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The Five Penalties #3
The Teeth of Dawn
The Teeth of Dawn concludes the riveting and mind-ripping epic fantasy trilogy from acclaimed author Marina Lostetter, where a rebellion struggles to tear the mask off the illusions and enchantments of a society shrouded in layers of mystery.
After barely surviving their encounter with the Savior, who has shaped the rules and realities of Arkensyre for generations, Krona and the other members of the growing rebellion see only one chance of overcoming his free and enlist the ancient gods he caged to augment his own power.
But it’s one thing to believe in gods. It is quite another to meet them.
And it’s not only the Savior who wants to hold fast to the illusions that govern all the lives in the valley, the Grand Maquis, his agencies and the elites of Arkensyre will do anything they can to snuff out change.
To remake the world, first you must break it.
The Five Penalties
The Helm of Midnight
The Cage of Dark Hours
The Teeth of Dawn
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
After barely surviving their encounter with the Savior, who has shaped the rules and realities of Arkensyre for generations, Krona and the other members of the growing rebellion see only one chance of overcoming his free and enlist the ancient gods he caged to augment his own power.
But it’s one thing to believe in gods. It is quite another to meet them.
And it’s not only the Savior who wants to hold fast to the illusions that govern all the lives in the valley, the Grand Maquis, his agencies and the elites of Arkensyre will do anything they can to snuff out change.
To remake the world, first you must break it.
The Five Penalties
The Helm of Midnight
The Cage of Dark Hours
The Teeth of Dawn
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2025
22 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Want to read
June 11, 2024This series is criminally underappreciated.
December 30, 2024
This is unquestionably one of the most unique fantasy books I’ve read in a long time. Love these characters and each instalment is compulsively readable. New auto-buy author added to the list!
A core element of this series is how the author weaves in new POVs with each book to expand the world and layer in an air of mystery to the plot. While this served perfectly in the first two books, I found that I was less inclined to be introduced to a whole new aspect to the world in the final instalment.
I found I wanted less time away from the core plot and the characters I’d grown to love while also wanting that new pov to be fleshed out a bit more. Essentially - I wanted a whole other book!!
There is so much to love in this series and I feel like this could have easily been 5 books long and I would have adored every single one.
A core element of this series is how the author weaves in new POVs with each book to expand the world and layer in an air of mystery to the plot. While this served perfectly in the first two books, I found that I was less inclined to be introduced to a whole new aspect to the world in the final instalment.
I found I wanted less time away from the core plot and the characters I’d grown to love while also wanting that new pov to be fleshed out a bit more. Essentially - I wanted a whole other book!!
There is so much to love in this series and I feel like this could have easily been 5 books long and I would have adored every single one.
July 9, 2025
3/5
This is not the direction I envisioned The Five Penalties trilogy going when I finished book one, The Helm of Midnight. The first novel is an absolutely brilliant 5-star read. The second novel, while not as good, had me anxiously anticipating the release of the final installment. I preordered the physical book and the audio and dove into both on release day, back in January. The fact that it took until July to complete it says everything.
This is not the direction I envisioned The Five Penalties trilogy going when I finished book one, The Helm of Midnight. The first novel is an absolutely brilliant 5-star read. The second novel, while not as good, had me anxiously anticipating the release of the final installment. I preordered the physical book and the audio and dove into both on release day, back in January. The fact that it took until July to complete it says everything.
February 21, 2025
The Five Penalties remains one of the most unique fantasy series I’ve read. I like that each book introduces a new character, mystery, and timeline. In this one, the new part takes place in an undisclosed time and place. This added an interesting element to the story because the timeline is much more advanced technologically than our previous timelines.
While I enjoyed the new aspect and seeing how everything came together, this was my least favorite installment in the series. I preferred the smaller world and stakes in the first two books. In this one, the world expands and we deal a lot with the gods and how their magic came to be. Unfortunately, I wanted more character moments from Krona and the others.
While I enjoyed the new aspect and seeing how everything came together, this was my least favorite installment in the series. I preferred the smaller world and stakes in the first two books. In this one, the world expands and we deal a lot with the gods and how their magic came to be. Unfortunately, I wanted more character moments from Krona and the others.
Want to read
December 12, 2024One of my most anticipated books of 2025 ❤️
December 19, 2024
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
I tried three separate times to read this, and each time it made me so sleepy that my eyes were burning. Actually stinging with the need to take a nap.
I don’t know what’s gone wrong. Is it me? Maybe? I loved the previous two books… although maybe it should have been a red flag that I really didn’t want to reread them before diving into this one (and I ALWAYS reread a series before a new installment, it’s part of the fun for me!)
Though I’m struggling to identify why this is a massive nope for me, I can point to two writerly choices that deeply displeased me. So let’s start there, I guess.
The book opens with whiplash: instead of characters we know, instead of the world we know, we are dropped into a terrible night in the lives of Hailwic and Zoshim, two teenagers…living in an industrialised science-fantasy world, where there is magic but also helicopters.
…what.
After reading the first fifth of the book, I’m pretty confident I know how these two are connected to the main story, but I can’t say I was enjoying their chapters. Zoshim possesses the magic of transformation, which is demonised in his setting, and Hailwic is frantic to help him escape the cops hunting him. It becomes clear very quickly than this is a totalitarian dystopia, which is not what I signed up for and which I have no interest in reading about.
The PoVs alternate: the first chapter is Hailwic’s, but then we do return to characters we know – and my heart sank. Because there has been a three year timeskip between the end of Cage of Dark Hours and the events of Teeth of Dawn.
I hate timeskips, and I hate them in direct proportion to their length. Not everyone does; I’m sure plenty of readers won’t mind at all, but to me it’s lazy and rushed and breaks the characters. (Because why haven’t they changed in three years? After everything they’ve gone through, why are Krona et al the same people they were at the end of Cage? It makes no sense!) (Except of course it does; readers wouldn’t like it if we opened the next book and found drastically different characters than the ones we left, so you have to keep them the same, even if it makes no sense.) It requires a lot of summarising of what we’ve missed, which grates like the info-dumping it basically is, and many rapid introductions to new people the cast has gathered around them, which makes everything feel cramped.
And somehow, the Valley is still at war. After three years. HOW? What are they even fighting about? I couldn’t tell you.
So those are the two main things: the timeskip, and Hailwic-and-Zoshim.
But also, even in just the first 20% of the book, everything is so damn convenient. With the exception of finding the lost gods, everything falls into the characters’ hands almost as soon as it’s mentioned – and don’t even get me started on the magic, which is overpowered and hand-wavey to a ridiculous degree, and wildly inconsistent in what it can and can’t do. One character can literally pluck knowledge from the air… but he can’t, whenever it makes the plot more interesting that he can’t. ???
I’d like to give this another go eventually (just in case the problem is me rather than the book) but right now I have no interest in where this is going, and the thought of continuing with it is exhausting.
I tried three separate times to read this, and each time it made me so sleepy that my eyes were burning. Actually stinging with the need to take a nap.
I don’t know what’s gone wrong. Is it me? Maybe? I loved the previous two books… although maybe it should have been a red flag that I really didn’t want to reread them before diving into this one (and I ALWAYS reread a series before a new installment, it’s part of the fun for me!)
Though I’m struggling to identify why this is a massive nope for me, I can point to two writerly choices that deeply displeased me. So let’s start there, I guess.
