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Elixir #3
True (Elixir (Quality)) by Hilary Duff (1-Apr-2014) Paperback
The epic love story of Clea and Sage comes to its thrilling conclusion in the final book in the Elixir series by multitalented star Hilary Duff.Following the harrowing events of Elixir and Devoted—and the ceremony that almost killed Sage—Clea faces a new With Sage’s soul in Nico’s body, the love of her life looks an awful lot like her best friend’s boyfriend. Can Clea and Sage really be happy under these circumstances?Clea wants to try to enjoy their new life together, but Sage is acting different—angry—and she struggles to keep her friends from finding out what has happened to him. Something is clearly haunting Sage, and Clea is losing control. Can she trust her friends with the dangerous truth, or will she have to risk losing Sage to madness?
Unknown Binding
First published April 16, 2013
59 people are currently reading
4716 people want to read
About the author
Hilary Duff
32 books1,255 followersHilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, pop singer-songwriter and entrepreneur. After gaining fame for playing the title role in the television show Lizzie McGuire, Duff went on to have a film career; her most commercially successful movies include Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), and A Cinderella Story (2004).
Duff has expanded her repertoire into pop music, with four RIAA certified Platinum albums and over thirteen million albums sold worldwide. Her first studio album, Metamorphosis (2003), was certified triple platinum and she followed it up with two more platinum albums, Hilary Duff (2004) and Most Wanted (2005). Duff's last studio album, Dignity, was released in April 2007 and was certified Gold in August 2007.
She has also launched a clothing line, "Stuff by Hilary Duff", and two exclusive perfume collections with Elizabeth Arden. Duff and her mother were listed as producers for the movie Material Girls, As of April 2008, her upcoming films include the action thriller War, Inc., animated comedy Foodfight!, and independent films Greta and Safety Glass.
Duff has expanded her repertoire into pop music, with four RIAA certified Platinum albums and over thirteen million albums sold worldwide. Her first studio album, Metamorphosis (2003), was certified triple platinum and she followed it up with two more platinum albums, Hilary Duff (2004) and Most Wanted (2005). Duff's last studio album, Dignity, was released in April 2007 and was certified Gold in August 2007.
She has also launched a clothing line, "Stuff by Hilary Duff", and two exclusive perfume collections with Elizabeth Arden. Duff and her mother were listed as producers for the movie Material Girls, As of April 2008, her upcoming films include the action thriller War, Inc., animated comedy Foodfight!, and independent films Greta and Safety Glass.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
August 17, 2013
I know it's going to suck, but I'm going to read it anyway. Why do I put myself through these things?
Why did she suddenly switch to the present tense in this book? Why did she suddenly start switching POVs? Is it because present tense and multiple viewpoints are "in" right now? Geez.
The librarian made a comment while I was checking out this book, "Hilary Duff. I thought she was over and done with." Me too, man. Me too.
As I expected, it sucked. And what happened to Clea's dad? That part of the story was never concluded. It's like Hilary Duff just forgot all about it. WTF.
Also, what the hell is up with the cover? It looks like a teenage girl's Instagram photo.
Why did she suddenly switch to the present tense in this book? Why did she suddenly start switching POVs? Is it because present tense and multiple viewpoints are "in" right now? Geez.
The librarian made a comment while I was checking out this book, "Hilary Duff. I thought she was over and done with." Me too, man. Me too.
As I expected, it sucked. And what happened to Clea's dad? That part of the story was never concluded. It's like Hilary Duff just forgot all about it. WTF.
Also, what the hell is up with the cover? It looks like a teenage girl's Instagram photo.
April 16, 2021
1.5 stars
Dear Elixir series,
Once upon a time, I was young and naive. Your first installment, Elixir was so gleefully different and had such a mysterious and creepy vibe that I honestly couldn't put it down until I finished. I was excited. Especially because I completely adore Hilary Duff.
But maybe that made me see this in a more flattering light than warranted. But I was inexperienced! I honestly had not read much before that point, and now, the tables have surely turned. First of all, I think to an extent I would still enjoy Elixir today. But the series lost its momentum, and, to be honest, it should have been a stand alone. This is another case of a series that was poorly planned out and just jumping on the bandwagon.
Because, Elixir series, why do you have to engage in YA stereotypes, like the totally absent parents, the unlimited resources (due to the main character's senator mother), teenage fights that end in noncommunication, and love triangles? The love triangle was still the best developed of the overused tropes, but its appeal surely waned after the first book ended.
Also, why are you 'telling' me everything, and 'showing' me nothing? Honestly, while I may not remember if there is a clear difference between True and its prequels Elixir and Devoted, this whole book was telling. Every single paragraph read as, "I did this. I saw that. She said this. I said that. He looked away." It reads like an elementary level novel, and I've matured way beyond that.Hell, there are elementary level novels that are way better than this.
And, why is your plot so disjointed? Plot elements come out of nowhere. It doesn't work this way, Elixir series. Well-read readers will surely notice the fact that the plot is clearly made up as it goes along. Explanations for the world building and mythology are completely absent. When some new element is necessary, it appears. Very convenient, but not a good method of storytelling.
Why are your characters so bland? The romance was slightly appealing (in the previous books, not this one, Elixir once again being the highest point), but the characters themselves were cookie cutter creations. Stupid to boot. Like, Clea, in this brilliant (read: boring) installment, goes to investigate why Sage's soul seems to be rejected by Nico's body and ends up at a commune specializing in soul transitions. While she's there, the whole time she's laughing at the idiots for believing the bullshit that is preached there, but still lets herself get locked up there because she believes she can find answers. Sections like this (yes, there were more) make the entire book contradict and laugh at itself. But then another convenient plot element appears to explain and drive the plot.
Summing Up:
I stuck with this series since there was only one more book to go, but man do I wish I hadn't. This was such a waste of my money. I'm kind of eying the other books now, wondering if even Elixir, which I truly enjoyed way back when, would still be enjoyable. But will I reread? No. I've grown up. I know better. This just sucked. 1 orange for the plot that, while ridiculous, kept me turning the pages because at least the concept was mildly intriguing, and half an orange for the twist at the end that I honestly didn't expect.
