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The Elder Tree Trilogy #3
Vanquished
Through the darkness there is light.
Queen Greer must resurface from devastating grief and prepare for war with the fae king of Invarlwen, Malcolm. Shifting through the motions of her duty, she battles growing resentment toward magic makers for destroying a piece of her heart. She sets her conflicting sights on her sister Caitriona, who struggles with her own losses, as both a danger and someone to protect.
With newfound determination and self-discovered power, Caitriona insists on finding Ailith, missing since falling into Kayl’s magical necklace. Against Greer’s wishes, Caitriona absconds through magic portals to new lands with hope of saving the woman she loves.
Beyond the mist, Ailith battles her own demons as fae are transformed into monsters forced to serve in Malcolm's growing army. Facing the threat of forced servitude, she strives to find the strength she doubted in her magicless self.
In this thrilling conclusion of The Elder Tree Trilogy, Greer, Caitriona, and Ailith fight to reach the light through the dark without it breaking them, leaving readers entwined in their story of love, sisterhood, and bravery.
Queen Greer must resurface from devastating grief and prepare for war with the fae king of Invarlwen, Malcolm. Shifting through the motions of her duty, she battles growing resentment toward magic makers for destroying a piece of her heart. She sets her conflicting sights on her sister Caitriona, who struggles with her own losses, as both a danger and someone to protect.
With newfound determination and self-discovered power, Caitriona insists on finding Ailith, missing since falling into Kayl’s magical necklace. Against Greer’s wishes, Caitriona absconds through magic portals to new lands with hope of saving the woman she loves.
Beyond the mist, Ailith battles her own demons as fae are transformed into monsters forced to serve in Malcolm's growing army. Facing the threat of forced servitude, she strives to find the strength she doubted in her magicless self.
In this thrilling conclusion of The Elder Tree Trilogy, Greer, Caitriona, and Ailith fight to reach the light through the dark without it breaking them, leaving readers entwined in their story of love, sisterhood, and bravery.
Published January 20, 2026
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154 people want to read
About the author
Erica Rose Eberhart
4 books129 followersErica Rose Eberhart is a neurodivergent, disabled writer of queer characters, dragons, girls who grow feathers, and boys who become trees. She resides in the Finger Lakes of New York with her partner and child, and has sampled landscape inspiration from her time living near mountain ranges of New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Having written stories since she could string a sentence together, she now focuses primarily on young adult and adult fantasy, as well as whimsical personal essays.
Her work has been featured in Bella Grace Magazine. TARNISHED is her debut novel.
Her work has been featured in Bella Grace Magazine. TARNISHED is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 14, 2025
This is my novel!
The last one in the trilogy. My last baby (for now). Vanquished was by far the hardest novel I had to write. It forced me to face so many attributes of writing that I am hesitant about. It also forced me to face heavier topics--mainly grief--to try and create a descriptive and heartfelt experience.
I've said from the beginning that books two and three are heavy, but that the series ends on a positive note, and that remains true. It does end on a good note. But first we have to get through the rough stuff.
I'm happy with where my girls end up in this book. I feel their story is told. And while I would love to say "I have more book ideas for them," I currently don't. Their story is complete. And so, I hope you enjoy where this book takes you.
Please note there are trigger warnings at the start of the novel and also on my website for those who seek them. <3
The last one in the trilogy. My last baby (for now). Vanquished was by far the hardest novel I had to write. It forced me to face so many attributes of writing that I am hesitant about. It also forced me to face heavier topics--mainly grief--to try and create a descriptive and heartfelt experience.
I've said from the beginning that books two and three are heavy, but that the series ends on a positive note, and that remains true. It does end on a good note. But first we have to get through the rough stuff.
I'm happy with where my girls end up in this book. I feel their story is told. And while I would love to say "I have more book ideas for them," I currently don't. Their story is complete. And so, I hope you enjoy where this book takes you.
Please note there are trigger warnings at the start of the novel and also on my website for those who seek them. <3
September 20, 2025
I read Vanquished first as a beta, and then recently again to provide a blurb. It’s a beautiful ending to an epic trilogy about three powerful women and their families, their lives, and their struggles, both internal and external. We see old characters again and meet new ones, and it’s easy to find something relatable in nearly all of them. This book explores grief, loss, selfless love, and sacrifice, coupled with the lyrical prose we’ve come to know in the authors first two books. I’ll be sad to leave our girls, but happy that they got the endings that they worked so hard for.