The book opens with whiplash: instead of characters we know, instead of the world we know, we are dropped into a terrible night in the lives of Hailwic and Zoshim, two teenagers…living in an industrialised science-fantasy world, where there is magic but also helicopters.
…what.
After reading the first fifth of the book, I’m pretty confident I know how these two are connected to the main story, but I can’t say I was enjoying their chapters. Zoshim possesses the magic of transformation, which is demonised in his setting, and Hailwic is frantic to help him escape the cops hunting him. It becomes clear very quickly than this is a totalitarian dystopia, which is not what I signed up for and which I have no interest in reading about.
The PoVs alternate: the first chapter is Hailwic’s, but then we do return to characters we know – and my heart sank. Because there has been a three year timeskip between the end of Cage of Dark Hours and the events of Teeth of Dawn.
I hate timeskips, and I hate them in direct proportion to their length. Not everyone does; I’m sure plenty of readers won’t mind at all, but to me it’s lazy and rushed and breaks the characters. (Because why haven’t they changed in three years? After everything they’ve gone through, why are Krona et al the same people they were at the end of Cage? It makes no sense!) (Except of course it does; readers wouldn’t like it if we opened the next book and found drastically different characters than the ones we left, so you have to keep them the same, even if it makes no sense.) It requires a lot of summarising of what we’ve missed, which grates like the info-dumping it basically is, and many rapid introductions to new people the cast has gathered around them, which makes everything feel cramped.
And somehow, the Valley is still at war. After three years. HOW? What are they even fighting about? I couldn’t tell you.
So those are the two main things: the timeskip, and Hailwic-and-Zoshim.
But also, even in just the first 20% of the book, everything is so damn convenient. With the exception of finding the lost gods, everything falls into the characters’ hands almost as soon as it’s mentioned – and don’t even get me started on the magic, which is overpowered and hand-wavey to a ridiculous degree, and wildly inconsistent in what it can and can’t do. One character can literally pluck knowledge from the air… but he can’t, whenever it makes the plot more interesting that he can’t. ???
I’d like to give this another go eventually (just in case the problem is me rather than the book) but right now I have no interest in where this is going, and the thought of continuing with it is exhausting.
April 6, 2025
This wraps up Lostetter’s trilogy with the kind of mythic weight and narrative ambition that’s been building since book one—but I walked away feeling a little conflicted. This world is rich, strange, and wildly imaginative. The writing is razor-sharp. The themes around power, illusion, and revolution are layered and smart. And yet… I missed the heart.
The first book had me completely hooked because of Krona, Thibault, and their emotional arcs. That intimacy faded a tiny bit in book two, and by book three, it’s even less. The series shifts its focus from character-driven storytelling to big-picture lore and sprawling world-building, and while that is objectively fascinating, it didn’t quite satisfy me emotionally. I didn’t feel as tethered to the narrative because I wasn’t with the people I cared most about. The new characters? Interesting, sure. But I didn’t want their story to take the spotlight—I wanted more moments with the ones I already loved.
There are some exceptional moments of character interaction scattered throughout—enough to remind me why I cared so much to begin with—but they’re too few and far between. The trilogy becomes more about ideas and structure than personal stakes, and that’s just not where my reader heart lands.
Still, I don’t want to undersell what Lostetter accomplishes here. This is a weird, ambitious, deeply original science fantasy series with one of the most unique settings and magic systems I’ve ever read. The representation remains stellar, and I appreciated how different gender and queer identities were naturally interwoven into the world. This series does things few others dare to do—and that in itself is worth celebrating.
As a conclusion, The Teeth of Dawn is solid. But as a character-focused reader, I found myself wanting just a bit more heart. A brilliant trilogy overall—just not the ending I was hoping for.
The first book had me completely hooked because of Krona, Thibault, and their emotional arcs. That intimacy faded a tiny bit in book two, and by book three, it’s even less. The series shifts its focus from character-driven storytelling to big-picture lore and sprawling world-building, and while that is objectively fascinating, it didn’t quite satisfy me emotionally. I didn’t feel as tethered to the narrative because I wasn’t with the people I cared most about. The new characters? Interesting, sure. But I didn’t want their story to take the spotlight—I wanted more moments with the ones I already loved.
There are some exceptional moments of character interaction scattered throughout—enough to remind me why I cared so much to begin with—but they’re too few and far between. The trilogy becomes more about ideas and structure than personal stakes, and that’s just not where my reader heart lands.
Still, I don’t want to undersell what Lostetter accomplishes here. This is a weird, ambitious, deeply original science fantasy series with one of the most unique settings and magic systems I’ve ever read. The representation remains stellar, and I appreciated how different gender and queer identities were naturally interwoven into the world. This series does things few others dare to do—and that in itself is worth celebrating.
As a conclusion, The Teeth of Dawn is solid. But as a character-focused reader, I found myself wanting just a bit more heart. A brilliant trilogy overall—just not the ending I was hoping for.
March 18, 2025
This book had high potential and I think mostly it dropped the ball. There's a cool and original magic system and the book is very entertaining and readable, but so much here is underutilized. I think the biggest thing that the book struggles with is way too much going on. There are a ton of characters - the previous book already had a big cast and then we add a second timeline and a bunch more characters there. Some people are wildly underutilized (Juliet and Mandip being the more obvious), and even characters like Krona who have a lot of page time don't get that much real character development. . Mostly she just spends the whole book running around like crazy doing stuff. And so many of the new characters are basically interchangeable.
The magic system is interesting but actually the masks were one of my favorite parts of the original book and at this point they've completely vanished from the plot. The actual powers are only ok - most of what we see is freezing time and the physical transformation, which are both kind of basic powers. The more interesting ones like the secrets are underused by the plot. We also see more of the world here but not enough to feel like you really have a grasp on it. There are 5 cities that I couldn't keep straight and they all have something distinctive going on, but it's way too much detail to remember. It just feels like a bunch of place names being thrown at you that aren't really plot-relevant.
Because the book is so busy then, it's hard to feel that much for the characters. I wanted to know what happens in the end but I wasn't that invested in individual characters making it out, because I wasn't that attached to anyone. And it doesn't help that the pacing is not good - we spend the whole thing basically racing from one thing to another, but most of it has little to no impact on the overall plot. The whole past storyline is cliche and not that interesting, and in the present it's just lots of repeat scenes of finding gods and waking them up. The defeat of the villain is underwhelming and it happens at like the 80% mark, which is never a good sign for the pacing working out well. It's also not an emotionally or thematically resonant death, which is pretty frustrating - .
Overall there are good aspects here but it was a disappointing conclusion for me.
The magic system is interesting but actually the masks were one of my favorite parts of the original book and at this point they've completely vanished from the plot. The actual powers are only ok - most of what we see is freezing time and the physical transformation, which are both kind of basic powers. The more interesting ones like the secrets are underused by the plot. We also see more of the world here but not enough to feel like you really have a grasp on it. There are 5 cities that I couldn't keep straight and they all have something distinctive going on, but it's way too much detail to remember. It just feels like a bunch of place names being thrown at you that aren't really plot-relevant.
Because the book is so busy then, it's hard to feel that much for the characters. I wanted to know what happens in the end but I wasn't that invested in individual characters making it out, because I wasn't that attached to anyone. And it doesn't help that the pacing is not good - we spend the whole thing basically racing from one thing to another, but most of it has little to no impact on the overall plot. The whole past storyline is cliche and not that interesting, and in the present it's just lots of repeat scenes of finding gods and waking them up. The defeat of the villain is underwhelming and it happens at like the 80% mark, which is never a good sign for the pacing working out well. It's also not an emotionally or thematically resonant death, which is pretty frustrating - .
