What do you think?
Vallendor #2
The Cruel Dawn
Get ready for the explosive sequel to the “action-packed, electrifying fantasy” (Good Morning America) The Last One by New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall!
Audible Audio
First published August 19, 2025
About the author
Rachel Howzell Hall
36 books2,682 followersRACHEL HOWZELL HALL l is the critically acclaimed author and Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist for And Now She’s Gone, which was also nominated for the Lefty-, Barry-, Shamus- and Anthony Awards and the Audible Originals bestseller How It Ends. A New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister with James Patterson, Rachel is an Anthony-, International Thriller Writers- and Lefty Award nominee and the author of They All Fall Down, Land of Shadows, Skies of Ash, Trail of Echoes and City of Saviors in the Detective Elouise Norton series. Her next thriller, These Toxic Things, out in September 2021, recently received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, calling the novel ‘cleverly-plotted’ and ‘a refreshing take on the serial killer theme.’
Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and has been a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers Programs. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit www.rachelhowzell.com
Her next novel And Now She’s Gone will be published in September 2020. You can find her at www.rachelhowzell.com and on Twitter @RachelHowzell.
Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and has been a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers Programs. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit www.rachelhowzell.com
Her next novel And Now She’s Gone will be published in September 2020. You can find her at www.rachelhowzell.com and on Twitter @RachelHowzell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
December 28, 2025
THANK GOD THIS BOOK IS DONE. Truly one of the shittiest books I think I’ve ever read. This book singlehandedly put me in such a bad reading slump. Fear not, this was a 1 star (truly 0.5 stars) from the very beginning. This series is a duology, yet the author writes like 5 books came before this one?? Also the random moments where the author tried to make the main character, Kai, cheeky was unbelievably cringey. The plot was horrific and nothing was explained well at all? Ah yes, the name of another random creature just thrown in and *gasp* they’re randomly attacking you? But you just survived a different attack? PLEASE.
The whole plot with Zephar (her “lover” she forgot about the amnesia) was SUCH a stretch and had such a weird turn? This whole thing added zero value. Oh but don’t forget, the mega villain in all of this, Danar Rivae (yes, *one* of Jadon’s biological fathers, which that’s not well explained at all) had all that build up for TWO WHOLE PAGES AND THEN HES EASILY KILLED. It also felt like the author kept forgetting about Jadon and would just toss him in as she remembered him?
Honestly shame on Red Tower for even publishing this book. Some thoughts can just stay as thoughts or journal entries and not actually become books🤢
The whole plot with Zephar (her “lover” she forgot about the amnesia) was SUCH a stretch and had such a weird turn? This whole thing added zero value. Oh but don’t forget, the mega villain in all of this, Danar Rivae (yes, *one* of Jadon’s biological fathers, which that’s not well explained at all) had all that build up for TWO WHOLE PAGES AND THEN HES EASILY KILLED. It also felt like the author kept forgetting about Jadon and would just toss him in as she remembered him?
Honestly shame on Red Tower for even publishing this book. Some thoughts can just stay as thoughts or journal entries and not actually become books🤢
May 4, 2026
2.75 Stars!
All the problems I had with book 1 are still present in this book. I still didn't like Jadon and then she added a second love interest that was just bland.
I think my biggest problem with this book was that we barely spent anytime with the characters from book 1. We had to get to know all these new people and none of them were all that interesting.
I still dont think Rachel Howzell Hall knows who the villains are and I still miss a particular character from book 1.
No recommendation.
All the problems I had with book 1 are still present in this book. I still didn't like Jadon and then she added a second love interest that was just bland.
I think my biggest problem with this book was that we barely spent anytime with the characters from book 1. We had to get to know all these new people and none of them were all that interesting.
I still dont think Rachel Howzell Hall knows who the villains are and I still miss a particular character from book 1.
No recommendation.
August 11, 2025
The Cruel Dawn was a fantastic conclusion to this duology. I loved Kai just as much as I did in the first book, maybe even more. Her character growth here was epic, and she remains such a strong, take-no-shit, yet deeply caring FMC. I adored her.
The found family element was beautifully done, and the worldbuilding in this series is truly exceptional. With rich mythology, a unique magic system, and vividly detailed settings, the world felt alive on every page. This book really shined in how well-crafted and immersive it was.
Combine that with Kai’s outstanding character arc, and you have a Romantasy that’s truly unique and unlike anything else I’ve read. The author did an exceptional job, and I am officially a rabid fan.
If you love extensive worldbuilding, fantastic found family, and a badass heroine you can’t help but root for, I highly recommend this duology.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted ARC.
The found family element was beautifully done, and the worldbuilding in this series is truly exceptional. With rich mythology, a unique magic system, and vividly detailed settings, the world felt alive on every page. This book really shined in how well-crafted and immersive it was.
Combine that with Kai’s outstanding character arc, and you have a Romantasy that’s truly unique and unlike anything else I’ve read. The author did an exceptional job, and I am officially a rabid fan.
If you love extensive worldbuilding, fantastic found family, and a badass heroine you can’t help but root for, I highly recommend this duology.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted ARC.
August 30, 2025
I REALLY wanted to enjoy this book. I liked the first one enough to finish and buy the second one the day it was released but the writing and story just did not do it for me.
It was jumpy, overly descriptive to the point of confusion and felt like too much filler words taking away from the plot. I was constantly pausing to rack my brain whether I should know this name or that city and why it’s important but I found a lot of those details weren’t super important in the end.
I almost DNFed it. I’ve never DNFed a book before. I powered through, because mama didn’t raise no quitter, but I also was so miserable I felt inclined to write a review to save more than just my book club friends from this experience.
I’m sorry Rachel.
It was jumpy, overly descriptive to the point of confusion and felt like too much filler words taking away from the plot. I was constantly pausing to rack my brain whether I should know this name or that city and why it’s important but I found a lot of those details weren’t super important in the end.
I almost DNFed it. I’ve never DNFed a book before. I powered through, because mama didn’t raise no quitter, but I also was so miserable I felt inclined to write a review to save more than just my book club friends from this experience.
I’m sorry Rachel.
June 27, 2026
„The Cruel Dawn“ von Rachel Howzell Hall ist der Abschluss der Schicksalsberührt-Dilogie. Eine Romantasy für junge Erwachsene ab 16 Jahren.
Was habe ich hier bitte gelesen? Ich habe keine Ahnung, was da jetzt genau passiert ist.
Kai hat ihr Gedächtnis zurück und wir Leser sitzen auf dem Trockenen. Hier ein unbekanntes Monster, da ein unbekanntes Monster, fremde Götter spawnen überall und nichts und niemand erklärt.
Vermutlich wollte Howzell Hall hier eine Analogie über das Leben und den Tod schreiben, deshalb ist Kaivara hier eine sehr wütende Mutter Erde Figur und Jadon der wandelnde Tod. Oder so.
