⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Darkness reigns, secrets unravel, and a heroine rises to claim her fate.”

A gripping conclusion to the Dominions trilogy, The Shadows Rule All had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish!

Meren's journey comes to a head as she faces impossible odds, both from external enemies and the shadows that now haunt her. King Eidolon has stolen everything, and with the Alignment looming, the stakes couldn't be higher. The power struggles, intense battles, and moments of betrayal kept me turning pages late into the night.

The slow-burn romance with Reven continues to be a highlight, with their chemistry adding so much depth to the story. But it’s not just the romance—Meren's growth as a leader and the dark magic she must confront make this a truly compelling read.

What to expect:
⚔️ High-stakes action
⚔️ Betrayals and shocking revelations
⚔️ A fierce heroine battling inner and outer demons
⚔️ A romance worth rooting for

It's hard to believe that we've finally arrived at the final installment of the Dominions series. This has been an epic journey through a world of harsh landscapes, bitter rivalries, revenge, sisterhood, friendship, and a love to stand against the tests of time. Of all the books in the series so far, this one definitely took me the longest read, and not just because of its imposing length at over 500 pages. Rather, I simply didn't want to see this tale come to an end. The author has presented us with a world we can easily lose ourselves in, and the thought of closing the book on its final chapter was almost too harsh a thought to consider, especially when we come to the realization that not all of our beloved characters will have the chance to meet with their own happily ever after. We've encountered villains, heroes, and every shade of morally gray character in between since page one, and you can't help but hold your breath in anticipation as you wonder what fate might befall those we've come to know as friend and foe. When all is said and done will the shadows indeed rule all, or will a bit of light prevail in breaking through the darkness?

You absolutely must read this series in order! Not only will it help you fully grasp the intricate web of connecting plot points, but it will also allow you to experience the profound evolution of the characters. Meren’s journey, in particular, transforms from the innocence of her teenage years to the haunting realities of adulthood—a progression that’s as breathtaking as it is heartbreaking. You don't want to miss a single step along the way!

The true brilliance of this series lies in its sweeping trajectory as an epic journey from beginning to end. It’s no surprise it has found its place in the Entangled: Teen repertoire, while still appealing to adults seeking a romantasy escape. Each installment is more devastating and intense than the next, and the audience is provided with the opportunity to grow and mature alongside Meren in her quest. From the first book, we meet a mildly timid yet secretly defiant Meren, and across the subsequent novels, we watch her transform into a fierce warrior and a true leader. She confronts the horrors of her world head-on, emerging stronger and more resolute with every trial she faces. This is a story steeped in love, heartbreak, friendship, and the bittersweet realities of loss.

This is the exciting conclusion to this series. This was an epic story. Meren has been through so much as the spare twin that is basically invisible. But they both hold power that is pretty interesting and with the basically evil King trying to take over she is not hiding anymore. The bonded soulmate situation is very interesting since it spans lifetimes. Love the idea of that. The friend/squad side characters were so great. Loved her journey and her desperate attempt to get her love back. This did wrap up nicely though there was a lot of loss and fighting to get there.
Def recommend - it is a completed series.

This was an amazing conclusion to this fantastic series. Full of angst and love and plot twists and a few moments that had us in tears. If you haven’t picked up this series yet we highly recommend it! Especially now that it is completed. Abigail Owen has an amazing talent to make very well rounded and deep characters and wonderful world building. You cannot help but get attached to these characters. If you are a lover of fantasy and romance then this would be a perfect series for you.

This book is absolutely amazing! I did not was be to put it down!!! I've been waiting for this conclusion since book 2 came out last year! I will read anything by Abigail Owen. I can't wait to dive into her other books!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA Fantasy

This is the conclusion to the series. It took me a little bit to remember what had happened in the first two books and unlike the others I listened to this on audio & supplemented it with the physical book. Once I remembered though, I easily picked it up.

This one is a little darker & more complex than the first two. I prefer the adventure of the first book the best. This one has more of an amnesia trope with a romance plot which I enjoyed, but prefer a fast paced quest. I think it was a little longer than it needed to be… the middle dragged a bit. There were no loose ends and I liked the ending.

I have read The Games Gods Play by this author too & that one is really good!

Thank you Entangled Teen for the ARC!

Well, we start off with a gorgeous cover (by Elizabeth Turner Stokes) for the finale of the Dominions series, with the final chapter being told in The Shadows Rule All by Abigail Owen and it was a doozy. Abigail included anything and everything you could possibly want for a fantasy romance. We have a struggle for leadership, some magical machinations, battles, death and romance. I was lost in the , but because it is such a long book, I couldn’t finish it in one sitting.

The Shadows Rule All is the third book in the series, so I’m not going to give you the lowdown. I definitely recommend beginning at the beginning, if this sounds like a winner to you. I do love when a series is complete, don’t you?

I will tell you that their worlds are crumbling with the loss of the goddesses. To set things right, they would have to release the goddesses from the amulets they are trapped in. For them to be released, they are sent on a quest to recover Allusion’s heart.