Overall there are good aspects here but it was a disappointing conclusion for me.
June 17, 2025
4.25/5 stars
Marina Lostetter....I would pay so much money to understand how your brain works! The plots and characters and twists and messed up scenes you create....woman you are a crazy mastermind of crazy writing and amazing books! These sentiments are the most true from this finale....my mind is still reeling.
Seriously, this series is somethings else in the best way - I've never read a story quite like it. If you loved The Helm of Midnight and The Cage of Dark Hours, you'll love this one - but every book in the series is very different. Helm of Midnight has a much more solo focus, looking for a serial killer. The Cage of Dark Hours starts to get more distorted as we're introduced to the larger plot and cast and conspiracies... and it all comes together, past meeting present, in The Teeth of Dawn. I saw some of the twists coming but I was so enthralled it didn't matter. The amount of intricate planning in how she pulled this series together is outstanding, truly.
I wish I could say more but truly I'm not sure how to coherently describe this book, with or without spoilers. I can tell you you're in for an intricate plot, fascinating lore and "magic", and some incredible characters that you will love and hate in equal measure. The writing is incredible and will stick with you. All that said...it's dark and there are some scenes that I had to set the book down after and walk away to just let myself process - it has a lot of dark themes and Lostetter doesn't shy away from the brutal and gritty. But really that's part of what makes this series so special, that you feel the characters shock and disgust as viscerally as possible. Not for the faint of heart, but all the more amazing for it.
I highly recommend this series but PLEASE go in with caution and check triggers!
Marina Lostetter....I would pay so much money to understand how your brain works! The plots and characters and twists and messed up scenes you create....woman you are a crazy mastermind of crazy writing and amazing books! These sentiments are the most true from this finale....my mind is still reeling.
Seriously, this series is somethings else in the best way - I've never read a story quite like it. If you loved The Helm of Midnight and The Cage of Dark Hours, you'll love this one - but every book in the series is very different. Helm of Midnight has a much more solo focus, looking for a serial killer. The Cage of Dark Hours starts to get more distorted as we're introduced to the larger plot and cast and conspiracies... and it all comes together, past meeting present, in The Teeth of Dawn. I saw some of the twists coming but I was so enthralled it didn't matter. The amount of intricate planning in how she pulled this series together is outstanding, truly.
I wish I could say more but truly I'm not sure how to coherently describe this book, with or without spoilers. I can tell you you're in for an intricate plot, fascinating lore and "magic", and some incredible characters that you will love and hate in equal measure. The writing is incredible and will stick with you. All that said...it's dark and there are some scenes that I had to set the book down after and walk away to just let myself process - it has a lot of dark themes and Lostetter doesn't shy away from the brutal and gritty. But really that's part of what makes this series so special, that you feel the characters shock and disgust as viscerally as possible. Not for the faint of heart, but all the more amazing for it.
I highly recommend this series but PLEASE go in with caution and check triggers!
March 3, 2025
Honestly going between a 2 and a 3 star for this sucker. I don’t know what was going on with the development of this last book but it made me feel like I was reading a different book premise in the universe I loved. The grand reveal that is pretty common in this series is just bad/overplayed. The big bad gets done in the most easy like laughable way. The plot dinks so hard around trying to find the conclusion to the story, yeah okay I’m switching to two as I type this.
I loved the first two as the masks and magic system was so cool then they take it all and throw that right in the trash can with just learning more about the gods and five penalties. The gods end up being big fat babies /wet blankets. And again, the bad guys that are like unbeatable just get memed so hard it’s insane.
Dinks: I guess we have the same characters but things be on hard mode for them.
Stinks: honestly lots that I can’t get over. This bums me out to write.
2.14 outta 5 stars what the actual heck
I loved the first two as the masks and magic system was so cool then they take it all and throw that right in the trash can with just learning more about the gods and five penalties. The gods end up being big fat babies /wet blankets. And again, the bad guys that are like unbeatable just get memed so hard it’s insane.
Dinks: I guess we have the same characters but things be on hard mode for them.
Stinks: honestly lots that I can’t get over. This bums me out to write.
2.14 outta 5 stars what the actual heck
September 9, 2025
4.25 Stars
This final book (and series as a whole) absolutely had some missteps, but wowowowowowow I'll be thinking about it for a long time. The overall project of this book might actually put it on my list of all time favorites. It may not work for everyone, but it certainly worked for me.
I don't really think I can say too much about the plot, since it went such a wildly different direction from book one. I suspect this is the exact issue that caused so many people to rate this book so poorly. The Helm of Midnight is largely a murder mystery, and if you were expecting things to stay in that realm, I can absolutely understand why you would be bewildered and disappointed. My only advice if you decide to pick up this series is to be prepared to go on a ride.
What I loved about the book is also kind of my biggest complaint. The story's overall progression could have been handled more elegantly. The transition between books is pretty clunky, and there weren't very many threads tying everything together. Elements that were introduced in book one were never brought up again. A ton of cool things in book 2 held a similar fate. Book three introduced so much brand new lore that it got a little silly.
BUT ON THAT NOTE: I ate all that new lore UP. This book is a shining example of one of my favorite niche tropes. In fact, I think it might be the most entertaining version of that trope I've ever read. I desperately want this book to find its audience, so I'll put the trope and some more thoughts under a spoiler tag, but only click if you're sure it won't ruin things for you.
The ending got a little convoluted, and it was way more drawn out than it could have been, but I ultimately thought it was a satisfying experience.
This series is criminally underrated. I won't pretend it is perfect, but if you want to read something wildly different from other recently published fantasy, maybe give this a try.
This final book (and series as a whole) absolutely had some missteps, but wowowowowowow I'll be thinking about it for a long time. The overall project of this book might actually put it on my list of all time favorites. It may not work for everyone, but it certainly worked for me.
I don't really think I can say too much about the plot, since it went such a wildly different direction from book one. I suspect this is the exact issue that caused so many people to rate this book so poorly. The Helm of Midnight is largely a murder mystery, and if you were expecting things to stay in that realm, I can absolutely understand why you would be bewildered and disappointed. My only advice if you decide to pick up this series is to be prepared to go on a ride.
What I loved about the book is also kind of my biggest complaint. The story's overall progression could have been handled more elegantly. The transition between books is pretty clunky, and there weren't very many threads tying everything together. Elements that were introduced in book one were never brought up again. A ton of cool things in book 2 held a similar fate. Book three introduced so much brand new lore that it got a little silly.
BUT ON THAT NOTE: I ate all that new lore UP. This book is a shining example of one of my favorite niche tropes. In fact, I think it might be the most entertaining version of that trope I've ever read. I desperately want this book to find its audience, so I'll put the trope and some more thoughts under a spoiler tag, but only click if you're sure it won't ruin things for you.
The ending got a little convoluted, and it was way more drawn out than it could have been, but I ultimately thought it was a satisfying experience.
This series is criminally underrated. I won't pretend it is perfect, but if you want to read something wildly different from other recently published fantasy, maybe give this a try.
