1.5 Oranges
Dear Elixir series,
Once upon a time, I was young and naive. Your first installment,
Elixir was so gleefully different and had such a mysterious and creepy vibe that I honestly couldn't put it down until I finished. I was excited. Especially because I completely adore Hilary Duff.
But maybe that made me see this in a more flattering light than warranted. But I was inexperienced! I honestly had not read much before that point, and now, the tables have surely turned. First of all, I think to an extent I would still enjoy
Elixir today. But the series lost its momentum, and, to be honest, it should have been a stand alone. This is another case of a series that was poorly planned out and just jumping on the bandwagon.
Because,
Elixir series,
why do you have to engage in YA stereotypes, like the totally absent parents, the unlimited resources (due to the main character's senator mother), teenage fights that end in noncommunication, and love triangles? The love triangle was still the best developed of the overused tropes, but its appeal surely waned after the first book ended.
Also, why are you 'telling' me everything, and 'showing' me nothing? Honestly, while I may not remember if there is a clear difference between
True and its prequels
Elixir and
Devoted, this whole book was telling. Every single paragraph read as, "I did this. I saw that. She said this. I said that. He looked away." It reads like an elementary level novel, and I've matured way beyond that.
Hell, there are elementary level novels that are way better than this.
And, why is your plot so disjointed? Plot elements come out of nowhere. It doesn't work this way,
Elixir series. Well-read readers will surely notice the fact that the plot is clearly made up as it goes along. Explanations for the world building and mythology are completely absent. When some new element is necessary, it appears. Very convenient, but not a good method of storytelling.
Why are your characters so bland? The romance was slightly appealing (in the previous books, not this one,
Elixir once again being the highest point), but the characters themselves were cookie cutter creations. Stupid to boot. Like, Clea, in this
brilliant (read: boring) installment, goes to investigate why Sage's soul seems to be rejected by Nico's body and ends up at a commune specializing in soul transitions. While she's there, the whole time she's laughing at the idiots for believing the bullshit that is preached there, but still lets herself get locked up there because she believes she can find answers. Sections like this (yes, there were more) make the entire book contradict and laugh at itself. But then another convenient plot element appears to explain and drive the plot.
Summing Up...
I stuck with this series since there was only one more book to go, but man do I wish I hadn't. This was such a waste of my money. I'm kind of eying the other books now, wondering if even
Elixir, which I truly enjoyed way back when, would still be enjoyable. But will I reread? No. I've grown up. I know better. This just sucked. 1 orange for the plot that, while ridiculous, kept me turning the pages because at least the concept was mildly intriguing, and half an orange for the twist at the end that I honestly didn't expect.
In Three Words...
Recommended To...
Nope, I wouldn't.