Ich übertreibe nicht, wenn ich sage, dass ich nicht verstanden habe, was hier passiert. Davon ab, dass die Erzählung schon total wild und zusammenhangslos war, habe ich auch noch das englische Hörbuch gehört, weil ich nicht zusätzlich Geld ausgeben wollte. Englische Hörbücher sind meist kein Problem, aber vielleicht hätte ich bei dem Deutschen nicht ganz so dissoziiert bei all den unbekannten Namen und Begriffen, die nicht mal mehr erklärt wurden.
Dann hüpft das Narrativ von Szene zu Szene. Hier ein Kampf gegen Monster, dann ein feuchter Tagtraum, aus dem sie an einem gänzlich neuen Ort erwacht. Es wird viel geschrien, zerstört und gemordet, während darüber gestritten wird, dass sie Vallendor doch liebt und retten will.
Ihr wird bestimmt drölf Mal gesagt, dass sie alle Chancen verspielt hat und nun ins Götternirvana geschickt wird, aber dann landet sie doch immer wieder in Vallendor und kriegt ihre 100. Chance. Jeder Gott, der überhaupt vorgestellt wird, rühmt sich mit all den Reichen, die er oder sie zerstört haben – wieso wird also Kai für ihre Zerstörungswut so verurteilt?
Für mich macht das alles von vorne bis hinten keinen Sinn, aber ab einem gewissen Punkt lief das Hörbuch auch nur noch nebenher und ich wartete darauf, dass es vorbei ist, okay? Ich hoffe, andere haben eine bessere Leseerfahrung mit diesem Band. 1 Stern.
Was habe ich hier bitte gelesen? Ich habe keine Ahnung, was da jetzt genau passiert ist.
Kai hat ihr Gedächtnis zurück und wir Leser sitzen auf dem Trockenen. Hier ein unbekanntes Monster, da ein unbekanntes Monster, fremde Götter spawnen überall und nichts und niemand erklärt.
Vermutlich wollte Howzell Hall hier eine Analogie über das Leben und den Tod schreiben, deshalb ist Kaivara hier eine sehr wütende Mutter Erde Figur und Jadon der wandelnde Tod. Oder so.
Ich übertreibe nicht, wenn ich sage, dass ich nicht verstanden habe, was hier passiert. Davon ab, dass die Erzählung schon total wild und zusammenhangslos war, habe ich auch noch das englische Hörbuch gehört, weil ich nicht zusätzlich Geld ausgeben wollte. Englische Hörbücher sind meist kein Problem, aber vielleicht hätte ich bei dem Deutschen nicht ganz so dissoziiert bei all den unbekannten Namen und Begriffen, die nicht mal mehr erklärt wurden.
Dann hüpft das Narrativ von Szene zu Szene. Hier ein Kampf gegen Monster, dann ein feuchter Tagtraum, aus dem sie an einem gänzlich neuen Ort erwacht. Es wird viel geschrien, zerstört und gemordet, während darüber gestritten wird, dass sie Vallendor doch liebt und retten will.
Ihr wird bestimmt drölf Mal gesagt, dass sie alle Chancen verspielt hat und nun ins Götternirvana geschickt wird, aber dann landet sie doch immer wieder in Vallendor und kriegt ihre 100. Chance. Jeder Gott, der überhaupt vorgestellt wird, rühmt sich mit all den Reichen, die er oder sie zerstört haben – wieso wird also Kai für ihre Zerstörungswut so verurteilt?
Für mich macht das alles von vorne bis hinten keinen Sinn, aber ab einem gewissen Punkt lief das Hörbuch auch nur noch nebenher und ich wartete darauf, dass es vorbei ist, okay? Ich hoffe, andere haben eine bessere Leseerfahrung mit diesem Band. 1 Stern.
June 27, 2026
„The Cruel Dawn“ von Rachel Howzell Hall ist der Abschluss der Schicksalsberührt-Dilogie. Eine Romantasy für junge Erwachsene ab 16 Jahren.
Was habe ich hier bitte gelesen? Ich habe keine Ahnung, was da jetzt genau passiert ist.
Kai hat ihr Gedächtnis zurück und wir Leser sitzen auf dem Trockenen. Hier ein unbekanntes Monster, da ein unbekanntes Monster, fremde Götter spawnen überall und nichts und niemand erklärt.
Vermutlich wollte Howzell Hall hier eine Analogie über das Leben und den Tod schreiben, deshalb ist Kaivara hier eine sehr wütende Mutter Erde Figur und Jadon der wandelnde Tod. Oder so.
Ich übertreibe nicht, wenn ich sage, dass ich nicht verstanden habe, was hier passiert. Davon ab, dass die Erzählung schon total wild und zusammenhangslos war, habe ich auch noch das englische Hörbuch gehört, weil ich nicht zusätzlich Geld ausgeben wollte. Englische Hörbücher sind meist kein Problem, aber vielleicht hätte ich bei dem Deutschen nicht ganz so dissoziiert bei all den unbekannten Namen und Begriffen, die nicht mal mehr erklärt wurden.
Dann hüpft das Narrativ von Szene zu Szene. Hier ein Kampf gegen Monster, dann ein feuchter Tagtraum, aus dem sie an einem gänzlich neuen Ort erwacht. Es wird viel geschrien, zerstört und gemordet, während darüber gestritten wird, dass sie Vallendor doch liebt und retten will.
Ihr wird bestimmt drölf Mal gesagt, dass sie alle Chancen verspielt hat und nun ins Götternirvana geschickt wird, aber dann landet sie doch immer wieder in Vallendor und kriegt ihre 100. Chance. Jeder Gott, der überhaupt vorgestellt wird, rühmt sich mit all den Reichen, die er oder sie zerstört haben – wieso wird also Kai für ihre Zerstörungswut so verurteilt?
Für mich macht das alles von vorne bis hinten keinen Sinn, aber ab einem gewissen Punkt lief das Hörbuch auch nur noch nebenher und ich wartete darauf, dass es vorbei ist, okay? Ich hoffe, andere haben eine bessere Leseerfahrung mit diesem Band. 1 Stern.
Was habe ich hier bitte gelesen? Ich habe keine Ahnung, was da jetzt genau passiert ist.
Kai hat ihr Gedächtnis zurück und wir Leser sitzen auf dem Trockenen. Hier ein unbekanntes Monster, da ein unbekanntes Monster, fremde Götter spawnen überall und nichts und niemand erklärt.
Vermutlich wollte Howzell Hall hier eine Analogie über das Leben und den Tod schreiben, deshalb ist Kaivara hier eine sehr wütende Mutter Erde Figur und Jadon der wandelnde Tod. Oder so.
Ich übertreibe nicht, wenn ich sage, dass ich nicht verstanden habe, was hier passiert. Davon ab, dass die Erzählung schon total wild und zusammenhangslos war, habe ich auch noch das englische Hörbuch gehört, weil ich nicht zusätzlich Geld ausgeben wollte. Englische Hörbücher sind meist kein Problem, aber vielleicht hätte ich bei dem Deutschen nicht ganz so dissoziiert bei all den unbekannten Namen und Begriffen, die nicht mal mehr erklärt wurden.
