Beginning's End

The Empire Saga #3

by M. Dalto

Ever since her unexpected return to the Empire, all Queen Empress Alexstrayna wanted was to protect her family. Despite of the life-altering events that occurred within the Borderlands, her family - those that remained- were all she had left, and as Empress is was her predestined duty to protect the while ensuring the safety of the Empire.

But when the ever-threatening forces from the Borderlands challenge all she has worked towards to maintain that peace, she must search within herself to discover a new magic stronger than anything the Annals have foretold before.

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

M. Dalto is a bestselling Young Adult and New Adult author of adventurous romantic fantasy stories. Two Thousand Years, her debut novel from The Parliament House, was one of Wattpad’s 2016 Watty Award winners for excellence in digital storytelling. She has since released its three sequel novels and four companion novellas, as well as numerous other contributions to various published anthologies. She was recruited to participate in Wattpad Paid Stories program for serialized authors in March 2019, has since been invited into the Wattpad Stars program, and since October 2021 has been welcomed as a Wattpad Exclusive Author. She continues to spend her time as both as a freelance editor and as a mentor, as well as WriteHive's Indie Profession-In-Residence, where she hopes to engage, assist, and inspire new writers through their literary journey. Working as a full-time real estate paralegal, she leaves her evenings to pursue her own writing agenda. When she’s not typing furiously at her computer, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing video games, and drinking coffee. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband, their daughter, and their hamster named Oreo.

Reviews

[Sheila G]

1) Book 1: Two Thousand Years ★★1/2
1.1) Novella 1: Reylor's Lament ★★★1/2
1.2) Novella 2: Treyan's Promise ★★★
2) Book 2: Mark of the Empress ★★★1/2
2.1) Novella 3: Sarayna's Fate ★★★1/2

Today (2/17/20) is the cover reveal for Beginning's End!



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[Chelsea Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cake, guys. This was good.
Like real good. Dalto has upped her game so far, we're no longer on the court. Heck, we're no longer on the planet.

Keeping this review spoiler free is going to be near impossible. So advert your eyes if you can't handle seeing some mild hints. Go read Two Thousand Years and Mark of the Empress and then come back. It's worth it for this masterpiece.

First off, we get see more of my main morally grey squeeze Reylor. He's come an insanely long way since Two Thousand Years and we should take a moment to appreciate his true blossoming in Beginning's End. And how Dalto somehow made blood red eyes sexy. The woman is a magician.

We also get more personality from the other characters, like Sara and Lexan. Sara finds her sass (bet Alex is shaking her head at missing those teenage years) and Lexan... well he's shaping up to be a fun (read: tortured) pseudo villain. We also get to see some of the older generation, like Saratayna and Jamison in their own plot lines, which is pretty dope.

The romance in Beginning's End is top notch. You guys. You guys! I'm trying so hard to not spoil anything but this is my FAVORITE type of romance. Sort of a chaotic love triangle with absolutely no guarantees. It's reminiscent of the ACOTAR bait and switch but with its own twist. I can't. Like literally can't. Read it so you can experience this level of chef kiss drama.

But beware! The ending definitely snuck up on me. Like I clicked through to make sure I didn't miss anything and then screamed in frustration. Well maybe not screamed but I definitely muttered a few curses. Now I absolutely can't wait for the ending of this insane saga Dalto has dreamed up for us.

If you've made it this far, The Empire Saga is a NA fantasy. Meaning we've got some adult themes here. Some rape/incest references (nothing on screen), miscarriage/pregnancy, domestic abuse (off screen), and some sex scenes (kind of a given but I'd thought if tack it on just in case).

*I received a free ARC through Parliament Press in exchange for an unbiased review*

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to The Parliament House and M. Dalto for giving me access.

Ahhh finally I am back in the Empire!! I feel like I have waited an eternity for this day!

While reading I had so many emotions! Anger, shock, happiness, sadness, WTF JUST HAPPENED - yes, that is an emotion.

So many secret and lies have been spun, that I don't know who to believe anymore! Is Reylor truly to blame? How about Razen? Is Lexan trying to be good or is it all for show? I need answers and I NEED THEM NOW!

I am also at a point that I am not sure if Sarayna is being an entitled brat or if her feelings a 100% valid. There were definitely some moments I wanted to slap her and tell her to get over herself.

Ok, I am off my soap box.

This was truly a wonderful edition to the saga. There was so much character growth and a lot of secrets revealed. M. Dalto has an amazing way of keeping you on the edge of your seat and always guessing to what will happen next. I cannot wait for the next installment!

[Ashley Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my thoughts on this work. **

WELCOME BACK TO THE EMPIRE.

I want to start off by saying just how much this series has grown since the first novel, Two Thousand Years. The formatting and pacing have improved vastly, and the character development keeps coming. The world building, which I found to be a bit overwhelming in the last novel, Mark of the Empress, was much better executed this time around. To put it simply, this novel was a great read, and easily my favourite yet in this series.



Now, let's get on with the spoilers...

This story picks up shortly after the events of the last novel, but before the ending of the previous novella, Sarayna’s Fate: An Empire Saga Novella. We see the efforts being made to rebuild the Empire after it's fallen to ruins, and how everyone is dealing with the loss of the Crown Prince. Alex is overwhelmed, obviously, dealing with not just the loss of her husband, but the loss of their unborn child. We quickly learn that a certain Lord Stewart has been reinstated, and is taking his job very seriously– especially the part about him filling his big brother's shoes and getting the girl of his dreams.

Of course, their little bubble of happiness is quickly burst by Sarayna's return (I want to have words with her). Then there's the matter of not-so-dead Treyan (seriously, what is with these royals and their "Surprise, I'm not dead, I was just in the Otherrealm making no attempt to get back home!)"?) And, of course, the small matter of the band of evil-doers in the Boarderlands. Let's just say, this book is full of drama and I am living for it.

Here are some of my thoughts about our favourite characters, and some of our least favourites:
☼ Of course, by "least favourite" I mean Crystal, because I would actually like to just throw this woman off of a cliff. That opinion has not changed, and probably never will.
☼ Also among out little band of evil-doers is the Councillor, or should I say Razen, who needs to take a long walk into the forest, where he is hopefully eaten by bears or dragons. I mean, the man went from telling Lexon to sleep with his sister, to actively sleeping with Lexon's pregnant wife. I mean... If anyone deserves a Worst Great-Uncle Award it would be Razen.
☼ Speaking of Razen, I was 100% certain that this mysterious Master character was actually Razen in disguise, but turns out he's some completely different evil mastermind, and I don't even what to think anymore.
☼ Back in the Empire, Jamieson continues to dutifully serve the Empire after the loss of his best friend. But now that seems to include offering his hand to the Queen Empress without a second thought of how awkward that might be for her. Then there's the matter of him finding out Treyan is not-so-dead. Like, you going to tell your best friend you proposed to his wife? 'Cause I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that one.

[REVIEW IN PROGRESS]

[Cayte Bray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not connect to these characters. I didn’t like any of them. There seemed to be a glimmer of hope for Reylor but it wasn’t enough.