The Promise (Fallen Star Book 4)

This final book in the Fallen Star series is, actually, not the final book at all. It is, but it isn't, if you follow what I just said. Having just completed the novel, I was sad to see that the series was over, especially because not all my questions were answered. However, at the very end of the novel I was informed that The Lost Soul is already out and it's a spinoff of the Fallen Star series. It's a new series, but it continues the story of Alex and Gemma. Happy dance, the story does continues!In the fourth installment of the Fallen Star series, Sorensen gives the reader both Gemma's and Alex's viewpoint throughout the story. It's a first for the series, but I absolutely loved having two points of view and I hope this continues in the Fallen Soul series. Being able to follow both characters throughout the novel was amazing, especially as Gemma and Alex were away from each other throughout much of the story. This allowed me to stay connected to both characters as Sorensen begins to bring them back together again, which I really enjoyed.I have to say that the ending wasn't really what I was expecting. Based on all the twists and turns within not only this novel, but also the entire series, I really thought there would be some sort of knock down drag out fight at the end in order to save both Alex and Gemma from death. There isn't. It all sort of neatly resolves itself, and while I love a happy ending, it did leave me scratching my head. However, like I said, there is a spinoff to the series, so it's not over yet, and I'm sure we'll learn even more enticing information and perhaps some of my questions will be answered as well.Overall, I really liked this series and I highly suggest picking it up if you haven't tried and of Sorensen's novels yet.

Oh. My. Gosh. That's the only way I can think to put it. This book is amazing, possibly even the best in the series. I couldn't put my Kindle down until I finished it. Jessica Sorensen has done it again! It never fails to amaze me how real she makes everything. The characters and plot are (as always) well developed. Unlike the previous three books, the point of view switches between Gemma and Alex. I like this because your able to see into both of the characters minds and know what happens when Gemma isn't around. The only complaints toward this book (and the previous three) of the Fallen Star series is that there are many minor grammar and editing errors throughout the book. This whole series captivated me from the very first sentence to the last word and I was so happy when I saw there's a spinoff series. I probably would've died if it had ended (well, maybe not DIED...). After all that rambling, I just want to say that this is by far one of the best things I have ever read and HIGHLY RECOMMEND this amazingly epic (yes, I just said that) series to all my fellow book lovers out there. -Madison :)Btw, who else want to date Alex? Back off Gemma, HE'S MINE!!!

After three books, my worst fear came true. Some authors get so caught up in trying to make an amazing ending that it is just not properly executed, rushed, and ends with nothing spectacular.*SPOILERS*I really liked this series. Each book held my attention and had a unique plot. However, there was just too much "meh" and brow furrowing to give this anything more than 3 stars. Honestly, maybe it's about 3.5 stars, at most, in my opinion.Firstly, the use of acronyms. This is a book, it is literature, not an Instant Message chat. When the author used "WTF?" instead of "what the hell?" or even the F-word, it really peeved me. I know they're teenagers, but...come on. That was the preview for the disappointment I was in for.The author used too much slang for me. When Alex said, "This do?" I had to re-read it many times to understand that he meant "will this do?" What would adding in one extra word hurt?Then came the switching point of view...I really hated that. I had this image of Alex in my head of a guy who is afraid to show his feelings because of his past, and in one chapter that all changed. All he could talk about was Gemma Gemma Gemma. He was a love sick dog and it got tiring. The strong guy I had visioned in my head from the last 3 books was indeed...just a regular teenage boy. Instead of light teasing with Gemma, keeping us intrigued with their relationship, it was just full on flirting and again, boooring. I hoped that it would go back to Gemma's point of view after Alex came back, but it did not.And to add on to the changing of point of view, at the beginning of each new chapter, there were like 3 paragraphs summarizing what I just read one page before. I found myself skimming because it was pointless to add that in. There wasn't any change to what happened, it was just first Gemma said it, then Alex told me what she just said. It was annoying and unnecessary.The fourth book rushed into the story, and I feel/assume that in the time period, story wise, between the third and fourth book, a lot of things happened. This is okay, and happens often in books (nearly every series I've read has skipped at least a few months, if not a year). But there was barely any back story. I don't remember reading anywhere when the others got the Mark of Malefiscus. Since Gemma was living with everyone, I assumed, obviously, that they were safe. They were fighting for her in the beginning, anyway. Then suddenly during a fight between them, she mentions to Alex upon his arrival that they all got the Mark. When...? When did they suddenly turn evil? And also, no one in the story mentioned that the world changed. As in they didn't talk about it amongst themselves to clarify for the reader. I knew the world had changed for the worst, but it just *was* and the characters never acknowledged it.Then Gemma was a Keeper, while also being a Forseer. And she definitely did not want us to forget all of her awesome perfect Keeper stuff she knew all of a sudden! Every other page..."my keeper abilities..." "I jumped into a perfect stance, because I'm a Keeper now" "I held the knife perfectly because of my Keeper abilities" "I was a Keeper now so I was much stronger" (all brief paraphrasing, not direct quotes) But you get the idea. Yes, we get it, you're super perfect now. Cool, shut up. I don't have the memory span of a gold fish. And it wasn't just for her, either. In the other three books this wasn't a problem, but in the fourth it was all "Aislin the witch" "Laylen and his vampire abilities" "I'm a super perfect Keeper now" and "Nicholas the faerie". You'd think that after 3 books, or hell even after re-introducing the characters for the new folk who, for some reason, decide to not read the previous 3 books, it would stop. But no.So putting all that aside, the plot was still great. The suspense had me turning pages and wanting more. Everything was building up and I was so eager for the big meeting/fight we've been waiting 3 books to read (Alex/Gemma and Stephen), and we FINALLY GOT THERE!! But holy crap was that the most anti-climatic climax I've ever read. I really feel as if the authors focus changed from "the star will save the world" to "Alex and Gemma really need to get a room". With how much detail the author talks about with who has what power, and all of Gemma's perfect stances and abilities, the fight that has been filling us with suspense since book ONE would take longer than, like, 4 paragraphs. It was so, majorly disappointing. I was like, "that's it? that was all of it?" There wasn't even dialogue from Stephen, just Alex all "it'll be ok" and Gemma's like "ok" and then they die. That was it. All of that suspense for a basic description. It could have been done so, so much better. If Gemma and Alex's romance was going to become the focus of the story, that could've at least been more romantic than: Gemma forsees them to the castle -> alex and her run to the edge of forest to meet Stephen and fight -> Stephen comes out -> then they die. That was it, literally. There was no arguments between opposing sides, there was barely even any romance with Gemma and Alex; it didn't work out like in the vision. They just held hands and died. Woo!I also feel as if Alex and Gemma's relationship was forced. Their history was cute and romantic and adorable and all the good things, but I felt more of a connection between her and Laylen, but of course they're just bffl4lyfe. They shared so much more than her and Alex, from what I could see. Even Alex himself, and Aslin, say that Gemma and Laylen have a special connection that they don't understand. Sure her and Alex were soul mates, literally, but it seems like her and Alex were just a fling, while Laylen waits on the sides. It's supposed to be the other way around! And it was, sort of, but the connection just wasn't there for me, other than the famous "electricity." Maybe it was because the change of pace, and me becoming turned off from Alex's Mr. Mysterious Man to following Gemma around with his tongue hanging out.So TL;DR, it could've been better.

