True Rating: 3.5, rounded down

And so we have come to the third book of the series.

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for an e-copy of this book. I would not have read this series otherwise.

Now, for the novel. This, just like the previous two, has wondrous and endearing writing. The world is so magical and lovely, and the setting is one of my favourite aspects of this series. I do have to admit Ara was not my favourite from the start, but she grew on me greatly in this book. Her struggles, her triumphs, her fears, are all so very real-- and quite different from that of her sisters.

The thing that was lacking here was the plot. Two plots were supposed to be happening together, but the plot of the competition was simply not there enough. I would have ate a action-packed fantasy competition story up, but it was, unfortunately, described in not-enough detail and didn't take as much of the story as I would have wished.

I knew from the start that the ending would be happy-- the romantic plot does mirror the other two books. This did end as I expected, but the predictability of the romance made Zimri and his story slightly uninteresting.

All of that said and done, I did enjoy this series a lot, and I'm glad I didn't realise that this was the third book before I requested it on NetGalley. I'd give this a 4 for Ara, her sisters, and the setting, and 3 for the plots and romance, averaging to a 3.5 stars.

This review is based on an ARC I received from Netgalley. 

I think this is my favorite of the trilogy. I love the FMC Arabessa much more than her younger sisters. She strong and brave and made for a fantastic FMC. 

Overall this book made for a beautiful conclusion to the trilogy.

This is the 3rd book in the series, but it can very well be read as a standalone (which I did). However, reading other reviews saying this is a great conclusion to the serie, I believe you should read them in order. 

Arabessa, the eldest sibling and leader of the Mousai, is the protagonist. She has a history of fulfilling both family and Thief Kingdom obligations with diligence. As she is given a chance to compete for the title of Thief King, she faces a dilemma between her duties and her love for Zimri.

I really liked this book! The writing is captivating and the story is packed with adventure, magic, secrets, romance, and high stakes.  Special mention for the chemistry between the sisters that I found particularly sparkling. 

This is definitely a great start of the year! Next read will be Song of the Forever Rains since I hadn't had the time to read it before the pub dat of the third book :-)

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for providing an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I feel so bad for writing this review but symphony of a deadly throne is my least favorite book in mousai series. I liked Zimri and Arabessa's interactions with each other from previous books and couldn't wait to learn their history but something felt off. Arabessa was always portrayed as a leader in the group. In this book, we got to see that part. I liked that she was protective and fierce. Apart from their love story, I was so excited to read more about the Thief Kingdom and the trials. But they were barely mentioned in the book. Everything happened really fast. I understand this series is more romance heavy than fantasy but I really liked to learn more about the world too. I think the Thief Kingdom was a really unique world to read. I hope the author writes more stories about this world. Overall it was a fun series to read but the second book was still my favorite.

What a book to end on! The book was a twisted amount of heart ache, anticipation, trials and love. 

I was captivated the entire time. 

Arabessa and Zimri’s relationship brought me to my knees. The things they do and go through, gah! It felt like a danger was being plunged into my chest. I absolutely loved them. 

I don’t know what else to say besides it was incredible. While I loved the first two, this one has my heart. It was my favourite. 

I highly recommend this series. Fantasy romance that’s a bit dark and keeps you on your toes.

"Am I too late?” 
“For what?” 
“To be with you.” 
“Oh, my love,” he said, hand coming up to cup her cheek. He wanted to pull her into his arms, kiss her, take in her hurt so she could have a reprieve. “You are never too late. You are all the pieces of my heart.”

 Characters: 4.5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Writing: 4/5
Steam: 🔥🔥.5/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
 
First of all, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book melted my heart. I am but a puddle on the floor. 

Seriously, this book was so good. Not a five star as I was hoping, but still a phenomenal end to the series. Arabessa and Zimri are such a perfect match and after seeing them together throughout the entire series, I loved getting to finally see them as a real couple. 

I had some issues with the pacing and plot of the novel. So far, the books in this series have had a good balance between romance and plot, but I felt this book lacked in that aspect. It was very romance heavy, which I normally don’t mind, but this didn’t make sense with the other books. There’s also a lot of important events happening outside the romance, and I felt like those didn’t get their chance to shine. 

However, the romance in and of itself was incredible. I think Arabessa and Zimri are my favorite couple of the series. They have so much history and chemistry together, which made their relationship arc so incredibly satisfying. 

