All worlds are dying, and it’s up to one broken and dysfunctional family from Earth—the Wellsleys—to save the day. Cancer-ridden Ella celebrates her fifteenth birthday beneath an enchanted mountain, but it is what lies even farther below—the mysterious Star in the sea—that demands she grow up quickly. While Ella grapples with the sacrifice she must make and the lies she is forced to tell, her … mother, Tessa, is hell-bent on protecting her. Through bizarre encounters, love-sick Tessa realizes that she is not the lonely orphan she believes. Her husband, Arden, and father-in-law, Archie, are not the only ones with magical bloodlines. This revelation changes everything. As Archie chooses to embody his unexpected ancestry, he learns that leading the charge in the ultimate battle against evil won’t be as easy as he thought. He’ll need his family—and the strange allies he has gained—by his side to give Ella enough time to set things right. Can they defeat the unstoppable Millia sands—and another unexpected foe—before everything they hold dear is destroyed? Or will their adventure tear them apart for good? The finale to The 8th Island Trilogy will hold you spellbound until the final page, and long after.
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Inside the Sun, by Alexis Marie Chute, is the much-anticipated conclusion to The Eighth Island Trilogy. Equal parts fast, funny and achingly tender, Chute leads the reader on a wild ride through her beautifully written alternate universe. As we continue to follow Ella Wellesly on her quest to find a cure for her terminal cancer, the answer she finally uncovers from the mysterious Star under the sea will keep you turning pages long into the night. Impossible to put down!
Inside the Sun is the third installment from Alexis Marie Chute’s The 8th Island Trilogy. I enjoyed the first book from the series, Above the Star, and the second book, Below the Moon, as well. This one was probably my favorite of the three. Since this is part of the series, I highly recommend that the first two books to be read first before starting this one. The three would flow so much better if they are read in order.
Like the previous books, Inside the Sun, takes the reader on quite the journey. There was a lot of action, adventure and fun characters. I was excited to catch up with Ella again. I adored her in the previous books and admired her courage. And I admired her even more in this one. There were a few important life lessons to be learned in the story that I found to be inspiring. I was intrigued from start to finish.
Inside the Sun is getting five stars from me. I would love to read more by Alexis Marie Chute in the near future. She has proven herself to have great talent of engaging her readers. I would be interested to see what she has in store for any upcoming releases. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy to read fantasy and young adult fiction. This series is most definitely not one to miss.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Inside the Sun is the final book in the 8th Island Trilogy, a conclusion to the three book story line that follows a struggle to save all the worlds as well as Ella’s life. However, there was a door left open for a new series with Ella, Luggie, Duggie-Sky, Xlea and Nickel who, in the book’s epilogue, are said to be visiting other worlds and outwitting evil strongholds still standing.
Inside the Sun begins as the Olearons and humans are travelling back to Jarr-Wya for a final battle with the deadly Millia. They also hope to reach the star buried at the bottom of their ocean in a last ditch effort to heal their world and Ella’s illness. Throughout book three, we begin to learn more and more about who Ella as well as her mother, father and grandfather really are. We meet another magical being – Finnah – who shares about Naiu who created all the worlds, but has been withdrawing her magic in despair, leaving evil to take over and bringing them to ruin. And of course, there is the final battle where all the many races of Jarr-Wya come together. Many, many, many die and the evil Millia seem unstoppable. Will evil win? Their only hope is Ella reaching the star under the ocean, but no one really knows how that will help.
I enjoyed that there was more time spent in between, non-conflict times in this book – both in character interactions and in musings (occasionally a bit long) that fill in the history of this saga. And I enjoy that Ella’s drawings are shared again. Despite the asides, the pace continues to be fairly rapid which YA readers will love. And I again recommend it for older readers in this age group because of the overwhelming number of deaths and the dark themes. Last but not least, this trilogy definitely needs to be read in order.
Thank you Iread Book Tours and Alexis Marie Chute for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Inside The Sun
The 8th Island Trilogy #3
By: Alexis Marie Chute
REVIEW
I have completed the trilogy, and I’m a bit sad to reach the end. A series allows you to spend a good deal of time in a different world with characters who seem like old friends. Inside The Sun was just as fabulous as I expected and then some. The Wellsleys have been on an epic journey, and everything is leading to a battle of good and evil. Ella is fifteen and has cancer, but her purpose is far beyond her being. Her mother, Tessa, is searching for something to define her, but much more is possible for her. Archie, grandfather, learns some staggering things about himself. This family has a destiny it seems. This story is all about faith, family and love. It is inspiring and surprising. The world within the story is amazing with vivid details and layers of complexity. The characters are human and flawed and relatable. Everyone can find something to like about The 8th Island Trilogy. I highly recommend this series!