Dann hüpft das Narrativ von Szene zu Szene. Hier ein Kampf gegen Monster, dann ein feuchter Tagtraum, aus dem sie an einem gänzlich neuen Ort erwacht. Es wird viel geschrien, zerstört und gemordet, während darüber gestritten wird, dass sie Vallendor doch liebt und retten will.
Ihr wird bestimmt drölf Mal gesagt, dass sie alle Chancen verspielt hat und nun ins Götternirvana geschickt wird, aber dann landet sie doch immer wieder in Vallendor und kriegt ihre 100. Chance. Jeder Gott, der überhaupt vorgestellt wird, rühmt sich mit all den Reichen, die er oder sie zerstört haben – wieso wird also Kai für ihre Zerstörungswut so verurteilt?
Für mich macht das alles von vorne bis hinten keinen Sinn, aber ab einem gewissen Punkt lief das Hörbuch auch nur noch nebenher und ich wartete darauf, dass es vorbei ist, okay? Ich hoffe, andere haben eine bessere Leseerfahrung mit diesem Band. 1 Stern.
August 16, 2025
The Cruel Dawn is an action-packed and suspenseful read that picks up right where The Last One left off. The story throws you right into Vallendor’s chaos and violence, where Kaivara, once the Grand Defender, is grappling with betrayals, exile, as well as the frustrations of having fractured memories. The realm she left behind is in even worse shape now, with monsters roaming freely and a traitorous god on the rise.
Kai’s character growth was one of my favorite parts of the story. She is still fierce, stubborn, and willing to fight for what she believes in, but she’s also defeated and frustrated and conflicted. In this book, Kai knows way more about herself, and I like that we get to see her softer side as she rebuilds trust, strengthens her relationships, and tries to find the truth amidst all the lies and deception.
The romance with Jadon was riddled with complications and complex feelings, made all the more intense because of the dangerous and deadly situations they’re constantly thrust into. Lies, betrayal, captivity, and so much more seem like insurmountable obstacles that will always stand between them, and it’s interesting to see how they work through and face everything. There’s also a bit of a love triangle, which definitely complicates things and makes Kai’s choices even more complex and confusing. I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of love triangles, but this one had a really satisfying resolution.
The world-building is more expansive than the first book, with new creatures, politics, and hidden truths that are slowly revealed, and the plot is gripping. Kai is so determined to save her world and right some wrongs, and it's an action-packed and intense journey.
Kai’s character growth was one of my favorite parts of the story. She is still fierce, stubborn, and willing to fight for what she believes in, but she’s also defeated and frustrated and conflicted. In this book, Kai knows way more about herself, and I like that we get to see her softer side as she rebuilds trust, strengthens her relationships, and tries to find the truth amidst all the lies and deception.
The romance with Jadon was riddled with complications and complex feelings, made all the more intense because of the dangerous and deadly situations they’re constantly thrust into. Lies, betrayal, captivity, and so much more seem like insurmountable obstacles that will always stand between them, and it’s interesting to see how they work through and face everything. There’s also a bit of a love triangle, which definitely complicates things and makes Kai’s choices even more complex and confusing. I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of love triangles, but this one had a really satisfying resolution.
The world-building is more expansive than the first book, with new creatures, politics, and hidden truths that are slowly revealed, and the plot is gripping. Kai is so determined to save her world and right some wrongs, and it's an action-packed and intense journey.
September 27, 2026
* You need to read the first book in this duology first.
Kaivara used to be the beloved Grand Defender of Vallendor, also known as the Lady of the Verdant realm. However, betrayal, exile and punishment left her diminished and now her new lover turned out to be the son of her two biggest enemies and the one who is covering her world in disease and rot. Now Kaivara has to confront herself with her biggest mistake and make the ultimate choice, will she choose to save her realm or will she continue to fracture?
Pro's:
+ The concept of this story is just as great and powerful as the first book. The combination of a fallen goddess reclaiming her power, the monster slaying and the massive amount of world-building, this could have been a 5 book series easily.
Con's:
- Just like the previous book, the writing of this book is just atrocious. The storytelling itself is very chaotic and the story jumps from scene to scene and there are a lot of contradictions throughout the entire story.
- I don't know what the romance/ love triangle is supposed to be, but it was one of the saddest things I have ever read. Especially with the ending to this story, how did that happen? I don't understand and I think I don't want to either.
This was a mess and I had a hard time reading through this entire book. Don't get me wrong, that makes me incredibly sad. The concept of this story is great, between the characters and the world-building and the monsters there is so much to discover and love about this world. Unfortunately, that is all ruined by the chaotic writing, the bad romance(s) and all the contradictions throughout the entire book. There is too much attention to useless details and at times the pacing is so fast that you just loose where you are in the story. I could excuse the first book, but this book is worse and therefore I think this is just not it. What a shame :(
Kaivara used to be the beloved Grand Defender of Vallendor, also known as the Lady of the Verdant realm. However, betrayal, exile and punishment left her diminished and now her new lover turned out to be the son of her two biggest enemies and the one who is covering her world in disease and rot. Now Kaivara has to confront herself with her biggest mistake and make the ultimate choice, will she choose to save her realm or will she continue to fracture?
Pro's:
+ The concept of this story is just as great and powerful as the first book. The combination of a fallen goddess reclaiming her power, the monster slaying and the massive amount of world-building, this could have been a 5 book series easily.
Con's:
- Just like the previous book, the writing of this book is just atrocious. The storytelling itself is very chaotic and the story jumps from scene to scene and there are a lot of contradictions throughout the entire story.
- I don't know what the romance/ love triangle is supposed to be, but it was one of the saddest things I have ever read. Especially with the ending to this story, how did that happen? I don't understand and I think I don't want to either.
This was a mess and I had a hard time reading through this entire book. Don't get me wrong, that makes me incredibly sad. The concept of this story is great, between the characters and the world-building and the monsters there is so much to discover and love about this world. Unfortunately, that is all ruined by the chaotic writing, the bad romance(s) and all the contradictions throughout the entire book. There is too much attention to useless details and at times the pacing is so fast that you just loose where you are in the story. I could excuse the first book, but this book is worse and therefore I think this is just not it. What a shame :(
July 18, 2025
4.5 stars
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of The Cruel Dawn by Rachel Howzell Hall. This sequel delivers exactly what I was hoping for and more.
Picking up right where The Last One ended, this story continues Kaivara’s journey with real momentum. Her growth as a character is so satisfying to watch unfold. She’s wiser, stronger, and more emotionally complex in this second installment. The layers of hidden truths, family tension, shifting alliances, and personal revelations make for an immersive read.
The relationships in this book are some of my favorite aspects. Kai’s dynamic with Zephar, Jadon, Elyn, and her father Izariel deepen in meaningful ways. The world of Vallendor continues to shine, with sharp worldbuilding and mythic undertones that make this series stand out from other romantasy titles.
And Shari the wolf? Instantly iconic.