I went teary eyed more than once as character after character fell. By killing off some of my favorite characters, Abigail makes the story seem real (for a fantasy), because in battle not all will survive. Even the peripheral characters have a pivotal role to play, adding their magic to the story.

We have Meren, the main character, looking for her soulmate. Reven. He is lost in the Shadows. Is she going to have her happy ever after? Will she ever be rid of the Shadows who threaten her and Reven? Can they release the goddesses and save their Dominions?

For a finale, I think Abigail hit the nail on the head. She left me with a heavy heart, but a feeling of satisfaction. I wouldn’t change a thing.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

Thank you Netgalley and Abigail Owen for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

The third book in her amazing series, this book did not disappoint. Did I cry? Absolutely. But was it worth it? Also absolutely. I need therapy now. This romantasy has such a strong cast of characters that surprise me more in each book and I love how one situation blends into the next making a roller coaster of a ride of will they wont they figure everything out.

Honestly I could gush about Abigails world all day. Just read it. That is all.

Owens closed out the Dominions Trilogy in style with The Shadows Rule All. The complicated relationship of Meren and Reven was handled beautifully so that we got the romance we wanted without it overwhelming the plot. We had the loose ends of the goddesses being contained (how and why) tied up, maybe not a tightly as I could have wanted, but enough that the plot was served without being unwieldy. Emotions get even high and destroyed with some of the events at the end of the book-one event in particular I am very unhappy with and think the author may have been trying to make sure we all visit our therapists with that one.

This is a breathtaking conclusion to the Dominions trilogy. Queen Meren faces heartbreak and betrayal as she fights to reclaim her throne from King Eidolon, all while the Alignment threatens to destroy everything. The story is darker and more intense, with unexpected twists, fast-paced action, and emotionally charged moments that kept me hooked. Meren’s resilience shines as she grows into a true leader, and I loved Tabra’s expanded role. The bond between Meren and Reven is deeply moving, showcasing love’s strength amidst adversity. The bittersweet ending was fitting and left a lasting impression. This gripping finale is a must-read for fans of the series—an unforgettable journey full of magic and courage.

I'd been waiting to get an ARC of this book since the previous one ended, and it did not disappoint. In fact, I left a piece of my heart with it and now that everything is over I want all the quiet moments (no, a nice epilogue won't be enough, not for this trilogy!).
I admit I found it a touch chaotic in the beginning, a bit all over the place, moving too fast at times.
There's one thing I got scared of when I came across it, a trope I don't entirely enjoy unless done well: if it were used as the main plot point, it'd be one thing, but to put into a story, especially at this point, can become just adding angst for angst’s sake - and therefore stretch the story out. But Miss Owen didn't, weaving it into the story masterfully. I'm still not entirely sold on it, but again, it's a mere preference, and it doesn't make away how meaningful it was for Meren and Reven.
My babies!
Meren deserves all the bloody peace in the world, and so does Reven, after going through hell (quite literally, too). They are the epitome of what I seek in a couple, in an enemies to lovers. It'd be too easy to paragon them to my favourite couple, but in my heart I do, and not to take away anything from them, but because it's the perfect way in my heart to make whoever is reading how much I've fallen for them. So no, they're definitely not a copy and paste, just what I love to read about: their story, their clicking like pieces of a puzzle, their love for one another… Abigail Owen threw it all together like a witch, and like a witch she enchanted me.
I adored Meren and Reven, as I did the rest of the formidable characters: they are just as amazing. Each of them managed to shock me with their actions, even when some I could sense coming, whereas others just hit me right in the feels.
In this final book, there's too much to unpack without being spoilery, so all I'll say is that this is the perfect (*shushes the cries in her heart*) conclusion to a freaking amazing story that more people need to read.

I just loved reading this book! I've enjoyed this series since the beginning, and I was so excited to see how it was all going to wrap up! They had this major threat that they had to deal with, and I had to see how they were going to do it!

This series is not afraid to cause damage, it doesn't pull its punches. There is loss after loss, and the hits kept coming. I mean, there were losses in the previous books, but this is the finale, and there were some pretty shocking betrayals, not to mention the losses that come with war.

Meren is not in a great place, what with Eidolon taking Reven back in, but still having the shadows within her. So between that, and the mounting war efforts, is not a good position to be in, espcailly when some truths come to light.

So much happens in this book, so much is learned, about why the goddesses were contained in the first place, which all lead to this epic end to the book, that final battle was amazing, and I really enjoyed seeing it all play out! And where we left these characters was so satisfying!

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Abigail Owen!

The good news about my review coming so late is that this means THIS BOOK IS OUT NOW! So go get it!

If you have read the first two in the dominions trilogy, you know what to expect (heart break, tragedy, despair, hope, emotional damage, etc). If you haven’t read them, what are you doing?!

