REVIEW: Crystal Storm

Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes (Falling Kingdoms #5)

Page Count: 379 pages

Release Date: December 13, 2016

My Rating: 3.2/5

Goodreads Synopsis:

The ruthless Empress Amara of Kraeshia has taken the Mytican throne, and now uncertainty looms over the three kingdoms. Since Lucia unleashed the fire Kindred, wreaking havoc throughout the land, Myticans have been looking for someone—anyone—they can trust. They believe in Amara, not knowing her grand promises are built on lies. In Paelsia, Magnus and Cleo reluctantly follow King Gaius to the home of his exiled mother, Selia. Selia is a powerful witch and claims she can help unlock the magic of the Kindred—if the visitors agree to her terms. When Jonas arrives from Kraeshia, he is shocked to find that his rebel army now includes his sworn enemies. Along with Nic, Felix, and the mysteriously resurrected Ashur, the contentious group agrees to cast aside old grudges—for now—and united against their common enemy: Amara. Meanwhile, bearing the child of a Watcher and feared by all, Princess Lucia travels across Mytica to find her family. But time is running out. The impending storm signals the dark prophecy Timotheus warned her about. Her fate is written, and it includes none other than the rebel Jonas. When their paths collied, Jonas and Lucia must decide between blindly following their destiny or fighting for their own free will. The battle for power culminates at the Paelsian palace, where Amara resides. Rain pours. Blood spills. And soon all will discover that the darkest magic comes at an even darker price.

My Review:

I definitely think this series could have been a 5 book series, with Crystal Storm and Immortal Reign being smashed into one and tightened up. OH WELL. This book was...meandering. It seemed in a lot of places a filler book, and while there were a few good moments (MAGNEO FOREVER and THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!!) overall I felt it could've been a lot tighter and more plot-driven.

But! The series has come a long way from book one and there is no doubt that Crystal Storm is a good book. Cleo and Magnus hold everything together, and I am LOVING seeing how their relationship continues to progress. Jonas wasn't quite as irritating this time around (shocker) but his place of Annoying Character in Chief has been filled by Nic, who just needs to stop talking and stop assuming he is right about everything in the world.

Lucia is Lucia. *sigh.* Frustrating as ever, always jumping to conclusions, and needlessly violent to people who just want to help her. And STILL Magnus continues to hold her on a pedestal, maintaining how his sister is perfect and good and has no evil in her at all.

However, the last twenty pages or so are definitely page turners, and the ending was SUCH a cliffhanger that you can't help but want to finish the series!