#supernova epilogue spoilers

[mikodrawnnarratives]

THEEEMMSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[eldritch-araneae]

Hey, look at my first 2024 art, and its ANGST :) Spoilers for the end of ISAT and the epilogue.

Full art below and some thoughts regarding both Siffrin and Loop~

"When a massive star dies in supernova, it turns into a black hole. It's gravity so powerful that not even light can escape it's grasp. Hot gases swirling around it at high speeds, forming the Accretion Disk."

I find it interesting how Siffrin and Loop went when they gave up on their wish. One destroyed themself, the other almost destroyed the world. I can't help but see a fun metaphor of how stars die.

Loop quietly shed their layers and became the white dwarf.

Siffrin went supernova and was destroying the world as he refused to let go, pulling anything onto himself, like a black hole.

[ataraxianne]

SPOILER SUPERNOVA BY MARISSA MEYER

Me after reading of Magpie and Nova's "cat fight" because M stole N's bracelet: lmao they act like me and my younger sister

Me after reading the epilogue:

[bluerosesinthenightsky]

There’s A Hollow Fracture In Kirito’s Chest...

{{Not A Title, Just an Attention grabber for a preview of a polyfic of different romantic/platonic dynamics between Eugeo, Kirito, Asuna And Alice coming to an A03 near you. Yujikiri is the main focus, and the poly stuff comes more towards the epilogue. How does it all play out? You will just have to wait and see!}} _ _ _

OBLIGATORY MAJOR SPOILER WARNING FOR Sword Art Online: Alicization Arc! Do not READ if you haven't finished the first half of the Alicization Arc! MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH INCOMING! YOUVE BEEN WARNED!

_ _ _

There’s a hollow fracture in Kirito’s chest, a fissure stretched all the way vertically across the middle, it is wide and raw. Bleeding, red, agonizing and burning, yet all at once so cold.  

So cold… 

It was as if a blade of ice, so cold it burned, but so hot it was cold- had flayed him open. Cleaving through skin, muscle and finally carving against the bones within his ribcage. Where it punctured downwards, rending them until broken, and struck true into his heart. 

The frigid point piercing and plunging its serrated edge so deeply into it, that it found his very core, his soul and froze it over. 

There was a hollow fracture in Kirito’s chest. It was far deeper than it was wide, like a black abyss, swallowing him up whole, devouring everything he had left to give. 

A murky nebulous, akin to the night sky, yet there was no light to guide his way, no stars speckling the canvas of the lonely void to bring him back home. 

Why? Why wasn’t there any light? 

He knew why. 

His light, his star, it had burnt out like a supernova and had left him all alone. 

Isolated and suffocating in his own despair. That’s right… his heart had been plundered and his soul pillaged, and all that remained was ice. 

Kirito’s home didn’t exist anymore. 

There was a hollow fracture in Kirito’s chest and in that hollow space between his bloodied and shattered ribs, was a single blue rose. 

It was withering, yet a sheen of glistening frost had crept over the surface of its beautiful petals. 

Beautiful just like…him. 

Beautiful it might be it was still just as ugly.  

A merciless constant reminder of being so brutally bereaved of his beloved partner. 

It was as if the frost had frozen Kirito in time. Forcing him to remain in that exact heart-stopping and spine-chilling moment. When the sword, that was responsible for this fractured and icy hollow in his chest, shattered and then dispelled and released his precious partner. Leaving him to plummet to the floor. 

Leaving him all but lifeless, his crimson cruor pooling like a sea of ruby rose petals underneath him. His frame severed into two halves, leaving him a shell of something once whole, by the sword of the ruthless ruler of the Underworld. 

“EUGEOOOOOOOO!!!” 

The guttural and wounded growl, of Eugeo’s name, detonated like a violent gale. It surged rapidly out from Kirito’s vocals like a swirling storm and echoed within those damn forsaken walls. 

And she with her long lavender hair, fitted with a dress as white as snow, looked on. 

Outwardly, one might mistake her for a holy being, innocent and pure, full of love and light. 

If Kirito didn’t know better, he would have thought her an angel sent from the heavens above to collect Eugeo. 

But the angel was a devil in disguise, staring mockingly and sneering with a smirk so vile that Kirito had come to despise it and her. 

That despicable woman, no not a woman, she was naught but a callous and cold creature with no capacity for loving anyone put herself. She had love for herself alone and her insatiable bloodlust for control over all. 

The Administrator, Quinella, were she still alive now- Kirito would have hunted her to the ends of the Underworld and he would have slaughtered her. Then he would have used system commands to bring her back and slaughter her again, and again, and again… 

Over and over… until not a trace of her fluctlight remained. He would raze her away, permanently deleting her from the system, and by the time he was finished it would be as if she’d never existed. 

