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The Nevernight Chronicle #3
Darkdawn
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fantasy (2019)A ruthless young assassin's journey for revenge comes to an end in the conclusion of this epic fantasy trilogy
The Nevernight Chronicle is a complex fantasy series about Mia Corvere, a kick-butt, flawed heroine who trains as an assassin as part of her mission for personal revenge. Her tale takes place in the immersive world of Godsgrave which, although based on ancient Rome and Venice, is imaginative with many original details provided by a beloved snarky narrator.
The Republic of Itreya is in chaos. Mia has assassinated Cardinal Duomo and rumors of Consul Scaeva’s death ripple through the street of Godsgrave like wildfire. But buried beneath those same streets, deep in the ancient city’s bones, lies a secret that will change the Republic forever.
Mia and her brother Jonnen must journey through the depths of the ancient metropolis. Their quest will take them through the Godsgrave underdark, back to the library of the Quiet Mountain and the poisoned blades of Mia’s old mentors, and at last the fabled Crown of the Moon. There, Mia will at last discover the origins of the darkin, and learn the destiny that lies in store for her and her world. But with the three suns now in descent, and Truedark on the horizon, will she survive?
The Nevernight Chronicle is a complex fantasy series about Mia Corvere, a kick-butt, flawed heroine who trains as an assassin as part of her mission for personal revenge. Her tale takes place in the immersive world of Godsgrave which, although based on ancient Rome and Venice, is imaginative with many original details provided by a beloved snarky narrator.
The Republic of Itreya is in chaos. Mia has assassinated Cardinal Duomo and rumors of Consul Scaeva’s death ripple through the street of Godsgrave like wildfire. But buried beneath those same streets, deep in the ancient city’s bones, lies a secret that will change the Republic forever.
Mia and her brother Jonnen must journey through the depths of the ancient metropolis. Their quest will take them through the Godsgrave underdark, back to the library of the Quiet Mountain and the poisoned blades of Mia’s old mentors, and at last the fabled Crown of the Moon. There, Mia will at last discover the origins of the darkin, and learn the destiny that lies in store for her and her world. But with the three suns now in descent, and Truedark on the horizon, will she survive?
491 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2019
About the author
Jay Kristoff
74 books27.7k followersJay Kristoff is a #1 international, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over two million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 12,000 days to live.
He does not believe in happy endings.
He does not believe in happy endings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,054 reviews
August 3, 2019
Damn... it's over. I'm going to need some time to process this...
(4.5) I think the last book of the series will divide the fans. For my part I enjoyed it!
Questions are finally answered, the characters continue to grow and to bring laughter and tears.
The magic system is so interesting and original and I hope there will be more books in that universe.
Can't wait to discuss this one in details soon with everyone!
Oh, and gotta love Kristoff making fun of his own writing!
(4.5) I think the last book of the series will divide the fans. For my part I enjoyed it!
Questions are finally answered, the characters continue to grow and to bring laughter and tears.
The magic system is so interesting and original and I hope there will be more books in that universe.
Can't wait to discuss this one in details soon with everyone!
Oh, and gotta love Kristoff making fun of his own writing!
January 2, 2020
ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
1.) Nevernight ★★★★★
2.) Godsgrave ★★★★★
“I am a daughter of the dark between the stars,” she replied. “I am the thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. I am the vengeance of every orphaned daughter, every murdered mother, every bastard son.” Mia leaned forward and looked the man in the eye. “I am the war you cannot win.”
Nevernight is about a girl, desperate to learn the truth of her family, and willing to do anything it takes to seek her revenge.
Godsgrave is about a young woman, learning more of her and her family’s past, and willing to do anything it takes to survive.
Darkdawn is about a powerful woman, learning what she wants in this life, and willing to do anything to protect the ones she loves.
“As promised, her birth you’ve witnessed, her life you’ve lived. All that remains is her death.”
Hi, my name is Melanie, and I truly think this trilogy is a masterpiece. Most of you know, this is a very beloved series in the book community, and with good reason, it truly is a story that somehow has completely bled into my very own heart and feels completely a part of me. Seeing Mia, seeing her struggles and defeats, seeing her power and victories, seeing everything ugly and beautiful in between, it has been an honor, friends. A true honor and one that I won’t forget.
This is going to be a hard book to review, mostly because it is the concluding book of a trilogy, but also just because I am too emotionally invested. Seeing Mia be a recruit for the red church, to seeing her being a gladiator willing to risk it all, to seeing her deal with what it means to get close to your absolution, it’s all so beautiful and it all evokes so many emotions from me that are beyond words.
I guess I should take a minute to talk about all the side characters, even though I truly could gush about Mia Corvere forever. But Mia has so many enemies, but just as many people who truly have grown to love her. This series has such an extensive cast of side characters, but they all feel so different and so fleshed out.
“But it’s a terrible thing, Dona Mia, when the ones who should love you best leave you for the wolves.”
Especially Mercurio. You all know that I have loved this grumpy old man for many years, but what a bright, shining light in this final installment. I love what was done with his character so much! And let’s all be honest here, we all love seeing when the hard, grumpy one ends up being the soft, sweet one. Mercurio and Mia’s relationship and found family is the stuff of dreams. And the constant theme of family being the people you choose is so beautifully executed throughout this entire series, but it is especially highlighted in Darkdawn.
And not to get into anything spoiler, but you all know I love reading about sibling relationships, especially when it is an older sister protecting a little brother. Also, I have been very open about this series having one of my favorite f/f relationships of all time, and I was living my best life, gentle friends, truly. All of the relationship dynamics are expertly done; romantic, platonic, familial, all perfection.
The author has been very open about the ending of this book and how it was going to be pretty sad, but the ending truly surpassed everything I could have imagined. I find it very rare for me to be completely satisfied with the ending of a beloved series, and somehow Jay Kristoff was able to pull off perfection.
“Sometimes the past won’t just die. Sometimes you have to kill it.”
Overall, this series just means a lot to me, and I truly love it wholeheartedly. And before you all ask, yes, I did cry a lot while reading. First, because I truly am still not ready to say goodbye, but also because Jay Kristoff does not pull back the punches, and this shit hurts, friends. But I was crying with a smile on my face, this I swear. And all the footnotes? I feel like I could write a separate review for the spectrum of emotions they were able to evoke from me. I just love this series so much, and I love Mia more than any words I could string together for a sappy review. Lastly, anyone who loves the UK versions of this series? You all are going to geek out while reading this book. Okay, love you, bye.
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The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
Content and Trigger Warnings: talk of child sex slavery in the past, graphic violence, gore, blood depiction, torture, loss of a loved one, death, murder, a lot of alcohol consumption, talk of rape in the past, talk of pedophilia in the past, talk of suicide, many threats of rape, sexual assault (unwanted touching), and abandonment. This is a very dark, adult book! Please use caution while reading, and make sure you are in a safe headspace.
Buddy read with Jules at JA Ironside! ❤
May 7, 2021
I have read my way through 315 books to bring you my Top 10 Books of the Year (video) .
Now you know that this one made the cut, check out my video review to see the others!
Mia Corere - once a rich little girl - experienced her entire world shift on its axis whern Consul Julius Scaeva murdered her father.
What doesn't kill me had better fucking run.
In her quest for revenge, Mia has leapt from lonely orphan girl to assassin to gladiatii.
And once she secured her position, she managed to murder her enemy - leader of the Republic... or so she thought.
Turns out Consul Julius Scaeva - murderer of her father and countless others - escaped, but not for long.
This is who I am. I'm not a hero. I'm a vengeful, selfish bitch.If there is one thing - one absolute thing - you can be certain about...it's that if Mia decides to kill you, nothing - not friends, family, guards, armies or even Gods will be able to stand in her way.
I am the war you cannot win.What in the hell am I supposed to do with my life now??? Ahhhh... let me dwell in my misery.
In short - this book was truly - and I mean truly - an absolute stunner.
This whole series - not a dud in the lot.
This round Mia takes her younger brother (Jonnen) under her wing, and he is ever the spiteful brat that she was.
It was a fun, humanizing dynamic that I'm forever grateful that Kristoff added to this series.
You never know what can break you until you're falling apart. You never miss your shadow until you're lost in the dark.I also loved how Mia, despite her strength and cunning, was heartbreakingly human. Ashlinn, Mercurio and Jonnen all rounded out her character beautifully.
And, above all, I loved her attitude.
If you wanted a saviour, perhaps you should've picked a girl who believes this world is worth saving.There's something so refreshing to finally (FINALLY) have a "Chosen One" who goes - ehhh. I'd rather not.
My only regret? That this series is finished. I really have nothing left to do in this world.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
October 2, 2019
THIS IS THE LAST DAMN BOX AND THANK GOD IT HAS SOME GOOD DAMN STUFF IN IT! Click on the GOODIES LINK under the pic to see the GOODIES
GOODIES LINK
Y’all, I’m just gonna keep updating this bastard. Here’s the artwork dustjackets I got framed & put on my wall. Sorry it’s not a good pic, I have a bookcase in the way. Also, be sure to click the goodies links for the special Illumicrate & Faecrate boxes. I have ShelfLove Crate on the way so I will do an unboxing of it too. Anyway, this artwork is amaze balls!
FaeCrate's Darkdawn Hangover Recovery Kit. Click on the link below the pic to see the GOODIES!
THE GOODIES LINK
Illumicrate DarkDawn Edition. Click on the goodies link below the pic to see the Goodies!
THE GOODIES LINK
Waterstone's Edition Below
EFF ME! JUST EFF ME! I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER FIVE STAR! 5 STARS FOR TRIC & ECLIPSE! BUT I CANT 5 STAR THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS UTTER SHITE!
I was so hopeful for this book after the ending of Godsgrave! But no, it was shit! That ending was shit and it can kiss my arse!!
I have 3 special boxes of this book and editions and I hope they have good things in them because if not, I wasted a shit ton of money that I’m not doing any more. None of this is worth it!!
And YES, I bloody hell know we can’t all get our happy ending. I KNOW!! But why the eff put that ending from Godsgrave?! Just to get some of our hopes up!? WHATEVER! Just don’t try to talk to me about this book. I don’t even know if I can do my buddy read now!
I love you Tric! I love you Eclipse! Mia, you can kiss my arse along with that other chic!
I’m also very happy for all y’all that got your happy ending. This one is on me.
I’m seriously going to have to rethink a lot of my books now. My views and thoughts are changing and I might need to purge some things.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
GOODIES LINK
Y’all, I’m just gonna keep updating this bastard. Here’s the artwork dustjackets I got framed & put on my wall. Sorry it’s not a good pic, I have a bookcase in the way. Also, be sure to click the goodies links for the special Illumicrate & Faecrate boxes. I have ShelfLove Crate on the way so I will do an unboxing of it too. Anyway, this artwork is amaze balls!
FaeCrate's Darkdawn Hangover Recovery Kit. Click on the link below the pic to see the GOODIES!
THE GOODIES LINK
Illumicrate DarkDawn Edition. Click on the goodies link below the pic to see the Goodies!
THE GOODIES LINK
Waterstone's Edition Below
EFF ME! JUST EFF ME! I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER FIVE STAR! 5 STARS FOR TRIC & ECLIPSE! BUT I CANT 5 STAR THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS UTTER SHITE!
I was so hopeful for this book after the ending of Godsgrave! But no, it was shit! That ending was shit and it can kiss my arse!!
I have 3 special boxes of this book and editions and I hope they have good things in them because if not, I wasted a shit ton of money that I’m not doing any more. None of this is worth it!!
And YES, I bloody hell know we can’t all get our happy ending. I KNOW!! But why the eff put that ending from Godsgrave?! Just to get some of our hopes up!? WHATEVER! Just don’t try to talk to me about this book. I don’t even know if I can do my buddy read now!
I love you Tric! I love you Eclipse! Mia, you can kiss my arse along with that other chic!
I’m also very happy for all y’all that got your happy ending. This one is on me.
I’m seriously going to have to rethink a lot of my books now. My views and thoughts are changing and I might need to purge some things.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
September 10, 2020
O’gentlefriends, Darkdawn concluded The Nevernight Chronicle trilogy on a bloody high note, and it’s not implausible for me to say that this has become my favorite book in the series.
