Return to Zero audiobook

A great book, I literally did not want to put it down. The book is very fast paced, not quite as action as I would have liked. Actually that is a bit unfair as there is quite a bit of action, but a lot of it is preparation for things to come.I think the pace of the book comes from the fact that this is the ending, and things have really hit the fan.This is a story of the New Grades and the new world, the other Lorien's are there more as guide, or for there "gloomy charm" bringing more problems the he solves (4).The book is very X-men, I noticed a number of similar power, and evaluation of the power/legacies.A good ending for the series, truth be told I did prefer the original series and characters (slightly), but the characters are more conflicted and "real".The book does have a bit of everything. Preparation, development, redemption and enough action and adventure. The characters are tougher from what they have been through. A good ending but enough left over for another story arc in the future.

4.5 stars “But everything is more complicated. Nastier. When you realize that the bad guys aren’t cartoon characters and are actually people, it can get kind of intense.” Is it really over? Please, tell me it isn't. I can't bear it. I'm so not ready to let this world go, even for a short period of time. I've invested too many years in it. Too many feelings. It's a part of me. Everything great has an end I guess. “The only way we truly overcome those bad experiences is by refusing to let them change us.” Since I started this book I entered it with a lot of anxiety and nerves. The title put me on edge.I made assumptions. Was I happy with those? Sometimes. I didn't know how to feel about the possibilities of what that could mean yet, I wasn't completely sure that it was a completely terrible idea. Dare I say it, it worked. It put me right there on the feelings that I needed in order to enjoy the most the story. “This is what we’ve been training for,” Kopano declared. “It might feel like we’re in trouble, like this is an end – but it’s not. This is the start.” Contrary to the two previous books Return to Zero starts with tensions dialed to a hundred and a very heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach that only grew with every word I read. Things are tensed, everywhere. The situation is quite dire in all fronts and we have little respite from our worries through the book. Everything continues to mount and pile to the breaking point. I like that the characters are all changed from the ones we first encounter. They've grown so much since the first time we saw them. They've experienced so much. But, in the end, they still have the same essence to their natures. That's good because they are the propellers of the greatest part of the action, as well they should, and the kids they were couldn't have done the job. There was, also, a good sense of continuity to all the stories, that was good. “The kids here believe in you. They need you to lead them. And to lead them, you need to keep yourself sane.” We had so many cameos that made me go wild. I love me a good-all cameo. It also makes a lot of sense to have them because RTZ marks the end of an arc. The end of an era and whatever comes next will be new. We needed to get some close for all the characters. The fact that the new characters were very involved in everything happening made me grin. (view spoiler)[ Taylor calling out John was really cool if only because she wasn't cowered at the fact he is the great John Smith or had hero-fever. (hide spoiler)] It was quite satisfactory. “Yeah, maybe we’re in trouble,” Kopano replied to Nigel, patting his smaller friend’s bony shoulder. “But don’t you feel it? We are together. We’re going to win.” The "small bone" I have to pick with this was the fact that they gave us the final result at around the middle of the book. Like... Why?! I continued reading really hoping they hadn't spoiled me the ending and yet... Yes, ok, it wasn't completely obvious. But it wasn't not obvious, or right there, either. I would have liked to keep the wondering for longer. It was even more offending because it aligned with my early theories and that made me even more apprehensive. Not a fan. “But being a hero, Kopano had learned, was not always glorious.” Taking everything into account I must admit that I was more ok with the ending than I thought I would be. In a way, that was thanks to the fact that it wasn't quite what I thought. For this, I mean that it was exactly what I thought but it wasn't executed how I thought it was gonna be executed. I'm more than ok actually, I'm feeling rather good and comfortable and excited with the prospect. Sure, it was sad. Things are rarely perfect and come without a cost. But there's hope. And that, that is everything. ___________________ It was good. I liked it. Yet, I have a small fight to pick with it. Anyway, I love this universe so much I would never get tired of reading about it.RTC.___________________I'm so not ready for this to end. And the name is giving me anxiety. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna like this one because, so far, not one of these books has disappointed me. Am I putting high expectations in it? Absolutely, but, can you blame me? Here I go.

