The epic conclusion to the Girl in the Box series.
Sienna Nealon seems like a woman beaten. Imprisoned by her enemies, facing the extinction of her entire race, she is up against overwhelming odds. But overwhelming odds have never stopped her before. In the final volume of the epic Girl in the Box Series, Sienna Nealon must face her fears, face her foes, and then go up against the single most powerful man in the world - Sovereign - in order to save her world from complete and total destruction.
Robert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.
Loved the ten books but am disappointed in the ending. This author is addicted to his character. After ten books the author should of put the story to bed. It is very disappointing to read all ten then to discover that the character will continue for another series of books. Why not move on and write something else? For me it's discouraging and I will not continue on for another 15 books.....
It’s no secret that I am a massive fan of Robert J. Crane’s work. Plus, he’s a funny guy (have you seen the interview I did with him earlier this year) AND he interacts with the fans. Personally. All whilst keeping up a frankly manic release schedule.
But all good things must come to an end. We’ve watched Sienna kick various meta ass, whilst also occasionally getting her ass handed right back to her on a plate. She has lost family, found family and then lost it again. She has voices in her head. No, really, actual voices – they haven’t so much been telling her what to do as….well, heckling. Oh, and she has to save the world from a homicidal megalomaniac with meta powers. Like, almost ALL the powers. With only a relatively small, tight knit band of support. Oh, and a non-meta (Agent Li) who doesn’t really like her much. Keeping up so far??
So, I approached this book with some trepidation. Would there be a “cop out” ending? Would this final book in the series stand up tall against the previous books??
Hell yes.
This book is a powerful, soaring conclusion to what I consider to be an absolutely epic series. It charges along like a juggernaut, leaving the reader very little time to regroup and catch their breath. And the finale? Well, all I will say is that the series goes out with a bang, not a whimper.
I’m sad to see the end of this stage in Sienna’s story. But, I’m thrilled that Crane did it justice.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review
The "won't go on" is for the second series about Sienna that Crane is releasing in Nov 2014. This 10th episode was one long fight scene. Fight scenes that were boring to read. I was only interested in who survived the fights. And that last fight...? Please. What a cop-out way to end it... Back story on the Roman succubus (oh, sorry, incubus) was totally unnecessary...Janus gave us that back story in like one paragraph... Thank God Sienna had stopped insulting people. All in all, the book reads like it was written by a male teen, fantasising about that unattainable female...who we all knew as Rogue in X Men. 10 episodes...I got the first 3 free, skipped 4 to 9, and spent $4.99 on the 10th. That should be the only money Crane gets from me...
For me this has been a soap opera "as the meta turns". You can skim pages or miss a book and you won't be lost just like a soap opera. But don't worry this isn't the last book we have more in Girl out of the box. So Did our heroine save the world? did she find true happiness? Did she get a dog finally????? yes, no, no..... or did she???? Will I continue to read this the next series? Its available on Kindle Unlimited so int between other books I might. If I had to pay for these books I would NOT.