September 25, 2025
An epic tale of love and sacrifice, Eberhart’s lyrical storytelling comes full circle with the conclusion of The Elder Tree Trilogy. It is an ending that will pull at your heartstrings while giving your wings something to beat for.
January 21, 2026
“I’m sorry my grief frightens you.”
If this doesn’t set the tone for an excellent finale of a trilogy then I don’t know what does. I don’t know what to do and certainly wasn’t prepared to say goodbye to these characters.
The way VANQUISHED transforms what it was in TARNISHED and DIMINISHED is something that needs to be studied, bc it left a gaping hole that can’t be filled.
Grief and love is so well explored and highlighted as the leading ladies have their own version of what it looks like in the face of death, torture, and even war. Eberhart’s prose is such a feathery touch of what fantasy should feel like and I’m definitely looking forward to what she writes next!
If this doesn’t set the tone for an excellent finale of a trilogy then I don’t know what does. I don’t know what to do and certainly wasn’t prepared to say goodbye to these characters.
The way VANQUISHED transforms what it was in TARNISHED and DIMINISHED is something that needs to be studied, bc it left a gaping hole that can’t be filled.
Grief and love is so well explored and highlighted as the leading ladies have their own version of what it looks like in the face of death, torture, and even war. Eberhart’s prose is such a feathery touch of what fantasy should feel like and I’m definitely looking forward to what she writes next!
January 29, 2026
Great series finale! Vanquished was hands down my favourite book in the series, full of twists and exciting moments. Once I got halfway, I could barely put it down because I just needed to know what was going to happen! The multiple POVs added to that, as they made me even more eager to continue so I could return to the plotline that had me particularly invested in that moment (different plotlines at different points of the book had that effect).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book 3 in the Elder Tree Trilogy. What an emotional journey this trilogy has been! This book was full of grief, trauma and yet resilience and fighting. I cried so many times in the last 30% of the book but the ending was absolutely perfect.
February 17, 2026
I was honored to be an ARC reader for the thrilling conclusion to this trilogy.
What I Loved
There isn't much for me to list here that wasn't already true for the first two books, so if you've gotten this far in the trilogy, you already know what there is to love. The characters are as striking, the setting as engaging and engrossing, the action as smooth. Be prepared to swoon over Ailith and Caitrona.
As a conclusion, Vanquished hits all the marks. I wasn't left with any pressing questions or unresolved feelings. Everything that I wanted to see came to fruition. Each character's individual growth leads them to a satisfying place. It was genuinely satisfying to see Caitrona and Ailith specifically come into their most actualized selves.
Specific Reading Recommendation
Or perhaps, non-recommendation? The book (appropriately) leans heavily into grief and the way it can cause strain in relationships when unresolved. If you're experiencing your own grief or family strain, please be mindful of that when entering the book. (It's part of why I'm so late with this review, I had to keep putting it down because my own headspace wasn't in the right place for it.)
Where I Struggled
This book feels like it had less time for edits than the first two. I can't prove that, it just feels that way. There are no significant grammar problems, plot hole problems, or anything like that. But the first half of the book has a much slower flow than either of the first two books or the second half of the book. And (only in my opinion, mind you) the biggest reason for this flow is what I'm going to call "inner monologue redundancy." Like the first two books, this book switches between POVs. This book has four - Ailith, Caitrona, Greer, and the Roisin - and all four characters are of course going through a lot emotionally. I think the author maybe didn't have complete faith that we would remember or be able to track exactly where each character was at in their emotional journey, so a not insignificant amount of the prose is dedicated to the characters reflecting on their feelings. None of it is badly written, juvenile, or obtuse, but it does start to get redundant and begins to feel stagnant. There were lines of prose that did a perfectly good job of illustrating the emotions for the reader, and then the character would go further and actively explain the feeling. I just don't think that was necessary, and I think another round of edits would have weeded it down to make it feel smoother.