Recommended To:
Nope, I wouldn't.
Dear Elixir series,
Once upon a time, I was young and naive. Your first installment, Elixir was so gleefully different and had such a mysterious and creepy vibe that I honestly couldn't put it down until I finished. I was excited. Especially because I completely adore Hilary Duff.
But maybe that made me see this in a more flattering light than warranted. But I was inexperienced! I honestly had not read much before that point, and now, the tables have surely turned. First of all, I think to an extent I would still enjoy Elixir today. But the series lost its momentum, and, to be honest, it should have been a stand alone. This is another case of a series that was poorly planned out and just jumping on the bandwagon.
Because, Elixir series, why do you have to engage in YA stereotypes, like the totally absent parents, the unlimited resources (due to the main character's senator mother), teenage fights that end in noncommunication, and love triangles? The love triangle was still the best developed of the overused tropes, but its appeal surely waned after the first book ended.
Also, why are you 'telling' me everything, and 'showing' me nothing? Honestly, while I may not remember if there is a clear difference between True and its prequels Elixir and Devoted, this whole book was telling. Every single paragraph read as, "I did this. I saw that. She said this. I said that. He looked away." It reads like an elementary level novel, and I've matured way beyond that.
And, why is your plot so disjointed? Plot elements come out of nowhere. It doesn't work this way, Elixir series. Well-read readers will surely notice the fact that the plot is clearly made up as it goes along. Explanations for the world building and mythology are completely absent. When some new element is necessary, it appears. Very convenient, but not a good method of storytelling.
Why are your characters so bland? The romance was slightly appealing (in the previous books, not this one, Elixir once again being the highest point), but the characters themselves were cookie cutter creations. Stupid to boot. Like, Clea, in this brilliant (read: boring) installment, goes to investigate why Sage's soul seems to be rejected by Nico's body and ends up at a commune specializing in soul transitions. While she's there, the whole time she's laughing at the idiots for believing the bullshit that is preached there, but still lets herself get locked up there because she believes she can find answers. Sections like this (yes, there were more) make the entire book contradict and laugh at itself. But then another convenient plot element appears to explain and drive the plot.
Summing Up:
I stuck with this series since there was only one more book to go, but man do I wish I hadn't. This was such a waste of my money. I'm kind of eying the other books now, wondering if even Elixir, which I truly enjoyed way back when, would still be enjoyable. But will I reread? No. I've grown up. I know better. This just sucked. 1 orange for the plot that, while ridiculous, kept me turning the pages because at least the concept was mildly intriguing, and half an orange for the twist at the end that I honestly didn't expect.
Recommended To:
Nope, I wouldn't.
Want to read
May 9, 2021Okay so Sage died, his soul landed in Nico's body, Rayna's love interest, I saw that coming, but I don't like Sage anymore, because I don't like Nico and becasue he broke the soulmate link between himself and Clea.
Let's see how it ends, and see if their love is strong enough, the whole lot of them, not only Sage and Clea.
Let's see how it ends, and see if their love is strong enough, the whole lot of them, not only Sage and Clea.
March 18, 2013
Completes the series, but it is very slow paced, and the tension that make the other books a little interesting is completely gone.
Want to read
August 6, 2012FINALLY!
December 27, 2015
This book was a surprisingly good read considering it had to follow on from the plot twist that happened at the end of book two . I absolutely hated that plot twist and the consequences that it would mean for the plot and for the characters.
The writing held my interest enough that I wanted to keep reading until the end even though I knew that I wasn’t going to get the ending that I wanted.
Overall it was a decent enough YA paranormal series. It’s just such a shame that the plot went in the direction that it ended up going in.
The writing held my interest enough that I wanted to keep reading until the end even though I knew that I wasn’t going to get the ending that I wanted.
Overall it was a decent enough YA paranormal series. It’s just such a shame that the plot went in the direction that it ended up going in.
Want to read
July 13, 2012Oh thank you Hilary Duff, I thought, Devoted ended kind of meanly, hope there is a 3rd book on it's way (it's understandable that she has been really busy with taking care of baby Luca) because I would really love to see Clea and Sage's story continue ;p
July 6, 2013
I Repeat - Why am I OCD and have to finish series that I start? This one goes way out there with the paranormal
April 5, 2015
The elixir trilogy has been a ride. Not a very good one. I finished the series out of obligation. Let's start with character development.
Character development was the one thing done right. The characters were believable and had no sudden changes, besides one. However, I hated sage, especially in this book. His abusive tendencies and the main characters willingness to accept it was disturbing. The selfishness and stupidity of these characters were beyond frustrating. The only character that flipped on a dime was Ben, the trusty sidekick and villain of the book. He was so back and forth that I feel like Duff should have given him split personality disorder to excuse his instability. I hated what she did to that character.
Now the writing style. Her writing flowed poetically with just the right amount of similes, alliteration and script. She didn't overuse any words, and it didn't appear as if she struggled with creative substitutes. I didn't find many spelling errors either.
The last paragraph is dedicated to my need to vent about the ending. Forgive me if I get unprofessional, but the uncreative end to this story infuriated me. There will be spoilers. In books, I find it's becoming more and more common for the main character to achieve his of her desires despite the other characters misfortunes. Gone are the days of Harry potter endings when it's a believable and satisfying end. I cannot forgive the outcome for the best friend Rayna. I cannot forgive that the main character used her best friends boyfriends body as a shell for her own boyfriend. I refuse to believe that Rayna could just accept seeing her boyfriends body constantly in the arms of her best friend. The ending of "hush hush will be ruined in this next sentence as comparison, so if you plan to read that, stop reading now.
The hush hush series ended with the main characters best friends boyfriend dying to save the main characters happiness. The main character achieved some bull sh*t reason to get her boyfriend back. It skipped 3 years ahead and the best friend was happy seeing someone else, and were supposed to just accept the sacrifice of the best friend for the main characters happiness. The trusty sidekick disappears with a bullsh*t reason with the main character "having pure intentions" with the outcome for the sidekick that was used and discarded.
