What happens when one of your favorite series ends? You get emotional. 2021 just seems to the be the ends of trilogies and my heart is fit to burst. And I was utterly transported into what a finale. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Following the destruction of the City of Mercy, an ancient god has been resurrected and sealed inside Beru’s body. Both are at the mercy of the Prophet Pallas, who wields the god’s powers to subjugate the Six Prophetic Cities. But every day, the god grows stronger, threatening to break free and sow untold destruction.
Meanwhile, far away from Pallas Athos, Anton learns to harness his full powers as a Prophet. Armed with the truth about how the original Prophets killed the god, Anton leads Jude, Hassan, and Ephyra on a desperate quest to the edge of the world. With time running out, the group’s tenuous alliance is beset by mounting danger, tumultuous romance, and most of all by a secret that Anton is hiding: a way to destroy the god at the price of an unbearable sacrifice. But the cost of keeping that secret might be their lives—and the lives of everyone in the Six Prophetic Cities.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Into the Dying Light is almost constant action. This multiple POV series finale examines both when our loved ones are used against us and when they give us strength. One of my favorite elements of this series and Into the Dying Light is the story. The ways we, as readers, can see the traps and plans emerging. All with hidden figures and agendas. It’s truly masterful to watch the story unfold across these characters and countries. The Age of Darkness Series is one I consistently look to for Katy Rose Pool’s masterful plot manipulation.
But what really grounds the intrigue and action are the characters. Into the Dying Light explores whether we can come back from the mistakes and hurts we have caused. If we can prove ourselves, our changed intentions, or alliances to the ones we love. In a world where people are ready to believe, or to doubt, how do we act true to ourselves? Into the Dying Light truly feels like being thrust against a storm. We wonder if our characters can make it out, if each little victory they secure is about to be drowned.
Overall,
Whatever ground we win, will we just lose it tomorrow? The sacrifices we’ve made of ourselves for the ones we love, will they matter? Bound with promises, duties, and blood, the characters in Into the Dying Light ask if they can be more. More than they’ve ever dreamed, assumed, or were taught to be. With the weight of the world on their shoulder, the responsibility of hope and belief, what is left for us? Because how many of us seek out that duty?
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They must all grapple with not only their perceptions of themselves, but the ones they love. The weight we put onto them – on their shoulders. All that responsibility of being the people we believe them to be. Into the Dying Light is an epic finale. It will thrill you, shock you, make you gasp. I ended up being unable to put it down towards the end. If you’ve been following this series, this should be an easy answer. Because it’s truly a sequel that reckons with the coming storm.
Find Into the Dying Light on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.