Title: Foretold
Author: Jana Oliver
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Published: August 02, 2012
Buy: The Book Depository
Foretold is the fourth and final book in The Demon Trappers series, and a very impressive conclusion at that. Having been reassured by Jana Oliver that this installment would be free of any messy endings, I just knew Foretold and I would get along nicely. And that, we did.
This book is, in my eyes, Beck’s book. The Southern Backwoods Boy becomes the star of this installment as the reader gets a look – a very deep and lingering look – into his not-so-spotless past. Without sounding a little Beck-obsessed (which I can’t deny that I am), I thoroughly relished uncovering the layers behind his personal story and getting to know him properly, warts and all. What a complicated character he is. He may have had the most hideous upbringing, be semi-literate, and (as Riley puts it) be a bit of a drama queen, but he is also the guy who owns a pet rabbit, who puts Riley before himself, and has managed to accomplish things despite his rocky childhood. In other words, I am a fan. Denver Beck is not a character that is easily forgotten.
Riley, on the other hand, has always had an unsteady relationship with me throughout this series. She is likeable (and I have always liked her) but at times some of her thoughts and actions have been incredibly maddening. Departing with the last book, however, I realised just how much she had changed for the better. Now that we have reached the final installment, Riley is the character I always hoped she would be; strong, smart and realistic. It was also a thrill to get to see her accept and act on her feelings for Beck. I know I have been rooting for these two since the beginning, and while the journey has been a torturous one, I am more than satisfied with the finish.
Although there is a large focus on Beck’s past during this book, there is also a supernatural battle brewing with Sartael and Lucifer at the heart of it. This, I felt, never really got much of a spotlight until the second half of the book. Ideally, I would have liked the two aspects – Becks’s past and the whole fiasco with Hell – to have been intertwined more fluidly. Though quite frankly, I was floating on cloud nine for most of this book, so it wasn’t too big of a deal in the end, but just something to note.
I feel like wrapping up this review is the final part of bidding farewell to this series. It’s been a rocky ride, but never a dull one, and I hope I can one day re-read these books from the beginning. If any of you have yet to pick up the first book, I cannot recommend this series enough. Although it requires some patience (ample loads of it at times), the end result is most definitely worth it.
Rating: 4 stars
I didn't like the first book. But it's nice you're liking them.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm so glad you enjoyed this series, Sam! I haven't read any of the novels and I've heard really mixed things about the series, but I might check it out if I get the time! It definitely seems to have a great cast of characters and a lot of original supernatural elements!(: Yet another amazing review, Sam! :D
ReplyDelete~Keertana
Ivy Book Bindings
This sounds awesome! I think I need to start on the series. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this series totally makes my to-read list! I've never paid too much attention to this series, but the way you describe it makes me want to read it so bad! <3 It seems like such a wonderful series, Sam! Glad that you part with the heroine in good term! ;) Denver Beck sounds swoon-worthy - who knows he might be my next book boyfriend? :P
ReplyDeleteFantastic review as always, sweetheart! x)
I haven't read this series... but I'm quite intrigued by what you shared in your reviews, esp. the part about Beck - he certainly seems like an awesome character! I bought book one a while back, but the North American title doesn't sound as enticing as the UK version - it's simply labeled as The Demon Trapper's Daughter - I think the name Forsaken sounds much better :) The North American release date for the fourth book is in December. Hopefully I'll have read book one by then and made my way to book four :) Thanks for a fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this series yet, but love the sound of these characters and how they aren't easily forgotten! Great conclusion paragraph, Sam! I'll take your recommendation for sure and check these out! Fabulous review! <3
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the ending was worth it. It's always a bit scary to read through a series to the end and see how it's all wrapped up!! I haven't read any of these books but I suppose I should. :)
ReplyDeleteOi! If you're Beck-obsessed, I'm Beck-obsessed, and there is no way in hell I'd ever be obsessed with... oh, wait. :D
ReplyDeleteI will miss our Backwoods boy so much, won't you? But I think we left him in good hands.
you know I felt the same way about Riley. We just didn't get along for a while there. But in the end, she was amazing. I was so proud of her.
As always, lovely review, Sam!
Great review, Sam! I think of you and Maja whenever I see these books here and I almost bought book #2 at a book sale but I couldn't find book #1 so I left it. Seeing as you really like this series, I will try and read it eventually and I'm really happy to hear that it's a series that ends well!