Each installment within the series can be classified as Mia’s journey throughout her life; Nevernight as Mia’s book of birth, Godsgrave as Mia’s book of life, and Darkdawn as Mia’s book death. Don’t worry, if you’re reading this without any knowledge of the series, that’s not a spoiler; the first page within the first book of the series has mentioned that Mia died. Now, the specifics leading towards it, and whether Mia’s death is a lie or truth, I’ll leave that for you to find out for yourself. The Nevernight Chronicle, in a way, is Mia’s revenge story told by an unnamed narrator that the reader didn’t know, not until they’ve read Darkdawn anyway. I can’t tell you anything specific about the story in Darkdawn except that it continues immediately from where Godsgrave left off, and Darkdawn really finished Mia’s story. What I can tell you, however, is what made the book worked so well for me.
I personally think that Darkdawn is the best book of the trilogy. I was on a short vacation for the past couple of days; let me tell you that putting this book down was an immensely difficult task to do. There’s a ridiculously alluring strength within Kristoff’s writing that compelled me to find out whether Mia will truly die or not. A barrage of revelations was forwarded immediately to readers—some of them being the identity of the unnamed narrator and the origin of the Darkins—within the first quarter of the book, and there are so many characterizations plus developments happening to the characters throughout the trilogy this late into the series that I hugely enjoyed reading. One of my most favorite changes implemented into this book is how the narrative has shifted into multi-perspective rather than Mia’s only POV. The multi-perspective inclusion made the story felt bigger in scope, and most importantly, it definitely made me care for many of the characters within the series rather than only a few. Kristoff really took every event from the previous two books into account; the characters, even those who I thought would only serve as minor characters, played a role in subtly enriching the scope and complexities of the series. The banter between friends, the camaraderie, the in-depth characterization, and the gradual character development; all unified to make the book more emotional than I expected it would be and I loved it.
Out of all the books in the trilogy, Darkdawn’s story progression felt structured like traditional epic fantasy; filled with travels around the world, gathering comrades for the upcoming final battle, dangerous seafaring, and heartwarming interactions between the characters—both returning and new—that displayed how far they’ve have come and grown to care about each other. Although each book in the series felt a bit different from each other, they never lose the themes that acted as a constant compass for the plotlines: revenge, familia, friendship, responsibilities, and love persists even more so within this book. I also loved how Kristoff conveyed the lesson that pain shaped maturity and you don't know what you got till it’s gone. A lot of creativities were involved in Kristoff’s storytelling style. And I’m not just speaking exclusively about the unconventional page-format found in Mia’s Shadowsteps usage or how well-written the book was. I’m talking about the incredible fourth-wall-breaking application within the narrative where Kristoff made fun of his own writing and more. The correlation between some books in Itreya and some books in our real-life was superb. These shouldn’t have worked but they did, and every moment of reading them made me smile with glee. Furthermore, I found the footnotes in Godsgrave too much to my liking; it fills me with joy that the frequency of the footnotes in Darkdawn has been reduced significantly compared to the previous two books.
Before I closed my review, I would like to add that the action sequences in Darkdawn were by far the best in the entire trilogy. Mia’s Shadowsteps continues to hook my attention, amazing sea battles that exceeded my expectations; Kristoff has also painted scenes of obsidian carnage in the last quarter of the book. Honestly, all the action scenes were incredibly immersive, well-written, and can be visualized vividly. Full of stakes, blood, and ruin; Mia’s stormy waltz of vengeance, in my opinion, concluded satisfyingly. If you look at the US cover art of Darkdawn, you can observe glimpses of what’s to come here. Expect unveiled hatred, rage, and palpable tension in this finale; you shall be satisfied.
There’s nothing left to say other than to say that I loved Darkdawn very much. I have a feeling the events that occurred in this book might divide the fans of the series; fortunately, it only made me love the book and the trilogy even more. Darkdawn is an astonishingly brilliant conclusion to The Nevernight Chronicle. Every page of this book was seductive, compelling, and I found this concluding installment to be greatly satisfying. Without a doubt, Darkdawn will be included in my annual end-of-the-year list as one of my favorite reads of the year. Well done, Jay Kristoff. I look forward to reading the beginning of your upcoming new series, Empire of the Vampire, next year.
Until then, goodnight, gentlefriends.
Series Review:
Nevernight: 4.5/5 stars
Godsgrave: 4/5 stars
Darkdawn: 5/5 stars
The Nevernight Chronicle: 13.5/15 stars
You can order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
"Don't fuck with librarians, young lady. We know the power of words."
Each installment within the series can be classified as Mia’s journey throughout her life; Nevernight as Mia’s book of birth, Godsgrave as Mia’s book of life, and Darkdawn as Mia’s book death. Don’t worry, if you’re reading this without any knowledge of the series, that’s not a spoiler; the first page within the first book of the series has mentioned that Mia died. Now, the specifics leading towards it, and whether Mia’s death is a lie or truth, I’ll leave that for you to find out for yourself. The Nevernight Chronicle, in a way, is Mia’s revenge story told by an unnamed narrator that the reader didn’t know, not until they’ve read Darkdawn anyway. I can’t tell you anything specific about the story in Darkdawn except that it continues immediately from where Godsgrave left off, and Darkdawn really finished Mia’s story. What I can tell you, however, is what made the book worked so well for me.
“And the more I live it, the more I realize “deserve” has nothing to do with this life. Blessings and curses fall on the wicked and the just alike. Fair is a fairy tale. Nothing's claimed by those who don't want it, and nothing's kept by those who won't fight for it. So let's fight.”
I personally think that Darkdawn is the best book of the trilogy. I was on a short vacation for the past couple of days; let me tell you that putting this book down was an immensely difficult task to do. There’s a ridiculously alluring strength within Kristoff’s writing that compelled me to find out whether Mia will truly die or not. A barrage of revelations was forwarded immediately to readers—some of them being the identity of the unnamed narrator and the origin of the Darkins—within the first quarter of the book, and there are so many characterizations plus developments happening to the characters throughout the trilogy this late into the series that I hugely enjoyed reading. One of my most favorite changes implemented into this book is how the narrative has shifted into multi-perspective rather than Mia’s only POV. The multi-perspective inclusion made the story felt bigger in scope, and most importantly, it definitely made me care for many of the characters within the series rather than only a few. Kristoff really took every event from the previous two books into account; the characters, even those who I thought would only serve as minor characters, played a role in subtly enriching the scope and complexities of the series. The banter between friends, the camaraderie, the in-depth characterization, and the gradual character development; all unified to make the book more emotional than I expected it would be and I loved it.
“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die. And to burn in the memories of our friends is to never say goodbye.”
Out of all the books in the trilogy, Darkdawn’s story progression felt structured like traditional epic fantasy; filled with travels around the world, gathering comrades for the upcoming final battle, dangerous seafaring, and heartwarming interactions between the characters—both returning and new—that displayed how far they’ve have come and grown to care about each other. Although each book in the series felt a bit different from each other, they never lose the themes that acted as a constant compass for the plotlines: revenge, familia, friendship, responsibilities, and love persists even more so within this book. I also loved how Kristoff conveyed the lesson that pain shaped maturity and you don't know what you got till it’s gone. A lot of creativities were involved in Kristoff’s storytelling style. And I’m not just speaking exclusively about the unconventional page-format found in Mia’s Shadowsteps usage or how well-written the book was. I’m talking about the incredible fourth-wall-breaking application within the narrative where Kristoff made fun of his own writing and more. The correlation between some books in Itreya and some books in our real-life was superb. These shouldn’t have worked but they did, and every moment of reading them made me smile with glee. Furthermore, I found the footnotes in Godsgrave too much to my liking; it fills me with joy that the frequency of the footnotes in Darkdawn has been reduced significantly compared to the previous two books.
“Pretty warriors can’t fight for shit. You can’t know how sweet it is to breathe ’til you’ve had your ribs broken. You can’t appreciate being happy ’til someone has made you cry. And there’s no point blaming yourself for the kickings life gives you. Just think about how much it hurt, and how much you don’t want to feel that way again. And that’ll help you do what you need to do the next time to win.”
Before I closed my review, I would like to add that the action sequences in Darkdawn were by far the best in the entire trilogy. Mia’s Shadowsteps continues to hook my attention, amazing sea battles that exceeded my expectations; Kristoff has also painted scenes of obsidian carnage in the last quarter of the book. Honestly, all the action scenes were incredibly immersive, well-written, and can be visualized vividly. Full of stakes, blood, and ruin; Mia’s stormy waltz of vengeance, in my opinion, concluded satisfyingly. If you look at the US cover art of Darkdawn, you can observe glimpses of what’s to come here. Expect unveiled hatred, rage, and palpable tension in this finale; you shall be satisfied.
“I am a daughter of the dark between the stars. I am the thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. I am the vengeance of every orphaned daughter, every murdered mother, every bastard son. I am the war you cannot win.”
There’s nothing left to say other than to say that I loved Darkdawn very much. I have a feeling the events that occurred in this book might divide the fans of the series; fortunately, it only made me love the book and the trilogy even more. Darkdawn is an astonishingly brilliant conclusion to The Nevernight Chronicle. Every page of this book was seductive, compelling, and I found this concluding installment to be greatly satisfying. Without a doubt, Darkdawn will be included in my annual end-of-the-year list as one of my favorite reads of the year. Well done, Jay Kristoff. I look forward to reading the beginning of your upcoming new series, Empire of the Vampire, next year.
Until then, goodnight, gentlefriends.
“Fear was Can't.
Fear was Won't.
But fear wasn't ever a choice.
To never fear was to never hope. Never love. never live. To never fear the dark was to never smile as the dawn kissed your face. To never fear solitude was to never know the joy of a beauty in your arms.
Part of having is the fear of losing.
Part of creating is the fear of it breaking.
Part of beginning is the fear of your ending.
Fear is never a choice.
Never a choice.
But letting it rule you is.”
Series Review:
Nevernight: 4.5/5 stars
Godsgrave: 4/5 stars
Darkdawn: 5/5 stars
The Nevernight Chronicle: 13.5/15 stars
You can order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
Want to read
April 6, 2020me to this book: Do it, destroy us
November 21, 2019
O, gentlefriends it has taken me a while to gather my thoughts on this one.
As some of you will notice, I changed my rating from 4 stars to 3.
SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 & 2 ⤵
We start off exactly where Godsgrave ended with Mia in the arena escaping after the murder of Scaeva and Duomo.
This book was about both Mia getting her revenge once and for all and also her journey, along with new and old friends, to the crown of the moon.
You’re more than just a killer. If you open your arms to it, you’re the girl who can right the fucking sky.
She discovers many things in this book, finally getting answers to her questions about the darkin. And realising the cost of her revenge and not willing to lose anyone else because of it.
{I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot because it will just spoil your reading experience.}
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is to never die,” Tric said softly.
I really enjoyed reading about Mia and Jonnen. He was honestly the best part of this, he reminded me so much of Matthias Helvar from Six of Crows duology. And I loved how hard Mia worked to make Jonnen understand that they were siblings and that she cared for him. This sibling relationship was one of the better parts of this story.
A lot of this book was fantastic, but there was a big amount of disappointment.
Mia's revenge plot was definitely the reason I was more invested in this series but when Darkdawn took a turn into typical YA-chosen-one territory, that's where it lost me.
What I loved the most about the first two books was the skill in which Kristoff managed to shock the socks off his readers with his twists and endings. And while the ending of this book will satisfy many readers, it just didn't do it for me.
Let me not even get into how bland the romance was *huge eye roll*. I was not a fan of the Tric/Ashlynn tension.
Trust me I was expecting this to be a five star read but there was too much lacking.
The ending was so disappointing and I was literally sitting and staring at the last page thinking ‘....is this it?’ : /
And while this finale was disappointing I'm still glad I read these books. I will not forget these precious characters so easily and book 1 will always be a favourite of mine. I just wished this book was executed better.
