Rituals: The Cainsville Series (Cainsville, #5)

by Kelley Armstrong

'Just like Armstrong's Otherworld series, Cainsville comes to a tense, satisfying head in Rituals.' - Inverse

'Impossible-to-put-down. . . . Bring on the next Cainsville volume, please.' - Sarah Weinman

Olivia Jones must make a choice.

Caught between two rival supernatural forces, Liv was granted a brief period in which to make her decision. Now that time has run out.

Whichever side she chooses, someone she loves will pay. Her lover, Ricky. Gabriel Walsh, the man she knows she cannot, must not love. Her parents, already trapped in prison.

And now there is a new, terrifying power rising - one that doesn't distinguish between good and evil intentions. It feeds on chaos and destroys without mercy. Unless Liv acts fast, no one will survive.

In this gripping thriller, international bestselling author Kelley Armstrong brings the Cainsville series to a powerful, richly rewarding climax.

Books by Kelley Armstrong:

Women of the Otherworld series
Bitten
Stolen
Dime Store Magic
Industrial Magic
Haunted
Broken
No Humans Involved
Personal Demon
Living with the Dead
Frost Bitten
Walking the Witch
Spellbound
Thirteen

Nadia Stafford
Exit Strategy
Made to be Broken
Wild Justice

Rockton
City of the Lost
A Darkness Absolute
This Fallen Prey
Watcher in the Woods
Alone in the Wild

Darkest Powers
The Summoning
The Awakening
The Reckoning

Otherworld Tales
Men of the Otherworld
Tales of the Otherworld
Otherworld Nights
Otherworld Secrets
Otherworld Chills

Darkness Rising
The Gathering
The Calling
The Rising

Cainsville
Omens
Visions
Deceptions
Betrayals
Rituals

• ISBN10: 0345815238
• ISBN13: 9780345815231
• Publish Date: 15 August 2017
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Random House Canada
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 496
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

Answers we finally get answers to the big questions. Who would Oliva choose Ricky or Gabriel? Will her parents be set free? Who will she accept, the Cwn Annwn or Tylwyth Teg? Of course, her journey hasn't been an easy one. Armstrong introduces us to a dark new evil in RITUALS ..but in the end, it was worth it and I devoured this story.

For those dying for answers regarding the triangle that has plagued us since book one, Armstrong removes that from the table fairly quickly and ooh-la-la. I was delighted and conflicted as the losing man was both gracious and wonderful. They were all so adult about it. Her choice rang true and was ultimately what I wanted. I was glad it resolved quickly because Olivia is about to face her biggest challenge yet! A new evil emerges and in typical Armstrong fashion, this force is scary and demanding.

A new evil emerges and in typical Armstrong fashion, this force is scary and demanding. Oliva needs to choose between the Cwn Annwn and the Tylwth Teg but this new evil a third form of Fae demands she align with them. This causes plenty of action scenes before leading to a huge showdown.

We learn about Gabriel and Oliva's births and discover just how much meddling has gone on involving this third branch of the Fae. Armstrong thrilled me with all of these shocking tidbits as Gabriel and Oliva ran around in circles demanding answers and piecing things together. We see growth in all of the characters even among the Fae as they must work together to face down this new threat.

I thought Armstrong did a stellar job of wrapping up the Cainsville series. Olivia's decision regarding the Cwn Annwn and Tylwyth Teg felt very much like her.  I would love to revisit this world. I have come to love the different supernatural creatures and rich characters.  For me, this is one of my favorite series by Armstrong and I hope she delivers more. There were a few minor questions left, but I am hoping Armstrong delivers a few novellas. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[justine_manzano]

Without spoiling anything, this was an extremely satisfying end to my favorite Armstrong series. It might be the only series ending of hers I've felt completely covered all the bases I wanted covered. Cainsville was an incredible ride that I truly enjoyed.

[Chelsea]

I have been waiting for this final book since Omens first came out. It's been a crazy ride but I think Rituals finished off the series nicely.

LIKES
- The romance was fantastic, as always. I could have used a little more though.
- The plot was full of the usual folklore which I never get tired of. It was interesting to see how all these events in Liv's life were tied together.
- The villain in this book was really interesting. I enjoyed seeing both sides work together for once because the whole darkness stuff was pretty creepy.
- Kelley has always been great at keeping the same vibe throughout her books. This one stayed mysterious and gothic until the very end! I'm looking forward to reading more Cainsville stories but I'm also sad the main ones are over.

DISLIKES
- I found Ricky wasn't in this book as much as he was in the others. I missed him but he was eventually there and I'm glad we got to see him with his cwn.
- There were some plot points that never got an ending. This probably means we'll be getting some more novellas but until then I'll be slightly annoyed.
- Some parts felt a little too drawn out while others were too short. Or maybe I was just really impatient to finish ;)