Yet nothing could be done now. Though Kirito’s body was in the present, his heart and soul and sense of self and time had been frozen in place. It froze over within an impenetrable barrier, an icy cage. Of which the only key that could set him free had long since melted away. Leaving it forever locked and leaving him in everlasting lament. 

A part of him had died with Eugeo that day. That dark and dismal day, the day that Kirito’s star went out, the day that his precious little Eugeo… 

His best friend and his ever-loyal partner, his everything… 

His beloved Eugeo. 

His icy blue rose. 

Burned and melted away in a baleful blaze of crossing blades and blood. 

_ _ _ There you have it, that's the preview! I've wanted to rp a Yujikiri reunion for a long time, but no one has ever come to the call and actually committed. So I decided to write something my damn self, and make it into a fanfic. this will be a self-indulgent Yujikiri reunion fic, with a small side of poly dynamics between Kirito, Eugeo, Alice and Asuna scattered throughout the fic and in the epilogue. If polyamory isn't for you, then this fic I'm writing isn't for you.

Please do NOT start a ship war in the comments, or reblogs, or even screen shotting this preview and making it into a ship war, thank you. This fic won't be exactly like the Yujikiri reunion I have in my head rp wise. Rp wise would be a much simpler premise, and it would be strictly Yujikiri, and not as long and as lore heavy.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed what you've read so far. I don't know if it's obvious or not, but Kirito is having a nightmare. He's reliving Eugeo's death over and over and has been every night for YEARS.

I take no responsibilities for anyone's emotional turmoil.

[overenthusiasticcartoonlover]

HOLY SHIT! Evie Artino is Magpie??? Or at least it's super implied. I am throughly in love with Marissa Meyer's writing but boy does it always leave me wanting more of an actual epilogue.

[alex-modeva]

okay so today I finished Supernova by Marissa Meyer and honestly I need help rn

like things are pretty rough and I need a hug or somebody I can talk to about that FUCKING EPILOGUE....

[beccabeans]

Nodrian at the parade.

[myszorek114]

Supernova Spoilers ahead

Don’t read if you haven’t finished the book!

Whoa, that book was an amazing rollercoaster of emotions and all, and I totally loved it, but the epilogue made me happy as well as frustrated. Do you guys think that Magpie and Nova won’t ever get to know the truth? It makes me kinda surprised that after finding that the child was actually alive none reported it to Renegades or any other authorities.

And considerating Magpie interest with some handsome young boy, maybe years later, that secret will come out at some fancy family reunion dinner?( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

What do you guys think?

Edit. Also nice to see the parallel between epilogue and the first chapter of Renegades <3

[yoursassybookwormfriend]

Finished Supernova! I had no idea how it was really going to end, but it was pretty satisfying! I liked the ending but sweet rot the epilogue? I have MANY feelings about the epilogue. (Spoilers in review under the cut) 

1: It took me a bit to realize that it wasn’t from Nova’s perspective (she can be very salty so the sass was usual) 

2: The liking Max thing made it VERY clear that it wasn’t Nova’s perspective. (otherwise we would have some serious problems) But really Magpie? You’re gonna fall in love with Max? That was more of a twist than anything in this series, honestly. 

3: Narcissa is on Sketch’s team’s float? Did she join their patrol unit? Does it really matter if the Renegades become something else now that everyone has powers? 

4: Magpie you little thief. Don’t you understand that you don’t have to steal to survive? 

5: Magpie’s backstory? epic. But then I realized that she is freaking EVIE? Evie Artino? like ma’am that was not a burglar in your house, that was an assassin! How did no one realize that Maggie came from Nova’s house? 

6: WHAT POWERS DID STERLING AND JADE GET? Is Sterling really the Silver Snake? What powers did Sampson Cartwright get? What powers did Oscar’s mom get? 

7: Is Magpie right? Will there just be another huge power struggle or is everything solved (well, to the point anything can be)

Also not epilogue comments but 

- Callum got killed? It felt inevitable but seriously you can’t just kill off my favorite character like that 

- Blacklight dead? Is there an opening in the Council or what? (they never replaced Lady Indomitable, so I’m guessing not) 

- Phobia being Adrian’s creation? Called it as soon as Adrian’s “nightmare monster” was introduced. Does this mean that his drawings can become immortal if he like, idk, makes them solar powered or something? Feeds off of hope? Just spitballin’ here 

- Ace killing Nova’s family? My dad actually called that. I wasn’t so sure. But the fact that THAT was when Lady Indomitable died sends a shiver up my spine. “I’m not sure I believe in coincidences anymore” like their stories were linked from the start my man. 

- Like I’m glad that prodigies are the new normal and that Max can be around people again but are we just going to ignore that the Renegade Council (as far as I know they must still have some bit of authority) is basically a four-person dictatorship? No democracy! No voting! What the heck? 

