Candidate (The Black Mage Book 3) Paperback – January 19, 2017

I’m not entirely sure how this series isn’t more popular. The Black Mage series has to be one of my favorite series in this genre simply for the amount of action, intrigue and romance that is non-stop. Seriously these books never get boring. I’ll try to keep this review as devoid of spoilers as possible but I make no promises!So… definitely wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. The series had persevered through book 2 without having a sophomore slump but you never know. I think what really makes this series work is the slow angst of the romance and drama that keeps you wanting more. Usually when a series goes beyond 3 books it gets hard to keep my interest but after finishing the third book last night, I cannot wait for the fourth.While there is a ton of action in these books, one of the things I love most is the romance. Its understated and doesn’t consume the main characters to the point that it becomes a plot hindrance. For instance, yes there is no doubt that there is a strong connection between Ryiah and Darren but it doesn’t become some outrageous fairy tale where they drop everything to be around each other. There’s a strong drive in both characters for things other than the romance and it’s what makes this series so hard to put down.I think one of the hardest things in a young adult series is keeping the reader’s attention throughout multiple books without making it blah or underwhelming. I can honestly say this series has not run out of steam whatsoever. Part of the reason this series is so good is because the writing is actually good. Seriously no over gushing, no dumbing down of emotions to appease the audience and no formatting/typo issues. Very refreshing!I seriously cannot say enough good things about this series and hope this review sways some of you to give these books a try. I can honestly say you won’t regret it! If you are a fan of ANY of the books below, I highly recommend you give this series a chance.-Throne of Glass Series-Air Awakens Series-The Remnant Chronicles-The Orphan Queen-The Winner’s Curse Series

okay, i was totally pissed once i got to the last page and when i saw the words, "the end", i scroll back a page or two to see if i missed something. then i scrolled forwarded thinking maybe there might be a fourth book, but it was a totally different book. at this point, i was losing it thinking that WTF, i read books before that i didnt finished because it was boring and this book was a first where i was in disbelief. then i thought the author was trying to end the book by making the reader think about the series like one of those movies that makes you question things. i was like, just give me a good story and long ending. is that too much to ask for??? i dont want to think what the hell the author is trying to say, that life sucks or whatever. i calmed down and went to read the reviews and i assumed book 3 was the final book and i thought, WTF when i read "the end". so i started to read the reviews thinking what the hell were the other readers thinking and i finally noticed that there's a fourth book. a sigh of relief came over me and i then said, okay!!!!!! pretty awesome book. i cant wait to see how this ends now. lol.

So I was so anxious for this book that I downloaded it on my Kindle App instead of my Nook because B&N was being so slow to release it. I read it in like a day, then I went into labor and got super distracted, so I read it again and now here I am reviewing it. :)I have a love/hate relationship with this book. Obviously, majority love, hence 5 stars. I really wanted a little more time spent with Darren. If it hadn't been for their supporting each other through the tragic parts of the book, I honestly would've felt like they were complete strangers. It bothers me a little that for two adults who claim to be in love, neither can seem to prioritize the other, but given their positions I do appreciate the reality of the situation be presented.I did love the back and forth of their relationship in this book, though. There was an honesty to it I appreciated. So often, authors shy away from having their characters say truly hurtful things, but sometimes even people who love each other go there, and I liked the doses of reality she spread throughout the book.I thought Ry was being kind of a jerk not wanting to stay with him in the beginning, but her character has always been admittedly a little selfish. If I thought war was on the horizon, I would spend the time I could with the person I loved the most, but Ryiah is more concerned with her own glory than her relationship. That being said, that's kind of an ongoing theme in the book and it's not necessarily a bad thing. She's fallible, and real, and again, that's why I love this series.I don't have any complaints about the actual book or writing, just some plot points that KILLED me and AAAH that ending!!