read for me this time. I took my time as savoured the last moments with these characters. There was so much to tie up in this book, and although not everything is polished and shiny, the ending certainly does not disappoint.
All the characters all grew tremendously in this last book and you would not even recognized the characters from the first book to now. They have endured torture, abuse, assault, and rebellion and it has changed them to their very core. I love their stories and the realism that is The Outlands Pentalogy. This is definitely a series I will be rereading in the future. Rebecca, this series is amazing and I cannot wait for your next series. Thank you for allowing me to review it for you and I'm sorry I put off saying goodbye to the Outlands for so long!
A special thank you goes out to Rebecca Crunden for providing me a copy of this book for review!
Kitty, Thom, Nate and the rest of the gang start out right where A Dance of Lies ends, just like the rest of the series, the transition from each book was seamless. This was not a one sitting read for me this time. I took my time as savoured the last moments with these characters. There was so much to tie up in this book, and although not everything is polished and shiny, the ending certainly does not disappoint.
All the characters all grew tremendously in this last book and you would not even recognized the characters from the first book to now. They have endured torture, abuse, assault, and rebellion and it has changed them to their very core. I love their stories and the realism that is The Outlands Pentalogy. This is definitely a series I will be rereading in the future. Rebecca, this series is amazing and I cannot wait for your next series. Thank you for allowing me to review it for you and I'm sorry I put off saying goodbye to the Outlands for so long!
A special thank you goes out to Rebecca Crunden for providing me a copy of this book for review!
March 22, 2021
A satisfying end to a wonderful series!
"A Time Of Prophecy" is the fifth and final book in The Outlands Pentalogy. It has been years since I have devoured a series this fast. I couldn’t help it. Not only was this a fascinating dystopian series, but the characters completely captivated me.
This book follows its own set of fresh events as well as ties up the entire series and the journey of the various characters. It takes us back to the kingdom, to Muntenia, along with some events taking place in the Outlands.
This series is highly character-driven. The character development in the final installment for Kitty, Nate, and Thom was nothing less then what they deserved. Each of them was tested more than they had ever been before. Their past scars and trauma were brought to the surface and they dealt with it, growing closer to each other.
I have to mention Thom. He gripped my heart right from the third book that narrates his story and quickly became one of my favorite characters of all time. This book brought out a side of him we had not seen before. He struggled with self-acceptance because of the things he had done in his past. I found him to be the most complex character and hence, the most interesting.
The romantic in me was eager to see what would happen with Thom and Riddle and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Their relationship was strange, yet beautiful and pure. They were more careful with each other’s feelings than they had been with anyone else’s. Thom was very considerate of Riddle even though his feelings didn’t progress as quickly as Riddle’s had. I loved seeing them grow closer to each other.
The author did a great job of creating intriguing side characters. Riddle, Blaise, Gao, and Charles are just a few of the characters I loved reading about and that I am going to remember.
This series kept me on edge, made me fall in love with fantasy again, and introduced me to characters I’m having difficulty saying goodbye to. I haven’t read many dystopian series but the Outlands Pentalogy is, without a doubt, the best one I have read so far. I cannot recommend it enough. I would love to re-read it in the future.
I recommend this series to all fantasy and dystopian lovers who are looking to read something fresh. Read this series for its wonderful world-building, setting, fast-pacing, and unforgettable characters.
Check out more of my book reviews, recommendations, and other content on my blog Travelling Through Words and bookstagram!
"A Time Of Prophecy" is the fifth and final book in The Outlands Pentalogy. It has been years since I have devoured a series this fast. I couldn’t help it. Not only was this a fascinating dystopian series, but the characters completely captivated me.
This book follows its own set of fresh events as well as ties up the entire series and the journey of the various characters. It takes us back to the kingdom, to Muntenia, along with some events taking place in the Outlands.
This series is highly character-driven. The character development in the final installment for Kitty, Nate, and Thom was nothing less then what they deserved. Each of them was tested more than they had ever been before. Their past scars and trauma were brought to the surface and they dealt with it, growing closer to each other.
I have to mention Thom. He gripped my heart right from the third book that narrates his story and quickly became one of my favorite characters of all time. This book brought out a side of him we had not seen before. He struggled with self-acceptance because of the things he had done in his past. I found him to be the most complex character and hence, the most interesting.
The romantic in me was eager to see what would happen with Thom and Riddle and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Their relationship was strange, yet beautiful and pure. They were more careful with each other’s feelings than they had been with anyone else’s. Thom was very considerate of Riddle even though his feelings didn’t progress as quickly as Riddle’s had. I loved seeing them grow closer to each other.