[thewriting-corner]

‘Renegades’ trilogy by Marissa Meyer: review

Welcome today to a post I have been waiting to do for months. I never do entire posts for book reviews, but since this was a trilogy (and one of my favorites I read this year) I decided it would deserve a little more.

Note: I will be doing a spoiler-free review first and then I’ll put a warning before talking about each individual book :)

Synopsis: The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Trilogy Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I honestly think these are the best books I’ve ever read. The description was fascinating, easy to follow and gave amazing imagery without that heaviness that a lot of fantasy books have (this is more sci-fi/dystipia-ish but still).

The characters felt real and their individual voices were clear from start to finish. I loved every single character, even the ones I hated. 

However, there is one thing that bothered me BUT it does align with their world and that is the lack of accountability certain characters recieve (but I will be talking about that in my Supernova review).

Then the PLOT OH MY GOSH. I mean, it’s superheroes. It’s nearly impossible to be original with a plot that isn’t the same as any Marvel or DC comic/movie/show. And yet Marissa Meyer that such a beautiful job of taking a common conflict (heroes vs villains, villains wanting to take over the world) and turning it into a unique plot with amazing twists. 

I mentioned the world-building before, but I’ll do it again. Third person POV is not my favorite and neither is heavy world building like the one this book needed and had. Still, it was written in such a simple way that I didn’t feel like she was trying to confuse me, it was just a story.

Overall, this series was amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fast paced, mind-blowing world building and compelling characters that will make you feel single to the core even in a relationship.

🚨Spoilers Ahead🚨

Renegades ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“We were all villains in the beginning.”

I went into this book with low expectations because I didn’t think I’d like Marissa Meyer’s style and boy was I wrong.

The first few chapters were a bit confusing but the moment Adrian fixed Nova’s bracelet I KNEW this would steer towards romance and it sold me. And then Nightmare making fun of the Sentinel for his comic book phrases and poses was my favorite thing ever. That would be me as a superhero, no doubt.

I really liked the way the plot progressed “slowly” without feeling dragged on. In fact, despite it’s slower pace of the story, the book still felt quick and that just won a million points with me.

Don’t even get me started on the Anarchists. I LOVED them. I like how they weren’t presented as villains from Nova’s POV, just enemies of a totalitarian state. Not even just in her point of view though. I genuinely didn’t think any of them were bad until Ingrid decided to show up at the library and almost killed Sketch’s crew.

And speaking of Sketch’s crew … the minor characters??? Hello??? Who writes side characters that are SO good?? Oscar is my favorite though. He wins. Danna being the only one to question Nova about Adrian’a feelings for her was hilarious, although it stressed me out that Nova put her to sleep. Counterpoint: it was very cute that the only way she could stop thinking of Adrian liking her was by putting Danna to sleep. Very on point teenage reaction. I would’ve done the same thing if only I wasn’t trying to remain anonymous in the organization that indirectly killed my parents. 

The climax, on the other hand, felt a teensy bit rushed but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy Nodrian in their not-date. It was adorable, especially when they stopped at the kid’s party and then Nova panicking over the mere thought of going on the ferris wheel with Adrian. All the carnival chapters where my favorite thing ever and I really wished they hadn’t ended with Nova killing the woman who raised her. But I did like the irony of it being Ingrid who told her she didn’t have the guts to press the trigger and then she died at the hands of Nova’s gun. 

AND THE ENDING WITH ACE BEING ALIVE. That shook me. I suspected it, of course, but it shook me to my core. 10/10 plot twist there.

Archenemies ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I guess I figured you deserve to have good dreams every once in a while. Even if you never sleep.”

This one gets six stars because somehow I read it in 11 hours and I’ve never read such a large book in one day. The entire story was just fast-paced action, superhero world building and Nodrian flirting and eventually kissing. Best book ever.

I liked how in this book we got a closer look into other character relationships like Oscar and Ruby and then Danna’s suspicions over Nova. I would’ve liked to see more of Danna’s friendship with the team though, since at times it seemed she was only there to send passive aggressive comments at Nova. And the Sentinel’s “death” was amazing. Pure comic book material right there. 

There is this thing though that I mentioned in the general review that bothered me and it’s when they reveal Agent N. This weapon they created using Max’s blood is a great example of how the Renegades had obtained way too much power. It’s when we start to see that maybe Nova and the Anarchists are right. The Renegades are slowly becoming a dictatorship and it’s bothersome that nobody except Nova and Adrian notice. Especially when it was so obvious with things like them using Agent N “against every prodigy who didn’t follow the Renegades code”. Sure, they were criminals, but that wasn’t about arresting them. It was about changing the DNA of people who made one mistake and were immediately deemed enemies of the state.

