#205 Book Review: Empower

Empower (The Violet Eden Chapters #5)
Release Date: 12 November 2013
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary: 

It has been two years since Violet Eden walked away from the city, her friends, her future and - most importantly - her soulmate, Lincoln. Part angel, part human, Violet is determined to stand by the promises she made to save the one she loves. 

Living in the perpetual coldness of a broken soul she survives day to day as a Rogue Grigori in London. 

But when an unexpected visitor shows up at her door, the news he bears about someone she swore to protect leaves Violet with no choice.

Even worse, she fears that this might all lead back to the night she tries hardest to forget. And what was taken without her permission.

Violet is going back to New York ... and she knows exactly who is going to be there.

With Phoenix in her dreams and Lincoln in her heart she knows it is only a matter of time before the final choice must be made. 

Cover:
I love the contrast between dark and light and it really reflects the story and the core of Empower. It really represents the finale of the series and I adore it!

Story:

The final battle to test the power of love...

Well, the tag line above may sound cliché but that's how I felt throughout my journey of reading Empower and perhaps even the entire series. I have waited a year to read the finale of the series and I remember how last year after finishing Endless, I wasn't even sure if there will be another book in the Violet Eden Chapters. I couldn't be more pleased to find out that there's another book and although it is the finale, I felt ready to start the journey leading to the end of Violet's story. 

The ending of Endless left me heartbroken for Violet and Lincoln. Although Empower still contains that powerful action that we adored from the previous four books, I found Violet and Lincoln's relationship and love more prominent than other elements of the book. Perhaps it was because we were left hanging after the ending of Endless but the wait for Empower was absolutely worth it since there is plenty of romance which leaves reader breathless and anxious for more. This finale is all about decisions, choices and without spoiling anything, it's an epic finale that beautifully wraps up the whole series. 

Characters:

This is perhaps the best part of Empower. Watching Violet grow as a character from Embrace to Empower is absolutely a great journey, beginning from her denying her powers and abilities to the point where she embraces and uses them to save her loved ones. Towards the end, I was satisfied by Violet's development as a character. I also really adored Lincoln's character. Although his development was not as big and prominent to that of Violet's, I never stopped rooting for him and his love for Violet. Together, they form the epic couple whose relationship melts my heart. There's also Phoenix, who constantly made my heart twinge. Before, I was concerned about how Jessica would end the sort-of love triangle between the three and how she did it was great. It pleased me to know that all three characters could finally obtain the happiness they truly deserve after all the journey they went through. Of course, there are other amazing characters in the story but I have to admit, Phoenix and Violet and Lincoln's story outshine them.

Overall:

Empower is a powerful and satisfying finale to the Violet Eden Chapters. After waiting a year, this book is absolutely worth the wait. It has everything you want in a finale; an epic battle, a conclusive romance and most of all, a beautiful end to the journey of the characters you love and feel attached to. I will miss this series so much but I'm looking forward to reading Jessica Shirvington's upcoming works!

5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Empower!

Thank you Hachette Australia for the review copy!

PS: Hi everyone! I'm finally back to blogging after 6 months of hiatus. It's going to take some time to get into the reading and blogging mode but expect more reviews to come soon!