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The Medoran Chronicles #4
Graevale
Light or dark, only one can win. This world cannot survive in shades of grey.
Now that Aven Dalmarta sits upon the throne of Meya, Alex is in a race against the clock to save the mortals of Medora from the Rebel Prince’s wrath.
Guided by a haunting and unspeakable vision of the future, Alex and her friends must warn the mortal races. But making new allies out of old enemies proves difficult.
Under the guidance of a mysterious mentor, Alex learns to strengthen her gift to fight the challenges she now faces.
But in a world where nothing is certain, Alex is sure of only one thing: Aven is coming.
The Medoran Chronicles by Lynette Noni has been described as ‘a game changer’ in YA fiction. A page-turning fantasy series about friendship, finding yourself and the ultimate battle of good versus evil, The Medoran Chronicles is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rick Riordan.
Building to a stunning climax, with shocking twists and devastating losses, Graevale is an unforgettable read.
Now that Aven Dalmarta sits upon the throne of Meya, Alex is in a race against the clock to save the mortals of Medora from the Rebel Prince’s wrath.
Guided by a haunting and unspeakable vision of the future, Alex and her friends must warn the mortal races. But making new allies out of old enemies proves difficult.
Under the guidance of a mysterious mentor, Alex learns to strengthen her gift to fight the challenges she now faces.
But in a world where nothing is certain, Alex is sure of only one thing: Aven is coming.
The Medoran Chronicles by Lynette Noni has been described as ‘a game changer’ in YA fiction. A page-turning fantasy series about friendship, finding yourself and the ultimate battle of good versus evil, The Medoran Chronicles is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rick Riordan.
Building to a stunning climax, with shocking twists and devastating losses, Graevale is an unforgettable read.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2018
About the author
Lynette Noni
17 books4,296 followersAfter studying journalism, academic writing and human behaviour at university, Lynette Noni finally ventured into the world of fiction. She is now a full-time writer and the #1 bestselling author of the six-book young adult fantasy series, The Medoran Chronicles, the award-winning YA duology, Whisper, and the globally renowned YA fantasy trilogy, The Prison Healer.
In 2019, Lynette’s book Whisper won the ABIA Award (Australian Book Industry Award) for Small Publishers’ Children’s Book of the Year, as well as the Gold Inky Award (Australia’s only teen choice book award).
Her newest series, The Prison Healer, won the 2022 ABIA Award for Book of the Year for Older Children (13+), and was shortlisted for the 2022 Indie Book Awards. It was also a finalist in the 2022 Audie Awards, and a CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) notable mention for Older Readers Book of the Year. The Prison Healer was also voted in at #2 on the Better Reading Kid’s Top 50 list for 2022 — directly behind Harry Potter.
Collectively, Lynette’s books have been published in 18 different countries and counting.
In 2019, Lynette’s book Whisper won the ABIA Award (Australian Book Industry Award) for Small Publishers’ Children’s Book of the Year, as well as the Gold Inky Award (Australia’s only teen choice book award).
Her newest series, The Prison Healer, won the 2022 ABIA Award for Book of the Year for Older Children (13+), and was shortlisted for the 2022 Indie Book Awards. It was also a finalist in the 2022 Audie Awards, and a CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) notable mention for Older Readers Book of the Year. The Prison Healer was also voted in at #2 on the Better Reading Kid’s Top 50 list for 2022 — directly behind Harry Potter.
Collectively, Lynette’s books have been published in 18 different countries and counting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 535 reviews
June 24, 2019
Love that we see more of the library and Kaiden in this installment! There is also so much more action and danger, Alex continues to grow and develop as a character and in strength, and as always I adore the friendships in this series.
This book will have you itching to read the fifth and final book in the series, which I know will be EPIC.
This book will have you itching to read the fifth and final book in the series, which I know will be EPIC.
January 31, 2020
**Re-Read Feb 19**
GUYS I STILL CAN'T DEAL WITH ALL THESE EMOTIONS.
Summary:
✓ More Kaiden
✓ More Niyx
✓ More epic action scenes
✓ Plenty of fighting
✓ So much sass
✓ Teachers doing un-teacherly things
✓ Cute animals
Honestly I have to laugh at that one time ageeeeess ago when I first read Akarnae and was all cynical, thinking it was a little too close to HP for my liking. Now here I am letting this series rip out my heart and stomp all over it FOR A SECOND TIME. It's a beautiful, masochistic relationship.
Book hangovers are a real thing, man.
ANYOO GUESS WHO GOT Vardaesia YESTERDAY SO YAY LET'S GO EXPERIENCE A RAINBOW OF EMOTIONS ALL OVER AGAIN I AM READY.
(Proper review-like thoughts can [eventually] be found in my original review, below.)
**Original Review**
Me immediately after finishing:
GUYS I CAN'T DEAL WITH ALL THESE EMOTIONS.
Review will have to come later. Right now I need to collect myself so I can go to work and act like everything is completely normal when really I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest.
GUHHHHH I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGSSSSSSS
***
(Later that day ...)
So.
One of the great things about being an avid reader is that it gives you an extensive imagination. This imagination is what allows us to move from reading about characters to knowing them personally and experiencing all their emotions.
Guys.
THERE ARE SO MANY EMOTIONS TO BE FELT.
(PSA: The following contains unhidden spoilers for the previous novels.)
Okay.
Alex has just returned from her little trip to the past where we had all of our emotions turned upside down as we learned to love people we were supposed to hate. Now Aven's evil again and honestly I'm glad there was a decent time between releases after all because it gave me time to forget how much I liked him in Draekora. Most of our faves are back being their lovable selves (Oh heeeeeeeeey Kaiden <3) but there's a more serious tone now, as Alex ventures around Medora warning everyone of the imminent evil. There's also some new faces but they're easy to get used to. Normally I get really confused with this many supporting characters but these are just written so well that they've basically all become my extended family.