February 13, 2025
Book three of a trilogy. In The Teeth of Dawn, Krona and her allies have barely escaped the mysterious and sinister Savior who secretly rules over the valley of Arkensyre. Now, they must free the gods from their chains, reunite people with their stolen magic, and finally topple the Savior.
It's always complicated to write the concluding book in a trilogy where the central conceit has been hinting at dire and mysterious secrets. Inevitably, the answers in the book have a difficult time living up to whatever you've been imagining for nearly a thousand pages. Lostetter takes a decent swing at the conundrum in The Teeth of the Dawn, with a series of unexpectedly science fantasy dystopia flashbacks detailing the truth behind the gods and the creation of the valley. The sudden swing into a world with phones, magic, and an oppressive government regime was a refreshing and intriguing contrast to the more generic fantasy setting the series has been set in so far.
Krona's side of the plot was interesting and twisty enough to keep me engaged, rather than predictably marching to some clichéd final battle. Compliments to Lostetter for coming up with some truly horrific body horror scenes, especially the one involving swarms of voracious, piranha-like tiny rodents. However, I was disapponted that some of the interesting politics plotlines about the war between the city-states was effectively dropped in this book to focus on the larger Savior plotline. With five gods to free and limited pagespace, I suppose Lostetter decided to change her focus.
A solid conclusion to the trilogy with some interesting worldbuilding. Don't start here, though, as the book does not work as a standalone.
It's always complicated to write the concluding book in a trilogy where the central conceit has been hinting at dire and mysterious secrets. Inevitably, the answers in the book have a difficult time living up to whatever you've been imagining for nearly a thousand pages. Lostetter takes a decent swing at the conundrum in The Teeth of the Dawn, with a series of unexpectedly science fantasy dystopia flashbacks detailing the truth behind the gods and the creation of the valley. The sudden swing into a world with phones, magic, and an oppressive government regime was a refreshing and intriguing contrast to the more generic fantasy setting the series has been set in so far.
Krona's side of the plot was interesting and twisty enough to keep me engaged, rather than predictably marching to some clichéd final battle. Compliments to Lostetter for coming up with some truly horrific body horror scenes, especially the one involving swarms of voracious, piranha-like tiny rodents. However, I was disapponted that some of the interesting politics plotlines about the war between the city-states was effectively dropped in this book to focus on the larger Savior plotline. With five gods to free and limited pagespace, I suppose Lostetter decided to change her focus.
A solid conclusion to the trilogy with some interesting worldbuilding. Don't start here, though, as the book does not work as a standalone.
February 3, 2025
https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar
Lies.
The scriptures were lies, the magic source was a lie, and the savior is a liar.
Lies.
What else can it be a lie? The valley, the Gods, …the world?
Lies.
The Teeth of Dawn starts three years after the events of The Cage of Dark Hours. The war in the valley has started and the countries are fighting among themselves. During this time, Krona has been creating her army with survivors of those who know the truth and others who have been reunited with their vargers. At the same time, Krona and her friends have been looking for the temples of the other three gods: Time, Nature and Knowledge. As they find the temples of Emotion and Nature, the other two still elude them and they cannot open the temple of Nature.
As the story of Krona and valley unfolds, another story of twin siblings from unspecific time and place is told. Hailwic and Zoshim, who are Kairopath (time) and Physiopath (nature) respectively, are in a very high magitech city running from the law as Zoshim type of magic is frowned upon and becoming illegal.
Both stories happen at different times and locations, but with enough time, they will collide and save each other.
This has been one of my favorite series in the last five years. I have been a fan of Marina J. Lostetter for a while, but the Five Penalties series has been my favorite. Coming to an end, Teeth of Dawn brings this series to a close and ties up the secrets and plot lines that came to light in the previous books while also presenting new information to keep the reader hooked.
In this last installment of the Five Penalties series, we continue to meet new characters. During the previous book, the Cage of Dark Hours, we met the Savior/Absolon and the order of Thalo, Juliet and the others. This time we meet Hailwic and twin Zoshim, the citizens of the city of Radix and their dictator Friend Uphrasia. Their story is a whole different world but with the same ideas of trying to free themselves from an oppressive regime, but with the magic being the same as what Krona’s world was stolen.
The search and rescue of the gods was the main focus during the first half of the book. Without spoiling, their revival and the truths they gave Krona and the others change the battlefield and save the valley.
For fans of the series, Hintosep returns with her blazing guns and Jerome gets what he deserves.
Like in many of Lostetter’s books, in this one we continue to move back and forth through the POV of the characters and it gives us different glimpses of events happening throughout the narrative.
The Teeth of Dawn concludes the Five Penalties trilogy. If you are a fan of Fantasy and Science Fiction, I recommend that you pick up this trilogy now that it is complete. In it, you will learn about a dangerous world where the only habitable place is a valley where time and magic are stolen from the citizens at their birth, and indestructible monsters roam the outsides of the valley.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar
Lies.
The scriptures were lies, the magic source was a lie, and the savior is a liar.
Lies.
What else can it be a lie? The valley, the Gods, …the world?
Lies.
The Teeth of Dawn starts three years after the events of The Cage of Dark Hours. The war in the valley has started and the countries are fighting among themselves. During this time, Krona has been creating her army with survivors of those who know the truth and others who have been reunited with their vargers. At the same time, Krona and her friends have been looking for the temples of the other three gods: Time, Nature and Knowledge. As they find the temples of Emotion and Nature, the other two still elude them and they cannot open the temple of Nature.
As the story of Krona and valley unfolds, another story of twin siblings from unspecific time and place is told. Hailwic and Zoshim, who are Kairopath (time) and Physiopath (nature) respectively, are in a very high magitech city running from the law as Zoshim type of magic is frowned upon and becoming illegal.
Both stories happen at different times and locations, but with enough time, they will collide and save each other.
This has been one of my favorite series in the last five years. I have been a fan of Marina J. Lostetter for a while, but the Five Penalties series has been my favorite. Coming to an end, Teeth of Dawn brings this series to a close and ties up the secrets and plot lines that came to light in the previous books while also presenting new information to keep the reader hooked.
In this last installment of the Five Penalties series, we continue to meet new characters. During the previous book, the Cage of Dark Hours, we met the Savior/Absolon and the order of Thalo, Juliet and the others. This time we meet Hailwic and twin Zoshim, the citizens of the city of Radix and their dictator Friend Uphrasia. Their story is a whole different world but with the same ideas of trying to free themselves from an oppressive regime, but with the magic being the same as what Krona’s world was stolen.
The search and rescue of the gods was the main focus during the first half of the book. Without spoiling, their revival and the truths they gave Krona and the others change the battlefield and save the valley.
For fans of the series, Hintosep returns with her blazing guns and Jerome gets what he deserves.
Like in many of Lostetter’s books, in this one we continue to move back and forth through the POV of the characters and it gives us different glimpses of events happening throughout the narrative.
The Teeth of Dawn concludes the Five Penalties trilogy. If you are a fan of Fantasy and Science Fiction, I recommend that you pick up this trilogy now that it is complete. In it, you will learn about a dangerous world where the only habitable place is a valley where time and magic are stolen from the citizens at their birth, and indestructible monsters roam the outsides of the valley.
May 30, 2025
High highs and low lows.
April 9, 2025
3.5 stars
In the third and final book in the Five Penalties series, Krona and her friends have determined the only way to fight back against the Savior is to find and resurrect the five gods. We also see the story of Hailwic, a girl who lives in an entirely different society than our other characters.
