Empower

2023 Reread review note: It's been nearly a decade and this series still has my whole heart.

2014 Review:

[SPOILERS BELOW]

My rating is a lie. This is not the best book in the series. I was just so emotional about it being over that I couldn't contain myself. My heart says it's a 4.5 but my brain says it's a 3.5.

I found quite a few things in this final chapter of the Violet Eden Chronicles to be predictable. I think anyone that has paid attention knew there was only one way for Violet to attain her "true" strength, and that's what made it so frustrating. I am, however, impressed at the reasoning behind it. That the only way for it all to work was for it to go the way it went. (This is very confusing when I'm trying to avoid spoilers.) show more Like Nox is to Uri, the pain that Violet goes through is necessary to bring about what she becomes.

I am not happy with how Phoenix's story ended. I believe he deserved more. I think it should have been obvious that [okay now I have to include SPOILERS] once he became human, he would realize that his "love" for Violet wasn't a human kind of love and been able to move on much easier. Violet "seeing hope" in his eyes is not enough for me to feel positively about his future.

I did love Grey. For being a new introduction in a last volume, he quickly became one of my favorites. Which made his loss all that much harder to bear. I also loved how Grey was a metaphor. It didn't occur to me at first - which it probably should have since his name is GREY - but he is clearly a representation of the struggle that Violet has gone through throughout the series. While his death was sad, it was also necessary because it represents the Violet's re-birth and new form/function/life.

I did not really like how Lincoln simply became a tool in this book. He lost everything that made him an individual character and was simply something for Violet to work against/with. I feel like it wasn't true to who he had been previously.

I feel Steph was extremely under-utilized in this story and became a terrible "planning a wedding" stereotype. Rarely was she given much dialogue other than "wedding stuff" and "Oh Violet get it over it and be with Lincoln". While we see how she has progressed in regards to her position within the Academy, we don't get to see much of the work she actually does, and I was disappointed with that.

Finally, although I know the story had to end the way it ended, it still wasn't what I wanted. I didn't want it to be a 100% happy ending. The draw in these books for me was the torture that ran through each character's psyche. People grow and move on from the terrible things that happen to them, but they are never completely gone, and I feel like the overly-happy ending was sweeping all the pain and struggle under the rug. I feel like the losses in the final battle weren't enough, and that both Violet and Lincoln should have lost someone that was very important to them both (Spencer? Griffin?) so that it was clear that no matter how much things had changed, they will always live a hard, sad life. Because that's the truth of it, as far as I can see.

I love Violet Eden. This is a character that will be in my bookish heart for the rest of my life. It would have been impossible for me to not have issues with this final book, no matter what happened, because it's very difficult for me to see her story end. However, I am grateful and thankful to Jessica Shirvington for bringing these characters into my life. And for that my heart wins and the book gets a 4.5. show less

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Empower is the perfect blend of action, romance, and suspense. This series has been unbelievably good and I would recommend it to all young adult fans.

Opening Sentence: My sweater was coated in a layer of mist—again—a by-product of life in London.

The Review:

Two years ago Violet Eden walked away from everything in her life to fulfill her promise to be the greatest Grigori warrior. But that’s not the only reason she left. After everything that happened with her soul mate Lincoln there was no way she could stay. But with him she left a part of herself and the pain of her decision haunts her every day. For the last year she has been in London living as a Rogue Grigori. She is fighting show more exiles every chance she gets and has made a few allies among the other rogues.

But soon an unexpected visitor shows up at her door with some dire news, she knows that it is time to finally go home. But by doing that she is going to have to face her past and once again face the man she left behind.

I didn’t think that my love for Violet could grow anymore but oh boy was I wrong. It has been two years since the end of the last book and Violet is a very different person. She has experienced so many new things and in a lot of ways I felt like I was meeting her again for the first time. One thing I really enjoyed was that she felt older and more mature then she has in previous books, but she was also the same old Violet. She still has the spunky attitude and she can still kick butt in a fight, but she has also gained some wisdom in her time alone. The thing about that Violet that is so unique is that she has accepted she is imperfect and she doesn’t let her faults deter her from retaining her goals. She has become one of my favorite heroines of all time and I am sad to see her story end.

