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The Chronicles of Kaya #3
Isadora
"Prepare to have your heart and soul and imagination invaded." —Isobelle Carmody
"The Chronicles of Kaya sweep the reader into an unforgettable world." —Sophie Masson
The kingdom of Kaya has been overthrown by a dark power. Trapped inside the dangerous capital, rebel leader Isadora fights the only way she can – by hunting those more monstrous than she. Falco is the exiled emperor of a nation in tatters. But fate demands he abandon the mask that has long disguised his true nature, and rise to meet his sworn enemy, the deadly Sparrow. No one is safe from the evil sweeping the lands, not even those in the far north strongholds of Pirenti. Crown Prince Thorne is plagued by ghosts, Lady Roselyn by the past. With his land and loved ones under threat, King Ambrose must find the strength to show his people a new way of life, or allow the nation’s legacy of violence to consume them. As world’s end draws near the undeniable power of the bond ties Isadora and Falco together. The death of one means the death of both. But Isadora has never before surrendered to fate. She is determined to break free and choose her own path, no matter the cost. The heart-wrenching final novel in the Chronicles of Kaya fantasy trilogy.
"The Chronicles of Kaya sweep the reader into an unforgettable world." —Sophie Masson
The kingdom of Kaya has been overthrown by a dark power. Trapped inside the dangerous capital, rebel leader Isadora fights the only way she can – by hunting those more monstrous than she. Falco is the exiled emperor of a nation in tatters. But fate demands he abandon the mask that has long disguised his true nature, and rise to meet his sworn enemy, the deadly Sparrow. No one is safe from the evil sweeping the lands, not even those in the far north strongholds of Pirenti. Crown Prince Thorne is plagued by ghosts, Lady Roselyn by the past. With his land and loved ones under threat, King Ambrose must find the strength to show his people a new way of life, or allow the nation’s legacy of violence to consume them. As world’s end draws near the undeniable power of the bond ties Isadora and Falco together. The death of one means the death of both. But Isadora has never before surrendered to fate. She is determined to break free and choose her own path, no matter the cost. The heart-wrenching final novel in the Chronicles of Kaya fantasy trilogy.
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2016
15 people are currently reading
1384 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte McConaghy
22 books9,254 followersCharlotte McConaghy is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and Indie Bestseller WILD DARK SHORE, named Amazon’s Best Book of the Year So Far for 2025; as well as the New York Times Bestseller ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES, winner of the Indie Book Award for Fiction 2022; and the international bestseller MIGRATIONS, a TIME Magazine Best Book of the Year and the Amazon Best Fiction Book of the Year for 2020.
She started her writing career with a number of SF/F titles for YA readers; MIGRATIONS was her first foray into adult literature.
Her books have been translated into more than 25 languages, and are being adapted for film and television. She lives in Sydney with her partner and two children.
She started her writing career with a number of SF/F titles for YA readers; MIGRATIONS was her first foray into adult literature.
Her books have been translated into more than 25 languages, and are being adapted for film and television. She lives in Sydney with her partner and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 22, 2017
I am so emotionally ruined right now. rtc.
---
I understood that even if, in some horrendous twist of fate, it did disappear—all this love—I was still better for having had it in the first place. Just as I was better for having loved and lost my Avery.
Isadora starts off a short period of time after Thorne ends. Kaya is now a wreck of a nation with Penn’s crazy ass parents standing in as Warder rulers. Falco and the gang are all in Pirenti, trying to figure out what in the hell they are going to do. For everyone who still things that Falco is Emperor Feckless (everyone), they pretty much think that all hope is lost. Isadora, who we now know is the Sparrow, is in denial over being mated to Falco and is slowly trying to as kill as many warders as possible from within the capital. Adventure, and romance, AND HEART WRENCHING FEELINGS ENSUE.
How badly he loves, petal. Who has ever loved so boldly as Ambrose of Pirenti?
You. Guys. This series. What in the hell have I even gotten myself into. I just innocently started Avery about a week ago and now here I am, suddenly done with the entirely trilogy. I legitimately feel like I have had part of my heart ripped out and crushed but I’m also feeling so in love. These characters and their journeys have quickly and easily become embedded in my heart and will never leave. I honestly can’t wait until I can re-read them all again.
Ambrose’s eyes found me in the dark. We looked at each other and our gazes shifted to gold. I decided then that fate would be what I made it. And my fate was to return to my family, no matter what stood in my way.
Sitting here, even about twelve hours after I finished this book, I’ve gotten to the point where I am suddenly thinking, “How can I ever write a review that could even slightly do this series justice?” About all I can do is tell you guys what made me love everything about this series and hope that it makes you also want to check it out.
I saw her forcibly don a cloak of calm. I wanted to rip her free of it, of all that fucking calm.
Once again, this book had another case of stubborn female. Isadora though was SO much worse than Ava and Finn combined. She was brought up trapped in a cage so she already has problems with intimacy and being around people in general. Throw in a mating bond with a man who until now has been your sworn enemy and shit goes down. The most frustrating thing about all of this was that it wasn’t just Isadora struggling but also Falco. They both grew up hating who they thought the other person was. And all of a sudden they are bonded? Add in having to watch Falco still acting like an idiot, even in front of all of his best friends/ family. UGH. The two of them. I wanted to smack them both and then lock them in a room together for an extended period of time.
’You’re safe,’ I whispered to them in the dark.
‘Of course we are,’ Sadie replied. And Ella said, ’We’re with you, Aunt Rose.’
Aside from the main thread of romance/ angst between Falco and Isadora and then the conflict in Kaya, this book did a really great job of tying up everyone’s stories. While there were mainly four POVs in the previous two books, this book features at least one from all of our old friends from books one and two. By now all of their stories have been interwoven into something very special. They are all family and they would all do anything to protect one another.
Tagging the rest as spoilers so I can just fangirl and rant my heart away
I didn’t care about the cage or brutality—I was so far beyond it because of him. I cared only for him, I loved only him, desperately and endlessly, no magic and no bond needed to make it true.
Finally, even after telling you guys time and again that I love these books, I can’t tell you they’re perfect. While I would like every single one of my GR friends to go out and read this series IMMEDIATELY, not all of you would probably like them. There are a few little tiny problems I had with the plot, the writing in the first book wasn’t my cup of tea, and the lead females pissed me off several times…BUT IT’S WORTH IT. God is it worth it. This story is about love and family and will have you laughing and crying and biting your nails the entire time.
Love was inexplicable. This I knew to be true.
---
I understood that even if, in some horrendous twist of fate, it did disappear—all this love—I was still better for having had it in the first place. Just as I was better for having loved and lost my Avery.
Isadora starts off a short period of time after Thorne ends. Kaya is now a wreck of a nation with Penn’s crazy ass parents standing in as Warder rulers. Falco and the gang are all in Pirenti, trying to figure out what in the hell they are going to do. For everyone who still things that Falco is Emperor Feckless (everyone), they pretty much think that all hope is lost. Isadora, who we now know is the Sparrow, is in denial over being mated to Falco and is slowly trying to as kill as many warders as possible from within the capital. Adventure, and romance, AND HEART WRENCHING FEELINGS ENSUE.
How badly he loves, petal. Who has ever loved so boldly as Ambrose of Pirenti?
You. Guys. This series. What in the hell have I even gotten myself into. I just innocently started Avery about a week ago and now here I am, suddenly done with the entirely trilogy. I legitimately feel like I have had part of my heart ripped out and crushed but I’m also feeling so in love. These characters and their journeys have quickly and easily become embedded in my heart and will never leave. I honestly can’t wait until I can re-read them all again.
Ambrose’s eyes found me in the dark. We looked at each other and our gazes shifted to gold. I decided then that fate would be what I made it. And my fate was to return to my family, no matter what stood in my way.
Sitting here, even about twelve hours after I finished this book, I’ve gotten to the point where I am suddenly thinking, “How can I ever write a review that could even slightly do this series justice?” About all I can do is tell you guys what made me love everything about this series and hope that it makes you also want to check it out.
I saw her forcibly don a cloak of calm. I wanted to rip her free of it, of all that fucking calm.
Once again, this book had another case of stubborn female. Isadora though was SO much worse than Ava and Finn combined. She was brought up trapped in a cage so she already has problems with intimacy and being around people in general. Throw in a mating bond with a man who until now has been your sworn enemy and shit goes down. The most frustrating thing about all of this was that it wasn’t just Isadora struggling but also Falco. They both grew up hating who they thought the other person was. And all of a sudden they are bonded? Add in having to watch Falco still acting like an idiot, even in front of all of his best friends/ family. UGH. The two of them. I wanted to smack them both and then lock them in a room together for an extended period of time.
’You’re safe,’ I whispered to them in the dark.
