Title: When Villains Rise
Author: Rebecca Schaeffer
First published September 8, 2020
384 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781328863614 (ISBN10: 1328863611)
Rating: 4.25
Overview
In the gripping finale of the Not Even Bones trilogy, When Villains Rise, Nita is determined to put an end to the black market once and for all. With Fabricio, the boy who betrayed her, within her reach, Nita is forced to confront a startling revelation about Kovit, the monster who eats pain to survive.
As enemies close in from all sides, Nita and Kovit must team up to take down the most dangerous man in the world: Fabricio’s father, the protector of the black market’s darkest secrets. Can Nita and Kovit steal these secrets and escape with their lives?
Find out in this dark and compelling fantasy, perfect for fans of Dexter and Victoria Schwab.
Editoral Review
In her latest novel, When Villains Rise, author Rebecca Schaeffer delivers a thrilling finale to the Market of Monsters trilogy. As a young adult fantasy novel, it brings together themes of revenge, belonging, and the struggle for power in a world where mythical creatures are hunted for their body parts.
Schaeffer’s writing style is engaging and the pacing is intense throughout the novel. With richly imagined worlds and characters given new dimensions, this book stands out among its contemporaries.
When Villains Rise picks up immediately where its predecessor, Only Ashes Remain, left off. The story follows Nita, a shape-shifting assassin, as she embarks on a mission to destroy the black-market ring that stole her identity and forced her into a life of crime.
Along the way, she must confront her own demons and navigate complex relationships with allies and enemies alike. The characters are complex and compelling, with their intricate relationships driving the action.
Schaeffer does an excellent job of weaving in political commentary amidst fast-paced action scenes. Though she delves into dark and often brutal territory, she never shies away from portraying the consequences of violence in a way that is both honest and emotionally resonant.
The author’s world-building skills are on full display, with a wide range of creatures and magic systems that add to the richness of the narrative. Every bit of detail is crafted to perfection, and it’s clear Schaeffer put a lot of effort into immersing readers in this world.
While some elements of When Villains Rise may feel familiar to readers of the YA fantasy genre, Schaeffer subverts many of its tropes with her sharp prose and character-driven plotlines. It’s a well-conceived and intricate finale to the series that will keep readers hooked until the last page.
That being said, the novel does suffer from a few pacing issues. The book could have benefitted from a tighter plot, especially in its middle section, which was a bit of a slog.
Despite this, Schaeffer’s excellent writing makes the ride worthwhile. Overall, When Villains Rise is an excellent conclusion to the Market of Monsters trilogy, delivering on all the promises of the first two books.
YA fantasy fans will love this novel, as well as readers who enjoy well-crafted characters and rich world-building. Schaeffer’s writing is top-notch, and leaves readers feeling satisfied with a well-written ending.
It is an amazing book that deserves nothing less than a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating.