And I have... such conflicting feelings about the literal last thing that happens in the book. I talked over my feelings with my spouse about it, and my spouse thinks it was a beautiful ending, while I felt it was... a departure from the author's previous dedication to grounded emotional and mental health representation. Grief resolves and heals, and I think many of the characters showed that well. The resolution Greer had to her grief put a bitter taste in my mouth because it's the kind of wish-fulfillment most of us have had to put work into accepting we cannot have (but can still find happiness without). Some readers, like my husband, may find it beautiful and moving. Other readers like myself may feel differently. I think this is just one of those things that can't please every reader.
In Conclusion
It's been an amazing ride through this trilogy, and these characters live vividly in my imagination. This series is a solid addition to any fantasy reader's collection, and is a must-have for sapphic readers looking for a power couple to cheer for. All three books follow a satisfying character arc for Cait and Ailith in particular, from uncertain and wary to bold and self-assured. If you are a reader who enjoys feeling deeply, living dangerously, and loving unconditionally, this fantasy series is for you.
What I Loved
There isn't much for me to list here that wasn't already true for the first two books, so if you've gotten this far in the trilogy, you already know what there is to love. The characters are as striking, the setting as engaging and engrossing, the action as smooth. Be prepared to swoon over Ailith and Caitrona.
As a conclusion, Vanquished hits all the marks. I wasn't left with any pressing questions or unresolved feelings. Everything that I wanted to see came to fruition. Each character's individual growth leads them to a satisfying place. It was genuinely satisfying to see Caitrona and Ailith specifically come into their most actualized selves.
Specific Reading Recommendation
Or perhaps, non-recommendation? The book (appropriately) leans heavily into grief and the way it can cause strain in relationships when unresolved. If you're experiencing your own grief or family strain, please be mindful of that when entering the book. (It's part of why I'm so late with this review, I had to keep putting it down because my own headspace wasn't in the right place for it.)
Where I Struggled
This book feels like it had less time for edits than the first two. I can't prove that, it just feels that way. There are no significant grammar problems, plot hole problems, or anything like that. But the first half of the book has a much slower flow than either of the first two books or the second half of the book. And (only in my opinion, mind you) the biggest reason for this flow is what I'm going to call "inner monologue redundancy." Like the first two books, this book switches between POVs. This book has four - Ailith, Caitrona, Greer, and the Roisin - and all four characters are of course going through a lot emotionally. I think the author maybe didn't have complete faith that we would remember or be able to track exactly where each character was at in their emotional journey, so a not insignificant amount of the prose is dedicated to the characters reflecting on their feelings. None of it is badly written, juvenile, or obtuse, but it does start to get redundant and begins to feel stagnant. There were lines of prose that did a perfectly good job of illustrating the emotions for the reader, and then the character would go further and actively explain the feeling. I just don't think that was necessary, and I think another round of edits would have weeded it down to make it feel smoother.
And I have... such conflicting feelings about the literal last thing that happens in the book. I talked over my feelings with my spouse about it, and my spouse thinks it was a beautiful ending, while I felt it was... a departure from the author's previous dedication to grounded emotional and mental health representation. Grief resolves and heals, and I think many of the characters showed that well. The resolution Greer had to her grief put a bitter taste in my mouth because it's the kind of wish-fulfillment most of us have had to put work into accepting we cannot have (but can still find happiness without). Some readers, like my husband, may find it beautiful and moving. Other readers like myself may feel differently. I think this is just one of those things that can't please every reader.
In Conclusion
It's been an amazing ride through this trilogy, and these characters live vividly in my imagination. This series is a solid addition to any fantasy reader's collection, and is a must-have for sapphic readers looking for a power couple to cheer for. All three books follow a satisfying character arc for Cait and Ailith in particular, from uncertain and wary to bold and self-assured. If you are a reader who enjoys feeling deeply, living dangerously, and loving unconditionally, this fantasy series is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Vanquished is the third and final installment of The Elder Tree trilogy by Erica Rose Eberhart.
This fantastic series took my heart through a gamut of emotions. Eberhart does not shy away from realistic representations of grief and mental health challenges within the context of clear-cut good versus evil war preparation and battles. She portrays complex parent-child, sibling, romantic, and platonic relationships that develop over time and, together with personal character growth, prove central to triumph.