Sound familiar? So were just supposed to be happy for the main character because the best friend is over the injustice in an unbelievable amount of time. I don't believe Cleas love for Sage was any more important than Raynas love for Nico. I don't think that Sage having multiple lives with Clea is fair, since Rayna and Nico only got one month together. Cleas and Sages love was at the sacrifice and unhappiness of many people, including themselves. Sage gave up their bond for another woman which was unaddressed. The main character just decided to forgive his disloyalty to not waste anymore time with him. How many people were sacrificed in the 5 lives it took for Sage and Clea to find happiness? Rayna and Nicos love was pure. Nobody was hurt. His intentions were pure. Raynas intentions were pure. They had a much better love story in one month than Sage and Clea had in 5 lifetimes.
The ending was not a happy one. The curse for an entire community of people was not lifted. A curse these people didn't deserve. Again, Clea and Sage get 5 lifetimes together, whereas these people get less than 30 years of life. The trusty sidekick Ben, found no resolution, no help and was discarded after being used in every way possible for the main character. I could not think of a worst ending for this book. All I know is that after sacrificing so many lives for their own happiness, the main characters should have learned a lesson. Those sacrificed should have found resolution. Those reading should have had an ending.
Character development was the one thing done right. The characters were believable and had no sudden changes, besides one. However, I hated sage, especially in this book. His abusive tendencies and the main characters willingness to accept it was disturbing. The selfishness and stupidity of these characters were beyond frustrating. The only character that flipped on a dime was Ben, the trusty sidekick and villain of the book. He was so back and forth that I feel like Duff should have given him split personality disorder to excuse his instability. I hated what she did to that character.
Now the writing style. Her writing flowed poetically with just the right amount of similes, alliteration and script. She didn't overuse any words, and it didn't appear as if she struggled with creative substitutes. I didn't find many spelling errors either.
The last paragraph is dedicated to my need to vent about the ending. Forgive me if I get unprofessional, but the uncreative end to this story infuriated me. There will be spoilers. In books, I find it's becoming more and more common for the main character to achieve his of her desires despite the other characters misfortunes. Gone are the days of Harry potter endings when it's a believable and satisfying end. I cannot forgive the outcome for the best friend Rayna. I cannot forgive that the main character used her best friends boyfriends body as a shell for her own boyfriend. I refuse to believe that Rayna could just accept seeing her boyfriends body constantly in the arms of her best friend. The ending of "hush hush will be ruined in this next sentence as comparison, so if you plan to read that, stop reading now.
The hush hush series ended with the main characters best friends boyfriend dying to save the main characters happiness. The main character achieved some bull sh*t reason to get her boyfriend back. It skipped 3 years ahead and the best friend was happy seeing someone else, and were supposed to just accept the sacrifice of the best friend for the main characters happiness. The trusty sidekick disappears with a bullsh*t reason with the main character "having pure intentions" with the outcome for the sidekick that was used and discarded.
Sound familiar? So were just supposed to be happy for the main character because the best friend is over the injustice in an unbelievable amount of time. I don't believe Cleas love for Sage was any more important than Raynas love for Nico. I don't think that Sage having multiple lives with Clea is fair, since Rayna and Nico only got one month together. Cleas and Sages love was at the sacrifice and unhappiness of many people, including themselves. Sage gave up their bond for another woman which was unaddressed. The main character just decided to forgive his disloyalty to not waste anymore time with him. How many people were sacrificed in the 5 lives it took for Sage and Clea to find happiness? Rayna and Nicos love was pure. Nobody was hurt. His intentions were pure. Raynas intentions were pure. They had a much better love story in one month than Sage and Clea had in 5 lifetimes.
The ending was not a happy one. The curse for an entire community of people was not lifted. A curse these people didn't deserve. Again, Clea and Sage get 5 lifetimes together, whereas these people get less than 30 years of life. The trusty sidekick Ben, found no resolution, no help and was discarded after being used in every way possible for the main character. I could not think of a worst ending for this book. All I know is that after sacrificing so many lives for their own happiness, the main characters should have learned a lesson. Those sacrificed should have found resolution. Those reading should have had an ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2013
**Original review posted here.**
I still find it hard to believe, but Hilary Duff is an author and she wrote this series and pulled off a pretty good trilogy. The Elixir novels were intense, romantic and intriguing. We never knew what would happen next and I enjoyed that. In True, book #3, we finally see the fate of Clea and Sage. Are they finally together for life or did the ceremony from Devoted end Sage's life forever? If you've read Elixir and Devoted then it's crucial that you finish the series and read True.
Sage is alive through Nico's body and this was the hardest part for me. That was Clea's best friends boyfriend who is now dead, but can be seen walking around, but it's not him. It was just hard to wrap my head around that, and be okay with it.
Sage is now dealing with anger issues from being inside Nicos body, and has become a violent person with episodes here and there and he's forgetting things that have just happened and Clea doesn't know why this is happening. She is determined to bring out the old Sage, her soul mate, the kind hearted Sage we all knew. Can she does this alone? Can she trust her friends to support her and help Sage? The ending of True will have you re-thinking the loyalties of all of the characters in this series and with the back and forth POV's of Clea and Rayna you will see things differently. How does Rayna feel now that her boyfriend has left the earth but his body remains? These are all new issues that will be dealt with in the final conclusion of Hilary Duff's Elixir Series.
I still find it hard to believe, but Hilary Duff is an author and she wrote this series and pulled off a pretty good trilogy. The Elixir novels were intense, romantic and intriguing. We never knew what would happen next and I enjoyed that. In True, book #3, we finally see the fate of Clea and Sage. Are they finally together for life or did the ceremony from Devoted end Sage's life forever? If you've read Elixir and Devoted then it's crucial that you finish the series and read True.
Sage is alive through Nico's body and this was the hardest part for me. That was Clea's best friends boyfriend who is now dead, but can be seen walking around, but it's not him. It was just hard to wrap my head around that, and be okay with it.
