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The Bridge Kingdom #6
The Tempest Blade
The finale to The Bridge Kingdom series.
A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one goal: return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But as she escapes into the wilderness, it is with the man who broke her heart hunting at her heels—and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge.
Desperate to prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father’s killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna’s trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested—and the more the passion they once shared reignites.
As schemes twist tighter and war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the enemy isn’t each other—it is the masterminds manipulating them both in pursuit of power. Yet their greatest obstacle remains, because their loyalties are to opposing sides in the battle to come. As the storms of the Tempest Seas lower their defenses, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts lie: on the battlefield, or in each other’s arms.
A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one goal: return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But as she escapes into the wilderness, it is with the man who broke her heart hunting at her heels—and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge.
Desperate to prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father’s killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna’s trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested—and the more the passion they once shared reignites.
As schemes twist tighter and war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the enemy isn’t each other—it is the masterminds manipulating them both in pursuit of power. Yet their greatest obstacle remains, because their loyalties are to opposing sides in the battle to come. As the storms of the Tempest Seas lower their defenses, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts lie: on the battlefield, or in each other’s arms.
748 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2025
2090 people are currently reading
31854 people want to read
About the author
Danielle L. Jensen
28 books22k followersJoin Danielle's mailing list for exclusive content, giveaways, and new release alerts: https://danielleljensen.com/newslette...
Danielle L. Jensen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, A Curse Carved in Bone, and the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.
Danielle L. Jensen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, A Curse Carved in Bone, and the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.
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March 23, 2026Did you know that The Tempest Blade has chapters from all 6 points of view?! Lara, Aren, Keris, and Zarrah are back in the thick of it with James and Ahnna!
October 30, 2025
i’m watching u james don’t be blind PLEASE
October 17, 2025
This was the perfect end. So beautifully written. Review to come when my tears stop 😭
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me rn:
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me rn:
April 19, 2026
✅ Characters
✅ Multiple POVs (with Lara, Aren, Keris, and Zarrah, too!)
✅ Pace
✅ Plot and plot twists
✅ Politics and betrayals
✅ Romance / Hate to love (kind of)
✅ Smut
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: death of loved ones, people getting eaten by sharks, poisoning, decapitation, imprisonment, some physical abuse, and non-con sexual touches (brief and not too detailed)
🔥 Spice level : 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
What an epic and perfect ending to the series.
Danielle Jensen spoiled us this year with two epic finales to her series. What a great year for her, and for us!
This book is a wild ride. A roller-coaster of emotions with a fast pace. It starts where the previous book left off, and the action, scheming, and politics don’t stop until the very end. The plot of this final book is more complex than those of the previous books, and it involves all the nations, both North and South of the bridge. We see how the relationships built in the earlier books affect what happens in this one, and every leader has a role to play.
This duology has more politics than the ones before, and Harrendel’s court is the champion at scheming and double-crossing. There are many plot twists and betrayals in this final book. Some I saw coming, and others that took me completely by surprise. The villains in this book are great because they are not just power-hungry or evil; they are clever and patient (but they do get what they deserve in the end, thankfully).
Ahnna and James are still the main couple in this book, but Lara and Aren, as well as Keris and Zarrah, play a part in the plot. They have their chapters too, and I absolutely loved it. It was a great way to say goodbye to all those characters we grew to love over the years. Keris was even more present than Laran, Aren, and Zarrah, to my joy, because I love him so much. I think he is my favorite male lead in this series. Also, the epilogue was heartwarming and perfect.
Ahnna, just like Lara and Zarrah, is a strong and inspiring woman, and I liked her more in this book than in the previous one. The author has a way to create strong, bold, and brave female leads that show everyone around them that women can be as fierce and dangerous as men. Ahnna had to push aside her anger and betrayal to work in a team with James if she had any hope of surviving Amarid. She showed her emotional strength and her cleverness when it came to fighting against Harrendel and Amarid’s lies and schemes. I said in my review of the previous book that Ahnna felt naïve and clueless at times. Well, she showed in this book that she is to be taken seriously and that she will not be used by Harendell a second time.
The romance was better in this book. I felt more chemistry between Ahnna and James once James decided to believe Ahnna, and she managed to forgive him. Since they didn’t have to hide their feelings anymore, it allowed them to have more serious and meaningful conversations. Ahnna also didn’t spend her time doing the opposite of what James suggested, so they managed to work better as a team than in the previous book. That being said, while I enjoyed the chemistry and intensity between the couples in this series, I am too pragmatic to enjoy some smutty moments that happen in the most inappropriate moments or places. I love to feel the sexual tension when I read a book, but there are still moments when it’s just not the time for sex…
I was hoping for more grovelling, but the quick forgiveness also fits with Ahnna’s logical side and the fact that James and she were fighting and running for their lives. Still, the angst lover in me is not 100% satisfied, so I will have to find something else to read to scratch that itch, since it’s my second book in a row that doesn’t fully deliver on the grovelling.
Truly, this was a great ending to an amazing series, and I highly recommend it to all romantasy lovers looking for their next addictive series.
1. The Bridge Kingdom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Traitor Queen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Inadequate Heir ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3.5 The Calm Before the Storm ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. The Endless War ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
5. The Twisted Throne ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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✅ Multiple POVs (with Lara, Aren, Keris, and Zarrah, too!)
✅ Pace
✅ Plot and plot twists
✅ Politics and betrayals
✅ Romance / Hate to love (kind of)
✅ Smut
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: death of loved ones, people getting eaten by sharks, poisoning, decapitation, imprisonment, some physical abuse, and non-con sexual touches (brief and not too detailed)
🔥 Spice level : 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
What an epic and perfect ending to the series.
Danielle Jensen spoiled us this year with two epic finales to her series. What a great year for her, and for us!
This book is a wild ride. A roller-coaster of emotions with a fast pace. It starts where the previous book left off, and the action, scheming, and politics don’t stop until the very end. The plot of this final book is more complex than those of the previous books, and it involves all the nations, both North and South of the bridge. We see how the relationships built in the earlier books affect what happens in this one, and every leader has a role to play.
This duology has more politics than the ones before, and Harrendel’s court is the champion at scheming and double-crossing. There are many plot twists and betrayals in this final book. Some I saw coming, and others that took me completely by surprise. The villains in this book are great because they are not just power-hungry or evil; they are clever and patient (but they do get what they deserve in the end, thankfully).
