War of the Black Curtain

The Jimmy Fincher Saga #4

by James Dashner

The Black Curtain has ripped open, massive and dark. The Stompers swarm through it, elusive and frightening. The Black Coma consumes the people of the Earth. Shadow Ka rule the lands with a mighty vengeance. Everything has come to a head, and the world is grim. Jimmy Fincher is the only one who can save it. To accomplish the impossible, he must solve the Riddle of the Red Disk. He must find the Dream Warden and receive the Fourth Gift. He must go to a place where nightmares live—and face them alone. But most important of all, Jimmy must face the shocking and terrible truth of what lies beneath his enemy’s true nature. The War has just begun.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Teen

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

James is the author of THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy and THE 13TH REALITY series. He also published a series (beginning with A DOOR IN THE WOODS) with a small publisher several years ago. He lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains.

Reviews

[Mikey Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dashner is the master of suspense!

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the final book in the series I was excited to wrap it all up with Jimmy. It started out the same as the previous two novels with some action I simply was anxious to get through to see how everything ended. I loved the twist near the end of the book with Jimmy having been in the first layer of the Yumeka all along and I thought this really explained how every crazy thing that happened was possible. It was very pleasantly surprising and my opinion of the book took a positive turn....and then the ending came.

I don't understand, if the soul of Jimmy's world is his family and that's how he saves the entire planet, why in the heck would you end the story with Jimmy having to spend the rest of his days saving other planets and not be able to be with his family ever again?! Horrible. This self-sacrifice was too much for me. I don't understand why the Givers would choose Earth as the only planet to bestow the four gifts to save the world and why they can only give them once rather than use people in the Yumeka from other planets sacrifice to save their own races.I felt this part was very flawed.

All in all the first book of this series is the best, it's quirky, fun, exciting, and relate-able. The middle two are just action-adventure fillers and are full of Dashner's somewhat frustrating style of prolonging the story with the, you-can't-know-right-now-but-you-will-later-when-the-time-is-right theme that runs through pretty much every book of his. And the final book starts out this same way but adds a delightful twist and a frustrating ending.

Besides the first book, this whole series was a little too juvenile for me as an adult, but (as I've said before) I believe a person of the proper audience would LOVE this series. So I would highly recommend for a tween-aged reader.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the first 3 of this series so far - and I LOOOOOOOOOVE them. They are right down my ally ... kind of adventure, fantasy, sci-fi all tied into one. I'll somehow be getting my hands on this final book tomorrow. I will not wait.

So - I finished the 4th book ... easily. So DANG good! I seriously loved this series. Very exciting and fun. Couldn't put them down. Now I need a breather book - so my house and kids stay clean during the reading process. haha.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow...this was mind-blowing. I read this whole book in about one day, and honestly it was pretty good. Out of all the books in this series, I liked this one the most.

Although, I couldn't help feeling like this type of writing was long overdue. More specifically, the amount of storytelling, maturity, and deep emotionality in this book was desperately needed in the first three books of the series. You can definitely tell that Dashner developed as a good writer throughout this series. I really didn't like the first book, that's for sure. But as the series went on, you can see elements added that made the whole story better.

Overall-for this book specifically-it was pretty good. It was an exciting, emotional, action-packed ride that brought the series to a close. Unfortunately, I can't give this book more than two stars because this series could have been better. I didn't like Jimmy Fincher, his weird friends, or his bland, stereotypical family. I didn't like the overall antagonist-the threatening, world destroying Stompers-or their henchmen, the Shadow Ka. And I most definitely didn't like the wacked out setting that's a weird fantasy/psychological/science-fiction world.

So, all in all, I'm coming away from this experience with a dislike for the series. But, I did sort of like this book. I would recommend this series to children that are around the ages of seven to ten, because this most definitely isn't for young adults, even if it says it is.

[Crystal McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Awesome ending!

I have read many of Mr Dashners books, and I must say this series is a great one for the younger children. Courage to stand up to fears, and bullies. It was very inspiring. I am an adult, but this would be a easy read for preteen male or female.

[Jodee Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

whew, what an adventure. it was vary good with a perfect ending. it read very smoothly and once I got started I didn't want to put it down. awesome!

[A.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely the best of the Jimmy Fincher books. I've really enjoyed the series, although it did start to feel a little repetitive during the third book. The fourth still follows some of the same pattern (Weird stuff happens. Jimmy gets a gift. People get kidnapped. Jimmy uses the gift to save the day.) but the ending is excellent and, I felt, very satisfying. Once again, it reminded me of discovering authors like Susan Cooper and Madeleine L'Engle when I was a kid.

The one criticism that I have of this book is the use of The Half. He appears for the first time in this book, and doesn't really have much to do until his big part in saving the day. I'll admit that I didn't guess his part in the story, but I probably would have if I'd been thinking about it. I would have preferred to see him introduced earlier, and used enough times that the reader thinks that his part in the story is done. Then when he is revealed as the Dream Warden that would have made the reveal better. On the other hand, maybe knowing The Half better would help the reader guess how he can help Jimmy at the end. I don't know.

All-in-all, I had a heck of a lot of fun reading this series. Highly recommended to anyone that likes young adult fantasy.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This series just got better and better as it went along. In this fourth and final (?) installment of the Jimmy Fincher Saga, Jimmy must save earth from the Stompers. The exciting action and endearing characters and relationships continue and the end has a twist I did not expect. I love the allegorical component to this particular book - a savior who willingly sacrifices himself to save the souls of all humanity because he knows he is the only one who can fill that role. I'd love to read more about Jimmy, but I can also understand that this may be the end of our opportunity to follow his adventures. Uplifting entertainment -- beautiful, James!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good ending to the jimmy finches series. This book was full of action and finally all the "wait til later then it will make sense" stuff finally comes out. I liked the twist towards the end about the layers was intriguing but the final end with the self sacrifice was bitter sweet. It was good but a bummer at the same time. Not my favorite happy tied with a bow ending but it was fitting. Definitely a series ill recommend to my kiddos when they are old enough. Thick with the importance of family and loyalty and self sacrifice for others. No romance at all in the whole series which probably appeals a great deal to younger boys. Great for adventure fantasy lovers.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This finishes the Jimmy Fincher Saga. I have to admit that the ending disturbs me. I don't like ending with Jimmy still off fighting the stompers. Years and years have passed and he has given up everything. Who even knows where he is? His body has grown into a man now. If he came back it would be of no use to him because it is just alive - he wouldn't be able to function - no muscle strength to move his body. I am writing this the day after finishing and I am still disturbed by this book and its outcome.

[Shanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion to the Jimmy Fincher Saga was full of action & suspense, as expected, but there were a few things I didn't expect. I'm still not quite sure how I personally feel about the ending, though it's very well written. I think James Dashner has written an adventure series that will capture the attention of readers in the 4th grade & up, especially the boys, as well as some of their parents.

[JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good ending to a fun series. Fincher races to save the world from the Stompers and the Shadow Ka and picks up his 4th and final gift. The third gift served him well here as well and I thought it was pretty clever how he used it. I was a bit surprised at the ending and it was definitely left open but doubt that it will go anywhere. You never know though...Orson Scott Card took Ender to some pretty crazy places later...Good series that I'd recommend to any fantasy fans.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending of this series is absolutely fantastic. I loved it the first time I read these books (way before the existence of Maze Runner) and I love it now. It's ending is bittersweet, up there with Bartimaeus, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Mistborn. I guess I love those kinds of endings. It evidences that the heroes made true sacrifices to win the day, that they gave something of themselves to achieve the good. Love it!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute little series. I did not like the names he came up with for things. It sounded like what my son would have thought of. All in all I think I would recommend reading this series. I think the books go by fast and I did feel drawn into them enough to finsih the series. I think my son will love these books.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this series may appeal to the younger readers--ages 10-12--but I have not really liked the author's writing style. Some of his ideas have been interesting, and, although not hard to read, his descriptions are a little lacking in style. Too much base humor also. But I actually was moved at the end of this series!

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the ending a little disappointing. I won't go into detail, but after I finished reading I had more questions about what Jimmy was facing than I did after the first book. Also, although a group of dragons might be cool, when you can pick from anything at all, why would you pick dragons and not something more guaranteed to work?

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book and got rid of most of the writing issues I had on the first book of the series. He maintained the high suspense through the entire series. The ending was different than what I would have expected but I have no problem with it. It is very family oriented and full of twists and fantasy all of which I loved. Does he save the world? It is worth the read to find out.

[06danielc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this series. A kid name Jimmy Fincher has to try and save the world with three soon to be four gifts. The book starts as him trying to find the fourth gift. He finds it and it is to control the dream world. A state in which you go through nightmare after nightmare. With his four gifts he has to fight off the stomper and save the symbol for the world to save it. Can he do it?

[Sherry Allred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very satisfying to complete the series, although, somewhat sad to see it end. Very intriguing story in it's fullness. I could see many parallels in the story of life and was touched to see how Jimmy was compared to a great man who walked the earth many years ago and sacrificed his life for all mankind. Hidden messages of hope and inspiration truly lie within this series.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one of the series. Great pacing from beginning to end. The series could be intense for younger audiences (8-10). Great story and a great ending. Had me thinking until the end and didn't dissapoint.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. I loved all the characters in the Alliance and how much Jimmy matured. I still don't really understand the Yumeka but thats ok. I liked the ending and I thought that the series had a lot of parallels to the gospel.

[Arlene Szalay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was consistent with the others in the series. I was a little disappointed in the ending because of the allegorical ending. I thought the idea of Jimmy sacrificing himself to save the world was a little forced. I thought that C. S. Lewis did a better job in the Chronicles of Narnia.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting end to a fun series. I want to know if there will be sequels featuring more of Jimmy? Great read!

[Kennen · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE Best Books Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO good i wish there were more of 'em comin'

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

last one in the seiries. kinda confusing...

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I was glad to have read the entire series, as this book definitely does not "stand alone". Lots of allegorical themes wound through the fantasy.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this ending. There wasn't really a resolution.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wrap up to the series. This series has been entertaining, but just a bit too young for me to really lose myself in them.

[Tiffany Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great end to the series, with an interesting twist. I really enjoyed the journey with Jimmy Fincher!

[Ashlee Veech · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is an amazing book