I can't help it. I really like this series. I'm perfectly well aware that its heroine is larger than life. Ia's powers are humongous and one of them is precognition, so she never has to doubt her decisions. She knows exactly what the consequences of her actions will be. The evil guys are really evil. Well, perhaps not really evil, because in their case its just their particularly flavour of xenopsychology, but still. They don't know when to quit, so there's no reason to feel guilty about wiping out an entire race (and no, that is not a spoiler; anyone reading this series knows that that is what Ia has prophesied from day one). So, there's no need to worry, because everything will happen Ia's way, even if the tasks thrown at her are just as humongous as her powers are. That way Ia has an excuse to almost run herself into the ground several times (a ploy I'm not really fond of; I'd much prefer it if we could start admiring heroines who know how to take care of themselves instead of walking an talking burnouts waiting to happen).
But in the end, I just like Ia. I like her knowing everything. I like the world she creates around herself, the friends she makes, the loyalty she inspires. I'm very glad the book ends the way it does, anything else would have been a bit sappy. Now, it ends the way it should.

There were several bits in the beginning that were too disjointed for me, but then I was in tears in the last quarter of the book, so I think 4 stars is fair. I really have to see what else Mrs. Johnson has written... ( )

Damn, the final book sure did pack in the "feels".

This series was fun, fast and very enjoyable. ( )

The final book in the series. It's jam packed, with action and self reflection on her motives for all her actions. I loved this whole series. I hope she will continue to write these kinds of stories. Very poignant.
( )

And the grand wrap-up of the whole series (which, while not lacking in any way, doesn't really come to an _end_...still a lot of story, on several levels). Ia makes her plans, and her crew completely messes them up - in a good way. She really has to get used to the notion that she's no longer working solo. The award ceremony had me crying. And then...they don't die, exactly, or at least we don't see it - there's a chance some or all of them may show up again. And wouldn't that be magnificent. I'm glad Jean's written more in this universe - can't wait to see it! ( )

Despite my lower rating, this is a much better book than the previous two structurally speaking. And what an ending, WOW! I was flabbergasted and couldn't believe it would end in such a way.


At the last stage of her journey Ia is on even tighter schedule, and mentally and physically exhausted. Simply speaking, she is running on fumes. What I enjoyed most of all here is that this book was pretty emotional. Her journey to Sanctuary, her relationship with her team of The Damned, the level of calm acceptance and self-sacrifice, - it was mind-blowing. Brought tears to my eyes.


There are a lot of things happening. Ia gets appointed an Alliance Commander General to lead the war against Salik and then Greys. When Salik are wiped out, she is faced with a mass of civil law suits and has to take steps to make sure her image is exactly how she needs it for future generations. With Greys the resistance tactics of the Alliance are truly complex and mostly rely on Ia's precog skills. Take her out, and the allied forces have no chance to win.


Knowing it all, stretched to the limits, Ia still tries to minimise the amount of bloodshed to a bare minimum. She also tries to spare her Damned. There is even a tiny romantic moment of epicness between her and Harper.


I do not want to give you any spoilers, but I fervently hope we'll have some sort of more cheerful conclusion for Ia in the future. I just can't accept this series finale! Read it, recommended. ( )