If you loved The Last One, The Cruel Dawn is a must-read. It is a story about power, legacy, redemption, and the slow burn of finding your place in a fractured world.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of The Cruel Dawn by Rachel Howzell Hall. This sequel delivers exactly what I was hoping for and more.
Picking up right where The Last One ended, this story continues Kaivara’s journey with real momentum. Her growth as a character is so satisfying to watch unfold. She’s wiser, stronger, and more emotionally complex in this second installment. The layers of hidden truths, family tension, shifting alliances, and personal revelations make for an immersive read.
The relationships in this book are some of my favorite aspects. Kai’s dynamic with Zephar, Jadon, Elyn, and her father Izariel deepen in meaningful ways. The world of Vallendor continues to shine, with sharp worldbuilding and mythic undertones that make this series stand out from other romantasy titles.
And Shari the wolf? Instantly iconic.
If you loved The Last One, The Cruel Dawn is a must-read. It is a story about power, legacy, redemption, and the slow burn of finding your place in a fractured world.
September 18, 2026
2.5 / 5 Stars — A Disappointing Sequel to a Promising Start…
After how much I enjoyed the first book, I was really excited to dive into this one, but it unfortunately fell short of expectations. The elements that made Book 1 work so well just… was not happening in book 2.
What didn't work for me:
Pacing & Plot Slump: The pacing dragged significantly throughout most of the story. The plot felt stagnant for long stretches, and I found myself almost DNFing it at a few points. The narrative only truly picked up momentum once Jaydon returned.
Lost Potential: The depth of characters and potential built up in the first installment seemed to fade here, making it hard to stay fully invested in where the story was going.
Final Thoughts:
There were still a few good elements scattered throughout, but compared to the first book, it was a letdown. It ultimately wasn't for me, though I can see why it might still appeal to readers.
After how much I enjoyed the first book, I was really excited to dive into this one, but it unfortunately fell short of expectations. The elements that made Book 1 work so well just… was not happening in book 2.
What didn't work for me:
Pacing & Plot Slump: The pacing dragged significantly throughout most of the story. The plot felt stagnant for long stretches, and I found myself almost DNFing it at a few points. The narrative only truly picked up momentum once Jaydon returned.
Lost Potential: The depth of characters and potential built up in the first installment seemed to fade here, making it hard to stay fully invested in where the story was going.
Final Thoughts:
There were still a few good elements scattered throughout, but compared to the first book, it was a letdown. It ultimately wasn't for me, though I can see why it might still appeal to readers.
September 13, 2025
I thought this was a really great conclusion! It was super action packed and very satisfying!
I loved the FMC Kai’s journey through out both books and I think you get a really great character arc especially in this book. She is one of my favorite FMCs that I have read recently and I love that we get to see more complicated layers from her this time. The world building in this second book was even better and I felt so immersed in what was happening!
There is romance, monsters, edge of your seat action, amazing found family and great wild building! Also a bit of a love triangle and I may be in the minority but I love a good well written triangle especially when it’s a nice balance of plot to romance! For sure recommend this duology!
Thank you to Booksparks for the copy!
I loved the FMC Kai’s journey through out both books and I think you get a really great character arc especially in this book. She is one of my favorite FMCs that I have read recently and I love that we get to see more complicated layers from her this time. The world building in this second book was even better and I felt so immersed in what was happening!
There is romance, monsters, edge of your seat action, amazing found family and great wild building! Also a bit of a love triangle and I may be in the minority but I love a good well written triangle especially when it’s a nice balance of plot to romance! For sure recommend this duology!
Thank you to Booksparks for the copy!
August 31, 2025
If the first book swept me into Vallendor’s myth-soaked world, this sequel buried me, and I loved every second of it. The writing is just as sharp, the stakes even higher, and Kai remains one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve ever followed. Her fall from grace and slow, brutal climb back toward power is rendered with aching precision. She’s so messy and I love it. The worldbuilding deepens in this book in delightul way.
I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Thank you so much to @BookSparks @RhowzellHall for this amazing book. All thoughts are my own.
I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Thank you so much to @BookSparks @RhowzellHall for this amazing book. All thoughts are my own.
August 20, 2025
3.5⭐️
I received an ARC (thank you Entangled Publishing!) and I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts are my own.
I read this book immediately after finishing The Last One and yet I was still confused going into it. I felt like there was a lot of off-page action/events referenced in this book that felt like they should have been in book 1 but weren’t.
The writing was good and the story was intriguing. Like with book 1, I loved the unique creatures and storyline. There were definitely plenty of twists and turns to keep my attention.
I loved the FMC’s determination and grit. She kept going no matter what, even if she was injured or exhausted.
I received an ARC (thank you Entangled Publishing!) and I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts are my own.
I read this book immediately after finishing The Last One and yet I was still confused going into it. I felt like there was a lot of off-page action/events referenced in this book that felt like they should have been in book 1 but weren’t.
The writing was good and the story was intriguing. Like with book 1, I loved the unique creatures and storyline. There were definitely plenty of twists and turns to keep my attention.
I loved the FMC’s determination and grit. She kept going no matter what, even if she was injured or exhausted.
January 1, 2026
Does mattering even matter when the world is about to end?
So? Did you bring the heat like I asked you to last time? You know, in my review for The Last One? No?
Feathers.
Well my featherless friends, another day has gone by, and another RT series has met its end. The Cruel Dawn, RT's neglected publication, was released with little to no (extreme emphasis on the "no") fanfare, only to be left to rot amongst their forgotten lineup of the past (Star Bringer anyone? Heaven Breaker? Skies, I would list Bloodguard, but at least that one rode on the false potential of being a single POV for a MMC). Do I feel bad that the Vallendor duology barely received a single grain of attention out of RT's overflowing silo of advertising and "hype-building" work for their cash cow series? Well... no, I do not particularly give a care. But I do find it darkly amusing the way in which they pick which horribly-written series to inorganically shove into the online book sphere over others. From where I perch, it feels almost arbitrary.
But I digress.
Admittedly, I have not much to say about this duology— and even less so for this entry in particular. It honestly felt as though it were happening to me, rather than my birdbrain actually experiencing any point of it. The characters were still flat, the dialogue was still childish and grating, and the overall writing was still just as choppy as it was in The Last One. Honestly, despite this having more interesting plot beats than the first (I am sure you noticed I graciously awarded this entry with two raven feathers rather than one), it still carried the same issues as the first.
For Example:
1.
2. Another reason I opted for the second feather is, shockingly, Kai. Look, I do not have any measurable interest in this character as it stands, though I can still appreciate that she had a more active role in her own story than I felt she did in book one. And while this may be because she has her memories back in The Cruel Dawn, I personally believe it was because the plot challenged her more. That is not to say there was no plot convenience in her favor, or that she was not ridiculously overpowered out of proportion, but I did feel there was enough of a challenge for more of her personality to show. I appreciated how her renewed friendship with Elyn developed, and often found myself caring more about that relationship than that with her and
Note: the most specific example I can give for plot convenience in her favor is the following since I read this so long ago and my notes are more limited than I usually make them. But I am sure if I were to reread this nonsense (I would rather peck off my own talons) I could find more suitable examples. We are unfortunately working with a birdbrain clogged with all the other RT books I have been trying to catch up on as of late. But anyhow, here:
*Kai always remembers important information the moment she, and the plot, needs it. It was a reoccurring issue in the first, and it is a reoccurring, yet admittedly less so, issue in the second. While her memories of who she is and what she did are back in that head of hers, information still needs to be dumped onto the reader, and moments such as the one on page 16 when Kai immediately remembers everything about Gasho, is a prime example of the author only knowing how to deliver that information via internal exposition. *Croak* Such a tired way to write.
