Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Children for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: June 30th, 2020
480 Pages
Synopsis: From the bestselling co-author of The Illuminae Files, comes the thrilling finale in the LIFEL1K3 trilogy—hailed by Marie Lu as “a breathless, action-packed exploration of what humanity really means.”
Best friends have become enemies. Lovers have become strangers. And deciding whose side you’re on could be the difference between life and death. For Eve and Lemon, discovering the truth about themselves—and each other—was too much for their friendship to take. But with the country on the brink of a new world war—this time between the BioMaas swarm at CityHive and Daedalus’s at Megopolis, loyalties will be pushed to the brink, unlikely alliances will form and with them, betrayals. But the threat doesn’t stop there because the lifelikes are determined to access the program that will set every robot free, a task requiring both Eve and Ana, the girl she was created to replace. In the end, violent clashes and heartbreaking choices reveal the true heroes…and they may not be who you think they are.
Without a doubt, Jay Kristoff is one of the most talented YA authors out there, and with TRUEL1F3, he brings his epic LIFEL1K3 trilogy to a spectacular conclusion!
Beginning with a brief and helpful recap of what happened in the two previous books, the action kicks into high gear immediately and despite this being almost 500 pages long, I raced through it in two sittings. Kristoff is known for writing flawed, emotionally tormented characters, and the cast in this trilogy are no different. While Lemon turned out to be my favorite, I found them all to be pretty much unforgettable. My only nitpick is with Eve. After discovering that she’s been lied to her entire life, beginning in the second book she embraced villainy whole heartedly. At the end of LIFEL1K3, she suddenly turns back to the light and all is forgiven. Um. No. Call me vengeful, but when someone turns evil and their actions cause the deaths of innocence, I want to see justice. This is one of the main things that drove me absolutely NUTS about Anakin Skywalker’s backstory in the Star Wars movies. He kills millions of people, including an entire academy of children, and he’s forgiven and goes to Jedi heaven because he saves his son’s life? I don’t think so! Sorry for that digression, but it’s a little like that here. I understand Eve’s anger and feelings of betrayal, but that doesn’t excuse her actions. Yet at the end, apparently everything is hunky dory because she does the right thing and saves Lemon’s life. Argh!
I’m only taking a half point off my rating for that, because the rest of the book is just brilliant! My anger at Eve aside, I’ve grown quite fond of this motley crew of characters and I’m reluctant to say goodbye. I can’t wait to see what Kristoff will come out with next though. One word of caution: these books are extremely dark, and there are several bloody and gruesome scenes, some involving torture, so this may not be for everyone. If your interest is piqued though, I highly recommend this exciting science fiction trilogy with its unique storyline and colorful quirky characters.
Margie said:
Kim, I must tell you, you do the best reviews!
I have so many books that I am reading now and can’t fit in another book at this time!
But, thank you for the review! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww. That makes me so happy Margie. Thank you! I went off track a bit with my rant against Anakin Skywalker, but it drives me crazy when a character gets off too lightly after doing great evil. There’s enough of that in real life.
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Margie said:
You are so welcome Kim. I always look forward to your books reviews! I so understand your frustration with that character getting off too lightly after doing evil. It would drive me crazy as well. On the matter of evil in real life and especially now, I just want to scream! I think you probably know who I am speaking of.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😒
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Shalini said:
Mine is piqued… Now I need to place this author on the TBR… Go on… Keep adding more to mine
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yes! My mission is complete.😏
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fragglerocking said:
I’ll pass as I can’t take on a trilogy at the mo (just found an author with 9 books I have started reading!) but that’s a great review. You made me laugh with your Anakin vengeance.
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fragglerocking said:
P.S #maythe4thbewithyou 🤣
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you! I’m hoping to do a post later if the internet comes back up. I can’t really do a proper one on my phone.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Fraggle. That continues to bug me so much! Ooh! Which author?
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fragglerocking said:
Tim Baker and his ‘Living the Dream’ series, set in Florida. Loving the quirky characters.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Hmm. I haven’t heard of this.🤔
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fragglerocking said:
Can’t remember how I found him, I thought it might be Nicole or yourself as you are the only book reviewers I follow.
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beetleypete said:
Glad to hear you enjoyed a satisfying conclusion to the series, Kim. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Pete.
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Sophie @BewareOfTheReader said:
I skimmed your review Kim as I want the surprise!!! But I am very happy you gave it 4,5 stars!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie. Have you read the previous two?
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carhicks said:
Wonderful review Kim. Sci-fi is not my cup of tea, but I am happy you loved it and that it ended strong.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carla. I do like it when a series ends with a bang!
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