It was pretty much impossible to go into this book expecting to be able to follow along without clear and detailed knowledge of the previous books. Because the main cast is now 8 characters and Pool isn’t very good at subtly reminding us of their deeds and exploits, it took a very long time to get my bearings. So keep that in mind if you do plan on going into this one.

The other problem with having so many characters is that many of them kind of drop out of the story for long chunks of time - and the ones who do the most of that are Iliya, Khepri, Hector, Hassan, and Ephyra (oh wow that’s the majority of the cast…) A huge percentage of the book is just Jude’s and Anton’s mutual pining which probably didn’t need to be hashed out quite so much, especially since theirs was the most clearly established and mutual relationship from prior books.

Personally I think Ephyra should have been the emotional anchor of the book, but oh well.

Also they really should have had more than one narrator in the audiobook.

The third and final book in The Age of Darkness trilogy.

This is a very character driven story, which I enjoyed for the most part. Jude and Anton are still my favourite of the characters, and I was most invested in their story, even though all storylines are intertwined with one another. I was intrigued by the story, but just as the first two books did previously, this began to drag after awhile. I read the first two books awhile ago, and I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had binged them all together actually remembered little details I had forgotten. I do think the series was wrapped up nicely in the end, and I am happy with where the characters ended up... but it was just a bit too long to hold my attention fully.

Man, I loved reading these books! I really enjoyed the first book, but once I read the 2nd, I just had to move to the 3rd, because that ending was just evil! It was just so great to binge read the rest of this series, they were just so fantastic!

There aren't a lot of great choices to be made. The way things ended with There Will Come a Darkness, truths were revealed, and left all of these characters that we've been following in pretty poor places. Like Jude and Anton going back to the Order, Hassan is a rebel in his own city, Beru is on her own, and Ephyra is searching for a while to keep Beru alive, but on her own. But it was great to follow all of their stories!

There was a lot going on with these books, there were a lot of hidden layers, of the plots long laid, of the history that we're learning, and a ton of action! And a lot of mini cliffhangers that were just evil, that I just had to keep going!

Oh, but it seems to be a theme, that these books have incredibly evil endings! Into the Dying Light wasn't as bad, since things were wrapped up, but these endings had a lot going on with them, some really high stakes, and I loved watching it all play out! Though Into the Dying Light was a bit bittersweet!

I loved reading these books, and I'm really excited to read more from Katy Rose Pool!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This was a satisfying concludion to the series - there were some things that broke my heart, but I was overall happy with the conclusion.

I declare myself completely and wholly satisfied by this finale.

Fair warning, this will probably be a short review and more feelings than anything of actual substance.

Looking back at the trilogy as a whole, from start to finish it was an ambitious epic fantasy that was heavily character driven and built in a huge world with an expansive backstory. I’m delighted to say that what it set out to do from the first chapter of the first book was successfully achieved by the last chapter of the third book. I finished reading it and can only be entirely satisfied and at peace. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this was an incredible series that was remarkably well-thought out and written in a way that is so accessible and easy to follow. It is full of so much action, mystery, magic, and love of all shapes and sizes I only have a physical copy of the first book, reading the other two by audio, but I will happily purchase the series to re-read in future.

Jude and Anton: I lump them together since they are basically joined at the hip throughout. While I love them both as characters and a couple, I wasn’t as into them this time as I was the others. I’m just happy they got the ending they deserved.
Beru: Her ending might arguably be the most interesting. That’s all I’ll say. Apologies lol
Hassan: aka the worst. The hatred I had for him was truly unparalleled and I have never wished more for bad things to happen to a single character than I did him. And they never did. Harumph.
Ephyra: hers is the only ending where I wanted something more for her. She’s been one of my favourite characters, and while her ending was good, there was one detail I disagreed with, even if it was for the better.

Now, I humbly request you bring me the next series Pool has cooking up. Please.

it is hard to keep a readers attention over the course of 1000 pages and 3 books. Katy Rose Pool has done that. I cared about every narrative, every character and was not disappointed with each journey. a very satisfying conclusion.

4.5 rounded to 5
INTO THE DYING LIGHT is a triumphant ending to an excellent series. One thing I really like about this series is how you can see how the author's writing has improved. Each book gets better and better, and that's the case with this one. This book is delightfully fast-paced as our character try and stop the Hierophant, only to discover a more dangerous enemy. It is action and twist after action and twist and works to really keep a reader's attention until its explosive and heart shattering end. Pool also really excels at world-building, something that has been really well-developed consistently throughout this series. There are so many different places and people so vividly imagined that you can't help but be wowed by it. Also, I really love how well Pool wrapped up character development, especially for Anton, Beru and Ephyra. Each POV she utilizes has a unique voice and experience and I felt satisfied with how we left things. As I listened to the audiobook ARC of this one, I'll say that while overall I thought the narrator did a great job,. sometimes some of his inflections, particularly when he's narrating a certain angry god, I found slightly creepy, which I guess was the point and is a silly thing. Other than that though, INTO THE DYING LIGHT is an outstanding accomplishment for Katy Rose Pool and I can't wait to see the next thing she publishes.

This was a bittersweet ending to a great fantasy series. Bitter because it's over.

This entire world is very well thought out. There are twists about the foundations that the world is built on. The characters are all interesting, with character development and different driving forces. Everyone is trying their best to get the best possible outcome for themselves, and it's painful to read them deal with all of their failures and roadblocks.

The progression of the romances is well-paced. Some couples get happy endings while others don't. But it all makes sense.

As someone whose interest in YA's is dying, this series was a perfect surprise.

Besides its ending, the one thing I didn't like was the narrator. He talks in such a low tone that made it impossible to hear while driving.

Review based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

Into the Dying Light is the best trilogy finale I have read, to date, hands down.

The character arcs, the humanity, ... I won't say much but it is absolutely everything!