3. Since, as I essentially already mentioned, I feel nothing but apathy for this book, I am just going to cover the remaining miscellaneous parts that vexed me and rest my poor keyboard for the night. After all, this book is simply another notch in my tree branch that I doubt I will think of again.
a. We started page one with Kai telling us how she has no time to debate her feelings with Cabbage (yes I am just sticking with it) yet proceeds to whine and complain about that exact topic in the most heavy-handed and childish way.Really, I should have known that was a bad sign. (1)
b. Kai randomly predicts some boy she meets will grow up to be a rapist. Now I really do not think I should have to explain why this is problematic and an overall awful moment, but I will at least point out for the skeptics that it is incredibly odd to condem someone—and a child no less—for a crime they have yet to commit. And, yes, yes I know that is part of Kai's abilities as a goddess, I just do not care. The entire moment did not need to exist. I also find it problematic as it almost perpetuates the idea that men in particular are predisposed to raping someone simply because they were born that way. This is incorrect and is often used as a justification for rape as it is "simply in their biology." But aside from all that I am extremely sick of every RT book (and apparently romantasy in general as I have been seeing), use rape and SA as the only way to show a male character is bad. It is lazy, overdone, and does nothing but weaken the seriousness of these crimes by converting them into cartoonish plot beats. But I digress...again. (163)
c. Zephar was an unnecessary addition to create tension. I can promise it did not improve this book in the slightest and only worked to add yet another character I genuinely could not care less about.
d. These inconsistencies:
*Cabbage looks down at his hand despite wearing a straightjacket (229)
*On page 315 it says that the tattoo on Cabbage has reached his shoulder, yet on 317 it says it is starting to reach his shoulder
*The canyon being so tight they have to walk sideways, yet the giant wolf can walk through it with no issues whatsoever
RT Repetitiveness Checklist (those that appeared in bold):
*Ambiguously tan love interest
*Small FMC
*Overpowered FMC
*Edgy love interest that is at home in the darkness
*Heavy-handed messaging
*Oral scene before missionary scene
*MMC that is considered hot for the bare minimum, i.e., basic feminist takes/actions
*Harassment against FMC by a man that is thwarted by MMC
*Repetitive descriptions about how large the love interest is (in all meanings of the word)
*The best sex to have ever sexed
*FMC uses/loves strictly daggers to defend herself
*Inorganically injected tropes
*MMC with muscles on top of muscles
*Supposedly. Impactful. Phrases. Interrupted. With. Periods
*Female character with unnecessary SA-related backstory
*Misunderstanding trope after "going all the way"
Aaaaand the newest addition to the list :
*snarky FMC(yes, I truly do not understand how I forgot this one when I first created the list. It is so obvious to me now considering almost every RT FMC is like this. It's terribly grating.)
Total score on the Updated Red Tower repetitiveness scale: 9/17
*Croak* Not a bad score for the RT scale...
Anyway, the book ended with a mediocre fight scene blah, blah, blah. This deserves no more than two feathers out of five, though even now I wonder if I am being too generous. Ah well, mattering does not matter when it comes to my occasional generosity (I am a raven after all).
Until my next tortuous RT review session,
-V.W.
P.S. I truly hope you understood the reason why I placed that horrendous quote at the top of my review. I could not bear to know that my darling featherless readers thought I, the superior raven of literary arts (yes I bestowed such a nonexistent and untrue title upon myself, fly away if it so bothers you), would think that is a hard-hitting and impactful quote. *Croak* If not, I suppose my reputation is ruined.
P.P.S. Please, I beg of you, bring the heat at some point dearest, the literary world is waiting.
August 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the gifted e-Arc in return for my honest review.
I gave this one 3.5 stars. (Rounded up to 4 for posting.)
The strength of this book was in the world-building. If world-building hits your spot, this is definitely your book. There were thousands of realms, a singular main creator, as well as multiple gods, warriors, and different levels of healers. Then came the creatures. The ones we knew, and the ones that were created for different purposes throughout the book. Which meant we were discovering new species at the same time as the characters in the book. Truly this was a masterclass in world-building, and it continued throughout the story. That was probably my favorite part of this duology. I never knew what they were about to discover.
This is book two, so if you have not read book one, stop right now.
You were warned!
Kai, our FMC, is no longer as clueless as she was in book one. She has even reunited with some new people, who were her old friends and compatriots. And things get interesting. As a reader, you learn more about her past and the reasons she was in so much trouble before. There is also tremendous growth for her as the pages turn. Her transformation was legitimately epic. Additionally, we are also reintroduced to the MMC from book one and more... ;) (No spoilers lol)
What kept me reading though, was the found-family aspect. The plot includes the rebuilding of friendships, and the securing of new ones to create the formidable force essential to changing their world. That was some good reading, with people facing hard truths, which they absolutely needed.
There were a lot of moving parts, but I must say the prose was excellent. Even though this was a thick book, reading it went fairly quickly once I sat down and engaged.
Honestly though, personally I could not connect with the FMC. I also felt weird reading the romance parts. And that is for sure just a me thing. But those two aspects lowered my star rating. I can say truthfully The Cruel Dawn has all the makings of a splendid book; I just do not think it was my kind of book.
But... it might be yours, so try it out and see.
I gave this one 3.5 stars. (Rounded up to 4 for posting.)
The strength of this book was in the world-building. If world-building hits your spot, this is definitely your book. There were thousands of realms, a singular main creator, as well as multiple gods, warriors, and different levels of healers. Then came the creatures. The ones we knew, and the ones that were created for different purposes throughout the book. Which meant we were discovering new species at the same time as the characters in the book. Truly this was a masterclass in world-building, and it continued throughout the story. That was probably my favorite part of this duology. I never knew what they were about to discover.
This is book two, so if you have not read book one, stop right now.
You were warned!
Kai, our FMC, is no longer as clueless as she was in book one. She has even reunited with some new people, who were her old friends and compatriots. And things get interesting. As a reader, you learn more about her past and the reasons she was in so much trouble before. There is also tremendous growth for her as the pages turn. Her transformation was legitimately epic. Additionally, we are also reintroduced to the MMC from book one and more... ;) (No spoilers lol)
What kept me reading though, was the found-family aspect. The plot includes the rebuilding of friendships, and the securing of new ones to create the formidable force essential to changing their world. That was some good reading, with people facing hard truths, which they absolutely needed.
There were a lot of moving parts, but I must say the prose was excellent. Even though this was a thick book, reading it went fairly quickly once I sat down and engaged.