‘Of course we are,’ Sadie replied. And Ella said, ’We’re with you, Aunt Rose.’
Aside from the main thread of romance/ angst between Falco and Isadora and then the conflict in Kaya, this book did a really great job of tying up everyone’s stories. While there were mainly four POVs in the previous two books, this book features at least one from all of our old friends from books one and two. By now all of their stories have been interwoven into something very special. They are all family and they would all do anything to protect one another.
Tagging the rest as spoilers so I can just fangirl and rant my heart away
I didn’t care about the cage or brutality—I was so far beyond it because of him. I cared only for him, I loved only him, desperately and endlessly, no magic and no bond needed to make it true.
Finally, even after telling you guys time and again that I love these books, I can’t tell you they’re perfect. While I would like every single one of my GR friends to go out and read this series IMMEDIATELY, not all of you would probably like them. There are a few little tiny problems I had with the plot, the writing in the first book wasn’t my cup of tea, and the lead females pissed me off several times…BUT IT’S WORTH IT. God is it worth it. This story is about love and family and will have you laughing and crying and biting your nails the entire time.
Love was inexplicable. This I knew to be true.
August 6, 2018
UPDATE: Reread 08/01/18
This series is so underrated, so sad!!! FYI, I recommended it to 4 of my friends and they all loved it! (Each of us has our own faves, though. Mine's book 3, theirs are book 1 & 2.) If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you give it a try. Aside from three great romances and overall a very amazing plot, this series is full of quotable quotes and lessons in life!
One cool thing I can share about this series is, the characters' eye color changes to bright gold when they meet their soulmate and form a bond. The reason why the third book is my favorite is because the main characters were enemies in the beginning. Imagine their surprise when their eyes meet and change color!
I hope the author writes more! She's so good!!!
UPDATE: 11/27/16
5 STARS
PLOT - 5
WRITING STYLE - 5
CHARACTERS - 5
ROMANCE - 5
UNPUTDOWNABLE LEVEL - 5
OH. MY. GOD. This book is a gem. Seriously. Read it now. I have a feeling 90% of you will love it as much as I did. I read this book along w/ my buddy, Nhikay, and we're both giving it 5 stars. I highly recommend it.
READ IT READ IT READ IT!
This series is so underrated, so sad!!! FYI, I recommended it to 4 of my friends and they all loved it! (Each of us has our own faves, though. Mine's book 3, theirs are book 1 & 2.) If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you give it a try. Aside from three great romances and overall a very amazing plot, this series is full of quotable quotes and lessons in life!
One cool thing I can share about this series is, the characters' eye color changes to bright gold when they meet their soulmate and form a bond. The reason why the third book is my favorite is because the main characters were enemies in the beginning. Imagine their surprise when their eyes meet and change color!
I hope the author writes more! She's so good!!!
UPDATE: 11/27/16
5 STARS
PLOT - 5
WRITING STYLE - 5
CHARACTERS - 5
ROMANCE - 5
UNPUTDOWNABLE LEVEL - 5
OH. MY. GOD. This book is a gem. Seriously. Read it now. I have a feeling 90% of you will love it as much as I did. I read this book along w/ my buddy, Nhikay, and we're both giving it 5 stars. I highly recommend it.
READ IT READ IT READ IT!
February 12, 2017
5/5 Stars
My first read of 2017 and it was amazing! I have loved every single book in this series and I could not have asked for a better finale than this. Every loose end was tied, characters finally get their justice and/ or revenge and this book delivered by far the most meaningful romance of the series.
It's hard to write a synopsis of a third book in the series without spoiling the first two books, but I'm going to try.
The people of Kaya have always died in pairs, when their bond mates (basically soulmates) died, so would they. But what happens when your paired with your sworn enemy? What would you do if you were bound to the person you've promised to kill? Isadora, the rebel leader Sparrow, has always wanted to kill Falco, the feckless emperor of Kaya. But, not everything goes to plan and instead Kaya is overthrown by dark people with monstrous powers and Isadora must fight alongside Falco to free the kingdom. In this book, all the old favourite characters from the trilogy join together to fight an evil that could destroy them all.
Before I go any further I have to mention how much I love this cover. I have loved every cover in this series, but this one stands out to me in particular. I'm not normally drawn to books with a close-up of a cover model but these books are an exception. The girl on the cover portrays a perfect Isadora and the contrast of her red eyes with pale skin, it's such an eye catching cover! The cover definitely drew me into buying this book, although with that said, I would have bought the book even if it had an awful cover because I love this author's writing!
My favourite thing about most books are the characters and I have a list of characters that I deem 'amazing', 'loveable' or 'complex'. But, this book blew that list out of proportion because these characters are just phenomenal. I loved all the main characters from the first two books in the series and I'm glad that they all made an appearance in Isadora, but Falco and Isadora were definitely the stand out personalities.
That quote made me so sad when I read it because it truly reflected how Isadora felt about herself, she thought herself a monster. Isadora was definitely a flawed character but in no way was she a monster. She did, however, kill people and sometimes even people you didn't want her to kill. She was such a strong character but at the same time, she was so vulnerable. We learn that she had been tortured form a very young age which gave reason to so many of actions. She felt that she needed to kill even though it hurt her to do it. Isadora was such a well-written and complex character, she was so badass (her fighting and assassin skills were off the scale) but she was also just a lonely girl who wanted to stop doing evil things. Isadora captured my heart from the very beginning and she has become one of my all-time favourite characters.
With such an amazingly written heroine, the hero also needed to have a wow factor in order to stand out in this book, and Falco certainly did. Whilst I loved Isadora for her strength and complexity, she was no way as complicated as Falco. When we first meet Falco in the previous books, we think him weak, clumsy and feckless which explains his title of 'Emperor Feckless'. But, throughout this book we realise that Falco was actually just wearing a mask (one of many) to hide his true self. He is in fact very cunning, smart and kickass in the most literal way.
The romance in this book progressed very differently than the first two books in this trilogy. With such flawed and broken characters it would have been hard to believe if they had a conventional and sweet romance. Instead, the pair fought a lot, caused each other pain and often didn't want to be with each other. They had so much tension between them from the very beginning which made the little sweet moments between them so much more rewarding. Although, this romance took a lot longer to develop, it was definitely the most meaningful within the series.
Everything I've mentioned in the review so far has been positive, but this book still had moments that I certainly didn't like. I don't mean this in a negative way, only that some money's in the book were so heartbreaking and I couldn't believe what was happening. There were so many times in this book where I couldn't imagine how things could possibly get better. Nothing was going to plan and it seemed like every character I loved was going to die. And when thing started looking good for these characters again, the author just had to knock them back down. This story was definitely an emotional rollercoaster full of forgiveness, vengeance, acceptance and love.
My first read of 2017 and it was amazing! I have loved every single book in this series and I could not have asked for a better finale than this. Every loose end was tied, characters finally get their justice and/ or revenge and this book delivered by far the most meaningful romance of the series.
It's hard to write a synopsis of a third book in the series without spoiling the first two books, but I'm going to try.
The people of Kaya have always died in pairs, when their bond mates (basically soulmates) died, so would they. But what happens when your paired with your sworn enemy? What would you do if you were bound to the person you've promised to kill? Isadora, the rebel leader Sparrow, has always wanted to kill Falco, the feckless emperor of Kaya. But, not everything goes to plan and instead Kaya is overthrown by dark people with monstrous powers and Isadora must fight alongside Falco to free the kingdom. In this book, all the old favourite characters from the trilogy join together to fight an evil that could destroy them all.
Before I go any further I have to mention how much I love this cover. I have loved every cover in this series, but this one stands out to me in particular. I'm not normally drawn to books with a close-up of a cover model but these books are an exception. The girl on the cover portrays a perfect Isadora and the contrast of her red eyes with pale skin, it's such an eye catching cover! The cover definitely drew me into buying this book, although with that said, I would have bought the book even if it had an awful cover because I love this author's writing!
My favourite thing about most books are the characters and I have a list of characters that I deem 'amazing', 'loveable' or 'complex'. But, this book blew that list out of proportion because these characters are just phenomenal. I loved all the main characters from the first two books in the series and I'm glad that they all made an appearance in Isadora, but Falco and Isadora were definitely the stand out personalities.
“How, I wondered, was one meant to live without killing, when killing sought one out at every turn? The world made its monsters indeed.”
That quote made me so sad when I read it because it truly reflected how Isadora felt about herself, she thought herself a monster. Isadora was definitely a flawed character but in no way was she a monster. She did, however, kill people and sometimes even people you didn't want her to kill. She was such a strong character but at the same time, she was so vulnerable. We learn that she had been tortured form a very young age which gave reason to so many of actions. She felt that she needed to kill even though it hurt her to do it. Isadora was such a well-written and complex character, she was so badass (her fighting and assassin skills were off the scale) but she was also just a lonely girl who wanted to stop doing evil things. Isadora captured my heart from the very beginning and she has become one of my all-time favourite characters.
