Sever (Chemical Garden Trilogy, #3)

by Lauren DeStefano

[Kim Deister]

This has been such an amazing series and I am sad to see it go because I have loved every single moment of it. It has been a series that has made me cry and that has made me think. It has been one of those series that stays with you long after you have finished. It is also going to be one of those that is reread often.

This book was intense, so much happening and changing for all of them. After the previous books, it is hard to imagine that anything else could happen to Rhine. Or to Gabriel, Linden, and Cecily, for that matter. But, as has always been the case, Rhine's father-in-law Vaughn is always there. He is never that far away and they all live in some level of fear because of him.

There was a lot to surprise in this book, none of which can I delve into too much, for fear of spoilers! Rhine's twin Rowan comes back into the picture and he was become someone I ever expected. We learn a lot more about Linden, who was always somewhat aloof with his ladies. I had a hard time really feeling for him throughout the other books because he was so separated from the reality of the world he lived in, but that changes with this book. Vaughn, too, as much as I love to hate him, shows a side that is far more human and compassionate than ever before. The biggest surprise is Cecily who has finally grown up and come into her own.

And then there was Reed, Vaughn's brother and Linden's uncle. He takes Rhine in, and later Cecily and Linden, too. He is a survivalist and a bit of an eccentric, dismissed by Vaughn as crazy. I think that he was the most sane one of the bunch, becoming the unlikely ally of Rhine. He was a strange duck, but one I loved.

Things to love about Sever...

--The intrigue. There are so many twists and turns in this book, so many times that everything turns upside down.
--The characters. Once again, the characters challenge the reader to put themselves in the situations and decide.
--The story. So powerful, so beautiful.

Things I wanted more of...

--Answers. There were still some questions about the future that are left to our imaginations as the readers. After all they had been through, I wanted to know if there was an HEA.
--Maddie. I wanted to know if she was going to be okay.
--Cecily and Gabriel. I wanted to know how their stories continued

My recommendation: Absolutely stunning read!