Even though I was aware that Stroud was using repetetive cheap tricks to get me to enjoy the story, I still enjoyed the story, and that's that.

Prequel. I read it too late after the original series, I think, but it brought back plenty of memories of the trilogy, both good and bad ones.

Stronger than the second part, if only by a bit. A very decent conclusion, without resorting to the cheapest of cheap endings (boy saves world, gets girl).

Repeating the formula that works, this book is a bit more tiresome but still alright.