Ahnna and James are still the main couple in this book, but Lara and Aren, as well as Keris and Zarrah, play a part in the plot. They have their chapters too, and I absolutely loved it. It was a great way to say goodbye to all those characters we grew to love over the years. Keris was even more present than Laran, Aren, and Zarrah, to my joy, because I love him so much. I think he is my favorite male lead in this series. Also, the epilogue was heartwarming and perfect.
Ahnna, just like Lara and Zarrah, is a strong and inspiring woman, and I liked her more in this book than in the previous one. The author has a way to create strong, bold, and brave female leads that show everyone around them that women can be as fierce and dangerous as men. Ahnna had to push aside her anger and betrayal to work in a team with James if she had any hope of surviving Amarid. She showed her emotional strength and her cleverness when it came to fighting against Harrendel and Amarid’s lies and schemes. I said in my review of the previous book that Ahnna felt naïve and clueless at times. Well, she showed in this book that she is to be taken seriously and that she will not be used by Harendell a second time.
The romance was better in this book. I felt more chemistry between Ahnna and James once James decided to believe Ahnna, and she managed to forgive him. Since they didn’t have to hide their feelings anymore, it allowed them to have more serious and meaningful conversations. Ahnna also didn’t spend her time doing the opposite of what James suggested, so they managed to work better as a team than in the previous book. That being said, while I enjoyed the chemistry and intensity between the couples in this series, I am too pragmatic to enjoy some smutty moments that happen in the most inappropriate moments or places. I love to feel the sexual tension when I read a book, but there are still moments when it’s just not the time for sex…
I was hoping for more grovelling, but the quick forgiveness also fits with Ahnna’s logical side and the fact that James and she were fighting and running for their lives. Still, the angst lover in me is not 100% satisfied, so I will have to find something else to read to scratch that itch, since it’s my second book in a row that doesn’t fully deliver on the grovelling.
Truly, this was a great ending to an amazing series, and I highly recommend it to all romantasy lovers looking for their next addictive series.
1. The Bridge Kingdom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Traitor Queen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Inadequate Heir ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3.5 The Calm Before the Storm ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. The Endless War ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
5. The Twisted Throne ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
January 28, 2025
I don't want this series to end pleeeease 😭😭
April 18, 2026
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I can’t believe the series is officially over!! But what a way to go!!🥳
I had a lot of issues with Ahnna in the previous book. She came off as very incompetent and easily manipulated. However, now that she is on the run, she was able to showcase her strengths and abilities much better. She really struggled with the political games of Harrendell, but wielding a sword and fighting for her life? That is something she is good at. I finally grew to like her as a character because she was finally getting things done. Her loyalty and love for her people really shined throughout this book.
The romance between James and Ahnna was so good too! For about a fourth of the book, they were truly enemies and the author really delivered on that trope. Once they became reluctant allies, the tension and angst just about killed me. I was rooting for them so hard by the end of the story. There were times when I was debating whether I liked Ahnna and James more than Lara and Aren. I’m a huge fan of Lara and Aren so that is hard thing for me to admit and a hard thing for the author to accomplish.
One of my favorite parts of this final instalment is that we got the POVs of all our previous leads. It was just so much fun to be in all their heads again. My girl Lara is still as badass and clever as always. She just keeps proving why she is one of my favorite female leads of all time. And Aren!! I love you too but ugh he was so whiny and mopey in this book. I get that he was under a lot of stress, but he needed to pull himself together.
If you have read my reviews on books 3 and 4, then you know I had some issues with Keris and Zarrah. However, I found them to be so much more likeable as supporting characters than leads. Besides Ahnna and James, Keris got the most chapters and he fit perfectly in Harrandell. He knew how to use people to get them to reveal their secrets and use it to his advantage. He was one of my favorite POVs to read from because of how funny and snarky he was. Everything in Harrendell was always super interesting too.
As for the plot, it was full of political intrigue and I loved it. Everyone had different agendas and different cards up their sleeves so it made for such a fun read. The twists and turns never stopped and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. There was a lot of action as well. It was really a good balance between action and politics. As horrible as the vilains were, I have to praise them for how conniving and cunning they all were. Katarina, Lestara and Alexandra were just so evil and it was immensely enjoyable to watch all of their downfalls.
The bridge kingdom was one of the first fantasy books I ever read when I was first getting into the genre and so it will always hold such a special place in my heart. I will never be able to forget the world and the characters that Danielle L. Jensen has created🥹I already see a reread in the future for myself🙈
I can’t believe the series is officially over!! But what a way to go!!🥳
I had a lot of issues with Ahnna in the previous book. She came off as very incompetent and easily manipulated. However, now that she is on the run, she was able to showcase her strengths and abilities much better. She really struggled with the political games of Harrendell, but wielding a sword and fighting for her life? That is something she is good at. I finally grew to like her as a character because she was finally getting things done. Her loyalty and love for her people really shined throughout this book.
The romance between James and Ahnna was so good too! For about a fourth of the book, they were truly enemies and the author really delivered on that trope. Once they became reluctant allies, the tension and angst just about killed me. I was rooting for them so hard by the end of the story. There were times when I was debating whether I liked Ahnna and James more than Lara and Aren. I’m a huge fan of Lara and Aren so that is hard thing for me to admit and a hard thing for the author to accomplish.
One of my favorite parts of this final instalment is that we got the POVs of all our previous leads. It was just so much fun to be in all their heads again. My girl Lara is still as badass and clever as always. She just keeps proving why she is one of my favorite female leads of all time. And Aren!! I love you too but ugh he was so whiny and mopey in this book. I get that he was under a lot of stress, but he needed to pull himself together.
If you have read my reviews on books 3 and 4, then you know I had some issues with Keris and Zarrah. However, I found them to be so much more likeable as supporting characters than leads. Besides Ahnna and James, Keris got the most chapters and he fit perfectly in Harrandell. He knew how to use people to get them to reveal their secrets and use it to his advantage. He was one of my favorite POVs to read from because of how funny and snarky he was. Everything in Harrendell was always super interesting too.
