Fragile Destiny

The Aether Chronicles #3

by Suzanne Lazear

Noli and her true love V fear the worst if the Staff of Eris—a potent Otherworld relic—falls into the wrong hands. Broken into pieces and hidden in the mortal realm long ago, the staff bestows vast powers on whoever possesses it. Ciarán, the dark king, is trying to rebuild the staff, intending to use it to install a new queen.

In a desperate effort to keep the Otherworld from falling into darkness, Noli and V plot the daring theft of a jewel Ciarán needs to complete the staff. But Ciarán is not so easily defeated. Through his devious machinations, he has set a plan in motion for a final showdown that will decide who rules the Otherworld once and for all.

Genres: Steampunk, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Magic, Fairies, Mythology

432 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

Suzanne Lazear writes books that end in "punk." She is the author of the the elfpunk series THE SECRET LIVES OF ROCKSTARS and the steampunk dark fairy-tale series THE AETHER CHRONICLES. She likes cupcakes, cute boots, and hanging out with her family. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter and will one day make a working cupcake cannon.

She always plays with swords, is never described as normal, and has been known to run with bustles. Learn more about THE AETHER CHRONICLES at http://www.aetherchronicles.com and her at http://www.suzannelazear.com

Reviews

[Colleen Houck]

I thought this was the end but it feels like there might be one more coming. I am not at all sad about that. Still love the characters as much as ever. Miri is such a nice addition. I warn you though, you may crave cake when you read this one.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you follow my reviews, you know that I love steampunk and fantasy so I thought Fragile Destiny would be a perfect match for me. I did love the fae and realm aspect and overall the plot was intriguing but it didn't hold me. I know this book is for readers 12 plus but the characters even though they are suppose to be “adult” seemed very young and immature. Trying to picture them “married”, yikes, nope that just didn't work for me. Although it had great potential, Fragile Destiny ended up being just a “like it” read for me.

I received this ARC copy of Fragile Destiny from Flux in exchange to a honest review. This book is set for publication August 8, 2014.

Written by: Suzanne Lazear
Age Range: 12 and up
Series: The Aether Chronicles
Sequence in Series: Book 3
Page Count: 456 pages
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: August 8, 2014
Rating:
ISBN-10: 0738739863
ISBN-13: 978-0738739861
Genre: Steampunk | Fantasy
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Reviewed for:

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received this book NetGalley/Flux in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Genre* Steampunk, Young Adult
*Rating* 3.5-4

*My Thoughts*

The Aether Chronicles continues with Fragile Destiny the third novel in the series. Since this story picks up right where the Charmed Vengeance left off, I don't recommend that future readers jump in at this point or try to understand all the plots and twists that have already taken place.

The Aether Chronicles centers around Magnolia (Noli) Braddock, and Steven Darrow, but there are plenty of others that you can't just ignore and expect to enjoy the series. The Aether Chronicles is set in an Steampunk based reality and is thick with intrigue and danger. Stories take place in Los Angeles, Boston, and the Otherworld, aka The Faerie Realm.

**Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews**

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

Expected publication: August 8th 2014 by Flux

Recvd via NetGalley 03/20/2014*

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, this is the best book in the series so far. I really want to tell you OMG THIS HAPPENED, AND THIS, AND THIS!, but I won't. I'll let you read it for yourself. Though I will say that almost every question I had going into Fragile Destiny was answered. While this book takes place mostly in the Otherworld, and lacks the airships I loved in book 2, it makes up for it with twists and turns that drive this book from start to finish. However, once again, the story does not end here, and I cannot wait to read book 4!! Suzanne's writing only gets better with each book and she puts her own spin on Faerie and Steampunk in a way that no other writer can.

[Isis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley & Flux for giving me a copy of this e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. Though I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my review.

Noli and her true love V fear the worst if the Staff of Eris—a potent Otherworld relic—falls into the wrong hands. Broken into pieces and hidden in the mortal realm long ago, the staff bestows vast powers on whoever possesses it. Ciarán, the dark king, is trying to rebuild the staff, intending to use it to install a new queen.

In a desperate effort to keep the Otherworld from falling into darkness, Noli and V plot the daring theft of a jewel Ciarán needs to complete the staff. But Ciarán is not so easily defeated. Through his devious machinations, he has set a plan in motion for a final showdown that will decide who rules the Otherworld once and for all.

WARNING: If you haven't read the first two books in this series yet, read no further as this review contains spoilers for both books. Plus, the first two books are very entertaining reads.