Sage is now dealing with anger issues from being inside Nicos body, and has become a violent person with episodes here and there and he's forgetting things that have just happened and Clea doesn't know why this is happening. She is determined to bring out the old Sage, her soul mate, the kind hearted Sage we all knew. Can she does this alone? Can she trust her friends to support her and help Sage? The ending of True will have you re-thinking the loyalties of all of the characters in this series and with the back and forth POV's of Clea and Rayna you will see things differently. How does Rayna feel now that her boyfriend has left the earth but his body remains? These are all new issues that will be dealt with in the final conclusion of Hilary Duff's Elixir Series.
August 16, 2019
Full series review: https://youtu.be/zFqXk9Kh43A
I just... I can't. When I was younger I read a bunch of these "paranormal romance" Twilight clones, some of them were awful, but some were decent too. This one is easily the worst. By far.
Even in the darkest times of teenage angst and love triangles, all of those at least attempted to have a supernatural plot with actual stakes. Elixir does not. Clea's father is confirmed to be alive at the end of book 1, but she never atries to look for him again, the story (author) just forgot about him. She rescues Sage at the end of book 2 and he gets a new body and... that's it as far as plot goes. True does not have anything resembling a plot.
There are a few events that transpire, sure, but none of them lead into each other the way a story does. They just happen.
And that ending... bleh. I don't hate cliched happy ever after endings, but they have to be earned. The final line in particular made me want to find Hilary Duff and slap her across the face for being stupid.
Just remember this: Books written by celebrities will almost universally be bad because they don't need to be good. Their name guarantees that their work will sell, so there's no need for things like editing. The proper work won't be put in, meaning a quality product won't come out.
I just... I can't. When I was younger I read a bunch of these "paranormal romance" Twilight clones, some of them were awful, but some were decent too. This one is easily the worst. By far.
Even in the darkest times of teenage angst and love triangles, all of those at least attempted to have a supernatural plot with actual stakes. Elixir does not. Clea's father is confirmed to be alive at the end of book 1, but she never atries to look for him again, the story (author) just forgot about him. She rescues Sage at the end of book 2 and he gets a new body and... that's it as far as plot goes. True does not have anything resembling a plot.
There are a few events that transpire, sure, but none of them lead into each other the way a story does. They just happen.
And that ending... bleh. I don't hate cliched happy ever after endings, but they have to be earned. The final line in particular made me want to find Hilary Duff and slap her across the face for being stupid.
Just remember this: Books written by celebrities will almost universally be bad because they don't need to be good. Their name guarantees that their work will sell, so there's no need for things like editing. The proper work won't be put in, meaning a quality product won't come out.
February 15, 2014
Ugh, I'm going to be honest. I was very disappointed with the ending to this book. I've spent the entire series wondering what happened with her dad (and thinking by the end we'd know), and it seems like in this book it was something that was completely forgotten and never even mentioned. I'm also not 100% sure I liked the ending. I was kind of like Rayna... back and forth with what I wanted to happen. Also... whatever happened to Amelia? I kept hoping we'd find something about about life after the ceremony for her, but there was no mention of Amelia ever again, either. Just so many plot holes that seemed completely abandoned.
The climax was probably the best part of the book, but over very quickly. I just feel like things kind of fell apart with this book, and it's just not the ending I was expecting. There's so much stuff that could have been done with the story line, and I just feel that books two and three just weren't up-to-par with the first one.
I just feel disappointed.
The climax was probably the best part of the book, but over very quickly. I just feel like things kind of fell apart with this book, and it's just not the ending I was expecting. There's so much stuff that could have been done with the story line, and I just feel that books two and three just weren't up-to-par with the first one.
I just feel disappointed.
April 22, 2013
I don't review books. I just have this app to look for new books and occasionally read someone's review to laugh or go "hmmm I might just see this point they're trying to make"
But this book upset me so much I just had to get on here and rant.
What the hell was on Hillary's mind to write this book the way she did?!
The man (Sage) is violent toward Clea and Rayna and everyone around him and it's okay because of the situation?! NOOOO.
Not to mention I never did find out about her dad. And then turning Ben into a bad guy?! So much about the contents upset me!
I LOVED Elixir, I was a bit torn with Devoted, but I just can't stand with True.
But this book upset me so much I just had to get on here and rant.
What the hell was on Hillary's mind to write this book the way she did?!
The man (Sage) is violent toward Clea and Rayna and everyone around him and it's okay because of the situation?! NOOOO.
Not to mention I never did find out about her dad. And then turning Ben into a bad guy?! So much about the contents upset me!
I LOVED Elixir, I was a bit torn with Devoted, but I just can't stand with True.
May 28, 2013
Truly one of the worst books I have ever read and I went into it with low expectations. I was hooked into the first book of this trilogy because I thought it had an interesting premise even though it was not well written. The only reason I read this book was to finish out the trilogy and find out what happened to the characters. This book was so teenage girl-ish, but not in a giddy, romantic, fun way, but in a snotty, spoiled, obnoxious, immature way.
November 17, 2014
Talk about a rushed ending!
Epic story dragging on then in about 15 pages we find answer, perform ritual and all live happy ever after? Yeah no. Glad this series is done. Was interesting but could have been written a lot better.
Am I happy with the ending? No not really. Am I glad its over? Most definitely!
Epic story dragging on then in about 15 pages we find answer, perform ritual and all live happy ever after? Yeah no. Glad this series is done. Was interesting but could have been written a lot better.
Am I happy with the ending? No not really. Am I glad its over? Most definitely!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2021
Rating: 1.5/5 stars
I have never been this disappointed in my life when it comes to a book series. I went into this trilogy 10-12 years ago feeling skeptical at first, knowing how Hollywood celebrities are often very shitty fiction writers except for maybe Lauren Conrad (but even for L.A. Candy series, the books weren't a 5-star material). But as I reached the final chapter of Duff's first book Elixir, I was stunned by how solid the storyline was.
Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. I felt that her second book Devoted was okay, with Duff expanding on the groups seeking vengeance on Sage, the immortal love interest of Clea. The book ended with a killing party and slightly forgivable cliffhanger. And the few instances of suspense were plausible enough. But barely.