The author did a great job of creating intriguing side characters. Riddle, Blaise, Gao, and Charles are just a few of the characters I loved reading about and that I am going to remember.
This series kept me on edge, made me fall in love with fantasy again, and introduced me to characters I’m having difficulty saying goodbye to. I haven’t read many dystopian series but the Outlands Pentalogy is, without a doubt, the best one I have read so far. I cannot recommend it enough. I would love to re-read it in the future.
I recommend this series to all fantasy and dystopian lovers who are looking to read something fresh. Read this series for its wonderful world-building, setting, fast-pacing, and unforgettable characters.
Check out more of my book reviews, recommendations, and other content on my blog Travelling Through Words and bookstagram!
December 17, 2021
See more of my reviews and other bookish content here!
This is a hard book to review because it is difficult to separate my feelings about this installment from my feelings of the series overall. I love this series and these characters so much. It has become one of my favorite dystopian reads of all time. Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and liked where all the characters ended up. They each showed a lot of growth over the course of the series and that was brought to its logical end point here. I particularly love Thom and enjoyed reading his perspective here. He changed a lot over the course of the novel, and I liked who he ended up with romantically because it really showed how much he had changed. Although, I didn't like that his growth was nonlinear. He made a big decision in this book that felt quite regressive for the character, and I kind of wish he had insisted on finding some other way to accomplish the goal. It just felt a bit expedient and made all the growth up to that point in the novel feel less impactful. As with all the books before, this book tackled trauma, relationships, and the interaction of the two in a brilliant, unflinchingly honest way. I also really enjoyed the continued world-building and the inclusion of many characters from previous books. It made this send off feel quite grand in scope. My only other major complaint would be that the story felt rushed. I think this would have worked better as two books as there was lot to unpack with the formation of the rebel government, rescuing Kitty, the new plague, and overthrowing crown and council (plus all the character/relationship stuff going on). Despite the fast pace, the book did a good job of tidying up all the loose ends and providing a satisfying conclusion to all the character arcs. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This is a hard book to review because it is difficult to separate my feelings about this installment from my feelings of the series overall. I love this series and these characters so much. It has become one of my favorite dystopian reads of all time. Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and liked where all the characters ended up. They each showed a lot of growth over the course of the series and that was brought to its logical end point here. I particularly love Thom and enjoyed reading his perspective here. He changed a lot over the course of the novel, and I liked who he ended up with romantically because it really showed how much he had changed. Although, I didn't like that his growth was nonlinear. He made a big decision in this book that felt quite regressive for the character, and I kind of wish he had insisted on finding some other way to accomplish the goal. It just felt a bit expedient and made all the growth up to that point in the novel feel less impactful. As with all the books before, this book tackled trauma, relationships, and the interaction of the two in a brilliant, unflinchingly honest way. I also really enjoyed the continued world-building and the inclusion of many characters from previous books. It made this send off feel quite grand in scope. My only other major complaint would be that the story felt rushed. I think this would have worked better as two books as there was lot to unpack with the formation of the rebel government, rescuing Kitty, the new plague, and overthrowing crown and council (plus all the character/relationship stuff going on). Despite the fast pace, the book did a good job of tidying up all the loose ends and providing a satisfying conclusion to all the character arcs. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
May 3, 2021
The final book in The Outlands Pentalogy! And what an exciting conclusion.
Pros:
- This book switches between the POVs of Kitty, Nate and Thom. It was nice to spend time with each character in this final book.
- Loved the ending of the book. I felt like all the loose ends were tied up and I was very satisfied with it.
- Great diversity in this book, both sexualities and races. Also did a great job handling tough topics like trauma, sexual assault and rape.
Cons:
- The first third of the book was a little boring. I was missing the action that was present in the first three novels.
- Felt slightly repetitive dealing with the same issues in Thom & Charles & Riddle and Nate & Kitty's relationships.
- There were many side characters in the novel that I lost track of them at times.
Overall I really enjoyed this series. I think it's a refreshing take on the dystopian genre and would recommend it to anyone who wants something new and different. I give this book 4 stars and the series as a whole 4.25 stars.
Pros:
- This book switches between the POVs of Kitty, Nate and Thom. It was nice to spend time with each character in this final book.
- Loved the ending of the book. I felt like all the loose ends were tied up and I was very satisfied with it.
- Great diversity in this book, both sexualities and races. Also did a great job handling tough topics like trauma, sexual assault and rape.
Cons:
- The first third of the book was a little boring. I was missing the action that was present in the first three novels.