With such an amazingly written heroine, the hero also needed to have a wow factor in order to stand out in this book, and Falco certainly did. Whilst I loved Isadora for her strength and complexity, she was no way as complicated as Falco. When we first meet Falco in the previous books, we think him weak, clumsy and feckless which explains his title of 'Emperor Feckless'. But, throughout this book we realise that Falco was actually just wearing a mask (one of many) to hide his true self. He is in fact very cunning, smart and kickass in the most literal way.
The romance in this book progressed very differently than the first two books in this trilogy. With such flawed and broken characters it would have been hard to believe if they had a conventional and sweet romance. Instead, the pair fought a lot, caused each other pain and often didn't want to be with each other. They had so much tension between them from the very beginning which made the little sweet moments between them so much more rewarding. Although, this romance took a lot longer to develop, it was definitely the most meaningful within the series.
Everything I've mentioned in the review so far has been positive, but this book still had moments that I certainly didn't like. I don't mean this in a negative way, only that some money's in the book were so heartbreaking and I couldn't believe what was happening. There were so many times in this book where I couldn't imagine how things could possibly get better. Nothing was going to plan and it seemed like every character I loved was going to die. And when thing started looking good for these characters again, the author just had to knock them back down. This story was definitely an emotional rollercoaster full of forgiveness, vengeance, acceptance and love.
November 25, 2016
2 WRECKED STARS
SPOILERS AHED! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?! I AM SPEECHLESS I DON'T EVEN WHAT TO SAY. I AM HEARTBROKEN, WRECKED AND ANGRY. I feel like the author literally reached into my heart and snatched it out of me. I am going to be brutally honest. The book was going so perfectly. It was a full on 5 stars for me until I reached the last two chapters. I don't understand why the author took the direction she did but she majorly fucked up. SHE KILLED FINN! THORN'S FINN. whyyyyyyy? The already had their HEA then why did she had to go and kill her. There were many other deaths in the book but I was okay with that. I felt like she killed of finn purely for shock value. Completely ruined Throne's story for me. I think reading this book was a HUGE mistake because right now I'm heartbroken for throne. Like mother like son. Giving him the same fate that his mother had for NO COMPLETE REASON. She didn't even die trying too protect someone but for a completely useless thing.
I have lost all trust in Charlotte McConaghy and I don't think I'll ever read her books again. I was so excited to start Isadora. I had been waiting for months to get my hands on it. A WASTE. I urge all of you to stop reading after Throne. Maybe some of you would like the turn out but I didn't. Killed off Finn, Jonah and Penn. USELESS. I don't give two shits that Throne could see her as a ghost. He couldn't touch her, he couldn't truly be with her. I was also expecting so much for Falco and Isadora's conclusion but it was as tasteless as Finn's death.
Now excuse me will I try to find something sweet to read so I stop crying these tears of frustration and anger.
The two stars are only there because apart from the last two chapters, the rest of the book was good but tbh, the story is ruined for me. So disappointed.
How you gonna go and kill the second book's heroine is beyond me.
Bye!
SPOILERS AHED! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?! I AM SPEECHLESS I DON'T EVEN WHAT TO SAY. I AM HEARTBROKEN, WRECKED AND ANGRY. I feel like the author literally reached into my heart and snatched it out of me. I am going to be brutally honest. The book was going so perfectly. It was a full on 5 stars for me until I reached the last two chapters. I don't understand why the author took the direction she did but she majorly fucked up. SHE KILLED FINN! THORN'S FINN. whyyyyyyy? The already had their HEA then why did she had to go and kill her. There were many other deaths in the book but I was okay with that. I felt like she killed of finn purely for shock value. Completely ruined Throne's story for me. I think reading this book was a HUGE mistake because right now I'm heartbroken for throne. Like mother like son. Giving him the same fate that his mother had for NO COMPLETE REASON. She didn't even die trying too protect someone but for a completely useless thing.
I have lost all trust in Charlotte McConaghy and I don't think I'll ever read her books again. I was so excited to start Isadora. I had been waiting for months to get my hands on it. A WASTE. I urge all of you to stop reading after Throne. Maybe some of you would like the turn out but I didn't. Killed off Finn, Jonah and Penn. USELESS. I don't give two shits that Throne could see her as a ghost. He couldn't touch her, he couldn't truly be with her. I was also expecting so much for Falco and Isadora's conclusion but it was as tasteless as Finn's death.
Now excuse me will I try to find something sweet to read so I stop crying these tears of frustration and anger.
The two stars are only there because apart from the last two chapters, the rest of the book was good but tbh, the story is ruined for me. So disappointed.
How you gonna go and kill the second book's heroine is beyond me.
Bye!
February 7, 2017
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
This book has ruined me in so many ways, it was quite an intense and emotional read. There was so much sadness, sacrifice, hate, love and tragedy in this book that literally wrecked me apart. Isadora is more intense than Avery and Thorne and once again I’ve fell in love with all the characters in this trilogy. Although the ending was kinda bittersweet, it was truly an epic conclusion to the series! It’s a unique trilogy where every main characters are either broken or flawed which makes them more appealing. Honestly, this was really an amazing trilogy and I wish more people had read this hidden gem.
The book starts sometime after Thorne was finished. Isadora, the deadly sparrow has finally found her bondmate but unfortunately it was her sworn enemy Falco, the exiled emperor of kaya to whom she hates immensely and swore to kill. The kingdom of Kaya is overthrown-ed by two evil warders and they soon becomes a threat to pirenti. To fight against the evil warders strong power, Pirenti and Kaya needs to combine forces. While everyone was dealing with the fight against the evil warders, Isadora and Falco has their own conflict to deal with. Isadora wants to concentrate on her mission to destroy the evil warders and she feels she isn’t deserving of love especially from her enemy and wants to break the bond. The bonded always dies in pair and Isadora doesn’t want to surrender to the fate and decides to choose her own path, no matter the cost. With everyone being plagued by their own demons, can they succeed on winning against the evil that plaguing their lands.
Though I loved Isadora and Falco, Ava and Ambrose would always be my favorite couple. Isadora is a strong character who is fierce, ruthless, lethal, ice cold and unsocial. We finally get to know the dark past of Isadora and trust me, it was horrifying and I felt very bad for her. Now I can finally understand why she was such cold hearted and has trouble trusting others. Falco is a charming character who wears a mask that hid his true nature. He was called Emperor Feckless due to his reckless behavior and always indulging himself with women and wine but they don’t know it was all a facade. Isadora and Falco are quite an intriguing couple. I loved how their relationship slowly grew from intense hate to love. It’s quite fascinating to watch when two troubled souls grew to love each other especially when they are enemies. There’s so much anguish, hate, anger, desire and love in their relationship which made me root for them till the end. Every characters in this book including the secondary characters are truly great and I liked all of them.
The plot is fucking fantastic! From the first chapter, I was hooked and I didn’t want to let go of this series even when it was finally concluded. The ending was bittersweet, shocking and heart wrenching. I really wished for an alternate ending where there would be no deaths and everyone would made it out alive. All the emotional turmoil, twists and surprises has took a toll on me but I still didn’t want to part with it even for a sec. It also has a great character development that I really enjoyed. I liked the pacing of the story and the writing style of the author is captivating through out. The story was told in multiple pov’s and I absolutely enjoyed reading the story in everyone’s perspective. It helped me connect to all the characters, feel their emotions and also brought depth to the story. The world building is amazing, as always! It’s good to be back in the magical world of Kaya and Pirenti.
Overall, it was fantabulous! With this epic ending, this has officially became one of my favorite trilogies. I’m really gonna miss all the exciting journey and the characters. I thank the author for writing such a wonderful series and I’ll definitely look forward to what she has in store for us next.
Finally, I highly recommend this trilogy to everyone! The Chronicles of kaya is a NA fantasy trilogy filled with fantastic plot, beautiful writing, amazing world building, intriguing characters and addictive romance.
READ IT, YOU WON’T REGRET IT!!!
This book has ruined me in so many ways, it was quite an intense and emotional read. There was so much sadness, sacrifice, hate, love and tragedy in this book that literally wrecked me apart. Isadora is more intense than Avery and Thorne and once again I’ve fell in love with all the characters in this trilogy. Although the ending was kinda bittersweet, it was truly an epic conclusion to the series! It’s a unique trilogy where every main characters are either broken or flawed which makes them more appealing. Honestly, this was really an amazing trilogy and I wish more people had read this hidden gem.