Special thank you to my good friend Fares for recommending this series and for reading Nevernight with me and for always being available for my rants and theories. Fares, if it wasn't for you, this series probably would have sat unread on my shelf for a good couple of years. ILY bro
‹ Publication Date: 3 September 2019 ›
« Quotes might change after final publication. »
________
ARC received from publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
________
My reviews for:
Nevernight
Godsgrave
“I am a daughter of the dark between the stars,” she replied. “I am the thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. I am the vengeance of every orphaned daughter, every murdered mother, every bastard son.” Mia leaned forward and looked the man in the eye. “I am the war you cannot win.”
As some of you will notice, I changed my rating from 4 stars to 3.
SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 & 2 ⤵
We start off exactly where Godsgrave ended with Mia in the arena escaping after the murder of Scaeva and Duomo.
This book was about both Mia getting her revenge once and for all and also her journey, along with new and old friends, to the crown of the moon.
You’re more than just a killer. If you open your arms to it, you’re the girl who can right the fucking sky.
She discovers many things in this book, finally getting answers to her questions about the darkin. And realising the cost of her revenge and not willing to lose anyone else because of it.
{I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot because it will just spoil your reading experience.}
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is to never die,” Tric said softly.
I really enjoyed reading about Mia and Jonnen. He was honestly the best part of this, he reminded me so much of Matthias Helvar from Six of Crows duology. And I loved how hard Mia worked to make Jonnen understand that they were siblings and that she cared for him. This sibling relationship was one of the better parts of this story.
A lot of this book was fantastic, but there was a big amount of disappointment.
Mia's revenge plot was definitely the reason I was more invested in this series but when Darkdawn took a turn into typical YA-chosen-one territory, that's where it lost me.
What I loved the most about the first two books was the skill in which Kristoff managed to shock the socks off his readers with his twists and endings. And while the ending of this book will satisfy many readers, it just didn't do it for me.
Let me not even get into how bland the romance was *huge eye roll*. I was not a fan of the Tric/Ashlynn tension.
Trust me I was expecting this to be a five star read but there was too much lacking.
The ending was so disappointing and I was literally sitting and staring at the last page thinking ‘....is this it?’ : /
And while this finale was disappointing I'm still glad I read these books. I will not forget these precious characters so easily and book 1 will always be a favourite of mine. I just wished this book was executed better.
Special thank you to my good friend Fares for recommending this series and for reading Nevernight with me and for always being available for my rants and theories. Fares, if it wasn't for you, this series probably would have sat unread on my shelf for a good couple of years. ILY bro
‹ Publication Date: 3 September 2019 ›
« Quotes might change after final publication. »
________
ARC received from publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
________
My reviews for:
Nevernight
Godsgrave
October 3, 2019
well, gentlefriends, how devastatingly mias story finally ends.
with it ruining me very gently, and then ruining me very hard.
but each page was worth the release date being pushed back a year,
the countless tears i shed for tric,
the cunning brutality of kristoffs writing,
the longing i felt for mias revenge,
and the acceptance of knowing this is the ending i got, even if its not quite the one i wanted.
and so finally, as i close the cover, this story
↠ 4.5 stars
with it ruining me very gently, and then ruining me very hard.
but each page was worth the release date being pushed back a year,
the countless tears i shed for tric,
the cunning brutality of kristoffs writing,
the longing i felt for mias revenge,
and the acceptance of knowing this is the ending i got, even if its not quite the one i wanted.
and so finally, as i close the cover, this story
steps into
the shadows
of my
bookshelf
and waitsuntil my heart can handle a reread.
↠ 4.5 stars
Shelved as 'physical-tbr'
December 11, 2018this will be my doom and i welcome it
October 30, 2024
*gets some more holy water*
Mr Kristoff, please...
_______________________________________________________
4.45/5 ⭐
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
Okay, let me tell you what’s the deal with Darkdawn.
Three chapters in and I already got a mindfuck.
I know, I know, I thought that was impossible too, but apparently, I was very wrong. It took Jay Kristoff three bloody chapters to convince my brain to stop working. Listen to me when I say that this man thinks differently than the rest of us, plebeians.
Take that as a warning if you like. I’m just putting it in here.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still a heap of footnotes with little historical explanation and little stories full of sass that crack me up every once in a while, but in this book, things finally, FINALLY start to make some sense.
Those footnotes everyone is crazed by, including the characters in the series? Those bloody footnotes make so much sense – all the sense – in this exactly last book of the whole trilogy.
Interesting, no?
Just be patient with them, lads. They’re worth the wait, I’d humbly say.
Because each of the three books of the series had its own vibe. Darkdawn was similar and different in equal measurements.
I would love to further explain that to you, but I simply can’t. It’s something about the whole vibe of each of the books that makes them look different and the same. Which I think is one thing writers should aspire to when they are writing more than one book of the same subject and action.
Darkdawn was somehow deeper than Nevernight , but not quite as brutal as Godsgrave . It was still filled with bloody action and jaw-dropping plot twists but at the same time, it was full of a sort of mystical side that made everything seem surreal.
And also, let’s not forget about those answers to the questions all of us who read this series ever asked!! That’s important!!
Okay, moving on.
This book became an insane mess towards the end. And I mean it. I had no idea what the hell was going on, I was ambushed from all sides and my poor dumb little heart couldn’t take so many blows at once.
All I want to say (and mean it from the bottom of my soul) is that Mia Corvere is a supreme, crazy and magnificent bitch that I absolutely adore and she is still one of my all-time favourite characters.
SHE. IS. AMAZING. LIKE. THAT.
But even so, I couldn’t help but not really agree with some of the decisions she had to make in this book.
And this is mainly one of the reasons this finale of the Nevernight Chronicle trilogy wasn’t awarded 5 stars from my part. Because I wasn’t fully satisfied with how things were left at the end. It felt bittersweet and honestly, it did not have to be this way given all of the insane things that us readers were put through.
All I want to say is that some characters deserved so much better than they were given, whereas other received thousands of times more than they were worthy of.
I still loved this book very much and I still can’t get over how much it made me hurt because it was that good.
I mean, at more than one time I was screaming WHAT WHAT WHAAAAT just because. Translating directly, that means that I bloody loved this book.
The action is insane, the world-building is still doing its thing, the stories still accurate and an amazing piece of the whole book experience and the characters are also incredible. You will most definitely try not to fall in love with them by this point, but let me whisper you a secret: you won’t be able to resist.
It’s something alluring to their brutal, blunt and gruesome nature. They kind of become loveable without even trying. Beware!
All in all, if you got to this point, then your experience with the Nevernight adventure is coming to an end and honestly, I do believe that you both enjoyed and suffered through all of this.
Just like me :D
Keep it up!
Mr Kristoff, please...
_______________________________________________________
4.45/5 ⭐
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
“This is what you’ve made of us both. Mere pieces in a game of gods.”
Okay, let me tell you what’s the deal with Darkdawn.
Three chapters in and I already got a mindfuck.
I know, I know, I thought that was impossible too, but apparently, I was very wrong. It took Jay Kristoff three bloody chapters to convince my brain to stop working. Listen to me when I say that this man thinks differently than the rest of us, plebeians.
Take that as a warning if you like. I’m just putting it in here.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still a heap of footnotes with little historical explanation and little stories full of sass that crack me up every once in a while, but in this book, things finally, FINALLY start to make some sense.
Those footnotes everyone is crazed by, including the characters in the series? Those bloody footnotes make so much sense – all the sense – in this exactly last book of the whole trilogy.
Interesting, no?
Just be patient with them, lads. They’re worth the wait, I’d humbly say.
Because each of the three books of the series had its own vibe. Darkdawn was similar and different in equal measurements.
I would love to further explain that to you, but I simply can’t. It’s something about the whole vibe of each of the books that makes them look different and the same. Which I think is one thing writers should aspire to when they are writing more than one book of the same subject and action.
Darkdawn was somehow deeper than Nevernight , but not quite as brutal as Godsgrave . It was still filled with bloody action and jaw-dropping plot twists but at the same time, it was full of a sort of mystical side that made everything seem surreal.
And also, let’s not forget about those answers to the questions all of us who read this series ever asked!! That’s important!!
Okay, moving on.
This book became an insane mess towards the end. And I mean it. I had no idea what the hell was going on, I was ambushed from all sides and my poor dumb little heart couldn’t take so many blows at once.
All I want to say (and mean it from the bottom of my soul) is that Mia Corvere is a supreme, crazy and magnificent bitch that I absolutely adore and she is still one of my all-time favourite characters.
SHE. IS. AMAZING. LIKE. THAT.
“I am a daughter of the dark between the stars.”
But even so, I couldn’t help but not really agree with some of the decisions she had to make in this book.
And this is mainly one of the reasons this finale of the Nevernight Chronicle trilogy wasn’t awarded 5 stars from my part. Because I wasn’t fully satisfied with how things were left at the end. It felt bittersweet and honestly, it did not have to be this way given all of the insane things that us readers were put through.
“I’d tear the stars down from the heavens to fashion you a crown.”
All I want to say is that some characters deserved so much better than they were given, whereas other received thousands of times more than they were worthy of.
I still loved this book very much and I still can’t get over how much it made me hurt because it was that good.
I mean, at more than one time I was screaming WHAT WHAT WHAAAAT just because. Translating directly, that means that I bloody loved this book.
The action is insane, the world-building is still doing its thing, the stories still accurate and an amazing piece of the whole book experience and the characters are also incredible. You will most definitely try not to fall in love with them by this point, but let me whisper you a secret: you won’t be able to resist.
It’s something alluring to their brutal, blunt and gruesome nature. They kind of become loveable without even trying. Beware!
All in all, if you got to this point, then your experience with the Nevernight adventure is coming to an end and honestly, I do believe that you both enjoyed and suffered through all of this.
Just like me :D
Keep it up!
“Fear is what keeps the dark from devouring you.”
April 23, 2020
This trilogy gives me chills. I’ll have a full review and discussion on my channel.
September 11, 2019
Unpopular opinion time.
I have never been less into a relationship than I was in this book. Ashlinn Jarnheim you know what you did and this reader can never forgive you. Therefor for most of this book I teetered between boredom and impatience to pick up the pace and get to where we are going.
As my good friend Eon said. "I want to smother that romance in darkness and feed it to the MaW!" Good call sir, good call.
#teamtric #maihowcouldyou #neverforgivenevereverforget #ashdeservedtodie
Full review to come.
I have never been less into a relationship than I was in this book. Ashlinn Jarnheim you know what you did and this reader can never forgive you. Therefor for most of this book I teetered between boredom and impatience to pick up the pace and get to where we are going.
As my good friend Eon said. "I want to smother that romance in darkness and feed it to the MaW!" Good call sir, good call.
#teamtric #maihowcouldyou #neverforgivenevereverforget #ashdeservedtodie
Full review to come.
June 23, 2021
I'm on BookTube now! =)
”Fear was Can’t.
Fear was Won’t.
But fear wasn’t ever a choice.”
In honour of this buddy read being with the Yoongi to my V, the one and only Paper Plane Nomad, a fellow BTS ARMY and the one who accepted me as the V to her Yoongi, I shall only be using Tae (aka V of BTS) gifs in this review! Let’s hope I can pull this off and won’t get bias wrecked every 3 seconds. *lol*
This said: Let’s start with the actual review!
As third books in a series go this was actually a good conclusion. Well, mostly at least. There were a lot of things I really enjoyed and a couple of new characters that got introduced which I immediately took to, but there were also some things I didn’t like and that made this final book a less enjoyable read than its predecessors. So what exactly were my issues? Well, for instance I missed a central theme throughout the entire book. In comparison to the other two (assassin academy & gladiatii) this one just seemed to be all over the place. Yes, there was finally the darkin story we’ve all been waiting for since “Nevernight”, but aside from that we just had too many other threads that played into the main plot.