There's also so much sass and it enhances the story because it makes it all more real. Like, there's all this crazy dark, 'the world is in mortal danger' crap but Alex still finds time to grumble and blush and kick people for being annoying. The banter between her and Niyx and between her and Kaiden is EVERYTHING. I love those boys.
Jordan is not quite as sassy, but he's had a pretty rough time so it's actually merciful he bounces back relatively fast. That being said, it's not entirely glossed over, and you can tell there's plenty more going on with that kid that's probably gonna need to be dealt with - particularly if the truth comes out about the king. There's really more about teachers than her loyal sidekicks in this one which is a bit of a shame because Jordan and Bear are another two of my fictional bffs. They work well together, but Bear's carrying a lot of the weight in this one. Dix is cool, but also a bit mehhhhh.
Caspar Lennox, the vampire dude, is featured a lot and he's still pretty creepy but ... less? I miss Hunter a bit. There's also a new, mysterious instructor that teaches Alex ... ooooooohhhhhhhhh.
The plot is just solid and easy to follow, and even though there's a lot of jumping around and SO. MANY. PEOPLE. it's actually pretty smooth and easy to get swept away in. The Meyarins take a bit of a back seat after their starring role in the last novel, which is a bit sad because I'm still hanging out for Zain to break some skulls.
OH! AND!!
There's some really cool adventure stuff which was fun but really my main highlights were everything Kaiden and everything Niyx. Those two boys ... Like, Kaiden and Alex are so freaking cute together. But she's also not all goofy over him which is very practical and I appreciate that though it frustrates me immensely. I was super happy he had more of a part in this book! And Niyx ... remember back when we thought he was evil? Ah, he's so adorable as a bad boy but he's got such a heart of gold in this book and he's always there for Alex which just made my heart swell. You know you've got a good series on your hands when you can't decide which fictional babe would be your top pick for fictional bf. I'm honestly torn between these two. They're both so stinkin' cute.
Sigh.
Look, I officially love this series.
It makes me laugh, cry, gasp, bite my lip, fidget uncomfortably, wince, wrinkle my nose and all manner of other physical responses. When I'm reading these books, I'm so fully immersed in the world that I actually feel a very real response to the things I'm reading. The characters are so much fun that I wish they were my friends, and that I was sharing the adventures alongside them. These are the things that hook me and cement me as a fan.
This is such a powerful development to the overall story and while it's not quite as frivolous as the previous novels, it still has a lot of variety to keep things interesting, as well as further character development and some heart-melting moments.
Oh! I forgot to mention!!
We have a MAP!
It looks so cool and now we can finally see where everything is and where Alex is actually flitting about to. Very impressive. I follow the artist on Instagram and she posts all kinds of wonderful Medoran Chronicles fan art so it was so great seeing that she illustrated this, too!
If this is the first you're hearing about this series, go out and get a copy of Akarnae ASAP and you won't regret it. It's blown me out of the water since I took a chance on it.
Honestly I'm gonna have to re-read the series now because there's this huge, Medoran-shaped hole in it.
Hurry up, Vardaesia!
***
(1 day later ...)
WORST. BOOK HANGOVER. EVER.
Review for Akarnae (4★s) HERE
Review for Raelia (5★s) HERE
Review for Draekora (5★s) HERE
Review for We Three Heroes (4★s) HERE
Review for Vardaesia (5★s) HERE
GUYS I STILL CAN'T DEAL WITH ALL THESE EMOTIONS.
Summary:
✓ More Kaiden
✓ More Niyx
✓ More epic action scenes
✓ Plenty of fighting
✓ So much sass
✓ Teachers doing un-teacherly things
✓ Cute animals
Honestly I have to laugh at that one time ageeeeess ago when I first read Akarnae and was all cynical, thinking it was a little too close to HP for my liking. Now here I am letting this series rip out my heart and stomp all over it FOR A SECOND TIME. It's a beautiful, masochistic relationship.
Book hangovers are a real thing, man.
ANYOO GUESS WHO GOT Vardaesia YESTERDAY SO YAY LET'S GO EXPERIENCE A RAINBOW OF EMOTIONS ALL OVER AGAIN I AM READY.
(Proper review-like thoughts can [eventually] be found in my original review, below.)
**Original Review**
Me immediately after finishing:
GUYS I CAN'T DEAL WITH ALL THESE EMOTIONS.
Review will have to come later. Right now I need to collect myself so I can go to work and act like everything is completely normal when really I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest.
GUHHHHH I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGSSSSSSS
***
(Later that day ...)
So.
One of the great things about being an avid reader is that it gives you an extensive imagination. This imagination is what allows us to move from reading about characters to knowing them personally and experiencing all their emotions.
Guys.
THERE ARE SO MANY EMOTIONS TO BE FELT.
(PSA: The following contains unhidden spoilers for the previous novels.)
Okay.
Alex has just returned from her little trip to the past where we had all of our emotions turned upside down as we learned to love people we were supposed to hate. Now Aven's evil again and honestly I'm glad there was a decent time between releases after all because it gave me time to forget how much I liked him in Draekora. Most of our faves are back being their lovable selves (Oh heeeeeeeeey Kaiden <3) but there's a more serious tone now, as Alex ventures around Medora warning everyone of the imminent evil. There's also some new faces but they're easy to get used to. Normally I get really confused with this many supporting characters but these are just written so well that they've basically all become my extended family.
There's also so much sass and it enhances the story because it makes it all more real. Like, there's all this crazy dark, 'the world is in mortal danger' crap but Alex still finds time to grumble and blush and kick people for being annoying. The banter between her and Niyx and between her and Kaiden is EVERYTHING. I love those boys.
Jordan is not quite as sassy, but he's had a pretty rough time so it's actually merciful he bounces back relatively fast. That being said, it's not entirely glossed over, and you can tell there's plenty more going on with that kid that's probably gonna need to be dealt with - particularly if the truth comes out about the king. There's really more about teachers than her loyal sidekicks in this one which is a bit of a shame because Jordan and Bear are another two of my fictional bffs. They work well together, but Bear's carrying a lot of the weight in this one. Dix is cool, but also a bit mehhhhh.