Back to the good stuff, Nodrian flirting was the highlight of this book. They’re both so awkward and adorable, especially when Nova’s teaching Adrian how to shoot and then when they’re in his room later on. The whole “you want me to ignore everything?” and “you’re not allowed to have girls in your room?” quotes KILLED me. Those were peak flirting moments and I’m immensely surprised by the way that Marissa Meyer manages to write teenagers realistically as an adult and not even having teenage kids of her own. Also, Nova opening up to Adrian was just. No. It killed me. My ghost is writing this btw.

The ending, once again, amazing. I loved it. Not only did it once again show Frostbite’s true colors, show us how much hate Adrian actually held against Nightmare and the way Nova had softened by the Renegades’ influence. And Ace Anarchy’s capture goes into the good things pile.

Supernova ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“To be honest, I’m not sure there are such things as villains anymore. Maybe there never really were.”

Is it a bad review if I just insert the word “AH” for the next ten lines? Yes? Damn it. I admit that I was expecting something much different, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I have never cursed and squealed so much by reading and had I not bought the hardcover with my own money, I would’ve thrown that book against the wall. It stressed me out. First of all, getting Nova and Adrian kissing in the tunnels a few chapters before Adrian arrests her for being Nightmare was another level of messed up. Clearly, she did everything in her power to save him from her house’s explosion and he threw it out the window in blind anger. And then the whole execution thing??? That was horrifying and it’s when the Renegades’ incompetence really showed its true colors. They couldn’t bring the people back to their side - because they failed - so they sentenced a broken, dying man and an underage girl who acted under the manipulation of her entire family, to death. If Hugh had ever even attempted to find out what happened to both Artino girls, none of that mess would’ve happened, but instead Lady Indomitable died and he went “WELL, can’t do anything about her last task, can we?” I get he was preoccupied by her orphaned son and the Ace of Anarchy, but it was as simple as going back into the house and searching. In fact, this entire book was just showing how their society was crumbling and in the end they went “we were all heroes”. I’m surprised Nova forgave the entire Renegades organization for what they did because even if it was Ace who sent a hit after her and her family, the Renegades were still willing to overuse their power. 

And once again back to the good stuff before I end up bashing the Renegades even more, I never thought I would be on board with Adrian and Nova’s relationship at the end of the book. I try not to ship toxic relationships in YA because they happen a lot and I wouldn’t like younger readers to think that it’s okay, but I loved how both Nova and Adrian were willing to make a change for their relationship to work. They compromised because they loved each other so much it didn’t matter who had tried to kill the other person and their dad or who hadn’t advocated against the other’s execution, you know, the ups and downs of every relationship. While I do wish we had seen them talking about everything, I get a book can only have a certain amount of words and I was glad just the same with how it ended. Also, Leroy’s threat to Adrian is iconic, just like Oscar proclaiming his undying love for Ruby at the arena were they almost witnessed multiple murders.

The epilogue. Just. Wow. I knew it before because I’m smart and I spoiled it but I NEED another Renegades book. You can’t just end the series saying Evie Artino was Magpie and her being as angry as Nova once was. Like, no. You just can’t. That was a crime against humanity, tbh, but overall the series was amazing and I have never been more grateful to spend almost $80 in books. 

[emybain]

Love Conquers Hate

I have come to the conclusion that I can only write fluff. also, yes ive been wanting to write the parade from nova’s pov since reading the epilogue (despite how much I love magpie). no shame. 

SUPERNOVA SPOILERS 

SUPERNOVA SPOILERS

SUPERNOVA SPOILERS

    The sunlight warmed Nova’s face as she laid back on the star float, legs hovering over the edge. She had been sitting, waiting for Adrian as he left to find them something to eat or drink. Oscar had accompanied him, and they had been gone for twenty minutes so far. As each minute grew longer, her patience grew shorter, so Nova resulted to a few minutes of sunbathing. Beside her, Ruby was chatting with Danna and Narcissa, who were going to be on the float as well. Ahead of them, probably two or three floats, Nova could hear a marching band warming up as well as the whooshing and whipping sounds of the color guard's flags. 

    They had been called to the parade set up three hours ago so that everyone could be accounted for and put in order. Before, Nova had been curious as to why they needed three hours to set up for an hour and a half parade, but after witnessing the amount of stress the organizers and performers went through beforehand, she now had a deeper respect for parades. 

    Now they were waiting for the parade to begin, awkwardly standing around on a random residential street. Someone had mentioned a while ago that they still had thirty minutes, and that was when Adrian and Oscar left for food. 

    An elbow nudged Nova’s side gently. She opened one eye, raising her eyebrow at Ruby, who pulled her up. “There’s someone here to see you,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. She gestured in front of them. 

