The epic conclusion to the internationally bestselling Nevernight Chronicle from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff. The greatest games in Godsgrave’s history have ended with the most audacious murders in the history of the Itreyan Republic. Mia Corvere, gladiatii, escaped slave and infamous assassin, is on the run. Pursued by Blades of the Red Church and soldiers of the Luminatii … Red Church and soldiers of the Luminatii legion, she may never escape the City of Bridges and Bones alive. Her mentor Mercurio is now in the clutches of her enemies. Her own family wishes her dead. And her nemesis, Consul Julius Scaeva, stands but a breath from total dominance over the Republic.
But beneath the city, a dark secret awaits. Together with her lover Ashlinn, brother Jonnen and a mysterious benefactor returned from beyond the veil of death, she must undertake a perilous journey across the Republic, seeking the final answer to the riddle of her life. Truedark approaches. Night is falling on the Republic for perhaps the final time.
Can Mia survive in a world where even daylight must die?
New York Times and internationally bestselling author Jay Kristoff’s writing has been praised by critics and readers alike and has won many awards, including four Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, and David Gemmell Morningstar and Legend awards.
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More murder and mayhem than a John Wick movie, but where else are you going to get engaging characters, romance, family bonds, and footnotes and a shadow cat that crack wise?
Oh gentlefriends, what a journey.
Jay Kristoff is a master storyteller and world-builder; this series is outstanding. I did the audiobooks (I also own the ebooks and paperbacks) and it’s 60+ hours of genius I fully intend to listen to many times. The narration is stellar. Highly, highly recommended.
Favourite character? Mr Kindly.
Like the entire series, Darkdawn did not disappoint. The writing, the story, the characters never faltered, never became boring or predictable. There were times I yelled at the book, times I wanted to hurl it. Never because it wasn’t great; only because I hadn’t seen things coming and didn’t want them to happen but oh-my-stars-and-garters, the story was all the better for it.
Great book. Great series. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Holy smokes, what a crazy wild, epic and emotional ride this book was.
I should mention if you have not read and finished book two, this review will spoil some stuff for you.
The book starts off pretty much where book two left us hanging and of course Mia is totally shocked but that doesn’t stop her and she jumps right into action to save and take Jonnen with her and the crew.
Mia also gets some other nasty and some shocking surprises all the way through the book. But no matter what she stays true to herself and others she loves and cares for. When it comes down to it she really has a soft heart.
It is hard to write a review to this stunning book, because there is so much and most of all I don’t want to spoil anything.
All I can say is that this book is breathtaking and will keep your heart rate going and maybe even will break your heart a bit, but if you liked the first two books you will love this one and how it all ends.
As a site note, I loved all the snarky remarks Kristoff left throughout the book about the writing style, it was hilarious and gave the series a nice touch.
I was curious how it all would end, I must say I was very satisfied and enjoyed the ending. But I will miss not only the series but also the characters. Farewell my friends.
I give it a full 5 for not only the book but the entire series.
Wow. Just brilliant.
So much to take in!
Was I happy with the way things played out? Hmm, not entirely.
Were the footnotes a bit distracting? Yeah, sometimes.
But was it a fitting conclusion to the trilogy? Yes, absolutely.
Do yourself a favour and read all three books immediately!
And well played Mr Kristoff
5
Okay… So this gets 4 stars because it is fantastic! I have to say though… I’m exhausted. Pushing myself through this series was an effort, and I would almost give it 5 stars just because of the relief of finishing it. It’s original and satirical (I was literally going to say in my review “not so sure about Kristoff writing smut” and then he totally picked on himself for it! I laughed and was like “yup, I take back my criticism just for that”).
O, gentlefriends, he’s done it, again.
Ugh… My heart.
I thought that this was the perfect wrap up to the series. The beginning of the book truly gives the end result away. What I greatly appreciated was how the three books focused upon Mia’s entire journey, from “birth” as she began this new trek of her life, becoming an assassin, through life and living what she had trained for to death. Not a spoiler, literally stated right at the start. This is definitely going on my reread list.
Such a great ending to an amazing series. Jay’s writing is witty and unique, something that’s hard to duplicate and I can’t wait to read more by him.
It took me way longer than it should have to finish Darkdawn, but that’s because I was in a reading slump when I started. I’m not anymore <3
This has everything I've come to love and expect from this trilogy: sarcasm, sex, stabbiness, and so much heartbreak!
It's hard to review final books in series for spoiler reasons, so I'll keep this short:
Kristoff says he doesn't believe in happy endings, but for me, this ending was perfect.
(then again, I don't believe in happy endings for happy endings' sake either. Make of that what you will.)
DARKDAWN, is the third book–and conclusion–to The Nevernight Chronicle, by author Jay Kristoff. I devoured the first two novels without hesitation, and this one was no different in that regard.
Well, almost. . .
I admit that while I couldn’t wait to jump back into Mia Corvere’s tale, a part of me was already lamenting the fact that this was the last book of her story.
“When all is blood, blood is all.”
The end of Book 2 left us with some incredible revelations, and brought back some earlier characters, as well as some dynamic new ones. One such being Mia’s eight-year old brother, Jonnen.
“. . . she’d have admired the boy’s creativity if he wasn’t turning out to be such a troublesome little prick.”
It was wonderful to revisit Kristoff’s writing style! His blend of comedic dark humor in the most serious of situations is something I never tire of. His characters feel authentic because they are flawed, as all humans are. you can’t go into these books expecting everything to be “happily ever after”, for that’s simply not reality.
“. . . ‘deserve’ has nothing to do with this life. Blessings and curses fall on the wicked and the just alike . . .”
Kristoff was able to create this world and make it “real” to the reader because–even with the supernatural, creatures, and magic–his characters had traits that we could relate to: Love, greed, ambition, and the desire to avenge wrongs perpetrated on themselves and those they cared about.
“Sometimes the past just won’t die. Sometimes you have to kill it.”
Mia’s character goes through the largest emotional transformation here. Like her or hate her, I think most would agree that from the direction the stories were taking, nothing short of a complete reevaluation of her values and mission would have felt “right”.
“. . . She’d always been better at cutting things apart than putting them back together.”
Even the opposing characters are believable in the context of what they do. After all, does a predator see itself as evil, or simply do what comes natural to it?
“. . . To claim true power . . . All you need is the will to do what others will not.”
Overall, this novel captured nearly every emotion possible, and had me feeling all over the board as far as the events unfolding went.
Did I like all of the decisions/scenes Kristoff gave us?
Of course not! Was I emotionally destroyed at times? YES! Some were downright infuriating to me with how I had come to care about this fictional world and its people. However, that’s the beauty of being a reader. We may not like everything we read, but you have to be able to appreciate an author that can affect your reactions and manipulate emotions the way this one does.
“. . . the best way to learn to win is by losing.”
Kristoff did all of that and more. I can’t wait to start the next book by him–I have a couple on hand that I purchased already.
“I am the war you can not win.”
Highly recommended, to follow after NEVERNIGHT and GODSGRAVE.
What can I say about this book ? I honestly believe anything I say is superfluous because some will cheer and others will rail at the ending. Did I shed a tear ? Absolutely not but it was bitter sweet and perhaps not what I wanted but the snark, the amazing characters and finally getting answers was for this reader everything I wanted. Bravo Mr Kristoff and please feel free to take a bow.
This was a brilliant end to an amazing trilogy!!!
Read my complete review here: https://mistyaquavenatus.com/2019/08/28/why-you-need-to-read-darkdawn