Deliver // The Blades of Acktar // Book Review

Helllooooo people! Well, here I am. Jumping into all the Deliver release excitement a bit late. :P Quite honestly, April was INSANE and I didn't get around to reading this whole hunk of loveliness until it was all over. But...wow. On to the review... :D 

~ Synopsis 

Can something broken ever heal?

Martyn is broken. After torturing his best friend, he doesn’t belong anywhere in Acktar. No matter how far he runs, he can’t lose his guilt.

Leith is broken. While healing from the torture he received at Nalgar Castle, he struggles to find his new role. But can a Blade ever outrun his past?

The country is broken. Bitterness divides town against town, neighbor against neighbor. What will it take to deliver Acktar from itself?

They face their hardest battle yet.

Peace.

~ My Review 

5 of 5 stars 

*spoiler warning for those who haven't read books 1-3* 

When a book keeps me up late, it usually isn't because I don't like. I am a night owl, but the book has to especially good for me to stay up into the wee morning hours to finish it. 

And that was Deliver. Once I got pulled into the story, I just couldn't put it down!! 

According to Goodreads, it took me two weeks to read this book. That's not entirely true, as it was more like I started it, set it aside for two weeks only reading once or twice, and then read the remaining 65% in about 24 hours. 

Parts of the beginning felt a little slow to me, but I think that was just because it wasn't *quite* as fast-moving as the prior three books. Which makes sense, when you think about it. The war is over now and everyone is trying to rebuild their lives as best they can. 

And that brings me to... The characters. When I started this book, I was afraid that it was going to have only Martyn's POV. Which...would've been cool, but I needed more Leith and Renna (ya know, while they're living in HAPPINESS.) Needless to say, I was thrilled to discover that this book had Leith and Renna's POVs as well as Martyn's. :D 

Martyn... I've always loved his character. He's tough and hard and yet he makes you feel for him. Like, at the end of Defy. He was hurting my precious one (both physically and emotionally), but I still couldn't help but hurt for him. And GOOD HEAVENS the snarkiness!! Without 'getting inside his head' you would never know about all these sarcastic thoughts he's having. And let's not forget about annoyingly-perfect lord's son over there... :P 

Kayleigh... Enters another awesome character. Just when I think there isn't any possible way for Ms. Mingerink to create another unique character in the same series. And yet here she is. Strong, independent, good-hearted, and...outcast. (Am I the only person who totally shipped them from the beginning?!) And the whole thing with the cursing and ordering and SOAP?! *grins* I'm totally going to be walking around saying "blistering soapsuds" now. :P 

Leith... I loved seeing how he grew and changed through this book. Figuring out where he belongs in a world of peace, without the Blades, without anything to fight for. Ahh, twas lovely. The fatherly talk with Lord Alistair, the little brother jokes with Ranson and Jamie... <3 <3 

Renna... So wonderful to look back on her whole character arc from the weepy, clingy, scared girl in "Dare" to the strong Lady Faythe of Stetterly. With head held high as she stands up to the town for the man she loves, and stands up for the town against those who seek to destroy all they hold dear a second time. (Speaking of which... *Deliver spoiler here* I LOVED the part where Renna spoke to the town concerning Leith, and then he stood up next to her. *swoons* They are so precious. <3 *end of spoiler*) 

The other characters... Brandi, Jamie, Ranson, Shad, Lord Alistair (LOVED his words to Leith in the last chapter <3)... They're all there and just as amazing. 

The plot was amazing. I loved all the parts with Martyn and Kayleigh, seeing the eventual change in him, and then that surprise character that showed up *cough*, and rebuilding Stetterly... Gahhh, Acktar, would you give me my heart back please?! 

The epilogue seriously made me so happy. Not the fluffy, girly, sunshine kind of happy that can change with the weather. But really happiness, where even if things go wrong and their hearts are hurt, they will still be able to live and laugh and love. Through Christ. <3 

Deliver was an amazing story of redemption, betrayal, and love. Rebuilding from ashes, starting anew, and finding a new normal in the strange world of peace. An absolutely incredible finale to the series -- a series that I can see myself re-reading again and again in years to come. 

**I received a review copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.** 

~ About the Author

Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn’t writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

You can connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.

If you haven't read The Blades of Acktar series, I would totally recommend them. Here's the links to my reviews of the previous books, if you want more info. :D 

Book #1: Dare  ~  Book #2: Deny  ~  Book #3: Defy  ~  Book #3.5: Destroy

Thanks for reading, guys! Check back soon for a new bookish-series!! :D 

~Faith