1986: Rebecca Essig leaves a slumber party early but comes home to a massacre—committed by her own parents. Only one of her siblings has survived. But as the tragic event unfolds, she begins to realize that other than a small army of six-year-olds, she is among very few survivors of a nationwide slaughter. The Reaping has begun.
Present day: Pregnant and on the run with a small band of compatriots, Delilah Marlow is determined to bring her baby into the world safely and secretly. But she isn’t used to sitting back while others suffer, and she’s desperate to reunite Zyanya, the cheetah shifter, with her brother and children. To find a way for Lenore the siren to see her husband. To find Rommily’s missing Oracle sisters. To unify this adopted family of fellow cryptids she came to love and rely on in captivity. But Delilah is about to discover that her role in the human versus cryptid war is destined to be much larger—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.
On realising that this was the third book in the series, I broke with my usual habit of crashing midway into a series and got hold of the first two book and read them first. I was quickly swept up in the dark, intense world of Delilah, who is imprisoned and stripped of all her rights as a human after an incident at a local fair reveals her to be a cryptid in Menagerie – see my review here. This book is structured differently, in that it is largely a dual narrative so that as well as following Delilah’s story in first person viewpoint, we also learn a lot more about The Reaping as we go back in time to the event that causes all the fae to be treated so appallingly and track the consequences and fallout through Rebecca’s viewpoint.
I really enjoyed this aspect – having read allusions to The Reaping throughout the previous two books, it was satisfying to learn more about what happened, particularly as these events increasingly begin to link with Delilah’s storyline. It wasn’t until I read this book that I realised just how unusual it is to have a pregnant protagonist, or one who is coping with a newborn baby in fantasy. It was a plus that the subject was really well done.
The new spin on the story prevented this series becoming predictable and repetitive – and I certainly didn’t see that ending coming. It’s been a while since I’ve been quite so poleaxed by the final denouement of a story, but it really works. I would emphasise, however, that this series and book is not suitable for younger teens and is not a YA read, despite the fact that Vincent has written successfully for that age-group. While I obtained an arc of Fury from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
Huh, great point- I’ve hardly ever run into a pregnant protagonist, unless it’s in a romance perhaps. What a way to raise the stories stakes! Thanks for another great review.
Thank you, Anne:). Yes – I was both shocked and impressed in the manner in which Vincent completed this story.
I’ve wanted to read this series since the first book came out, but I sadly haven’t been able to fit it in. I’m so glad it wraps up well, and I do love the idea of a pregnant protagonist😊
Maybe it’s one you can squeeze into 2019 – it’s worth the effort…
Another series I would like to find time for – I’ll just have to keep it on my wishlist and who knows. Never say never.
Lynn 😀
I know! So many books, so little time…
Wonderful review! I have book one on audio and really need to begin!
Thank you, Kimberly. Brace yourself – it’s something of a roller-coaster:))
Did it jump back and forth in time? Sometimes that bothers me unless the author has organized it well like having a story within a story and doing one chapter from the present and then alternating chapters between then and now. Sometimes an author will really help you out by putting the year at the top of each chapter.
Oh yes, while there are two different timelines, Vincent really made it obvious what was happening when…
I think I’ll add this to my TBR list although I am going to go back to my alphabet challenge, and I’ve already read an “F”. It may take a while, but you make it seem appealing.
It’s a great read, Rae – but to get the best out of this one, I do recommend you read the other two books in the trilogy first, Menagerie and Spectacle.
OK, dutifully noted.
This review reminded me that I meant to read book 1… I’m so behind with everything, but at least your reviews are timeless. 🙂
Glad you find the reviews helpful, Joanna:)) It was a really emotional roller-coaster and the final book was a shock.