Plus the ending was certainly not what I expected and it sort of fell flat for me. I don’t even know what I expected but it was something totally different than what I got. *lol* It kind of felt surreal? Idk how to describe it but after everything Mia went through I would have expected something more... epic? Okay, maybe it’s just me being weird?! XD
Or maybe it was me getting “eye-rollitis” whenever a certain character entered the page. *lol* I didn’t like that character and I sort of got angry every single time she opened her mouth, so I think that sort of animosity might have been another reason why I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I should have. ;-P And speaking of characters: I think it’s about time to head to my character’s section because as you can tell I have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS and I really need to get them off my chest! Are you ready?
The characters:
Welcome to my spoilery spoiler section, gentlefriends! This is going to be juicy so if you’re not ready to face the bitter truth you better don’t continue to read this. ;-P Take your lemonade glass and make yourself comfortable, this is going to take a while. *lol*
Mia:
”I am a daughter of the dark between the stars,” she replied. “I am the thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. I am the vengeance of every orphaned daughter, every murdered mother, every bastard son.” Mia leaned forward and looked the man in the eye. “I am the war you cannot win.”
Mia sitting on that damn throne of the pirate king and later on telling Tric that to wear a shirt would ruin her “Murderous Bitch aesthetic” is my new aesthetic! *LOL* This girl!!! I never saw that one coming and I swear Mia is the embodiment of a badass heroine. I read about a lot of badass heroines over the years but none of them ever came close to Mia Corvere. XD Even more importantly: With Mia Jay Kristoff created a really unique character that has no equal. At least I never saw someone as compassionate, ruthless, stubborn, vulnerable and fierce as her. Mia doesn’t try to be a man, she makes use of her female assets and works with everything she got. So she’s a character that doesn’t try to be cool, she just is and that with such an effortless grace that you can’t help but admire her for it. I want to marry her so bugger off Ash! *lol* ;-P
Ash:
”See there you go.” She gifted the boy a wink. “A little bit of spit and fire, that’s what I like to see. But I’m fierier than you, Tricky. I’m quicker and I’m prettier and the girl we both adore ended up in my bed, not yours.” She drummed her fingers on her sword hilt. “I won. You lost. So stay away from her, aye?”
I really can’t with Ash! I just can’t! I mean look at this gif! This is literally me whenever Ash said something in this book!
I don’t like this woman and I just can’t forgive her for killing Tric. I know Jay Kristoff wanted us to dig her and Mia together because they both have some ruthlessness to them and a soft side, but quite honestly I never saw that soft side of Ash. Where Mia had some compassion, Ash was just mean and had a downright cruel streak. The things she said to Tric in here... I could have punched her in the face and I wouldn’t have regretted it even though I’m a pacifist. *LOL* Jay, how was I supposed to like this girl? She’s a witch and I think Mia deserved better than her! Someone that rubs things in the way she did with Tric is not someone I’d like to ship. #SorryNotSorry
And that half-assed attempt at a redemption arc also didn’t do it for me. Once again #SorryNotSorry To say it with my Yoongi’s words: I’m done with this! So done! XD
Mr. Kindly:
”... i am a part of you, mia. before i met you, i was a formless nothing looking for a meaning. the shape i wear is born of you, the thing i became is because of you. and if i must do what you will not, so be it. at least you will be alive to hate me ...”
This is actual footage of me when I read the scene in which Mia tells Mr. Kindly to go away. Like OMG!!! I couldn’t believe she told him to get lost and even though I understood why she was angry I really didn’t get why she blamed it all on Mr. Kindly. He was right to tell the gladiatii the truth and he was also right to let them decide themselves. The rift between Mr. Kindly and Mia hurt so much and if there’s one thing I didn’t like about Mia in this book then it was the fact that she turned on him. Despite everything Mr. Kindly was still loyal to her though and worked in the background so she could face Cleo and I really hope Mia appreciated what he did for her!!! Mr. Kindly is the best! <3
The relationships and ships:
Mia & Ash:
”If you wanted a snog in the hallway you could’ve asked.”
“Not asking,” Ash shook her head. “Taking.”
And here we go with another actual footage of me. *LOL* I can’t believe Jay went for a HEA like that! Like WHAT??!!! Jay will probably never admit it but deep down he might be a romantic after all. XD I already said it in “Godsgrave” and I’ll say it again: I don’t ship the Mash ship! Urgh! Ash is just a selfish witch and she doesn’t deserve Mia! Period! Alone that quote above. Yep, that’s my problem with Ash she just takes without ever asking and she’s ruthless and doesn’t seem to have any sort of conscience... at all! How am I supposed to dig a character like that? Plus she’s petty and super jealous as well. Not the kind of woman I’d want to have by my side. I still think we need more sapphic romances in books but I can’t seem to be able to like this one because it’s actually sort of toxic. If Mia likes a girl that will kill everyone who just looks at her: Okay. I personally hate jealousy in relationships so Ash is a no for me. Also and someone has to say it - you’re allowed to take out your pitchforks now – I think a HEA in which Mia would have spent the rest of her days with Jonnen and Mercurio would have been more realistic. Yes, I would have even been okay if Ash would have been with them. But she basically fights the entire book for Mercurio and Jonnen’s freedom just to end up on that Threelakes shore with Ash? Of all people! Why? It beats me! *shakes head*
”And while the press of Ash’s lips left Mia feeling almost dizzy, the thought of her touch even now, laying senseless and sated, sending warm and delighted pulses up her thighs, a part of Mia – the part Mister Kindly would have filled, most likely – was still suspicious of the girl in her arms.”
Mia & Tric:
He took Mia’s hand, pressed it to his chest, and she was astonished to feel a heartbeat, strong and thudding beneath her palm. “BUT I WOULD STRIKE A THOUSAND BARGAINS WITH THE NIGHT FOR ONE MORE MOMENT WITH YOU. I’D DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS AND DEFY THEM ALL, JUST TO HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS ONE MORE TIME.”
Haha! This gotta be the first time I’d have preferred a straight pairing over a sapphic one. *lol* But seriously, there was way more chemistry between those two than there ever was between Ash and Mia. I mean Tric basically told her that he had to rip his way back through the walls of the abyss to get back to her and that he gave up his place by the hearth just to be with Mia. Tric is too good for their world and it made me really sad to see that he came back for nothing. Also: Why throw a possible love triangle at us, Jay, if you don’t follow through with it?! I always thought love triangles were one of my pet peeves, tell you what, my new pet peeve are love triangles that are brought into existence and never play out. *lol* #TricDeservedBetterThanThat
Ash & Tric:
” I’m sorry you had to go, but that’s just how it is! And I stabbed you friendways, in case you’ve forgot. In the front, not the damned back. I can’t undo it, so what the fuck do you want from me?”
“A HINT OF REGRET? SOME SHRED OF REMORSE? FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND SOME SMALL PART OF WHAT YOU TOOK FROM ME?”
“Remorse is for the weak, Tricky,” Ash said. “And regret is for cowards.”
I loved that dinner scene in which Tric finally called out Ash! *lol* She deserved it and her excuse of “I killed you because it needed to be done” is so weak that it would need two crutches to stand on its own feet! She needed to? Hogwash!! She just couldn’t stand that Tric won Mia’s heart fairly and because of that he had to go. Every time she rubbed in that Tric was dead and she was the girl at Mia’s side I got so damn angry! She kicked at someone who was already lying on the ground and that is behaviour I just can’t accept. That half-assed redemption arc totally didn’t work for me because of course she knew that he was a way better person than she’d ever be! Am I supposed to feel sorry for her now? She killed Tric and yes, she might feel remorse over it but the knowledge she’d feel remorse over it still didn’t stop her from stabbing him in the first place! She knew exactly what she was doing! So: #SorryNotSorry. Tric was a way better person than Ash will ever be!
” And though he had every reason under heaven to hate them, to lash out in his rage and break everything around him, he remained true. Loyal to his love. Loyal to the last. That was the kind of boy he was.
That was the kind of boy she’d killed.
Mia & Mercurio:
I’m not ashamed to admit it: Mia’s and Mercurio’s relationship caused me to tear up multiple times. The love those two felt for each other was so true and ahhh when they parted ways... Mia is truly Mercurio’s daughter and Scaeva can jump in a lake! *lol* I really wish they would have gotten a happy ending and that Mercurio would know she’s still alive. I guess he’ll just have to live with the memory of her though because Mia is busy with Ash in that house at the Threelake shore. Me being bitter? Nope, no way! *lol*
Mercurio scowled, his ice-blue eyes welling with tears.
“Never took a wife,” the old man said. “Never had a familia. Didn’t seem fair in my line of work. But ... if I ever had a daughter –“
“You had a daughter,” Mia said. The girl threw her arms around the old man and squeezed hard as she could. “And she loves you,” she whispered.
Mia, Jonnen & Scaeva:
“When all is blood, blood is all.”
Well, that was quite the familia. *lol* Jonnen was a really spoiled brat before he came to Mia so it was good to see that he changed for the better while being around her. Also that moment when she put him into his place when he was hostile towards Cloud and BigJon? It was such a typical thing an older sister would do. As for Scaeva? I hate that man! He actually had the gall to think he made Mia the person she is now??!! Also how he treated Jonnen! I mean he quite literally said “Obey me!” and killed Eclipse because she protected Jonnen. The fact Jonnen let it happen was a real betrayal but then again he was only a nine year old boy that was scared and Scaeva was his father after all... This said the ending was kind of ... idk. It was supposed to be this epic battle but it kind of fell flat for me. It was just too much, you know? They were both too powerful and strong and that took away from the enjoyment. Like usually in a battle one side is always weaker and overcomes that weakness which makes for the suspense. In this case both of them were equal and so it got a little... boring? *lol* I dunno how to describe it but I hope you get what I mean. I’m glad Scaeva isn’t around anymore though. XD
”She loved with a heart as fierce as lions. Gave in a way that left her bleeding, but never broken. Because even with all she’d lost, all she’d sacrificed, all the hurt heaped upon her shoulders, she’d still come back.
She still came back for me.”
Conclusion:
“Darkdawn” was a good conclusion to “The Nevernight Chronicle” but unfortunately it wasn’t as good as the other two books. It had a couple of issues that kept me from giving it that fifth star but I guess it might be just another case of the “it’s me, not the book” syndrome. *lol* Either way it was a very enjoyable read and I’m glad I buddy read this with my Yoongi! <3
I hope you enjoyed my rather untypical gif review and I’m already looking forward to read the next book Jay Kristoff will throw our way. ;-)
”Fear was Can’t.
Fear was Won’t.
But fear wasn’t ever a choice.”
In honour of this buddy read being with the Yoongi to my V, the one and only Paper Plane Nomad, a fellow BTS ARMY and the one who accepted me as the V to her Yoongi, I shall only be using Tae (aka V of BTS) gifs in this review! Let’s hope I can pull this off and won’t get bias wrecked every 3 seconds. *lol*
This said: Let’s start with the actual review!
As third books in a series go this was actually a good conclusion. Well, mostly at least. There were a lot of things I really enjoyed and a couple of new characters that got introduced which I immediately took to, but there were also some things I didn’t like and that made this final book a less enjoyable read than its predecessors. So what exactly were my issues? Well, for instance I missed a central theme throughout the entire book. In comparison to the other two (assassin academy & gladiatii) this one just seemed to be all over the place. Yes, there was finally the darkin story we’ve all been waiting for since “Nevernight”, but aside from that we just had too many other threads that played into the main plot.
Plus the ending was certainly not what I expected and it sort of fell flat for me. I don’t even know what I expected but it was something totally different than what I got. *lol* It kind of felt surreal? Idk how to describe it but after everything Mia went through I would have expected something more... epic? Okay, maybe it’s just me being weird?! XD
Or maybe it was me getting “eye-rollitis” whenever a certain character entered the page. *lol* I didn’t like that character and I sort of got angry every single time she opened her mouth, so I think that sort of animosity might have been another reason why I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I should have. ;-P And speaking of characters: I think it’s about time to head to my character’s section because as you can tell I have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS and I really need to get them off my chest! Are you ready?
The characters:
Welcome to my spoilery spoiler section, gentlefriends! This is going to be juicy so if you’re not ready to face the bitter truth you better don’t continue to read this. ;-P Take your lemonade glass and make yourself comfortable, this is going to take a while. *lol*
Mia:
”I am a daughter of the dark between the stars,” she replied. “I am the thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. I am the vengeance of every orphaned daughter, every murdered mother, every bastard son.” Mia leaned forward and looked the man in the eye. “I am the war you cannot win.”
