Heather FitzGerald has demonstrated herself to be a bold writer in the realm of Christian fantasy, and in this final installment of her Tethered World trilogy, The Genesis Tree, she writes her boldest story yet.
The beginning could have been a little faster-paced, in my opinion. There was enough intrigue to keep me reading, but I only felt riveted after the press conference, when characters began really acting of their own accord and I realized how high the stakes were. Here FitzGerald did a masterful job increasing the stakes to create a climax for the trilogy; not only is all of the Tethered World threatened by the fading life of the Genesis Tree, but now the Larcen family’s nemesis plans to destroy the protective barriers between the Tethered World and Topside. Creatures above and below the earth face threats worse than anything I ever expected.
While this book took me through a lot of tense moments, it often relieved that tension with sweet moments, such as reunions with old friends, or encouraging words. This second element was one of my favorite parts of The Genesis Tree: I loved how the characters continually encourage each other with reminders of the Maker and His plan. Brady in particular kept fear and discouragement from paralyzing him by reminding himself of what God had done for him in the past — a good example for all readers.
Perhaps the best example of this series is the main character herself, Sadie. In her own words, she grows “from fretful bookworm to fearless princess.” She lives every girl’s dream journey of becoming her own person, finding her strengths, building new friendships, and ultimately learning how to trust God (and winning the heart of a handsome prince to boot). She provides a good role model for all teen girls, showing them what they can do when they focus on others and rely on God’s help.
The strongest element of this book, however—and its boldest—is its ending. It doesn’t follow the countless other books that conclude with the “happily ever after” that pleases but leaves the reader a little empty, a little skeptical, a little gypped because “that’s not how real life is.” Instead, The Genesis Tree is one of those few books that blazes its own trail in the literary wilderness by portraying life as it really is: with endings that aren’t always 100% happy.
This book’s ending was painful. I have to admit that I cried, hardcore cried. But it was also satisfactory, both because it was real to life and because the pain was redeemed by the very end. Everything serves a purpose in this story, just as everything serves a purpose in the Maker’s great story. Though I cried with the characters, I was also encouraged by the very hope that encouraged them. (Their hardship helped me deal with a similar hardship that I was facing in my life at the time.) Thus the trilogy concludes with an ending that I wouldn’t say is 100% happy but is fitting, very fitting. As a reader, I was satisfied, and I couldn’t ask for more.
Overall, I give The Genesis Tree five stars for its increased stakes from the previous two books, its character growth demonstrated not just in the main characters but also in some minor characters, its neat conclusion of several story arcs and many characters’ journeys (not an easy task), its many surprises, and its realistic portrayal of life with both its joys and its hardships. I very much enjoyed the read, though I’m sad to finish this journey with the Larcen family and look forward to whatever adventures come next from FitzGerald’s creative pen.