    Nova ran a hand through her hair, blinking at the young mom and the little girl behind her legs who was no more than five or six. She shared a knowing look with Ruby before hopping down from the float and kneeling to peek around the mom’s legs at the girl. 

    “Hey there.” Nova smiled sweetly. “What’s your name?” 

    “Go on, Camden.” Her mother stepped to the side and pushed her daughter forward encouragingly when she didn’t immediately answer. “It’s okay.”

    Camden peeked up at Nova, and for that brief moment, Nova saw the awe in her eyes. Then she tore her gaze away, cheeks red. “My name’s Camden,” she said in a tiny voice. “I...I was wondering...can I have your autograph?”

    Nova opened her mouth, gasping dramatically. She clasped her hands together. “Of course!” She rummaged for a marker in her pockets, knowing she put one in there specifically for today. Already, multiple people, not just children, had come up to her and her friends asking for autographs. “Where do you want it?”

    Camden’s shy exterior began to drop just a little as she handed over a superhero cape. Nova asked her what her superpower was as she wrote out a short message. She learned that Camden had perfect balance, which pushed her into doing gymnastics. 

    Nova handed back the cape, freshly signed. Camden grinned down at it with sparkling eyes. Then she looked back up at Nova. 

    “Miss Artino,” she began, “how do you be brave? See, I want to be just like you when I grow up, but I’m always afraid.”

    Nova tilted her head to the side, not all that surprised at the child’s honest question, as most children were honest, but surprised at the subject. She thought about it for a moment. Behind her, the three other girls stopped talking, and she could feel their gazes on the back of her head. “Well, Camden, bravery and fear go hand in hand. It’s impossible to be brave if you aren’t at least a little scared.”

    Camden’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward. “Really? Does that mean you get scared?”

    Nova nodded solemnly. “All the time, but I’m still brave.” She paused. “Some of the bravest people in the world are scared of many things, did you know that?”

    She shook her head quickly, and Nova pressed on. “It’s true. Because those people are afraid to lose what they love, so they choose to be brave to protect those things. Do you understand that?” 

    Camden swayed from side to side, contemplating, before smiling a toothy grin and nodding. “Thank you, Miss Artino. I think I get it now.” 

    Nova matched her smile and stretched her arms out, offering a hug that the child accepted. The mother thanked Nova, and then they were gone, back to the small neighborhood crowd watching the parade from their homes. 

    Meeting kids like Camden was nothing new for Nova these days; they always stopped her on the streets asking for photos or autographs or screaming how much they loved her. At first, Nova was weirded out and not sure how to even approach children. While it still made her uncomfortable to think that people idolized her for the very same reasons Nova used to despise the Renegades, she had become a pro at talking to children, and found a tiny bit of joy in brightening their day. 

    “Water?” Nova turned to find a water bottle pushed in her face, the owner of the voice belonging to her boyfriend. She smiled up at him and accepted the water. Oscar showed up beside him and they passed out water to everyone. 

    “You were gone that long and water was all you could find?” She hopped back up on the black parade float, designed to be like a night sky with a thousand shining stars. It was Adrian’s idea, as well as his creation. 

    “Tell me about it,” Oscar groaned. Ruby scooched over and he sat beside her, arm snaking around her waist. The movement was almost natural, and Nova couldn’t help but think back to a year ago when Oscar could barely hold it together if Ruby so much as brushed hands with him. “Not a food truck in sight. They must all be in the big ticket areas.”

    “We’ll get nachos after the parade,” Ruby assured him, patting his thigh. “Any word on how much longer until we start? Mom said Jade and Sterling are growing restless.”

    “At least they have food,” Oscar grumbled. 

    Adrian took a seat beside Nova, and they laced their fingers together immediately. “It’ll probably be another five or so minutes.”

    Narcissa rested her head on Danna’s shoulder, who pressed a kiss to her hair. “I should have brought a book. It’s been three hours!” She sighed dramatically. “This parade is great and all, don’t get me wrong, but it should not be this long.” 

    Nova agreed, although she kept her mouth shut. It was ironic, really, when she thought of where she was a year ago. Who she was a year ago. She had been so filled with hatred and loneliness, craving a revenge that was aimed at the wrong people. So much time and energy and so many resources poured into one goal that ate away at Nova’s humanity for ten years, preventing her from seeing the truth. And now, she recognized that revenge was an illness; it weakens someone and plagues them of any real happiness, convincing them that it is the cure when in fact it is the parasite. Now, she knew that, and was grateful that she was rescued from it’s cage before it was too late. Now, she was here, with the people she loved doing the last thing on the planet she would have ever thought she would do. A year ago, she was at the parade, yes, but with a completely different motive. 