OK, first off, this is not the final book in the series. Or at least I don't think it's meant to be. . . The ongoing saga of Noli, V, James, and crew picks up essentially were it left off at the end of Charmed Vengeance. This installation may have a bit less on the hardcore action side of things, but it makes up for it with some heavy emotional gambits, as well as some surprises I certainly didn't see coming. Come to think of it, there may be about the same amount of action as in the other books, simply distributed a bit differently.

As usual, Noli gets the bad reputation of being too impulsive, when she's just trying to do the right thing, which usually doesn't turn out as planned. But this time it's a big one, enough that it threatens to split Noli and V apart. They're both going to have to do some pretty fast talking, to each other and many, many others if they both want to see the other side of their current situation.

Luckily they have a voice of reason in James, and he basically tells V to man up, and pull his act together before he loses the best thing that's ever happened to him. James' advice to Noli is more along the lines of, have patience with V and that the two of them need to do some serious work on their communication skills if they plan to marry and build a life together. But the couple struggle with strong emotions that don't really feel like their own. Is High Queen Tiana trying to find a way to break them up without breaking her prior vow? Or is someone, or something, trying to manipulate them into a specific response? And to what end?

Where so many others did a bunch of maturing in Charming Vengeance, Kevigh really didn't have much chance. Or more precisely he wasn't ready to take advantage of the chances he had. Luckily, those waiting for his return were willing to wait a bit longer. However, has he reached the point where he can let go of the past and move forward? Is he ready to clean up his act?

Elise, younger sister to V and James, and the only potential threat to High Queen Tiana's throne, plays a large role in this book. Of course at this age she's not much of a threat to the High Queen, and pretty much everyone wants to ensure that the High Queen continues to feel that way about her. Elise finally gets to the Otherworld, and begins having her own adventures with her new friend. Her new friend who just happens to be from the dark court, long considered one of the earth court's enemies. Her brothers are frantic to find her and when they learn where she is they're even more frantic to get her back. For they don't trust the dark court, and they certainly don't trust the dark court king, Ciarán. Especially as he is also trying to gather all the pieces of the Staff of Eris, which they assume he plans to assemble so that he can wield it himself. Yet Noli doesn't get the same bad vibe from Ciarán that the guys do. It could be because she's not originally from the Otherworld, or maybe she just senses something they don't, or won't. Either way, they're all going to have to work together sooner or later, and from the sound of things it will probably be sooner.

Back in Boston there are any number of big surprises for all. The return of someone from the past shocks and excites many, as do a pair of weddings held at the same time, and possibly even news of a baby on the way. But there is still so much that is yet to be resolved. It feels as if the story is beginning to wrap up, but it could easily be done over two books if Ms. Lazear wanted to draw things out. However with just the information the readers have now, I would anticipate the conclusion to the current storyline in the next book. Of course that's not to say that the Otherworld won't yield more stories to those who believe.

P.S. Don't forget - whenever you're visiting the Otherworld, never eat anything, and always remember your manners by saying things like "I appreciate it," or "How kind of you," but for all that you hold dear, never, ever say "Thank you."

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Flux and NetGalley.)


This was an okay story, but it dragged in places.

Noli said things she shouldn’t have said in this instalment, and did things she shouldn’t have done. She wasn’t quite as annoying as she was in the last book, but I still didn’t love her.

The storyline was okay, and there were a couple of surprises. I did find that some things felt a little farfetched though, and I really didn’t think that Noli having a sword was a good idea! The pace did feel slow at times though, and I did find it hard to not put this down in places.
There was a little bit of romance, and that was okay, and we did get a bit of a happily ever after in that respect.
Otherwise the ending was okay, but not everything was tied up, leaving me thinking that this isn’t the end of the story. I can’t say that I’m pleased that there will be more books though unfortunately.
Overall; okay, but dragged a bit,
6.5 out of 10.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I loved reading this book, it was such a great end to the series, so much happened, and I'm so glad to have finally finished this series!

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this last book in the series, Lazear draws a lot of inspiration from Shakespeare's: "Midsummer
Night's Dream."
Noli and Steven Darrow(V) are leery of Ciaran the Dark King, as they search for the missing
pieces of the Staff of Eris.
Lazear ties up several of her characters relationships, while allowing for some wiggle room for
a future spin-off if she wants to write one.

[Yuiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Last book in the series not much happened and I was bored with it

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noli and her true love V fear the worst if the Staff of Eris, a potent Otherworld relic, falls into the wrong hands. Broken into pieces and hidden in the mortal realm long ago, the staff bestows vast powers on whoever possesses it. Ciarán, the dark king, is trying to rebuild the staff, intending to use it to install a new queen. In a desperate effort to keep the Otherworld from falling into darkness, Noli and V plot the daring theft of a jewel Ciarán needs to complete the staff. But Ciarán is not so easily defeated. Through his devious machinations, he has set a plan in motion for a final showdown that will decide who rules the Otherworld once and for all.