I loved The Helm of Midnight - it's one of the most underread fantasies I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It has everything! Then I read book 2 not long after right on its release, and I wasn't as big of a fan. Then this one has a significantly lower rating than book 2, and I don't think I entirely agree. Is it as good as book 1? No, but the imagination here blew me away.
Let's talk the good. The good mostly has to do with the brand new perspective that is introduced in this book. The world she inhabits is entirely different-feeling and had me glued to the page. I really enjoyed seeing how this section ended up coalescing with the main plot of the series. I think you're intended to see things before the main characters do, but I really enjoyed that evolution. The government and its progression felt very timely to cover. I thought the type of horror we saw in here was FASCINATING and unlike anything I've seen before. Also, shoutout to the author/team for adding a summary of the previous book into the beginning of this book. This should be mandatory.
However, I think this series kind of let us down on the front of our primary characters. Yes, it's been two years since I read book 2 on its release, but I felt distant from these sections (and even sleepy... I estimated I was reading half my usual rate). This book goes hard into the worldbuilding, arguably at the expense of the characters. There's a big time skip between books 2 and 3, and suddenly they've created an army and are collecting gods like pokemon. Everything felt super easy - luckily, things got less easy as it went along, but I felt like I had less of a grasp on the stakes of this modern-day plot. We don't see a lot of the Savior's movements, what he's actually doing at this time, so there was less anticipation of taking him down. Also, the summary I mentioned earlier should have been much more in-depth. If you're going summarize a 500 page book for people who have waited two years, do it longer than a single page. Heck, cover book 1 too.
Overall, I thought that this book's worldbuilding and such was excellent and creative, but it lacked on the character side. I personally liked it more than book 2, but I still think book 1 is so special and could've been a standalone. I'm glad I closed out this series regardless!
In the third and final book in the Five Penalties series, Krona and her friends have determined the only way to fight back against the Savior is to find and resurrect the five gods. We also see the story of Hailwic, a girl who lives in an entirely different society than our other characters.
I loved The Helm of Midnight - it's one of the most underread fantasies I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It has everything! Then I read book 2 not long after right on its release, and I wasn't as big of a fan. Then this one has a significantly lower rating than book 2, and I don't think I entirely agree. Is it as good as book 1? No, but the imagination here blew me away.
Let's talk the good. The good mostly has to do with the brand new perspective that is introduced in this book. The world she inhabits is entirely different-feeling and had me glued to the page. I really enjoyed seeing how this section ended up coalescing with the main plot of the series. I think you're intended to see things before the main characters do, but I really enjoyed that evolution. The government and its progression felt very timely to cover. I thought the type of horror we saw in here was FASCINATING and unlike anything I've seen before. Also, shoutout to the author/team for adding a summary of the previous book into the beginning of this book. This should be mandatory.
However, I think this series kind of let us down on the front of our primary characters. Yes, it's been two years since I read book 2 on its release, but I felt distant from these sections (and even sleepy... I estimated I was reading half my usual rate). This book goes hard into the worldbuilding, arguably at the expense of the characters. There's a big time skip between books 2 and 3, and suddenly they've created an army and are collecting gods like pokemon. Everything felt super easy - luckily, things got less easy as it went along, but I felt like I had less of a grasp on the stakes of this modern-day plot. We don't see a lot of the Savior's movements, what he's actually doing at this time, so there was less anticipation of taking him down. Also, the summary I mentioned earlier should have been much more in-depth. If you're going summarize a 500 page book for people who have waited two years, do it longer than a single page. Heck, cover book 1 too.
Overall, I thought that this book's worldbuilding and such was excellent and creative, but it lacked on the character side. I personally liked it more than book 2, but I still think book 1 is so special and could've been a standalone. I'm glad I closed out this series regardless!
February 19, 2025
This book series has some of if not the BEST character development and writing I have seen thus far in my reading journey. Intense and deep moments that make you feel for all the hurt and broken characters we meet in these books. All tragic in their own unique way
But I wanted more, so many cool plot points or stories that were mentioned to that I as a reader wanted to see fleshed out in another book or two, it would give more connection to the other PoV’s we see in these books. The last book felt rushed in plot and in a sense of time.
Hopefully she continues this world in some way I would love to read more
Another thing this books does right is bring up a fully progressive and diverse magic system as well as being truly inclusive in gender,sexual orientation. Well it isn’t something I NEED in a book, it was really nice to see done in a way that could honestly help other people who need it if they need a good example of good inclusion.
One of the most unique books I’ve read and will probably continue to be so, and well it has flaws I would definitely recommend it for someone looking to expand their taste
But I wanted more, so many cool plot points or stories that were mentioned to that I as a reader wanted to see fleshed out in another book or two, it would give more connection to the other PoV’s we see in these books. The last book felt rushed in plot and in a sense of time.
Hopefully she continues this world in some way I would love to read more
Another thing this books does right is bring up a fully progressive and diverse magic system as well as being truly inclusive in gender,sexual orientation. Well it isn’t something I NEED in a book, it was really nice to see done in a way that could honestly help other people who need it if they need a good example of good inclusion.
One of the most unique books I’ve read and will probably continue to be so, and well it has flaws I would definitely recommend it for someone looking to expand their taste
August 4, 2025
this is one of those series that starts as one thing (a magical murder mystery) and by the end, the world has expanded into something way more interesting and complex (secret organizations/cover ups/gods/origin myths/etc, plus a light sprinkling of romance). i found the overall plot and world pretty unique and sincerely enjoyed it despite some slower pacing here and there. this series is v underrated - the fact that this book has only 50 reviews is wild.
this book introduced more new characters and a new timeline, which tbh initially i was annoyed that i had to keep track of more things, but then quickly started to look forward to those povs.
if you like the theme of like, unveiling institutional lies/questioning divine authority/rebelling against indoctrination, then you’ll like this story. the themes and vibes were reminiscent of mistborn and the lies of locke lamora for me. if you liked those stories i do think you’d like this one.
this book introduced more new characters and a new timeline, which tbh initially i was annoyed that i had to keep track of more things, but then quickly started to look forward to those povs.
if you like the theme of like, unveiling institutional lies/questioning divine authority/rebelling against indoctrination, then you’ll like this story. the themes and vibes were reminiscent of mistborn and the lies of locke lamora for me. if you liked those stories i do think you’d like this one.
Want to read
July 25, 2024one of my most anticipated releases
February 5, 2025
Man. I was so hyped for this book because I loved the first two, but this just did not work for me. I still find the world and characters very interesting but this story just felt so disconnected from the first two somehow. I’ve read-listened to the audiobooks of the first two since I initially read them so maybe this will be better for me upon revisiting, but for now I’m disappointed. Still excited to see what Marina Lostetter does next though.
February 8, 2025
This was, honestly, mindblowing.
Loved it, great conclusion & such beautiful writing
Loved it, great conclusion & such beautiful writing
August 10, 2025
This was exquisite! Lostetter outdid herself with each book in this series and it's so worth the read. I immensely enjoyed the conclusion of it.
March 10, 2025
While I still love this series, this was kind of a disappointing finale for me. We are introduced to a new cast of characters, who end up taking center stage, and I kind of wish they hadn't. While Hailwic's story was interesting, I don't know how much it actually added. I don't think I really needed to know that plot line. It might have been fun as a prequel book, but as it was, it ended up splitting our attention away from Krona and others, and I think everybody suffered because of it.