you're right, we have legacies for a reason It really is all over? after two series spanning 10 years i cannot believe I've come to the end and i'm incredibly sad that i have. This series has been apart of me for the last 5 years and now i have said goodbye to the world and characters in it and of course i'm sad. Plot: Picking up after the events of the previous book the group have split and are all working on something different however things aren't what they seem and the group will have to come together to survive this. Going into this book i knew it was the last one and i was hoping it would go out on a high note which it did and i couldn't have asked for a better way to wind up the two series. Seeing the group torn in two really broke my heart because they all work really well together because they are all different and they just mesh together. However i did enjoy the two new groups that formed in this one and how the dynamic of the story changes so quick to accommodate it and i really enjoyed that from a reader stand point. Taylor, Kopano, Nigel along with Nine seeing them returning to the academy and trying so hard to keep it running and having it all just end up crumbling even with their best efforts to fix it. I said this in my review of the second book Taylor is the female version of John and with how quickly she stepped up and the 360 this character did was a massive changed from when we first meet her. Seeing all the original Garde and i mean all those that were in book seven of the i am number four series come back and be in the same room as each other just warmed my heart. I especially happy to see Ella and Marina finally make their appearance in this one it was great to see the two close and as bad ass as ever. Ok so Fives death scene in this book with Ran was really beautiful? i would never have thought i would be saying those words ever and as much i disliked the character i still felt sadness in reading that death scene it made me even tear up a little bit. The entire set up of the scene was just so well done from the beginning when Five knew what Ran had planned and what he was going to do and join her right up until his last thoughts it was beautiful. When Lucas takes over John in the battle scene i honestly thought that was going to be the end of John and i actually was kind of ready for it to happen. It's not like i wanted it to happen but i just feel like this blokes to me invincible this thing is actually going to finally take him down but as it's John he comes out of it alive and there to see another day. There was no clear MVP of the battle because i feel like both original Garde and human Garde both came together to fight the corrupt government and Lucas to build a future for themselves and keep it alive for future generations and i loved that. I'm really sad to have finally finished this series but i'm happy with where it ended because it went out with a high note and didn't drag on for another couple of books. Each character in my opinion got some what of justice and their previous story lines were wrapped up and i couldn't have asked for anything better.

I’m still not able to believe that this is over. I absolutely loved this series and I’m so sad that it’s over😭 I loved how the characters remained true to them selves through out everything that happened. I do wish we got to read more about Sam, Six and Marina though.

Final Rating: 4 Stars

I have to say I enjoyed the series from beginning to end. The ending was slightly ambiguous, but I'm a positive way.We follow the Human Guard and everything that has accumulated to this point. We get the usual multiple perspectives and see the return of some loved characters.The ending brought tears to my eyes. I knew what was happening, but it hit me in the heart. Only a few qualms I have. The book seemed to end too quickly and neat, I would have preferred a more heart-wrenching outcome - meaning the stakes didn't seem as high as the original series, and less action packed. All in all; a good and decent conclusion.

I'm hoping for a new series about them... Well, more like a new series centered around Adam 😂I mean in all honesty they did leave room to start a new Loric series. Not everyone got exactly a happy ending. Like in all honesty only Taylor did. Everyone else either got an eh ending or a 'my story continues' ending so... It's a possibility I can still see Adam. Especially with that Mog girls ending. It's a possibility if she comes back in a new series.Also, I'm not sure if I got the hint right or if I imagined a hint but... Was it hinting at MarinaXJohn? I'm not sure I'm okay with that 😂So all in all this book left me wanting a new series that will finally give John his happy ever after (not just his work happy after. All around happy ending), and Adam. MORE ADAM. And honestly I'm kinda hoping some one helps Einar. I almost teared up a little at his hearing. He's not that bad of a guy.

this final book was so good, the plot was good, everything was awesome, the ending was just perfect. i loved that we got to see more of five’s personality and his mental health. i’m just a bit disappointed that we didn’t see marina a lot. but we saw all the OG so it made me really happy. the other characters – the human garde – are all interesting and i cared a lot about all of them, i loved them all.i am SO SAD it’s the last book of this entire series, i love it so much, forever in my heart.𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣.

3.5 stars. I was soooo pumped for this after Fugitive Six and had high hopes for an amazing finale.Unfortunately the pacing was completely off. The first two thirds of the book were incredibly dull and slow and then two giant battles happened at the same time. Why???The part I enjoyed most was the very last one describing what everyone was up to after the battle.And what about all that John mobbing???? WTF?? Leave John alone, he went through enough!

Oh my aching heart! Why does this have to be the end 😭

** spoiler alert ** RAN

A fairly satisfying conclusion to the series but some questions remain unanswered

Really enjoyed this book. Nothing pretentious.

I absolutely love this series, I'm so sad it's come to an end. But what a fantastic ending!

I NEED MORE!!!!!!!!