Honestly though, personally I could not connect with the FMC. I also felt weird reading the romance parts. And that is for sure just a me thing. But those two aspects lowered my star rating. I can say truthfully The Cruel Dawn has all the makings of a splendid book; I just do not think it was my kind of book.
But... it might be yours, so try it out and see.
July 12, 2025
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the E-ARC, I truly enjoyed reading more about Kai!!
The Cruel Dawn picks up right where The Last One ended. Kaivara has really good character development and growth in book two which she definitely needed! There was hidden truths, battles, forgiveness, redemption, and I was obsessed with Shari the wolf. Kai’s relationships with Zephar, Elyn, Jadon and even her own father Izariel were constantly evolving and it was refreshing not to have turmoil with a fast HEA occur immediately. Each character was so different and their roles in the world of Vallendor and other realms is intricate and fascinating! If you’re looking for something different than all the other Romantasy books being released currently I highly recommend you get The Last One and The Cruel Dawn.
*All the sword and dagger names are phenomenal by the way*
The Cruel Dawn picks up right where The Last One ended. Kaivara has really good character development and growth in book two which she definitely needed! There was hidden truths, battles, forgiveness, redemption, and I was obsessed with Shari the wolf. Kai’s relationships with Zephar, Elyn, Jadon and even her own father Izariel were constantly evolving and it was refreshing not to have turmoil with a fast HEA occur immediately. Each character was so different and their roles in the world of Vallendor and other realms is intricate and fascinating! If you’re looking for something different than all the other Romantasy books being released currently I highly recommend you get The Last One and The Cruel Dawn.
*All the sword and dagger names are phenomenal by the way*
September 1, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
My favorite element of The Cruel Dawn has to be the character growth. The Cruel Dawn throws us in headfirst from The Last One. While it took me a bit to find my footing, Kai has been through it. She's been betrayed, her world has been turned upside down, and she's now thrown back into this environment and being asked, "are you the same? And that's what I loved. I loved that we are able to figure out is Kai different? Has The Last One changed who Kai is, what she feels, and what she will do now? Are we always doomed to repeat our own mistakes? This was a late game theme in the first one and a constant theme in this one.
My favorite element of The Cruel Dawn has to be the character growth. The Cruel Dawn throws us in headfirst from The Last One. While it took me a bit to find my footing, Kai has been through it. She's been betrayed, her world has been turned upside down, and she's now thrown back into this environment and being asked, "are you the same? And that's what I loved. I loved that we are able to figure out is Kai different? Has The Last One changed who Kai is, what she feels, and what she will do now? Are we always doomed to repeat our own mistakes? This was a late game theme in the first one and a constant theme in this one.
August 3, 2025
Thank you to Entangled and Red Tower for entrusting me with an early copy!
Monsters and gods, plots and secrets, betrayal, redemption
Kai has learned much about who she is and what she has done in her past. When she wakes up at the beginning of book 2 she has her memories back and then promptly runs into her previous love. Now she must decide the way forward despite varying opinions of those around her. Choices seem impossible and betrayals keep her guessing at who she can trust.
I did enjoy this book more than book 1. Kai is growing and despite her past, she wants to do the right thing for her people. I also did enjoy Jadon more in this book. He and Kai had major barriers in the way and things seemed quite dire for a bit but I enjoyed the way things wrapped up.
Monsters and gods, plots and secrets, betrayal, redemption
Kai has learned much about who she is and what she has done in her past. When she wakes up at the beginning of book 2 she has her memories back and then promptly runs into her previous love. Now she must decide the way forward despite varying opinions of those around her. Choices seem impossible and betrayals keep her guessing at who she can trust.
I did enjoy this book more than book 1. Kai is growing and despite her past, she wants to do the right thing for her people. I also did enjoy Jadon more in this book. He and Kai had major barriers in the way and things seemed quite dire for a bit but I enjoyed the way things wrapped up.
March 20, 2026
This book/duology is a good one! This second book takes a turn from the first of the series, and is more intense and action packed. There is also more detail and problem solving in this which I appreciated. Some things are a little too on the nose for me, and I’m not the biggest fan of “thinking out loud” for main characters, so that’s why I wouldn’t give this a five star review. For example, I don’t need to know that the man character goes “ugh” every chapter hahaha. Definitely would still recommend this if you are a fantasy reader!
November 7, 2025
Honestly.. meh. Overall, I don’t enjoy her writing style, I felt things were very poorly described or explained, it jumped all over the place and was hard to follow and the ending was just… not good?
I don’t know. Not a fan. Might be someone else’s cup of tea but just not mine. Too many unanswered questions and not enough storyline to make you forget why things are missing.
I don’t know. Not a fan. Might be someone else’s cup of tea but just not mine. Too many unanswered questions and not enough storyline to make you forget why things are missing.
February 1, 2026
WOOF.
The first one was fun, this one physically hurt to finish- I had to swap back and forth between the library book and the audiobook just to stay motivated. I would never pick this up again if you paid me physical money.
The first one was fun, this one physically hurt to finish- I had to swap back and forth between the library book and the audiobook just to stay motivated. I would never pick this up again if you paid me physical money.
August 5, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Full review to come closer to release date but I enjoyed this. Great follow up to the first book!
Thank you to the publisher and Booksparks for the opportunity to read and review.
Full review to come closer to release date but I enjoyed this. Great follow up to the first book!
Thank you to the publisher and Booksparks for the opportunity to read and review.
December 30, 2025
The plot was there but the writing was meh..
I did enjoy it but it's not the top of my list of " Must Reads"
I did enjoy it but it's not the top of my list of " Must Reads"
February 11, 2026
The ending saved this book for me! I highly recommend this duology!
November 22, 2025
The Cruel Dawn
Rachel Howzell Hall
Sequel to The Last One
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 1/5
"Everyone wants to rule the realm. But no one wants to first rule themselves. That fear you speak of, and your ability to accept it, is how you come closer."
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: Kai has finally returned to her home, and must now face a series of difficult decisions to save the people of Vallendor from destruction and restore her powers.
What's incredible about this rating is that this book was obviously, significantly better than the first book in the series and is STILL rated so poorly. I hate that I dislike this series because I like Kai. She is an interesting heroine who deserves to have a well-written story and character arc. But she has neither of the things. Instead, the nicest thing I can say about this plot is that it's choppy. And the nicest thing I can say about this series is I'm glad it's over.
The chapters are not tied together in any way. Every one follows the same format - Kai arrives somewhere, someone tries to fight her, she fights back, after the battle a new chapter starts. But none of these chapters are tied together. Why is she moving from place to place? What is she trying to accomplish? Who is with her and why? I guess we're supposed to know these things by osmosis. Which doesn't work in any genre. But ESPECIALLY not in fantasy, where world building is so critical. Yes, I'd be annoyed if you said "Kai is now in Buffalo," but I at least know things about Buffalo to make picking up on context clues possible. Telling me Kai is in a new fictious land that I know LITERALLY nothing about does not work. I hate being this critical, but I have to be honest and in the case of this series it is some of the worst fantasy I have encountered.
