Weak Ending

This series goes as follows The Gathering: FANTASTIC!!! The Calling: Pretty good The Rising: ehh...

The final installment of this series felt like it went in circles and by the end they were pretty much back to square one. The Rising felt more like a middle book then a finale. I have read a lot of Kelly's books and this one felt the least like her to me. A of all there is a love triangle (KILL ME) and B of all there wasn't much of a conclusion. The lack on conclusion to the series makes me wonder if we are really done with this story... I hope not.

Narration is amazing as always Jennifer Ikeda can do no wrong in my book.

5 people found this helpful

Predictable, but entertaining

After reading all three books, I am alittle disappointed.
The idea was great, but never really went where I was hoping.
(SPOILER ALERT)
I was very excited about the different extinct supernatural types. 4 very unique, very different supernatural beings that could have made a great idea into an amazing story. I enjoyed the beginning as I tried to figure out who was what kind of type.
Unfortunately, aside from Miya, none of the characters powers are talked about im depth. Its just a very brief description now and then of what they can do. Its never explained why Corrie gets the head aches. Its never explained if Nicole went mad because of the experiment or not.
There isn't much actual supernatural action happening besides Miya turning into a cougar.
As for the love story, I found it cringey. Both the relationship with Daniel and with Rafe felt forced. By the end of the third book I grimaced anytime they appeared in the story. It was just too much. I get that real teenage romance is angsty, but the supernatural to angst ratio wasn't working out.
Also, I may have forgotten, but I don't believe Miya's page missing from Mina Lees notes was ever explained. Was it Calvin who took it?

1 person found this helpful

First two were better

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I listened to the first two books, so I wanted to know how it would end. If I hadn't listened to the first two, I would not have finished this book. So if this would be your first, don't buy it.

Would you ever listen to anything by Kelley Armstrong again?

Probably not, I think she does preteen books. This one was targeting that age, I believe.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jennifer Ikeda?

She is why I bought the book. She is one of my TOP 3 performers of all time!!

Did The Rising inspire you to do anything?

Nope

1 person found this helpful

Weak ending.

This book seemed rushed. Maya is fickle, that's all I have to say without spoilers.

1 person found this helpful

Spring for the whole trilogy.

Although “The Rising” completes Kelley Armstrong’s “Darkness Rising” trilogy, the trilogy, itself, is one long story — not three episodes in a series. For this reason, I advise you not to begin listening to “The Rising” without first having listened to “The Gathering” and “The Calling,” in that order. Otherwise, the story will seem disjointed and puzzling: “The Rising” picks up exactly where “The Calling” ends, just as “The Calling” picks up exactly where “The Gathering” ends. The Darkness Rising trilogy falls under several fiction genres: Young Adult, Fantasy/Supernatural, Thriller, and — yes, alas — Romance. I usually avoid Romance audiobooks; and The Darkness Rising Trilogy has all the usual Romance elements, including the one-or-more (in this case, two) handsome men (a good boy and a bad boy, of course) hopelessly, helplessly, devotedly, unconditionally in love with our beautiful heroine, never asking more of her than a little cuddling and kissing. (Hey, guys — if you want to know what women want, read Romance novels!) However, Kelley Armstrong can actually write well, and she has composed a pretty interesting plot, here. Best of all, the audiobook publisher selected the perfect actress to narrate this trilogy: Jennifer Ikeda. She has a lovely voice, and excellent acting chops, allowing her to clearly distinguish all the characters — including the guys — from each other, while always delivering the exactly right inflections. For me, the narrator can make or break an audiobook — even rescuing a mediocre book or ruining a good book — so Ms Ikeda kept me listening to “The Rising,” despite the Romance elements. I would recommend The Darkness Rising trilogy to young women, lovers of Romance fiction, and anyone who enjoys the Supernatural genre. (You 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 need to suspend disbelief here, folks.) Just remember to budget for all three audiobooks, because none of them stands alone.

3 people found this helpful

Good book overall

Any additional comments?

It was a good book but I desired something stronger for the ending to the series. It ties in the Chloe factor from the other Darkness Rising series, but I just expected it to be . . .more. I gave it a good rating because the book is still entertaining and well done. Its a fun read.

1 person found this helpful

Good ending to a great series!

Any additional comments?

This was a great series. Anyone familiar with Armstrongs adult books will love it. Don't read this book if you havent read the rest of the series, you wont like it. The books should be read in order, to understand whats going on and follow the relationships and friendships that develop. Really good book!

1 person found this helpful

Secrets Do Kill

I keep listening to this series to see if any of the characters wise up. Unfortunately, none of them do. They keep secrets from each other even if the knowledge will save a life. I have no clue why this is. When my friends and I were that age, we did NOT keep secrets when someone was in danger, and we certainly did not allow others to distract us when passing on critical information that another needed for decision making purposes.

I like this series, but I think Kelly Armstrong needs to take a closer look at today's teens. They seldom act the way she is depicting them in this series, and they certainly aren't as paranoid about life.

3 people found this helpful

great writing

loved it!!! on the edge of my seat and right in the middle of the forest.

Amazing series!

Kelley Armstrong has once again written an amazing and completely enthralling series! And if that’s not enough to entice you, they had the fabulous Jennifer Ikeda narrate it! Jennifer narrated my absolute favorite series A Discovery of Witches, and hearing her warm rich voice narrating this series was like coming home from a long, hard, cold day to find your most favorite comfort food, a warm fire and thick fuzzy blanket! I highly recommend this series and The Darkest Powers series!!