Great, just great! Q: There were others with them on the hill. Marius knew Diana, of course, who was wearing a white cloak to keep the hot midday sun off her skin. He knew Venus on sight as well, her skin covered but her comely face somewhat visible over the lacy shawl that was pulled up to cover her mouth. He had seen her a few times, and on every one of them had trouble remembering his own name while fighting an impossible battle to keep his eyes off of her. This time seemed easier, though her attentions were on the battle, her eyes not roaming as they had been in every other instance he’d seen her. He knew one of the others as well. Jupiter. Colossally built, his broad chest partially exposed, Jupiter sat upon a warhorse that dwarfed Marius’s. His long hair was platinum, not white, and his beard matched. His bronzed skin was still youthful, and Marius felt a quiver of fear just being in his presence. Jupiter watched the movement of the armies impassively, but his dark eyes danced about the place that was soon to be a battlefield, and Marius thought they looked hungry for blood and spectacle and were irritable in their absence. ... Jupiter’s wife was at his side, her gaze cooler than her husband’s in the way that winter was cooler than summer. She caught Marius’s eyes and held them for a moment, watching him. She nodded once then turned away to speak to the man next to her, a physically imposing fellow whom Marius recognized as Neptune. He carried a long spear with three points, and Marius wondered if anyone who saw him riding the streets of Rome would recognize it as the trident. ... So it ends, Marius thought, but he held his peace. He caught a glimmer of amusement from Janus and followed his mentor’s gaze just past him as a man on a horse clip-clopped up to come to a halt just beside him. The man was large, like Jupiter. He had flaming red hair that flowed down his shoulders and a flat face with an unyielding nose that barely protruded from it. It looked as though it had been carved out of clay by a lazy sculptor who had cared little for giving the face depth. The eyes were shallow as well, and dark, and they rolled over Marius quickly and on to Janus. “Janus,” the man said in acknowledgment. “Ares,” Janus replied with a courteous nod. The man called Ares sighed. “I do prefer that name, but all the same, perhaps it is best if you call me Mars now.” Janus chuckled. “Have you met my ward? This is Marius. He is newly in my service.” Mars with the flat face gave Marius another look. “He has little stomach for battle, Janus.” Janus smiled. “Then he should be safe from any accidents should you find yourself slipping in your old age.” Mars let a deep belly laugh out with such force it nearly made Marius jump. “I miss your company since you have become a hermit, Janus. We should sup again soon. It has been so long since the last time.” “You are welcome in my home on any occasion,” Janus said solicitously. “And you in mine,” Mars said with a nod of courtesy. He sighed. “I suppose I should get to work.” ... “It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare Rome from the incompetence of her generals and the far-flung crusades of her emperor,” Janus said with a smile that Marius did not quite understand. He glanced back to the battle, which seemed to be going very poorly in his eyes. The usurper’s men were now through the Roman legion, had neatly divided it in half. They were swarming back and enveloping them with superior numbers. It was not what Marius thought a victory should look like. Mars urged his horse forward a few paces with a nudge, putting himself in front of the line of gods atop the hill. Marius kept his eyes on the man—Mars, the God of War. He watched him, and Mars lifted his hands and sighed again, then pushed his hair back over his shoulders. Mars lifted his hands in the air and held them aloft, eyes closed. He stood, still as a statue, facing the battle below. Marius heard faint whispering, like voices over the horizon, the maddening sounds of people just beyond his sight but not beyond his ears. The wind swirled past him in hot tongues, the summer sun heating the air around him. Marius kept his eyes upon Mars, watching him hold there, the whispers raging around them. Marius’s eyes broke from the God of War and looked all around for the source of the whispers. The gods were all silent, gazes fixed on Mars, and the hillside around them was devoid of any spectators or speakers. Marius turned his attention to Janus, ready to break the silence and ask the question, but Janus held a finger up to his lips to quell it before it was even asked. He then took it and pointed it to the battle, and Marius let his gaze fall back upon the site of the rout. Where the usurper’s men were now losing. It was not even a contest. He watched in the outlying spaces as the men of Proculus’s army fell upon their own spears by the dozens, by the hundreds. Even those not taking arms up against themselves were finding the Roman Legion surging through their number with increased ferocity. Marius squinted, his superior eyesight giving him a close view of the fight, as though it were happening right in front of him. The men of the Roman legion were moving with speed beyond that of normal humans, their blades moving up and down in fast, precise motions that sent the blood of their foes through the air in sprays and gushes. (c)
I enjoyed most of this book but st times felt it just repeating the same story, just with different settings. Robert Crane is a genius anyway.After reading the first ten "Girl in the Box" novels I shall take a break. But I will return for book eleven.
