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The Fire Sermon #3
The Forever Ship
The apocalypse has come and gone, and now every person is born a twin: one a strong Alpha, one a mutated Omega.
The Omegas live in segregation, cast out by their families as soon as their mutation becomes clear. Forced to live apart, they are ruthlessly oppressed by their Alpha counterparts. The only thing that keeps the Alphas at bay is the fact that whenever one twin dies, so does the other.
In this thrilling conclusion to The Fire Sermon trilogy, Cass, Piper, and Zoe have discovered that Elsewhere exists, and it’s more real and more complicated than any of them could have imagined. Now, they must race to prevent the Alphas from destroying what might be the only salvation for the Omegas.
The end to their lifelong discrimination is in sight, but before she can be free, Cass must overcome her loyalty to her Alpha twin, Zach, her most dangerous enemy. But if they’re not careful, both will die in the struggle for power.
The Omegas live in segregation, cast out by their families as soon as their mutation becomes clear. Forced to live apart, they are ruthlessly oppressed by their Alpha counterparts. The only thing that keeps the Alphas at bay is the fact that whenever one twin dies, so does the other.
In this thrilling conclusion to The Fire Sermon trilogy, Cass, Piper, and Zoe have discovered that Elsewhere exists, and it’s more real and more complicated than any of them could have imagined. Now, they must race to prevent the Alphas from destroying what might be the only salvation for the Omegas.
The end to their lifelong discrimination is in sight, but before she can be free, Cass must overcome her loyalty to her Alpha twin, Zach, her most dangerous enemy. But if they’re not careful, both will die in the struggle for power.
400 pages, ebook
First published June 29, 2017
About the author
Francesca Haig
11 books517 followersFrancesca Haig is the author of the post-apocalyptic Fire Sermon trilogy (The Fire Sermon; The Map of Bones; and The Forever Ship), translated into more than 20 languages.
Her latest novel, The Cookbook of Common Prayer, is published in June 2021 (UK; July 2021 for Australia and New Zealand).
Francesca gained her PhD from the University of Melbourne, and worked as an academic before becoming a full-time writer. Her poetry has been widely published. She grew up in Tasmania, and currently lives in London.
Her latest novel, The Cookbook of Common Prayer, is published in June 2021 (UK; July 2021 for Australia and New Zealand).
Francesca gained her PhD from the University of Melbourne, and worked as an academic before becoming a full-time writer. Her poetry has been widely published. She grew up in Tasmania, and currently lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
July 23, 2017
Excellently written but ultimately I can't say I enjoyed reading this series all that much.
One of the main difficulties that I have had with this series all along is that I have never felt a particularly strong emotional connection to the main character, Cass. The story itself is very realistic and well told; Haig's prose is without fault. It is all extremely dire: the post-nuclear apocalyptic setting, the connection until death between the alpha and omega twins, the oppressive regime of control the alphas have imposed that has led down ever more inhuman paths and, as Cass sees in her visions, inexorably to another nuclear blast.
The descriptions of battle are not glorious, but horrible. The day to day survival of the rebelling faction of omegas and the breakaway alphas who support them (for their own reasons, mind you; acts of nobilty are almost nonexistent here) are not filled with moments of beauty, because everyone is too busy trying to survive and plan, and hope to find a path away from Cass' visions.
Possibly this is the crux of my problem with Cass and with the series as a whole - too much bleakness all the time so that even if something good does happen it either feels too minor to register or so significant it feels overly sudden and contrived.
Ultimately I would say this dark post-apocalyptic series told from the perspective of a depressed seer who lives daily with her vision of flames destroying the world is excellently written, but I can't honestly say I enjoyed reading it.
One of the main difficulties that I have had with this series all along is that I have never felt a particularly strong emotional connection to the main character, Cass. The story itself is very realistic and well told; Haig's prose is without fault. It is all extremely dire: the post-nuclear apocalyptic setting, the connection until death between the alpha and omega twins, the oppressive regime of control the alphas have imposed that has led down ever more inhuman paths and, as Cass sees in her visions, inexorably to another nuclear blast.
The descriptions of battle are not glorious, but horrible. The day to day survival of the rebelling faction of omegas and the breakaway alphas who support them (for their own reasons, mind you; acts of nobilty are almost nonexistent here) are not filled with moments of beauty, because everyone is too busy trying to survive and plan, and hope to find a path away from Cass' visions.
Possibly this is the crux of my problem with Cass and with the series as a whole - too much bleakness all the time so that even if something good does happen it either feels too minor to register or so significant it feels overly sudden and contrived.
Ultimately I would say this dark post-apocalyptic series told from the perspective of a depressed seer who lives daily with her vision of flames destroying the world is excellently written, but I can't honestly say I enjoyed reading it.
Want to read
December 6, 2017well, i've done it now...
every time i get one of those emails alerting me that there's a book i want to read being offered as a goodreads giveaway, i go WOO HOOO!! (sometimes in my head, sometimes less discreetly), and i enter with glee, knowing that the odds are against me, and the ratio of entered/won brands me a loser more often that not.
and i considered not entering this one, for a half-second, since it is the third book in a trilogy, and i have not read the first two books, even though they are right there, on my shelf, where they have been for ages.
and wouldn't you know it? THIS is the one i win. sooo, i promise i will read this, gods of the goodreads giveaways, but i have two books to tackle before i can dive in.
