About the Book:
Title: A Spark of Death and Fury
Author: Nicole Bailey
Series: Apollo Ascending #4
Publication Date: Sept. 27, 2022
Synopsis: The world is on fire.
But one thing burns hotter.
Revenge.
The high gods have fallen.
The spark is gone.
And chaos is the new king.
Amidst a scrabble to survive, gods step up to steal Zeus’ place. The treachery they cause pushes characters’ moral boundaries and forces them into one last fight for survival.
A blaze of wrath may save them all or finally lead to their ruin.
A Spark of Death and Fury is the riveting fourth installment of the Apollo Ascending series, full of love, heartbreak, and unexpected turns wrapped in an explosive finale.
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My Review:
You define who you are.
Wow. Just… wow. What a fantastic conclusion to an amazing series! It’s rare that a book leaves me speechless, content to ruminate over everything that happened, but I found myself sitting with this book and thinking about the incredible journeys all of the main characters went on. This is an epic conclusion to a brilliant series and one I’d highly recommend to readers of Greek myth retellings.
The story is told from Apollo, Hyacinth, Temi, Epiphany, and Valerian’s perspectives. Each of their stories is layered, complex, and so intriguing, and I love that, though I know a lot about mythology, I never knew what was going to happen next. Bailey’s retelling is fresh and unique and offers a new perspective on well-known characters while still honoring the original myths. It makes for a fascinating and immersive read filled with twists and turns and unforgettable moments. I have a feeling this series will live rent-free in my mind for a long time.
I love all of these characters so much, and each goes on a powerful, life-changing journey. Epiphany needs to prove she is capable of ruling a kingdom, Apollo and Temi deal with the aftermath of the events that occurred in the last book, and Hyacinth fights to protect Ares’s son. I don’t know which one to talk about first. I think I’ll start with Apollo. He has such an amazing character arc! He really figures out, during a desperate journey to save Hyacinth and Ix and with the help of his sister, who he wants to be and how he wants to be remembered.
And Hyacinth, my poor beautiful cinnamon roll. He suffers greatly throughout the book, and I hurt for him! He’s so brave and protective, and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loves, even if it’s to his detriment. He and Apollo have an epic love story, and I so hoped they would reunite and find their happily ever after.
Apollo had said he would suffer an eternity for a day with me. Maybe I was selfish, but that was not enough for me. I wanted him forever.
Another couple I rooted for was Epiphany and Val. They have such an angst-filled love story, and duty, social status, and meddling advisors seem to constantly pull them apart. They have so much love for each other, but like Apollo and Hyacinth, the obstacles they face seem insurmountable. Their individual journeys are as interesting as their journey as a couple.
Temi also develops a strong bond in the story, and, frankly, it broke my heart. I love her character, and her friendship with Orion is pure and deep and wonderful. They bring out the best in each other, and they almost feel like two sides of a coin. As they travel with Apollo and the rest of the group, they become even closer than they were, and their friendship is a beautiful and positive contrast to the danger and evil that they face.
I don’t know how to put into words how much I enjoyed this series and this book specifically. It’s exciting, intense, emotional, romantic, suspenseful, and more. It’s the kind of story that will make you laugh and cry and become emotionally invested in the characters, and the ending is very satisfying.
This will definitely go down as one of my favorite all-time series, and though I have digital copies of each book, I now need to buy print copies to display on my bookshelves. I’ll never get enough of Apollo and Hyacinth, and the entire Apollo Ascending series. Thanks so much to Nicole Bailey for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The relationships and romances!
- The world building.
- The exciting plot.
- Everything!!!!
Favorite Lines:
We weren’t the type who chose the simple path. We did what was right, regardless of the cost.
I’d always balanced the two edges of a chasm. Suddenly the gulf had widened, and I’d landed on one side. How strange to find myself longing for the other as well.
“I am Artemis, goddess of the moon. I will do everything in my power to be the deity who fights for humans and for justice and goodness in this godsforsaken world.” She blinked more tears back. “Who are you, Apollo?”
“Sometimes,” I whispered, and my eyes darted about all the millions of details of the world before they landed on him again, “the most beautiful blooms come after the hardest winters.”
Recommendations:
Want to learn more about the series? Check out my review of the first three books!
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