Fragile Destiny is the third part of Noli's story, a story of epic and dangerous adventures. A story of mystery, intrigue, faerie magic, and unexpected revelations.

Noli and V are back, along with their friends and family (and manipulative enemies). They're still racing around, this time trying to keep the Otherworld safe (from those aforementioned manipulative fingers). They're still together, even if they are butting heads and arguing far more than usual. I was surprised at how often they clashed, how often they didn't tell each other everything and let things like stubborn pride and jealousy regarding Kevighn get in the way. I certainly didn't expect things to be easy for them, their lives are constantly wrenched out of their control and into someone else's, but I thought they trusted each other. Had more faith in each other after what happened in the previous books. And they have to work out their problems, they have to prove their strong enough to continue, or else everything they've worked towards will crumble.

Where there were airships and journeys and roaming in the second book, this one seems to spend a fair amount of time in the Otherworld. And that means complicated royal faerie court policies. That means spies and bodyguards. That means lies and tricks and plots. It becomes a rather dangerous setting, not as peaceful or magical as I'd expected. In the end I wasn't surprised. Again, I didn't think it would be easy for Noli and V to find what they were looking for.

It's very reminiscent of the previous two books. Adventure and tricky faeries, clashing personalities, quests and journeys. Noli's uncommon personality, V's intelligence, and Kevighn's unwillingness to let go of the past. I did assume that this was the end of a trilogy, but considering the ending, considering what is resolved and what isn't, what questions I still have regarding I wouldn't be surprised if there's another book in the future.

(I received an e-galley of this title to review from Flux Books through NetGalley.)

[Aparajitabasu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original Link to the review at my blog Le' Grande Codex - here

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After Innocent Darkness, and Charmed Vengeance comes 'Fragile Destiny'. A bit more on the emotional iota instead of action. While it felt a little flat, hence the loss of 2 stars but what it lacked in action it made up for with some extreme heavy dosage of drama. And I hope there are going to be more books in the series because while that open-ended epilogue fit in there I do hope that is not the last of it.

The emotional endeavors aside, Fragile Destiny packed a lot of surprise punches. Things we didn't think possible happened and people long gone came back. Noli as usual is quite impulsive and leaps before she sees what is infront of her and her good intentions with that attitude turn to a bad fall.

And it almost breaks V and Noli apart but thanks to James' mediation, the situation was salvaged after he gives the two quite the dressing down if you pardon the pun. Of course it wasn't just a simple small talk but it yielded results and they get their happily ever after.

Of course, Elise and Kevighn too hold a great part in the story. Elise remains the only threat to the High Queen and Kevighn, well he has his own agendas and issues to sort out. I did expect a little bit more from this tale, of course a lot of loose ends tied up well but left the business with the staff wide open to contemplation. I do hope we'll see more books that deal into it Ms. Lazear. Good Job and damn that is one gorgeous cover here. All three books in the series had beautiful cover and it definitely provided a great towards the books too. Also did anyone notice that the whole series released on 8th August for 3 consecutive years between 2012-2014..... Good Job!

"An emotionally charged steampunk-y magical romp"

[Jessie Burroughs · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can give this one a pass.

I think I might have enjoyed it more as a preteen or something but I felt like I was dumbed down reading this book. For example, Steven was still worried about Noli having feelings for Kevign for crying out loud, and Kevign still wasn't over her. Enough already. And are 17 year olds still into building treehouses and tea parties? Really? This book was more about Steven and Noli getting married than anything else, which I could have cared less about. Did Noli really have to get married twice? Three times? Seriously. I thought this book was the last in the series, I wish Lazear would have sped it up a little and put the damn thing out of it's misery. No steampunk elements in this one to speak of. Also, aside from Kevign, I really didn't feel like I got to know the characters, there weren't many signs of development. The writing style also grated on me for the choice of words. I still find it annoying that she shortens Steven's name to 'V', and tries to pass off phrases like 'flying figs' and 'fussy old bodger' as colloquial language.

I gave this book a chance for the finishing school in the first one, and the air pirate ship in the second one, but it was a let down and I think I'm tapping out at this point.

[Katrina Marie]

I absolutely love all of these characters. We learn more about them with each book.

We are thrown into another adventure as Noli and V try to find the remaining pieces of the staff. V has to overcome a lot of insecurities in this book. He struggles to be okay with the things that come to pass, and it’s understandable but very frustrating. Noli fights to make V realize that she isn’t going to break. She’s capable of taking care of herself. We see more of Kevighn’s character in this book. We learn quite a few things, and begin to see why he is so mad.

