4 stars! ⭐️ The Cruel Dawn is an incredible sequel to The Last One. In Book 2 we get more world building and I personally love it more than Book 1! I love the character growth we see in Kai. It truly makes the book worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

Thank you Entangled for the ARC!

I was given an ARC of The Last One so that I could leave a review for The Cruel Dawn...

I ended up not being able to read past 30% of The Last One so I will not be reading this book.

I may come back to it at another time but for now, this will sit on my DNF shelf 😔

I will give it 2 stars for being gifted the ARC 😊

The Cruel Dawn was a fantastic conclusion to this duology. I loved Kai just as much as I did in the first book, maybe even more. Her character growth here was epic, and she remains such a strong, take-no-shit, yet deeply caring FMC. I adored her.

The found family element was beautifully done, and the worldbuilding in this series is truly exceptional. With rich mythology, a unique magic system, and vividly detailed settings, the world felt alive on every page. This book really shined in how well-crafted and immersive it was.

Combine that with Kai’s outstanding character arc, and you have a Romantasy that’s truly unique and unlike anything else I’ve read. The author did an exceptional job, and I am officially a rabid fan.

If you love extensive worldbuilding, fantastic found family, and a badass heroine you can’t help but root for, I highly recommend this duology.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted ARC.

Thank you for the opportunity to read The Vallendor series. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish the book and will not be submitting a full review.

I gave the first book a genuine attempt over the past two weeks but ultimately had to stop at around 31%. While the premise is intriguing and there were some fun, action-filled scenes, I found it difficult to connect with the characters, and the pacing felt a bit too fast for my preferences. The narrative felt somewhat choppy, and I often wished for more descriptive elements to help ground the story and build a stronger emotional connection.

DNFing a book is rare for me—I usually pause and return later—but given the upcoming release date, I won’t have time to revisit it.

Wishing the author and publishing team all the best with the launch. Thank you so very much for this opportunity.

The second installment in Rachel Howzell Hall’s Vallendor series, The Cruel Dawn continues the compelling narrative established in the first book. The plot centers on the character Kaivara, whose development is notable as she strives to save her realm. The characters in the story are richly complex, displaying a range of emotional depth and intensity.

The world-building is robust and vividly constructed, filled with action that enhances the overall reading experience. For enthusiasts of high fantasy literature that incorporates romantic elements, this book is a worthy addition to your reading list.

Special thanks to the publisher for providing the opportunity to read and review this book.

🥀 Betrayal
✨ Gods
🥀 Monsters
✨ Redemption

Usually first in series are my favorite, after all they’re what introduced me to that world and those characters, but then I read books like this. So good!

This was the perfect ending 🥹. I loved seeing the growth Kai went through, though she’s still quick to go off on somebody 🤭 she may be a merciful god but that doesn’t mean she won’t sever a head or two 🗡️

I seriously felt all the feels with her. The longing, the heartbreak, the despair and desperation. I just wanted to wrap her up in the biggest hug and be a shoulder for her

“ I want companionship. I desire friendship. I crave love.”

If you’re looking for a book with light spice, a flawed but redeemable fmc, and shifting alliances add Cruel Dawn to your tbr

I wanted to start this review by saying thank you to Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read this eARC of The Cruel Dawn, along with The Last One, by Rachel Howzell Hall.

The Last One left off with Kaivara (aka Kai) being labeled as diminished and banished by the Council of High Orders and the Supreme to the Vallendor Realm. During The Cruel Dawn, she still does not have her full memories back, but some will start to return while trying to save the realm. There was a lot of character development and world building that left you wanting more; however, Kai is still as stubborn as ever but continues to try and do the right thing.

The second book in this duology had me feeling all the feelings through betrayals, relationships, her journey to try and save the realm. This is a great fast-paced Romantasy that I would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the gifted e-Arc in return for my honest review.

I gave this one 3.5 stars.

The strength of this book was in the world-building. If world-building hits your spot, this is definitely your book. There were thousands of realms, a singular main creator, as well as multiple gods, warriors, and different levels of healers. Then came the creatures. The ones we knew, and the ones that were created for different purposes throughout the book. Which meant we were discovering new species at the same time as the characters in the book. Truly this was a masterclass in world-building, and it continued throughout the story. That was probably my favorite part of this duology. I never knew what they were about to discover.

This is book two, so if you have not read book one, stop right now.

You were warned!

Kai, our FMC, is no longer as clueless as she was in book one. She has even reunited with some new people, who were her old friends and compatriots. And things get interesting. As a reader, you learn more about her past and the reasons she was in so much trouble before. There is also tremendous growth for her as the pages turn. Her transformation was legitimately epic. Additionally, we are also reintroduced to the MMC from book one and more... ;) (No spoilers lol)

What kept me reading though, was the found-family aspect. The plot includes the rebuilding of friendships, and the securing of new ones to create the formidable force essential to changing their world. That was some good reading, with people facing hard truths, which they absolutely needed.

There were a lot of moving parts, but I must say the prose was excellent. Even though this was a thick book, reading it went fairly quickly once I sat down and engaged.

Honestly though, personally I could not connect with the FMC. I also felt weird reading the romance parts. And that is for sure just a me thing. But those two aspects lowered my star rating. I can say truthfully The Cruel Dawn has all the makings of a splendid book; I just do not think it was my kind of book.

But... it might be yours, so try it out and see.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7748257134
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Great read!! The book picks up Kai's story where The Last One left off. This is a slow burn and I love Vallendor. I need more of Shari the wolf. Who doesn't love a wolf?!

I have loved arc reading this book. Please give the first book and this one a chance! Yes, the writing style is different, but it is worth the read!