As for the plot, it was full of political intrigue and I loved it. Everyone had different agendas and different cards up their sleeves so it made for such a fun read. The twists and turns never stopped and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. There was a lot of action as well. It was really a good balance between action and politics. As horrible as the vilains were, I have to praise them for how conniving and cunning they all were. Katarina, Lestara and Alexandra were just so evil and it was immensely enjoyable to watch all of their downfalls.
The bridge kingdom was one of the first fantasy books I ever read when I was first getting into the genre and so it will always hold such a special place in my heart. I will never be able to forget the world and the characters that Danielle L. Jensen has created🥹I already see a reread in the future for myself🙈
October 23, 2025
This was too long.
I liked that we got everyone’s POVs, so it felt like we got an ending to everyone’s series. This is why you can’t read these as interconnected duologies - you will be so lost.
Ahnna felt the most realistic and developed heroine out of the series, but Lara remains my favourite. I barely remember the middle two books, whoops.
There were too many ‘oh no, we’ve lost’ moments in this book. It got frustrating by the fourth time, because I can see we’ve still got a while to go. It lost tension and it didn’t matter that the pace was foot to the pedal because I wasn’t invested.
The political intrigue was overtaken by steamy scenes and action sequences in this book. Talk about people who have sex at the worst moments.
Ithicana…. Would not want to live there. They cannot catch a break.
This audiobook definitely had the most sound effects compared to the others. How far can you take an audiobook before it becomes a graphic audiobook? I enjoyed it, even if I did have to run to the door at one point because apparently drumbeats sound like knocking to me.
If you’ve got to book five, yes read this.
If you wanted to try the Bridge Kingdom, I have a review for that! It’s just a fun time if you are looking for a romantasy with a stabby heroine and political intrigue.
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I liked that we got everyone’s POVs, so it felt like we got an ending to everyone’s series. This is why you can’t read these as interconnected duologies - you will be so lost.
Ahnna felt the most realistic and developed heroine out of the series, but Lara remains my favourite. I barely remember the middle two books, whoops.
There were too many ‘oh no, we’ve lost’ moments in this book. It got frustrating by the fourth time, because I can see we’ve still got a while to go. It lost tension and it didn’t matter that the pace was foot to the pedal because I wasn’t invested.
The political intrigue was overtaken by steamy scenes and action sequences in this book. Talk about people who have sex at the worst moments.
Ithicana…. Would not want to live there. They cannot catch a break.
This audiobook definitely had the most sound effects compared to the others. How far can you take an audiobook before it becomes a graphic audiobook? I enjoyed it, even if I did have to run to the door at one point because apparently drumbeats sound like knocking to me.
If you’ve got to book five, yes read this.
If you wanted to try the Bridge Kingdom, I have a review for that! It’s just a fun time if you are looking for a romantasy with a stabby heroine and political intrigue.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
October 12, 2025
Omg this is the ending my soul needed. I’ve been saying this, but now having heard the last book, I can truly say this is definitely one of my all time favorite series.
I LOVE that not only did we get the rest of Ahnna and James’ story, but the author brought in everyone and gave us multiple POV’s throughout.
This was a beefy book, but oh so worth it. I have got to get my hands on a physical copy 😍
I LOVE that not only did we get the rest of Ahnna and James’ story, but the author brought in everyone and gave us multiple POV’s throughout.
This was a beefy book, but oh so worth it. I have got to get my hands on a physical copy 😍
October 27, 2025
*this is five star review that goodreads for some reason is deleting...it is not a fake book or review THE BOOK is available on audible early!!!!
If you are a romantasy reader, this series should already be tattooed on your soul. But if it’s not? The Tempest Blade is your sign to binge the entire Bridge Kingdom saga immediately. Danielle L. Jensen didn’t just stick the landing she launched it into the Tempest Seas with a battle cry and a broken heart.
Ahnna is the kind of heroine who doesn’t ask for your approval she earns it with grit, grief, and a blade to your expectations. Watching her navigate betrayal, survival, and the wreckage of her past with James was chef’s kiss levels of emotional carnage. And James? He’s the morally gray, loyalty-torn, revenge-fueled disaster we all secretly root for. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their angst? A full-course meal.
The plot twists hit like storm surges: relentless, sharp, and perfectly timed. Jensen doesn’t waste a single page. Every betrayal stings, every alliance feels earned, and the political stakes are just as high as the emotional ones. It’s not just about love it’s about loyalty, legacy, and choosing who you are when the world wants you to be someone else.
This finale gave me everything: enemies-to-lovers tension, wilderness survival, political intrigue, and a romance that felt like it had to fight tooth and nail to survive. And when it finally did?
Worth. Every. Page.
In short: I laughed, I gasped, I considered throwing the book across the room and then hugged it instead. Jensen, you magnificent heartbreaker, you’ve outdone yourself.
🎶“Run” by Leona Lewis
🎶 “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
🎶“Battle Cry” by Imagine Dragons
If you are a romantasy reader, this series should already be tattooed on your soul. But if it’s not? The Tempest Blade is your sign to binge the entire Bridge Kingdom saga immediately. Danielle L. Jensen didn’t just stick the landing she launched it into the Tempest Seas with a battle cry and a broken heart.
Ahnna is the kind of heroine who doesn’t ask for your approval she earns it with grit, grief, and a blade to your expectations. Watching her navigate betrayal, survival, and the wreckage of her past with James was chef’s kiss levels of emotional carnage. And James? He’s the morally gray, loyalty-torn, revenge-fueled disaster we all secretly root for. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their angst? A full-course meal.
The plot twists hit like storm surges: relentless, sharp, and perfectly timed. Jensen doesn’t waste a single page. Every betrayal stings, every alliance feels earned, and the political stakes are just as high as the emotional ones. It’s not just about love it’s about loyalty, legacy, and choosing who you are when the world wants you to be someone else.
This finale gave me everything: enemies-to-lovers tension, wilderness survival, political intrigue, and a romance that felt like it had to fight tooth and nail to survive. And when it finally did?
Worth. Every. Page.
In short: I laughed, I gasped, I considered throwing the book across the room and then hugged it instead. Jensen, you magnificent heartbreaker, you’ve outdone yourself.
🎶“Run” by Leona Lewis
🎶 “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
🎶“Battle Cry” by Imagine Dragons
October 15, 2025
The gang is back together (kinda).