ReplyDeleteI just won this book in a giveaway although I wasn't too thrilled about reading it, but your review just turned that around, Sam! I'm thrilled that you loved this series, and absolutely adore your review so much. <3 On to my TBR- soon list this series goes. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Sam! I have yet to read this series, and it's reassuring to know that everything gets wrapped up in the end :D
ReplyDeleteGlad that Riley had a lot of character growth, I seriously need to read this series.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Wow, I haven't read the first book yet, but I think I really want now. So glad to hear that you enjoyed FORETOLD! The premise sounds really interesting, and when you say that you can't recommend this series enough, it shows that you really loved it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review, Sam!
Lol, patience is right. I've started reading the first book and it just seems to be going so slowly that I keep putting it down to read something else. I get the feeling that things will pick up soon though and then I'll be craving the sequel. It sounds like the series wraps up nicely at least.
ReplyDeleteI need to get back into this series, especially since I now know that Riley and Beck get together and Riley's character grows and becomes what we hoped. Yes, bidding farewell is bittersweet but at least it ends on a good note!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've heard of this series! Although the author's name sounds vaguely familiar. I'm glad there wasn't a messy ending and that you felt it was satisfying. I always hate it when a book ends and all you feel is underwhelmed! Beck sounds like such an interesting character & hooray for Riley's journey! I love ti when a character goes through a growth.
ReplyDeleteI have the first two books in this series from the library at the moment. I brought them back last time unread so I'm hoping to get to them this time. It's great that you enjoyed this series so much
ReplyDeleteI saw this series at my local book store I've been meaning to get it for myself. I'm glad to hear that this is one series that wraps up beautifully although the ride could be rocky at times. Beck seems like a character that I will enjoy. I wonder how I'd feel about Riley though. It's a good thing that she grew and became what you've always wanted her to be! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review as always, Sam. I will have to check out this fab series! :)
"Now that we have reached the final installment, Riley is the character I always hoped she would be; strong, smart and realistic."
ReplyDeleteYAY!!!!! I've definitely struggled with Riley as a character, but she grew so much for me in book 3, and I can't wait to see how she is with Beck in this final book. SO EXCITED SAM! I need this one in my hands immediately:)
I've never heard of this series but it sounds really interesting. I'm glad to see that the book ends well, I hate when a series ends with a horrible ending. Great review!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Great review! I STILL need to start this series so I am really glad to hear you enjoyed it. It's great to hear that Riley grows a lot over the series and that this series was worth the read. It's always hard to say goodbye to a great series!!!! Thanks for the review Sam!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the first book, and you know when you read them when they first come out and it takes months for the next one to come out, I forget the storyline. I really want to continue them, this one looks really good, what did you think of the second book? Great Review Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteDUDE, Sam, you're totally killing me right now! I loved the third one, especially after that rocky finish during Soul Thief, but the anticipation for this couple and for everything to finish as a whole is actually stabbing me to death. It doesn't release until December in the states - and if Macmillan continues to send me stuff related to the series - I won't get to read this until November so NOOOOO! The wait is pure agony and your review isn't helping and I'm basically rambling, but I can't help it.
ReplyDeleteSouthern Backwoods Boy?? The conclusion of a series with no messy ending? Sign me up, Sam! Even though there were some rocky moments and the series requires some patience (something I don't have an abundance of), I'm definitely going to be reading this series in the near future. Thank you for another wonderful and lovely review. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the series finished on a high note for you Sam. It doesn't always work out that way. I've never heard of this series before but I'm starting to think I should pick it up. Great review. :)
ReplyDeleteI skimmed over your review a bit (not for lack of WHY-ARE-HER-REVIEWS-SO-AMAZING-ness), but because I don't want to spoil anything since I still need to read this entire series. But given that you 'can't recommend it enough'... well, that's motivation enough for me. Even despite some rocky moments, overall it sounds like a fantastic series. So glad you enjoyed the final installment!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I have the 1st book on my kindle. I kind of like knowing all the books are available once I start reading them, and that they are worth it. Great review as always, Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have wrapped this review to the end of the series perfectly Sam, like I said before, I was always a little unsure about this series, but you and Maja have convinced me to give it a shot. I hope I enjoy it as much you both did! Another great review! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesomeeee review Sam! I'm so glad you loved the final instalment of this series :) I haven't read this yet, but the books seem to be pretty popular and I have a feeling the series and I would get along nicely too :D hahaaa I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the first book!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the last book ended so well for you, Sam! Hopefully I can start this series real soon. Great review! :)
ReplyDeletei have never read these books or heard of the author but i like the cover, name and series title so i think i'm gonna give this series a go. thanks sam :)
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