This 10th book brought to a close the saga of Sienna,s story or so we thought. The last segment provides a tantalizing picture into continuing her story. A story a am eagerly looking to delve into. Kevin Grogan
Not going to lie I got about 70% in and just started skimming the pages, it got a little boring and I just couldn’t really be bothered to read the rest😂🤦🏼♀️ I may go back and read the rest of the pages sometime in the future.
Ok. I've read 10 of these books now and here's my review. These books are great beach reads if you enjoy the YA genre. (I do.) They aren't very long, so you can finish them within a day. And the story... It's interesting. It's not the most original thing ever, naturally, but it weaves in different mythology that makes it interesting. I enjoy the characters. Sienna (the main character) has grown on me after 10 books. But I think I'm done. I have no desire to read THIRTY FIVE more books about her. Yes. There are 45 books in this series! Yeah... I'm pretty done here. Nice little series, though.
Two words Epic-ly boring. I kind of felt bad I read this whole series to read a book long fight scene. It should have been wrapped up 3 books ago. I really enjoy Sienna's snarky attitude but by the end I really felt like the author had reached the bottom of the barrel.
It has taken me almost 2 years to read these 10 books, this origin story. This series is a blend of urban fantasy, a lot of superhero-like action, and character-driven storytelling. By the time you reach Power, the stakes have escalated significantly, with Sienna FINALLY embracing her abilities.
Crane masterfully balances fast-paced action with moments of introspection, allowing us to see Sienna evolve from a sheltered, naïve girl into a powerful force to be reckoned with. The tension between her internal struggles and external challenges keeps you turning the pages, while the rich supporting cast adds depth and intrigue to the story. I absolutely love love love Scott and Reed so much! Even Kat is forgiven in my book.
In Power, the narrative delivers satisfying twists and emotional punches, making it a standout in the series if you ask me. The writing is accessible yet compelling, with a perfect blend of humour and grit. If you enjoy stories with strong, flawed protagonists and a world filled with supernatural elements and conspiracies, this series is worth every moment.
For me it's a first to read a superhero kinda series and it might seem daunting but with a few (long) pauses like I did, you will find yourself reading all ten easily.
This is actually the second time I’ve read this book. A few weeks ago I received the notice for the release of the 40-odd book of this series and I wailed and bemoaned that I was so very far behind in reading the series due to lack of $$. But then I was swerved by R. Crane himself with the simple statement that his books were in the Kindle Unlimited plan...which I had just joined... and, so, here I am rereading the series in a start over that will continue on to those blessed 40’s with an abundance of glee!
Oh, the story? Well, this is the book that takes you to the most amazing conclusion of the origin story of Sienna Nealon! It is epic! Amazing fights! Unbelievable surprises!
And then you have 30+ more books to read like pulling up that heated fuzzy blanket on a cool morning and luxuriating in the total joy you feel....goosebumps, shivers and all!
So what can I say about a series selling over a million, one of which I just finished the first ten? Probably not much, but it's worth sarcasm along with a helluva courageous heroine of whom is only nineteen with kick-ass fight scenes blew me away! I read these ten in less than a week because every moment I wasn't watching out newborn grandson of some other homely task, well I was enthralled with this story! I love Colleen Vanderlinden's Strife series, I believe is the name, but I have to say, I think this surpassed that one, and I have a whole other next part to read! I am so excited!!!!
I was a casual reader of this series until about book 5, after that I couldn't put it down and blew through the rest of the series in about a month. I thought the first 4 books had a lot of holes that weren't being answered and Robert Crane did deliver those answer in 6 through 10. As for this book, it was exciting, there were a lot of conflicts culminating in a final epic battle. I enjoyed the back story of Sovereign and the contrast on his control over his souls and how Sienna controls her souls. I can't wait to see what Mr. Crane does in Girl Out of the Box!
I keep reading his stories hoping that his heroine will graduate from being a punching bag for villains, but it isn't happening.
I enjoy reading paranormal adventure stories where the hero and heroine at least come out 50% ahead of the bad guys, but this is not that kind of series.