Well, this is the end of the Bridge Kingdom series and if there is one thing to say is : trust that everything will go to shit before they get better.
The final book did not disappoint. At 26 hours long, I do not think that I ever got a break. There was always something going on, the fights kept happening, the machinations kept going, the revelations never stopped. Truly one of the most satisfying endings. I will say that James should have groveled a little bit more but I digress. He did come through in the end.
Ahnna is my favorite fmc of the series, she felt the more realistic and flawed and I loved how she truly never gave up. Seriously, justice for Ahnna.
Keris is still my favorite mmc btw, James did not dethrone him.
The series also takes the award for the most inappropriate places to have sex. What a bunch of horny rulers.
Anyway, I loved it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time mainly because the bad guys are actually smart, not just evil, and the protagonists are not unnaturaly great, they do actually make mistakes.
Now I have that weird feeling you get when a series ends and you have nothing to wait for. On to the next I guess.
Well, this is the end of the Bridge Kingdom series and if there is one thing to say is : trust that everything will go to shit before they get better.
The final book did not disappoint. At 26 hours long, I do not think that I ever got a break. There was always something going on, the fights kept happening, the machinations kept going, the revelations never stopped. Truly one of the most satisfying endings. I will say that James should have groveled a little bit more but I digress. He did come through in the end.
Ahnna is my favorite fmc of the series, she felt the more realistic and flawed and I loved how she truly never gave up. Seriously, justice for Ahnna.
Keris is still my favorite mmc btw, James did not dethrone him.
The series also takes the award for the most inappropriate places to have sex. What a bunch of horny rulers.
Anyway, I loved it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time mainly because the bad guys are actually smart, not just evil, and the protagonists are not unnaturaly great, they do actually make mistakes.
Now I have that weird feeling you get when a series ends and you have nothing to wait for. On to the next I guess.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.75 stars
When I first saw the page count of The Tempest Blade, I genuinely thought someone was playing a prank on me. Like, I knew there was a lot to wrap up, but I was not entirely convinced it needed to be such a brick. In the end, I have to admit that it probably did, although I definitely felt the length at times, which is not exactly ideal when I want to tear through the grand, epic conclusion to a series I'd been enjoying so much.
Needless to say, The Tempest Blade was not the finale I expected, in both good and slightly frustrating ways, but for me it ultimately delivered where it mattered most. Ahnna and James remain the beating heart of the story, and I loved the sheer chaos of the continuation of their story: she is racing to save her homeland from a catastrophic threat, and he is right behind her, determined to drag her back and prove she murdered his father. The audacity of falling back in love while actively hunting each other will never not entertain me, and I felt the tension in every scene with all that heartbreak and suspicion tangled up with chemistry that refuses to die, even with a war breathing down their necks.
Though, surprise surprise, this duology does not stick to one couple, and instead Lara & Aren and Zarrah & Keris return to the spotlight, with all their perspectives woven together into an increasingly intricate political and military conflict. For the most part, I really loved this, and it was weirdly hysterical to watch their complicated loyalties and lingering resentments collide, particularly within the intense family dynamics that I have always felt were one of the series’ greatest strengths. At the same time, I have to admit that the addition of so many viewpoints made the plotting feel denser and occasionally overwhelming for me, with schemes, betrayals, and counterbetrayals piling up until I sometimes just had to let go and trust the story to sort itself out.
Now, I do have to say, where were the real consequences? Don’t get me wrong, Jensen is excellent at showing the cost of war, the irreversible damage of trauma, and the painfully slow process of working towards political change. And yet, I sometimes felt the plot armour shimmering a bit too brightly around certain characters, and I honestly would not have minded a few more dead bodies, sorry not sorry. At the same time, I was mostly just here for the romances, and I was quite happy to see everyone get their HEA (or at least HFN). Jensen nailed the balance between the romance and the larger political narrative across this series, and I loved that the level of restraint only made the romantic moments hit even harder.
Ultimately, I just had a blast binge reading this entire series over the past few weeks, and I think The Tempest Blade is a very worthy conclusion to it all. This series truly think it bridges the gap between epic political fantasy and romantasy in a way that feels smart, ambitious, and wildly entertaining, and if Jensen ever decides to revisit this world for the next generation, I already know I will be first in line, ready for more danger, more drama, and hopefully more heartache.
When I first saw the page count of The Tempest Blade, I genuinely thought someone was playing a prank on me. Like, I knew there was a lot to wrap up, but I was not entirely convinced it needed to be such a brick. In the end, I have to admit that it probably did, although I definitely felt the length at times, which is not exactly ideal when I want to tear through the grand, epic conclusion to a series I'd been enjoying so much.
Needless to say, The Tempest Blade was not the finale I expected, in both good and slightly frustrating ways, but for me it ultimately delivered where it mattered most. Ahnna and James remain the beating heart of the story, and I loved the sheer chaos of the continuation of their story: she is racing to save her homeland from a catastrophic threat, and he is right behind her, determined to drag her back and prove she murdered his father. The audacity of falling back in love while actively hunting each other will never not entertain me, and I felt the tension in every scene with all that heartbreak and suspicion tangled up with chemistry that refuses to die, even with a war breathing down their necks.
Though, surprise surprise, this duology does not stick to one couple, and instead Lara & Aren and Zarrah & Keris return to the spotlight, with all their perspectives woven together into an increasingly intricate political and military conflict. For the most part, I really loved this, and it was weirdly hysterical to watch their complicated loyalties and lingering resentments collide, particularly within the intense family dynamics that I have always felt were one of the series’ greatest strengths. At the same time, I have to admit that the addition of so many viewpoints made the plotting feel denser and occasionally overwhelming for me, with schemes, betrayals, and counterbetrayals piling up until I sometimes just had to let go and trust the story to sort itself out.
Now, I do have to say, where were the real consequences? Don’t get me wrong, Jensen is excellent at showing the cost of war, the irreversible damage of trauma, and the painfully slow process of working towards political change. And yet, I sometimes felt the plot armour shimmering a bit too brightly around certain characters, and I honestly would not have minded a few more dead bodies, sorry not sorry. At the same time, I was mostly just here for the romances, and I was quite happy to see everyone get their HEA (or at least HFN). Jensen nailed the balance between the romance and the larger political narrative across this series, and I loved that the level of restraint only made the romantic moments hit even harder.