Caspar Lennox, the vampire dude, is featured a lot and he's still pretty creepy but ... less? I miss Hunter a bit. There's also a new, mysterious instructor that teaches Alex ... ooooooohhhhhhhhh.
The plot is just solid and easy to follow, and even though there's a lot of jumping around and SO. MANY. PEOPLE. it's actually pretty smooth and easy to get swept away in. The Meyarins take a bit of a back seat after their starring role in the last novel, which is a bit sad because I'm still hanging out for Zain to break some skulls.
OH! AND!!
There's some really cool adventure stuff which was fun but really my main highlights were everything Kaiden and everything Niyx. Those two boys ... Like, Kaiden and Alex are so freaking cute together. But she's also not all goofy over him which is very practical and I appreciate that though it frustrates me immensely. I was super happy he had more of a part in this book! And Niyx ... remember back when we thought he was evil? Ah, he's so adorable as a bad boy but he's got such a heart of gold in this book and he's always there for Alex which just made my heart swell. You know you've got a good series on your hands when you can't decide which fictional babe would be your top pick for fictional bf. I'm honestly torn between these two. They're both so stinkin' cute.
Sigh.
Look, I officially love this series.
It makes me laugh, cry, gasp, bite my lip, fidget uncomfortably, wince, wrinkle my nose and all manner of other physical responses. When I'm reading these books, I'm so fully immersed in the world that I actually feel a very real response to the things I'm reading. The characters are so much fun that I wish they were my friends, and that I was sharing the adventures alongside them. These are the things that hook me and cement me as a fan.
This is such a powerful development to the overall story and while it's not quite as frivolous as the previous novels, it still has a lot of variety to keep things interesting, as well as further character development and some heart-melting moments.
Oh! I forgot to mention!!
We have a MAP!
It looks so cool and now we can finally see where everything is and where Alex is actually flitting about to. Very impressive. I follow the artist on Instagram and she posts all kinds of wonderful Medoran Chronicles fan art so it was so great seeing that she illustrated this, too!
If this is the first you're hearing about this series, go out and get a copy of Akarnae ASAP and you won't regret it. It's blown me out of the water since I took a chance on it.
Honestly I'm gonna have to re-read the series now because there's this huge, Medoran-shaped hole in it.
Hurry up, Vardaesia!
***
(1 day later ...)
WORST. BOOK HANGOVER. EVER.
Review for Akarnae (4★s) HERE
Review for Raelia (5★s) HERE
Review for Draekora (5★s) HERE
Review for We Three Heroes (4★s) HERE
Review for Vardaesia (5★s) HERE
Read
November 25, 2021Full series re-read - Nov 2021
February 27, 2019
RE-READ 2019
This book will never not be my favourite book in the series for SO MANY REASONS. I don’t know if I could ever put into words what this book into particular means to me, but just know that it is incredible and an emotional rollercoaster no matter how many times I read it.
Original Review:
So I just finished reading this for the fourth(?) time and I am feeling many emotions right now. This book is still my favourite in the series because of the character growth and development that we see within its pages, as well as the incredibly high stakes plot.
Alex is badass. Niyx is my love. Aven is a monster. Jordan, D.C. and Bear are the glue that holds Alex together. Kaiden is everything.
I'll be posting a more intelligent review once I've had a chance to look through my notes and put my thoughts in order.
For now, I'll leave you with this:
Resist the shadows.
This book will never not be my favourite book in the series for SO MANY REASONS. I don’t know if I could ever put into words what this book into particular means to me, but just know that it is incredible and an emotional rollercoaster no matter how many times I read it.
Original Review:
So I just finished reading this for the fourth(?) time and I am feeling many emotions right now. This book is still my favourite in the series because of the character growth and development that we see within its pages, as well as the incredibly high stakes plot.
Alex is badass. Niyx is my love. Aven is a monster. Jordan, D.C. and Bear are the glue that holds Alex together. Kaiden is everything.
I'll be posting a more intelligent review once I've had a chance to look through my notes and put my thoughts in order.
For now, I'll leave you with this:
Resist the shadows.
August 17, 2020
With Aven Dalmarta once again back in Meya, now King after the death of his father, and amassing his army in preparation of removing all mortals from Medora, Alex was preparing as she never had before. Early morning training and late evening training; Alex must prepare the Shadow Walkers, Dayriders, Jarnocks and Flips for Aven’s attack. Her good friends Jordan, Dix and Bear were by her side, along with Niyx and her many other supporters.
Alex’s fascination on her arrival at Graevale where both the Shadow Walkers and Dayriders resided was dimmed by their reactions. With her frustration mounting, Alex did everything she could to persuade the elders that what she said was true. Was she going to fail before it had even started? What would happen when Aven decided it was time?
Graevale is the 4th in the Medoran Chronicles by Aussie author Lynette Noni and I loved it. Over 450 pages flew by as I kept pace with Alex and her friends; Soraya was a seriously cute addition to the group. The front of the novel shows Graevale with the author’s word pictures enough that I recognized the city. And although I’m looking forward very much to #5, Vardaesia, it means the conclusion of Alex’s journey, which will be sad. Highly recommended (from the beginning).
Alex’s fascination on her arrival at Graevale where both the Shadow Walkers and Dayriders resided was dimmed by their reactions. With her frustration mounting, Alex did everything she could to persuade the elders that what she said was true. Was she going to fail before it had even started? What would happen when Aven decided it was time?
Graevale is the 4th in the Medoran Chronicles by Aussie author Lynette Noni and I loved it. Over 450 pages flew by as I kept pace with Alex and her friends; Soraya was a seriously cute addition to the group. The front of the novel shows Graevale with the author’s word pictures enough that I recognized the city. And although I’m looking forward very much to #5, Vardaesia, it means the conclusion of Alex’s journey, which will be sad. Highly recommended (from the beginning).