    One of the parade organizers, a middle aged man whose name Nova didn’t bother to remember, came by and told them to get to their positions. Nova took a quick sip of her water and accepted the hand that Adrian offered. Together, they got on the topmost point of the large star in the center of the float. Ruby and Oscar went to a point to their right, and Danna and Narcissa to their left. After a moment, the float lurched forward and began its slow trek down the street. The neighborhood watchers began clapping and cheering, the children jumping up and down and waving at the group of six people on the star. 

    Nova waved back, putting on what she referred to as her “camera smile”, the one she reserved for the media and for events like this. 

    The parade route was supposed to take them along the most known streets of Gatlon and end at Headquarters, something that would take between an hour and an hour and a half to complete. Like every year, it would be televised around the world, and similar celebrations would take place. However, what made this year different was that everyone was now a prodigy. Because of this, it seemed almost silly to solely celebrate the Renegades and their success. No, the Renegades had learned from examples like Nova and the Anarchists and the Rejects that one’s abilities didn’t determine how heroic they were. So, on the Day of Triumph, the Renegades parade was now meant to celebrate all prodigies of all shapes and sizes and abilities. Nova felt as though it was a small victory in the direction of a future she desired, a future where everyone could be equal. It brought tears to her eyes when she was told that the villain floats were being tossed, as well as the Council’s float. In their places would be floats honoring the gifts of prodigies and honoring the warriors lost in the fight for freedom and equality. It moved her to see a float for Honey, despite what the woman had done to Nova prior to her death. It made her grin to see a float for Callum Treadwell, a prodigy who quite possibly had the greatest gift of all, yet was never on a task force like other Renegades. Nova could only fathom what he would think if he were here today. 

    “Are you okay?”

    Nova glanced beside her at Adrian, who was still smiling and waving at the cheering crowds. But she noticed the concern in his eyes. 

    “Yeah.” She wiped at her eyes, which had gotten a little misty, and reached for his hand. He clutched her tightly, a promise. “Just a little overwhelmed is all.” 

    The float turned a corner, and the roaring of the crowd somehow went up two dynamics. They were on what many of the organizers referred to as “TV Street”, where most of the excitement took place for the celebration, as well as where every news station would be covering the parade. It was the street with the best seats for the parade, and the most media. It was also the street where…

    Nova nudged Adrian lightly, making him look down at her curiously. “This is where we met.” She nodded to a familiar spot in front of a vendor selling merchandise. “Right there.” 

    Adrian’s smile grew genuine, and he pulled her closer. “I love you, Nova Artino.”

    “And I you, Adrian Everhart. Every day, I will love you.” Sweet rot, she was letting Danna and Ruby suck her into their shared love of rom-coms and romance movies. She didn’t much care, though. Her heart was full, the fullest it had ever been. 

    When she tilted her head up to kiss Adrian, the crowd went wild. Nova tuned them out, her attention fully on the boy standing beside her. She savored this moment, the way he tasted of the donuts Oscar brought earlier that morning, the feeling of a hand in her hair and another clutching her hip. Too soon did he pull back, but Nova knew from the secretive glint in his eyes that there would be many, many more kisses later in the day when they were alone and away from the eyes of the media. She couldn’t wait. 

    But for now, she let herself be wrapped up in his arms as they both waved to the many cameras pointed at them and smiled at the crowd. A sign held by a kid caught Nova’s eye; when the child saw Nova watching him, he grinned and raised the sign higher, shouting something Nova couldn’t hear. But the sign was enough explanation: Love Conquers Hate.

    She couldn’t agree more. 

[alchemyist]

Book Series: RENEGADES TRILOGY by Marissa Meyer (2019)

Heroes against villains, like how it always should be.

I think the action scenes for this trilogy are very well-written— so if you are craving some teen action-packed series, I think this one does great to satisfy you! Plus, I love secret identities, superheroes and supervillains, etc. If these aspects attract you, say no more.

We were all villains in the beginning.

We were all heroes in the end.

In terms of plot:

In this dystopia, I really enjoyed the idea of superheroes and supervillains, especially when the main character is a villain (or supposed to be. Keep reading). The first book of the trilogy, Renegades, got me going because of the two main character’s secret identities, and their growing love toward each other despite the sides they are on, and their difference in beliefs. Sworn archenemies in their alter egos, they fall in love in their civilian forms, and the entire setup made me think about Miraculous Ladybug! <Spoiler!> reviews about the rest of the books below.

The intensity of each battle scene was epic enough, but the storyline was built up rather slowly. In the second book, Archenemies, we focus on developments and the edge of the discovery of each of the main character’s secrets. The final playout was extremely intense, I couldn’t put the book down. I was extremely disappointed–don’t get me wrong, it’s not about the book!– about how Nova, on the side of the villains, lost— AGAIN. I was so into the book and Nova herself and her origin that it made me rooting for villains, hoping they thrive and receive the justice they fought for– Marissa Meyer actually made me feel for the bad guys.

