Darken the Stars (Kricket, #3)

by Amy A. Bartol

Kyon Ensin finally has what he’s always wanted: possession of Kricket Hollowell, the priestess who foresees the future. Together, their combined power will be unrivaled. Kricket, however, doesn’t crave the crown of Ethar—she has an unbreakable desire to live life on her own terms, a life that she desperately wants to share with her love, Trey Allairis.

As conspiracies rage in the war for Ethar, Kricket’s so-called allies want to use her as a spy. Even those held closest cannot be trusted—including Astrid, her sister, and Giffen, a member of a mysterious order with a hidden agenda. But Kricket’s resolve will not allow her to be used as anyone’s pawn, even as the Brotherhood sharpens its plans to cut out her heart.

As the destiny prophesied by her mother approaches, Kricket will backtrack through her fiery future to reshape it. For she knows one thing above all else: the only person she can truly count on is herself.

• ISBN10: 1503947424
• ISBN13: 9781503947429
• Publish Date: 8 September 2015
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Amazon Publishing
• Imprint: 47North
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 302
• Language: English

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books]

I adored this series, but this book gutted me. While I wasn't sure if Kricket, Trey or Kyon would get a HEA, I certainly didn't want things to go down the way they did for Kricket. Trey gave her up to easily to save his family and friends while Kyon scared her as much as he loved her. If nothing else, I wanted someone to finally stick by her and prove that she was worthy and loved.

I realize this last book was the end of the series, but I'm hoping the author might give us a novella (or something) to tie up the loose endings and maybe, just maybe, let Kricket find the happiness she so deserved.

[littleread1]

I LOVED the previous books. LOVED THEM. They are amazing and wonderful and surprising and fabulous. So I was super excited to read this installment, and then I heard it was to be the final book, and I had no clue how everything was going to wrap up in just one more book.

Well, if you ask me, it didn't. If this isn't the last book I will change my rating, but it was still missing that SOMETHING I had come to expect from Kricket and gang. She seemed ... complacent. And that is not how she was in the previous books. And the ending ... I just, no. I guess I get it but at the same time I am so confused. And disappointed. And angry that I am disappointed.

I really feel like I have been let down. It seems almost silly to have my feelings hurt over a book, but that is what it feels like to me. And maybe it is my own fault for being SO EXCITED about this book, that I built it up in my own head and the let down is because of too much anticipation. But I don't think that is entirely it. I just ... don't know what else to say. I am just so disappointed. So let down.

[Sam@WLABB]

I don't know how I feel right now, but I hope this is not the end for Kricket. This is not the ending she deserved.

The ending aside, I know why I did not enjoy this book as much as the other two -- there was not enough of the boys. The best moments of in book 1 and book 2 were when Kricket was with Wayra, Jax and Trey. They are missing for most of this book and that left me wanting in so many ways.

I did enjoy getting to see more of the world. Kyon has great wealth and great homes, which we got to visit. We also got to learn a lot more about Kricket's mother, the brotherhoods and the prophecy. I just could not connect with that ending. If this is the end of the series, Kricket was robbed.

[thebookdisciple]

So there is no way to do a review without spoilers for this book. Here is what you need to know.
1. You have to have read the other books. You might even want to reread just prior (I forgot a few things!)
2. You will love Kricket even more by the end of the book.
3. I want everyone else in that world to die. Ok, well not everyone but the major of the people on that planet are gonzo if I had my choice!
4. I cried like a baby when the book was over. I kept trying to flip the page on my kindle because it just couldn't be over. I'm still not okay.
5. I hope she writes more books in this series. I am considering stalking her until she does!

Kricket has always been one of my favorite book heroines. After this book, she is hands down the best female character in a book. Period. Not up for debate.
Why do I love Amy Bartol so much? This book is why-its inspiring, hopefully, tragic, sad, and everything in between. Each page is a different emotion. I was angry, I was laughing, I went through it all. (frankly, its a little exhausting! I am off to read something mindless now!).