This is the final book in the Evernight series and as such it had quite a bit to explain. For starters--what's the deal with the Wraiths? What's going to happen to Lucas (now a full blown vampire) and Bianca (now a Wraith herself)?

Here's the good news: we get a detailed accounting of the Wraiths and vampires feud, as well as a less biased approach to the whole fiasco.

As for the bad news: if, like me, you were mostly in the book for the Lucas/Bianca romance, its a long road before any sort of conclusion is reached. Plus Gray kind of pulls a fast one in the end that had my eye twitching.

Throughout the series I've been kind of neutral in regards to how I feel. On the one hand I enjoy the world of Evernight and the characters more than almost any other paranormal young adult series out there. Other than occasional mishaps or idiot moments, Bianca and Lucas were entertaining to read about and the secondary characters felt almost as well-defined.

My main problems with the series lied in the fact that Gray relied on both well established tropes (enemies in love, well meaning friend, defying the authority figures, bad communication, etc) and 'twists' in the storyline one might not expect. Neither of which felt fully explored.

I also began to grow less and less convinced that Bianca and Lucas belonged together as I read further into the series. Its not that I didn't think they were worthy of the other, or that their relationship didn't feel genuine. Its more that so many bad things kept happening to them because they insisted on being together, that at some point I wish they had stopped and thought about the consequences.

Especially given the fact Bianca becomes a Wraith and Lucas a vampire. At what point does their relationship crossover from being a conquerable danger into the territory of 'oh no, worst nightmare ever came true' danger? Balthazar tries to explain this to Bianca at one point I think. Actually many of the characters hint at this to both of them at various times throughout, but any doubts they have are overshadowed by their apparent inability to leave the other.

The ending of Afterlife, well. Its kind of like going back to square one or hitting reset on a game. It was handled as well as could be considered, but that doesn't mean I liked it or was in favor of it. Gray kind of worked herself into a corner however--leaving Bianca a wraith and Lucas a vampire wouldn't end the series on a hopeful note quite frankly. ( )

Well, now, nothing like a bit of teenage angst from the vampire and wraith section of literature. Not a bad series. Well-written at least. I liked the characters, but sometimes teenagers wear me out. Even the vampires and ghosts. ( )

i luved this book just as much - if not more - than the other books in this series. A great ending to the series, but i still wish the series didn't end. I want there to be more and more and more of these books. LUV EM!! ( )

I have no words. This was just so amazing.
Plus, there was an ending, that I will not only be able to live with, but won’t be obsessing over for a long time.
Bianca is awesome. Lucas is awesome. Vic is awesome. Raquel is awesome. Skye is awesome. Maxie is awesome. Balthazar is awesome.
And, most importantly, Ranulf is awesome.
No, seriously, Ranulf is my favorite character in the entire series. Why? because he says things like this:

“A great cataclysmic force will be required.” Ranulf said. “I will handle the explosives.”

Yeah. And there was happiness all around. Even (some people may not agree with me) Mrs. Bethany got a happy ending, with Christopher (there was an aww moment if I ever saw one)
And, Lucas. Oh my god, the last line of this book was just so romantic.
The only thing I really have to complain about is that aren’t ten more books in this series.

( )

The fact that I can't even remember how this book ends is not such a great sign. Hmmm... ( )