Then again, this sets off the third and final instalment, Supernova. Before reading the book, I have the feeling that it may be too much of a rush to the story. This seems like an impossible premise the author is trying to explore, and I’d like it if it spreads into few more books! I believe heroes and villains and their fight of dominance is very difficult to place, and is not at all easy to land a final, satisfying conclusion where both sides are happy.

This final book unhinged me before I got to the last part of the book. I was eager to read each page, and the story was pretty climatic as events unfold and secrets are unveiled– but that’s the thing, it is rushed, and I feel like the secrets were revealed in a very undramatic way… possibly too uneventful for the entire trilogy because the story has, after all, been revolving around their secrets. I am quite disappointed by the reveal of their secrets, but otherwise overall, the third book, Supernova, the very title of this post itself, is by far the book I enjoy most in the trilogy.

As mentioned previously, I was curious to see where Marissa Meyer will take this book, but unfortunately, it sort of let me down when Nova eventually decided to kill one of her own, stopping the very family she has. I mean, she isn’t at all cut out to be a villain in the beginning, but is that all really necessary? I feel like it is her undoing, the beginning of how she is going to grow and live as a character, yet no emphasis was given. Do heroes always win? It was rather unnerving to see Captain Chromium being invincible at all costs, and rather upset when in the end, the anarchists were the villains, always were and always will be. I’d have thought there will be some values, given how they have been oppressed by the Renegades who, in fact, are all the people claiming great power.

That’s how all books should end, right? With villains at the losing side, and heroes who always surpass everyone and are the role models of society? This particularly got on my nerve when Danna, a character from the book, was threatening the Rejects and the runaway villains with sheer power of the oppressive force of heroism. I felt like this could’ve been done better, because if it’s about finding a way for all prodigies to live together, I think she could have just said in a nicer way that they should lay low first, instead of simply stating, the heroes will always win, and will take you down any day. And at that point, I thought I would be so disappointed with the ending. I especially felt the message was kind of forced and delivered the hard way, making the books kind of turn into something I would drop...

Wrong. The author once again has me surprised. Sure, I was growing disappointed toward the end because I felt like the heroes will always win (excuse me, but I do find circumstances where the bad guys thrive) no matter what. And, hey, isn’t the book trying to imply the system with Renegades in rule is kind of messed up? And to which the world is better off without heroes at all? The most disappointing part was, however, when Max was the one who saves the day– I know this kid is really powerful and all, but I was kind of hoping Nova discovers a hidden ability of some sort, something to do with the connection with her late father and all those star stuff (the cover, anyone?!). [Still disappointed how Nova FALLS to the good side like she always belong there, though. Shouldn’t this series be about how the lines of heroes and villains aren’t always clear? The notion should just be eradicated, instead of ending with “we are all heroes”.]

But really, overall, I was impressed with how the epilogue managed to turn and my entire view of the trilogy. I foolishly believed Marissa Meyer was not going to address the definite balance of the world, where when there are heroes, there will always be villains. When Captain Chromium has declared after the battle that “There were never villains to begin with”, I thought, how wrong! If that’s what the author is trying to convey, selling out that people can simply be good in the end after everything they’ve been through, that’s unrealistic and false hope. Nevertheless, fantastic Marissa Meyer got this all covered in a simple epilogue. She made my blood chill at the ending –Magpie is Evie, and the two long lost sisters will never know?!– and I was flipping the last page for the next chapter only to know it’s finished. The author handled the story perfectly as how I’d hoped: that in the end, there will always be evil lurking, and the best purity can never be achieved. After all, don’t we live in a world of Yin and Yang?

Characters:

Marissa Meyer’s diverse cast of characters are so amazing, and should be well accredited for! Like my childhood favorite author, Rick Riordan of Percy Jackson and many more, she made characters of different races, skin color, sickness, and various pairings with cannon homosexuality.

Each character also has their own significance, and she made us hate certain characters, which means good writing. The characters are diverse yet have a strong personality to themselves, making them unique. Girls know how to kick ass!

Overall, the entire cast is so lovable I really appreciate the diversity. Marissa Meyer should be celebrated for this.

[allthebooksallofthetime]

Spoilers for Supernova:

I am CONVINCED there is going to be another book after the epilogue. I feel like Magpie is being set up to be the next villain.

[heartless-renegade-lunar]

I just read all 549 pages of Supernova in about 6 hours and I’ve been absolutely DESTROYED by that epilogue. If we don’t get a Wires and Nerve or Stars Above-esque afterstory just expanding on their lives after Supernova and especially what is revealed in the last two pages then I will SUE because

[!!!supernova spoilers!!!!]