It is hard to believe that a woman who is to be the savior of the world is so freaking unaware that she keeps getting caught out by treachery that is so poorly hidden! Too much suffering and not enough real Kick-Ass Adventure.
I read for entertainment when I am reading books like these, and this series sure does deliver! This one is a big finale of a sorts, as Sierra deals with Sovereign. No spoilers here. This book ends much of what has transpired in the first 9 books and sets the characters up for new adventures. I enjoyed this one immensely. Our cast of characters has been winnowed down to just a few, but there’s always more to meet in the future! I did see a fair amount of typos in this one, makes me wonder just how fast these were written and published.
Phew…finally finished with the “first part series” (books 1-10). Mainly kept at it so I could see how it ended. The epilogue attempts to entice you to continue onto book 11 but not for me. The dialogue for the family in Omaha NE is wrong, granted they could of moved there but still, ugh. Yes, I gave the first part mainly 3 stars for its good parts that kept me interested. Would I recommend this series, truthfully, no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So pleased I've already bought the beginnings of girl out of the box, because the idea of waiting is unbearable. Sienna eventually learns the secrets that have been kept from her. Why Sovereign is after her, what he wants and most importantly her true powers. With gripping battles, tender moments, and heart stopping tragedy this book truly delivers
Compelling until the end, this story. Much better proofreading than I've come to expect from e-books. I do wonder how a girl who is kept isolated from society and only allowed one hour of TV a day has a vast working knowledge of movies and actors, especially older ones from long before she was born. You can only get so much from reading.
From the book 1 of this series, I was totally captivated, forming the images in my mind as I read. These were hard to put down, always wanting to see what was going to happen next. I just finished reading the whole series, and I can hardly wait to start the next and see how she feels with her new enemies.
What a great ending to this Origin series. Epic. Relatable. Clash of moralities and virtues. Very emotional. It also revealed the evil desires of some men and now power corrupts. But it also showed how humanity is generally good, and stands up against evil.
The story arc for this series is fast and exciting especially during the beginning and middle. The end (this book) seems a bit tame and a little disappointing. However it’s still a strong finish making you want more in the next series. Kudos to author for pushing through.
Potential Spoiler Below ... . . . . . . . Kinda disappointed that things couldn't work with Sovereign, ngl . I get that he was technically a bad guy or whatever, but there are plenty of cases where the bad guy turns around. So. Dec disappointed there . Still adore the series, though, aside from Zack death. Still mad about that.
I had no desire to read ten books to see the end of a series, but I did finish. Many of the books ’books’ are short to the point of being novellas, which helped a lot.
There were a few ’rabbit out of a hat’ moments in books nine and ten, it still all worked. This is the end for me, Robert J. Crane can write. I can't give a better compliment than that.
Really enjoying this series. Its a real page turner. The hero, Sienna Nealon, is a young girl with amazing powers she is tring to figure out. The villain is so crazy powerful there looks to be know hope. Each page just comes to life, and draws you into the story. Would recommend this series to anyone. Robert J. Crane is a master story teller.
Loved this book for its tenacity to keep it moving forward with the gusto and its myriad possibilities! Reads like a movie script, full of surprises and twists and just doesn’t disappoint. This series is my escape from reality…and such a great way to escape!
The ten part series built slowly, and from myriad directions and eras of time, keeping my full, sometimes tense attention. The characters were well defined and evolved relationally in reaction to events. Great entertainment, with plenty of moral dilemmas and provocation of thought.
This was a great series; a little different than the typical fantasy books. A little heavy with the fight scenes, but you could skim it easily enough to get the important outcome. Will definately be reading the Out of the Box series.
What a good way to end this arc! Not to cry for the endings, there's another arc to come. The key is ... it's "Girl Out of the Box". I have that one in my queue for that all-nighter that's coming this weekend. Thank You, Robert Crane, for such a wonderful ride!!!