And then, it was time for her third book, True. It took me 10 long years to finally pick this up for a few good reasons: 1) The ratings for this book were mostly low. So low that I thought ending at the second book would do me justice. 2) I assumed they stopped producing new copies of this book because it was not available everywhere online. But because I own the first two books, their presence had bothered me enough. I didn't feel good not completing the trilogy somehow. So I checked B&N online bookstore again and found that it's available in hardcover - I was ready to devour it and immediately ordered it.
I read the summary of the first two before getting into this. And I knew I needed to prepare myself for what was coming.
Safe to say, it disappointed me more than I anticipated. It started off okay. Not much happened in the first few chapters but it really was the second half of the book that I went "okay wtf" because all the crucial plot points felt either too short or too forced. Out of nowhere, geodes and magic crystals and greek goddesses made unnecessary appearances and these things were supposed to 'heal' the soul trapped in a bff's boyfriend's body? (of which the idea was very hard to stomach tbh). Ma'am I simply didn't buy it. Nowhere throughout this trilogy mentioned anything about greek myths other than this. It was SUPER RANDOM as if Duff decided to search on Google 'healing greek myth crystals' and made it into a critical solution to the careless mistake committed by Clea in the first place. da fuuuuuuuuq.
It was a really terrible ending, guys. You have no idea. I mean, imagine this: Nothing happened to the villain after he failed to operate his grand scheme. Clea simply let him go and not even a single scratch was found on him. Where he went after that, nobody knows and no one ever will.
Again, I simply cannot stomach the idea of having your immortal boyfriend's soul stuck in your bestfriend's dead boyfriend's body. And you want me to believe that the bestfriend was okay with that idea? Especially when the boyfriend was going to ask her hand in marriage before he died? And the bestfriend just felt "okay" witnessing Clea & the boyfriend's PDA licking each other's faces? BRUH.
Okay I'll stop here. I've ranted enough. Hahaha...
Long story short, stay at home. Positive cases are rising.
I have never been this disappointed in my life when it comes to a book series. I went into this trilogy 10-12 years ago feeling skeptical at first, knowing how Hollywood celebrities are often very shitty fiction writers except for maybe Lauren Conrad (but even for L.A. Candy series, the books weren't a 5-star material). But as I reached the final chapter of Duff's first book Elixir, I was stunned by how solid the storyline was.
Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. I felt that her second book Devoted was okay, with Duff expanding on the groups seeking vengeance on Sage, the immortal love interest of Clea. The book ended with a killing party and slightly forgivable cliffhanger. And the few instances of suspense were plausible enough. But barely.
And then, it was time for her third book, True. It took me 10 long years to finally pick this up for a few good reasons: 1) The ratings for this book were mostly low. So low that I thought ending at the second book would do me justice. 2) I assumed they stopped producing new copies of this book because it was not available everywhere online. But because I own the first two books, their presence had bothered me enough. I didn't feel good not completing the trilogy somehow. So I checked B&N online bookstore again and found that it's available in hardcover - I was ready to devour it and immediately ordered it.
I read the summary of the first two before getting into this. And I knew I needed to prepare myself for what was coming.
Safe to say, it disappointed me more than I anticipated. It started off okay. Not much happened in the first few chapters but it really was the second half of the book that I went "okay wtf" because all the crucial plot points felt either too short or too forced. Out of nowhere, geodes and magic crystals and greek goddesses made unnecessary appearances and these things were supposed to 'heal' the soul trapped in a bff's boyfriend's body? (of which the idea was very hard to stomach tbh). Ma'am I simply didn't buy it. Nowhere throughout this trilogy mentioned anything about greek myths other than this. It was SUPER RANDOM as if Duff decided to search on Google 'healing greek myth crystals' and made it into a critical solution to the careless mistake committed by Clea in the first place. da fuuuuuuuuq.
It was a really terrible ending, guys. You have no idea. I mean, imagine this: Nothing happened to the villain after he failed to operate his grand scheme. Clea simply let him go and not even a single scratch was found on him. Where he went after that, nobody knows and no one ever will.
Again, I simply cannot stomach the idea of having your immortal boyfriend's soul stuck in your bestfriend's dead boyfriend's body. And you want me to believe that the bestfriend was okay with that idea? Especially when the boyfriend was going to ask her hand in marriage before he died? And the bestfriend just felt "okay" witnessing Clea & the boyfriend's PDA licking each other's faces? BRUH.
Okay I'll stop here. I've ranted enough. Hahaha...
Long story short, stay at home. Positive cases are rising.
May 31, 2013
Originally published at Gypsy Reviews
Dear True,
You know why I picked you up? You know the only reason why I would have opened you up? The name – Hilary Duff. Yes, my childhood idol. I can shamelessly say I adored her Metamorphosis album and Lizzie McGuire was made of so much awesome your favourites couldn’t even. Back when I was a naive reader, I picked up Elixir and Devoted and found them decent enough but once I pick you up, YIKES. It was an explosion of nopes, what, rolling eyes and are you serious?
Clea Clea Clea, oh Clea Clea Clea. No matter how much you love Sage, you had to admit to yourself that it was getting out of hand. Plus the convenience of unlimited money, resources and oh look! The absence of your mother and we never even found out what really happened to your father. I saw you taking care of Sage a lot and uh, not much after that. Yup. Very flat, one-dimensional and I’m sorry girl but you got boring really fast. I don’t really know what to say about you either Sage. No telling us what was going on with you even with your blank-outs and fits of violence, we knew you were having issues with the whole being in Nico’s body but come on, we didn’t get much.
Uhm Rayna, okay. Well I can’t really wrap my head about how you wanted to get married so soon and figured out Nico was going to be your one true love. Storming off, acting all childish. Wait, how old did you say you were again? I must admit though you redeemed yourself at the end so I like you a bit better than Clea who didn’t really do anything. Well I don’t think anyone really did anything apart from Ben who did the usual research and contributed to making the plot move and progress.
The plot was boring, what can I say? We get Clea monologuing a lot and trying to restrain Sage from going mad for a good half of the book then we get some development going and la dee la da we find out more about how to save Sage. Someone old pops up and gives a hint, then some pulling of strings and to a ritual and BAM! PLOT TWIST and then The End. I admit, if it weren’t for the large fonts, I might not have read you so fast.
