Darkdawn Review: I’m Not Ready to Say Goodbye

December 13, 2019 by Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | 5 stars, Books, Reviews

Darkdawn Review: I’m Not Ready to Say GoodbyeDarkdawn by Jay Kristoff
Series: The Nevernight Chronicle #3
Published by Harper Voyager on September 5, 2019
Source: Publisher
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Fantasy, Fiction
Amazon | Book Depository | Publisher | Angus & Robertson | Booktopia
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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 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?

Darkdawn is the 3rd book in the Nevernight Chronicle. This is a spoiler free review. 

It’s not everyday when you go into the last book in a series knowing how it is going to end. The first few lines of Nevernight tell you that Mia is going to die, which was teased by Jay Kristoff before this book was released. Knowing that Darkdawn was going to ruin me, how did I go with the book?

I actually read Darkdawn when I was down with influenza, so it felt like a bit of a fever dream. I simultaneously wanted to devour it, so I could find out how the series would end, and also wanted to savour it, so I could prolong the experience. There were many parts of it that felt like a nod to fans, such as the characters in the book making fun of the narrator of the Nevernight Chronicle and dissing the footnotes in the book. It’s not often that you get a book breaking the fourth wall and I thought that was a lot of fun.

Darkdawn takes Mia’s journey through to it’s final, epic conclusion, but it isn’t a straightforward experience. None of Mia’s journey ever has been, and this one looks back at everything she’s said and done along the way. The Mia that we met in the first book was one who was alone, determined to get revenge no matter what the cost. The Mia that we know now, has evolved into a brave, sarcastic and powerful woman and it’s been an epic journey along the way – not without its sacrifices.

I loved how Darkdawn gave us a nod to everyone who has helped her get to where she has – from her father figure Mercurio, to her lady love Ashlinn, and even her scorned lover Tric. There are some emotionally charged scenes, combined with those offering a lot of warmth and goodness as we watch Mia and her crew banter, bicker and share their innermost thoughts and feelings. I loved some of the quieter moments in the book, as they reflect upon their journey and speculate about what will happen afterwards. My heart aches for where some of these characters have ended up and I’m still not okay.

The book also provides some answers to questions that we’ve had throughout the series – what is a darkin and who walks among them? What is the author of the Nevernight Chronicle? Who is Mia’s end game? Will Mia end up getting the vengeance she deserves? And finally – will she get a happily ever after – even for a blissful moment?

It’s not often that a series delivers such an impact – but Darkdawn managed to surpass my expectations. Along with answering all the questions that we have along the way, it also takes Mia’s journey to it’s final, bitter conclusion and pulls all the punches along the way. Upon reaching the final pages, we’re left with a sense of closure with our emotions totally shot. Reading the end to Mia’s journey of revenge, love and self discovery was completely emotional and offers such a bittersweet farewell to some beloved characters. I love this series so, so much and it lives in my heart as one of my favourite series of all time.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Darkdawn is available from Australian bookstores for RRP$34.99 or from The Book Depository.

Check out my review for Nevernight and Godsgrave.

Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for sending me a review copy!

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Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Tiktok@happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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One response to “Darkdawn Review: I’m Not Ready to Say Goodbye

  1. Aila

    We love to see a five star finale!!!!!

    I love the mention of being in a fever dream, LOL.

    Also I totally get what you mean by trying to race through a book and wanting to balance it out. I love books like that! I remember reading and enjoying Nevernight when it first came out, so I definitely need to pick back up with this series as it’s ended. And I can’t get over these AU covers! Absolutely gorgeous. The US covers are cool too but not as aesthetic haha. Wonderful review Jeann!

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