The book starts sometime after Thorne was finished. Isadora, the deadly sparrow has finally found her bondmate but unfortunately it was her sworn enemy Falco, the exiled emperor of kaya to whom she hates immensely and swore to kill. The kingdom of Kaya is overthrown-ed by two evil warders and they soon becomes a threat to pirenti. To fight against the evil warders strong power, Pirenti and Kaya needs to combine forces. While everyone was dealing with the fight against the evil warders, Isadora and Falco has their own conflict to deal with. Isadora wants to concentrate on her mission to destroy the evil warders and she feels she isn’t deserving of love especially from her enemy and wants to break the bond. The bonded always dies in pair and Isadora doesn’t want to surrender to the fate and decides to choose her own path, no matter the cost. With everyone being plagued by their own demons, can they succeed on winning against the evil that plaguing their lands.
Though I loved Isadora and Falco, Ava and Ambrose would always be my favorite couple. Isadora is a strong character who is fierce, ruthless, lethal, ice cold and unsocial. We finally get to know the dark past of Isadora and trust me, it was horrifying and I felt very bad for her. Now I can finally understand why she was such cold hearted and has trouble trusting others. Falco is a charming character who wears a mask that hid his true nature. He was called Emperor Feckless due to his reckless behavior and always indulging himself with women and wine but they don’t know it was all a facade. Isadora and Falco are quite an intriguing couple. I loved how their relationship slowly grew from intense hate to love. It’s quite fascinating to watch when two troubled souls grew to love each other especially when they are enemies. There’s so much anguish, hate, anger, desire and love in their relationship which made me root for them till the end. Every characters in this book including the secondary characters are truly great and I liked all of them.
The plot is fucking fantastic! From the first chapter, I was hooked and I didn’t want to let go of this series even when it was finally concluded. The ending was bittersweet, shocking and heart wrenching. I really wished for an alternate ending where there would be no deaths and everyone would made it out alive. All the emotional turmoil, twists and surprises has took a toll on me but I still didn’t want to part with it even for a sec. It also has a great character development that I really enjoyed. I liked the pacing of the story and the writing style of the author is captivating through out. The story was told in multiple pov’s and I absolutely enjoyed reading the story in everyone’s perspective. It helped me connect to all the characters, feel their emotions and also brought depth to the story. The world building is amazing, as always! It’s good to be back in the magical world of Kaya and Pirenti.
Overall, it was fantabulous! With this epic ending, this has officially became one of my favorite trilogies. I’m really gonna miss all the exciting journey and the characters. I thank the author for writing such a wonderful series and I’ll definitely look forward to what she has in store for us next.
Finally, I highly recommend this trilogy to everyone! The Chronicles of kaya is a NA fantasy trilogy filled with fantastic plot, beautiful writing, amazing world building, intriguing characters and addictive romance.
READ IT, YOU WON’T REGRET IT!!!
February 12, 2017
Isadora is the third and the last one in the series and I would really like it to have more books, because I loved it! It was perfect.
The story made me swoon and made me gasp. It had everything: action, tension, so many twists, heartbreaks and blissful moments. I am really sad to say goodbye to the characters. I got attached to them and to the beautiful word created by Charlotte McConaghy.
I recommend this serious to all fantasy lovers and to people who enjoy “enemies to lovers” stories. Of course, start with Avery!
The story made me swoon and made me gasp. It had everything: action, tension, so many twists, heartbreaks and blissful moments. I am really sad to say goodbye to the characters. I got attached to them and to the beautiful word created by Charlotte McConaghy.
I recommend this serious to all fantasy lovers and to people who enjoy “enemies to lovers” stories. Of course, start with Avery!
April 12, 2017
I cried literally non-stop from page 426 onwards. It tore out my soul.
February 25, 2018
What an epic, heart-wrenching finale 🙌🏽
June 27, 2023
#1.) Avery: ★★★★
#2.) Thorne: ★ ★ ★ ★
#3.) Isadora:: ★ ★ ★ ★
I wish more authors had the courage to write series finales like this. A whole lot of awful happens to the main characters of the series — we learn that Isadora’s parents originally slaughtered Falco’s entire family and that a ten-year old Falco commissioned his wardens to enact revenge…which included killing Isadora’s parents and torturing her in a metal, suspended cage for twelve years. We also experience Isadora being forced to have sex on display for sick kicks, Roselyn being raped, Ambrose being beaten and getting both hands cut off, Jonah dying, Penn dying, and Finn dying. But we also see Emperor “Feckless” Falco finally showing everyone what a badass fighter he actually is, Falco and Isadora break their bond but fall back in love regardless, Kaya win freedom from the warders and become a democracy, and lots of powerful reunions.
The reunion part I was not expecting and if I’d known that was going to happen and Finn had the power to lift up the veil for several hours, I would’ve been skeptical. How could you bring back to life all the main characters without it being cheesy? But it worked. First, Vincent, the slimeball. Then, Radha and Quillane. King Thorne got me in the feels for sure, especially seeing him meet his son for the first time. But Avery? The appearance of Avery socked me in the ever-loving gut.
THE GOOD
1. We came full circle and that circle was so good. It was a pleasant surprise to find that this book featured more of Falco and Isadora but also of every single previous characters’ points of views as well. It was good to see Ambrose and Ava and Rose again from book one, and Thorne and Finn from book two.
2. Character cameos.
3. Character deaths.
4. I like that Ava still doesn’t like King Thorne, even 20+ years later. I like that she’s never forgiven him for the physical abuse he enacted on Roselyn.
5. I liked Isadora and Falco finally being free to be together in peace, leaving everything else behind.
THE BAD
1. For as much as this book grabbed my emotions, it also didn’t. Everything was still oddly detached to the extent that yes, I cared about and rooted for these characters, but I could’ve so much more. Maybe too much was happening? Too much internal dialogue from too many people to fit in the politics and plot?
2. I’ll never agree with Ambrose’s no-violence approach and his refusal to allow his hands to be reattached back to his wrists. Ava had it right — it wasn’t just about him, but also about his ability to hold his daughters and wife. He still refused. The scene where he let the abuse happen to him out of a no-violence mentality was extremely frustrating. One could argue that if he had put up a fight at the Karl’s lair instead of let the mob take him, he wouldn’t have been separated from his group and Roselyn would never have been raped.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This series is unlike most fantasy series hitting the best sellers lost these days, and that’s okay. I imagine most people will be turned away at the first book because of the controversial portrayal of Thorne and Roselyn, and that’s a shame.
Would I read more of this author’s works? Mayhaps.
#2.) Thorne: ★ ★ ★ ★
#3.) Isadora:: ★ ★ ★ ★
I wish more authors had the courage to write series finales like this. A whole lot of awful happens to the main characters of the series — we learn that Isadora’s parents originally slaughtered Falco’s entire family and that a ten-year old Falco commissioned his wardens to enact revenge…which included killing Isadora’s parents and torturing her in a metal, suspended cage for twelve years. We also experience Isadora being forced to have sex on display for sick kicks, Roselyn being raped, Ambrose being beaten and getting both hands cut off, Jonah dying, Penn dying, and Finn dying. But we also see Emperor “Feckless” Falco finally showing everyone what a badass fighter he actually is, Falco and Isadora break their bond but fall back in love regardless, Kaya win freedom from the warders and become a democracy, and lots of powerful reunions.
The reunion part I was not expecting and if I’d known that was going to happen and Finn had the power to lift up the veil for several hours, I would’ve been skeptical. How could you bring back to life all the main characters without it being cheesy? But it worked. First, Vincent, the slimeball. Then, Radha and Quillane. King Thorne got me in the feels for sure, especially seeing him meet his son for the first time. But Avery? The appearance of Avery socked me in the ever-loving gut.
He appeared in the mouth of the alley, and I made myself look at him. I looked at him, and I saw him, really saw him. The boy I first glimpsed in a boat out at sea, the one who turned me into a fighter, made me see what mattered in life. The boy who kissed me first, made love to me first, proposed to me first, planned to spend the rest of his life with me first. I had all my firsts with this man, this young, charming, flippant creature, this smiling creature, this laughing joking sarcastic impatient obnoxious generous creature. This was a man who died for his people, who was killed doing something foolish and brave and whose eyes had turned gold for me as he died.
‘Avery,’ I said, reaching for him, everything collapsing within. No walls remained, not even the skeletons of walls.
He was here with me, in my arms, his lips finding mine at last and I was wide open, my heart his. ‘I never kissed you enough,’ I whispered. ‘I never had enough of your laughs. I never got the life we planned, but I got a different life, one without you, and you got no life, you just got to watch mine. And that’s not fair.’ Here it was, flooding from me in a wave of guilt. I had a perfect, wonderful life, and he had nothing. He had the eternal loneliness of watching that life and not being able to share it. He deserved so much more. ‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’
‘I love you,’ Avery said urgently, holding my face and hair and cheeks. ‘I love you and I love your husband and your children. I love every moment of your life, I love it like it’s mine. You don’t understand how empty it would be there without your happiness. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t stop – you keep me there by the veil. Your love, petal, and Ambrose’s, too, it holds me close always.’