March 16, 2019
i’m too soft my feelings hurt
January 7, 2019
If I could give this book more stars...I would. This book crushed me...tore me apart and had me sobbing.
I am heartbroken and can't even think straight right now.
I need the next book ..I really need it now to get me out of this sorrow.
I am heartbroken and can't even think straight right now.
I need the next book ..I really need it now to get me out of this sorrow.
March 9, 2020
First read: February 16th 2018
Re-read: March 9th 2020
Light or dark, only one can win. This world cannot survive in shades of grey
I didn't think this series could get any better but with each new book that Lynette seems to bring out for this series she always seems to top it from its previous book and this book did not disappoint me.
This book for me was a turning point for the series, it has a much darker tone to it and no one is safe with war raging on and things are nowhere near finished.
Plot: This book picks up exactly were book three finished and we see Alex and her friends getting ready to try and take Aven on. This proves to be a very difficult task because a lot of the places Alex visits do not believe a teenage girl. I love how this book shifted the series because it had such a more darker tone to it and everything has changed because no one is safe and this book definitely proves this. The stakes are high in this book and man you will need to brace yourself for all the stuff that happens in this book, the story and character development is at its peak in this book and Lynette does a good job of it.
Characters:
Alex Jennings: Alex is gearing up for war in this book and she has the world on her shoulders and shes having trouble trying to get people on her side and ready for a fight that is coming. Alex has so much character development in this book and i'm all for it because it goes to show how much this is weighing on her and trying to convince people that Aven is coming has proven to be a difficult task for her. Alex is still a very quick witted and funny character but also very vulnerable at times to, she has grown so much since the first book and i hope she can win this fight in the epic finale of this series.
Jordan: Jordan has had a rough time since the events of the third book because of him being claimed by Aven for the most of the third book of this series. I'm happy that he was saved by Alex, Bear and D.C at the end because it was strange not having Jordan there for his quick remarks and laugh out loud moments. However for Jordan this book is a time for healing because he's still having a hard time to recover from this and i still believe he has a long way to go and i hope he doesn't learn about what he did because that will change this character forever.
Bear: I love this character as i do all the four main characters but this character had one of the most biggest things in happen in this book. I hope bear can fight for his father in the next book and win to honour his father because the scene were his father was killed in battle absolutely broke me and bears reaction did just as the same reaction for me. Bear in this book takes a step away from Jordan and i actually loved this because his time with Alex alone got to see how smart this character is and i actually think he's more capable to help when hes not with Jordan all the time.
D.C.: D.C never fails to surprise me and this book is no different, D.C is such a strong wielded character and ready to take the fight to Aven which i find very amusing. D.C has come a long way since the stand-offish persona she had towards everyone in book one, she has now become this strong female character who's not afraid to get the tough things done and she may be a princess but she is one bad ass princess. I am now all for the relationship that D.C and Jordan have started because i feel like they complement each other so well, i think it's because they have similar backgrounds so they just fit perfectly.
Nyix: Nyix i would have never thought i would come to love this character as much as i have because he changed so much and my opinion changed since we first met him. He was a double agent in this one, trying to convince Aven he was on his side but also trying to help Alex try take him down which provides to be a very difficult task for Nyix. I had a love hate relationship with this character in the beginning because i didn't know wether to trust him or not but this book sold my thoughts on this character. Nyix died a hero and that's what i will call him because he saved Alex because he knew she would do something stupid and i love how he went out in typical Nyix fashion going out on his own terms.
The fight has just begun and nowhere near finished, Alex has a very difficult task of finishing off Aven which will need every ounce of strength.
This book destroyed me and made me have full on tears which is very rare in books but having not one but 3 different characters die within two chapters of each other just was to much. I have a feeling more characters will die in book 5 and i'm not prepared enough. No character is safe, No Place is safe because Aven is coming.
Resist The Shadows
Re-read: March 9th 2020
Light or dark, only one can win. This world cannot survive in shades of grey
I didn't think this series could get any better but with each new book that Lynette seems to bring out for this series she always seems to top it from its previous book and this book did not disappoint me.
This book for me was a turning point for the series, it has a much darker tone to it and no one is safe with war raging on and things are nowhere near finished.
Plot: This book picks up exactly were book three finished and we see Alex and her friends getting ready to try and take Aven on. This proves to be a very difficult task because a lot of the places Alex visits do not believe a teenage girl. I love how this book shifted the series because it had such a more darker tone to it and everything has changed because no one is safe and this book definitely proves this. The stakes are high in this book and man you will need to brace yourself for all the stuff that happens in this book, the story and character development is at its peak in this book and Lynette does a good job of it.
Characters:
Alex Jennings: Alex is gearing up for war in this book and she has the world on her shoulders and shes having trouble trying to get people on her side and ready for a fight that is coming. Alex has so much character development in this book and i'm all for it because it goes to show how much this is weighing on her and trying to convince people that Aven is coming has proven to be a difficult task for her. Alex is still a very quick witted and funny character but also very vulnerable at times to, she has grown so much since the first book and i hope she can win this fight in the epic finale of this series.
Jordan: Jordan has had a rough time since the events of the third book because of him being claimed by Aven for the most of the third book of this series. I'm happy that he was saved by Alex, Bear and D.C at the end because it was strange not having Jordan there for his quick remarks and laugh out loud moments. However for Jordan this book is a time for healing because he's still having a hard time to recover from this and i still believe he has a long way to go and i hope he doesn't learn about what he did because that will change this character forever.
Bear: I love this character as i do all the four main characters but this character had one of the most biggest things in happen in this book. I hope bear can fight for his father in the next book and win to honour his father because the scene were his father was killed in battle absolutely broke me and bears reaction did just as the same reaction for me. Bear in this book takes a step away from Jordan and i actually loved this because his time with Alex alone got to see how smart this character is and i actually think he's more capable to help when hes not with Jordan all the time.
