As a world-ending war surges around them, Todd and Viola face monstrous decisions. The indigenous Spackle, thinking and acting as one, have mobilized to avenge their murdered people. Ruthless human leaders prepare to defend their factions at all costs, even as a convoy of new settlers approaches. And as the ceaseless Noise lays all thoughts bare, the projected will of the few threatens to overwhelm the desperate desire of the many. The consequences of each action, each word, are unspeakably vast: To follow a tyrant or a terrorist? To save the life of the one you love most, or thousands of strangers? To believe in redemption, or assume it is lost? Becoming adults amid the turmoil, Todd and Viola question all they have known, racing through horror and outrage toward a shocking finale...

Introduction

After the explosion caused by the bomb Mistress Coyle hid in Viola's backpack and the death of Davy Prentiss by his own father, the arrival of Viola's people in the first convoy takes place. Todd had won against de Mayor, he had him under control, however, the imminent conflict required of a leader the men would follow... and he wasn't that man yet. With the Mayor again free to be able to guide New Prentistown men to the battle and a Mistress who had won the favor of the people in the ship, the Spackle also appeared to seek revenge against the humans who hurt them for years. Which side will win, the most powerful or the most intelligent one?

Opinion 

I decided to continue this soon with the last part of the series because the end of The Ask and the Answer left me frozen, and I couldn't stop thinking about it until now. This time the perspective of Spackle 10107 is added to Todd's and Viola's, which truly helps us understand the Spackle community, the Land, and its past from a point of view of one of them and not the human's only. 

At first, the book is starting a bit slow, not regarding the action that takes place because there's a lot going on in the first pages, however, we move slowly in terms of getting out of the situation, which I completely find accurate as we're talking about a war of insight of how could one side hurt the other the most.

Moreover, we are explained about the Land and the Sky, the Voice of the world they are all living in, which helps the reader understand and connect a whole lot of actions and meanings we couldn't get before when we were taught the Spackle war (again from human's experience); thus making the beginning seem immovable. 

Of course, this doesn't last long, as both three bands make clear with their attacks that their intention is to win..., but at all costs? The wondering behind each movement of the men of the Mayor, the Land, and the Answer and how they all finally take place creating chaos worthy of the cruelest and most real war without miracles or fantasies. People and spackle die, without compassion.

As a side note, there's communication between Viola and Todd which is very much needed after book II, I was always dying for them to know how each other was as they were suffering more for the other than themselves. I am in love with these characters Patrick created since day one, even more of their relationship that is the strongest bond I've ever witnessed.  

Then the plot picks up the pace with surprises that no one would be able to see coming, as unexpected situations that could have had a different outcome but didn't, and as always the ambiguous self of the Mayor makes Todd wonder if it was his doing or just the destiny. There were two deaths in particular and a certain someone that got hurt which I didn't even see as a possibility. The author really knows how to create this tension on what could happen or could have happened.

Lastly, trying to keep the review spoiler-free, I have to mention that the end of the book just made me suffer until the last page, last paragraph, and last word. I had been crying already for a series of events, then I was shocked with the decision of the Mayor and then back to crying but this time in shock for the even more unpredictable resolution. 

Characters

I will keep a more extensive version of my opinion of the characters for the conclusion of the series I will do in the future but I want to add I love how they all have clear morals and personalities, they are all very strong and defined as different characters, individual people.

Conclusion

I would highly recommend every book lover to read the saga just based on this amazing part three, of course without missing the other two which I liked just as much. For those who are empaths and easily tear-eyed, hold yourselves because Patrick didn't have mercy for our hearts.

Rating

9,5 out of 10