My hands trembled from clutching him so tightly. I exhaled in a rush. ‘I’m not a petal anymore. I’m nothing like one.’
‘You’re better,’ Avery said, kissing me again.
He was so real in my hands, against my mouth. He felt warm and alive and he tasted like my childhood, like my adolescence and my memories of first becoming a woman. He tasted like the fish we caught and tasted off each other’s bodies, and he tasted of the salt in our tears.
And then he tasted of nothing, no longer warm and alive because he was gone again, leaving nothing but the echo in my ears of his last word, my name on his lips.
THE GOOD
1. We came full circle and that circle was so good. It was a pleasant surprise to find that this book featured more of Falco and Isadora but also of every single previous characters’ points of views as well. It was good to see Ambrose and Ava and Rose again from book one, and Thorne and Finn from book two.
2. Character cameos.
King Thorne
‘Da?’ I whispered, barely daring to believe.
And he was saying over and over again, ‘My boy. My boy.’
The Slaughterman of Pirenti. Most feared and loathed man of a nation. My father. Here. Saying, ‘My boy,’ over and over like a prayer, like it was the only thing that mattered or would ever matter.
I felt my arms come up and around his mighty frame, so tentatively. And like the thawing of a great glacier I felt my heart – this heart that had grown up hating him for all that he’d been and all that he’d failed to be, hating him for leaving me to be feared just as he was, for his legacy that meant I could never be forgiven, and hating him most of all for being absent – I felt this heart fracture like a fine sheen of ice over a winter river, cracks snaking out and out and out until the whole broken surface sank. I was submerged in his scent, my father’s scent, in the magnificent physical presence of him, his size and strength, and more than that. Ambrose spoke often of giants and never once described a giant as being large in size, but in spirit. Even this most fallible of men, this person who had fallen prey to his most monstrous side, even a boy who’d been so easily manipulated by his mother … even such a man, Ambrose called a giant. I had never understood it. Not for a second. Violence, in my mind, had never meant spirit. And yet here he was, holding me like I had always in my most secret heart of hearts wished my father could. Once upon a time I’d asked my uncle, who raised me, how he could love such a monster. How he could forgive such a monster. And he said that his brother had one quality more than any other, and that I would realise one day how much that quality meant. He had been right – it was my wife, in the end, who taught me how much it meant. Taught me so that now, in the grip of his trembling fingers, I knew how to recognise it, could feel and understand it, could be awed by its power. Here in the grip of a giant I had never met, in the unexpected love of a slaughterman, I felt it: loyalty.
Avery
My first thought when I opened my eyes was that I had died.
Because I was lying across the spine of a flying pegasis that was not Migliori, and I was in the arms of a person with long, black hair, golden eyes and dimples when he smiled.
‘Sorry I’m late, petal,’ Avery said. ‘I had a long way to come.’
3. Character deaths.
Jonah
Buildings were burning and I couldn’t tell if the flames were real or not. It was all over, and falling, and the blood from my stomach was spreading from my center out and out and out and as I watched, utterly powerless to stop it, Jonah fell to his knees, and his eyes found mine, and he said through the blood in his mouth, ‘Tell my sister I love her best of all,’ on a whisper, on a breath, and then he was dead. I could see the life go from him, the buzzing lights of fireflies rising and coiling out of his chest with unbearable loveliness.
Penn
Count the seconds now. Count the moments that pass as she grows wearier, as she grows older. She is heavy with the weight of greed, the burden of magic. She gave in to that burden long ago, let it crush her into something small, small, too small for a soul to fit inside. So I’ll count the seconds until she is free, until I can use the strangeness of fear to release what hides within her. And I’ll count the seconds until I go, too. I’ll count until I can’t count anymore, can’t count all of my favourite things, like Finn’s stories or Jonah’s jokes or Isadora’s words. I’ll just keep counting, and the numbers will fill me up and quiet the buzzing, and they’ll be gentle and sweet and they’ll fill my one single heart to bursting.
Finn
A sound left me, a low groan, and I had to catch myself on the balcony. ‘Come back,’ I gasped. ‘Come back.’
Finn shook her head gently. ‘I shouldn’t have tried to bring anyone through. We live and we die, and that’s as it should be. I’ve had three births already – I need no fourth.’
‘I need you,’ I said. ‘Either you come back or I follow you. That’s as it should be.’
‘Thorne. If you love me –’
‘If?’
‘Because you love me, you will live. You will live, and it will be such a life. Precious and rare and full.’
But that wasn’t my life. Not anymore. Life was abruptly too long. Impossibly long. It stretched out unendurably before me, filled only with loneliness.
‘No,’ she murmured, ‘life is a blink. Less than. I can see it now.’ Her legs swung back and forth. ‘Don’t tell anyone yet. Leave it a while. Let them … be.’
Grief made a shell of me, a husk. I didn’t care about anyone else. My beast was howling and howling and howling within. He would never stop.
Then my wife turned to me and smiled again, and I could see the freckles on her nose as she whispered, ‘It’s beautiful here, Thorne. It’s filled with the most beautiful music. Shh … if you close your eyes and listen, I’ll show it to you.’
And so I did, and she did. Through the deep binding between our souls, the one that would never break, not even in death, I heard the soft humming voices of the dead, and it was. It was extraordinary. It was the meaning of it all. It was love.
4. I like that Ava still doesn’t like King Thorne, even 20+ years later. I like that she’s never forgiven him for the physical abuse he enacted on Roselyn.
5. I liked Isadora and Falco finally being free to be together in peace, leaving everything else behind.
THE BAD
1. For as much as this book grabbed my emotions, it also didn’t. Everything was still oddly detached to the extent that yes, I cared about and rooted for these characters, but I could’ve so much more. Maybe too much was happening? Too much internal dialogue from too many people to fit in the politics and plot?
2. I’ll never agree with Ambrose’s no-violence approach and his refusal to allow his hands to be reattached back to his wrists. Ava had it right — it wasn’t just about him, but also about his ability to hold his daughters and wife. He still refused. The scene where he let the abuse happen to him out of a no-violence mentality was extremely frustrating. One could argue that if he had put up a fight at the Karl’s lair instead of let the mob take him, he wouldn’t have been separated from his group and Roselyn would never have been raped.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This series is unlike most fantasy series hitting the best sellers lost these days, and that’s okay. I imagine most people will be turned away at the first book because of the controversial portrayal of Thorne and Roselyn, and that’s a shame.
Would I read more of this author’s works? Mayhaps.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
OH, WHATEVER WAS LEFT OF MY HEART HAS BEEN PLUCKED OUT AND MY EYES, OH GOD, MY EYES RESSEMBLE A FUCKING FOUNTAIN.
“How, I wondered, was one meant to live without killing, when killing sought one out at every turn? The world made its monsters indeed.”
This whole series, from the first page of Avery, has hit me so hard. I never thought I’d be able to feel emotions to such a deep extent.
This beautiful series was planned so marvellously with such an epic ending.
I have loved each and every character in this series and bidding them farewell was the worst thing ever. This whole series might be the only one that made me ugly cry so much and come to terms with various concepts of life.
We’ve never really seen much of Ava and Avery’s relationship except in the first book, and even though the book didn’t connect us with him in the starting, by barely giving us much material, but the death of him still hit us hard. I was in love with the way Charlotte McConaghy wrote this series, in such an impressive sense, it enticed me instantly, which I guess is also why I let the waterworks start and never stop in each of the three books.
I felt like the character development was a huge segment of this book. We get to see much more of Rose and her strength, which has no bounds. The way Ambrose fought to create a new nation was inspirational. Every single character that we knew so far has come to full potential in this book and it was such a wonderful journey.
This series was phenomenal and fucking heart wrenching.
I still don’t know why people have not read this brilliant piece of work yet.
I don’t think any amount of appreciation will be enough for this series, it was just too fucking great.
Also, I feel like utter shit.
“How, I wondered, was one meant to live without killing, when killing sought one out at every turn? The world made its monsters indeed.”
This whole series, from the first page of Avery, has hit me so hard. I never thought I’d be able to feel emotions to such a deep extent.
This beautiful series was planned so marvellously with such an epic ending.
I have loved each and every character in this series and bidding them farewell was the worst thing ever. This whole series might be the only one that made me ugly cry so much and come to terms with various concepts of life.
We’ve never really seen much of Ava and Avery’s relationship except in the first book, and even though the book didn’t connect us with him in the starting, by barely giving us much material, but the death of him still hit us hard. I was in love with the way Charlotte McConaghy wrote this series, in such an impressive sense, it enticed me instantly, which I guess is also why I let the waterworks start and never stop in each of the three books.