TRILOGY MARATHON WHEEEEEEE!!
every time i get one of those emails alerting me that there's a book i want to read being offered as a goodreads giveaway, i go WOO HOOO!! (sometimes in my head, sometimes less discreetly), and i enter with glee, knowing that the odds are against me, and the ratio of entered/won brands me a loser more often that not.
and i considered not entering this one, for a half-second, since it is the third book in a trilogy, and i have not read the first two books, even though they are right there, on my shelf, where they have been for ages.
and wouldn't you know it? THIS is the one i win. sooo, i promise i will read this, gods of the goodreads giveaways, but i have two books to tackle before i can dive in.
TRILOGY MARATHON WHEEEEEEE!!
August 5, 2017
The Forever Ship completes this trilogy which began with The Fire Sermon and continued with A Map of Bones – I’ll be sorry to see the back of Cass, Piper et al I’ve lived this journey with them and a brilliantly engaging and thought provoking one it was too and the lovely Ms Haig puts a pitch perfect finish on it.
In this finale, the battle to save Elsewhere is the main focus along with ever changing loyalties and Cass still trying to come to terms with her relationship with Zach – twin and Alpha – who has been an extraordinarily difficult challenge.
I’ve come to know the world built here really well – the Alpha and Omega twins, one perfectly formed the other with flaws and the author has delved deep into human nature here, throughout the narrative, in a beautifully plotted battle where its not so much one of good v evil but of this compromise v that compromise and how far we would go to preserve ourselves.
The characters are formed and authentic, Cass is divisive and tortured by her visions, her journey from that first page of The Fire Sermon to this last page of The Forever Ship has been one full of twists and challenges, utterly riveting and beautifully described.
I don’t really want to give anything away – but Francesca Haig has created a dystopian reality that is very believable, as our world teeters on the brink of who knows what, one can perfectly well imagine a future such as she describes – even the more fantastical elements of it.
Overall The Fire Sermon trilogy has been a most terrific reading experience – and that melancholy, cleverly thought out finale just put the icing on a very delicious cake.
Highly Recommended.
In this finale, the battle to save Elsewhere is the main focus along with ever changing loyalties and Cass still trying to come to terms with her relationship with Zach – twin and Alpha – who has been an extraordinarily difficult challenge.
I’ve come to know the world built here really well – the Alpha and Omega twins, one perfectly formed the other with flaws and the author has delved deep into human nature here, throughout the narrative, in a beautifully plotted battle where its not so much one of good v evil but of this compromise v that compromise and how far we would go to preserve ourselves.
The characters are formed and authentic, Cass is divisive and tortured by her visions, her journey from that first page of The Fire Sermon to this last page of The Forever Ship has been one full of twists and challenges, utterly riveting and beautifully described.
I don’t really want to give anything away – but Francesca Haig has created a dystopian reality that is very believable, as our world teeters on the brink of who knows what, one can perfectly well imagine a future such as she describes – even the more fantastical elements of it.
Overall The Fire Sermon trilogy has been a most terrific reading experience – and that melancholy, cleverly thought out finale just put the icing on a very delicious cake.
Highly Recommended.
November 9, 2017
3 1/2 stars for the conclusion of this trilogy . The emotions all were there , the same characters we started with and the same upending doom that we felt since we picked up the first book in this trilogy. Thanks to the folks at Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book. I just have to say that I felt a little bit disappointed by the lackluster ending of this trilogy , I think they could have done a lot more. Pick it up this series if you are into dystopian futures and trilogies (who is not? lol) . AN overall ok trilogy.
January 3, 2018
Uggghhh, it took me weeks to drudge through this book. It was just sooooo boring. I feel like this trilogy should definitely just been a duology. The story has been so obviously stretched out to cover three books, and that just annoys the heck out of me. But, since I had already invested a lot of reading time into this series, I tortured myself to reach the end just so that I could finally find out how the story concluded. This series was just okay, the first book being the best, most definitely not great, and this last book just put it in the dumper for me.
August 16, 2018
There is a lot of Truth about our world in this story. It is violent. There is much death, and most people end up alone. However, for me, it was too slow and too little Romance. The ending was not satisfying. I like a good tragedy mixed in with happy endings. This one was just bittersweet. After book one, I didn't really relate to the characters anymore.
December 7, 2017
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight I liked the first two books of this series,
The Fire Sermon
and
The Map of Bones
. I mean, it wasn't exactly my favorite series of all time, but it was solid. And I was looking forward to this conclusion! In many ways, it was satisfying, but in a few key ways it did let me down a bit. As always, let's start with the good stuff! Oh, and I will try to keep this spoiler-free for the whole series, too!
The Good:
The world is incredibly bleak and dire, and I love it. Throughout the series, this world is portrayed as a real downer. Everything is a mess, and somehow everyone is worse. It's post-apocalyptic so you know it's not exactly going to be sunshine and flowers, but it's just a real disaster. The author also does a great job of making the atmosphere feel very desperate.
