Why is Cathy suddenly a potentially powerful Sorcerer? Who/What/How is Beatrice? And what’s up with her rather pointless ending? Why is Lucy suddenly back with a big part in the story? There must have been a better way to give Lucy purpose or explaining her besides using the otherwise pointless Edwin, right? Why do we need to hear so much from William, and what’s up with his sudden need for total power? Was that scene with him and Amelia necessary? Why is there so little about the Elemental Court, and the history behind the Split? What happened to Rupert to make him suddenly almost a different character the mid-third of the book? Why does Lady Rose suddenly show up at the end? What do everyone else besides Cathy, Tom, Sam, and Max think about what happens after the big climactic conclusion? What happened to Magritte? How exactly did Max do a thing to Rupert (I’m trying to avoid spoilers here)? Why hint at potential metal instability as a result of working sorcery if this is the last book, and no planned sequels – unless it’s not? Why does Cathy get a mostly complete ending but everyone else gets basically screwed or ignored? What is it she thinks she can do at the end? What happens to Max and gargoyle, beyond family reunion? What’s Rupert going to do when he realizes what happened?
After reading the conclusion to the Split Worlds series, I have a few questions. On the one hand, parts of the conclusion seem rushed. Some things seemed unnecessary or I just didn’t care for them. But on the other, I think it was the right ending for the series. I liked seeing Lucy again, and her perspective that’s both sympathetic to Cathy but also critical- Cathy is a problematic heroine in that I think Lucy’s assessment of her is exactly right, mostly. The problem is why happened to her (Lucy) for the books when she was totally absent? And why does Tom make the sudden but probably right decision her does about their future? I mean, I understand his reasoning, but it’s pretty sudden- why is he decisive here but not before?
I also liked the reveal about the Fae and Exilium, and a little bit more character development in a few of the Fae lords. I admit, I did not see that coming, and I liked it. It allows Poppy, Iris, et al. to be their nasty selves, but have some actual depth.
I really enjoyed the first four books of the series, and like I said, I think this was the right ending. I just think that there was too much unclear things or unresolved things or rushed things.