Could there be a more satisfying ending? I think not! Could there be a more complex tale coming to an spectacular conclusion? I think not! Each book in this series ends with my heart thumping madly, and each book begins with adrenaline racing through my veins! My poor heart had leapt with joy towards the end of the previous book and then dashed against the rocks by the most unexpected attack, an attack I never thought could be possible and yet it was. So, suitably gobsmacked, I plunged right into this book! Sinking, flailing to the surface, sinking once again in a maelstrom of action, tension and drama.
I loved how well rounded the characters are, how each is delicately shaped and offered as the full package. Some disappeared only to reappear, very timeously I might add. I had been wondering what happened to Sparrow and yay, she couldn't have found a more opportune moment to reappear! Where she ended up, who she ended up with, lit me up with joy! The various characters playing an integral part in the epic tale, these characters are something else! Something unique. Something delectable. Something to sink one's teeth into. And I did... not viciously, tenderly, savouring each one. From the Ghuklek to the Trenta to the Orken to the humans. And the incredible dragons....Each leave an indelible mark, even Assidius, who although has proven his loyalty, I still think he's a sleezeball! Although, truth be told, I was floored by the magnitude of his emotions, emotions I NEVER thought him capable of!
I'm obviously completely in love with Kullen, what's NOT to love? For all his hard, deadly outer shell, Kullen is the most gentle of souls, the depth of his emotions are so vast, he feels with every fibre of his being, he loves with the same vigour, he's a superb character. He's equally tough as he is vulnerable, he's an assassin with heart, he's just awesome! My heart broke for Kullen when he had to say goodbye to a very loved one, yet again. His guilt, his pain, his anguish I felt to my core. The revelation of the Shadow Realms truth were as astounding to me as they were to Kullen. All he thought he knew, all he'd been told, well, it wasn't what he expected! So much of what Kullen learnt was far from what he expected, the identity of the traitor, the demise of one he loved by the hand of this very traitor, and the FEELINGS Natisse evoked in him, well.... A relationship born firstly out of a grudging respect for one another evolves into something more, something solid, something positive and inspirational, something of great beauty.
Natisse is another superb character, never once giving in, never once accepting defeat, even when she thought the person she loved was dead, she faught in, she planned, she schemed. And boy are her schemes radical! But they work, mostly, which just goes to show that Uncle Ronan WAS right, she's smart and a natural leader. Although , some of her schemes had me groaning in despair by the sheer audacity of them, clenching my jaw waiting for the outcome. And I loved how the bond between her and Golgoth solidifies, they become an entwined unit, giving and taking whatever the other needs. A true and beautiful bond. She fights like she loves, with all her might, nothing and no one will deter her from what she feels she needs to do to protect them all. Even Uncle Ronan, who I've dubbed "the cameleon", he's able to change his colours to suit his environment, he keeps his secrets so deeply buried, even I could not anticipate he knew who Natisse was. When THAT twist was exposed, geez, my eyeballs almost popped out of my head!
Geesh, these authors have taken me to new heights and deep lows that catch me off guard every time! Such is this ingenious collaboration, I'm lapping it all up like a puppy would much needed water after a run. What a path I was led on! A twisty, windy path, strewn with obstacles I gladly leapt over, corners I couldn't see round, exposing bombshell after bombshell and revelations that, had my jaw not been attached, it would have landed squarely on my feet! One amongst many was the identity of the Red Claw, a definite OMG moment, a definite whiplash moment.... Blow after blow was delivered by the authors, until I felt I must surely be black and blue, reeling from the intensity of the action. And so many heart warming scenes where my heart leapt with joy, a fitting conclusion to this series with a promise of more in this very dynamic world!