Mia sitting on that damn throne of the pirate king and later on telling Tric that to wear a shirt would ruin her “Murderous Bitch aesthetic” is my new aesthetic! *LOL* This girl!!! I never saw that one coming and I swear Mia is the embodiment of a badass heroine. I read about a lot of badass heroines over the years but none of them ever came close to Mia Corvere. XD Even more importantly: With Mia Jay Kristoff created a really unique character that has no equal. At least I never saw someone as compassionate, ruthless, stubborn, vulnerable and fierce as her. Mia doesn’t try to be a man, she makes use of her female assets and works with everything she got. So she’s a character that doesn’t try to be cool, she just is and that with such an effortless grace that you can’t help but admire her for it. I want to marry her so bugger off Ash! *lol* ;-P
Ash:
”See there you go.” She gifted the boy a wink. “A little bit of spit and fire, that’s what I like to see. But I’m fierier than you, Tricky. I’m quicker and I’m prettier and the girl we both adore ended up in my bed, not yours.” She drummed her fingers on her sword hilt. “I won. You lost. So stay away from her, aye?”
I really can’t with Ash! I just can’t! I mean look at this gif! This is literally me whenever Ash said something in this book!
I don’t like this woman and I just can’t forgive her for killing Tric. I know Jay Kristoff wanted us to dig her and Mia together because they both have some ruthlessness to them and a soft side, but quite honestly I never saw that soft side of Ash. Where Mia had some compassion, Ash was just mean and had a downright cruel streak. The things she said to Tric in here... I could have punched her in the face and I wouldn’t have regretted it even though I’m a pacifist. *LOL* Jay, how was I supposed to like this girl? She’s a witch and I think Mia deserved better than her! Someone that rubs things in the way she did with Tric is not someone I’d like to ship. #SorryNotSorry
And that half-assed attempt at a redemption arc also didn’t do it for me. Once again #SorryNotSorry To say it with my Yoongi’s words: I’m done with this! So done! XD
Mr. Kindly:
”... i am a part of you, mia. before i met you, i was a formless nothing looking for a meaning. the shape i wear is born of you, the thing i became is because of you. and if i must do what you will not, so be it. at least you will be alive to hate me ...”
This is actual footage of me when I read the scene in which Mia tells Mr. Kindly to go away. Like OMG!!! I couldn’t believe she told him to get lost and even though I understood why she was angry I really didn’t get why she blamed it all on Mr. Kindly. He was right to tell the gladiatii the truth and he was also right to let them decide themselves. The rift between Mr. Kindly and Mia hurt so much and if there’s one thing I didn’t like about Mia in this book then it was the fact that she turned on him. Despite everything Mr. Kindly was still loyal to her though and worked in the background so she could face Cleo and I really hope Mia appreciated what he did for her!!! Mr. Kindly is the best! <3
The relationships and ships:
Mia & Ash:
”If you wanted a snog in the hallway you could’ve asked.”
“Not asking,” Ash shook her head. “Taking.”
And here we go with another actual footage of me. *LOL* I can’t believe Jay went for a HEA like that! Like WHAT??!!! Jay will probably never admit it but deep down he might be a romantic after all. XD I already said it in “Godsgrave” and I’ll say it again: I don’t ship the Mash ship! Urgh! Ash is just a selfish witch and she doesn’t deserve Mia! Period! Alone that quote above. Yep, that’s my problem with Ash she just takes without ever asking and she’s ruthless and doesn’t seem to have any sort of conscience... at all! How am I supposed to dig a character like that? Plus she’s petty and super jealous as well. Not the kind of woman I’d want to have by my side. I still think we need more sapphic romances in books but I can’t seem to be able to like this one because it’s actually sort of toxic. If Mia likes a girl that will kill everyone who just looks at her: Okay. I personally hate jealousy in relationships so Ash is a no for me. Also and someone has to say it - you’re allowed to take out your pitchforks now – I think a HEA in which Mia would have spent the rest of her days with Jonnen and Mercurio would have been more realistic. Yes, I would have even been okay if Ash would have been with them. But she basically fights the entire book for Mercurio and Jonnen’s freedom just to end up on that Threelakes shore with Ash? Of all people! Why? It beats me! *shakes head*
”And while the press of Ash’s lips left Mia feeling almost dizzy, the thought of her touch even now, laying senseless and sated, sending warm and delighted pulses up her thighs, a part of Mia – the part Mister Kindly would have filled, most likely – was still suspicious of the girl in her arms.”
Mia & Tric:
He took Mia’s hand, pressed it to his chest, and she was astonished to feel a heartbeat, strong and thudding beneath her palm. “BUT I WOULD STRIKE A THOUSAND BARGAINS WITH THE NIGHT FOR ONE MORE MOMENT WITH YOU. I’D DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS AND DEFY THEM ALL, JUST TO HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS ONE MORE TIME.”
Haha! This gotta be the first time I’d have preferred a straight pairing over a sapphic one. *lol* But seriously, there was way more chemistry between those two than there ever was between Ash and Mia. I mean Tric basically told her that he had to rip his way back through the walls of the abyss to get back to her and that he gave up his place by the hearth just to be with Mia. Tric is too good for their world and it made me really sad to see that he came back for nothing. Also: Why throw a possible love triangle at us, Jay, if you don’t follow through with it?! I always thought love triangles were one of my pet peeves, tell you what, my new pet peeve are love triangles that are brought into existence and never play out. *lol* #TricDeservedBetterThanThat
Ash & Tric:
” I’m sorry you had to go, but that’s just how it is! And I stabbed you friendways, in case you’ve forgot. In the front, not the damned back. I can’t undo it, so what the fuck do you want from me?”
“A HINT OF REGRET? SOME SHRED OF REMORSE? FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND SOME SMALL PART OF WHAT YOU TOOK FROM ME?”
“Remorse is for the weak, Tricky,” Ash said. “And regret is for cowards.”
I loved that dinner scene in which Tric finally called out Ash! *lol* She deserved it and her excuse of “I killed you because it needed to be done” is so weak that it would need two crutches to stand on its own feet! She needed to? Hogwash!! She just couldn’t stand that Tric won Mia’s heart fairly and because of that he had to go. Every time she rubbed in that Tric was dead and she was the girl at Mia’s side I got so damn angry! She kicked at someone who was already lying on the ground and that is behaviour I just can’t accept. That half-assed redemption arc totally didn’t work for me because of course she knew that he was a way better person than she’d ever be! Am I supposed to feel sorry for her now? She killed Tric and yes, she might feel remorse over it but the knowledge she’d feel remorse over it still didn’t stop her from stabbing him in the first place! She knew exactly what she was doing! So: #SorryNotSorry. Tric was a way better person than Ash will ever be!
” And though he had every reason under heaven to hate them, to lash out in his rage and break everything around him, he remained true. Loyal to his love. Loyal to the last. That was the kind of boy he was.
That was the kind of boy she’d killed.
Mia & Mercurio:
I’m not ashamed to admit it: Mia’s and Mercurio’s relationship caused me to tear up multiple times. The love those two felt for each other was so true and ahhh when they parted ways... Mia is truly Mercurio’s daughter and Scaeva can jump in a lake! *lol* I really wish they would have gotten a happy ending and that Mercurio would know she’s still alive. I guess he’ll just have to live with the memory of her though because Mia is busy with Ash in that house at the Threelake shore. Me being bitter? Nope, no way! *lol*
Mercurio scowled, his ice-blue eyes welling with tears.
“Never took a wife,” the old man said. “Never had a familia. Didn’t seem fair in my line of work. But ... if I ever had a daughter –“
“You had a daughter,” Mia said. The girl threw her arms around the old man and squeezed hard as she could. “And she loves you,” she whispered.
Mia, Jonnen & Scaeva:
“When all is blood, blood is all.”
Well, that was quite the familia. *lol* Jonnen was a really spoiled brat before he came to Mia so it was good to see that he changed for the better while being around her. Also that moment when she put him into his place when he was hostile towards Cloud and BigJon? It was such a typical thing an older sister would do. As for Scaeva? I hate that man! He actually had the gall to think he made Mia the person she is now??!! Also how he treated Jonnen! I mean he quite literally said “Obey me!” and killed Eclipse because she protected Jonnen. The fact Jonnen let it happen was a real betrayal but then again he was only a nine year old boy that was scared and Scaeva was his father after all... This said the ending was kind of ... idk. It was supposed to be this epic battle but it kind of fell flat for me. It was just too much, you know? They were both too powerful and strong and that took away from the enjoyment. Like usually in a battle one side is always weaker and overcomes that weakness which makes for the suspense. In this case both of them were equal and so it got a little... boring? *lol* I dunno how to describe it but I hope you get what I mean. I’m glad Scaeva isn’t around anymore though. XD
”She loved with a heart as fierce as lions. Gave in a way that left her bleeding, but never broken. Because even with all she’d lost, all she’d sacrificed, all the hurt heaped upon her shoulders, she’d still come back.
She still came back for me.”
Conclusion:
“Darkdawn” was a good conclusion to “The Nevernight Chronicle” but unfortunately it wasn’t as good as the other two books. It had a couple of issues that kept me from giving it that fifth star but I guess it might be just another case of the “it’s me, not the book” syndrome. *lol* Either way it was a very enjoyable read and I’m glad I buddy read this with my Yoongi! <3
I hope you enjoyed my rather untypical gif review and I’m already looking forward to read the next book Jay Kristoff will throw our way. ;-)
Shelved as 'lost-interest'
February 13, 2020I’ve lost interest. Will never get over how bad book 2 was.
Jay Kristoff, you caused this heartbreak.
———————————-
Lol... title. nobody's coming out alive of this book.
Jay Kristoff, you caused this heartbreak.
———————————-
Lol... title. nobody's coming out alive of this book.
November 8, 2020
“I am a daughter of the dark between the stars. I am the thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. I am the vengeance of every orphaned daughter, every murdered mother, every bastard son. I am the war you cannot win.”
Revenge is a dish best served with death, copious amounts of it dealt out by a merciless hand. And we all knew this would end in blood. It had to. Mia has been working towards her bloody goals for a long time and for the first time they are within her reach.
She has become a total bad-ass. Well, she was one from the beginning except now her skills match her arrogant attitude. She knew what she had inside of her; she knew what she could become: she just had to get there. I had no doubts that she would get everything she desired because of her raw passion and anger. It’s unrelenting and totally unstoppable. And that’s her greatest strength and she knows exactly how to use it.
“My name is Mia Corvere. Blade of the Red Church. Champion of the Venatus Magni. Chosen of the Dark Mother and Queen of Scoundrels. Never call me girl again.”
Her enemies were once held in reverence by herself. She once looked up to them and was impressed by their power and talents. Now she has more than them. She is stronger. She is smarter. And she is going to kill them all like a master slaying an apprentice. And for the first time her opponents truly started to take her seriously. Her achievements speak for themselves and have earnt her a huge amount of begrudgingly potent respect.
So when death comes knocking they will be ready for it. And what transpires are some of the most well written actions scenes I've ever had the pleasure to read. They are raw and they are real. And I think Kristoff has truly honed his craft as a writer here. The blade he wields has a very sharp edge and he uses it to deadly effect to bring this series to a close with a bloody flourish. Nothing is left unanswered. And all blood is spilt.
I have no complaints. This book was everything it needed to be to bring this trilogy to a close. And what a trilogy it is. One of the best in the genre. It’s pretty much action layered on top of fantastic storytelling with complex characters from the get-go. And that may sound like a very generic and basic thing to say about a book, but how often do authors truly get this formula right? There’s almost always something wrong, some small way in which a writer could up their game or a major way if the book is trash.
So I will end by simply stating this: there is no way this book could have been any better.
_________________________________
You can connect with me on social media via My Linktree.
__________________________________
Revenge is a dish best served with death, copious amounts of it dealt out by a merciless hand. And we all knew this would end in blood. It had to. Mia has been working towards her bloody goals for a long time and for the first time they are within her reach.