I felt like the character development was a huge segment of this book. We get to see much more of Rose and her strength, which has no bounds. The way Ambrose fought to create a new nation was inspirational. Every single character that we knew so far has come to full potential in this book and it was such a wonderful journey.
This series was phenomenal and fucking heart wrenching.
I still don’t know why people have not read this brilliant piece of work yet.
I don’t think any amount of appreciation will be enough for this series, it was just too fucking great.
Also, I feel like utter shit.
August 22, 2016
The first impression of a book is, of course, the cover. I love the simple but stunning beautiful style of this cover. It's perfect for this book!
The series 'The Chronicles Of Kaya' has found a grand finale. I love the writing style of the author Charlotte McConaghy. As I already said in my previous reviews to 'Avery' and 'Thorne', her writing style is absolutely thrilling, very detailed and most definitely amazing.
In simple words: Charlotte McConaghy is a genius with words!
In 'Isadora' you will stumble across a lot of characters you've already met in the first two books of this trilogy. You will get to know each and every one of them better and you will love them even more than you already did. I definitely love all of the amazing characters.
In the last book of this series, you will find out more about Isadora, her past and her current life. You will learn the reasons, why she is how she is and you will slowly and irrevocable fall in love with her. Isadora is beatiful in her very own way and has as much courage as a human being could have. I adore her!
You will also get to find out more about F'alco and his past. The 'Emperor Feckless', who doesn't know who he really is but he will find out what his very own character is. Will it be enough for Isadora to fall for him at last or is she working with his enemies?
Find it out and join Isadora, Falco, Ava, Ambrose, Finn and Thorne on their last adventure.
I absolutely love this series and the whole trilogy is a highlight for me. Not just a highlight of this year. No it's a highlight in all the books I've ever read. And I've read many books in my life!
The series 'The Chronicles Of Kaya' has found a grand finale. I love the writing style of the author Charlotte McConaghy. As I already said in my previous reviews to 'Avery' and 'Thorne', her writing style is absolutely thrilling, very detailed and most definitely amazing.
In simple words: Charlotte McConaghy is a genius with words!
In 'Isadora' you will stumble across a lot of characters you've already met in the first two books of this trilogy. You will get to know each and every one of them better and you will love them even more than you already did. I definitely love all of the amazing characters.
In the last book of this series, you will find out more about Isadora, her past and her current life. You will learn the reasons, why she is how she is and you will slowly and irrevocable fall in love with her. Isadora is beatiful in her very own way and has as much courage as a human being could have. I adore her!
You will also get to find out more about F'alco and his past. The 'Emperor Feckless', who doesn't know who he really is but he will find out what his very own character is. Will it be enough for Isadora to fall for him at last or is she working with his enemies?
Find it out and join Isadora, Falco, Ava, Ambrose, Finn and Thorne on their last adventure.
I absolutely love this series and the whole trilogy is a highlight for me. Not just a highlight of this year. No it's a highlight in all the books I've ever read. And I've read many books in my life!
August 15, 2016
Nothing I write will adequately express how this book, indeed, how this series, made me feel. The characters are really the defining point of The Chronicles of Kaya. So much so that sometimes I felt some elements of the plot weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked them. I wanted a bit more explanation on the power/magic of the warders and how it worked for different individuals. I wanted to know WHY the warders hadn't told Falco they found his family's murderers. Why were they killed in the first place? I had the same feelings in the last book when Finn and Thorne II are in the Berserker Mountains. Things just sort of happened really quickly without much explanation.
BUT
The main characters were all complex, and flawed, and so beautiful because of it.
As an aside, I was so happy that King Thorne got to come back. He was pretty bloody awesome. I loved pretty much all the main characters in this series, but I think Thorne senior was my favourite. Because even though he was hard, and violent, he became more than the slaughter man he was trained to be. He loved as fiercely as he hated. He was clumsy expressing it, especially in a world which tried to beat those emotions out of him, but he loved his wife, imperfectly as it was. But how true is that of real life? That he sacrificed his very life for the people he loved speaks volumes about the kind of man he was becoming.
The ending was really satisfying for me. I really loathe 'happy endings' where everything works out for everyone, because that is not how life works. I bawled like an infant, but when a book is going to culminate in a huge battle, you know someone isn't going to make it. I think, if it had to be any of them, Jonah, Penn & Finn going together was the only way for it to end. I loved that Thorne junior could still see them anyway, and that he stayed with their father Alexi.
I was happy Rose finally had someone to look after her and cherish her. Erik was a godsend.
And oh gods. Avery. The love he had for not only Ava, but also Ambrose and the girls. And the way they all loved him too.
Definitely one of my favourite series.
BUT
The main characters were all complex, and flawed, and so beautiful because of it.
As an aside, I was so happy that King Thorne got to come back. He was pretty bloody awesome. I loved pretty much all the main characters in this series, but I think Thorne senior was my favourite. Because even though he was hard, and violent, he became more than the slaughter man he was trained to be. He loved as fiercely as he hated. He was clumsy expressing it, especially in a world which tried to beat those emotions out of him, but he loved his wife, imperfectly as it was. But how true is that of real life? That he sacrificed his very life for the people he loved speaks volumes about the kind of man he was becoming.
The ending was really satisfying for me. I really loathe 'happy endings' where everything works out for everyone, because that is not how life works. I bawled like an infant, but when a book is going to culminate in a huge battle, you know someone isn't going to make it. I think, if it had to be any of them, Jonah, Penn & Finn going together was the only way for it to end. I loved that Thorne junior could still see them anyway, and that he stayed with their father Alexi.
I was happy Rose finally had someone to look after her and cherish her. Erik was a godsend.
And oh gods. Avery. The love he had for not only Ava, but also Ambrose and the girls. And the way they all loved him too.
Definitely one of my favourite series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2016
I am so very
in love
with this series.
Fantastic world building, unique magic, beautifully fleshed out characters that had me weeping with happiness, regret, grief and anything else you can think of.
This book, and the series ending, left me with that inexplicably raw feeling you only get when you have to say goodbye to characters and a world that you have taken into your heart and locked inside.
book hangover of note!
How, I wondered, was one meant to live without killing, when killing sought one out at every turn? The world made its monsters indeed.
I could not help but love Isadora, because she doesn't feel deserving of love. But she is. My heart broke for her multiple times.
My heart hurt for Falco as well. To live his whole life pretending to be less than he is, with no one knowing he truly is... how horribly lonely.
It was wonderful to spend time with all of the old characters that I love so much. They continue to progress, and man oh man did SO many traumatizing things happen in this book. McConaghy did not pull her punches.
The character growth and relationship growth continued to be sublime, and while it was brutal to witness, there was beauty in the brutality because of the writing and character depth.
The plot line remained engaging - beyond the characters. Kingdoms at stake. Lives lost for the cause.
This series is so amazing, I would recommend it in a second!
Fantastic world building, unique magic, beautifully fleshed out characters that had me weeping with happiness, regret, grief and anything else you can think of.
This book, and the series ending, left me with that inexplicably raw feeling you only get when you have to say goodbye to characters and a world that you have taken into your heart and locked inside.
book hangover of note!
How, I wondered, was one meant to live without killing, when killing sought one out at every turn? The world made its monsters indeed.
I could not help but love Isadora, because she doesn't feel deserving of love. But she is. My heart broke for her multiple times.
My heart hurt for Falco as well. To live his whole life pretending to be less than he is, with no one knowing he truly is... how horribly lonely.
It was wonderful to spend time with all of the old characters that I love so much. They continue to progress, and man oh man did SO many traumatizing things happen in this book. McConaghy did not pull her punches.
The character growth and relationship growth continued to be sublime, and while it was brutal to witness, there was beauty in the brutality because of the writing and character depth.
The plot line remained engaging - beyond the characters. Kingdoms at stake. Lives lost for the cause.
This series is so amazing, I would recommend it in a second!
January 3, 2020
This book series deserves way more attention than it's been getting. The writing, the characters, the world, everything was so good that I don't know what else to say other than I loved it!! Definitely a new favorite.
February 4, 2017
My heart...
January 22, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
The kingdom of Kaya has been overthrown by a dark power. Trapped inside the dangerous capital, rebel leader Isadora fights the only way she can - by hunting those more monstrous than she.
Falco is the exiled emperor of a nation in tatters. But fate demands he abandon the mask that has long disguised his true nature, and rise to meet his sworn enemy, the deadly Sparrow.
No one is safe from the evil sweeping the lands, not even those in the far north strongholds of Pirenti.
Crown Prince Thorne is plagued by ghosts, Lady Roselyn by the past.
With his land and loved ones under threat, King Ambrose must find the strength to show his people a new way of life, or allow the nation's legacy of violence to consume them.