We meet a lot of new characters in Hailwic's chapters, and I struggled to remember most of them. They felt very two-dimensional because characters came and went, and we skipped a lot of time in between her chapters. I actually think it might have been a case of less is more with Hailwic's chapters. We could have probably cut out half of them and spent more time with the other characters and been better for it.
Because that is my biggest issue here; the characters I've come to know and love in the first two books got really left to the wayside. Krona is still the protagonist, so we see her the most, but there was a while where her story suffered a bit because we were focusing so much on Hailwic. The two of them and Hintostep were really the only ones who still felt like full characters Thibault and Avellino fared better than most, but Juliet, Mandip, and Tray barely got any screen time, and Melanie and Sebastian might as well have not been in the story at all for how little they did.
There is an interesting story here about these three women who had all been hurt and wronged by a man who thought himself above everyone, and who needed to be needed. So I do respect that. I respect the anger these three had, especially Hailwic. It was also interesting to show that the issues aren't over even after defeating the big bad. The issues are not just one person, and killing said person doesn't immediately fix everything and make everything better. That being said, the stakes then felt a bit off. I don't know that I fully bought the actual stakes at the end, or the way it was handled.
I still love the horror elements of this series, and oh boy did it go hard with the body horror this time. It did get a bit weird, though. This series has always been very unique and at times weird, but there were times in this one I was just kind of scratching my head.
This just got so big in scope at times, becoming so much about the gods and the world ending. I sort of missed the still big, but not world ending stakes of the first two books. I missed the masks and enchantments and more grounded issues in the first two. This just got too big, too cosmic, and with too many new characters that I didn't really care about.
I still like this series, and I'm looking forward to see what Lostetter writes next, but this was unfortunately a bit of a let-down for me, for a series I was deeply loving. I was expecting this to be 5 stars, but instead it was just okay, and this is easily my least favorite installment of the series.
We meet a lot of new characters in Hailwic's chapters, and I struggled to remember most of them. They felt very two-dimensional because characters came and went, and we skipped a lot of time in between her chapters. I actually think it might have been a case of less is more with Hailwic's chapters. We could have probably cut out half of them and spent more time with the other characters and been better for it.
Because that is my biggest issue here; the characters I've come to know and love in the first two books got really left to the wayside. Krona is still the protagonist, so we see her the most, but there was a while where her story suffered a bit because we were focusing so much on Hailwic. The two of them and Hintostep were really the only ones who still felt like full characters Thibault and Avellino fared better than most, but Juliet, Mandip, and Tray barely got any screen time, and Melanie and Sebastian might as well have not been in the story at all for how little they did.
There is an interesting story here about these three women who had all been hurt and wronged by a man who thought himself above everyone, and who needed to be needed. So I do respect that. I respect the anger these three had, especially Hailwic. It was also interesting to show that the issues aren't over even after defeating the big bad. The issues are not just one person, and killing said person doesn't immediately fix everything and make everything better. That being said, the stakes then felt a bit off. I don't know that I fully bought the actual stakes at the end, or the way it was handled.
I still love the horror elements of this series, and oh boy did it go hard with the body horror this time. It did get a bit weird, though. This series has always been very unique and at times weird, but there were times in this one I was just kind of scratching my head.
This just got so big in scope at times, becoming so much about the gods and the world ending. I sort of missed the still big, but not world ending stakes of the first two books. I missed the masks and enchantments and more grounded issues in the first two. This just got too big, too cosmic, and with too many new characters that I didn't really care about.
I still like this series, and I'm looking forward to see what Lostetter writes next, but this was unfortunately a bit of a let-down for me, for a series I was deeply loving. I was expecting this to be 5 stars, but instead it was just okay, and this is easily my least favorite installment of the series.
July 1, 2025
I really enjoy this series, but I've been in a bad state of mind recently and not sure I really absorbed this final installment. I definitely want to come back to it in the future and read it again, hopefully with knowledge of what happens making it a little easier to get into.
May 30, 2025
7 - so 3,5 stars. I've rounded the score up to four stars, as I was engrossed in the story from the start of the novel, looking forward to every moment I had time to read. Except at the end (say the final 50 pages), when I thought the story went on a bit too long, and I was counting the pages. As the main villain of the series was anticlimactically defeated before the climax started the tension slackened. Also there was a lot of the 'anything goes' kind of magic that as a reader I just had to accept without understanding it, on such a large scale that it became a bit too overwelming. A slightly smaller scope to the story would have maybe made the ending more impactful.
This was my main complaint about this final book in the trilogy: too much going on. The first book was relatively simple, but here there is very complex magic, very many characters, more backstory and it makes it a bit hard to follow. Also there's litte space for character development - there are great characters in a second story line, but the main characters we know from the first books are mostly shown in action, running and flying from place to place, without much room for introspection.
But still I enjoyed this book - a lot. It's well written for one. Also like the previous two books the main story is coupled with a second thread - and here it is a story that takes place in a world with the same level of technology as ours (in some aspects), wich gives this book the feel of a science-fantasy. All three books have a slightly different feel due to the second story, which I think is a good thing. I like to be surprised when reading. The connections between this second storyline and the main story are also teased out well and are satisfying when they become clear, and also leading to a lot of thematic resonance.
Also I loved the combination betwee horror and fantasy in this trilogy, which was present in the first two books (the first book having more of a serial killer feel, the second book featuring an oppressive, almost dystopian society with mind control aspects) but here is present in full swing. There is a lot of blood here, but also plenty of body horror, loss of free will, zombie-like monsters, other monsters large and small, and some cosmic horror elements like locations that are not what they seem and powers that threaten to overwhelm human experience. A great smorgasbord of horror elements that made reading this book a thrill.
Finally it's clear the author has an opinion about the world we live in. There is great commentary here on authorianism, othering, the basis for resistance, the struggle against apathy and despair, and how to fight for community. It's a complex theme. As one of the characters notes: 'All of this is the result of so many people sitting on their hands while an ineffectual few struggled against the woman who ended the world.They knew she was a dictator, they knew she was genocidal, they knew, and they sat back and protected their own hides - even when their own children were thrown to her mercy ... Do not deign to tell me how many hands make lighter loads, because many hands do not lift a finger. I they are relatively safe and comfortable, then they do not care if others are thrown to the wolves.' The opinion of the author is clear and I love it when an author has convictions and is not afraid to show them.
Recommended for those interested in modern fantasy, especially fantasy taking place in a unique world, with a lot of magic and lots of horror.
This was my main complaint about this final book in the trilogy: too much going on. The first book was relatively simple, but here there is very complex magic, very many characters, more backstory and it makes it a bit hard to follow. Also there's litte space for character development - there are great characters in a second story line, but the main characters we know from the first books are mostly shown in action, running and flying from place to place, without much room for introspection.
But still I enjoyed this book - a lot. It's well written for one. Also like the previous two books the main story is coupled with a second thread - and here it is a story that takes place in a world with the same level of technology as ours (in some aspects), wich gives this book the feel of a science-fantasy. All three books have a slightly different feel due to the second story, which I think is a good thing. I like to be surprised when reading. The connections between this second storyline and the main story are also teased out well and are satisfying when they become clear, and also leading to a lot of thematic resonance.