She has become a total bad-ass. Well, she was one from the beginning except now her skills match her arrogant attitude. She knew what she had inside of her; she knew what she could become: she just had to get there. I had no doubts that she would get everything she desired because of her raw passion and anger. It’s unrelenting and totally unstoppable. And that’s her greatest strength and she knows exactly how to use it.
“My name is Mia Corvere. Blade of the Red Church. Champion of the Venatus Magni. Chosen of the Dark Mother and Queen of Scoundrels. Never call me girl again.”
Her enemies were once held in reverence by herself. She once looked up to them and was impressed by their power and talents. Now she has more than them. She is stronger. She is smarter. And she is going to kill them all like a master slaying an apprentice. And for the first time her opponents truly started to take her seriously. Her achievements speak for themselves and have earnt her a huge amount of begrudgingly potent respect.
So when death comes knocking they will be ready for it. And what transpires are some of the most well written actions scenes I've ever had the pleasure to read. They are raw and they are real. And I think Kristoff has truly honed his craft as a writer here. The blade he wields has a very sharp edge and he uses it to deadly effect to bring this series to a close with a bloody flourish. Nothing is left unanswered. And all blood is spilt.
I have no complaints. This book was everything it needed to be to bring this trilogy to a close. And what a trilogy it is. One of the best in the genre. It’s pretty much action layered on top of fantastic storytelling with complex characters from the get-go. And that may sound like a very generic and basic thing to say about a book, but how often do authors truly get this formula right? There’s almost always something wrong, some small way in which a writer could up their game or a major way if the book is trash.
So I will end by simply stating this: there is no way this book could have been any better.
_________________________________
You can connect with me on social media via My Linktree.
__________________________________
May 10, 2020
everyone be quiet, i'm thinking
this is one of those books where i didn't start crying until i finished the epilogue and closed the book. the ending was a tiny bit muddled with the action, but other than that, i have zero complaints. i'm gonna miss mia and her triumphantness and mister kindly :c
mr. kristoff i am begging for a spinoff novel about cloud corleone
this is one of those books where i didn't start crying until i finished the epilogue and closed the book. the ending was a tiny bit muddled with the action, but other than that, i have zero complaints. i'm gonna miss mia and her triumphantness and mister kindly :c
mr. kristoff i am begging for a spinoff novel about cloud corleone
September 16, 2019
oooooooh the disappointment....
September 2, 2019
This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷
Nevernight ★★★★★
Godsgrave ★★★★★
Darkdawn ★★★
“Fear has its uses,” he replied. “Fear is what keeps the dark from devouring you. Fear is what stops you joining a game you cannot hope to win.”
🌟 So people saw my 3 stars rating on GR and were wondering and O, friends, it is time to give you all the answer and let me remind you of a few things, my rating for books 1 and 2 was 5 stars (book 2 felt more like a 4 but I can be generous sometimes). No one was surprised as me by the rating of this one.
🌟 I don’t know why I keep thinking of Jay as a new author to me, I was surprised by the fact that I read 8 of his books after finishing this one (This series, The Illuminae files, Aurora Rising and LIFEL1K3) and let me tell you something, there is a formula that Mr.Kristoff uses and I liked it before but this time it was too much as I will explain.
🌟 I am not going to talk about the plot as it is hard to do so without spoiling and this will be spoiler-free! There was something good in each book of the series, book 1 was the best but was a bit hard to get into, book 2 was easier to get into but the characters and settings were not as interesting, this one has the best beginning, we revisit the characters from the first book, the settings is great and it was easy to get into without the purple prose in Nevernight.
🌟 I felt the author did a great job at first and many things were explained from the start, usually, the books are slow at first and pick up toward the end. This time it was the opposite, I would say the first 20% were excellent and then it became a cluster of too much smut and sarcasm!
🌟 I have gained a little experience in knowing how will books do and mark my words, this currently has a 4.57 average rating but it will drop, this will be as controversial as book 1, some will love it and some will hate it and other won’t even finish it!
🌟 The writing was not bad per se, the problem is that too much was given at first and so the rest of the book felt like fillers to add pages! nothing much happens, it becomes so repetitive and boring, it was just smut scene after smut scene and the sarcasm that I liked in the first two books was not the same in this one. I felt it was overused and unnecessary in many places, it started getting on my nerves, to be honest! If you check the previous books reviews, you would see that people enjoyed the darkness and the sarcasm, I think Mr.Kristoff did the logical thing and increased the dose this time! but too much of anything can be lethal. And the footnotes in this one were more tamed than book 2. There was a portion of the book were they disappeared altogether and then they popped up later in a funny way.
“ How do you kill a monster without becoming one yourself?”
🌟 There were not many new characters this time and that was better, I like the characters that we already had and so we got to know more about them. If you like the romance in book 2 you will probably like this one, if you prefer the one in book 1 then you will probably think of this as meh!
🌟 We finally get to understand more about the world and I like the world-building in this one which is not complicated but is unique.
🌟 The plot in this one was not as good as the first two books, that jaw-dropping, mind-blowing twists were not found this time and I was able to predict the ending of this one as I messaged my friend Azrah with some theories while reading it! Also, Mr.Kristoff found a way to praise himself in this one and although I thought it was funny at first, I did not think it was something important to the story but apparently that thing was important in the story and you may be thinking “what is he talking about??!” and I know it sounds like I am hallucinating but you will understand when you read this one.
“When all is blood, blood is all.”
🌟 Summary: I think I am forgetting some things that I wanted to say but this became another huge rant so bear with me xD. The book was not as good as the first two books, it delivered an excellent introduction but was lost after that in sex and sarcasm. It was predictable but with good characters and writing.
you can get the book from here: Book Depository
Nevernight ★★★★★
Godsgrave ★★★★★
Darkdawn ★★★
“Fear has its uses,” he replied. “Fear is what keeps the dark from devouring you. Fear is what stops you joining a game you cannot hope to win.”
🌟 So people saw my 3 stars rating on GR and were wondering and O, friends, it is time to give you all the answer and let me remind you of a few things, my rating for books 1 and 2 was 5 stars (book 2 felt more like a 4 but I can be generous sometimes). No one was surprised as me by the rating of this one.
🌟 I don’t know why I keep thinking of Jay as a new author to me, I was surprised by the fact that I read 8 of his books after finishing this one (This series, The Illuminae files, Aurora Rising and LIFEL1K3) and let me tell you something, there is a formula that Mr.Kristoff uses and I liked it before but this time it was too much as I will explain.
🌟 I am not going to talk about the plot as it is hard to do so without spoiling and this will be spoiler-free! There was something good in each book of the series, book 1 was the best but was a bit hard to get into, book 2 was easier to get into but the characters and settings were not as interesting, this one has the best beginning, we revisit the characters from the first book, the settings is great and it was easy to get into without the purple prose in Nevernight.
🌟 I felt the author did a great job at first and many things were explained from the start, usually, the books are slow at first and pick up toward the end. This time it was the opposite, I would say the first 20% were excellent and then it became a cluster of too much smut and sarcasm!
🌟 I have gained a little experience in knowing how will books do and mark my words, this currently has a 4.57 average rating but it will drop, this will be as controversial as book 1, some will love it and some will hate it and other won’t even finish it!
🌟 The writing was not bad per se, the problem is that too much was given at first and so the rest of the book felt like fillers to add pages! nothing much happens, it becomes so repetitive and boring, it was just smut scene after smut scene and the sarcasm that I liked in the first two books was not the same in this one. I felt it was overused and unnecessary in many places, it started getting on my nerves, to be honest! If you check the previous books reviews, you would see that people enjoyed the darkness and the sarcasm, I think Mr.Kristoff did the logical thing and increased the dose this time! but too much of anything can be lethal. And the footnotes in this one were more tamed than book 2. There was a portion of the book were they disappeared altogether and then they popped up later in a funny way.
“ How do you kill a monster without becoming one yourself?”
🌟 There were not many new characters this time and that was better, I like the characters that we already had and so we got to know more about them. If you like the romance in book 2 you will probably like this one, if you prefer the one in book 1 then you will probably think of this as meh!
🌟 We finally get to understand more about the world and I like the world-building in this one which is not complicated but is unique.
🌟 The plot in this one was not as good as the first two books, that jaw-dropping, mind-blowing twists were not found this time and I was able to predict the ending of this one as I messaged my friend Azrah with some theories while reading it! Also, Mr.Kristoff found a way to praise himself in this one and although I thought it was funny at first, I did not think it was something important to the story but apparently that thing was important in the story and you may be thinking “what is he talking about??!” and I know it sounds like I am hallucinating but you will understand when you read this one.
“When all is blood, blood is all.”
🌟 Summary: I think I am forgetting some things that I wanted to say but this became another huge rant so bear with me xD. The book was not as good as the first two books, it delivered an excellent introduction but was lost after that in sex and sarcasm. It was predictable but with good characters and writing.
you can get the book from here: Book Depository
January 24, 2019
All I can say is holy fuck...
September 28, 2019
Love triangles. The bane of my existence. God, how I hate them. Particularly when I’m on the wrong side.
I’m telling you, Tric deserved so much better and I can’t get over how disappointed I am because of the hand Mr. Kristoff dealt him. He came back from the dead for Mia only to get it continuously shoved in his face how the girl he loves is now with his murderer.
“I know you can smell her on me.”
Good fucking God, have you not one shred of decency you stupid cow? (I really want to call Ash something else here but I’m trying to swear less. (Ha!))
I know, I know, she cried then (boohoo), really regretted it and actually apologized to Tric for sticking a knife in his chest. Well, guess what? Too fucking little, too fucking late, bitch. And of course good old Tric, bless his heart, ended up doing everything in his power to make sure Mia got her HEA and actually forgave the backstabbing bitch for killing him. Well, good for him but this girl holds grudges. Uh-huh!
I’m wondering whatever Tric did to Kristoff for him to turn the guy into the doormat of the series?
Anyway. There’s not much else I have to say about this, sadly. There were some good things, like seeing Sid and Singer again. Cloud cracked me up. Liked learning more about Jonnen. But I have to be honest, the whole Ashlinn/Tric situation was a constant thorn in my side and ruined my fun. I tried looking past it, but to no avail. I started skimming a good deal of the book because I just...checked out. I didn’t want to read anymore about Ash’s lips and her eyes and her freckles and how she smelled and tasted and for the love of all things holy, enough already! I just stopped caring about any of the characters. Mia’s unapologetic stance, Ashlinn’s taunts...When the two main characters annoy you so, it’s really hard to keep giving a damn about the story in its entirety and whether the characters live or die. Which brings me to the ending. So disappointing. Just for once, I would’ve liked for someone to actually stay dead. You know, I'm usually the type of person who really likes a HEA - but it has to fit with the story and here, to me, it just didn't.
Book one will forever remain one of my favorites and I will remember book two fondly, but this one? I’m gonna pretend it doesn’t exist.
I’m telling you, Tric deserved so much better and I can’t get over how disappointed I am because of the hand Mr. Kristoff dealt him. He came back from the dead for Mia only to get it continuously shoved in his face how the girl he loves is now with his murderer.
“I know you can smell her on me.”
Good fucking God, have you not one shred of decency you stupid cow? (I really want to call Ash something else here but I’m trying to swear less. (Ha!))
I know, I know, she cried then (boohoo), really regretted it and actually apologized to Tric for sticking a knife in his chest. Well, guess what? Too fucking little, too fucking late, bitch. And of course good old Tric, bless his heart, ended up doing everything in his power to make sure Mia got her HEA and actually forgave the backstabbing bitch for killing him. Well, good for him but this girl holds grudges. Uh-huh!
I’m wondering whatever Tric did to Kristoff for him to turn the guy into the doormat of the series?
