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. 💜

I am so glad I was given an opportunity to recieve an arc of this book. I have had The Liar's Crown on my shelf for awhile but have not gotten to it and getting this book gave me the push I needed to start the series. It is so good! This book was the perfect way to wrap up the story but it will bring out all the emotions. She does a great job at really making you feel for the side characters just as much as the main characters.

This book masterfully builds upon the previous installment, offering insight into the characters' bravery as they confront the aftermath of a pivotal event. Their collective quest to liberate their kingdom is awe-inspiring, though the characters' perpetual danger and mobility leave some aspects of their journeys unexplored. Tabra's expanded presence sparks conflicting emotions, while Meren's actions raise eyebrows. The emotional depth of Reven and Meren's relationship is beautifully portrayed, highlighting love's capacity to overcome adversity and flourish amidst turmoil.

You'll discover loyal companions, intriguing mysteries, hidden secrets, challenging betrayals, laughable moments and heartbreaking ones, but ultimately, you'll witness the transformative love they share for each other and their country.

And so it ends. The Shadows Rule All bring the Dominions trilogy to a conclusion. A satisfying one? No spoilers. I’ll leave each reader to decide that for themselves. But the story picks up shortly after the events of book 2 (The Stolen Throne). Meren has been such a great character and she’s grown so much throughout this series. I really hate to say goodbye this world, but if this is the last time we visit then personally I’ll leave satisfied. If however Ms Owen decides there is more to explore (perhaps continuing adventures for certain characters?) then I’d be more than happy to go on another adventure. I’d like to thank Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Shadows Rule All.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R35ZZ4LWYQQE1F/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Wow!!! Bravo on the ending of this trilogy. Ms. Owen did a wonderful job wrapping this up with a big and beautiful bow. I could not put this book down. Just like with the first two books in the series, this book is a non-stop adventure from the beginning till the end. There are a lot of moving pieces in this book and I was sucked in from the start. But be warned....you are going to shed many tears in this one, for there will be a lot of death. Not everyone is going to have a happy ending in this one. The road that Meren travels is full of treachery and danger. Many will betray her and she will struggle with the pressures of carrying around the shadows. There will be lots of twists and oh shit moments where you will be blindsided and not see it coming. There is so much action, fighting, death and excitement.

Overall this book is amazing. Just like it's predecessors. But be sure you start with book one The Liar's Crown. These books are not standalones and must be read in order. Plus you don't want to miss out on anything. This is a fantasy young adult novel. I would say 16+. As some scenes are for mature audiences. It is a unique and exciting tale, with an amazing line up of characters and creatures. I highly recommend it to those who love books about Goddesses and Old World charm with kings and queens. It kind of has a "Shadow and Bone Series" feel to it.

A fantastic conclusion to my new favorite trilogy, THE SHADOWS RULE ALL brings our characters full circle and delivers an ending that they truly deserve. Things in this book start off on a rather tense note and remain that way for much of the story, and it was a ✨journey✨ following them to see if their relationship(s) would survive their quest. For most of the story, it’s anyone’s guess if the characters would survive and thrive, and I’m ultimately satisfied with how we leave them.

I don’t want to give too much away in terms of rehashing the plot since this is the third book, but suffice it to say that all of the danger and the tension from the first two books finally explode in this one. This one had me on edge for most of the book and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. There’s also a whole lot of emotion packed in to this one — there’s loss and love, but there’s a current of hope that runs throughout the book which helps to brighten things up a bit.

All told, a fitting conclusion and one that fans of the series will appreciate. I adore this trilogy and it’s definitely one you should add to your tbr if you enjoy:

🍁Sisterhood
🍁Enemies to lovers
🍁Angsty romance
🍁Court politics
🍁Danger and tension-filled plots
🍁Action and adventure
🍁Secrets and intrigue

YEAH THERE’S A HEA BUT AT WHAT COST, ABIGAIL?!?

I AM SENDING YOU MY THERAPY BILL.

This was the perfect conclusion to Meren’s story, even though I was tortured for half of the book. Abigail has solidified herself as one of my auto buy authors!!! I will never stop talking about this series.

Thank you Netgalley, Entangled teen and RB Media!