Also I loved the combination betwee horror and fantasy in this trilogy, which was present in the first two books (the first book having more of a serial killer feel, the second book featuring an oppressive, almost dystopian society with mind control aspects) but here is present in full swing. There is a lot of blood here, but also plenty of body horror, loss of free will, zombie-like monsters, other monsters large and small, and some cosmic horror elements like locations that are not what they seem and powers that threaten to overwhelm human experience. A great smorgasbord of horror elements that made reading this book a thrill.
Finally it's clear the author has an opinion about the world we live in. There is great commentary here on authorianism, othering, the basis for resistance, the struggle against apathy and despair, and how to fight for community. It's a complex theme. As one of the characters notes: 'All of this is the result of so many people sitting on their hands while an ineffectual few struggled against the woman who ended the world.They knew she was a dictator, they knew she was genocidal, they knew, and they sat back and protected their own hides - even when their own children were thrown to her mercy ... Do not deign to tell me how many hands make lighter loads, because many hands do not lift a finger. I they are relatively safe and comfortable, then they do not care if others are thrown to the wolves.' The opinion of the author is clear and I love it when an author has convictions and is not afraid to show them.
Recommended for those interested in modern fantasy, especially fantasy taking place in a unique world, with a lot of magic and lots of horror.
February 25, 2025
The three books in the Five Penalties series have an interesting and somewhat confounding dynamic. All, obviously, set in the same world (and for the most part directly in chronological sequence), each successive sequel does a sort of weird thing of like, forgetting and/or jettisoning the fantastical worldbuilding or magic setup from the previous book (Book 2 mostly abandoning the emotion-storing gems and death masks from Book 1, Book 3 not spending very much time with the major magic artifacts and investigations into the magic-monster vargs from Book 2), with -- at least for me -- diminishing returns. The present-day plot of this book is mostly spent trying to hunt down and revive the world's Gods, for existential reasons not worth detailing, which I found less interesting than the last book's mystery plot regarding its big magic cult or its varg stuff (which does at least have the upshot of providing several characters in this book magic powers), which in turn I found less interesting than Book 1. That's not to say that I disliked the new plot elements here, just that it's a little weird that Lostetter moved off the previous books' focuses rather than really building on them.
I mentioned "present-day" plot before, because a significant chunk of this book is spent in cutaways () to some other time and place, where the magic that our main setting suppresses is commonplace and exists alongside things like helicopters and otherwise modern-tech signifiers. These chapters follow a full-on political thriller plot thread involving some rebel group opposing some dictator-type figure, and I found this to be the standout part of the book, both on its own thriller-plot merits and on the suspense of how Lostetter parcels out hints on how it connects to the mainline plot of the series.
The eventual integration of the two plot threads ends up taking the book in some Roger Zelazny Lord of Light directions, which I liked a lot, although it didn't totally stick the landing for me because most of the thriller-plot characters outside of the main POV weren't fleshed out enough for it to have the impact Lostetter wanted when we eventually understand their connection to the mainline plot. Also, so that was a bit of a narrative leap that I didn't totally go along with.
All in all, I enjoyed this series, but I do think that Marina Lostetter's strengths lie more with her science fiction.
I mentioned "present-day" plot before, because a significant chunk of this book is spent in cutaways () to some other time and place, where the magic that our main setting suppresses is commonplace and exists alongside things like helicopters and otherwise modern-tech signifiers. These chapters follow a full-on political thriller plot thread involving some rebel group opposing some dictator-type figure, and I found this to be the standout part of the book, both on its own thriller-plot merits and on the suspense of how Lostetter parcels out hints on how it connects to the mainline plot of the series.
The eventual integration of the two plot threads ends up taking the book in some Roger Zelazny Lord of Light directions, which I liked a lot, although it didn't totally stick the landing for me because most of the thriller-plot characters outside of the main POV weren't fleshed out enough for it to have the impact Lostetter wanted when we eventually understand their connection to the mainline plot. Also, so that was a bit of a narrative leap that I didn't totally go along with.
All in all, I enjoyed this series, but I do think that Marina Lostetter's strengths lie more with her science fiction.
August 24, 2025
When I wrote “really hope Lostetter sticks the landing on this one” in my review of The Cage of Dark Hours I actually considered it a foregone conclusion that she would.
Contains ranty spoilers….
This may very well be the biggest fall from grace I’ve experienced! I loved the first book and think it’s the best book I’ve read this year. I’m very sorry, but I really didn’t like this book and the choices Lostetter made. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement!
I’m biggest issue is a certain narrative choice Lostetter made. The whole series has had multiple POVs; that’s a form of narrative I really like! However, I generally don’t enjoy new POVs in the last book but it can work if it's not a new character. Here, Lostetter has decided to have half of the freaking book being from an entirely new character’s POV - and as if that wasn’t enough, this character is situated in what’s definitely another timeline, but also feels like another world. These chapters have a clear dystopian feel and I hated every moment of it.
This book is two books in one: The actual conclusion to the series, and then a villain origin story. A villain origin story might have been interesting, expect we don’t get to follow the villain! He isn’t “introduced” until half way through the book - we also don’t get to follow the other known character who originated in this timeline. No, we follow the most irrelevant feeling character I’ve encountered in this series. I understood none of the choice Lostetter made in regards to this part of the book…
I really think our main cast of characters were directed to the backseat in what was initially their story and their fight. Such a shame…
I was also disappointed by the final showdown between our villain and heroes. I was over so quickly, and it was such a “blink and you’ll miss it” experience. And there was still 25-20 % left of the book….
I’m so incredibly sad that this awesome, exciting and original story ended like this for me.. I’ll still recommend The Helm of Midnight to everyone. But perhaps just read it was a standalone.
Contains ranty spoilers….
This may very well be the biggest fall from grace I’ve experienced! I loved the first book and think it’s the best book I’ve read this year. I’m very sorry, but I really didn’t like this book and the choices Lostetter made. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement!
I’m biggest issue is a certain narrative choice Lostetter made. The whole series has had multiple POVs; that’s a form of narrative I really like! However, I generally don’t enjoy new POVs in the last book but it can work if it's not a new character. Here, Lostetter has decided to have half of the freaking book being from an entirely new character’s POV - and as if that wasn’t enough, this character is situated in what’s definitely another timeline, but also feels like another world. These chapters have a clear dystopian feel and I hated every moment of it.
This book is two books in one: The actual conclusion to the series, and then a villain origin story. A villain origin story might have been interesting, expect we don’t get to follow the villain! He isn’t “introduced” until half way through the book - we also don’t get to follow the other known character who originated in this timeline. No, we follow the most irrelevant feeling character I’ve encountered in this series. I understood none of the choice Lostetter made in regards to this part of the book…
I really think our main cast of characters were directed to the backseat in what was initially their story and their fight. Such a shame…
I was also disappointed by the final showdown between our villain and heroes. I was over so quickly, and it was such a “blink and you’ll miss it” experience. And there was still 25-20 % left of the book….
I’m so incredibly sad that this awesome, exciting and original story ended like this for me.. I’ll still recommend The Helm of Midnight to everyone. But perhaps just read it was a standalone.
February 24, 2025
Warning!
This is not one book, but two. ONe of the you didin't know you needed or wanted, and you don't.
One book continues and completes the story from the first two books. The other is an origin story.
This takes up a good 40% of the Teeth of Dawn. So you have two small books or novellas.
Seems like author couldn't create a complete book, so added the backstory , or included it because she couldn't get it published, but together can publish one big book and charge more.