Anyway. There’s not much else I have to say about this, sadly. There were some good things, like seeing Sid and Singer again. Cloud cracked me up. Liked learning more about Jonnen. But I have to be honest, the whole Ashlinn/Tric situation was a constant thorn in my side and ruined my fun. I tried looking past it, but to no avail. I started skimming a good deal of the book because I just...checked out. I didn’t want to read anymore about Ash’s lips and her eyes and her freckles and how she smelled and tasted and for the love of all things holy, enough already! I just stopped caring about any of the characters. Mia’s unapologetic stance, Ashlinn’s taunts...When the two main characters annoy you so, it’s really hard to keep giving a damn about the story in its entirety and whether the characters live or die. Which brings me to the ending. So disappointing. Just for once, I would’ve liked for someone to actually stay dead. You know, I'm usually the type of person who really likes a HEA - but it has to fit with the story and here, to me, it just didn't.
Book one will forever remain one of my favorites and I will remember book two fondly, but this one? I’m gonna pretend it doesn’t exist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2019
When all is blood, blood is all
And when one of your favourite series reaches its inevitable end, all is bittersweet. Goodbye, Mia Corvere. Thanks for the anarchy.
And when one of your favourite series reaches its inevitable end, all is bittersweet. Goodbye, Mia Corvere. Thanks for the anarchy.
May 11, 2019
so. darkdawn. the final book in my favorite series. the long awaited death of mis corvere. how do i review a book this important to me? i cant put my feelings into words, but for the sake of this arc i'll try.
i have to say, this entire series has an imprint in my soul. back in 2017, when i read nevernight for the first time, i fell in love. with the world, with mister kindly, with mia, with the unapologetic brutality, heart and life mia corvere has. i've always said how i feel like this series was tailor-made for me. it has every trope that i love, the main character i've spent years looking for and the world i always wanted. so i cant do this series or my feelings toward it justice, since it doesn't feel like reviewing a book, it feels like reviewing a part of me.
the arc of this trilogy is beautiful. it doesnt overstay its welcome (though i would gladly read more), it's cohesive and has a very defined beginning, middle and end. as our revealed narrator said themself, it's birth and life and death. three books, the tale of mia corvere. and fuck, what a beautiful tale it was.
while this is definitely a worthy ending to the series, there might be things here some people don't like, and that's fine. for example, if you weren't really interested in the darkin lore, and that whole mystery, then you'll probably not like this book very much. But if you're like me, who's been fascinated by this world and its mythology, who couldn't wait for the answers, then i'm saying it right now: you will love this book.
if you haven't guessed it by now, i absolutely fucking loved this. it built up on every good part of the previous two, reveled in it, and then continued on to smash them together in an unforgettable climax. mark my words: the world is not ready for darkdawn
--------
first thoughts
not gonna lie, man, that might have been the best book i've ever read. a perfect ending to a beautifully flawed trilogy. i'll cherish them forever
i may or may not be crying my eyes out like a baby. you'll never know.
---------
having the final book in my favorite series of all time coming out this year and not being able to read it is driving me INSANE
i have to say, this entire series has an imprint in my soul. back in 2017, when i read nevernight for the first time, i fell in love. with the world, with mister kindly, with mia, with the unapologetic brutality, heart and life mia corvere has. i've always said how i feel like this series was tailor-made for me. it has every trope that i love, the main character i've spent years looking for and the world i always wanted. so i cant do this series or my feelings toward it justice, since it doesn't feel like reviewing a book, it feels like reviewing a part of me.
the arc of this trilogy is beautiful. it doesnt overstay its welcome (though i would gladly read more), it's cohesive and has a very defined beginning, middle and end. as our revealed narrator said themself, it's birth and life and death. three books, the tale of mia corvere. and fuck, what a beautiful tale it was.
while this is definitely a worthy ending to the series, there might be things here some people don't like, and that's fine. for example, if you weren't really interested in the darkin lore, and that whole mystery, then you'll probably not like this book very much. But if you're like me, who's been fascinated by this world and its mythology, who couldn't wait for the answers, then i'm saying it right now: you will love this book.
if you haven't guessed it by now, i absolutely fucking loved this. it built up on every good part of the previous two, reveled in it, and then continued on to smash them together in an unforgettable climax. mark my words: the world is not ready for darkdawn
--------
first thoughts
not gonna lie, man, that might have been the best book i've ever read. a perfect ending to a beautifully flawed trilogy. i'll cherish them forever
i may or may not be crying my eyes out like a baby. you'll never know.
---------
having the final book in my favorite series of all time coming out this year and not being able to read it is driving me INSANE
April 13, 2020
4.5****
You never miss your shadow until you’re lost in the dark.
So I don’t even know where to start this review as I’m just so sad that my journey with Mia has ended. I feel like I have been punched in the gut and now I don’t know what to do as the series has ended. But it ended spectacularly and now I am just sitting here contemplating the end of the series.
In this book things are coming to the great finale. Mia makes her own discoveries and old and new characters from the books come together for the final showdown. There was political intrigue, Gods and lots of death and gore leading to great revelations and epic fight scenes. This book invoked a range of emotions in me: shock at discoveries, curiosity of learning about the history, sadness and best of all- humour. This book still had the same sense of wit and sarcasm as the previous books and I absolutely adored it. All of the scenes between Mercurio and Mia were my favourite due to their wittiness and love to one another.
This was not the full five stars as I didn’t care much for the romance bickering and a whining child 😂. Other than that this was a brilliant ending to a fantastic series with one of my favourite main characters. I’m just so sad it’s over.
”Don’t fuck with librarians young lady. We know the power of words.”
You never miss your shadow until you’re lost in the dark.
So I don’t even know where to start this review as I’m just so sad that my journey with Mia has ended. I feel like I have been punched in the gut and now I don’t know what to do as the series has ended. But it ended spectacularly and now I am just sitting here contemplating the end of the series.
In this book things are coming to the great finale. Mia makes her own discoveries and old and new characters from the books come together for the final showdown. There was political intrigue, Gods and lots of death and gore leading to great revelations and epic fight scenes. This book invoked a range of emotions in me: shock at discoveries, curiosity of learning about the history, sadness and best of all- humour. This book still had the same sense of wit and sarcasm as the previous books and I absolutely adored it. All of the scenes between Mercurio and Mia were my favourite due to their wittiness and love to one another.
This was not the full five stars as I didn’t care much for the romance bickering and a whining child 😂. Other than that this was a brilliant ending to a fantastic series with one of my favourite main characters. I’m just so sad it’s over.
”Don’t fuck with librarians young lady. We know the power of words.”
Want to read
August 26, 2019#1 Nevernight ★★★★★
#2 Godsgrave ★★★★★
#3 Darkdawn ???
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 9, 2020
My rating: 3.5 (Turns out my review got wiped out and now I have to write it again! OH, I have never felt more alive in my life!)
Drakdawn is the last and final conclusion of the story of Mia Corvere. Last we saw Mia complete her revenge by killing her targets and escaping with her brother Jonnen, only to find that Scavea is still alive and well. With her old friend returning from the dead, The Red church on her trails, a sassy brat of a brother, and the task of returning balance to the world—it is safe to say that Mia had a lot to do, no pressure.
With the note that the last book ended on, there was no doubt I was gonna get on with the third book ASAP. That cliffhanger left me craving for more. And so I started the third book as soon as possible. There were so many loose ends by the end of the last book and I am happy to report that Darkdawn tied them perfectly indeed. For starters, we get to know who is the mysterious narrator of the book. One of the things that are different in this book than its predecessors is that it is divided into 5 parts, breaking the ritual of having the book divided into 3 parts. I had noticed before how each part had a specific role assigned to them. 1st part mainly focused on introducing the plot. 2nd on executing and 3rd bore the results and all the main action. However, this book started off with such a banger that I formed very high expectations for the next parts. And it did fulfill those requirements to a certain extent but the relationship and the ending ruined it for me. I have always been patient with Jay Kristoff because I know that by the time I reach the end, it will be worth it. But not this time. I wanna start by commenting on Jay's writing. It took me a while to get used to it in the first book but then when I got a hang of it...it was a smooth ride. His writing was implacable as always. The characters were so well written that you can't help yourself but feel for them. The nevernight Chronicles have some of the best dialogs and one-liners I have ever read, full of emotions and sarcasm dripping from them. Also, can we just appreciate Jay Kristoff making fun of his writing and commenting on the very 'controversial' footnotes XD
This book was truly an epic adventure. Mia traveling the world, finding allies, going on a quest that is bigger than everything she has ever known—felt very grand. It felt like a movie with a bigger budget. The first book followed mia's perspective alone but here multiple character POVs were introduced which not only gave depth to certain side characters but also made the book feel sumptuous and elevated.
As I mentioned the relationship between Mia and Ashlinn wasn't for me. It came at me out of nowhere in book 2 and to say the least... I was not pleased. Ashlinn is one of those characters who can do anything and plead me to like them but I will still hate their guts. And so in a line, I would wanna make it clear—I hate Ashlinn. No matter what anyone says, Icant WON'T forgive her for what she did to Tric. I went out of my way to avoid the sex scenes and the "heart to heart" scenes because there is nothing more annoying than reading a character that you know deserves to fuck off but stays and tries to convey everyone that there is not a better choice of a lover for the protagonist then themselves!
The moment Tric came back, I had guessed there might be a possibility for a future love triangle. And boy I was right. Now, this is a section I call "TRIC DESERVED BETTER" and I hereby announce myself as the president of that association. He was one of my favorite characters in the first book and he is my favorite in the last. He had so much potential and was the right choice for Mia. I can only define him as one of the sweetest and deserving men I have ever read about and Mia didn't deserve him in any way whatsoever. He got played like a dice. A fucking throwing DICE! Sometimes authors throw a very unusual relationship (Mia and Ash) at us and pretend that it is the most natural thing in the world. I am so not here for that *Slams door*
TEAM TRIC TILL I DIE BABY!
I had a love-hate relationship with Mia in this book but it won't hamper my decision that Mia is badass, sassy, crazy, loving, butt-kicking diva. She grew so much through the course of the trilogy. With revenge as her main focus to her friends and family becoming her life, you can feel the change. And this book was proof of how much family meant to her. I loved Mister kindly and Eclipse and I know, no matter what, they are still bantering about something. This book accumulated so many different friendships that I adored. Characters from the previous books that I hated and loved, as well as the new ones just stole my heart.
In every way, Darkdawn was a true conclusion to the story of Mia. Every loose end, every twist, every turn, it all was so beautifully written that it all fit together like pieces of a puzzle by the end of the book. I loved how every character and every story arc got an ending and it all wrapped up. It is very hard to find the last book which truly is the end to a world or a book but Jay Kristoff pulled it off.
But I have to point out that I am glad that everyone and everything got an ending, however, I don't like the ending they got. If the last chapter wouldn't have happened... I would have cried, I would have loved it, I would have raised my ratings. But the last chapter did happen. Everything leading towards the end was perfect, the story was wrapping up perfectly and then...it took a U-turn! I was waiting for that last final impact to hit me but it never did. I was waiting for the ending to one of the best trilogies out there to leave us speechless. And i am speechless but not in a way I imagined.
I can probably describe my experience reading this trilogy as follows:
Amazing characters + badass protagonist + trash relationship choice + epic fight sequences + one of the best worldbuilding + fangirling over Tric + crying + Hating ash + deaths..lots of deaths + not so great ending + best buddy read partner + twists + mystery + 2 favorite animals= The nevernight Chronicles
Buddy read this book with the awesome Lisann. Thank you so much for making this book fun and ranting with me. It would have been awkward if we didn't hate and love the same characters.
“Sometimes the past won't just die. Sometimes you have to kill it.”I just went on an epic adventure over the sea on a damn ROLLERCOASTER! Action, drama, twists, love, hate, friendship, family, gods, mythology, you name it and this book had it all. I have a lot to say so I hereby present you a long-ass review...
Drakdawn is the last and final conclusion of the story of Mia Corvere. Last we saw Mia complete her revenge by killing her targets and escaping with her brother Jonnen, only to find that Scavea is still alive and well. With her old friend returning from the dead, The Red church on her trails, a sassy brat of a brother, and the task of returning balance to the world—it is safe to say that Mia had a lot to do, no pressure.
“My name is Mia Corvere. Blade of the Red Church. Champion of the Venatus Magni. Chosen of the Dark Mother and Queen of Scoundrels. Never call me girl again.”
