The first book in this series is still the best of the whole trilogy. Mainly because it delivered an engaging plot, good pacing, and memorable characters.

Unfortunately, the final book couldn't maintain the momentum from the first one and stayed at the okay-ness of the second. Our trio couldn’t keep my interest though I liked what each character arc represented. I thought the premise for this one would’ve been a lot more fun. Despite it being understandable, it’s mostly just self-loathing. As a person who has had pity parties before, wallowing in despair isn't fun to read.

The first part dragged to the point where I wanted to dnf it, but the story finally picked up steam in part 2 and held it until the end. We get Found Family vibes albeit a bit forced. Also, because I just finished the whole Trolls trilogy, I can make this apt reference Wesley is Branch and Rubin is Poppy. The initial attraction was there but their connection was instalovey though to be fair for a celeb/influencer(finally, a man with a nontoxic podcast) x fan couple it worked better than others due to the circumstances.

In addition, the dialogue felt unnatural. I’m not saying people don’t express their emotions or traumas,” but it’s usually not neat, organized, and conclusive like this at their age. Some of the characters' responses sounded therapist-like, but maybe they were more well-adjusted than the average human teenager as aliens.

But I adore the story's message and themes. I will always love the large role music plays in each book. Dow is as wonderful a songwriter as a writer in my opinion. The conversation about how a lot of people suck and look the other way when injustice happens, but some are willing to change, some are willing to fight, and some are simply willing to exist and practice kindness in a messed up world. That’s reassuring to keep doing the right thing.

Concerning the ending, it’s like the Avengers assembled in a good way with all the other characters from the first two books showing up and playing their part. The ending is fitting and wrapped up tightly with a bow though it took too many pages for me to become fully invested.

SN: You can ignore. I'm rambling. Nappy vs Kinky usage Wesley refers to his hair as nappy a few times and not in an uplifting way. Nappy has a negative connotation though some (mostly black people as it tends to be used to disparage our hair) have reclaimed the word. Does it hold the same negativity for aliens? If Welsey hates his hair/has a low self-image, this doesn't get addressed, which makes me think it was intended to be making a statement or anything. It's just used as is.

Kinky as in hair type, which is a lot more common and I used myself often, was used as well in the story. Is this an intended distinction? Zaira seems to like her hair.

Maybe this is done to show the two words as interchangeable. I don't know. ( )