You get to see a very different side to Lincoln which was actually really refreshing. He has always been the constant guy that you could rely on, but he is very angry and hurt that Violet left. But with that pain he has become an even better grigori. He was always a fierce warrior but now he has become one of the best. He has risen to be a great leader among the Grigori and has gained respect from many of them. I loved seeing that Lincoln could be great even without Violet. But don’t worry, there is still tons of great Violet and Lincoln moments. They have such hot sexual tension and undeniable chemistry between them. I was happy with how things work out with them and I think that fans of the series will be too.

So I was worried that after the ending of the last book that Phoenix wouldn’t really be part of this book, but luckily I was wrong. He has always been one of my favorite characters in this series. There is just something about him that tugs at my heartstrings. I don’t know if it’s the despair and loneliness that I know resides deep in his soul or just the fact that he is the perfect bad boy you can’t help but want to fix. Whatever the reason, Phoenix captured my heart from the very beginning and my love for him has just continued to grow throughout each book. I really loved the ending he got in the story, but to be honest I would love a spin off series featuring his story. Odds are that’s not going to happen but a girl can always dream right?

Empower is the perfect blend of epic romance, intense action, and heartfelt moments. I have noticed that a lot of times when a series has more than 3 books I will generally start to lose interest at some point in the story because it will start to not be quite as good. I am so happy to say that this is not a problem in this series. I would actually love for Shirvington to make more books in this world because even after five books I still would love more. I have been obsessed with this series since book one but this final book is by far my favorite. I really enjoyed where the story went and the character growth was substantial. I was a little nervous going into the book because things were wrapped up pretty nicely in the 4th book, so I really didn’t know what to expect with this one. But man did Shirvington deliver a heart pounding emotional ending. I am not a big crier when it comes to books but this series ending had me tearing up. I am going to miss all these wonderful characters, but rest assured it is a very satisfying end to a phenomenal series. Shirvington is an author I will forever love and I can’t wait to read whatever she comes out with next. If you have not read this series yet, I seriously recommend you start it today. If you are a young adult lover then this is a must read series!

Notable Scene:

He was going to walk right by us. Slowly, trying not to arouse any attention, I turned toward Gray to shield myself even more. But I flinched midturn when, from behind, a hand, blazing hot, wrapped tightly around my upper arm. A voice I knew better than my own spoke quietly into my ear from the other side of the silk hood.

“Would you think me such a fool that you could be here, in this city, this building, this room and me not know about it?”

I swallowed, frozen. I couldn’t turn to face him. I couldn’t lift my head. Even my soul was stunned.

Lincoln didn’t seem to be bothered by our proximity, not by my failure to respond. His grip tightened to the point of almost painful. But it wasn’t, it was just…strong and maybe something else. My breath caught.

FTC Advisory: Sourcebooks Fire provided me with a copy of Empower. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. show less

I just finished this book and OMG I love it!

I received this book as an ARC Wednesday, April 30 & started it that evening. It took me this long to finish because I kept getting distracted and wasn't feeling well a few days in between. But, as stated, I did Love this book!

This is the bittersweet ending to a series that has had me smiling, laughing, heartbreaking and of course, my heart would swell with joy & happiness! This final book, was just beyond a great ending to a series.

The characters in this book will have you either loving them or borderline hating them.

Violet, the main character, grew so much throughout this entire series. She came into herself most in this book and found out a lot of things about herself.

Lincoln? When I show more didn't think I could love him anymore, I was proven wrong! Lincoln, as imperfect as he was, well, he was, perfect! My new fictional boyfriend!