The book series (1-4) was captivating and had some literary truths that resonated with me, especially the one that said we should not let our mistakes define us. We can learn from our mistakes and become better persons from the experience. I was also moved by the idea that life is full of opportunitiesso that we we can make choices that will take us in the direction we want to go. This genre of literature (science fiction?) was skillfully held together by its very human characters who struggled successfully through life’s ups and downs.

This was the final book in the Fallen Star series and it lived up to expectations. The way the story was told in this book was different to the previous three - this one was told through both Gemma and Alex as opposed to just Gemma and I thought telling it this way was quite interesting and also helped me to understand Alex better.I must admit that, whilst reading the book, I was actually miffed that the ending was not more dramatic than it was, but now thinking about it, it was dramatic in an understated way. This was good, as if for some reason you did not care for Gemma and Alex before then, you certainly did by the end.This book was a 5/5 story, the series as a whole was a 4/5. When I am ready to read another supernatural story, it may well be one of Jessica Sorensen's other books. Though I have been critical of the writing style at times during the series, she certainly knows how to write engaging stories that are very difficult to put down.

Finally a conclusion to this story, and one that is actually believable and not just a convenient way to wrap up what has been going on. I have enjoyed this series but it was a bit protracted. I personally feel that it could have been covered in three books rather than four. I have just found out that there is a spin off series with just three books. Maybe that means that pacing lessons were learned from the early books of this series. The writing has gotten better as there series went on. This book was certainly better edited than the others. It also experimented with switching viewpoints as the two lead characters were separated for a time. This also gave an extra layer to the story.

And on to The finale...This is an emotional book that will tear at you all the way through right to the end.Forever on your mind.. Will they live? will they die? surely is on their minds too.It will rip your heart out to the very end, it's more darker and deeper that the previous 3, and if you wasn't gripped with fear for Gemma and Alex you will be with this one.But even through the darker moments there are some tears and laughter.This would make a great movie. One that i can't wait to watch!.Well done Jessica. And thank you for such great storylines.Can't wait to read the follow on..The Lost Soul (Fallen Soul Series, Book 1) [Kindle Edition]and so on....

Not the sort of book I would normally pick, but the first in the series was free, and the ratings were good, so hey ho....nothing ventured........It didn't disappoint, and I was compelled to read the next book. It takes you through twists and turns on a totally mythical adventure, where you never truly know who is good and who is bad. The main character must have been truly exhausted by the end of it all. There's witches and vampires, fairies, keepers with supreme powers of strength, forseers who can see into the future....It's great. There's an interesting relationship between Gemma, and the two main male characters, but I don't want to say too much because it will spoil it all. The ending isn't the big bang that I thought it was going to be, given the rest of the book I expected a little more drama. Overall, a very easy read and something a bit different, a little bit Harry Potterish I thought! Enjoy.

I was so sad to finish the end of this book, I had read all 4 of the Fallen Star series in the space of a week. The story kept me so captivated and interested that I couldn't put it down. I'm glad the author decided to do a prologue, I don't think I could ever get sick of the stories; so many twists, turns, and possibilities. Usually, these type of books are not my cup of tea, but I was pleasantly surprised about how much I loved the witches, fey, vampires, etc. All the characters are important, and even though its a very complicated story, you get hooked from the beginning. Would definitely recommend!