I’ve had my heart broken, more times than anyone who isn’t a fiction reader would have their hearts broken in one lifetime. As bibliophiles, fiction lovers precisely, it’s heartbreaking when we invest our heart into a book we were reading, and it ends up turning into a full blown tragedy.
I finished the third book in the legacy of Orisha series today - Children of Anguish and Anarchy, and I realized that I probably should have done myself a favour and stayed happy, if I stopped reading it halfway. In this third book, the characters are heading to war against a force they never saw coming. A fight that wouldn’t be existing, had they not been busy warring against each other in book 2. Now, broken and tired, they have to fight alongside a strange land, the town of Gaia who are about to be attacked by the common enemy.
Zelie, Amari, Tzain and Inan have realized themselves, and what’s at stake for the people of Orisha. They all work together, making moves to secure their motherland from the usurpers who seek Zelie’s blood. They fight with everything they have, doing all that’s required of them, even if it means sacrificing themselves.
I remember writing a review on the first book in this series, and I eulogized the series. I was so happy that I’d found a series that captured my heart, and it showed in my review. The same went for the second book, and now in the third book - I bawled my eyes out. I read the third book and couldn’t help but ask questions. What was the point of everything the characters went through, if this was the end? Their admirable love stories, the passion and the sacrifices they made for one another. Can’t we like get a glimpse into another universe where they all got happy endings?😭 Holding back the tears as I write this, I can’t help but think of how unnecessary this tragic end was, how unfair it is to the readers, and to the characters.
Whenever I finish a book, I make sure to read the acknowledgment and the author’s note if there’s any. I did the same for this one and I noticed something. In the first book, the author wrote about how she felt about her characters, she even highlighted certain parts of her work, and told us about what prompted them. There was nothing like that in the third book. I couldn’t help but think that the strain of wanting to please her readers got to her. The ending was rushed, it lacked flow, and most of all, too many things were changed, making it seem like the author wanted to bring the series to an end by force. This was a complete contrast to her writing in book 1 and 2.
The character’s actions in this third book, were worthy of notice. Here, all the tough things they went through was noticeable through their decisions. They worked together, the consequences of their previous mistakes weighing down on them. Not like they had choices in this book but I liked that they were more proactive when necessary, how they made plans, and worked towards it without distractions. I hate that the author made me dislike one of my favourite characters, by giving her alone a happy ending. It was a sad thing to see how heartbroken this series I once adored left me feeling.
This is more of a rant than it is a book review and I think it just reflects how much turmoil the book left me in. I’m finally done with this series, and now, I’m conflicted as to whether I should watch the adaptation. This will be the first Nigerian book I’ve read, that’s being adapted, and seeing how sad the ending was, I’m wondering if this is what I’m willing to go-through again, if the adaptation turns out fire. If you were in my shoes, would you go ahead to watch the adaptation not minding the heartbreak?
Thanks for reading.
Images are screenshots taken by me while reading.