D.C.: D.C never fails to surprise me and this book is no different, D.C is such a strong wielded character and ready to take the fight to Aven which i find very amusing. D.C has come a long way since the stand-offish persona she had towards everyone in book one, she has now become this strong female character who's not afraid to get the tough things done and she may be a princess but she is one bad ass princess. I am now all for the relationship that D.C and Jordan have started because i feel like they complement each other so well, i think it's because they have similar backgrounds so they just fit perfectly.
Nyix: Nyix i would have never thought i would come to love this character as much as i have because he changed so much and my opinion changed since we first met him. He was a double agent in this one, trying to convince Aven he was on his side but also trying to help Alex try take him down which provides to be a very difficult task for Nyix. I had a love hate relationship with this character in the beginning because i didn't know wether to trust him or not but this book sold my thoughts on this character. Nyix died a hero and that's what i will call him because he saved Alex because he knew she would do something stupid and i love how he went out in typical Nyix fashion going out on his own terms.
The fight has just begun and nowhere near finished, Alex has a very difficult task of finishing off Aven which will need every ounce of strength.
This book destroyed me and made me have full on tears which is very rare in books but having not one but 3 different characters die within two chapters of each other just was to much. I have a feeling more characters will die in book 5 and i'm not prepared enough. No character is safe, No Place is safe because Aven is coming.
Resist The Shadows
February 6, 2018
I don't wanna talk about what just happened. Maybe later. Hmph.
July 24, 2018
Shut up. I'm not crying. You're crying.
All the feels! ALL THE FEELS!!!
All the feels! ALL THE FEELS!!!
February 21, 2019
i have no words. so many things i’ve been waiting so long for finally happened in this book, yet it subjected me to insane amounts of tears and heartache. this stakes of this story are at their highest yet, and the previous development of the storyline finally reaching a crux is incredible to witness. you WANT to read this, trust me. just be prepared to suffer, and ensure there’s a box of tissues nearby.
February 17, 2019
AHAHAHA. NOOO. WHYYY. HOWWW?? I CANT THERE ARE TOO MANY EMOTIONS.
February 16, 2019
SECOND READ 16/02/19 - 5 stars
I'm sure there has been one, but I'm genuinely struggling to think of a book that has made me cry twice. It could just be that my brain is tired, but it could also be that this is the first book that has ever made me bawl for a second time. And I feel the need to stress this, both reads had me properly crying. I am not a big cryer when it comes to reading/watching movies/tv shows etc. Real life yes, fictional no. I have now read 300 books since joining Goodreads and only 6 have made me cry. Because it is so rare, I count a single tear running down my face as crying, so for this to make me properly sob both times I read this? Yah, the emotional devastation I feel right now is quite real.
So, what I'm saying is that I highly recommend this series. It's one of my all time favourites and I urge everyone to go check it out.
FIRST READ 02/02/18 - 5 stars
I tried to emotionally prepare myself for this book and nope. Congrats on being the fifth book since joining Goodreads to make me cry. And not like one tear gently rolling down my face, it was a steady stream and holy shit I could still break into tears any time now. My heart is officially broken.
I'm sure there has been one, but I'm genuinely struggling to think of a book that has made me cry twice. It could just be that my brain is tired, but it could also be that this is the first book that has ever made me bawl for a second time. And I feel the need to stress this, both reads had me properly crying. I am not a big cryer when it comes to reading/watching movies/tv shows etc. Real life yes, fictional no. I have now read 300 books since joining Goodreads and only 6 have made me cry. Because it is so rare, I count a single tear running down my face as crying, so for this to make me properly sob both times I read this? Yah, the emotional devastation I feel right now is quite real.
So, what I'm saying is that I highly recommend this series. It's one of my all time favourites and I urge everyone to go check it out.
FIRST READ 02/02/18 - 5 stars
I tried to emotionally prepare myself for this book and nope. Congrats on being the fifth book since joining Goodreads to make me cry. And not like one tear gently rolling down my face, it was a steady stream and holy shit I could still break into tears any time now. My heart is officially broken.
April 19, 2018
Wow. Good thing I wasn't planning to use my heart today anyway.
Review posted on Tea in the Treetops blog in April 2018:
The fourth and penultimate book in Lynette Noni’s Medoran Chronicles, Graevale, has been highly anticipated since the dramatic end of book three.
Alex is back at Akarnae after returning to the present time, with the knowledge that Aven has taken over Meya and is bent on destroying the mortal races. Alex knows that Aven is coming, but she must first convince the different races of Medora of the threat Aven poses, and gain their allegiance for the coming battle.
The first half of this book is steadily paced, with Alex as frustrated as I was at the lack of progress. There’s a lot of training, then travelling. The chance to see other parts of Medora and the other races was a tantalising, but short glimpse into the rest of Medora. I would have loved to spend longer exploring the underwater city of the Flips, or the treetop city of the Jarnocks. I enjoyed the Alex’s adventures in Graevale, though, and I would totally adopt a shadow wolf too, no matter what my family said.
The battle does come, though, and it’s fantastic and terrible. Alex is really coming into her abilities and gathering her allies, and the series feels like it’s building up into an epic conclusion. The last few chapters are a rollercoaster. Make sure you’ve got a tissue handy.
Okay, this might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m not super-fond of Kaiden. This seems to be a trend for me – I don’t usually like perfect, handsome and selfless love interests. I think I’m sticking with #teamAven at this point! I have no idea at this point whether Aven can be redeemed, or if he even should be, but I am kind of rooting for him. Does that make me a bad person?
I cannot wait to find out what happens in book five, Vardaesia. Don’t forget, there’s also the three Medoran novellas coming later this year that will be collected in We Three Heroes. And since Lynette is such a busy lady, she’s about to release the first book in her new series, Whisper!
Review posted on Tea in the Treetops blog in April 2018:
The fourth and penultimate book in Lynette Noni’s Medoran Chronicles, Graevale, has been highly anticipated since the dramatic end of book three.