The writing is so well done that the fleshed-out plot, though sweeping, is easy to follow and fully engaging. The beautifully melodic prose delivers depravity balanced with profound love and sacrifice for a satisfying journey, and a bittersweet ending that feels perfectly suited. In my opinion, there is no other way it could have concluded. I was tearing up, and that is a compliment.
Filled with heroism, bravery, love, kick-@ss women, magic, dragons, and some very bad people, Vanquished sets the bar high for epic romantasies. I honestly loved it so much!
The covers and promo art for the whole trilogy are amazing!
Do yourself a favor and start this series!
#trilogy #completedseries #queernormative #romantasy #sapphic #hetero #magic #dragons #curses #war #battles #epic #rulingmonarchy #queendom #sacrifice #parentchildlove #grief #mentalhealthrep #epilogue #HEA
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
This fantastic series took my heart through a gamut of emotions. Eberhart does not shy away from realistic representations of grief and mental health challenges within the context of clear-cut good versus evil war preparation and battles. She portrays complex parent-child, sibling, romantic, and platonic relationships that develop over time and, together with personal character growth, prove central to triumph.
The writing is so well done that the fleshed-out plot, though sweeping, is easy to follow and fully engaging. The beautifully melodic prose delivers depravity balanced with profound love and sacrifice for a satisfying journey, and a bittersweet ending that feels perfectly suited. In my opinion, there is no other way it could have concluded. I was tearing up, and that is a compliment.
Filled with heroism, bravery, love, kick-@ss women, magic, dragons, and some very bad people, Vanquished sets the bar high for epic romantasies. I honestly loved it so much!
The covers and promo art for the whole trilogy are amazing!
Do yourself a favor and start this series!
#trilogy #completedseries #queernormative #romantasy #sapphic #hetero #magic #dragons #curses #war #battles #epic #rulingmonarchy #queendom #sacrifice #parentchildlove #grief #mentalhealthrep #epilogue #HEA
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
January 24, 2026
“We want freedom to be as we were born. We want freedom to love, live, and die as we desire. We refuse to allow him to take control of this land and ourselves. We refuse to allow him to decide what is right in this world. That is no one’s choice but for themselves. Together we stand for those who cannot, we lend our voices for those forced into silence, and we fight for the freedom to be ourselves. Do you agree?”
-Vanquished
This is the final installment in the elder tree trilogy, filled with love. And loss. Hope, and grief. Magic, and dragons. And overcoming our own inner demons. Fighting oppression, and tyrants. Erica gives you a sapphic high fantasy, that is fast paced. Quick witted, and full of heart. Danger is everywhere, but these characters will stop at nothing to keep their loved ones safe. Erica has built a magical world, with strong prose, and diverse characters, both villainous and heroic, she Dulce’s deep into the battles of metal health, and the power of a mother’s love. If you’re looking for a completed trilogy that will make you feel. Look no further.
I received an aARC and these are my honest opinions.
-Vanquished
This is the final installment in the elder tree trilogy, filled with love. And loss. Hope, and grief. Magic, and dragons. And overcoming our own inner demons. Fighting oppression, and tyrants. Erica gives you a sapphic high fantasy, that is fast paced. Quick witted, and full of heart. Danger is everywhere, but these characters will stop at nothing to keep their loved ones safe. Erica has built a magical world, with strong prose, and diverse characters, both villainous and heroic, she Dulce’s deep into the battles of metal health, and the power of a mother’s love. If you’re looking for a completed trilogy that will make you feel. Look no further.
I received an aARC and these are my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Vanquished by Erica Rose Eberhart was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and it certainly did not disappoint. I fell in love with these characters in Tarnished and with the dramatic ending of Diminished I was on tenterhooks to see how the author would wrap up the series. The answer to that question, if I had to sum it up in one word is beautifully, though not without some heartbreak along the way.
It is rare to find a book series with three such strong female characters that I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite, but that is exactly what we have here, each faces their own struggles but the bonds of love and friendship unite them. The breakdown of the closeness of the sisterly bond between Greer and Caitriona almost broke my heart, and I was rooting for Roisin's every attempt to help them to understand one another. The action ticks up a notch here too, with a dramatic battle sequence that had me on the edge of my seat and left me fearing the worst, but I should have had more faith because the ending of the book healed the damage that the author managed to inflict on this reader's heart. The writing is as lush and beautiful as I have come to expect and I can't imagine a more fitting ending to such a wonderful series.