While the main premise of everyone being born with a twin does require a bit of suspension of disbelief, the author built the world well, and it makes for a very compelling storyline. In so many cases, characters' biggest enemies are also their womb-mates. In addition, when one twin dies, the other does too, which complicates things even further. Basically, the relationships make the stakes even higher- in the midst of an already very high stakes world.
There is a lot of gray morality in the characters' lives. There are so many awful decisions to be made. They basically run the gamut of bad to worse, and there is basically never a "right" or "good" choice. It's all trying to figure out what is the least of the evils.
There are just enough small glimmers of hope scattered throughout the series that it makes it bearable.
Most of the characters were great, especially the main character. Cass goes through so much in the course of the series, she changes in so many ways, while still holding strong to her core values. The groups of people she meets along the way are equally as multifaceted, and add quite a bit to the story.
The Not as Good:
The book (and the series) did move a bit slowly at times. This is probably the biggest gripe for me overall in the series, there were times that things felt a little draggy. But, then the action would pick up and things would be okay again. Pacing was a bit off throughout for me.
I was kind of overwhelmed with more minor characters at times. As the series progresses, a lot of people are added to the mix, and especially between books two and three, I had a hard time remembering everyone (or remembering who was important enough to need to be remembered).
Okay, the main reason I am giving this book a lower rating than the other two? I hated the ending. Hated, loathed, entirely raged against. I honestly think this is going to be the kind that people either love or hate- I hated it. I'm going to put this in spoiler tags, though I won't actually spoil it- I just know some people like to be completely in the dark about endings, and some people want to know. So for the want-to-knows:
Bottom Line: A solid series, which I think would have stayed in the 3.5-4.0 star range had I detested the ending a little less. Definitely bleak, so if you're looking for a darker book with a good cast of characters, this series could be for you! But beware of occasional slowness if you're not a fan.
The Good:
The world is incredibly bleak and dire, and I love it. Throughout the series, this world is portrayed as a real downer. Everything is a mess, and somehow everyone is worse. It's post-apocalyptic so you know it's not exactly going to be sunshine and flowers, but it's just a real disaster. The author also does a great job of making the atmosphere feel very desperate.
While the main premise of everyone being born with a twin does require a bit of suspension of disbelief, the author built the world well, and it makes for a very compelling storyline. In so many cases, characters' biggest enemies are also their womb-mates. In addition, when one twin dies, the other does too, which complicates things even further. Basically, the relationships make the stakes even higher- in the midst of an already very high stakes world.
There is a lot of gray morality in the characters' lives. There are so many awful decisions to be made. They basically run the gamut of bad to worse, and there is basically never a "right" or "good" choice. It's all trying to figure out what is the least of the evils.
There are just enough small glimmers of hope scattered throughout the series that it makes it bearable.
Most of the characters were great, especially the main character. Cass goes through so much in the course of the series, she changes in so many ways, while still holding strong to her core values. The groups of people she meets along the way are equally as multifaceted, and add quite a bit to the story.
The Not as Good:
The book (and the series) did move a bit slowly at times. This is probably the biggest gripe for me overall in the series, there were times that things felt a little draggy. But, then the action would pick up and things would be okay again. Pacing was a bit off throughout for me.
I was kind of overwhelmed with more minor characters at times. As the series progresses, a lot of people are added to the mix, and especially between books two and three, I had a hard time remembering everyone (or remembering who was important enough to need to be remembered).
Okay, the main reason I am giving this book a lower rating than the other two? I hated the ending. Hated, loathed, entirely raged against. I honestly think this is going to be the kind that people either love or hate- I hated it. I'm going to put this in spoiler tags, though I won't actually spoil it- I just know some people like to be completely in the dark about endings, and some people want to know. So for the want-to-knows:
Bottom Line: A solid series, which I think would have stayed in the 3.5-4.0 star range had I detested the ending a little less. Definitely bleak, so if you're looking for a darker book with a good cast of characters, this series could be for you! But beware of occasional slowness if you're not a fan.
July 10, 2017
Satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. The violence is still extreme; the Alphas still confident in their superiority and the Omegas victimised and ruined.
Some interesting little twists feature in this.
Some interesting little twists feature in this.
December 15, 2020
The Forever Ship was a decent ending to The Fire Sermon series. I did glaze over a bit in the middle but was hooked again about 60% in.
Some of the scenes were a tad much, and if I could have put my fingers over my eyes (like I do when I'm watching TV) I would have.
I was satisfied with the ending.
Some of the scenes were a tad much, and if I could have put my fingers over my eyes (like I do when I'm watching TV) I would have.
I was satisfied with the ending.
December 13, 2017
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
THE FOREVER SHIP is an unflinching portrayal of revolution. War is more than fighting. It’s starvation, waiting, and unwinnable situations. For every victory in THE FOREVER SHIP there is an equal devastating loss. Part of this is due to the world building, which has the perfect specimens of the Alphas unbalanced by their disabled Omega twin. The Omegas are fighting to save Elsewhere and destroy the Council, while the Alpha’s want to maintain their superiority.
