Title: Scions of Sacrifice
Author: Eric Kent Edstrom
Publisher/Year: Undermountain Books LLC 12/8/16
Length:   366 Pages
Series:  The Scion Chronicles #4

Overview

Threats old and new converge upon the Scions as they make their last stand against the forces of evil.

Scions of Sacrifice sprints head-long to an explosive climax guaranteed to leave you breathless. In this jaw-dropping conclusion of The Scion Chronicles series, Jacey races to rescue Livy from Dr. Carlhagen while enemies surround her, determined to kill her.

But when a trusted ally reveals a secret at the heart of who Jacey truly is, she gathers her allies in a desperate final battle for freedom.

My Thoughts

This series really is something else – i’m incredibly happy that i came across it.  What we have here in this final installment to the series is a continuation of the multiple story lines all weaving together and apart, all with the same end goal it seems.

In this fourth book, we have the Dr on his island with the Senator – all trying to further his end game of getting control of Jacey and also managing to get all the power in the world as he tries to put a positive spin on the Scion program and the fact that essentially carbos are illegal.  While at times things seem to be going in his favor, in fact the tides are turning since the senator has come to her sense and the Dr’s AI has gone rogue – taking matters into his own hands.

There’s also the parallel story of Jacey and her quest to save Livy.  We know that she’s on the island with the Dr and Jacey now has to figure out how to get to the island and to get Livy back.  Where we go with her though is an interesting story.  Dante becomes an ally (or does he) as does a pop star names Meow Meow and with this aspect, we learn that things are not always as they seem.  It’s because of Meow Meow’s real past that things are able to take form through this story since she has contacts and experiences and knowledge that manage to keep them on the run and get them to a turning point in the story.

The third parallel story is that of the Scions on the boat.  They are trying to get to the island that Mr Justin had set up while he was going to play the poor Dr and it’s on the boat that we actually see transformation happen with the Scions.  Summer,  a character in the first book that we felt was nothing but a twittering teenage girl with a crush has continued to evolve into a necessary leader – one who has more skill than anyone else.  We also see that the other Scions are maturing into their own people – taking on roles and responsibilities that would make anyone proud. The quick thinking that they have to employ is impressive as they try to figure out next steps for everyone in the game.

The last bit of the story lies with Belle and Vaughn – whom are now both on servers and trying to help the Scions.  Where the relationship started because Belle’s in love with him has become something greater.  She sees her deficiencies because of what he’s able to do that she feels she can’t and that actually turns Belle into a character that you want to like even more – one who has the potential to save Jacey while she’s on the run and then to be selfless enough to give up herself to let Vaughn get the power he needs to save everyone else.

We see this story take us from the Carribbean to Puerto Rico to Chicago to the barren refugee camps and then back to the island of St Lazurus.  We see military come and go, we see politicals trying to exert their power and we see a lot of the parentage of the Scions – even those who didn’t know that they were being used to create Scions.

I think it’s a fair assumption to say that lots of our friends will die in the quest to overpower the Dr and i don’t think that it’s really anyone’s guess as to who will remain.  It’s a roller coaster and there are alliances and bonds that are created amidst all the death and sadness that at least gives this story a good bit of closure.  We’re left with a sense of hope since there’s a plan that’s put into action, but of course there’s always the question of whether there will be success since there’s a lot left unanswered.

All in all, i think that this was a really unique and interesting journey that we went on and i think that it’s a series that you should all try to tack down.  It makes you wonder what the future of our world will be like since it all seems to have stemmed from an asteroid hitting the earth, setting things into motion that caused all sorts of destruction and corruption. Anyhow, enough deep thinking for me – i hope you guys check this series out and have a great day!