ARA Review by Chaotic_Reading of End of the Last Great Kingdom

[Chaotic_Reading]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, End of the Last Great Kingdom.]

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1 out of 5 stars

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The following is a review for the book, End of the Last Great Kingdom.

Once Leaf wins the ability to awaken his magical powers, he renames himself Brimstone. Just as he gets comfortable with his new self, his world turns sideways.

I just want to start by saying that I try very hard to finish a book. For me, I feel as if I can’t fully understand the author’s process until the last page. But, I couldn’t finish this book. I got about halfway through, so I feel like I gave this book a fair chance, but I just couldn’t keep going.

For starters, I couldn’t figure out where this story was going. It felt like each chapter was its own micro story, and there was hardly any connection at all as the story progressed.

I also just don’t understand some of the thought process of the author. In the beginning, our main character is stated to be around thirteen, though maybe fifteen at the most. Yet, as soon as Brimstone becomes a mage, he is treated like an adult, even being taken to a “gentleman's club” at one point by his instructor. From chapter to chapter Brimstone is treated like a criminal, an outcast, the really popular kid, or the laughing stock of the whole school. There is no rhyme or reason to any of it, and it never adds up.

Oh, and there are situations that made me uncomfortable as a reader. One being Smith, who is described as being a full on adult, and while Brimstone is a little weirded out by Smith hitting on him, nothing is done, and this is seen as normal. Then there is Heat, who is described as a ten year old girl, who, to prove to Brimstone she is a powerful mage, informs him not to be a pervert and to hand her a towel after her clothes burn off in her demonstration. Then in the locker room, after Brimstone brings her inside, tells her not to stare, or if she wants to, she can join him in the shower if she wants. He is thirteen. She is ten.

Overall, I am not sure where this story is going. The disconnect and lack of development were large reasons for me stepping away. The general icky feeling I got while reading was another reason. My overall lack of enjoyment is why I gave this book 1 out of 5 stars. Don’t waste your time.

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