The one I loved but strongly disliked throughout this series, made me love him even more as the book went on, Phoenix! I don't think there are any words to describe how I feel about Phoenix without giving away any spoilers of this book! (More than what people may think I already have by the little I did say!)

So many characters redeemed themselves throughout this book. But if I tried to say all who is was, that would definitely spoil the book if I tried to go through the list. Even still, if I tried, this would go on for what would seem like forever! :-)

There are some new people in this book that you grow to love and could possibly take your heart and become the new fictional boyfriends as well!

There are a few characters that didn't play as big of a part in the book that they may have in others, but that's okay, I was just happy to see them anyway! By the end of this book, I was just so happy to see so much take place that I wanted to take place, some things surprising me a little bit!

There is so much to say, but I will stop here because I just don't want to spoil it. But if you have loved the previous books, you will definitely love this one! show less

mpower by Jessica Shirvington was one of the most anticipated reads on my list. This is the final book in the Embrace series. We've watched Violet Eden from before she was Grigori, falling in love with Lincoln, her crazy relationship with Phoenix, and finally walking away from it all. Not to mention all the battles, losses, and friends she made along the way.

In this book, two years have passed since she walked away from everything in New York. Violet is in London, and she's gone rouge. Violet lives everyday with the pain of a shattered soul. She endures the pain in order to protect Lincoln. However her life in London comes to a screeching halt when she learns Spense is missing and that creepy exile that appeared at the end of Endless show more might have something to do with it.

Eden and her new 'friends' head back to New York. Head back to everything she ran away from. I don't think it would surprise anyone to know that Eden and Lincoln have a dramatic reunion. But since they're soul mates, you know that everything will work out. I am a little disappointed that Phoenix and Eden didn't get together. I like Phoenix a lot. So if the author wanted to write more about Phoenix (hint hint), I would be okay with that.

Without giving any spoilers, I will say this was a great ending. Everything ended the way it should, although we did have to say goodbye to some characters. I did have a few minor issues with this book, but nothing that ruined the story for me. If you've not had an opportunity to read this series yet, I strongly urge you to do so. It's highly entertaining, fast paced, and addicting!
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2014/05/review-empower-by-jessica-shirvington.h... show less

I just finished this book and OMG I love it!

I received this book as an ARC Wednesday, April 30 & started it that evening. It took me this long to finish because I kept getting distracted and wasn't feeling well a few days in between. But, as stated, I did Love this book!

This is the bittersweet ending to a series that has had me smiling, laughing, heartbreaking and of course, my heart would swell with joy & happiness! This final book, was just beyond a great ending to a series.

The characters in this book will have you either loving them or borderline hating them.

Violet, the main character, grew so much throughout this entire series. She came into herself most in this book and found out a lot of things about herself.

Lincoln? When I show more didn't think I could love him anymore, I was proven wrong! Lincoln, as imperfect as he was, well, he was, perfect! My new fictional boyfriend!

The one I loved but strongly disliked throughout this series, made me love him even more as the book went on, Phoenix! I don't think there are any words to describe how I feel about Phoenix without giving away any spoilers of this book! (More than what people may think I already have by the little I did say!)

So many characters redeemed themselves throughout this book. But if I tried to say all who is was, that would definitely spoil the book if I tried to go through the list. Even still, if I tried, this would go on for what would seem like forever! :-)

There are some new people in this book that you grow to love and could possibly take your heart and become the new fictional boyfriends as well!

There are a few characters that didn't play as big of a part in the book that they may have in others, but that's okay, I was just happy to see them anyway! By the end of this book, I was just so happy to see so much take place that I wanted to take place, some things surprising me a little bit!

There is so much to say, but I will stop here because I just don't want to spoil it. But if you have loved the previous books, you will definitely love this one! show less

"I wished, not for the first time, that I'd found it in my heart to be more forgiving, and yet I knew that the path had been the one I'd had to travel to reach this day of understanding. " jessica shirvington

This was such a well done conclusion to the series.