Rachel Howzell Hall
Sequel to The Last One
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 1/5
"Everyone wants to rule the realm. But no one wants to first rule themselves. That fear you speak of, and your ability to accept it, is how you come closer."
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: Kai has finally returned to her home, and must now face a series of difficult decisions to save the people of Vallendor from destruction and restore her powers.
What's incredible about this rating is that this book was obviously, significantly better than the first book in the series and is STILL rated so poorly. I hate that I dislike this series because I like Kai. She is an interesting heroine who deserves to have a well-written story and character arc. But she has neither of the things. Instead, the nicest thing I can say about this plot is that it's choppy. And the nicest thing I can say about this series is I'm glad it's over.
The chapters are not tied together in any way. Every one follows the same format - Kai arrives somewhere, someone tries to fight her, she fights back, after the battle a new chapter starts. But none of these chapters are tied together. Why is she moving from place to place? What is she trying to accomplish? Who is with her and why? I guess we're supposed to know these things by osmosis. Which doesn't work in any genre. But ESPECIALLY not in fantasy, where world building is so critical. Yes, I'd be annoyed if you said "Kai is now in Buffalo," but I at least know things about Buffalo to make picking up on context clues possible. Telling me Kai is in a new fictious land that I know LITERALLY nothing about does not work. I hate being this critical, but I have to be honest and in the case of this series it is some of the worst fantasy I have encountered.
September 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️ (2/5 stars)
I went into The Cruel Dawn with fairly low expectations, since I wasn’t overly fond of the first book, but I thought the story had just enough intrigue for me to give this one a shot. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.
For most of the book, I was confused about what was happening, where we were, and why. So many different “otherworldly” creatures were introduced that I couldn’t keep track of who was who or what they were supposed to do. Instead of expanding the world, it just left me frustrated and disconnected.
I also never felt emotionally invested in the characters or the so-called love triangle. When the big reveal came that Zephar betrayed Kai and never truly cared for her, it didn’t land at all, I felt nothing. And as for Jadon, I honestly couldn’t care less whether he survived.
The climax was especially disappointing. After all the buildup, everything wrapped up in ten pages or less. The logic also fell apart, Kai literally walked off the battlefield, leaving Jadon bleeding out after cutting off his own hand. And why exactly did Jadon cutting off his hand suddenly allow them to kill his father? Why was the king’s head missing after the battle? Why did Jadon take Kai and Veril’s amulets? And where was the other stone they were supposed to be searching for? None of these threads were resolved, which made the ending feel sloppy and incomplete.
Overall, The Cruel Dawn left me more confused than entertained. With weak character development, a rushed conclusion, and too many unanswered questions, this series just isn’t for me.
I went into The Cruel Dawn with fairly low expectations, since I wasn’t overly fond of the first book, but I thought the story had just enough intrigue for me to give this one a shot. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.
For most of the book, I was confused about what was happening, where we were, and why. So many different “otherworldly” creatures were introduced that I couldn’t keep track of who was who or what they were supposed to do. Instead of expanding the world, it just left me frustrated and disconnected.
I also never felt emotionally invested in the characters or the so-called love triangle. When the big reveal came that Zephar betrayed Kai and never truly cared for her, it didn’t land at all, I felt nothing. And as for Jadon, I honestly couldn’t care less whether he survived.
The climax was especially disappointing. After all the buildup, everything wrapped up in ten pages or less. The logic also fell apart, Kai literally walked off the battlefield, leaving Jadon bleeding out after cutting off his own hand. And why exactly did Jadon cutting off his hand suddenly allow them to kill his father? Why was the king’s head missing after the battle? Why did Jadon take Kai and Veril’s amulets? And where was the other stone they were supposed to be searching for? None of these threads were resolved, which made the ending feel sloppy and incomplete.
Overall, The Cruel Dawn left me more confused than entertained. With weak character development, a rushed conclusion, and too many unanswered questions, this series just isn’t for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
I'm one of the handful of people who really loved book 1 and was excited to see how this book would take up the mantle after the big reveal and cliffhanger ending. What we get though is a rather monotonous fever dream of barely-relevant back story, almost no continued character development, and a whole lot of Kai complaining as she travels to different parts of the realm for world building (in the literary sense, she's certainly not doing much successful building in the book).
This book got briefly better when the original cast of characters from book 1 got back together... somewhere around the 150 page mark, but they're together for all of a handful of chapters before it goes back to Kai complaining. While I understand that we need to see how, with her memories returning, Kai is tempted to fall into old patterns, she starts sounding more and more like Gollum. She's paranoid for no reason, constantly thinking about herself, and repeating the same thoughts over and over. I THINK the author is trying to make a comment on fate and free will and how people (and gods) are built flawed so the act of learning from mistakes is more important when perhaps you're supposed to fail on the path you've been set on- but it mostly comes across as the FMC bemoaning her lot in life.
Are there still cool, new otherworldy creatures introduced? Yes. Do they help drive or develop the plot? Nope. In fact the resurrection beasts barely even get a description, but lucky for us there's a whole unimpressive battle with some crab hybrids on the shores of lake devour that do nothing other than to show how with her memories restored Kai has somehow become a worse fighter, because she didn't actually need to go there to get to the Abbey.
The chemistry in this book is also lackluster. Kai's rekindled childhood friendship with Elyn had more chemistry and banter than any of her TWO love interests. Kai, in the continued theme of her lack of impulse control, pursues intimacy with Jaden without once considering the impact for the world she supposedly now cares deeply about OR the unequal power divide wherein he's still a prisoner. When she's done using him, she doesn't even seem to notice that he goes back to the cells. That's real love for you.
The ending of this book is anticlimactic. The big build up fight is over in about 3 pages, and
This book got briefly better when the original cast of characters from book 1 got back together... somewhere around the 150 page mark, but they're together for all of a handful of chapters before it goes back to Kai complaining. While I understand that we need to see how, with her memories returning, Kai is tempted to fall into old patterns, she starts sounding more and more like Gollum. She's paranoid for no reason, constantly thinking about herself, and repeating the same thoughts over and over. I THINK the author is trying to make a comment on fate and free will and how people (and gods) are built flawed so the act of learning from mistakes is more important when perhaps you're supposed to fail on the path you've been set on- but it mostly comes across as the FMC bemoaning her lot in life.
Are there still cool, new otherworldy creatures introduced? Yes. Do they help drive or develop the plot? Nope. In fact the resurrection beasts barely even get a description, but lucky for us there's a whole unimpressive battle with some crab hybrids on the shores of lake devour that do nothing other than to show how with her memories restored Kai has somehow become a worse fighter, because she didn't actually need to go there to get to the Abbey.
The chemistry in this book is also lackluster. Kai's rekindled childhood friendship with Elyn had more chemistry and banter than any of her TWO love interests. Kai, in the continued theme of her lack of impulse control, pursues intimacy with Jaden without once considering the impact for the world she supposedly now cares deeply about OR the unequal power divide wherein he's still a prisoner. When she's done using him, she doesn't even seem to notice that he goes back to the cells. That's real love for you.