As always, I loved all of the scenes with the sisters together. They are the core of these books. I thought that the way this book ended was perfect and it gave Larkyra, Niya, and Arabessa the freedom they had been missing. 

I am so sad this series is over, but I know it ended in the best way possible. The Mousai Trilogy has everything you could ask for in a fantasy series: a gut wrenching plot, spellbinding romance, and a world you’ll want to get lost in forever. And, in less than 3 weeks, it will be a complete series!

It's a 3,5 stars read, rounded to 4. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing this digital ARC. 
First of all, the cover is so beautiful. It caught my eye and convinced me to read this book. Little did I know, it's actually the third book of a trilogy, I just figured that out after read the first chapter. Despite jumping into the third book, I can get a grasp of the world building. The world itself is unique, it's called Thief Kingdom where thievery is a common thing and you get no punishment for it. Moreover, people are hiding their identity in public. These points I found very interesting.
The writing flows like a river, there're some parts where I really enjoyed reading the lines, but there're also some parts in the middle where it feels like being repeated, less new information.
Nonetheless, there're many interesting quotes I highlighted from this book, and mostly are about empowering one to follow their hearts and make a choice of their own life.

When I say it hurts me giving a one-star review, I am not lying. It was going fine until one of my disliked tropes came to life. I do not want to spoil, so I will not say what it was. Yes, did that fit into the plot maybe, but I still hate it. It was literally an instant turn-off for me. I tried reading again after giving myself a break but I couldn't, I started to get bored with Zimri's POV. So yeah I was really looking forward to reading this book but looks like it was not meant to be.

Thank you NetGalley!

Amazing cover, amazing storyline, amazing last installment!
Overall it was everything i wanted and a perfect way to end things.
It is as pretty as it’s cover, yes.
Looking for a intense breath taking storyline? You should check this out.

Rating : 4 out of 5
Blurbs : 
Within the world of Aadilor sits the hidden Thief Kingdom, a land overflowing with magic and mayhem. There the Mousai, a trio of deadly sorceresses, serve the reclusive Thief King, delivering punishment and pleasure to the masses.

Arabessa Bassette is the leader of the Mousai, conducting their powerful gifts with unyielding precision. But behind her mask of control burns a desire to forge her own path—along with a tumultuous relationship with Zimri D’Enieu, her father’s right hand and the man who’s held her heart since they were children. When an unexpected invitation to vie for the Thief King’s throne pulls her into a deadly competition, Arabessa’s composure cracks as she finds herself with an impossible choice—give up her greatest love or her greatest ambition.

But sacrifices loom large in the Thief Kingdom, for the quest for power always comes at a price. With her and Zimri’s future hanging in the balance, Arabessa must decide if she’s willing to pay it.

Welcome to the world of Aadilor, where love is found between cracks and the most mesmerizing symphonies carry lethal notes. Dare to play?


Thoughts : Third book in Mousai sisters series and my favorite book out of 3 books. It's about Arabessa and Zimri, I've been waiting since 2021. I dnf'ed the second book but I still count this series as a complete series that I've read. The characters, angst, smut scenes, plot, and world building are good. I love it and the sacrifice that Arabessa made in the end of the book is also bitter-sweet but it's her choice. 

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the ARC

A conclusion to a fantasy romance trilogy that packs a punch and leaves the reader wanting endless books taking place in this world

Arabessa finally finds her true place in this one. As the oldest sister she has always had a lot of expectations and pressure on her shoulders. She is also the leader of the Mousai, and the one that sets the tone of every performance and action they do. The dynamic between Arabessa and Zimiri is finally explored and their history explained. Friends to lovers, full of magic, violence, debauchery, and difficult choices.

I love everything about this world, it's magic system, the characters, the ruthless nature found in every aspect, the lore, and the mysteries still left to uncover. I want a spinoff prequel series about Dilion and Joanna

This was my first time reading Mellow, despite eyeing up her books for ages. The covers in all of them are beautiful! The book itself was beautifully written, the pacing is quick and filled with tension and yearning in a wonderful way that made me not want to put it down. The romance in this book hit the sweet spot. I loved this book and cannot wait to read the stories of the other sisters!