Alex is back at Akarnae after returning to the present time, with the knowledge that Aven has taken over Meya and is bent on destroying the mortal races. Alex knows that Aven is coming, but she must first convince the different races of Medora of the threat Aven poses, and gain their allegiance for the coming battle.
The first half of this book is steadily paced, with Alex as frustrated as I was at the lack of progress. There’s a lot of training, then travelling. The chance to see other parts of Medora and the other races was a tantalising, but short glimpse into the rest of Medora. I would have loved to spend longer exploring the underwater city of the Flips, or the treetop city of the Jarnocks. I enjoyed the Alex’s adventures in Graevale, though, and I would totally adopt a shadow wolf too, no matter what my family said.
The battle does come, though, and it’s fantastic and terrible. Alex is really coming into her abilities and gathering her allies, and the series feels like it’s building up into an epic conclusion. The last few chapters are a rollercoaster. Make sure you’ve got a tissue handy.
Okay, this might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m not super-fond of Kaiden. This seems to be a trend for me – I don’t usually like perfect, handsome and selfless love interests. I think I’m sticking with #teamAven at this point! I have no idea at this point whether Aven can be redeemed, or if he even should be, but I am kind of rooting for him. Does that make me a bad person?
I cannot wait to find out what happens in book five, Vardaesia. Don’t forget, there’s also the three Medoran novellas coming later this year that will be collected in We Three Heroes. And since Lynette is such a busy lady, she’s about to release the first book in her new series, Whisper!
October 30, 2018
“Don’t fear the shadows. Make the shadows fear you.”
Oh my goodness. .
I was trying to savour this read, as I knew that this will be the second last in the series, and that some major shit was going to go down and that my feels were gonna be affected. But seriously. I was so stupid to wait and prolong the inevitable. It didn’t make my feels hurt any less!
It is honestly remarkable to be on this journey with Noni and Alex. It’s remarkable to read and watch how Noni has developed as an author since I read her debut Akarnae in 2015, and read and watch how Alex develops as a character. The Medoran Chronicles is a marvel in publishing, showing that with the right author, the right editor, the right everything else, including fan-base, any series (even an obscure one) can become phenomenal.
It just takes my breath away every time I read the next chapter in this series. Each is so beautiful, captivating, and transcendent. I learn something new about myself, the series, the genre, every single time I start a new page.
There is not enough praise in the world for Noni and this series. I’m seriously blessed and humbled to have been on this journey, and I cannot wait to read Vardaesia and We Three Heroes.
P.S. HOW DARE YOU?!??!??! *cries to all the stars and the light*
Oh my goodness. .
I was trying to savour this read, as I knew that this will be the second last in the series, and that some major shit was going to go down and that my feels were gonna be affected. But seriously. I was so stupid to wait and prolong the inevitable. It didn’t make my feels hurt any less!
It is honestly remarkable to be on this journey with Noni and Alex. It’s remarkable to read and watch how Noni has developed as an author since I read her debut Akarnae in 2015, and read and watch how Alex develops as a character. The Medoran Chronicles is a marvel in publishing, showing that with the right author, the right editor, the right everything else, including fan-base, any series (even an obscure one) can become phenomenal.
It just takes my breath away every time I read the next chapter in this series. Each is so beautiful, captivating, and transcendent. I learn something new about myself, the series, the genre, every single time I start a new page.
There is not enough praise in the world for Noni and this series. I’m seriously blessed and humbled to have been on this journey, and I cannot wait to read Vardaesia and We Three Heroes.
P.S. HOW DARE YOU?!??!??! *cries to all the stars and the light*
April 24, 2018
Another great book for this series. I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as book 3, but it was still good. This one has Alex visiting neighboring lands to warn them Aven is coming and enlist their help in the upcoming war. While some of these visits present significant challenges for Alex, others dragged a little. Niyx was my favourite character by far. Soraya was a nice new addition. While it was good to get some of Kaiden’s backstory, he’s feeling a little too perfect. I’m struggling to see the spark. Once again, things got a little darker. There’s a great set up for the fifth and final book in the series. Sadly, having indulged myself reading straight through books 1-4 over the last two weeks, I’ll now have to wait for book 5. I’m so looking forward to it. Thanks to everyone who voted for it on the Dymocks Top 101 Books. It might not have been on my radar otherwise.
March 28, 2019
My feelings haven't changed about this book even as I reread it.
I kind of wish they did.
I kind of wish they did.
March 24, 2022
NIYX T_________T
June 6, 2019
I have so many feelings right now that writing a proper review is going to be a struggle. So I'll try my best to summarise.
As a book, Graevale utterly destroyed me in the best way possible, with the plot, the character development and the heartfelt moments all creating a whirlwind of a ride. Reading it, I fell in love all over again with the magic of Medora and the thrill of Alex's adventures.
Not to mention that Lynette Noni always creates such beautiful and vivid worlds and I loved being able to explore more of Medora in this installment.
Whilst I can't say much more, I can say that Graevale deserves a full five stars and will forever be my favourite book in the series.
As a book, Graevale utterly destroyed me in the best way possible, with the plot, the character development and the heartfelt moments all creating a whirlwind of a ride. Reading it, I fell in love all over again with the magic of Medora and the thrill of Alex's adventures.
Not to mention that Lynette Noni always creates such beautiful and vivid worlds and I loved being able to explore more of Medora in this installment.
Whilst I can't say much more, I can say that Graevale deserves a full five stars and will forever be my favourite book in the series.
April 12, 2018
4 1/2 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Would of been more if my heart wasn't just ripped out!!! But saying that Lynette has done such an amazing job gripping me in for this novel. Especially that ending but but but why!!?!
Would of been more if my heart wasn't just ripped out!!! But saying that Lynette has done such an amazing job gripping me in for this novel. Especially that ending but but but why!!?!