I read an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
It is rare to find a book series with three such strong female characters that I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite, but that is exactly what we have here, each faces their own struggles but the bonds of love and friendship unite them. The breakdown of the closeness of the sisterly bond between Greer and Caitriona almost broke my heart, and I was rooting for Roisin's every attempt to help them to understand one another. The action ticks up a notch here too, with a dramatic battle sequence that had me on the edge of my seat and left me fearing the worst, but I should have had more faith because the ending of the book healed the damage that the author managed to inflict on this reader's heart. The writing is as lush and beautiful as I have come to expect and I can't imagine a more fitting ending to such a wonderful series.
I read an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
January 21, 2026
The third installment of Eberhart's Elder Tree trilogy is a slow burn, with much of the story centering on the characters' struggles with grief, loss, acceptance, and purpose. The choices and regrets from the previous novels—and from the pre-canon events that set these novels in motion—weigh heavy on our protagonists and antagonists alike, creating deep internal conflict that impacts their relationships, their feelings of self-worth, and their ability to move on through the harsh realties of everyday life.
This all builds to a heart-pounding conclusion that is the culmination of everything we've been wanting to see since the first book when we first set eyes the Elder Tree. There's redemption, sacrifice, self-actualization, and beautifully gut-wrenching expressions of love, with some twists along the way. Eberhart's novel is a D&D game brought to life on the page.
This all builds to a heart-pounding conclusion that is the culmination of everything we've been wanting to see since the first book when we first set eyes the Elder Tree. There's redemption, sacrifice, self-actualization, and beautifully gut-wrenching expressions of love, with some twists along the way. Eberhart's novel is a D&D game brought to life on the page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for this ARC
WHAT A FINALE TO AN INCREDIBLE SERIES!!!
This book picks up shortly after #2 ends with all the consequences and emotions associated with THAT ending. The tension is sky-high from the start and just gets higher from there. The book drags us through the pit of despair while still providing moments of lightness and a satisfying and comforting albeit bittersweet ending. This book is an homage to grief and love in a way that kept the pages turning. This final book took all the elements I loved from books one and two, cranked them up to eleven, and made its mark as a finale to remember. I'm sad this is the last one in the series, and I'm excited to follow the author into the future!
WHAT A FINALE TO AN INCREDIBLE SERIES!!!
This book picks up shortly after #2 ends with all the consequences and emotions associated with THAT ending. The tension is sky-high from the start and just gets higher from there. The book drags us through the pit of despair while still providing moments of lightness and a satisfying and comforting albeit bittersweet ending. This book is an homage to grief and love in a way that kept the pages turning. This final book took all the elements I loved from books one and two, cranked them up to eleven, and made its mark as a finale to remember. I'm sad this is the last one in the series, and I'm excited to follow the author into the future!
October 15, 2025
Vanquished presents a sweeping conclusion to an epic trilogy. Spanning a generation of women and their interpersonal dynamics, this story feasts on what it means to wade through grief, find one's courage, and unite against ferocious odds. Each detail is meticulously crafted, offering readers not only a multi-kingdom battle, but also, the transformation each woman undergoes within herself as Greer seeks peace from her grief, Catriona fights for independence, Ailith's bravery rises, and Roisin finds redemption from her past. Lush and emotional, challenging and driven, Vanquished is everything readers want from Elder Tree magic, heroism, and breathtaking insight into the human heart.
February 8, 2026
This was everything I wanted the third book in this trilogy to be! Such a good conclusion, nothing felt rushed or glossed over. The only tiny thing that bugged me was jumping from one main character to the other just when something exciting was about to happen…uuuggghhh…I definitely growled at my kindle a couple of times, lol. Other than that little minor thing, I really enjoyed this book and trilogy. It’s worth pushing through the second book to get to this one.
October 23, 2025
Vanquished is a phenomenal conclusion to the Elder Tree Trilogy. It has everything you could want to wrap up a series: heartbreak, an epic battle, magical beings, and twists that will have you gasping. I'll be thinking about this trilogy for many years to come.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This trilogy has been so amazing! This last book had me in my feels but the pay off was well worth it! The characters are written so well that I could feel the emotions they were going through.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews