I started reading the Ascendance series when I was ten...now, nearly eight years later, I've decided to finally finish it.
The Shattered Castle is a vast improvement from the previous book, and while I still prefer the original trilogy, I'm glad that I could finish the series with a sense of satisfaction.
Reading this book was falling back into nostalgia. I forgot how entertaining these fast-paced, death-defying adventures could be. The whole book took place over what felt like a few days and there was rarely a dull moment. While I'll admit that I found 30%-50% the most intriguing and the climax to be a bit underwhelming, it was a great way to close off Jaron's story.
Speaking of Jaron, he has to be one of my favorite narrators of all time. He's snarky, he's way smarter than me, and he hides just enough secrets from the reader to keep you intrigued. The whole ensemble cast was present in this book, but it really focused on Imogen, which I thought was fitting. I also thought Tobias was recognized more in this book too.
Even though the Ascendance series is technically middle-grade, I still think it's a worthwhile fantasy adventure with a great mix of humor and action.
4.25/5
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