February 4, 2018
3.5 Stars. (this review is unedited so it won't sound good and probably contradictory lol)
I would like to begin by saying this book was really addictive. I couldn't put it down from the minute I picked it up. I literally dreamt about it last night and I woke up excited to continue reading (considering I started it yesterday I am quite impressed). As always I absolutely loved Alex and her friends but most importantly I love Niyx. GOD BLESS HIM. He was definitely a highlight and definitely an enjoyable character to read about and this story wouldn't have been the same without him.
Which brings me to my next point:
Here are a few more downs for this book:
- Kaiden and Alex's love(?) story felt forced. Seriously. Kaiden has been more of a side character than anything and I don't believe Alex just somehow doesn't (not even for a second) think about the other boys who are her 'friends' as something more or even have a split second crush. Noni even goes so far to literally state in some parts that Alex and (character) were like brother and sister or that they don't think it could ever work out between them. I don't know. To me I feel like Alex would have at least had a crush on at least Jordan or Niyx by now- not only Kaiden who so far seems to be flawless.
- Very repetitive. Alex went around to gather up people from different countries (if that's what they are) and the same thing happened the whole time. . Personally, if I was writing the story I would have made it so that all the races' leaders met in a giant courtroom or something and the whole thing happened only once and then they battle it out and see what needs to be done or see if Alex is going to fail winning their help etc! Just saying this book could have gone in a much better direction.
- I sense that Alex has kind of become like Feyre in AOWAR. (I see how that happened because Noni and Maas are friends). Personally I feel as though Alex became more like "I am the only one who can save us! That's what the prophesy said! I'm not going to kill Aven however because I'm not a bad person and I'll try to save him too!" Please stop Alex. I love you but no. This is how I saw Feyre in the last novel. She became a bit too much 'it's all about me and my friends'.
However I do have to say that I overall enjoyed the story and I am excited to see what is going to happen next.
Edit:
I would like to begin by saying this book was really addictive. I couldn't put it down from the minute I picked it up. I literally dreamt about it last night and I woke up excited to continue reading (considering I started it yesterday I am quite impressed). As always I absolutely loved Alex and her friends but most importantly I love Niyx. GOD BLESS HIM. He was definitely a highlight and definitely an enjoyable character to read about and this story wouldn't have been the same without him.
Which brings me to my next point:
Here are a few more downs for this book:
- Kaiden and Alex's love(?) story felt forced. Seriously. Kaiden has been more of a side character than anything and I don't believe Alex just somehow doesn't (not even for a second) think about the other boys who are her 'friends' as something more or even have a split second crush. Noni even goes so far to literally state in some parts that Alex and (character) were like brother and sister or that they don't think it could ever work out between them. I don't know. To me I feel like Alex would have at least had a crush on at least Jordan or Niyx by now- not only Kaiden who so far seems to be flawless.
- Very repetitive. Alex went around to gather up people from different countries (if that's what they are) and the same thing happened the whole time. . Personally, if I was writing the story I would have made it so that all the races' leaders met in a giant courtroom or something and the whole thing happened only once and then they battle it out and see what needs to be done or see if Alex is going to fail winning their help etc! Just saying this book could have gone in a much better direction.
- I sense that Alex has kind of become like Feyre in AOWAR. (I see how that happened because Noni and Maas are friends). Personally I feel as though Alex became more like "I am the only one who can save us! That's what the prophesy said! I'm not going to kill Aven however because I'm not a bad person and I'll try to save him too!" Please stop Alex. I love you but no. This is how I saw Feyre in the last novel. She became a bit too much 'it's all about me and my friends'.
However I do have to say that I overall enjoyed the story and I am excited to see what is going to happen next.
Edit:
January 21, 2018
Out of all the books I have read in this series, this was the one book that made my heart stop momentarily!!! (For fear of spoilers I won’t say why) but honestly, I found this instalment really takes the cake!!! In the first book, Alex was new to the whole new world and was still learning. In book 2, Alex understands her position and is dealing with it, book 3 taught us “history may help making future decisions” then this one.. BAM!! Alex is on a mission against all the odds.. A story that was fast paced, exciting and engrossing and yes I had a heart stopping gasp moment! The dialogue was also humorous and there were moments in all the chaos of the book that brought us back down to earth just for a moment to see a side of Alex that confirms yes she may be extraordinary but she is human with feelings (I liked that) a book really well worth the read. Excited for the final instalment - simultaneously sad to see it about to end.. A great read!!!
April 18, 2019
I have absolutely no idea what to say.
I mean- many answers and developments were inferred in this installment that I am left utter speechless as to how book 5 will compensate.
Right now I am in love with Soraya and Xira :) and I sincerely hope we see a lot more of both of them.
But going back to what I learnt in this book.... For starters don't even get me started on Kaiden, or Athora.
And Niyx is one of my favourite characters
And as for Alex's improved skills- I can't wait to see how she shows off- I need to see more of it
WHEN RE-READING IT BEFORE THE FINAL BOOK
I can't believe its come to the stage that I almost have to say goodbye to this series. When re-reading this I re-connected with my favourite characters which in turn left me devastated. I should have known better than to get hooked in all over again. That letter though...
I mean- many answers and developments were inferred in this installment that I am left utter speechless as to how book 5 will compensate.
Right now I am in love with Soraya and Xira :) and I sincerely hope we see a lot more of both of them.
But going back to what I learnt in this book.... For starters don't even get me started on Kaiden, or Athora.
And Niyx is one of my favourite characters
And as for Alex's improved skills- I can't wait to see how she shows off- I need to see more of it
WHEN RE-READING IT BEFORE THE FINAL BOOK
I can't believe its come to the stage that I almost have to say goodbye to this series. When re-reading this I re-connected with my favourite characters which in turn left me devastated. I should have known better than to get hooked in all over again. That letter though...
February 14, 2019
*crawls up into a ball and floods the house with tears
February 8, 2018
I am destroyed.