I would love to thank NetGalley for this ARC. I love love EJ Mellow’s writing, as I always say it feels like home. Arabessa is definitely the sister I most resonated with and boy did the tension and frustration in this book drive me crazy but the ending was worth all the pain and suffering from these bloody characters decisions. I was absolutely hook at about the 30% mark and could not put it down and finished it within hours. 

Mellow has outdone herself again and I cannot wait to see what she puts out next! Congrats on the wrap of this beautiful trilogy!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book. 

I had previously read the other books in this series and I was looking forward to the next chapter of the Mousai trilogy. For me this one fell a little flat. As much as I like Arabessa, I really struggled to warm to Zimri, and this meant sometimes I lost interest a little bit. I also would have like more focus on Arabessas trials. 
I did however, enjoy learning even more about the Thief Kingdom and seeing some more of the sisters.

Arabessa and Zimri’s story was a beautifully written story, both characters in love with one another but timing is just not on their side. I would’ve liked to see more of Arabessa’s future, for her kingdom, with her sisters, with Zimri. I just needed more to this story, to fill in those extra details. 3.5⭐️
I’d like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! I can’t wait to recommend this series to everyone at the library. I wish it was more popular in bookstagram/booktok because it deserves ALL the praise! Especially with that cover!!!!

3.5 Stars

The third and final book in this series. Arabessa is the oldest of the Mousai sisters and has magic from playing music. She has also felt the weight of her family role as leader of sisters, leader of Mousai, and server to the Theif King (also her father). Zimri has been involved in the Mousai's and Theif King's lives since he was young, he has also been in love with Arabessa for just as long. He is trying to aquire total ownership of his parents old business and is presented with a marriage of convience that would help him in that direction. Arabessa is presented with the oportunity of a life time, to fight for the title of Theif King, or die. Both Arabessa and Zimri struggle to hold on to their relationship while also fighting for their goals.

I was honestly disapointed by this. Its a good book, but the first two in the series for me were 5 stars. I think this followed a story that I wasn't particularly invested in. The overarching story of the drug trade in the first two stories was never even mentioned in this story and that threw me a bit. I thought this would continue on with that story line but it felt like this was a whole story about wrapping up the world and everything in a tight bow with moving on for the Theif King. Arabessa's internal monolog also wasn't as interesting as her two sisters. I think this was just a case of the author taking the story in a direction that wasn't anticipating or particuarly interested in. We do get a better understanding about the power of the Thief King and we spent much more time in the Theif Kingdom than we do in the previous two books which I appreciated. I enjoyed the sisters relationship in this story as well.

Trope: Care taking; Childhood Friends to lovers; Competition; Duel POV; First Love; Friends to lovers; Marriage of Convenience; Musician; Secret Identity;

E.J. Mellow does it again. I have loved every minute of this trilogy and this book did not disappoint. I would recommend this entire series to anyone who loves fantasy, with unique power systems, and loves badass FMCs. This series will definitely be one I read over and over again.

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Symphony for a Deadly Throne
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Book 3 of 3 of the Mousai series
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): E. J. Mellow
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy Romance
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 14th February 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5

Everyone always talks about enemies to lovers but can we all agree that childhood friends to soulmates is an absolute goldmine of untapped romance trope. 

This series is perfect for those who love a strong female lead, and Arabessa, the focus of this installment, is no exception. But there is unique characterization to be enjoyed too of the three sisters, their strengths and weaknesses differed just as much as their hair colour. 

Each romance is unique too. I personally favoured Darius’ and Larkyra’s romance over all the others because I could felt they bought out the best in each other effortlessly, whereas the other connections felt less harmonious and more troublesome. 

The writing is consistently mesmerizing and this book has everything: adventure, magical mayhem, secrets, truths, conversational sparring, romance, steam, and something I absolutely needed to enjoy this book: higher stakes than the previous books. 

I hate to say it, but I do think this story tried to accomplish too much. There were so many overlapping storylines and I felt that some were resolved whereas others were left to fade into the shadows of the Thief Kingdom. I thought I would relate more to Arabessa than any of the others, but the burden of her responsibilities felt like an extra weight on my own as she struggled so immensely against them. 

Overall, this is a supremely successful romantasy series with unique characters, fun storylines, top tier banter, and an inescapable chemistry between the sisters and their love interests. Still waiting on my origin story of Dolion and Johanna though.

🧚🏻‍♀️

What is there not to love? I have loved all of E.J. Mellow's stories that she has written in this series and this was quite the conclusion. I am OBSESSED!