I’m pretty sure this is my favorite of the series. The final book in this gripping trilogy will leave you reeling! Cut to me furiously DMing @abigailowenauthor about how I hate her for ruining my life. This book made me feel all the feelings, even when I didn’t want to. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and was sad when it ended because I love these characters. Though the trilogy was wrapped up quite beautifully, including an epilogue that’s to die for.

Please read this so we can start a fan club for hating to love (or loving to hate?) Abigail Owen. lol

#dominionstrilogy #shadowsruleall #abigailowen #entangledteen

Here's the thing. This was a really good conclusion to this series and there was never a dull moment. So many important characters were severely hurt and others died, making this so much more of a believable battle. So why only 3 stars? Because almost for the entire book (I think it was around 80% or so) literally nothing goes well for Meren. No joke. Any time you think "oh, finally!" NO. It still all goes horribly wrong in one way or another. And for me, that just became more and more frustrating as I kept reading. I'm not saying things should have gone easy for her, but this was over kill to me.

It's no joke when I say that this book sees Meren going non stop. Her and her group are on the move the whole time either chasing down leads, making allies, or running from their enemy. I was so damn happy when Meren got Reven back....only for that to not be a good thing either. So that was super frustrating. But I was still happy that he was there.

We meet a couple new goddesses this time around as well as learn exactly what happened in the past to see them all sealed and the fallout from that one action. The final fight between everyone, and I'm talking everyone was a good and believable one. I do so love it when the epic finale of a war does not let me down and it didn't here. I was very happy with this end.

Great ending to this fantasy trilogy!

Meren has been overcome by shadows that left Reven, her bondmate, and now they’re torturing her. The shadows take over her mind and appearance if she gets too stressed or they get upset. Reven has completely forgotten Meren and he has no memory of them being in love. Meren has collected most of the amulets needed to stop the king. She needs one more plus the help of her dedicated companions to save their kingdom. She’s determined to help save the kingdom and Reven’s memory, even if she has to sacrifice herself to do it.

Likes/dislikes: I like that the characters are complex and diverse. The characters are each flawed in their own way, which makes them interesting. The mythology created by the author is imaginative. This book is the third in the trilogy and it’s much better than the second book.
Mature content: PG-13 for implied sex, on page.
Language: R for 93 swears and 10 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody fighting, deaths, and a bloody death.
Ethnicity: mixed.

What an ending! I loved all three books but Meren having to work to get Reven back really made for a great story. Lots of sarcasm (love it) and a lot of Meren feeling awkward (relatable).

There were plenty of surprises I didn’t see coming. This will be a series that I plan to reread in the future.

I loved every second of this series. This series will forever hold a special place in my heart as The Liars Crown was so good that it inspired me to post my first book review. This was the perfect (even if im still gutted) ending to an overall incredible series. I absolutely plan to read more from Abigail!!

I probably should have done a reread before jumping into the final book in a trilogy, but I live in chaos.
Without having revisited the first two books it did take a little while to figure out what I had forgotten and reanimate myself in the story.
Once my brain began functioning again this ended up being everything I could have hoped for in the end of a series I love!
Many new layers added into the established story and I was here for it!
I am geeked to do a full reread of the series and see if anything changes when the plot is fresh in my mind.
Much love to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for my ARC!

As the third book in the Dominions series, The Shadows Rule All does not stand alone. In fact, it really should be read in conjunction with the first two books, The Liar’s Crown and The Stolen Throne.

The Shadows Rule All is part of a complex storyline that loses nuance when not read in quick succession. In fact, I wish that I had reread the other books just to refresh my memory.

Story once again centers around Meren and Reven. Once connected together as bondmates, they’re now separated by more than distance. It’s hard to say much more about the plot without giving too much away, but it’s a strong storyline.

Author Abigail Owen has created a vast world with an intricate magical system that reads almost cinematically. Owen has a strong sense of timing and her prose is accessible. The Shadows Rule All is fast-moving and a strong conclusion to her trilogy.

As with the previous books, The Shadow Rules All features moments of sexual tension and some pretty steamy scenes. It’s as close to graphic as you can get without being graphic, and would garner at least a PG13 rating.

The Dominions series is not for everyone. It’s not suitable for younger teens, but older teens and new adults will quickly get lost in the magic, mystery, action and romance.

Tropes:
💜 Touch her and 💀
💜 Stabby FMC
💜 He falls for her AGAIN
💜 Shadow MMC
💜 Fated (mates)

There’s a lot of pressure on the last book in a trilogy and I feel like this book met my hopes for the series!

The pacing seemed to move the story along quickly and there were twists and reveals that had me gasping multiple times throughout. I feel like this series was able to come to a satisfying conclusion after a thrilling ride!

Some possible spoilers below, proceed with caution:

I was in agony throughout the process of Meren and Reven having to rediscover each other after Meren was able to get Reven back. It makes their HEA that much sweeter.

There was an introduction to a new goddess who was a really interesting aspect of the story. The history was explored more thoroughly and I finally got answers to the burning questions I’ve had since the beginning.

The story is not without some heartache though, so savor the little moments of joy when they come - just like Meren does. 💜