Book 3: Koan
Length: 58-79%
POV: 3rd, multi POV
Star rating: ★★★★☆ (3.5, rounded up to 4)

It started off really well. I loved seeing a little deeper into Malick's psyche and learning more about him, because despite having had his POV as the main POV for two books, we don't know all that much about the “before Fen” part of him. So the beginning was really great and enjoyable. The fact that it takes place three months after the events of books 1 and 2 gives it a more thorough divide between the two stories.

Again, we have the multi-POV, but we have the addition of Dakimo's and Goyo's POV, both of whom have their own agendas and bring the action to Malick and Fen's door. Xari also returns to give her POV, while new girl Imara also offers hers. Again, this is all because they see individual events that are important to the overall scheme of things.

I really loved that Morin got more of a role here, that he was finally appreciated for the part that he plays – though the answer of how Wolf has marked him is still in question – and how he has really grown into maturity.

Malick and Jacin's relationship, for me, only because more beautiful and loving, with Jacin so conflicted and needy, at the beginning of the story. Then the inevitable pain and breakdown, followed by reluctant acceptance of how he really feels about Malick. I think the fact that Malick's fate isn't resolved by the end is another of those sticking points that doesn't sit well with me. I also think part of the problem is that we're stuck inside the uncertainty and insanity of Jacin's head for far too long. Though I loved books 1 and 2 dearly, I have to question whether all of that insanity was needed; I think it could at least have been cut in half, that we didn't need the constant running and fighting and the way that Jacin checked out of his own head for so long. The events wouldn't have changed for him and he would still have faced that difficult squishy scene where he had to decide if he really did want Asai's affection or if snogging him was too much of a betrayal to Malick.

Overall, this is the weakest of the bunch, so far, and the story fell apart when Malick left it. All I can hope is that the situation is resolved in the next book and I get answers to all of my questions, because, if not, I'm going to be ending my love affair with this series at the end of book 2. Like book 1, this one ends abruptly and without a clean 'ending', but in a much more unnatural way. The book itself doesn't have a point. A purpose. Whatever you want to call it, there is no beginning, middle and end, for this story. Just the 'beginning', which is frustrating.

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Favourite Quote

““This,” Malick said softly, as he let go of one hand and traced the hollow of Jacin's left eye with a gentle fingertip. “This is where you hide yourself when it all gets too much. I only wanted to find you.””

“Leave it to Morin to say the things that no one wanted to acknowledge but everyone needed to hear.”