The ending of this book is anticlimactic. The big build up fight is over in about 3 pages, and
September 12, 2025
A fantastic conclusion to Kai’s story, this second installment gives readers so much more of everything. More character growth, more of this phenomenal world, more backstory, and most importantly, more Kai because she’s my favorite part of this whole series.
THE LAST ONE started with the MC not knowing much of anything — who she is, where she’s from, why she’s in this strange town, etc, and it was joy to travel alongside her and learn with her along the way. THE CRUEL DAWN shows Kai not only recovering most of her memories, but also growing and changing and accepting responsibility for various past regressions. I love when characters are able to confront things that maybe aren’t so favorable, and it’s even more gratifying when they grow and learn from those confrontations.
The pacing of this one was a bit all over the place, kind of like Kai was. She has a mission in this one, but she gets sidetracked quite a few times and as a result the plot meanders a bit. But once the pace picks up, it doesn’t let go until the end. There’s also a bit of a love triangle happening in this book and as a lover of the love triangle, I enjoyed that aspect.
All in all, I’m pleased with where this one leaves our beloved characters. This one ends on a satisfying note and ties up all the loose ends that I was questioning from book 1. I enjoyed this duology and I have my fingers crossed that Ms. Howzell Hall brings us more romantasy in the future.
*Thanks so much Book Sparks for gifting a copy as part of the #FRC2025.
THE LAST ONE started with the MC not knowing much of anything — who she is, where she’s from, why she’s in this strange town, etc, and it was joy to travel alongside her and learn with her along the way. THE CRUEL DAWN shows Kai not only recovering most of her memories, but also growing and changing and accepting responsibility for various past regressions. I love when characters are able to confront things that maybe aren’t so favorable, and it’s even more gratifying when they grow and learn from those confrontations.
The pacing of this one was a bit all over the place, kind of like Kai was. She has a mission in this one, but she gets sidetracked quite a few times and as a result the plot meanders a bit. But once the pace picks up, it doesn’t let go until the end. There’s also a bit of a love triangle happening in this book and as a lover of the love triangle, I enjoyed that aspect.
All in all, I’m pleased with where this one leaves our beloved characters. This one ends on a satisfying note and ties up all the loose ends that I was questioning from book 1. I enjoyed this duology and I have my fingers crossed that Ms. Howzell Hall brings us more romantasy in the future.
*Thanks so much Book Sparks for gifting a copy as part of the #FRC2025.
March 12, 2026
I give this one a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
It wasn’t a bad book but it just felt dragged out. I lost interest too many times and fell into a bit of a reading slump. The parts of the book with action and fighting were the only thing keeping me interested. However, those fighting scenes, especially the last 90 pages just seemed rushed and ended too quickly. If it could have been reversed with more fighting and less background it would have been much more enjoyable.
I struggled to connect with some of the main characters. It was hard to follow parts of the storyline, even with all of the background building it seemed to jump ahead in certain parts and felt disjointed. I felt some of the world building was completely skipped over, I felt lost too many times trying to figure out how all of the different creatures and gods and mortals and tribes all fit together.
Some characters were introduced but never played a role in the actual storyline so they felt redundant and again just dragged out the storyline.
I am still so angry about Veril, he was definitely my favorite character. He seemed to be the only one written in such a way that made you love him.
My 2nd favorite character in the book was the wolf, Shari, and she definitely deserved more attention throughout the book.
The romance portions could have also used more detail, I just never felt like the right vibes were there between the love interests.
The last 90 pages were the best of the book, if the rest could have been written similarly then it would have been much better overall.
It wasn’t a bad book but it just felt dragged out. I lost interest too many times and fell into a bit of a reading slump. The parts of the book with action and fighting were the only thing keeping me interested. However, those fighting scenes, especially the last 90 pages just seemed rushed and ended too quickly. If it could have been reversed with more fighting and less background it would have been much more enjoyable.
I struggled to connect with some of the main characters. It was hard to follow parts of the storyline, even with all of the background building it seemed to jump ahead in certain parts and felt disjointed. I felt some of the world building was completely skipped over, I felt lost too many times trying to figure out how all of the different creatures and gods and mortals and tribes all fit together.
Some characters were introduced but never played a role in the actual storyline so they felt redundant and again just dragged out the storyline.
I am still so angry about Veril, he was definitely my favorite character. He seemed to be the only one written in such a way that made you love him.
My 2nd favorite character in the book was the wolf, Shari, and she definitely deserved more attention throughout the book.
The romance portions could have also used more detail, I just never felt like the right vibes were there between the love interests.
The last 90 pages were the best of the book, if the rest could have been written similarly then it would have been much better overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2025
"gods bleed, realms fall, and one woman stands between salvation and ruin. A god’s wrath is unforgettable. Her love, even more dangerous"
The concussion to the duology (see my earlier review of "The last one". Slow burn romantasy/fantasy. I loved the character growth we see with Kai, especially after her memories return. The independent woman vibe was throughout the book; i was rooting for her the whole read (honestly she is my fave character)! Yet at times the storyline was confusing, I found myself going back to make sure where I was in the story. Out of both books, the first was my favorite, but im glad to have read book 2 to assist in answer questions/completing the plot and storyline.
The world building continued to grow; integrating mythology, magic systems, and detailed settings. It is action packed; while the first half of the book lays ground work, around the 50% mark it really jerks you in. We follow Kai as she not only finds herself, but is trying to repair the damage that was done. Finding new found family, amd repairing relationships. I felt this was a really good follow up to the first book. Will def be recommending to friends! Will Jadon be her salvation, or final ruin?? ya have to read it to find out 😉
🗡high stakes world building
🗡memory loss
🗡forbidden love
🗡fallen god
🗡exiled war heroine
🗡mythical creatures
🗡enemies to reluctant allies
🗡redemption
🗡betrayal
🗡slow burn
The concussion to the duology (see my earlier review of "The last one". Slow burn romantasy/fantasy. I loved the character growth we see with Kai, especially after her memories return. The independent woman vibe was throughout the book; i was rooting for her the whole read (honestly she is my fave character)! Yet at times the storyline was confusing, I found myself going back to make sure where I was in the story. Out of both books, the first was my favorite, but im glad to have read book 2 to assist in answer questions/completing the plot and storyline.
The world building continued to grow; integrating mythology, magic systems, and detailed settings. It is action packed; while the first half of the book lays ground work, around the 50% mark it really jerks you in. We follow Kai as she not only finds herself, but is trying to repair the damage that was done. Finding new found family, amd repairing relationships. I felt this was a really good follow up to the first book. Will def be recommending to friends! Will Jadon be her salvation, or final ruin?? ya have to read it to find out 😉
🗡high stakes world building
🗡memory loss
🗡forbidden love
🗡fallen god
🗡exiled war heroine
🗡mythical creatures
🗡enemies to reluctant allies
🗡redemption
🗡betrayal
🗡slow burn
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