THE FOREVER SHIP has constant references to past decisions or choices from the other novels. Sometimes it’s to see how the character’s have grown, sometime it’s to show how revolution has hardened them. Cass’ twin Zach reappears and brings a host of ethics into play. Most of the novel focuses on the ethical dilemmas that rise during wars. Which life is more valuable? What resource is most precious? What lines are we willing to cross? There’s not as much action as the previous novels. The novel plays as an emotional rollercoaster rather than an physical one.
The writing is what sets The Fire Sermon trilogy apart from other novels. It’s grim and beautiful. Like the character’s in the novel, the THE FOREVER SHIP isn’t a book you can walk away from unscarred. The words and moments linger far after the book is closed. With a majority of disabled characters and gorgeous writing, The Fire Sermon trilogy is a fascinating read. If you haven’t read the series, pick it up.
Sexual content: Brief reference to sex
THE FOREVER SHIP is an unflinching portrayal of revolution. War is more than fighting. It’s starvation, waiting, and unwinnable situations. For every victory in THE FOREVER SHIP there is an equal devastating loss. Part of this is due to the world building, which has the perfect specimens of the Alphas unbalanced by their disabled Omega twin. The Omegas are fighting to save Elsewhere and destroy the Council, while the Alpha’s want to maintain their superiority.
THE FOREVER SHIP has constant references to past decisions or choices from the other novels. Sometimes it’s to see how the character’s have grown, sometime it’s to show how revolution has hardened them. Cass’ twin Zach reappears and brings a host of ethics into play. Most of the novel focuses on the ethical dilemmas that rise during wars. Which life is more valuable? What resource is most precious? What lines are we willing to cross? There’s not as much action as the previous novels. The novel plays as an emotional rollercoaster rather than an physical one.
The writing is what sets The Fire Sermon trilogy apart from other novels. It’s grim and beautiful. Like the character’s in the novel, the THE FOREVER SHIP isn’t a book you can walk away from unscarred. The words and moments linger far after the book is closed. With a majority of disabled characters and gorgeous writing, The Fire Sermon trilogy is a fascinating read. If you haven’t read the series, pick it up.
Sexual content: Brief reference to sex
November 28, 2017
*Source* Edelweiss
*Genre* Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
The Forever Ship is the third and final installment in author Francesca Haig's The Fire Sermon trilogy. This book picks up right where The Map of Bones left off. Haig has created a world that is 400 years in the future. The Earth has turned primitive following a nuclear fire that laid waste to civilization and nature. Though the radiation fallout has ended, for some unknowable reason every person is born with a twin. Of each pair one is an Alpha - physically perfect in every way - and the other an Omega burdened with deformity, small or large.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
The Forever Ship is the third and final installment in author Francesca Haig's The Fire Sermon trilogy. This book picks up right where The Map of Bones left off. Haig has created a world that is 400 years in the future. The Earth has turned primitive following a nuclear fire that laid waste to civilization and nature. Though the radiation fallout has ended, for some unknowable reason every person is born with a twin. Of each pair one is an Alpha - physically perfect in every way - and the other an Omega burdened with deformity, small or large.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
May 16, 2018
Helemaal overtuigd van deze reeks. ongelooflijk hoe dicht haat en liefde kunnen liggen of soms hoe het een niet zonder het ander kan... De rauwe emoties in dit boek zijn soms schrijnend, maar de hoop aan de andere kant doet je elke pagina omdraaien om het vervolg te weten. 😉
March 5, 2018
3.5 stars!
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two and I believe I gave them 5 stars each!
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two and I believe I gave them 5 stars each!
December 15, 2017
http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/the-...
There’s nothing quite like a literary trilogy. As a reader, there’s something wonderful about seeing a story unfold over the course of three books; you get more detailed narrative than in a single book without having to deal with the nebulous endpoint of an ongoing series.
In many ways, three is the magic number.
It’s certainly magic for Francesca Haig, whose new novel “The Forever Ship” marks the third and final installment of her “Fire Sermon” series. It is a well-wrought and engaging finale to what has proven to be an exquisitely-detailed dystopian vision.
This world – a world still suffering the aftereffects of a centuries-past nuclear blast – is in upheaval. The twinning that is central to their existence – the unbreakable bond between the physically perfect Alphas and the mutated Omegas – has led to a feudal society whose structure is less than amenable to those not in power.
The battle between the entrenched establishment Alphas and the Omegas who seek only to be treated as equals is coming to a head. Cass, the Omega seer whose brother Zach once sat in a seat of power on the Alpha Council, can see what is coming – a plan by the Alphas to break the longstanding taboo against machines and resurrect the deadly technology of the past in order to launch a preemptive strike against the people of the Scattered Islands, also known as Elsewhere.
Every time Cass closes her eyes, she sees the consequences of that plan – blinding fire that will destroy not just the people of Elsewhere, but her own people as well. But the monomaniacal General – new leader of the Council – will stop at nothing to bring her plan to fruition. And even as she struggles to counter the General’s deadly scheme, she must also find a way to free the thousands of Omegas who have been taken captive by the Alphas.
With just a handful of allies that she can truly trust, Cass must navigate the complicated waters of warfare. She has almost no hope of success – but it is only her success that can save the world from dooming itself once again. And this time, there will be no coming back. It will be the end.