The backstory is very confusing for a while, you don't know who the characters are, but you have a sense you are related to the story you've been reading. very annoying
Also, so flawed. The Friend coudn't have survived the fall from the building, so a fake out tricks youi and also invalidates everything. Could have just skipped that part of the story line and nothign would be missed.
The whole back story process is just a waste of time. It fills in some of what's going on and motivations, but a huge story line wasn't needed. a few flashbacks could have accomplished it.
It kept going on way too long. I started skipping it.
The other story not all that great either. Savior is killed fairly swiftly once they get him cornered, but author still drags the story out. Really very tedious book compared to the first
Ulitmate failure of the final book was going out and exploring the wide world, when the Lutador setting was part of what make the first two books good.
Seems like a copy of Brooks and his Shanara set up.
Book end with option for future stories, if so, I will not read them
This is not one book, but two. ONe of the you didin't know you needed or wanted, and you don't.
One book continues and completes the story from the first two books. The other is an origin story.
This takes up a good 40% of the Teeth of Dawn. So you have two small books or novellas.
Seems like author couldn't create a complete book, so added the backstory , or included it because she couldn't get it published, but together can publish one big book and charge more.
The backstory is very confusing for a while, you don't know who the characters are, but you have a sense you are related to the story you've been reading. very annoying
Also, so flawed. The Friend coudn't have survived the fall from the building, so a fake out tricks youi and also invalidates everything. Could have just skipped that part of the story line and nothign would be missed.
The whole back story process is just a waste of time. It fills in some of what's going on and motivations, but a huge story line wasn't needed. a few flashbacks could have accomplished it.
It kept going on way too long. I started skipping it.
The other story not all that great either. Savior is killed fairly swiftly once they get him cornered, but author still drags the story out. Really very tedious book compared to the first
Ulitmate failure of the final book was going out and exploring the wide world, when the Lutador setting was part of what make the first two books good.
Seems like a copy of Brooks and his Shanara set up.
Book end with option for future stories, if so, I will not read them
July 23, 2025
Loved this series. The final installment leaves me wanting more, so I’m excited to read more from the author.
The world building was excellent and I loved the unique magic system and how it was integrated with technology. The overall plot had so many layers to uncover it was a very captivating read. A colorful cast of characters kept things very lively, and kept me invested in the stakes at hand. And having a queer normative world was a nice touch that makes the series stand out even more. And with so many interesting themes explored in this series it’s ripe for a re-read. Too much going on might be a fun aspect for me but an understandable weakness towards the series readability.
This final book was my least favorite and I loved the second installment the most. Loved the mystery and expanding upon the secrets of the Thalo. Found those aspects more disturbing and oddly captivating than the murder plot of the first book. The Helm of Midnight stands very strong on its own though.
The final book had an epic story to tell that fell a little flat for me. The switching of POVs was most enthralling for me in the second book because I was very engaged with each plot line and character. To be blunt I didn’t care for Hailwick as a character. I appreciate how well all the characters are integrated into the plot though. It would have been cooler to see more POVs from that time period but probably too busy at that point. I would have liked that whole time period to have been its own book actually.
The world building was excellent and I loved the unique magic system and how it was integrated with technology. The overall plot had so many layers to uncover it was a very captivating read. A colorful cast of characters kept things very lively, and kept me invested in the stakes at hand. And having a queer normative world was a nice touch that makes the series stand out even more. And with so many interesting themes explored in this series it’s ripe for a re-read. Too much going on might be a fun aspect for me but an understandable weakness towards the series readability.
This final book was my least favorite and I loved the second installment the most. Loved the mystery and expanding upon the secrets of the Thalo. Found those aspects more disturbing and oddly captivating than the murder plot of the first book. The Helm of Midnight stands very strong on its own though.
The final book had an epic story to tell that fell a little flat for me. The switching of POVs was most enthralling for me in the second book because I was very engaged with each plot line and character. To be blunt I didn’t care for Hailwick as a character. I appreciate how well all the characters are integrated into the plot though. It would have been cooler to see more POVs from that time period but probably too busy at that point. I would have liked that whole time period to have been its own book actually.
August 26, 2025
This book (and the series altogether) was a frustrating read. Lostetter insists on narrating every character thought or internal conflict immediately, leaving nothing to the reader. Constantly and heavy handedly reminding us of a character's motivations and past experiences, telling us that a character has developed before we get a chance to see it. Scenes that should be pivotal and emotional for the characters are resolved in a handful of sentences, with no space given for the conflict to develop.
The story told in book 1 had only the flimsiest ties to the Uphrasia/Radix plotline, which was an absolutely fantastic story. The depth of character development and relationships between Absolon & Co are so much more compelling and so much more well done than those between the main characters. Every time there's another chapter focusing on Krona/Thibaut, I'm reminded how good and interesting the other characters are in comparison.
Chapter 38 alone was one of the best chapters I've read in a while and genuinely confusing as a result. Where has the Marina Lostetter that wrote chapter 38 been the rest of the books? Why is this chapter compelling, impactful, beautifully written while every other chapter is " Krona misses De-Lia who died in book 1 in the midst of that whole charbon thing in case you didn't remember"
The story told in book 1 had only the flimsiest ties to the Uphrasia/Radix plotline, which was an absolutely fantastic story. The depth of character development and relationships between Absolon & Co are so much more compelling and so much more well done than those between the main characters. Every time there's another chapter focusing on Krona/Thibaut, I'm reminded how good and interesting the other characters are in comparison.
Chapter 38 alone was one of the best chapters I've read in a while and genuinely confusing as a result. Where has the Marina Lostetter that wrote chapter 38 been the rest of the books? Why is this chapter compelling, impactful, beautifully written while every other chapter is " Krona misses De-Lia who died in book 1 in the midst of that whole charbon thing in case you didn't remember"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2025
I'll start off this review by saying that I really adored the first two book in the series. Lostetter crafted fascinating villains and a really unique emotional-based magic system. However, my enjoyment for the third book, The Teeth of Dawn, was muddled by some bizarre narrative choices. I'm kind of baffled here.
First off, the beginning of the book introduces us to a futuristic version of the world and a new set of characters that feel more like they belong more in a separate spin off series than the final book. In fact, I feel like the overall cohesion and pacing of the story would’ve worked better if these POVs had been removed entirely.
Then when we actually do get back to our already established characters, apparently three years have passed since the happenings of the second book. The time skip felt jarring to me and really broke the continuity of the story.
Overall, I feel like this book suffered from a lack of focus. It's the core characters of Krona, Thibault, and Avellino that I fell in love with, so I found the future characters to be an incredible distraction from the main plotline. Sadly, this was a disappointing conclusion to the series for me.
Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Books, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First off, the beginning of the book introduces us to a futuristic version of the world and a new set of characters that feel more like they belong more in a separate spin off series than the final book. In fact, I feel like the overall cohesion and pacing of the story would’ve worked better if these POVs had been removed entirely.
Then when we actually do get back to our already established characters, apparently three years have passed since the happenings of the second book. The time skip felt jarring to me and really broke the continuity of the story.
Overall, I feel like this book suffered from a lack of focus. It's the core characters of Krona, Thibault, and Avellino that I fell in love with, so I found the future characters to be an incredible distraction from the main plotline. Sadly, this was a disappointing conclusion to the series for me.
Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Books, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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