As world's end draws near the undeniable power of the bond ties Isadora and Falco together. The death of one means the death of both. But Isadora has never before surrendered to fate. She is determined to break free and choose her own path, no matter the cost.
I am not sure if "Just go read this series" qualifies as a review but I really don't know what more to add to the previous write-ups.
I guess the biggest difference is that this is the finale, there are plot-lines that make you feel pretty much every human emotion you can. From happiness to despair, from anger to joy - everything happens in this book to make you wonder why you haven't read this series before.
I am glad the author was brave to give us the ending we deserved, for not chickening out and being safe...that was a fantastic decision, and one that adds to the emotional rollercoater that this series has been.
Just check it out and devour like I did.
Paul
ARH
The kingdom of Kaya has been overthrown by a dark power. Trapped inside the dangerous capital, rebel leader Isadora fights the only way she can - by hunting those more monstrous than she.
Falco is the exiled emperor of a nation in tatters. But fate demands he abandon the mask that has long disguised his true nature, and rise to meet his sworn enemy, the deadly Sparrow.
No one is safe from the evil sweeping the lands, not even those in the far north strongholds of Pirenti.
Crown Prince Thorne is plagued by ghosts, Lady Roselyn by the past.
With his land and loved ones under threat, King Ambrose must find the strength to show his people a new way of life, or allow the nation's legacy of violence to consume them.
As world's end draws near the undeniable power of the bond ties Isadora and Falco together. The death of one means the death of both. But Isadora has never before surrendered to fate. She is determined to break free and choose her own path, no matter the cost.
I am not sure if "Just go read this series" qualifies as a review but I really don't know what more to add to the previous write-ups.
I guess the biggest difference is that this is the finale, there are plot-lines that make you feel pretty much every human emotion you can. From happiness to despair, from anger to joy - everything happens in this book to make you wonder why you haven't read this series before.
I am glad the author was brave to give us the ending we deserved, for not chickening out and being safe...that was a fantastic decision, and one that adds to the emotional rollercoater that this series has been.
Just check it out and devour like I did.
Paul
ARH
May 17, 2017
The writing style of this series was so freaking annoying!
Otherwise I don't know what to say, I think it actually got worse and worse with each book.
Otherwise I don't know what to say, I think it actually got worse and worse with each book.
April 11, 2021
A fantastic series with a beautiful, surprising, heart-aching, heart-breaking end. I was not prepared to cry so much! There is berserkers and violence and blood and death, interspersed gloriously with magic and gentleness and friendship and love, and it's gorgeously delivered by McConaghy. Loved it all.
June 6, 2020
Isadora is everything I wanted for the last instalment of The Chronicles of Kaya. It was brilliantly written and emotional, and I raced through it in two sittings. Falco and Isadora are probably my favourite pair from this series.
Everything about this novel was so heartbreaking. Ava and Ambrose, and Finn and Thorne, were enemies too but it was nothing like Isadora and Falco. These two weren't simply born to hate each other, and weren't simply one another's antithesis. The past binds Falco and Isadora together in a way neither could have predicted. It was difficult to watch (read?) them fight one another and against the force that bound them together. I think some readers will be disappointed or even frustrated, but I liked the angst of it all.
I loved Isadora's determination and her stubborn nature, even though she sometimes couldn't see what was right in front of her nose. Falco, on the other hand, was awesome both as Emperor Feckless and as his true self. I loved that both Falco and Isadora didn't know themselves, and they spent much of this book figuring it out. In this sense, I respect that they had to do it alone, though it was still agonising to see them fight against the inevitable!
As expected, the secondary cast shone in this book. Ava and Ambrose were brilliant, and it was nice see more of their daughters. Finn and Thorne were as fiery as always, but time had certainly made them stronger. Penn is my favourite, of course, and I loved the part he played in the book (though it was unbearably sad).
I love the way McConaghy writes and I feel her story-craft is strongest with this instalment. This book in intense; tightly woven and well plotted, rich in both detail and emotion. The complexity, in both character and plot, was handled superbly.
I loved Isadora! I'm sad to see the series end but I think it's been a wonderful journey. I've enjoyed every moment. This is a story-world I'll definitely return to, to read and re-read my favourite bits and immerse myself again. And that's probably the best praise I can give: that it's not only readable, but re-readable!
This review was originally posted on Speculating on SpecFic
Everything about this novel was so heartbreaking. Ava and Ambrose, and Finn and Thorne, were enemies too but it was nothing like Isadora and Falco. These two weren't simply born to hate each other, and weren't simply one another's antithesis. The past binds Falco and Isadora together in a way neither could have predicted. It was difficult to watch (read?) them fight one another and against the force that bound them together. I think some readers will be disappointed or even frustrated, but I liked the angst of it all.
I loved Isadora's determination and her stubborn nature, even though she sometimes couldn't see what was right in front of her nose. Falco, on the other hand, was awesome both as Emperor Feckless and as his true self. I loved that both Falco and Isadora didn't know themselves, and they spent much of this book figuring it out. In this sense, I respect that they had to do it alone, though it was still agonising to see them fight against the inevitable!
As expected, the secondary cast shone in this book. Ava and Ambrose were brilliant, and it was nice see more of their daughters. Finn and Thorne were as fiery as always, but time had certainly made them stronger. Penn is my favourite, of course, and I loved the part he played in the book (though it was unbearably sad).
I love the way McConaghy writes and I feel her story-craft is strongest with this instalment. This book in intense; tightly woven and well plotted, rich in both detail and emotion. The complexity, in both character and plot, was handled superbly.
I loved Isadora! I'm sad to see the series end but I think it's been a wonderful journey. I've enjoyed every moment. This is a story-world I'll definitely return to, to read and re-read my favourite bits and immerse myself again. And that's probably the best praise I can give: that it's not only readable, but re-readable!
This review was originally posted on Speculating on SpecFic
June 11, 2017
It's been such a long time since I've been so satisfied with the end of a trilogy. Not everything was what I wanted to happen but it just worked. Fabulous writing by the author.
September 1, 2016
An exceptional conclusion to the series. The engaging storyline continued throughout the third and final book, with more development of the diverse characters. There were certainly moments when I felt betrayed by Charlotte, that she'd invested me in these characters only to torment me with 'events' that occurred. But, by the end of the story she'd somehow convinced me that the turmoil I'd endured was part of the stories greatness. The final chapters of the book left me feeling strangely content, despite me not being fully satisfied with the outcome. It was definitely a rewarding reading experience.
The ONLY downside of reading Isadora was that it was done in eBook format. I just have to wait until Jan 3, 2017 to add the paperback to my bookshelf!
October 13, 2016
I really loved this trilogy, this book is the great finale of a wonderful adventure. In this book there's a lot of action, we have a strong heroine in Isadora, who also happens to be a tormented soul, a great warrior and a rebel, she wants to kill her bondmate, who happens to be her sworn enemy, the problem is that the kayan people like her die in pairs, so she must break their bond if she wants to succeed and accomplish her agenda.
On the other hand in this book we get to read about the other characters that were introduced in the first two books.
This book is full of action, magic, love, war, loss and friendship, definitely a must read.
On the other hand in this book we get to read about the other characters that were introduced in the first two books.
This book is full of action, magic, love, war, loss and friendship, definitely a must read.
February 10, 2018
I think that I'm still crying while writing this review, but this book was psychologically intense.
What an end, no one was sheltered. Everyone was hurt somehow.
Nevertheless, it wasn't as good and convincing as the two first books, because :
- Falco deserved much better than Isadora, let's face it.
AND
- Throne should have never lost Finn, ever.
However, this unknown trilogy should be shared and read more!
What an end, no one was sheltered. Everyone was hurt somehow.
Nevertheless, it wasn't as good and convincing as the two first books, because :
- Falco deserved much better than Isadora, let's face it.
AND
- Throne should have never lost Finn, ever.
However, this unknown trilogy should be shared and read more!
November 28, 2016
This is my favorite book in the series. I wish more people will read this book because seriously this is one of the best fantasy books out there. And trust me when I say that you will fall in love with every character in this series specially with Isadora.
September 16, 2016
Ohh Boy I love this series, I have no words that describe how I felt reading these books.
Freaking amazing love and world building
Freaking amazing love and world building
March 6, 2017
Devastated. Absolutely, heart-wrenchingly devastated that this series is over. Completely unpredictable. Charlotte McConaghy you've ruined me.
August 5, 2019
I may have to edit this review tomorrow after I’ve stopped the ugly cry that’s currently happening.
My. Gawd.
Ok...this book was MUCH harder to read. There was so many gut wrenching situations, and I’m going to plainly warn that there is rape in this one too.
But wow. This story was insanely beautiful.