A writer invites a fair amount of pressure when undertaking a trilogy. The reader invests not just the time reading the books, but also the time between books spent waiting for the next installment. Allowing each novel to stand on its own merits while also weaving together the overarching narrative is a difficult trick to pull off.
Haig handles it beautifully.
“The Forever Ship” is a compelling conclusion to what has proven to be an exceptional example of speculative fiction. Dystopian stories in general might feel a bit played out, but there’s a freshness to what Haig has created that avoids feeling redundant or derivative. The world-building, the character development, the relationship dynamics, the narrative tension – all the pieces are there for a high-quality trilogy.
Haig is a marvelous writer – there’s a depth to her prose that is often lacking in genre fiction. She is evocative with her imagery without ever coming off as florid; the intimacy that creates makes for a reading experience that is utterly engrossing. She has a particular knack for intertwining moments of hope and beauty amidst blocks of bleakness; the post-apocalyptic society she has built is the best kind of overbearing and suffocating, but those flashes of light among the shadows are what really make these stories transcend.
You might think that literary dystopia has nothing left to offer you, but if you have yet to experience this trilogy, you’re wrong. “The Fire Sermon,” “The Map of Bones” and now “The Forever Ship” are formidable, fascinating reading – a trilogy well worth every minute you really ought to spend with it.
There’s nothing quite like a literary trilogy. As a reader, there’s something wonderful about seeing a story unfold over the course of three books; you get more detailed narrative than in a single book without having to deal with the nebulous endpoint of an ongoing series.
In many ways, three is the magic number.
It’s certainly magic for Francesca Haig, whose new novel “The Forever Ship” marks the third and final installment of her “Fire Sermon” series. It is a well-wrought and engaging finale to what has proven to be an exquisitely-detailed dystopian vision.
This world – a world still suffering the aftereffects of a centuries-past nuclear blast – is in upheaval. The twinning that is central to their existence – the unbreakable bond between the physically perfect Alphas and the mutated Omegas – has led to a feudal society whose structure is less than amenable to those not in power.
The battle between the entrenched establishment Alphas and the Omegas who seek only to be treated as equals is coming to a head. Cass, the Omega seer whose brother Zach once sat in a seat of power on the Alpha Council, can see what is coming – a plan by the Alphas to break the longstanding taboo against machines and resurrect the deadly technology of the past in order to launch a preemptive strike against the people of the Scattered Islands, also known as Elsewhere.
Every time Cass closes her eyes, she sees the consequences of that plan – blinding fire that will destroy not just the people of Elsewhere, but her own people as well. But the monomaniacal General – new leader of the Council – will stop at nothing to bring her plan to fruition. And even as she struggles to counter the General’s deadly scheme, she must also find a way to free the thousands of Omegas who have been taken captive by the Alphas.
With just a handful of allies that she can truly trust, Cass must navigate the complicated waters of warfare. She has almost no hope of success – but it is only her success that can save the world from dooming itself once again. And this time, there will be no coming back. It will be the end.
A writer invites a fair amount of pressure when undertaking a trilogy. The reader invests not just the time reading the books, but also the time between books spent waiting for the next installment. Allowing each novel to stand on its own merits while also weaving together the overarching narrative is a difficult trick to pull off.
Haig handles it beautifully.
“The Forever Ship” is a compelling conclusion to what has proven to be an exceptional example of speculative fiction. Dystopian stories in general might feel a bit played out, but there’s a freshness to what Haig has created that avoids feeling redundant or derivative. The world-building, the character development, the relationship dynamics, the narrative tension – all the pieces are there for a high-quality trilogy.
Haig is a marvelous writer – there’s a depth to her prose that is often lacking in genre fiction. She is evocative with her imagery without ever coming off as florid; the intimacy that creates makes for a reading experience that is utterly engrossing. She has a particular knack for intertwining moments of hope and beauty amidst blocks of bleakness; the post-apocalyptic society she has built is the best kind of overbearing and suffocating, but those flashes of light among the shadows are what really make these stories transcend.
You might think that literary dystopia has nothing left to offer you, but if you have yet to experience this trilogy, you’re wrong. “The Fire Sermon,” “The Map of Bones” and now “The Forever Ship” are formidable, fascinating reading – a trilogy well worth every minute you really ought to spend with it.
August 7, 2017
I loved the first two books of this series, the prose was so wonderfully rich, the narrative tension well maintained and I was looking forward to a solid conclusion. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel it with this one. The third book of a trilogy is generally the weakest but this seemed unusually weak. The first half of the novel is devoid of action and the only tension comes from the cast being in the same place and the possible presence of a traitor. There is no sense of events driving to any conclusion. I trudged on through a few set pieces but I ultimately didn't feel like I had anything worth continuing for and at two thirds of the way into the the last novel of a three book series it was so slow that I gave up on it. The book doesn't just suffer from a lack of meaningful tension and drive, it just seems rushed as if the author has been forced to work to a deadline they weren't ready to meet. There is of course the threat that the council will blow the world up again but everybody's lives are so terrible I just felt like they'd be doing them all a favour.