- Felt slightly repetitive dealing with the same issues in Thom & Charles & Riddle and Nate & Kitty's relationships.
- There were many side characters in the novel that I lost track of them at times.
Overall I really enjoyed this series. I think it's a refreshing take on the dystopian genre and would recommend it to anyone who wants something new and different. I give this book 4 stars and the series as a whole 4.25 stars.
Read
June 14, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Slavery
Child abuse mentioned
Rape
Sexual assault
Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic attacks & intrusive thoughts
Suicidal ideation
Alcohol consumption
Involuntary pregnancy mentioned
Abortion mentioned
Plague
Death of a child mentioned
Slavery
Child abuse mentioned
Rape
Sexual assault
Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic attacks & intrusive thoughts
Suicidal ideation
Alcohol consumption
Involuntary pregnancy mentioned
Abortion mentioned
Plague
Death of a child mentioned
July 12, 2023
To see a full review check it out here/
Wow, the ending! There was so much jam packed into the end that it was head spinning. That ending made the book for me.
Wow, the ending! There was so much jam packed into the end that it was head spinning. That ending made the book for me.
February 17, 2025
From debut to finis
What an astounding end to the series. The twists and turns kept coming through non stop action. The redemption arcs came through with emotionally spelled bullets. Honestly I'm left without words, a beautiful ending to a well thought out and manicured series.
What an astounding end to the series. The twists and turns kept coming through non stop action. The redemption arcs came through with emotionally spelled bullets. Honestly I'm left without words, a beautiful ending to a well thought out and manicured series.
December 9, 2021
Review to come!
October 22, 2022
Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• Civil war
• War crimes
• Human experimentation (without consent)
• Genocide
• Murder.
Characters
Following Kitty, Nate and Thom throughout the book we’re constantly changing perspectives depending on what’s happening. All three are fighting fit and ready to accomplish anything they set their minds to.
Storyline
Kickstarting the overall storyline for this book is Kitty being brought back into the Kingdom to stand trial for releasing a strain of the Plague that had no antidote and resulted in millions of people dying. When Kitty goes with them to be interviewed on her part in this happening, she learns the current state of the Kingdom and realises that she can’t continue with her life in the Outlands knowing what’s happening within the Kingdom.
Overall Thoughts
I’m going to come right out with my main gripe about this book.
It needed to be longer.
There, I said it!
Rebecca has created such an intricate, complex world that the events that play out in this book can’t be covered in the same depth as the previous books in the same number of pages. It just doesn’t work.
Kinda like the final Harry Potter book was split into two movies coz they knew they couldn’t do it justice in one movie. This book needed more time than a single book can provide AND give us the same level of detail and quality I’ve come to expect from this series.
So in a way this gripe is also a compliment (because Rebecca has created such a rich world), so you should definitely take that as the positive it is!
I just really wish Rebecca had decided to write a longer final book since we couldn’t make it 6 books given the name of the series (The Outlands Pentalogy). While it’d take longer to read, I definitely think it would’ve been worth it!
This book contains:
• Civil war
• War crimes
• Human experimentation (without consent)
• Genocide
• Murder.
Characters
Following Kitty, Nate and Thom throughout the book we’re constantly changing perspectives depending on what’s happening. All three are fighting fit and ready to accomplish anything they set their minds to.
Storyline
Kickstarting the overall storyline for this book is Kitty being brought back into the Kingdom to stand trial for releasing a strain of the Plague that had no antidote and resulted in millions of people dying. When Kitty goes with them to be interviewed on her part in this happening, she learns the current state of the Kingdom and realises that she can’t continue with her life in the Outlands knowing what’s happening within the Kingdom.
Overall Thoughts
I’m going to come right out with my main gripe about this book.
It needed to be longer.
There, I said it!
Rebecca has created such an intricate, complex world that the events that play out in this book can’t be covered in the same depth as the previous books in the same number of pages. It just doesn’t work.
Kinda like the final Harry Potter book was split into two movies coz they knew they couldn’t do it justice in one movie. This book needed more time than a single book can provide AND give us the same level of detail and quality I’ve come to expect from this series.
So in a way this gripe is also a compliment (because Rebecca has created such a rich world), so you should definitely take that as the positive it is!
I just really wish Rebecca had decided to write a longer final book since we couldn’t make it 6 books given the name of the series (The Outlands Pentalogy). While it’d take longer to read, I definitely think it would’ve been worth it!
my-books
February 26, 2023// a note from the author //
A Map for The Outlands Pentalogy.
A Map for The Outlands Pentalogy.
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