There are so many twists and turns in this installment. Some I could predict, but others, I was like “did that just happen???” There is a lot of sleuthing in this novel, and I love that Noli helps put these plans into action. We also get to see Jeff and Vix some, and that is freaking awesome. Jeff is ridiculously protective of Noli, but so is Vix. I want to be like her when I grow up. She’s strong, determined, and loyal to those she cares about.

I can’t wait for the next book. I need to know how everything is going to play out. There’s so much that happens in this book, and I need answers! :D

[Mary Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this entire series, yet it is one of my "guilty" pleasures. No it isn't high literature but like most Steampunk is a lively fun romp, in this case with Faeries blended in. Ms Lazear does a nice job of making the 2 worlds blend together and make sense.

In this 3rd novel, Noli accidentally makes herself the queen of the Earth Court which fianlly resolves the issue of Noli and V finally getting married. But there are still several unresolved issues by the end of the book. Ailis is still very young and Noli and V are her guardians. What is the Bright Court Queen up to? What is the King of the Dark Court planning and will he really help Noli and V? And Most important who is talking to both Noli and V? Is it the Bright Lady herself or the Magic of the Realm? I predict at least one more book and possibly 2 more.

[Stacee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed in this book, especially since it's the last one of the series.

Noli and V are not the same couple, even before the twist happens. They're mean and spiteful. They say and do hateful things to each other, apologize, kiss and then do it again in the next chapter! Neither of them seemed like the characters they were in the previous books.

As for the storyline, it was okay. I was really hoping for some epicness, but it just seemed to fall flat. There is an epilogue and even though it's short, it does tell you what's to come.

Overall, it was a quite a let down for an end to a trilogy. The character spark I enjoyed so much was gone and this felt more like a second book of a series.

**Huge thanks to Flux and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will answer lots of reader's questions, and some of those answers may surprise you...but definitely in a good way!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a let down for the final book. As i read this series I like V less and less. I don't get why Noli stayed with him at all.

[Coranne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambiguous ending but I am a big fan of this series! Full review to come!

[Kumyin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly refreshing and satisfying read that reminded me why I love reading.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Again love the characters. The story moved along at a fairly good pace. I can only hope the story holds up for the next book, this one kind of felt like a bridge book with much set up.

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Will Noli be able to help V take back his kingdom?

Opening Sentence: “Where are we going, Quinn?”

The Review:

Noli is back and working desperately with Steven in order to stop King Brogan from putting together a missing staff. Meanwhile, Elise shows up in the otherworld and Kevighn brings her to the dark court after leaving Noli. Kevighn and the dark court are also working on finding all the pieces to the missing staff. They don’t want King Brogan to get all the pieces either.

Noli and Steven make a daring plan to steal the jewel needed to work the staff. They are successful but shocked the next day when they find out that someone else stole the fake jewel they put in place of the real one. But Brogan knows what they are up too and it leads to a confrontation that will change everything.

Normally I would provide more of the plot, but really from that point on it’s a lot of spoilers and since this is the conclusion to the trilogy, I think it’s simpler if I leave it out and talk about these books for a moment. I read the first two books in order to review the third, and while we all know steampunk is pretty hit or miss for me for the most part, I really enjoyed this series. I liked the mixing of steampunk with Fae. I adored Noli in book 1, and through most of the series. However, this doesn’t happen all the time but occasionally I find that I don’t care for the main ship. I really didn’t like Noli and Steven.

I mean to say I thought it was weird and rushed in the first book, plus with the introduction of Kevighn and his feelings for Noli, I admit I was invested in seeing if something would happen with them. It isn’t a love triangle on any level because other than the connection they have on Noli’s part there are no moments of her being torn between the two guys. So yes, I shipped something that was hinted at in the first book but never really explored. The author did keep Kevighn hanging on in all 3 books, but I am not sure why he really didn’t add to the plot nor was he an actual contender for her heart.

This last book really cemented for me that I didn’t like Steven and Noli, given his immediate reaction and response when some things happen just further made me dislike them. I am probably not the only person to feel this way, but it made the last book for me feel weird and I wasn’t happy with it. It felt like the author introduced doubts and problems and then just glossed over them for the sake of ending the book and the relationships on a happy note. So while I enjoyed the trilogy over all, I wasn’t blown away by the ending.

Notable Scene:

The little girl clutched Kevighn’s hand tightly as he led her through the Blackwoods. Dark and ominous in an entirely different way than where’d they’d been before. They were one of the oldest places in the Otherworld, filled with strange plants and even stranger creatures. If the mortal Brother’s Grimm actually possessed imaginations the worlds in their stories may have looked like this. It was also deep with dark court territory and home to many.

FTC Advisory: Flux provided me with a copy of Fragile Destiny. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.