Ultimately, I just had a blast binge reading this entire series over the past few weeks, and I think The Tempest Blade is a very worthy conclusion to it all. This series truly think it bridges the gap between epic political fantasy and romantasy in a way that feels smart, ambitious, and wildly entertaining, and if Jensen ever decides to revisit this world for the next generation, I already know I will be first in line, ready for more danger, more drama, and hopefully more heartache.
March 31, 2026
i didn’t realise how attached i got to all the characters and this story until it reached the end
Review of advance copy
OMG this book! The twist and turns, the betrays and new alliances it was just amazing. Although I wish it was not too long 😕 😔 I was on the edge from the start to the end, cause the moment you think that everything is going to be okay something else arise. It was well written and I liked the fact that we had a glimpse from the previous characters POV.
Definitely will come back to the Bridge Kingdom in 2 years time 👀 😅 but for now, I am going to leave this here.
Definitely will come back to the Bridge Kingdom in 2 years time 👀 😅 but for now, I am going to leave this here.
November 4, 2025
This really didn't need to be that long. Yes it was enjoyable, but it dragged for like 50% of it.
October 24, 2025
echoing the what a majority of people have said, this really was the perfect ending to a series. the political machinations, the drama and action were non stop, i truly felt like i could not catch a break.
as always, jensen does not fail to amaze me or make me laugh out of exasperation when her characters decide it’s time to have sex in the most wild, and dangerous of situations. 😭✋🏻
its always so bittersweet when a series comes to an end, and this is no different. jensen has been, and remains to be an auto buy author for me.
as always, jensen does not fail to amaze me or make me laugh out of exasperation when her characters decide it’s time to have sex in the most wild, and dangerous of situations. 😭✋🏻
its always so bittersweet when a series comes to an end, and this is no different. jensen has been, and remains to be an auto buy author for me.
November 13, 2025
i actually really love this world and its characeters, this was a love letter to all the other couples from the past. was it necessary? probably not but i got keris's POV again so i won't complain 😂
November 20, 2025
I was SO excited for this book, but the fact that I finished this audiobook on 2x speed—and wondered several times whether I could just skip a chapter or two, including the smut!—tells me that it was too long and far too overwritten.
I loved that we got a final book with the return of all of our favorite characters and their points of view. I loved the overarching conflict and the over-the-top scheming and villainy. The first quarter or so hooked me, but the execution of the rest just didn’t hit for me.
This book had so many “all is lost” beats/moments that they lost all meaning or shock value. Additional POVs were integrated, but besides Keris’s, they felt too scattered/purposeless and disappeared too soon. The smut came at wildly inappropriate moments, the pacing felt off at times, and the epilogue was giving nothing. Ultimately, I think this wanted to be a story that tied all of the characters back in, but it had so much work to do with the primary couple, and took so many pages to do it, that it didn’t quite work to attempt both things at once.
There’s also the Herondale of it all, which wound up being a society of generally unbearable bigots who don’t really deserve anything they got from this story or its ending?
Overall, as desperately as I wanted to love this series, I just don’t think the magic of this world ever hit as hard after the first 3 books. I’d recommend the first duology and call it a day.
I loved that we got a final book with the return of all of our favorite characters and their points of view. I loved the overarching conflict and the over-the-top scheming and villainy. The first quarter or so hooked me, but the execution of the rest just didn’t hit for me.
This book had so many “all is lost” beats/moments that they lost all meaning or shock value. Additional POVs were integrated, but besides Keris’s, they felt too scattered/purposeless and disappeared too soon. The smut came at wildly inappropriate moments, the pacing felt off at times, and the epilogue was giving nothing. Ultimately, I think this wanted to be a story that tied all of the characters back in, but it had so much work to do with the primary couple, and took so many pages to do it, that it didn’t quite work to attempt both things at once.
There’s also the Herondale of it all, which wound up being a society of generally unbearable bigots who don’t really deserve anything they got from this story or its ending?
Overall, as desperately as I wanted to love this series, I just don’t think the magic of this world ever hit as hard after the first 3 books. I’d recommend the first duology and call it a day.
April 26, 2026
"As someone who is a murderer, I say with the utmost confidence that Ahnna didn't do this. She's being framed, and my gut tells me that Alexandra is at the center of it."
Can all books be about Lara Veliant?
Genuinely. Because I fucking love her. And she proves CONSTANTLY how much that love is warranted. She’s not just a badass, she’s also so fucking smart she saw through Alexandra’s frame job instantly. Some may call her overpowered; I call her the best fmc I’ve ever read. Argue with the wall.
I’m pleased to note, as an aside, that I’m also significantly more fond of Keris in this book than I have been previously. So that’s a major plus because bro has hella screen time—it would have been intolerable if I hated him.
But seriously, you can tell he’s the author’s favorite character. We spend so much unnecessary time in his POV, and it’s all very clearly just fan service. His chapters (excessive in number and needlessly lengthy) weigh the plot down and make the story drag.
I can’t deny that they’re ultimately worth it because we also get Lara and Aren’s POVs. And I might never see them again so I’ll take what I can get. But painstakingly, I must confess that their POVs contribute to the sluggish pace. Most of it would have worked better as a bonus novella, leaving this book to focus on Ahnna and James’s story. Because by the last like 20%, while I simultaneously didn’t want to part with Lara and Aren forever, I was more than ready for the book to just end already.
Anyway.
When it came to Aren hunting down Lara, there was never a single moment where I even half believed that when he found her, he could kill her. With James, it’s much different. Because the romance was so underdeveloped in the previous books, I have no difficulty—or even a hint of a problem—accepting the idea that James would kill her the second he found her. That being a false belief—if he could kill her, it wouldn’t be much of a romance—doesn’t help much, because I don’t feel any emotional weight holding him back, and I should.
He cast his eyes skyward. "Keep this up, Princess, and you'll make Carlo's job easier."
"Kiss my ass."
"Bend over."
I know this is supposed to come off as playful banter, but after everything he did, I’m irritated by his audacity, not charmed. He should be groveling in guilt, not acting so shameless and sure of himself. More frustrating still, that comment made her blush. I really hate when a romance skips steps because they just can’t resist each other.
