YA Book Review: Wrath of The Storm by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Mark of the Thief #3)

Title: Wrath of the Storm

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Series: Mark of the Thief #3

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Publisher: Scholastic

Pub Date: January 31, 2017

Pages: 343

My Copy: Hardcover in my Too Be Read Pile

Book Summary:

Trouble has a way of seeking out Nicolas Calva, and it's not likely to leave him alone any time soon. With Caesar's magic bulla, the Malice of Mars, and the possibility of a Jupiter Stone in play, all the powers of Rome are circling Nic. He'll have to maneuver his way through scheming government officials and reawakened magical beasts to save the Empire. Can he manage to keep his friends and family safe, claim his own freedom once and for all, and rescue the Empire -- before the magic gets the better of him?

Book Review:

  This was really a great way to end this series. Nicolas and his friends, family have to deal with everything and then the kitchen sink thrown at them. I like how Nicolas starts to realize that things are grave if he makes a mistake that could destroy everything.

I like how this book starts off with Nicolas trying to escape one enemy only to find out he has a lot of other enemies plotting and scheming trying to get him to use his powers/magic for their own various reasons. I mean there is a lot of politics as well being played. Not to mention his own family is in danger and then they believe that everyone is stronger together than apart. He worries about everything and everyone.

Of course, the Praetors and now the emperor are deeply concerned about what will happen. Brutus has manipulated the emperor to condemn Nicolas. Nicolas finds that his trial is really a bad situation for him and his loved ones. He tries to speak plainly.  The emperor is impressed by how well Nicolas speaks. Of course because of Nicolas powers and how they might be uncontrollable, he is condemned to death. Then of course he is saved by someone unexpected. This person or being is highly respected and he is saved, but this being tells Nicolas that only he can save Rome. The fate of the empire is in hands if he doesn’t stop the Mistress and other evil forces.

This book has a lot of crazy action, some creative ways of using magic. People having their loyalties tested. Not to mention he saves the woman he loves in a way  totally unexpected. I just love that Nicolas is still cracking jokes through out the third book and his reactions to things is not always right, but he has to fight to keep his own life and those of others safe. I thought the fact that the unicorn and dragon also played well in a way. I just found myself loving everything from start to finish. The other thing that I enjoyed was that he got a happily ever after that he wasn’t expecting or us readers.

This was a great series. If you love fantasy, definitely pick this series up. It doesn’t disappoint. This was by far the best book in the series.

Rating:

4.5 Hearts