Can I just talk about the PLOT TWIST. Right at the last ten pages and you would never see it coming. But True, seriously? You just spring that on us without any explanation at all? What was going on? I could have done without that and been okay with the inevitable Happily Ever After that was going to come. I feel so cheated okay, we had an agreement True, Happily Ever Afters only! How could you break it, how could you!
I don’t really know how to feel about the writing, there were quite a few words I had never seen before and my eyes bug out at new words because I am such a nerd. I love new and complicated words. But the writing was so simple and then these big words get thrown in. It’s so confusing and ruined the entire flow. Don’t try to change, True, okay? You were okay with the way you are, you don’t have to try and be a cool kid by adding in big words. Leave that to the big boys.
I didn’t expect much from you True but meh, you were a pretty cliche stereotyped story with the whole ~true love~ aspect. I had hoped for maybe you know a little surprise but I would have been fine with everything ending at Devoted. But True, you exemplify the powerful marketing scheme of a very famous celebrity who I adore so well, you did well on that part *thumbs up*
Verdict: Meh, skip this. You could do without reading this series.
Dear True,
You know why I picked you up? You know the only reason why I would have opened you up? The name – Hilary Duff. Yes, my childhood idol. I can shamelessly say I adored her Metamorphosis album and Lizzie McGuire was made of so much awesome your favourites couldn’t even. Back when I was a naive reader, I picked up Elixir and Devoted and found them decent enough but once I pick you up, YIKES. It was an explosion of nopes, what, rolling eyes and are you serious?
Clea Clea Clea, oh Clea Clea Clea. No matter how much you love Sage, you had to admit to yourself that it was getting out of hand. Plus the convenience of unlimited money, resources and oh look! The absence of your mother and we never even found out what really happened to your father. I saw you taking care of Sage a lot and uh, not much after that. Yup. Very flat, one-dimensional and I’m sorry girl but you got boring really fast. I don’t really know what to say about you either Sage. No telling us what was going on with you even with your blank-outs and fits of violence, we knew you were having issues with the whole being in Nico’s body but come on, we didn’t get much.
Uhm Rayna, okay. Well I can’t really wrap my head about how you wanted to get married so soon and figured out Nico was going to be your one true love. Storming off, acting all childish. Wait, how old did you say you were again? I must admit though you redeemed yourself at the end so I like you a bit better than Clea who didn’t really do anything. Well I don’t think anyone really did anything apart from Ben who did the usual research and contributed to making the plot move and progress.
The plot was boring, what can I say? We get Clea monologuing a lot and trying to restrain Sage from going mad for a good half of the book then we get some development going and la dee la da we find out more about how to save Sage. Someone old pops up and gives a hint, then some pulling of strings and to a ritual and BAM! PLOT TWIST and then The End. I admit, if it weren’t for the large fonts, I might not have read you so fast.
Can I just talk about the PLOT TWIST. Right at the last ten pages and you would never see it coming. But True, seriously? You just spring that on us without any explanation at all? What was going on? I could have done without that and been okay with the inevitable Happily Ever After that was going to come. I feel so cheated okay, we had an agreement True, Happily Ever Afters only! How could you break it, how could you!
I don’t really know how to feel about the writing, there were quite a few words I had never seen before and my eyes bug out at new words because I am such a nerd. I love new and complicated words. But the writing was so simple and then these big words get thrown in. It’s so confusing and ruined the entire flow. Don’t try to change, True, okay? You were okay with the way you are, you don’t have to try and be a cool kid by adding in big words. Leave that to the big boys.
I didn’t expect much from you True but meh, you were a pretty cliche stereotyped story with the whole ~true love~ aspect. I had hoped for maybe you know a little surprise but I would have been fine with everything ending at Devoted. But True, you exemplify the powerful marketing scheme of a very famous celebrity who I adore so well, you did well on that part *thumbs up*
Verdict: Meh, skip this. You could do without reading this series.
March 27, 2014
Dude, I read this book knowing that it would be bad (after all, have you seen my previous review for this series?!) But I was hoping for funny bad, no "Oh my gosh, why did we kill trees for this??!" Bad.
Firstly, if I ever have to hear one more over dramatic corny line about true love without reason ever again, I may get physically sick. That being said, it was also ridiculously funny. Not actual funny, but like, wow, and this got published funny...
Next, more unrealistic events going on. I mean, who's mom lets their 17 year old daughter vanish for weeks at a time without checking in?? Pretty sure that's child abuse. Your kid also hid a boy in your house for almost 2 weeks. Didn't notice that either. Also, if my best friend ended up killing my boyfriend, all would not be forgiven in less than a week and a half. Or ever. Rayna should be a nun for forgiveness that fast.
Oh, and speaking about abuse, whether your boyfriend is possessed or not, don't be alone with him when he gets into his violent episodes. EVER.
AND WHY DID WE NEVER FIND OUT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO HER DAD?!!?!?! Is he alive? Dead? Did we just not care once Sage was all good and dandy? Guess not.
Lastly, cheap ending. Like, make my blood boil ending. Oh, this character that's been helping through out the entire book series who is the most realistic and most likable character here??? Oh, we're going to make him the bad guy. Why? 'Cause, why not. Also, he'll still want to be your friend after betraying you. Maybe some possession there would have explained it A LOT better. That would have actually really tied in everything that happened within the first two books. But nope. No explanation. You're evil because the book needed you to be. CHEAP.
***MY PERSONAL NOTE TO MISS DUFF: ---free spoilers---
First of all, you're a much better person than me with all of that charity stuff you've been doing. But please, for the love of trees everywhere, don't write any more books. In fact, if you'd like to start a recycling program for your books, I would help so fast on that charity case. Also, Ben was my favorite, and you ruined him and that makes you kind of a dick. Actually, take out that "kind of" and that sentence is much more true than before. I'm really mad that you made Ben evil for no plot benefit at all. P.S., this is why people hate reading, because books like these take the only good thing in them and ruin them.
J.M.
P.S. Part II: Your perfume kinda sucks too. That's much easier to fix than your books.
P.S. part III: Recycling Hilary Duff Books Charity Program... Think about it.