They’re kissing and he’s telling her he wants her and loves her, and she’s saying they can’t be together because they stand on different sides of the war. They should be confronting the remnants of betrayal that linger between them. He should be thinking about how badly he hurt her (before and after his father was killed) instead of her long, long legs, and then he should be giving her an apology he actually means.
Can you believe Ahnna is the first (and only) one to apologize? Absolutely ridiculous.
Aren had not missed the mark in his assessment of James's sentiment when he'd crossed paths with the pair in Verwyrd, but it struck Lara that what had been between the two then had grown tenfold in the time since. Love, sure and true, and it hurt Lara's own heart to know that both would suffer for it.
The story constantly reaffirms how undeniably in love Ahnna and James are, but I fear I fail to see what Lara sees. I just think their relationship needed to be more emotionally fleshed out than it was for me to really believe what the book was trying to sell me. This could have been a five-star read. I almost thought it would be.
I already touched on this, but I still think we got past the him-hunting-her-down-without-hearing-her-out part way too easily. Being captured and tortured will do that to you, I guess (lol), but at least a conversation would have been nice.
That’s not to say I wasn’t invested, because I was. I think they complemented each other quite well, and there was a lot about their relationship that I loved, like how he stood up to Aren for her. I just wanted more than what I got.
Other brief side notes:
* I was so happy with Ahnna and Lara’s reconciliation scene. Now that I have their sisterhood, I’m mad I didn’t have it for longer.
* I was so right in my review of the last book to say that I hate Georgie and Ahnna should have just killed him. She would have saved everybody a whole lot of grief.
* The plot with the warring kingdoms and all their moving parts finally coming together was done very well, and resulted in a wonderfully satisfying conclusion. The plot armor was definitely shiny, but I didn’t really mind.
* I loved the undercurrent of Sarhina dissolving the Maridrinian monarchy in favor of an elected government. It’s a small hint at meaningful reform, which I really enjoyed. Jensen is great at layering complex political dynamics beneath the surface of her narratives, and it truly elevates them to a whole new level.
* Can this bitch Lestara just die?
* The scene where Aren saved Ahnna from the gallows with his flawless aim was incredible.
* The epilogue was EVVEERRYTHINGGG, I loved absolutely every second of it
* It makes me giddy on the inside that Aren is slightly taller than James hahahaha
* Did Nana seriously have to die bruh
Also:
I was eating dinner when I got to the scene with that weird psycho Carlo dude kissing Ahnna on the cheek every two seconds, and I literally had to stop eating until it was over because it was making me nauseous.
What does it say about me that Carlo’s death was like the most distressing moment of this book for me? I wrote my reaction above in the moment, after which I found myself growing accidentally fond of Carlo’s deranged ass and his absolutely unhinged behavior.
I was holding out hope for his survival until the very end—when James slit his throat—and even then I waited an extra beat for the book to pull a last-second fake-out. He would have made life quite difficult for our main characters, so I understand why he had to die. But I’m still mourning him. :(
- - - - -
Imagine my utter shock and subsequent delight when I opened the table of contents to find that Lara & Aren narrate a significant portion of this.
Unfortunately, there’s also Keris’s perspective, which I will
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2026
five stars yup.
this book was pure adrenaline and stress. I felt every emotion: frustration, anger, fear, disbelief, hope, awe, etc.
what a great conclusion to ahnna and james’ story. and I love how danielle brought back all the other characters and their povs since this not only concluded the duology but the series as well. this was a beefy one but was it worth it (after all the pain at first). the ending healed me and now I’m sad the series is over.
this book was pure adrenaline and stress. I felt every emotion: frustration, anger, fear, disbelief, hope, awe, etc.
what a great conclusion to ahnna and james’ story. and I love how danielle brought back all the other characters and their povs since this not only concluded the duology but the series as well. this was a beefy one but was it worth it (after all the pain at first). the ending healed me and now I’m sad the series is over.
Want to Read
October 17, 2025I am begging you, Danielle. let SOMEONE go villain mode FOR REAL or at least surprise me with a new love interest. idk give me SOMETHING
April 21, 2026
💭: This book was perfection! It was an amazing story and did a great job to wrap up the series. I was hooked from the start and it was fast paced with lots of scheming, betrayal and action! All of the villains in this book were so well done! I wanted to blast through this book but I also didn’t want it to end. I looooved getting POVs from all of the main characters from the other duologies. I am also in awe of how Danielle writes her battle scenes. They are so epic and I’m always on the edge of my seat. The romance was of course top knotch and I also loved the friendships and found family in this book and series. Just excellent!
October 13, 2025
The levels of anxiety I have when reading books from this series needs to be studied!😭
The cliff hanger of the 5th book was borderline unforgivable… I waited SO long for this book and it did not disappoint!
This series just gets better and better and the stakes get higher and higher with each book. This final one was no exception! It was so chaotic (in a good way) from beginning to end and I loved every minute of it! I also loved that it had multiple POVs!
Aren & Lara were my fav couple up until James & Ahnna’s story began in the 5th book, so getting to hear from their perspectives again, I was over the moon happy about.🥰 There is definitely no love lost for Keris & Zarrah either, I was so happy to hear from their perspectives too!
This series as a whole will forever be one of my favorites and I highly recommend to anyone who loves the Romantasy genre to give it a try!
Can’t wait for the physical copy of this book to be released because I NEED my book trophy for my shelf!
The cliff hanger of the 5th book was borderline unforgivable… I waited SO long for this book and it did not disappoint!
This series just gets better and better and the stakes get higher and higher with each book. This final one was no exception! It was so chaotic (in a good way) from beginning to end and I loved every minute of it! I also loved that it had multiple POVs!
Aren & Lara were my fav couple up until James & Ahnna’s story began in the 5th book, so getting to hear from their perspectives again, I was over the moon happy about.🥰 There is definitely no love lost for Keris & Zarrah either, I was so happy to hear from their perspectives too!
This series as a whole will forever be one of my favorites and I highly recommend to anyone who loves the Romantasy genre to give it a try!
Can’t wait for the physical copy of this book to be released because I NEED my book trophy for my shelf!
October 10, 2025
THE TEMPEST BLADE is an epic finale to the series.
