Spoiler-free
The Saga journey continues with Volume 3! This series is becoming quite addicting and I am really enjoying the ride. This volume picks up right where volume 2 left off and introduces some new characters into the mix. Most notably my new favourite gay journalist reporter couple. Very excited to see what they bring to the story and it is interesting having yet another angle and perspective towards the main plot line of our runaway lovers, Alana and Marko.
This volume feels more action packed than the previous 2, and is largely set in one location (for our main characters), which is unusual so far in this galaxy sprawling narrative. This allowed the story to open up to more intimate themes, such as love, grief and motherhood.
Side Note - They just had to go and give Marko a beard didn’t they… I mean… Ooof…. 0.0
I feel like a lot of ends were tied up with this one and feels to me like an end to an arc, which is exciting! Anyway, let’s break it down in spoiler chat!
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 -4 stars
Spoiler Chat
Right so, Alana and Marko spend the entire volume looking after Hazel at Dr. Oswald Heist’s lighthouse, whilst trying to gain information from Heist and also deal with their own personal relationship plans and grief. The rest of the characters outside this lighthouse gang are basically tracking them down to that one location. This was great, as I knew the whole time that everyone was going to come together for a big climax at the lighthouse and that they did!
I was not expecting so many deaths to happen so quickly! While I don't believe all of them are real (more on that later), I do believe that Heist is a goner. Gwen's grappling hook thingy went straight through the poor bastard's head. There ain't no way he's coming back from that.
If you read my review for Volume 2, you will know that Marko’s mother, Klara, made a less than desirable impression on me… That hasn’t changed… I want her gone. I will say that she became much more ‘human’ in this book (which I know is ridiculous to say given her horns) with her opening up to Heist, as him being a potential love interest. Personally, I think Heist simply provided Klara with a necessary comfort during her time of grief and I don’t think she reciprocated his feelings at all (despite Izabel’s teasing). But whatever, he's dead now so what does it matter.
The Will and Gwendolyn’s story expands a lot in this one. Basically, Gwendoyln is still tracking down her ex, Marko and begrudgingly Will agrees to help. They are accompanied by Sophie. I am so glad they finally gave this rescued child a name and have refrained from simply calling her Slave Girl. I honestly don't know how they kept calling her that the whole time.
Sophie is on her own journey of learning what it means to be free. Based on her dialogue and actions it is clear that slavery is all she has ever known, and views her existence as a means to please others. This is pretty damn heart-breaking, but luckily she is poisoned, hallucinates and attempts to kill Will instead… Wtf! Wild, can’t say I saw that coming!
The worst part is that I don’t even know if the Will is actually dead or not. It was left fairly ambiguous, which makes me feel like he will be alive and kicking come volume 4. I don't think his story is over yet, there’s much more of an arc still to go. I feel as though he still hasn’t found his purpose, and what he wants out of his life, so to end his life whilst he’s still in this limbo state feels wrong.
Speaking of ambiguous death, I don’t know if Gwen is dead, or if she managed to get away after the lighthouse showdown.
Similarly to Will I think her storyline is far from over and would be upset if this was the last we saw of her. Although, she did piss me off in this volume by saying she loved Will... Wtf, no she doesn’t… I have no doubt that romantic feelings could develop between the two of them over time, but to say that she loves him at this stage was downright ridiculous. They only shared one kiss and he forced it upon her, and she punched him in the face straight afterwards… But I guess that’s what counts for love these days.
I briefly spoke about my new favourite gay journalist reporters in the spoiler-free section, but he’s not the only new gay lol. We also have… This guy!
'No comment' feels very apt, as at this stage, I have literally no idea who this character is and what his role will become. However, it’s interesting that he has a direct line of call with the agent, Gale. I had no idea this seahorse looking guy would be reappearing like this, but what a treat! He even has a name now! I don’t know why I love him so much, he’s just sat on a desk, wearing a pink suit in the middle of the beach, working away, getting that coin. ICONIC.
I’ve not mentioned anything about Robot IV since my Volume 1 review and that’s because nothing has really changed with him. He’s just doing his job, trying to provide for his unborn child back home. I think once this child is born, things could become more interesting for our royal robot. For now though, I feel like there's been nothing notable about his appearances. Whatever happens, I can't see him becoming a favourite character of mine but we shall see!
I will say that I love how robotic his font is. This applies to all the characters actually. It's a really nice touch to have this typography elevate the characters like this.
I think I've said just about all I wanted to say regarding this Volume. There's no doubt a lot more content to discuss, such as Marko and Alana's struggles to start their new life incognito and discussions on how they will earn money. However, I feel like I will have much more to comment on this as the story progresses. Like I said earlier, this feels like an end of an arc to me, with a big climax to finish things off. Therefore, I think it's the perfect time to take a little break, before reading another few volumes back to back in the future! Exciting times!
Thanks for reading! - Ang
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