The writing is solid but gone is Haig's beautiful adjectival prose, gone is the pleasure of moving to new places and seeing new things, all that is left is the trudge towards a conclusion that I had no confidence would be anymore satisfactory than the rest of the novel. I may some day finish the novel and find that the last section redeemed the rest but I doubt that either of those things will happen.
The writing is solid but gone is Haig's beautiful adjectival prose, gone is the pleasure of moving to new places and seeing new things, all that is left is the trudge towards a conclusion that I had no confidence would be anymore satisfactory than the rest of the novel. I may some day finish the novel and find that the last section redeemed the rest but I doubt that either of those things will happen.
January 25, 2018
We finally get to read the third installment in the 'Fire Sermon' trilogy! If I had to rate all three books it would be in order 'The Fire Sermon', 'The Forever Ship' and then 'The Map of Bones'. I was disappointed with the second book and I had hoped the third wouldn't be the same. Luckily it turned out to be much better in my opinion. The whole series and world that Cass and her friends live in is bleak but the second book just felt too bleak. It didn't feel like there was anything good in it (except for the ending I suppose). The third book was also very dark but there were still little bits of good in it.
For me this was a satisfying conclusion to the series but I can see why some people might have a problem with the ending. Overall I think the series left off in a hopeful way which is what the characters and that world needed.
For me this was a satisfying conclusion to the series but I can see why some people might have a problem with the ending. Overall I think the series left off in a hopeful way which is what the characters and that world needed.
September 5, 2018
Ableist world-building, but the protags are working to make things fairer. Murder, self-harm, suicide, war, torture. A bloody book. Not sure how I feel about the ending.
February 25, 2023
Ahora que saben que OtraParte realmente existe y que tienen la solución al problema del vínculo gemelar, Cass y la rebelión omega deben asegurarse que el Consejo y los Alfas no causen otra Deflagración solo para conservar su poder
Creo que no le hice justicia a esta trilogía al haber esperado casi cinco años para leer la conclusión. Recuerdo los elementos clave, pero toda simpatía por los personajes se ha diluido casi por completo. Leí este libro con cierto desapego clínico que definitivamente afectó mi apreciación por la historia.
Si de tu muerte dependiera el futuro de todo el mundo conocido, si con tu muerte pudieras garantizar que tu gemelo malvado no causa un cataclismo mundial, ¿no es lo más lógico sacrificarte? Es obviamente injusto para la protagonista a la que hemos seguido durante dos libros, pero si tanta conmiseración y justicia social siente Cass hacia todos sus compatriotas omegas, no sería de extrañar que tomará esa decisión. Pero no, la autora se explaya en un largo viaje y luego un largo asedio donde se repiten una y otra vez las cosas que ya sabemos: la General es malvada, Zach es malvado y hay que rescatar a los pobrecitos omegas. Con un alto coste de vidas del ejército que han reunido los rebeldes y sus compañeros, Cass va en su cruzada a rescatar a los omegas (solo ella puede llevarlos de la manita, parece), pero mientras ella siga viva, todo bien. Luego pasan cosas y mueren los malos y de repente se borran 400 años de historia donde los Alfas se han creído superiores, y Alfas y Omegas entrelazan las manos y cantan canciones de paz (No tanto, pero así lo sentí).
El gran mérito de este libro es reflejar los costes de las guerras, los momentos miserables donde la gente no tiene más que arreglárselas como puedan para sobrevivir.
El final es muy acorde con el tono de la historia, y tiene un toque agridulce.
¿Qué Disfruté?
No tiene un final rosa para la protagonista. Me pareció perfecto, ningún otro final hubiera sido lógico.
¿Qué Prefiero Olvidar?
Hay largos capítulos donde no pasa gran cosa y se me hicieron aburridos. Tal vez cien páginas menos habrían contado mejor la trama.
La calificación real es 2.5
Lo que eres es la suma de tus decisiones. Será un peso con el que tendrás que cargar toda tu vida. Pero eso también significa que eres libre para escoger ser otra cosa. No estás limitado por lo que me han mostrado mis visiones ni por todo lo que has hecho hasta ahora. Todavía tienes el poder de elegir.
Creo que no le hice justicia a esta trilogía al haber esperado casi cinco años para leer la conclusión. Recuerdo los elementos clave, pero toda simpatía por los personajes se ha diluido casi por completo. Leí este libro con cierto desapego clínico que definitivamente afectó mi apreciación por la historia.
Si de tu muerte dependiera el futuro de todo el mundo conocido, si con tu muerte pudieras garantizar que tu gemelo malvado no causa un cataclismo mundial, ¿no es lo más lógico sacrificarte? Es obviamente injusto para la protagonista a la que hemos seguido durante dos libros, pero si tanta conmiseración y justicia social siente Cass hacia todos sus compatriotas omegas, no sería de extrañar que tomará esa decisión. Pero no, la autora se explaya en un largo viaje y luego un largo asedio donde se repiten una y otra vez las cosas que ya sabemos: la General es malvada, Zach es malvado y hay que rescatar a los pobrecitos omegas. Con un alto coste de vidas del ejército que han reunido los rebeldes y sus compañeros, Cass va en su cruzada a rescatar a los omegas (solo ella puede llevarlos de la manita, parece), pero mientras ella siga viva, todo bien. Luego pasan cosas y mueren los malos y de repente se borran 400 años de historia donde los Alfas se han creído superiores, y Alfas y Omegas entrelazan las manos y cantan canciones de paz (No tanto, pero así lo sentí).