I just want some wholesome big sister Nova content. You know, finding the only surviving member of her family, Magpie finding the sister she always dreamed of returning to her. The awkward tension of their mutual distaste for each other which they struggle to overcome in an effort to find a sibling bond. They’re just two cuties who need to find each other and the reveal literally made me sit up straight, set the book and my glasses aside, and silently scream.

[teawithflavor]

***RENEGADES: SUPERNOVA SPOILERS***

Okay, this is my second time writing this because the first draft got deleted so I probably missed some things if I find more later, I'll come back here.

First of all, I saw that epilogue twist coming. As soon as we found out about the silver bullet that Magpie carries with her I was like will it be crazy if she was actually Nova's sister Evie and she didn't die. Turns out that's exactly what happened. And honestly that sounds like a really good idea for one of those short stories. What happens to her? Does she go on like her sister did? Does she just a live out her days like she was?

Speaking of ideas to be explored, a short story about that night told through the eyes of David Artino and Lady Indomitable and continuing through that of Captain Chromium and Ace Anarchy would be top notch.

Also I have a problem with reading words when I'm looking at page numbers and of course the last line of this book is, "Just like some people were always meant to be villains." So I start freaking out thinking that Nova is going to end this book on the anarchist side and so that whole battle scene at the end of the book I'm like what's going to happen?

One of my favorite parts is on page 471 when Adrian flips Nightmare's catchphrase. I had to stop reading and just close the book and be like this dork, we are in a high-stakes situation.

Speaking of Adrian, the hole Phobia situation. I can already tell from early on in the series that Phobia was going to be an interesting character and, especially in this book, we would be finding out more about him, but that was not what I was expecting to find out. Yes, I could tell that Phobia was Lady Indomitable's murderer but I was not aware of the fact nor did I even think that Adrian would be Phobia's creator until this book. However, that was interesting to watch and experience. I think that would also be a good plot for one of the short stories, the nightmares, the drawings, Lady Indomitable's death, and maybe going on to the point where he found the truth just to wrap it up nicely.

Overall my favorite series to this point in time. Kinda sad it's only a trilogy, but I can always come back to read them again, of course it won't be the same but these books are unlikely to be forgotten.

Also I totally ship Danna and Narcissa.

And I need more of Leroy being a dad.

[confessionsofan-adultishbookworm]

Review ~ Supernova by Marissa Meyer (Book 3 in the Renegades Trilogy)

Date Read: November 27th, 2019 - February 18th, 2020

Rating: 4 stars

Trigger Warnings (See my Goodreads review below for a bit more detail): Torture, Self-harm

Review: Okay, let me start this off by saying that I did enjoy reading this book! This is the first series that I've finished in a long time (as well as being one of my favorite series) and I was so excited to see how it wrapped up. There were a lot of funny parts, some great romance, and some scenes that just made me smile. (Max and Oscar were honestly most of those. And of course, Nova and Adrian had their moments. XD)

However... *sigh* This book had so much potential. This series had so much potential. But instead, it ended up making almost the entirety of the first two books lose their meaning. It felt like Marissa just took everything she'd ever heard her fans have theories on and added them last minute and it just felt... wrong. 

When I first started this series, I could see exactly where it was going: themes of how there is no good and evil, no black and white, just gray. How even villains can be good and even heroes can be bad. This book basically ruined that. There are a few things towards the end that make it obvious that Marissa was aiming for this theme, but it just was not executed in the best way that it could have been. 

I, of course, still love Nova and Adrian, but this book took some of my favorite characters and made me hate them. I think only two of my favorites (besides the mains) were saved from this fate. It just all felt very stereotypical and not at all like the first two books. Besides that, the way both Nova and Adrian acted in this book just seemed so... off with how they acted in the first two books. I understand character development of course, but this just felt like completely different characterization. 

And don't even get me started on the epilogue. All I have to say is that there better be a sequel series or novella, or I will be so upset. I can't even think of the ending without getting angry. It wrapped up absolutely nothing and just... Ahhh... 

As for triggers, this book does have a couple towards the end. There are a couple of torture scenes, and I wouldn't necessarily suggest skipping the first, as some pretty important things happen there (if I remember correctly), but of course, both can be skipped and it won't affect the storyline too much. The other trigger is one for self-harm, which, honestly, that one was necessary, but it could've been handled way less painfully... This is one I wouldn't suggest skipping because it definitely happens at an important scene, but again, if you need to, you'll understand what happened on the next page.

Overall, this book did have its good parts and I was genuinely happy with some of it (though it may not sound like it from my review), including the fact that I have a few new favorite characters, but it was also a disappointing ending to such an amazing series. I still absolutely recommend this series as the first two are still some of my favorite books and everyone's opinion is different! 

I do plan on making a full review of the series with spoilers on my Booktube channel, so when I do, I'll link it here for those who want to watch! 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2396418872?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1