Firstly, if I ever have to hear one more over dramatic corny line about true love without reason ever again, I may get physically sick. That being said, it was also ridiculously funny. Not actual funny, but like, wow, and this got published funny...
Next, more unrealistic events going on. I mean, who's mom lets their 17 year old daughter vanish for weeks at a time without checking in?? Pretty sure that's child abuse. Your kid also hid a boy in your house for almost 2 weeks. Didn't notice that either. Also, if my best friend ended up killing my boyfriend, all would not be forgiven in less than a week and a half. Or ever. Rayna should be a nun for forgiveness that fast.
Oh, and speaking about abuse, whether your boyfriend is possessed or not, don't be alone with him when he gets into his violent episodes. EVER.
AND WHY DID WE NEVER FIND OUT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO HER DAD?!!?!?! Is he alive? Dead? Did we just not care once Sage was all good and dandy? Guess not.
Lastly, cheap ending. Like, make my blood boil ending. Oh, this character that's been helping through out the entire book series who is the most realistic and most likable character here??? Oh, we're going to make him the bad guy. Why? 'Cause, why not. Also, he'll still want to be your friend after betraying you. Maybe some possession there would have explained it A LOT better. That would have actually really tied in everything that happened within the first two books. But nope. No explanation. You're evil because the book needed you to be. CHEAP.
***MY PERSONAL NOTE TO MISS DUFF: ---free spoilers---
First of all, you're a much better person than me with all of that charity stuff you've been doing. But please, for the love of trees everywhere, don't write any more books. In fact, if you'd like to start a recycling program for your books, I would help so fast on that charity case. Also, Ben was my favorite, and you ruined him and that makes you kind of a dick. Actually, take out that "kind of" and that sentence is much more true than before. I'm really mad that you made Ben evil for no plot benefit at all. P.S., this is why people hate reading, because books like these take the only good thing in them and ruin them.
J.M.
P.S. Part II: Your perfume kinda sucks too. That's much easier to fix than your books.
P.S. part III: Recycling Hilary Duff Books Charity Program... Think about it.
May 6, 2013
I'm almost embarrassed to admit I read this book, but I read the first two in the series so I felt like I needed to finish it out.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the first two. It felt more out there, and for lack of a better term, weird. I really only started getting into it in the last 50 or so pages when I wanted to see how it ended. It definitely wasn't horrible, but I have to say I'm glad the series is over, because once I start a series it's hard for me to stop, no matter how bad the books get.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the first two. It felt more out there, and for lack of a better term, weird. I really only started getting into it in the last 50 or so pages when I wanted to see how it ended. It definitely wasn't horrible, but I have to say I'm glad the series is over, because once I start a series it's hard for me to stop, no matter how bad the books get.
May 28, 2013
LONG STORY SHORT: I got a copy of "True" when I went to the Ellen Degeneres show and Hilary Duff (ugh) was the guest. I was skeptical at first (just because she's a celebrity doesn't mean she should be an author, right?)...but then I felt bad for being judgmental.
I grabbed the first two books in the series from my library (I wasn't going to spend money on them) and began.
It went from bad to worse...and then MUCH WORSE. I really should have trusted my initial feelings.
I feel like my brain needs to be washed out.
I grabbed the first two books in the series from my library (I wasn't going to spend money on them) and began.
It went from bad to worse...and then MUCH WORSE. I really should have trusted my initial feelings.
I feel like my brain needs to be washed out.
May 19, 2016
Ha sido el libro más lento de la trilogía y a pesar de ser el desenlace me ha dejado con un par de dudas que me hubiese gustado que se resolvieran.
De todas formas ha estado muy bien, ya que la trama ha continuado siendo interesante aunque en muchas ocasiones bastante fantástica.
También he echado de menos un poco más de acción con Sage y con respecto a él y Clea, ya que dicen estar enamorados y no han pasado tiempo juntos, por lo que por esa parte me falta credibilidad.
Aún así me ha gustado la historia los personajes y la forma en la que está narrado.
De todas formas ha estado muy bien, ya que la trama ha continuado siendo interesante aunque en muchas ocasiones bastante fantástica.
También he echado de menos un poco más de acción con Sage y con respecto a él y Clea, ya que dicen estar enamorados y no han pasado tiempo juntos, por lo que por esa parte me falta credibilidad.
Aún así me ha gustado la historia los personajes y la forma en la que está narrado.
September 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this final book in the trilogy. I love romance novels and am happy how the book ended with Nico saying goodbye (although I did hope he would somehow come back and Sage would take another body). I seriously thought that Ben had changed and was blindsided by what he did. Good ending Hilary! I hope to hear (read?) more from ya in the future!
February 14, 2016
Minus the foul language. This book was the best one out of the series. It's too bad Duff decided not to write anymore books because she proved to readers that she is talented not just in the film industry, but in writing as well. Of course books one and two should be read in order to fully understand the plot and what is happening.
February 22, 2025
I reread this series when I had flu and I had a great time
Ben messes everything up yet
Celebrity Clea (who can't even shop in Japan without being swarmed with people taking photos) goes undercover in a dodgy sounding spa
This was a chaotic end to a chaotic series. It's candyfloss for the soul! No nutritional value but high in joy
Ben messes everything up yet
Celebrity Clea (who can't even shop in Japan without being swarmed with people taking photos) goes undercover in a dodgy sounding spa
This was a chaotic end to a chaotic series. It's candyfloss for the soul! No nutritional value but high in joy
Want to read
November 9, 2012YES YES A COVER
Don't like the cover of the font though. Once again, it should MATCH the color of the fonts on the other books.
Anyway, I need this to hurry up and be out so I can have an excuse to re-read the series! :p
Don't like the cover of the font though. Once again, it should MATCH the color of the fonts on the other books.
Anyway, I need this to hurry up and be out so I can have an excuse to re-read the series! :p
March 1, 2021
Cheesy romance teen novel. Only read to complete the first two. Poorly written, not a fan.
August 22, 2022
Hilary Duff what did you do?! And why did I feel compelled to read all three books in this series? I will never get all those brain cells back.
