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I am not generally a fan of instalove and there is a lot in this series. The books are not badly written but although we are gradually learning more about the characters they still feel like cardboard cutouts - they talk about what they think and feel but not in a 'real' way. It's more as if they are expressing the emotions that they think they ought to feel, rather than anything genuine. I didn't feel moved or connected in any way, and I still don't feel as though I know the 'real' Rhys or Amalia (or any of the other characters for that matter), even three books in.
So. Freakin. Romantic. Book 3 was even better than I expected. We now have three couples to follow through the drama unfolding in the kingdom of Draegan. There are misunderstandings, monsters, battles, and plenty of swoony moments. There is also one big twist at the very end that sets up the final book in the series. This is a fast paced and captivating adventure that doubles as a sweet and clean romance. I’m counting the days until the final book arrives!
It was amazing! My first thought when I started reading was "who the * is Serafina". Quickly remembering that she was the fairy from the first book, I realized this is going to be so much more complicated than it needs to be (in the best way).
How hard is it for the rightful heirs to marry those they love and claim their thrones??? Right? RIGHT?
Well, it is far more intricate than that. We get answers to burning questions, and have several more arise!
Dawn of Darkness is intense! The battles make your heart stop. And the sweet moments between the twins and their loves make you swoon. We get the added bonus of some fairy commentary that reveals more of the darkness that lives in Draegan and Renove. So very epic! I loved it all.
I look forward to the final leg of this journey. But I think Rhys will be in for quite the surprise when they go back to Renove. How did he put it? "Still, this next leg of our journey to mend the kingdoms will be far easier."
Book was good. As the title implies, it’s a bit darker. I enjoyed it, though. Was a fast read, too fast, imo, because I wanted there to be so much more, & I’m hating the cliffhang-ie stuff Ms Tapscott is doing of late. I want to five it 5 stars, because it’s well done for the most part, and this author has been my favorite since Moss Forrest Orchid, but the pacing/ content composition & build felt off this time. And honestly, they have with everything that I’ve read of hers lately— and I’ve mined the hud out of her backlist in years and past, waiting with baited breath for every new literary Pearl to drop. But yeah, the pacing & content issues. These things, I feel, led to it being a fast & not as satisfying read. There weren’t the same rest or comic relief or romance beats that there invariably are in every one of her books that are my favorite: the first 2 Of the Moss Forest Orchid series, the first 2 of her Shannon Lynn Cook series, and the first 2 of this series. Even her contemporary Glitter & Sparkle series. I don’t know what happens after the first 2 of each, but it seems less like a magnificent, whole cloth, ‘awesome stories all by themselves’ offering & more like the volume plots are simply attempting to serve another agenda— to get to certain plot points, publishing goals, whatever, but that brilliance is lost. Like many, this 3rd installment wasn’t bad, it just doesn’t match the brilliance of the first or even second installments. Our main female protagonist spent much of the book angry, but the fleshing if it was superficial, so it felt fatiguing instead of heartbreaking. The new love interests were obvious from go, but weren’t as fun or believable (if you’re going to become enamored with someone against your better judgement, don’t tell me, show me, take me for that ride. I don’t know what’s up with my favorite author lately, maybe I’m not the only rabid fan crying like a insatiable baby dragon for MORE, but more only matters when it’s still brilliant. Otherwise, it’s potato chips for the soul. It’s late & im mixing metaphors and I’ve been so in agony waiting for this book & it didn’t follow Ms Tapscott’s pattern of brilliance, but her recent pattern of “meh.” Which is disappointing. I like where things are going & where the went, just thought the ride was all it could have been.
That said, I’m still in agony that book 4 isn’t to be released for 2 more months. So definitely not bad. Just not the highest caliber of literary crack I’ve come to expect with this author. So, I recommend.
Dawn of Darkness is thrilling. In this book we get the added perspectives of some old and new characters. This author maneuvers point of view shifts very well chapter after chapter. Some do this haphazardly creating confusion or upsetting the flow of a well written piece. That doesn’t happen here. We learn more about the creation of the chasm and the players involved. I had been waiting for the release of this book and I’m not disappointed. It is just as good, if not better than the first it the series.
5.0 out of 5 starsSuch a fun, adventurous and fast-paced book. A must read!
Reviewed in the United States on 24 October 2020
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Without sounding redundant by saying what the other 5-star reviewers are saying (which I absolutely agree with), this book is awesome! I love how the author sets the stage so I feel like I’m watching this saga unfold within the kingdoms myself. How she maneuvers the first-person characters (three couples and more) is just seamless. Not once did I get confused who was “talking”. Shari is amazing at giving her characters unique personalities. It’s as if she has mastered multiple personalities! 😂. Seriously, seriously a wonderful book. Can’t wait for the next one.