I said in one of my earlier reviews that this fantasy series is pretty relationship heavy, and while the first books seem so, the plot made it necessary to be that way since it surrounded the secrets of the Kayan bond, but with where the series plot leads, the final book has much more to it than the previous books (that also had a great plots to them), and so I would say that I didn’t feel that it was as relationship-centric, but still just enough. It was the proportion I typically like in a book. Honestly, not one book in this series was bad, but the second two stand out because there’s more world building, and more characters. However, the first still holds a place in my heart as well...it was just different, and it sticks in my mind.
This story is for sure a top favorite for me now. While I wish that the author hadn’t made me cry so much, I can’t even hate one single word.
Like with the first one, there was one thing in particular that bugged me in this last book, something felt forgotten, but whatever...still perfect to me.
What I will miss most was the camaraderie of these characters. They were so real:
‘I beg your pardon?’ I replied, hoping she’d get the message and stop talking with her mouth full.
‘You clearly can’t use them,’ she said, mouth even fuller than the first time. A piece of bread sprayed onto the table and I stared at it. She grinned and I realised she’d done it on purpose, having heard my thought.
‘You’re such a brat.’
‘I thought you liked that about me.’
‘I don’t like anything about you.’
‘What a liar.’
‘Has anyone told you that you look like shit?’ Falco asked him bluntly.
‘We have more tact,’ Ava said.
‘Honestly, why do you look like shit?’ Falco pressed.
Thorne shrugged.
‘Ambrose looks like shit too, but we all know why that is.’
‘Cheers to that,’ Ambrose announced,
I couldn’t help laughing as he made another outraged noise, as though still surprised he was being bitten.
‘What?’ he demanded.
I rolled my eyes, and he splashed muddy water at me.
‘This is the worst idea I’ve ever had,’ he muttered. I wasn’t about to argue with him, although I could certainly think of a few worse. ‘I have mud in every crevice of my body. And bites. And it smells weird. Also it feels like we’re being watched. Every time I turn my head … that tree just moved. Seriously, Iz–it moved.’
I hid a smile, motioning for him to hurry up.
All eyes went immediately to our linked hands as she sat beside me.
‘You two are the biggest idiots I have ever met,’ Finn snapped. ‘I’m really glad we all went through what we did for nothing.’
A true 5 stars for this last book.
My. Gawd.
Ok...this book was MUCH harder to read. There was so many gut wrenching situations, and I’m going to plainly warn that there is rape in this one too.
But wow. This story was insanely beautiful.
I said in one of my earlier reviews that this fantasy series is pretty relationship heavy, and while the first books seem so, the plot made it necessary to be that way since it surrounded the secrets of the Kayan bond, but with where the series plot leads, the final book has much more to it than the previous books (that also had a great plots to them), and so I would say that I didn’t feel that it was as relationship-centric, but still just enough. It was the proportion I typically like in a book. Honestly, not one book in this series was bad, but the second two stand out because there’s more world building, and more characters. However, the first still holds a place in my heart as well...it was just different, and it sticks in my mind.
This story is for sure a top favorite for me now. While I wish that the author hadn’t made me cry so much, I can’t even hate one single word.
Like with the first one, there was one thing in particular that bugged me in this last book, something felt forgotten, but whatever...still perfect to me.
What I will miss most was the camaraderie of these characters. They were so real:
‘I beg your pardon?’ I replied, hoping she’d get the message and stop talking with her mouth full.
‘You clearly can’t use them,’ she said, mouth even fuller than the first time. A piece of bread sprayed onto the table and I stared at it. She grinned and I realised she’d done it on purpose, having heard my thought.
‘You’re such a brat.’
‘I thought you liked that about me.’
‘I don’t like anything about you.’
‘What a liar.’
‘Has anyone told you that you look like shit?’ Falco asked him bluntly.
‘We have more tact,’ Ava said.
‘Honestly, why do you look like shit?’ Falco pressed.
Thorne shrugged.
‘Ambrose looks like shit too, but we all know why that is.’
‘Cheers to that,’ Ambrose announced,
I couldn’t help laughing as he made another outraged noise, as though still surprised he was being bitten.
‘What?’ he demanded.
I rolled my eyes, and he splashed muddy water at me.
‘This is the worst idea I’ve ever had,’ he muttered. I wasn’t about to argue with him, although I could certainly think of a few worse. ‘I have mud in every crevice of my body. And bites. And it smells weird. Also it feels like we’re being watched. Every time I turn my head … that tree just moved. Seriously, Iz–it moved.’
I hid a smile, motioning for him to hurry up.
All eyes went immediately to our linked hands as she sat beside me.
‘You two are the biggest idiots I have ever met,’ Finn snapped. ‘I’m really glad we all went through what we did for nothing.’
A true 5 stars for this last book.
February 21, 2018
"So even though I wasn't strong enough, I rolled him onto my shoulders and I rose trembling to my feet. My hip and shoulder hurt so badly that tears were in my eyes, lost in the rain as they streamed endlessly down my cheeks, but I took step after slippery step towards the village ahead, for hours and hours. Sometimes I thought I wouldn't take another step, but step I did, because I was forged in a cage by cruelty and madness, and I would not let the distance between my feet and that village be the thing that defeated me. I would carry him forever if I had to."
Me reading Avery: Wow this is pretty good
Me reading Thorne: SO much better than Avery
Me reading Isadora: HOLY SHIT MY HEART
I don't know how I'm going to review this book (and series!!!) because my current state of mind -- absolute delirium -- is not in a position to be spewing words right now.
So let me just tell you how in love I am with all the characters. Each one was fleshed out, each one growing and changing throughout the books. God, the thought behind this book just blows my mind. It's easy to latch on to a book like this because of how well the characters were written. You just feel for them.<3
And although it wasn't exactly a happy ending for everybody, they all received a sense of closure. Hmm maybe not in the case of Thorne because I felt betrayed by the author for doing that to him. Whyyyy. He didn't deserve that ending. :(
"There is a place in which I live, and that place is you."
P.S.
BRB while I mend my heart from being scratched raw.
Me reading Avery: Wow this is pretty good
Me reading Thorne: SO much better than Avery
Me reading Isadora: HOLY SHIT MY HEART
I don't know how I'm going to review this book (and series!!!) because my current state of mind -- absolute delirium -- is not in a position to be spewing words right now.
So let me just tell you how in love I am with all the characters. Each one was fleshed out, each one growing and changing throughout the books. God, the thought behind this book just blows my mind. It's easy to latch on to a book like this because of how well the characters were written. You just feel for them.<3
And although it wasn't exactly a happy ending for everybody, they all received a sense of closure. Hmm maybe not in the case of Thorne because I felt betrayed by the author for doing that to him. Whyyyy. He didn't deserve that ending. :(
"There is a place in which I live, and that place is you."
P.S.
BRB while I mend my heart from being scratched raw.
March 19, 2019
The final installment in the Kaya chronicles and a spectacular novel. This is Isadora's story, who had a smaller role in the preceding books. Isadora has a secret identity- shes not who she says she is- she's a killer with a dark past. Kaya is near ruin, Isadora has a plan to take back the kingdom. But everything changes, when she meets the eyes of her bondmate.
*
This book follows on from 'Thorne', the plot is clever, the storytelling is compelling and I was intrigued throughout with what Isadora would do next. She is dark and unpredictable, very different from the prior two heroines. Again this novel is an full of action/adventure, a kind of twisted romance, and magic! This series is so underrated. It's one I think I'll reread in the near future.
*
Note: Just a reminder that if you have a history of domestic violence or are triggered by this, then this series may not be for you
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*
This book follows on from 'Thorne', the plot is clever, the storytelling is compelling and I was intrigued throughout with what Isadora would do next. She is dark and unpredictable, very different from the prior two heroines. Again this novel is an full of action/adventure, a kind of twisted romance, and magic! This series is so underrated. It's one I think I'll reread in the near future.
*
Note: Just a reminder that if you have a history of domestic violence or are triggered by this, then this series may not be for you
Follow me 'bookreviewsinsta'
December 29, 2021
Kaya has been taken over by rebel warders. The Sparrow has been revealed and alongside Falco, Finn,Thorne,Ava and Ambrose must unite the warring Pirenti and Kaya to bring peace to all. I enjoyed the many faces of Isadora. It was an enjoyable ending with all of the characters in the preceding books along for the ride. The battles were fierce, the secrets unburdened, dreamscapes were entered, Pegasus were flown upon and many a resurrection conjured. She was a sad, feisty creature, but a true heroine. “Here is what i believed. That you are the hunter or the hunted. The butcher or the meat. The caged or the free. And that four of my daggers had names of their target’s writ into the edges of their blades. The mad ones Dren and Galia, Falco of Sanica and the name I hated most Isadora the sparrow. “ Isadora
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