Given this is the sixth - and final - book to such a successful series, and one that's had an increasingly interconnected world and complex plots, there was a lot to live up to. It had to tie up five previous books of plots and character development and send it all off in a way that's satisfying and climactic enough - while also not tipping into the realms of unbelievable. Luckily, THE TEMPEST BLADE manages that.
While Ahnna and James are the focus, for the first time in the series, they are not the only narrators. All the narrators across the series are back for this finale - yup, all six. The story just has such a massive scope that Ahnna and James alone couldn't tell it. They only see part of this epic, final struggle for the future of Ithicana. There are schemes upon schemes, decisions from previous books bearing out their consequences for good or bad, and everyone is forced to decide how much blood is too much for one land.
Plus, it was so nice to end with all of them speaking. Keris is the most present of the other narrators (as he's much closer to the thrust of the action). The others are also there, but Aren and Lara do speak quite a bit less so it's very nice when they are the narrators - they're the pair who kickstarted the entire series, after all.
With so many narrators (and so much plot!) it is, unsurprisingly, a rather long book (26hrs audio - which is apparently going to end up around 800 pages in print). Despite this, I flew threw it (and actually kept cranking up the speed so I could find out what was going to happen faster! I usually listen on 1.5x but by the end I was at 2x.)
In all, this is a really good send off to this action packed, epic series. I'll be sad to leave this world behind, but these characters could really do with a break!
Given this is the sixth - and final - book to such a successful series, and one that's had an increasingly interconnected world and complex plots, there was a lot to live up to. It had to tie up five previous books of plots and character development and send it all off in a way that's satisfying and climactic enough - while also not tipping into the realms of unbelievable. Luckily, THE TEMPEST BLADE manages that.
While Ahnna and James are the focus, for the first time in the series, they are not the only narrators. All the narrators across the series are back for this finale - yup, all six. The story just has such a massive scope that Ahnna and James alone couldn't tell it. They only see part of this epic, final struggle for the future of Ithicana. There are schemes upon schemes, decisions from previous books bearing out their consequences for good or bad, and everyone is forced to decide how much blood is too much for one land.
Plus, it was so nice to end with all of them speaking. Keris is the most present of the other narrators (as he's much closer to the thrust of the action). The others are also there, but Aren and Lara do speak quite a bit less so it's very nice when they are the narrators - they're the pair who kickstarted the entire series, after all.
With so many narrators (and so much plot!) it is, unsurprisingly, a rather long book (26hrs audio - which is apparently going to end up around 800 pages in print). Despite this, I flew threw it (and actually kept cranking up the speed so I could find out what was going to happen faster! I usually listen on 1.5x but by the end I was at 2x.)
In all, this is a really good send off to this action packed, epic series. I'll be sad to leave this world behind, but these characters could really do with a break!
January 27, 2026
BEST DANG CONCLUSION I COULD HAVE IMAGINED.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
Tis no surprise, I am a DLJ stan. Easily one of my top five favorite fantasy authors WITH GOOD REASON Y’ALL. The first two books in this series are a duo I reread practically every year and I can declare that this is number three on my favorite list for this series. BECAUSE OMG.
I’m so happy that we got all the POV’s!!!! It felt epic and enhanced and getting every nuanced angle from all of the powerful players of this series was exactly what the ending needed. I was shocked that I barely noticed this book was 26 hours long. Every page has depth and is packed with action and longing and begging for everything to end up okay.
DLJ writes fantastic twists and intense scenes. The emotions I am forcibly put through are exactly what my dreams are made of when I pick up a book like this. MAKE ME FEEL SOMETHING.
Anyways, I’m obsessed with every character, every love story, and literally every single thing about this book. DO NOT PASS THIS SERIES UP. IT IS COMPLETE. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOW.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 3-4ish open door
- Violence: high
- Content warnings: war themes and loss of life, a baby nearly drowns, near death experiences, animal attacks
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
Tis no surprise, I am a DLJ stan. Easily one of my top five favorite fantasy authors WITH GOOD REASON Y’ALL. The first two books in this series are a duo I reread practically every year and I can declare that this is number three on my favorite list for this series. BECAUSE OMG.
I’m so happy that we got all the POV’s!!!! It felt epic and enhanced and getting every nuanced angle from all of the powerful players of this series was exactly what the ending needed. I was shocked that I barely noticed this book was 26 hours long. Every page has depth and is packed with action and longing and begging for everything to end up okay.
DLJ writes fantastic twists and intense scenes. The emotions I am forcibly put through are exactly what my dreams are made of when I pick up a book like this. MAKE ME FEEL SOMETHING.
Anyways, I’m obsessed with every character, every love story, and literally every single thing about this book. DO NOT PASS THIS SERIES UP. IT IS COMPLETE. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOW.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 3-4ish open door
- Violence: high
- Content warnings: war themes and loss of life, a baby nearly drowns, near death experiences, animal attacks
November 20, 2025
Infinite stars! This was a perfect close to the perfect series. I was stressed every single minute, honestly, even in the epilogue because every one of these characters deserves nothing but happiness.
~Sidebar for Annah being terrified of her own happiness because she’s constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, see “Peace” Taylor’s Version.~
This was one of the first series that I read as an adult that made me go “OMG READING IS SO FUN HOW DID I FORGET.”
If you see all these people reading fantasy and you’re like “????? But why?????” This is the series for you.
If you do pick it up, give all my besties my love, specifically Keris, please and thank you.
~Sidebar for Annah being terrified of her own happiness because she’s constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, see “Peace” Taylor’s Version.~
This was one of the first series that I read as an adult that made me go “OMG READING IS SO FUN HOW DID I FORGET.”
If you see all these people reading fantasy and you’re like “????? But why?????” This is the series for you.
If you do pick it up, give all my besties my love, specifically Keris, please and thank you.
Want to Read
June 1, 2025Ive reread the series twice already. I don’t know why I am doing this to myself. Time and time again I can’t believe that I have to wait for the next book. Danielle please put me out of my misery 😩 I think I’m just gonna go and reread it again in the meantime.
April 26, 2026
Wow, what a conclusion. This is the last book in the bridge kingdom series and it brings in past characters and storylines from the previous duologies into Ahnna and James story. This is very much political intrigue, adventure, betrayal, redemption and so much more. This is also a very long book for me, but I'm glad the author took the time to give them the ending they deserved.