February 26, 2018
Okay, so there's one thing that had me all excited reading Graevale. And I mean, disregarding the fact that I waited for the #4 like a runaway sneeze. Shadow Wolves! Man! That was as much a nugget as the Draekora was in the previous book. They only appear for a slice in the entire book, but man! Do I live for those moments!
Here I was thinking that Graevale would be the last book in the series, but it's rather the penultimate volume in the series. We have Vardaesia to look out for. Big yay? Or squeaky yay? I am personally torn. I actually expected Draekora to be the last. Then I expected Graevale to be the last. You know the plot has been stretched too thin to fill up all these volumes. And our heroine Alex does get to hog the lion's share of the plot arc with her friends, the Meyarins and other Medorans as afterthought secondary characters.
Lynette Noni sticks to a theme which she covers in each of the volumes, as she weaves more depth to the plot and all that.
#1 Akarnae dealt with the school for the magically inclined.
#2 Raelia introduced us to the Meyarins, the immortal elf-like beings who inhabit a hidden city in the middle of God-knows-where.
#3 Draekora was self-titled as well. The Draekora are basically dragons. We go through their history their particular brand of magic and discover what happened to them.
#4 Graevale keeps to this theme. We had already had a cursory introduction to Caspar Lennox, the mysterious Shadow Walker and teacher at Akarnae. Graevale is an in-depth dive into his homeland that goes by the same name.
#5 Vardaesia: Tia Auran home planet?
Our heroine and the main link between all these plot-lines is Alex. I was enamoured by yet another adventure. But I soon discovered that Lynette Noni spent so much time tying up loose ends and recapping to give Graevale the due diligence it deserved. The beginning is verbose and long-winded. The belly had a few surprises there once the action kicks in. The best scenes are those with Niyx and Alex. Kyia and Zain may as well have been joined at the hip. They don't seem to be strong enough to propel a scene without each other. The ending was lukewarm too, methinks.
And speaking of lukewarm... the love scenes were yucky. Kaiden, her love interest is your usual Adonisian hunk with every possible box ticked. Even kickass Jeera of the Medoran palace doesn't survive this round. I couldn't stop my gag-reflex on this one. I ate the meat out of Graevale, because at this stage, I just want to know what happens next. There are so many bones to pick out though.
I still love you Noni!
Here I was thinking that Graevale would be the last book in the series, but it's rather the penultimate volume in the series. We have Vardaesia to look out for. Big yay? Or squeaky yay? I am personally torn. I actually expected Draekora to be the last. Then I expected Graevale to be the last. You know the plot has been stretched too thin to fill up all these volumes. And our heroine Alex does get to hog the lion's share of the plot arc with her friends, the Meyarins and other Medorans as afterthought secondary characters.
Lynette Noni sticks to a theme which she covers in each of the volumes, as she weaves more depth to the plot and all that.
#1 Akarnae dealt with the school for the magically inclined.
#2 Raelia introduced us to the Meyarins, the immortal elf-like beings who inhabit a hidden city in the middle of God-knows-where.
#3 Draekora was self-titled as well. The Draekora are basically dragons. We go through their history their particular brand of magic and discover what happened to them.
#4 Graevale keeps to this theme. We had already had a cursory introduction to Caspar Lennox, the mysterious Shadow Walker and teacher at Akarnae. Graevale is an in-depth dive into his homeland that goes by the same name.
#5 Vardaesia: Tia Auran home planet?
Our heroine and the main link between all these plot-lines is Alex. I was enamoured by yet another adventure. But I soon discovered that Lynette Noni spent so much time tying up loose ends and recapping to give Graevale the due diligence it deserved. The beginning is verbose and long-winded. The belly had a few surprises there once the action kicks in. The best scenes are those with Niyx and Alex. Kyia and Zain may as well have been joined at the hip. They don't seem to be strong enough to propel a scene without each other. The ending was lukewarm too, methinks.
And speaking of lukewarm... the love scenes were yucky. Kaiden, her love interest is your usual Adonisian hunk with every possible box ticked. Even kickass Jeera of the Medoran palace doesn't survive this round. I couldn't stop my gag-reflex on this one. I ate the meat out of Graevale, because at this stage, I just want to know what happens next. There are so many bones to pick out though.
I still love you Noni!
January 28, 2018
I’ve literally wet the bed with how much I’ve just bawled my eyes out.
Also my heart is no longer in my chest as the wonderful Lynette Noni has kindly ripped it out and is gently and lovingly stabbing it with A’enara itself I swear.
BUT HEY THERE IS ONLY ANOTHER YEAR OF WAITING AHEAD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS.
P.S. but seriously Lynette that was the best book omfg I don’t know what to do with myself. This series is destroying me and I wouldn’t have it any other way <3
Also my heart is no longer in my chest as the wonderful Lynette Noni has kindly ripped it out and is gently and lovingly stabbing it with A’enara itself I swear.
BUT HEY THERE IS ONLY ANOTHER YEAR OF WAITING AHEAD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS.
P.S. but seriously Lynette that was the best book omfg I don’t know what to do with myself. This series is destroying me and I wouldn’t have it any other way <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2018
Wow. I was told to prepare for this book and you guys weren't wrong. It's definitely a book of struggle and failures, as Alex does everything she can in preparation for Aven's army. While reading the book, you can definitely feel a sense of tension, of something big coming, which we'll no doubt experience in the final book of the series. I can't wait!
February 26, 2023
Third read and the below still holds.
_________________________
spent the last half hour reading this book just crying with mascara BURNING MY EYES. This book is where all the feels are, and having read it before just really ups the ante on the feels.
(I'm still not okay)
_________________________
spent the last half hour reading this book just crying with mascara BURNING MY EYES. This book is where all the feels are, and having read it before just really ups the ante on the feels.
(I'm still not okay)
July 9, 2018
Such an incredible #LoveOzYA series. Adventurous, imaginative and superbly written.
Lynette Noni is a superstar!
Lynette Noni is a superstar!
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