This book is for those who think they are too much and not enough at the same time. Those who might get lost along their way but always find their way back home. Those who deserve and need a redemption story whose FMC is very similar to their own ways.

I really resonated with this book, with Kai, due to her stubbornness but also her heart always leading her to do the right thing, and by doing the right thing, all good will be returned to you.

If this is it for Vallendor, I think it is a great ending. However, I want Elyn and Calyx now! I think their story would be a great spinoff for this world, because the world building was phenomenal. The detail and care it took to create this world was like any other.

This is the sequel to The Last One and picks up where book one left off. Kai is remembering more of her past and knows she must destroy Danar Rrivae in order to save the infected Vallendor Realm she had been banished to by Supreme and the Council of High Orders, labeled as Diminished by them for her transgressions. If she fails, more than just the realm will be destroyed.

There is so much more descriptive world building and new creatures introduced in the second Vallendor book. Kai has some character development but still has that stubborn quality that hinders a lot of her growth. We are reintroduced to previous characters and also have new ones make appearances, but the overall feel is paranoia and mistrust with everyone throughout the story. I felt there wasn't much action, just a lot of reflection from Kai within the plot, but the ending did bring closure to the duology.

Thank you to Entangled and Red Tower for entrusting me with an early copy!

Monsters and gods, plots and secrets, betrayal, redemption

Kai has learned much about who she is and what she has done in her past. When she wakes up at the beginning of book 2 she has her memories back and then promptly runs into her previous love. Now she must decide the way forward despite varying opinions of those around her. Choices seem impossible and betrayals keep her guessing at who she can trust.

I did enjoy this book more than book 1. Kai is growing and despite her past, she wants to do the right thing for her people. I also did enjoy Jadon more in this book. He and Kai had major barriers in the way and things seemed quite dire for a bit but I enjoyed the way things wrapped up.

When I say this was probably the best book I've read this year!!
I loved that it answered alot of my questions from book 1.

The Cruel Dawn by Rachel Howzell Hall is the second book in the Vallendor series and follows The Last One. The Last One follows Kai as she wakes up on the edge of a forest and has to fight to retrieve her memories. The Cruel Dawn begins with her still trying to get some memories back and must face a usurper trying to take over her cherished realm Vallendor.

I really enjoyed The Last One and it was like coming home to revisit Kai and Jadon on their adventures in The Cruel Dawn. I was on an emotional roller coaster until the very end thinking that there was no way things were going to end as I wanted them to. The world (or realm!) building is phenomenal and it was easy to get lost in beautifully lush and also desolately tragic lands while traveling with Kai. I recommend this book for anyone who likes redemption arcs and deep fantasy storytelling with wonderfully lovable characters. Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC for sending this book via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Entangled publishing for an eARC of this book. I will say I enjoyed this sequel so much more than the first book!! It still had a writing style that made me cringe a bit, but the plot was so good, and I found myself loving the characters so much more! There was more depth to this second book, maybe because our FMC knew more about herself and her life this time around. I can easily give this book 3 stars, and I would definitely recommend it to those who weren’t sure if they should continue after finishing the first book.

This is such a well written sequel to The Last One. It begins right where The Last One ended. I enjoyed it very very very much!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of The Cruel Dawn by Rachel Howzell Hall. This sequel delivers exactly what I was hoping for and more.
Picking up right where The Last One ended, this story continues Kaivara's journey with real momentum. Her growth as a character is so satisfying to watch unfold. She's wiser, stronger, and more emotionally complex in this second installment. The layers of hidden truths, family tension, shifting alliances, and personal revelations make for an immersive read.
The relationships in this book are some of my favorite aspects. Kai's dynamic with Zephar, Jadon, Elyn, and her father Izariel deepen in meaningful ways. The world of Vallendor continues to shine, with sharp worldbuilding and mythic undertones that make this series stand out from other romantasy titles.
And Shari the wolf? Instantly iconic.
If you loved The Last One, The Cruel Dawn is a must-read. It is a story about power, legacy, redemption, and the slow burn of finding your place in a fractured world.

While I was not a fan of this series, I think that the author did a really great job with character and world building. The overall premise of the book was good and all of the different creatures added to the story.

A beautifully packaged romantasy debut that blends mystery, magic, and survival with an engaging heroine at the center. Kaivara (“Kai”) wakes up with no memory, thrown into a strange and dangerous world full of gods, monsters, and shifting allegiances. From the very first chapter, her voice hooked me—sharp, sarcastic, and surprisingly vulnerable.

The **deluxe edition** is absolutely gorgeous (those sprayed edges!), but beyond the aesthetics, the story offers solid stakes and a compelling quest. The action is fast-paced, the magic intriguing, and the hints of romance add tension without overwhelming the plot.

**What I loved:**
✔ Kai’s personality—resilient, witty, and layered
✔ The sense of mystery about her past
✔ Monsters, battles, and the atmospheric danger throughout

**What didn’t fully work for me:**
➖ Mid-book pacing dips with heavy worldbuilding
➖ Some of the banter leans too cheeky, especially romantic quips

If you’re into romantasy with action, divine intrigue, and a heroine you can root for, this is worth picking up.

Book one of this series was one of those books that came at just the right time, for so many reasons. There were aspects to the book that I connected at a level that is hard to explain, and surprisingly, they weren’t your typical I could see myself as that character moments - these were tiny things that the author included that reminded me I wasn’t alone in some things I was going through. These pieces made me not only love the first book, but absolutely crave the pages of book two so when I was given the opportunity to read it, I ran like there was no tomorrow.

I was struck by the way the characters continued to grow and interact with each other and the beauty of the whole story. I love the way it all came together through the chaos of everything and I’m a bit at a loss on how to put words to my emotions now that I’m finished with it. I think this book (and the first one) will forever hold a piece in my heart.