El gran mérito de este libro es reflejar los costes de las guerras, los momentos miserables donde la gente no tiene más que arreglárselas como puedan para sobrevivir.
El final es muy acorde con el tono de la historia, y tiene un toque agridulce.
¿Qué Disfruté?
No tiene un final rosa para la protagonista. Me pareció perfecto, ningún otro final hubiera sido lógico.
¿Qué Prefiero Olvidar?
Hay largos capítulos donde no pasa gran cosa y se me hicieron aburridos. Tal vez cien páginas menos habrían contado mejor la trama.
La calificación real es 2.5
August 8, 2019
Final redondo y coherente con lo que quería transmitir la historia. Quizás siempre asumimos que será una trama global de aventuras cuando la autora siempre quiso hablarnos de una trama local y de sus personajes.
Porque al final es eso lo que te hace disfrutar de la historia: gente real, con "taras", lugares conocidos y problemas bastante básicos para afrontar una revolución.
Lo único que me ha chirriado es que hay mucha muerte random gratuita, a pesar de reflexionar tanto sobre el hecho de que le cuesta inflingir daño a Zach o a sí misma.
Bueno, y que claro, que cuando matan un omega random, matan a un alfa random. Y eso, pues que al final hay el doble de muertos por recoger...
Quizás la releeré porque la belleza de su escritura no tiene igual.
Pero es de las primeras historias que leo con personajes con discapacidades, y eso me ha encantado.
Porque al final es eso lo que te hace disfrutar de la historia: gente real, con "taras", lugares conocidos y problemas bastante básicos para afrontar una revolución.
Lo único que me ha chirriado es que hay mucha muerte random gratuita, a pesar de reflexionar tanto sobre el hecho de que le cuesta inflingir daño a Zach o a sí misma.
Bueno, y que claro, que cuando matan un omega random, matan a un alfa random. Y eso, pues que al final hay el doble de muertos por recoger...
Quizás la releeré porque la belleza de su escritura no tiene igual.
Pero es de las primeras historias que leo con personajes con discapacidades, y eso me ha encantado.
November 25, 2022
The final book in this series had a good final ending. Absolutely made sense and I thought it ended appropriately, tying up the loose ends. I REALLY disliked how long it took to get there in this final book. So much repetition in my opinion of things we already knew and dragging on with those same things. I think this series could have been done in two books but what do I know, I am not an author.
July 11, 2022
3rd book of the trilogy - if you have not read the 1st 2 go back and do that or you will be very confused. This story continues the adventures of Cass, Piper, Zoe and Zach. Basically Cass and crew are trying to prevent the Alpha leaders for detonating a nuclear bomb in a different part of the world that they see as a threat. This other part of the world has developed different from theirs since the nuclear war that occurred 400 years ago. Interesting backstory to the entire series (twins). I still liked the 1st book the best. Entire series is a good beach read.
May 14, 2021
A satisfying ending to this trilogy and I understood why it ended the way it did, but it made me sad. But definitely a series worth reading!
August 25, 2019
Kicsit véresre sikerült, ámde korrekt befejező kötet. Cass és Zach helyzetét én sem tudtam volna jobban megoldani.
January 21, 2018
So ends The Fire Sermon trilogy.
While the first book in this series is easily the strongest (and could arguably stand alone), The Forever Ship offered an interesting conclusion to Zach and Cass’s story. It recovers most of the suspenseful pacing that was lost in The Map of Bones, and the inevitable conflict of Alpha vs. Omega more or less resolves.
First, the criticisms: this is unquestionably a young adult series, and there are some predictable plot twists that more seasoned readers will see coming. That ‘interesting conclusion’ referenced above is another way of saying ‘anticlimactic’.
However, while the story may have some inconsistencies, the underlying ethical debate is perfect for young adult audiences to mull over. Should people be treated as inferior if they are less than perfect? The dynamic of the alpha and omega twins living and dying together adds that extra layer - is it worth being perfect to have your life partially depend on the choices of others? Or, is it okay to imprison someone else to ensure your own survival?
Those questions might be easy to answer for some, but it also serves as a great thought exercise for middle and high schoolers who haven’t encountered existentialism before. And at this point in human history, any book that provides the opportunity to build a little empathy back into society is a needed one.
I would recommend The Fire Sermon to anyone interested in dystopias. The last two books aren’t particularly revelatory but I doubt any reader, once going into this world, would want to leave without knowing how it ends. 3 stars.
While the first book in this series is easily the strongest (and could arguably stand alone), The Forever Ship offered an interesting conclusion to Zach and Cass’s story. It recovers most of the suspenseful pacing that was lost in The Map of Bones, and the inevitable conflict of Alpha vs. Omega more or less resolves.
First, the criticisms: this is unquestionably a young adult series, and there are some predictable plot twists that more seasoned readers will see coming. That ‘interesting conclusion’ referenced above is another way of saying ‘anticlimactic’.