With the note that the last book ended on, there was no doubt I was gonna get on with the third book ASAP. That cliffhanger left me craving for more. And so I started the third book as soon as possible. There were so many loose ends by the end of the last book and I am happy to report that Darkdawn tied them perfectly indeed. For starters, we get to know who is the mysterious narrator of the book. One of the things that are different in this book than its predecessors is that it is divided into 5 parts, breaking the ritual of having the book divided into 3 parts. I had noticed before how each part had a specific role assigned to them. 1st part mainly focused on introducing the plot. 2nd on executing and 3rd bore the results and all the main action. However, this book started off with such a banger that I formed very high expectations for the next parts. And it did fulfill those requirements to a certain extent but the relationship and the ending ruined it for me. I have always been patient with Jay Kristoff because I know that by the time I reach the end, it will be worth it. But not this time. I wanna start by commenting on Jay's writing. It took me a while to get used to it in the first book but then when I got a hang of it...it was a smooth ride. His writing was implacable as always. The characters were so well written that you can't help yourself but feel for them. The nevernight Chronicles have some of the best dialogs and one-liners I have ever read, full of emotions and sarcasm dripping from them. Also, can we just appreciate Jay Kristoff making fun of his writing and commenting on the very 'controversial' footnotes XD
“Oh, fuck me," you were thinking, "it's been awhile. I wonder where all the footnotes went. Maybe the author got embarrassed by everyone in his own book taking a steaming shit on them, and decided to refrain for the rest of the novel."
Well, fuck you, gentle friends.”
This book was truly an epic adventure. Mia traveling the world, finding allies, going on a quest that is bigger than everything she has ever known—felt very grand. It felt like a movie with a bigger budget. The first book followed mia's perspective alone but here multiple character POVs were introduced which not only gave depth to certain side characters but also made the book feel sumptuous and elevated.
“You're a thief and a killer and a hateful fucking cunt, but that's why I adore you.”
As I mentioned the relationship between Mia and Ashlinn wasn't for me. It came at me out of nowhere in book 2 and to say the least... I was not pleased. Ashlinn is one of those characters who can do anything and plead me to like them but I will still hate their guts. And so in a line, I would wanna make it clear—I hate Ashlinn. No matter what anyone says, I
"DO YOU LOVE HER?" He asked.
The moment Tric came back, I had guessed there might be a possibility for a future love triangle. And boy I was right. Now, this is a section I call "TRIC DESERVED BETTER" and I hereby announce myself as the president of that association. He was one of my favorite characters in the first book and he is my favorite in the last. He had so much potential and was the right choice for Mia. I can only define him as one of the sweetest and deserving men I have ever read about and Mia didn't deserve him in any way whatsoever. He got played like a dice. A fucking throwing DICE! Sometimes authors throw a very unusual relationship (Mia and Ash) at us and pretend that it is the most natural thing in the world. I am so not here for that *Slams door*
TEAM TRIC TILL I DIE BABY!
I had a love-hate relationship with Mia in this book but it won't hamper my decision that Mia is badass, sassy, crazy, loving, butt-kicking diva. She grew so much through the course of the trilogy. With revenge as her main focus to her friends and family becoming her life, you can feel the change. And this book was proof of how much family meant to her. I loved Mister kindly and Eclipse and I know, no matter what, they are still bantering about something. This book accumulated so many different friendships that I adored. Characters from the previous books that I hated and loved, as well as the new ones just stole my heart.
“But to live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die. And to burn in the memories of our friends is to never say goodbye.”
In every way, Darkdawn was a true conclusion to the story of Mia. Every loose end, every twist, every turn, it all was so beautifully written that it all fit together like pieces of a puzzle by the end of the book. I loved how every character and every story arc got an ending and it all wrapped up. It is very hard to find the last book which truly is the end to a world or a book but Jay Kristoff pulled it off.
But I have to point out that I am glad that everyone and everything got an ending, however, I don't like the ending they got. If the last chapter wouldn't have happened... I would have cried, I would have loved it, I would have raised my ratings. But the last chapter did happen. Everything leading towards the end was perfect, the story was wrapping up perfectly and then...it took a U-turn! I was waiting for that last final impact to hit me but it never did. I was waiting for the ending to one of the best trilogies out there to leave us speechless. And i am speechless but not in a way I imagined.
“However it ends, at least you had a story to tell.”The ride for the Nevernight Chronicles wasn't a smooth one for me. It reached its peak, then went on moderately, then touched the sky only to fall. Despite my 2 major concerns I loved this book. And as for the trilogy as a whole—one of the best books out there. I am so glad I picked this up because these characters have grown close to me. These books have some of my favorite action sequences ever written because they feel so real and deadly. And believe me when I say that now I am going to force my friends to read this.
I can probably describe my experience reading this trilogy as follows:
Amazing characters + badass protagonist + trash relationship choice + epic fight sequences + one of the best worldbuilding + fangirling over Tric + crying + Hating ash + deaths..lots of deaths + not so great ending + best buddy read partner + twists + mystery + 2 favorite animals= The nevernight Chronicles
Buddy read this book with the awesome Lisann. Thank you so much for making this book fun and ranting with me. It would have been awkward if we didn't hate and love the same characters.
July 29, 2022
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
I literally had black, messy, eyeliner tears running down my face by the end of this. I can’t believe I must say goodbye. Tears from the abyss?
This series holds a piece of my heart, forever
( just forever?
forever and ever. )
This book both ripped my heart out & filled me with joy, made me cry & made me laugh... aaaand tore my heart to shreds.
I suppose that all good things must come to an end, eventually, gentlefriends.
THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I HAVE TO BE OKAY WITH IT! 😭
Ugh dealing with major post book depression
RTC.
I literally had black, messy, eyeliner tears running down my face by the end of this. I can’t believe I must say goodbye. Tears from the abyss?
This series holds a piece of my heart, forever
( just forever?
forever and ever. )
This book both ripped my heart out & filled me with joy, made me cry & made me laugh... aaaand tore my heart to shreds.
I suppose that all good things must come to an end, eventually, gentlefriends.
THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I HAVE TO BE OKAY WITH IT! 😭
Ugh dealing with major post book depression
RTC.
March 26, 2022
Mia owns me, heart and soul. This trilogy was the best thing ever. The only books I've ever loved more "fantasy wise" was Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. True story.
March 5, 2020
Ooooh, boy. I see not everyone was happy with the ending.
I was actually ok with Ashlinn and Mia as a couple. Sure, I missed Tric and thought that he was an all-around better human being than Ashlinn. But...ok.
And I have to agree with the people who have complained that there is a lot of wash, rinse, repeat to the plot. It is a DANGER - FIGHT - SEX - SECRET TWIST -REPEAT story that tends to stick to that formula throughout. Most of the twists weren't as twisty as they could have been if I hadn't been expecting the twisting. If that makes sense?
There were several GOTCHA! moments that I wasn't expecting, though. The most shocking for me was
I also agree that the sex scenes didn't add much this time around. Years ago that sort of thing would have been right up my alley, but I've had enough sex of my own at this point to sort of hit the fast-forward button on someone else getting their nipple tweaked.
Meh.
The showdown at the end? It had an awesome, big-budget special effects fight scene, and along with that came a big helping of generic, soulless, I'm not even a little bit worried about the outcome stakes.
So where was the sky beam? I love me some sky beam!
But I happen to like watching things explode for no reason, so this wasn't at all a dealbreaker for me.
I also liked the mythos behind the Moon and the other gods.
This was still a pretty darn good ending to this trilogy. Other than a few of the above mentioned whiny complaints, this was (to me) a satisfying conclusion for these characters.
I was actually ok with Ashlinn and Mia as a couple. Sure, I missed Tric and thought that he was an all-around better human being than Ashlinn. But...ok.
And I have to agree with the people who have complained that there is a lot of wash, rinse, repeat to the plot. It is a DANGER - FIGHT - SEX - SECRET TWIST -REPEAT story that tends to stick to that formula throughout. Most of the twists weren't as twisty as they could have been if I hadn't been expecting the twisting. If that makes sense?
There were several GOTCHA! moments that I wasn't expecting, though. The most shocking for me was
I also agree that the sex scenes didn't add much this time around. Years ago that sort of thing would have been right up my alley, but I've had enough sex of my own at this point to sort of hit the fast-forward button on someone else getting their nipple tweaked.
Meh.
The showdown at the end? It had an awesome, big-budget special effects fight scene, and along with that came a big helping of generic, soulless, I'm not even a little bit worried about the outcome stakes.
So where was the sky beam? I love me some sky beam!
But I happen to like watching things explode for no reason, so this wasn't at all a dealbreaker for me.
I also liked the mythos behind the Moon and the other gods.
This was still a pretty darn good ending to this trilogy. Other than a few of the above mentioned whiny complaints, this was (to me) a satisfying conclusion for these characters.
September 7, 2019
Fuck.
I think I ugly cried for the last 30%
I think I ugly cried for the last 30%
August 1, 2020
“This is who I am. I'm not a hero. I'm a vengeful, selfish bitch. And I've never pretended otherwise. If you wanted a saviour, perhaps you should've picked a girl who believes this world is worth saving.”
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
In this review I will intentionally not go into the course of the plot, as I personally find it nicer to read a book without a precise idea. So you won't find a summary of the individual parts here, only my opinion in the overall picture.
Mia in the beginning:
“My name is Mia Corvere. Blade of the Red Church. Champion of the Venatus Magni. Chosen of the Dark Mother and Queen of Scoundrels. Never call me girl again.”
First things first, an appreciation speech for Eclipse and Mr. Kindly:
These two have carried the entire trilogy on their backs. Me and animals, even if they are made of shadows. My heart clings to them immediately and won't let them go again. These books would only be half as good without Eclipse and Mister Kindly! I could listen to their bickering for hours and it still wouldn't be enough. In an alternate universe, I'm sure they still argue today.
“I am a daughter of the dark between the stars. I am the thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. i am the vengeance of every orphaned daughter, every murdered mother, every bastard son. I am the war you cannot win.”
What I hated (aside from Jonnen, because he let his father kill someone special): The love triangle!
As I have already explained in other reviews I absolutely hate love triangles in general because it’s so unrealistic and the MC never comes together with my favorite love interest. And by never I mean really NEVER. I knew that this book would be no different. So you can imagine how great it was for me to see Mia and Ash together and I could hardly wait to skip the stupid sex scenes. For me this relationship came out of nowhere in the second book and they just don't have any chemistry. Is there anybody among you who shipped them? Unfortunately I have to admit that this relationship has partly ruined the book for me. It just became too much for me and then the comparison that Tric reflects Mia's dark side and Ash her light side. TRIGGERED!
“I denied death for you. And I'd die for you again. Kill for you. I'd tear the stars down from the heavens to fashion you a crown. You are my heart. My Queen. I'd do anything and everything you ask me, Mia.”
What I liked:
The Deaths. Kristoff lets many people die. This may sound heartless now but it's just realistic that not every character stays alive and gets his happy ending. Of course, some deaths hurt more than others (*sniffs*) but in the end that's what makes the suspense so exciting! Someone could die at any time because our good old Mia doesn't have a peaceful lifestyle and if they insist on accompanying her they risk their lives! But they all do it willingly.
“However it ends, at least you had a story to tell.”
Mia in the middle:
“Don't fuck with librarians, young lady. We know the power of words.”
What I loved (aside from Eclipse and Mister Kindly):
-Mia's gladiatii friends. I simply love this group of people and it was great to be able to accompany them again in this book! The dynamic among each other is simply unique and you can only wish for such friends yourself.
-The world building. Just fantastic!
-Tric. Have I mentioned Tric? Aka the only true love interest? Aka the hero of this book? Aka the man who derserved better?
-Mercurio. Such a great father to our Mia! I'm glad he supported her no matter what
-This buddy read with Joshita aka the person who shares a mind with me when it comes to this trilogy! Thank you for being awesome and the must fun person to buddy read with :)
Mia in the end:
“Pale and beautiful, she walked on.
She wore the night, gentlefriends.
And all the night came with her.”
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