Meren is struggling severely with the fact that Raven has been taken from her. She also has to save the Dominion that's about to be taken over by her enemy Eidolon.

Needless to say I will forever be a fan of Abigail Owen!
She writes the most fantastical and mind blowing books ever. This would be my fourth book I have read and it did not disappoint in the least bit.

This was an amazing ending to a thrilling trilogy. You have multiple side missions to bring all the amulets together and release the goddesses from there entrapments. Also so many obstacles that left everyone in so much danger with every page flip. It was excruciating but left me wanting to pick up the audio book and the book constantly.

All fantasy lover will adore this series and especially this book it was my personal favorite of the three with an a creative magic system that will leave you in shock and in awe of every chapter.

I will miss this world!

Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, as I started this series when it first came out. I HIGHLY enjoy the final book of this series. It was an emotional journey, but the ending paid off.

Book 3 is just as incredible as the prior two -- I can't believe this series is over! This was an impeccable ending to a journey that has been fast paced throughout. When I read The Liar's Crown I was struck by the uniqueness of this series (shadows?! Twin queens?!) and Owen has carried those unique elements all the way through to this ending. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

This series, these books are everything. They have everything that a romantasy girlie could as for. You want a shadow daddy? I give you Reven, well, he’s a little young for me to call shadow daddy but you get the point. If he was older I might even love him more than Rhysand, I said what I said.

Meren is so relatable, she just wants to be accepted and known for who she is and not for the life that was decided for her. She has grown into such a strong and courageous leader and it has been a pleasure to read her journey.

This story is filled with so many twists and turns and heart wrenching moments, but I wouldn’t change a moment of it.
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Thank you to Entanged publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review,

WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK!!! This book had me feeling all sorts of emotions while reading it. I adored it so much! What a great third book in a series!

Tension hits a high-note as it swaddles with heart-break, angst, and everything needed to mold an epic tale with richness flowing in every direction and more.

This third book in the series takes off from the ending of book two with a little time gap, meeting the characters as they've begun to settle, more or less depending on the situation, into their last met state. It takes a little bit to get into the flow of things, not due to the writing...that jumps right in...but simply because there are such rich arcs and while the characters have slid in after the last happenings, the reader needs to join them first. But it doesn't take long, and after that, it's non-stop amazement the entire way through.

If the other two books held tension (and they did), this one manages to notch things up again and promises situations which are over-the-top impossible. It draws the reader to the edge of their seats, makes it clear that not everything can run well, packs in more violence, higher stakes, and so much more heart break than the first two books did. It's a well-crafted weave with everything needed to create that epic atmosphere and plot, which invites to get lost in. With rough corners and edges galore. This makes it not only a read for the upper end of YA, but also adults will enjoy the adventure. Still, it tippy-toes enough to stay balanced on that YA line from the content side...although it is a tight line.

There is frustration on the romance end as the characters suffer through the amnesia string, and that one is harsh. The ending comes with surprise and holds all the weight to do the tale justice. Don't expect warm fuzzies, though. There are a few frayed ends on some plot strings, which stay open, but this doesn't frustrate and slides right in to the atmosphere.

Simply said, this is a well-woven ending to an grabbing series.

Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for the advance listener copy of The Shadows Rule All!

This is the final installment in the Dominions trilogy and it is a great end to the series! Meren and the gang are back together and working to defeat Eidolon and release the queens from their necklaces. But not all of the friends can be trusted, especially not Meren herself as it is impossible to tell how much the shadows trapped within her are reporting back to Eidolon. Can Meren, Reven, and company save the Dominions? Can they survive trying?

I really enjoyed this series. I've said it in every review but the world building is just INCREDIBLE! The magic is so interesting and unique; I just love it so much. I wish Meren would get out of her own head so much. Her constant agonizing over her every decision has made me knock a star off each book. I read the first book with my eyes and listened to the last two and I think it is something that I noticed and was annoyed by more with the audio so it may be a "me" issue to a certain extent. I also feel like Reven is super boring and the romance is meh in the series. But those are really my only two complaints. It is a gripping fantasy and I can't wait to read more of Abigail Owen's books!