Fate Succumbs

by Tammy Blackwell

[jnikkir]

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

I don't think I'm going to be able to write a very thoughtful review, so let's do some bullet points, shall we? I have to give this series HUGE props for the following:

- Awesome, awesome, AWESOME female lead and narrator. Seriously, Scout is now a favorite.

- The characters. Yes, Scout is a prime example, but just... all of them. This is character development done right, and you can tell the author cared a lot about her characters. Everyone changes because of the situations they're faced with and the choices they have to make, and everyone does so in realistic ways.

- Pop culture/fandom references that actually WORKED. A lot of the time I feel like authors throw pop culture stuff into books to make people think they're "relating" to the reader; but really those references don't feel like they fit, either with the characters who make them or within whatever situation they're referenced. In Fate Succumbs, there were references to Harry Potter, the Avengers, Star Wars, DOCTOR WHO (ugh this one made my day), and tons of other stuff that I'm sure I'm forgetting. But absolutely none of those references felt awkward.

- No real love triangles. Okay, well, KIND OF, but not really. Scout isn't someone who strings guys along, or who can't make up her mind. She makes her choices, and the relationships as they all stand at the end of the series are actually really awesome. Everything comes full circle.

- Speaking of relationships, let's talk about the romance. Or just, lack of a female lead who lets herself be defined by the guy she likes. Yes, there is romance in the Timber Wolves trilogy. But I felt like it was almost just a side-story, just something that happened along with everything else, because Scout didn't let herself get hung up on her feelings for anyone. She could have easily let herself get all depressed and mopey about seeing Alex in her dreams, sat around and done nothing because she ~lurved~ him and couldn't live without him. But she didn't. And that was SUCH a refreshing change in this genre.



Only caveat I had was that the ending felt a little rushed. I just felt like there should've been some more "afterwards" stuff... but maybe I just can't let go. THESE CHARACTERS, OKAY? I LOVE THEM. I may have freaked out a little bit when I saw, at the end of my eBook, the note that said there will be another series. Different characters, sure, but JUST LET ME GO BACK I WANT MORE. ...Is it 2013 yet?