This book picks up where the Twisted Throne left off - Ahnna on the run after being framed for the grisly death of King Edward. James on her trail, tasked with hunting her down. A game of survival. Meanwhile Aren and Lara face struggles with the threat of retribution and war in Ithicana. Faced with impossible decisions. Keris is on the move, having journeyed to visit Lara, now in the middle of a war. Can the truth come out before Ahnna pays the ultimate price? Will the evil Queen Alexandra's schemes see Ithicana's ruler overturned? And who will win the bridge and gain the power over all kingdoms. (I really do love how it all comes back to the bridge, in one way or another throughout the series)
This book picks up where the Twisted Throne left off - Ahnna on the run after being framed for the grisly death of King Edward. James on her trail, tasked with hunting her down. A game of survival. Meanwhile Aren and Lara face struggles with the threat of retribution and war in Ithicana. Faced with impossible decisions. Keris is on the move, having journeyed to visit Lara, now in the middle of a war. Can the truth come out before Ahnna pays the ultimate price? Will the evil Queen Alexandra's schemes see Ithicana's ruler overturned? And who will win the bridge and gain the power over all kingdoms. (I really do love how it all comes back to the bridge, in one way or another throughout the series)
April 25, 2026
What an epic conclusion to such a beautiful fantasy romance series. I will miss these character!
October 16, 2025
Booksta Link✨
The Tempest Blade marks the epic and emotional finale to Danielle L. Jensen’s beloved Bridge Kingdom series — a world that holds an incredibly special place in my heart. These books were the first audiobooks I ever listened to, and the first time I realised I could actually retain what I was hearing. I mention this because the narration in this series is nothing short of phenomenal — immersive, emotive, and enhanced with subtle background sounds that make the entire experience feel cinematic.
When this audiobook dropped on Audible nearly six months before the physical release, I was beyond thrilled. What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the bittersweet feeling of having to say goodbye to a world and characters I’ve loved for so long. Jensen continues to prove herself a master of political intrigue, deception, and complex world-building. Every time I think I’ve figured out her plot twists, she completely pulls the rug out from under me — and I’ve stopped trying to guess. The scheming, especially involving the royal family of Herondale, was absolutely brilliant in this final instalment.
One of my favourite aspects of The Tempest Blade was how it wove together multiple perspectives from beloved characters across the series. Seeing events unfold from different points of view — often simultaneously — made the story richer and more dynamic. The tension was perfectly crafted; Jensen has a way of ending a chapter on a heart-stopping moment before switching POVs to someone on the other side of the kingdom. It’s infuriatingly effective and masterfully done.
This book ties up so many loose ends I didn’t even realise were still lingering. I especially appreciated how justice and closure finally came for Ithicana and the countless lives lost in earlier books. Everything feels purposeful and earned.
This final duology, told through Ahnna and James’s perspectives, might just be my favourite part of the entire series — though it’s a tough call, because every single book has been exceptional. Jensen continues to shine when writing flawed, morally grey characters. She doesn’t just point out their imperfections; she explores them, allowing her characters to grow and change in meaningful, realistic and emotional ways.
The pacing was immaculate — high stakes from the very first chapter, and that thrilling momentum never lets up. I finished the audiobook in just five days because I couldn’t bear to stop listening. Every chapter demanded I keep going.
I’m going to miss these characters and this world dearly, but honestly? I don’t want another sequel. This ending was everything I could have hoped for — and I truly don’t think it could get any better than this.
The Tempest Blade marks the epic and emotional finale to Danielle L. Jensen’s beloved Bridge Kingdom series — a world that holds an incredibly special place in my heart. These books were the first audiobooks I ever listened to, and the first time I realised I could actually retain what I was hearing. I mention this because the narration in this series is nothing short of phenomenal — immersive, emotive, and enhanced with subtle background sounds that make the entire experience feel cinematic.
When this audiobook dropped on Audible nearly six months before the physical release, I was beyond thrilled. What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the bittersweet feeling of having to say goodbye to a world and characters I’ve loved for so long. Jensen continues to prove herself a master of political intrigue, deception, and complex world-building. Every time I think I’ve figured out her plot twists, she completely pulls the rug out from under me — and I’ve stopped trying to guess. The scheming, especially involving the royal family of Herondale, was absolutely brilliant in this final instalment.
One of my favourite aspects of The Tempest Blade was how it wove together multiple perspectives from beloved characters across the series. Seeing events unfold from different points of view — often simultaneously — made the story richer and more dynamic. The tension was perfectly crafted; Jensen has a way of ending a chapter on a heart-stopping moment before switching POVs to someone on the other side of the kingdom. It’s infuriatingly effective and masterfully done.
This book ties up so many loose ends I didn’t even realise were still lingering. I especially appreciated how justice and closure finally came for Ithicana and the countless lives lost in earlier books. Everything feels purposeful and earned.
This final duology, told through Ahnna and James’s perspectives, might just be my favourite part of the entire series — though it’s a tough call, because every single book has been exceptional. Jensen continues to shine when writing flawed, morally grey characters. She doesn’t just point out their imperfections; she explores them, allowing her characters to grow and change in meaningful, realistic and emotional ways.
The pacing was immaculate — high stakes from the very first chapter, and that thrilling momentum never lets up. I finished the audiobook in just five days because I couldn’t bear to stop listening. Every chapter demanded I keep going.
I’m going to miss these characters and this world dearly, but honestly? I don’t want another sequel. This ending was everything I could have hoped for — and I truly don’t think it could get any better than this.
March 24, 2026
4.5 stars. I went back and forth on my rating for this one but overall it was really enjoyable. I liked it more than the first book in this duet. That said, there were moments where I was surprised by how much story was still left and I felt my interest slipping a bit. I feel like it could have been just a bit shorter/been tightened up a bit.
I liked Ahnna a lot more in this book than in the first in this duet, which made a big difference for me. Getting Lara’s POV again was such a highlight because she is still my favorite.
First duet is still my favorite storyline in this series, but overall a great series and this was a fun and satisfying ending.
I liked Ahnna a lot more in this book than in the first in this duet, which made a big difference for me. Getting Lara’s POV again was such a highlight because she is still my favorite.
First duet is still my favorite storyline in this series, but overall a great series and this was a fun and satisfying ending.
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