However, while the story may have some inconsistencies, the underlying ethical debate is perfect for young adult audiences to mull over. Should people be treated as inferior if they are less than perfect? The dynamic of the alpha and omega twins living and dying together adds that extra layer - is it worth being perfect to have your life partially depend on the choices of others? Or, is it okay to imprison someone else to ensure your own survival?
Those questions might be easy to answer for some, but it also serves as a great thought exercise for middle and high schoolers who haven’t encountered existentialism before. And at this point in human history, any book that provides the opportunity to build a little empathy back into society is a needed one.
I would recommend The Fire Sermon to anyone interested in dystopias. The last two books aren’t particularly revelatory but I doubt any reader, once going into this world, would want to leave without knowing how it ends. 3 stars.
July 28, 2017
What is there more to say about to this book other than it is the explosive finale to the Fire Sermon trilogy of books. For a world where everyone is born with a fatal bond of twinship, where one twin is healthy and the other disabled in some form and they are segregated as such into rival 'races' - the Alphas and the Omegas - there is only one way that this story can end.
Francesca Haig keeps you guessing though. Cass is a seer though, and her visions show a world that is burning. This is a book that races towards history repeating itself with another nuclear attack on Elsewhere - the one place that could save the Alpha and Omega people and end the war. Can Cass change the future. Expect as much of a rollercoaster of life and death and emotions pulled every which way, as in the first two volumes of this trilogy. This is a story that does not pull any punches as it holds a mirror up to our own society.
This is an epic story set years in the future, but it is unnervingly a story that could so easily become a reality.
For one cannot live if the other doesn't survive.
Francesca Haig keeps you guessing though. Cass is a seer though, and her visions show a world that is burning. This is a book that races towards history repeating itself with another nuclear attack on Elsewhere - the one place that could save the Alpha and Omega people and end the war. Can Cass change the future. Expect as much of a rollercoaster of life and death and emotions pulled every which way, as in the first two volumes of this trilogy. This is a story that does not pull any punches as it holds a mirror up to our own society.
This is an epic story set years in the future, but it is unnervingly a story that could so easily become a reality.
You understand the power of stories. It doesn't matter if every word isn't accurate. It's the message that matters. You knew that, even then. You know that stories matter.
December 20, 2019
Overall, I was kind of disappointed with this trilogy. I think it had a really interesting concept, but I just had some issues with the characterization. Mainly with Cass.
First of all I’m confused why the author never described what literally anyone looked like? Not even hair or eye color. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s just weird reading an entire trilogy and still having no idea what anyone looks like.
Second of all I feel like Cass didn’t grow much as a character. She just kept having the same internal battle, do I want to live? do I want to die? am I going crazy? It got tiring after a while. I also feel like it would have been more interesting if her seer powers has evolved or at least strengthened as the trilogy went on. Like one thing I found frustrating was that she proved in the first book she could read minds when she looked into the confessor’s mind. Yet besides gently probing Xander’s mind she did nothing else with the power this entire trilogy. And that definitely seems like it would have been a useful power with the war they’re in.
For various reasons I just found it hard to feel anything for the main character, she was just kind of boring and didn’t seem to evolve at all as the trilogy went on.
First of all I’m confused why the author never described what literally anyone looked like? Not even hair or eye color. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s just weird reading an entire trilogy and still having no idea what anyone looks like.
Second of all I feel like Cass didn’t grow much as a character. She just kept having the same internal battle, do I want to live? do I want to die? am I going crazy? It got tiring after a while. I also feel like it would have been more interesting if her seer powers has evolved or at least strengthened as the trilogy went on. Like one thing I found frustrating was that she proved in the first book she could read minds when she looked into the confessor’s mind. Yet besides gently probing Xander’s mind she did nothing else with the power this entire trilogy. And that definitely seems like it would have been a useful power with the war they’re in.
For various reasons I just found it hard to feel anything for the main character, she was just kind of boring and didn’t seem to evolve at all as the trilogy went on.
December 10, 2017
Wow. That was a great ending. Bittersweet, but nonetheless powerful and moving. Even better, the entire book was like this. From beginning to end, it was a rewarding and harrowing journey that honestly had me nervous to turn the pages since I had no idea who was going to make it out alive... if anyone was. The characters came a long way, with more depth being added to Zoe, the Ringmaster, and even Zach (who I loooooooathe). New characters like Paloma were fantastic and added a lot more tension to the story, especially near the end. There was a ton of action, betrayal, drama, and tragedy that kept me riveted throughout. I absolutely loved this trilogy and am super happy that I experienced it. A beautifully written story with deep characters, thrilling action, and bittersweet emotions. Can't recommend these books enough if you like character and emotion-driven trilogies!
July 18, 2017
I enjoyed the series as a whole but I wasn't very satisfied with the ending of this book. I also found Cass quite irritating in this last book and feel that the ending made me dislike her more. I would have liked more at the end. I did find it interesting to learn more about Zach and feel that The Ringmaster could've been explored a bit more too.
Unfortunately this isn't a series I would be rushing to re-read. But on the whole a strong series and the style of writing is fantastic.
Unfortunately this isn't a series I would be rushing to re-read. But on the whole a strong series and the style of writing is fantastic.
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