Jagged Arrow: Book III of The Kalelah Series

by Marshall Ross

[Quirky Cat]

3 1/2 stars rounded up

I received a copy of Jagged Arrow through BookishFirst in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jagged Arrow is the third and final installment in the Kalelah Series. The series is about two different races, both very similar. One is the entirely of the human race, the other is the reason why humanity exists. What happens when the two collide? What would happen if the originator wasn’t pleased with what they saw in humanity? How would humanity react to a supposedly superior race showing up? The Kalelah Series asks these questions, and so much more.
This is absolutely one of those series that you have to read in order. You can buy the collected set now, which is what I strongly suggest doing. The ending and beginning of each book ties in heavily with the others, so it’s best to just binge read them all. At least, that’s how I preferred to read them.



In a way it sort of feels weird that the series is over. Perhaps that’s because of how quickly I read through it all? Still, I’m glad I took the time to read the series, as it was such a unique blend of genres and subjects.
So this should go without saying, but if you haven’t finished the first two novels, you probably shouldn’t keep reading this review. Okay, now that I’ve said that I can continue on guilt-free.
Things have been coming to a head for a while, that has been apparently since what, the fifth chapter in the first book? So it’s only natural that this novel had a lot of action in it. I mean, we’re talking about one civilization that wants to annihilate the rest, and the people up above are terrified, angry, or in disbelief about that fact. Scared people don’t always make the best decisions.
Speaking of though, I feel like Marshall Ross doesn’t have the highest optimism for the human race. Some of the things he had them do in his series…they were horrifying to have happen. But at the same time none of it was so extreme that I felt compelled to argue against it…so maybe he isn’t entirely wrong either. I really hope we never have to find out though, let’s just leave it at that.
Sarah and Trin were the largest focus of this novel, like the last one. There were other perspectives thrown in, but they were really there just to increase our awareness of what was happening up at the surface (aka what humanity was up to).
The conclusion to the series was interesting. Some parts of it felt forced or rushed. As weird as this may sound, I actually think I would have liked the conflict to have gone on a bit longer. Given it more time to flow organically, for characters to have time to realize what was happening and react. Then again, in real life we don’t always get that, so at least it holds to that level of realism.
I’ll be curious to see if Marshall Ross writes more in this world he’s built, or if he’ll continue on to something else next. Either way I can’t wait to see what it’ll be.


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