I wanted to like this series I really did. However, I can’t say that. I hated Sage in this book. I hated the person Clea became (I haven’t been thrilled about her as character in general to be honest. She’s a walking stereotype). Reader beware! This entire series is a mess.
I wanted to like this series I really did. However, I can’t say that. I hated Sage in this book. I hated the person Clea became (I haven’t been thrilled about her as character in general to be honest. She’s a walking stereotype). Reader beware! This entire series is a mess.
April 4, 2022
I only read this because I'm a completionist... but I'm finally done!
December 7, 2014
*Sometimes two and a half stars but sometimes three... I'm conflicted about this one.*
There are vague, but spoiler-type things here. Especially at the end.
It's been about three years since I read the second book in this series, Devoted.
By default, it's been even longer since I read the first book, Elixir.
If I read them now, I would probably react the same way as I did to big chunks of this book. Namely, the parts that are wrapped up too tightly in love.
Please, no. I can't handle two, "Character #27 is the love of my life and I can't live without them," plots in one book.
I have a problem with the romance in this that I had with the romance in the Divergent trilogy: There are very, very important and dramatic things happening, and I'm primarily seeing the love-birds during these tense and dramatic times. That being so, why would their love story be of any priority to me?
Romance is wonderful, and the literal-soul-mates idea and the stuff that opened up in the story is what kept me reading these books. On the other hand, it's the magical elements of it all and, again, what it opens up that gripped me, not the romance itself.
Granted, that isn't an issue too often here. Rayna's grieving was a bit much for me at first, mostly because I thought that might be her entire arc - grief and blaming people. Then she shows a lot of loyalty in parts I won't spoil, and gets pretty kick-ass in another part I won't spoil.
The Transitions subplot (again, no spoilers) felt like just that, a subplot. It was a somewhat clumsy way to reintroduce an old character to shed some light on the situation. Personally, I was really interested in what was going on there and what Clea might unearth, but then it was cut short with a far too quick and far too easy resolution.
Like the book itself.
After a couple hundred pages of building up the drama, and slowly building into what may or may not happen, one major character does something out of character that threatens everything (oh no!) and then another major character takes a couple of pages tops to stop this and save the day. (yay!)
I know why the out-of-character-ness happened. It fits the canon, and therefore keeps the series in sync and doesn't have a big part of the mythos change because the author(s) decided now was the time for it to do so.
But, and this is important, you can't just rely on your existing plot to sell something. You have to actually set it up. This out-of-character behaviour makes sense (even though it does, *SPOILER* link everything back to love and how humans in fiction evidently abandon even their basic morals for it.)but only because of what's happened in the mythos. - There's no hint to it happening, or a anything that makes us or the other characters suspicious.
Then, of course, that gets swept away worryingly easily to. Because love is still a thing, and that means you can forgive uncharacteristic attempts at *stops self from massive spoiler, but yeah it's something awful.*
As with the rest of this series, which I imagine my younger self was very positive about, and honestly I really did enjoy: There's some really interesting ideas and I could read more and more about the mythos and the Elixir itself and the concept of literal soul-mates and that incurring reincarnations. But it's still a series conceived by a former teen idol and marketed to teenage girls that name-drops Twilight, with an occasionally Mary Sue-ish heroine at its centre.
Wonderful ideas, solid if not stellar writing, but I wouldn't mind something less schmaltzy.
There are vague, but spoiler-type things here. Especially at the end.
It's been about three years since I read the second book in this series, Devoted.
By default, it's been even longer since I read the first book, Elixir.
If I read them now, I would probably react the same way as I did to big chunks of this book. Namely, the parts that are wrapped up too tightly in love.
Please, no. I can't handle two, "Character #27 is the love of my life and I can't live without them," plots in one book.
I have a problem with the romance in this that I had with the romance in the Divergent trilogy: There are very, very important and dramatic things happening, and I'm primarily seeing the love-birds during these tense and dramatic times. That being so, why would their love story be of any priority to me?
Romance is wonderful, and the literal-soul-mates idea and the stuff that opened up in the story is what kept me reading these books. On the other hand, it's the magical elements of it all and, again, what it opens up that gripped me, not the romance itself.
Granted, that isn't an issue too often here. Rayna's grieving was a bit much for me at first, mostly because I thought that might be her entire arc - grief and blaming people. Then she shows a lot of loyalty in parts I won't spoil, and gets pretty kick-ass in another part I won't spoil.
The Transitions subplot (again, no spoilers) felt like just that, a subplot. It was a somewhat clumsy way to reintroduce an old character to shed some light on the situation. Personally, I was really interested in what was going on there and what Clea might unearth, but then it was cut short with a far too quick and far too easy resolution.
Like the book itself.
After a couple hundred pages of building up the drama, and slowly building into what may or may not happen, one major character does something out of character that threatens everything (oh no!) and then another major character takes a couple of pages tops to stop this and save the day. (yay!)
I know why the out-of-character-ness happened. It fits the canon, and therefore keeps the series in sync and doesn't have a big part of the mythos change because the author(s) decided now was the time for it to do so.
But, and this is important, you can't just rely on your existing plot to sell something. You have to actually set it up. This out-of-character behaviour makes sense (even though it does, *SPOILER* link everything back to love and how humans in fiction evidently abandon even their basic morals for it.)but only because of what's happened in the mythos. - There's no hint to it happening, or a anything that makes us or the other characters suspicious.
Then, of course, that gets swept away worryingly easily to. Because love is still a thing, and that means you can forgive uncharacteristic attempts at *stops self from massive spoiler, but yeah it's something awful.*
As with the rest of this series, which I imagine my younger self was very positive about, and honestly I really did enjoy: There's some really interesting ideas and I could read more and more about the mythos and the Elixir itself and the concept of literal soul-mates and that incurring reincarnations. But it's still a series conceived by a former teen idol and marketed to teenage girls that name-drops Twilight, with an occasionally Mary Sue-ish heroine at its centre.
Wonderful ideas, solid if not stellar writing, but I wouldn't mind something less schmaltzy.
June 12, 2017
a fair amount of twists and an ending one could have only hoped for.
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