"The Brave Make Their Own Fortune" • The Immortal Heights

The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas

Series: The Elemental Trilogy #3

Previous Books: The Burning Sky, The Perilous Sea

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: October 13, 2015

Source/Format: Edelweiss || e-galley

[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects the content of my review.]

In a pursuit that has spanned continents, Iolanthe, Titus, and their friends have always managed to remain one step ahead of the forces of Atlantis. But now the Bane, the monstrous tyrant who bestrides the entire mage world, has issued his ultimatum: Titus must hand over Iolanthe, or watch as his entire realm is destroyed in a deadly rampage. Running out of time and options, Iolanthe and Titus must act decisively to deliver a final blow to the Bane, ending his reign of terror for good. However, getting to the Bane means accomplishing the impossible—finding a way to infiltrate his crypt in the deepest recesses of the most ferociously guarded fortress in Atlantis. And everything is only made more difficult when new prophecies come to light, foretelling a doomed effort....

I absolutely love when an author manages to finish off a series with an ending that is just right. Sherry Thomas certainly does it with The Immortal Heights. After the detailed set-up of the first, and the growing tension of the second, the third is a perfectly satisfying ending to this saga. It will be a difficult thing not to stay glued to your seat and flipping the pages, especially as you witness the intense battles, unexpected revelations and the fireworks of the final showdown. Everything that Thomas has been building up towards, everything that Titus and Iolanthe have been working towards, finally comes to pass in this story. And what you think you know? It's only part of a bigger picture, as Thomas reveals the aces she has up her sleeve.

Readers get to spend quality time with both Titus and Iolanthe, as they race against time and fate in an effort to complete their mission once and for all. Iolanthe has come a long way from the girl with doubts about her destiny. She's strong, physically, mentally, and emotionally, ready to face down the Bane as was prophesied. But her true heroism is not just her actual ability; it's her choice to step forward into an unknown, dangerous future, even though her fear threatens to overwhelm her. She's truly a kick-ass heroine, and I deeply admire her drive and her heart. Titus, too, has also transformed from the boy focused solely on enacting his mother's prophecy. His careful preparations and his own skills are certainly nothing to scoff at. But it's the way that he learns to cultivate friendships and trust, and his fierce protector's nature and willingness to run into the fire in spite of knowing he may never escape it, that really make him someone to admire. Both of them have changed so much over the course of the months they've known each other, and it's certainly for the better. Plus, it doesn't hurt that their relationship is the type of giddy, banter-filled, romance based on friendship and admiration I enjoy reading about!

Even though the story is told from both their perspectives, it is not just about them. It's about the fate of an entire Domain hanging in the balance. It's about the evil of greed and the fear of death; it's about the goodness of love and courage in sacrifice. It's about ordinary individuals fighting for their lives, and the lives of their loved ones. It's about the cost of freedom, the importance of trust and the grace of understanding. This novel is a gold mine, not just in terms of characterization (main and secondary), but also in terms of themes. And you can bet that I soaked it all up from start to finish!

It was certainly a treat to read The Immortal Heights. These characters are dear to me, with their flaws and strengths and the utter complexity of their struggles. This story, as a whole, is a tremendously epic tale, the stuff of legends really. While it isn't my favorite of the series (The Perilous Sea still holds that spot), it is certainly a pretty perfect conclusion.