Review of Niebo (Fala, #3) by [Author’s Name]
When I first picked up Niebo, the third installment in the Fala series, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. After investing time in Fala and Susza, I anticipated another gripping tale of survival amidst apocalyptic chaos. Unfortunately, what I encountered was a rather different narrative focus, one that left me feeling perplexed and disappointed.
At its core, Niebo revolves around Sydney, a character who finds herself ensnared in conversations about her challenges and the support she receives from those around her. However, rather than delivering on the high-stakes tension of previous books, this installment felt more like a slice-of-life drama. To be perfectly candid, the repetitive exchanges and incessant declarations of support wore me down, transforming what should have been an engaging narrative into a tedious slog.
One significant aspect that irked me was the depiction of Catholic characters, who came across as caricatures of ‘weirdness’ rather than complex individuals. This portrayal seemed to contribute to an overarching absurdity that was not only distracting but also grating. And the climactic "food battle"? Frankly, it felt less like an innovative twist and more like a contrived plot device to inject some action into an otherwise dialogue-heavy story.
As for Sydney herself, I found her character frustratingly predictable. She perpetually held the mantle of ‘the best and the smartest,’ attracting suitors with seemingly little effort. It’s difficult to empathize with a protagonist who seems to glide through life without duly facing the consequences of her actions, particularly concerning her teenage pregnancy, which was treated with a level of sympathy that felt unwarranted in light of the circumstances. Paris, her younger sister, was portrayed in a way that stripped her of agency, recounting events through a lens of innocence that felt contrived, while Sydney insisted she was not a child herself.
Then there’s Pablo, the mafia boss who becomes enamored with Sydney for reasons that bizarrely tread on the line of absurdity. His misguided paternal instincts set a backdrop for an already chaotic plot, one that fails to deliver the poignant drama one would expect from a storyline rife with potential.
The overall writing style felt simplistic, leading me to reminisce about my own middle school writing exercises. Dialogue became predictable, with recurring themes and conversations that hardly evolved from chapter to chapter. At times, I found myself skimming, longing for a spark that could restore my interest.
Despite the lackluster plot, I must say the book’s cover art was a sight to behold. Yet, as the saying goes, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and here, that sentiment couldn’t ring truer.
In conclusion, while Niebo may appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven narratives steeped in personal struggles, it unfortunately didn’t resonate with me as I had hoped. Its divergence from the exhilarating themes of the prior books left me yearning for the gripping storytelling that first drew me in. That said, I believe fans of the series might still find value in this installment, even if it feels more like an interlude than a continuation of Sydney’s journey. If you’re curious about where her story leads, dive in—but perhaps temper your expectations for the high-stakes drama that defined Fala and Susza.