Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff
Series: Nevernight #3

Reviewed by Sam!

What I drank prior: I had a fuck ton of drinks tonight. We were toying with cocktails for a new series were considering and there was wine. Will Read For Booze working session means we’re drinking. A lot.

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Goodreads Overview:

A ruthless young assassin’s journey for revenge comes to a stunning end in the conclusion of this acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy.

The Republic of Itreya is in chaos. Mia Corvere 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, across the Sea of Swords, 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?

New York Times and internationally bestselling author Jay Kristoff’s writing has been praised by critics and readers alike and has won many awards, including five Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, and David Gemmell Morningstar and Legend awards.

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Drunk Overview: so this is the finale to the Nevernight series and if you don’t already know what’s going on… you shouldn’t be here. You should be at this review. Our Mia has her bro but does she? She’s basically failed at her job in killing Scavea but she ain’t done yet. That’s basically it. That’s the plot.

Spoiler-free Thoughts: I am destroyed by this book. Completely and utterly destroyed.

Characters: The characters in this don’t really grow much more than they’re intended to. Mia has to come to grips with certain things her “destiny” has prescribed for her. Ashlinn is pissed cause Tric is back. Tric… oh god Tric has his own issues. And we get some new characters that I need in my life, specifically Cloud and Big John. I feel like everyone was rounded out as needed.

Plot: guys I was terrified by this book. I’d seen early reviews and seen people literally record themselves sobbing so I was so scared. Because of this I think I was bracing myself for a worse ending. It was a great ending but sobbing into a camera?? Maybe not. The plot was good. The loose ends you’d been thinking about were resolved, and damn, did Kristoff do it with style. i did feel a little cheated with the ending if I’m honest. I was promised one thing and given another.

Writing Style: Jesus was this book well written. I still love the use of the footnotes as world building and context devices. And in case you weren’t already aware, I curse like a sailor, so seeing that always gives me comfort.

World Building: there was some new stuff added but not so much it felt forced. It felt like we were always building to this moment and here’s where we ended up. There was one bit that was fucking meta… and I wasn’t sure how it was gonna go, but it worked out I guess? The plot device may not have been necessary but shrug emoji.

What to pair it with: a Long Island. This book fucked with my emotions like all that liquor fucks with your mind.

Rating: 4/5 shots

COMMENT DOWN BELOW: What did you think of this book? Are you as exhausted as I am?

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

Sam