So. I have loved this series from book one so much and this last instalment was really, really good. But not fantastic. Which is such a shame! I wanted this book to be the perfect finale, and it looked like that was about to happen when I finished the previous book (which was top class) but it fell a bit...flat. It was like Snyder tried to tie all of the loose ends together and give every character a proper ending, but didn't really have the time.

After all this time, all these nine books, I wanted the PERFECT ending.

So this book might have lacked a few things when it comes to plot and action, but nothing when it comes to characters. I have gotten to know these characters over the past years so intimately and I just love them all, especially our main heroine Yelena and hero Valek. These past three books have really explored their relationship and the different added point of views just made their story richer.

I find it really bittersweet to finish this series and this is not a particular good review from me, but it's emotional guys! I think I can be forgiven. So thank you Snyder for all this time. I can't wait to see what you do next...until then I'll just re-read all the books about Yelena.

3.5 This was a mostly satisfactory ending to this trilogy, however it wasn't perfect. At times I found it a little repetitive and I just felt like something was lacking - I don't really know what though. I enjoyed the progression of the characters and the plot was mostly engaging, although at times it did feel like it dragged abit. I also never truly felt that the characters were in any real danger. Having said all that it was a good conclusion to this series and if you have enjoyed the other books you will enjoy this.

I've read all of Maria V. Snyder's books that are set in Ixia. While I enjoy the books in the Dawn Study era, I don't think they quite live up to some of the others. For me, there are a lot of slow points, people keep getting captured, and sometimes you're just yelling at the characters not to do the stupid things they keep doing. I think Valek and Yelena got the decent ending most of us were hoping for and the major loose ends were tied up nicely. Not my favorite of the Ixia books, but a nice visit back to the world and these characters.

If you've read the rest of this series, Dawn Study is a must read. If you haven't, what are you waiting for!? Go pick up Poison Study and get startef, you won't regret it.

http://fkrants.blogspot.com/2017/01/some-other-books.html