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jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Okay, maybe I just let this final book sit a bit too long. It's been quite some time since I read book one and two, and I do think that might have influenced my thougths on this book a little. However, I did still remember the plot and the characters well enough, and didn't really have much of an issue getting into this book. So that might not be the issue either, I don't know.
Anyway, this book just didn't work for me. I feel like the story of this one was just one battle scene after the other, and as much as I like Julie Kagawa as an author I've never read a compelling battle scene from her, not even in books I liked MUCH MORE than this one. I don't know. Those scenes just failed to grip me, and considering the book was mostly that it meant that this book just failed to grip me, even more so than the other two books in the series.
However, I can't say that this was a bad book. I do think that if you have more of an attachement to these characters and this world than I did throughout the first two novels, this book would be a WILD ride for you. I can promise you that. I do honestly like what Julie Kagawa did this book, and how she decided to finish this series is incredibly ballsy. I can totally aplaud her for that, and if I was more invested in any of this I do think this could have been a pretty decent finale. It's just wasn't for me sadly enough.
Anyway, this book just didn't work for me. I feel like the story of this one was just one battle scene after the other, and as much as I like Julie Kagawa as an author I've never read a compelling battle scene from her, not even in books I liked MUCH MORE than this one. I don't know. Those scenes just failed to grip me, and considering the book was mostly that it meant that this book just failed to grip me, even more so than the other two books in the series.
However, I can't say that this was a bad book. I do think that if you have more of an attachement to these characters and this world than I did throughout the first two novels, this book would be a WILD ride for you. I can promise you that. I do honestly like what Julie Kagawa did this book, and how she decided to finish this series is incredibly ballsy. I can totally aplaud her for that, and if I was more invested in any of this I do think this could have been a pretty decent finale. It's just wasn't for me sadly enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Grief
tousledtreasure's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked this book more than it's predecessors, but I would've loved more pauses or quite moments in between the acts.
And the epilogue wasn't as satisfying. I thought maybe they would meet in another life, but no.
Seigetsu's death was definitely tense and he could have held so much potential of a tragic villain, if his motivation was explained more than just a short flashback during Tatsumi's death.
Another critique point would be, following what set me off in the previous books that too many side characters were added, their deaths just felt a bit pointless. Not in the sense, that it didn't make sense that they died, just if the amount of side characters was reduced from the start, it wouldn't have been such a jarring number of deaths.
Seigetsu's death was definitely tense and he could have held so much potential of a tragic villain, if his motivation was explained more than just a short flashback during Tatsumi's death.
Another critique point would be, following what set me off in the previous books that too many side characters were added, their deaths just felt a bit pointless. Not in the sense, that it didn't make sense that they died, just if the amount of side characters was reduced from the start, it wouldn't have been such a jarring number of deaths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
themoodreader's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Body horror, Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, War, Alcohol, Death of parent, Abandonment, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
miaaa_lenaaa's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Seeing as i literally sobbed twice i guess i enjoyed this
Yeah you know when i finished the first one and said then end scene was a bit of a cop out? Well…
She rly did have the time of her life fighting dragons with you 💔
Its only a matter of time…
Yeah you know when i finished the first one and said then end scene was a bit of a cop out? Well…
She rly did have the time of her life fighting dragons with you 💔
Its only a matter of time…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Murder, Violence, Death, and War
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility
fullybookedlola's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book – I have no words. This book was so magical and wonderful in its own way. I'm so glad I finally picked up book 1 and decided to read further until the end, book 3.
Is there really not more? Not another epilogue? The last sentence of this book gave me so much hope.
I want to thank Kagawa for writing this series since it became one of my favorites. I cannot even think of what all happened, I'm just so relieved and happy, but sad at the same time.
Until I read it again.
Is there really not more? Not another epilogue? The last sentence of this book gave me so much hope.
I want to thank Kagawa for writing this series since it became one of my favorites. I cannot even think of what all happened, I'm just so relieved and happy, but sad at the same time.
Until I read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
booksthatburn's review
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
NIGHT OF THE DRAGON is the heart-wrenching conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. Full of action, intensely personal moments, and just the right amount of heartbreak.
I love all the characters, particularly Daisuke and Yumeko. The antagonists are well-written, and the reveal of the big bad was foreshadowed since at least the second book (with some minor hints in the first). Even though their villainous identity and plan aren't revealed until the almost the end of the trilogy, that plan makes sense in the context of the world, and their villainous motivations are consistent with what's known about them so far. The style of the foreshadowing means that most of the protagonists weren't in a good position to even guess at their identity or plan, but to the audience it should be a suitably satisfying reveal.
The worldbuilding is expanded a little, but it's mostly building on what the first two books established. I remain particularly devastated (in the best possible way) by the final battles, specifically how Okame (the ronin) and Daisuke (the noble) are handled. I love their storyline and their resolution is completely appropriate to them as characters. Yumeko and Hakaimono/Tatsumi also got very full storylines, but I feel like Reika is a bit sidelined in this book. She was needed more in SOUL OF THE SWORD to get to their destination, but in NIGHT OF THE DRAGON she feels less important to the plot. This is a very character-driven series, and she definitely matters to the group's overall dynamic, but being the odd one out with two couples (each a very different kind of slow burn) means she doesn't have as many moments that stand out to me. Even Suki, a ghost that doesn't even meet up with them until the second half, feels nearly as intertwined with the party because of her connection to Daisuke.
As a sequel (and the final book in the trilogy), this wraps up many things which were left over from the previous books. It addresses the melding of Hakaimono and Tatsumi, gives resolutions to everyone in the party, follows up on all those promises to die together in glorious battle, and gives a taste of the path forward for the region after the Wish. This is a new phase of the storyline, now that it's too late to prevent the scroll from falling into the wrong hangs, the party tries to stop the dragon from being summoned and the Wish being spoken. I don't think there's a major thing that's both introduced and resolved, but it's the final book so it doesn't need to start anything new to feel complete.
Generally the narrators feel consistent with the previous book. The trio of audiobook narrators continue their stellar performance, the audiobook is a delight. The combined person of Hakaimono and Tatsumi is distinct from when either of them was the main one in control (Tatsumi in SHADOW OF THE FOX, and Hakaimono in SOUL OF THE SWORD). I love books which alter the narrator in some fundamental way which affects how they behave, but has a continuity of person which makes that changed version distinct from just being a different character together. This is an excellent example of that, and I'm pleased with how that narrative is handled.
It would not make sense to start here, as this is the final volume of a very character-driven trilogy. While the basic plot might make sense, the driving emotions and motivations were set up in previous books and wouldn't have nearly the intended impact if this is read without any reference to the rest of the series.
I love this book and I'm extremely satisfied with this ending to the trilogy. Read this series for lovable (but possibly doomed) heroes on a quest where the stakes are the fate of the next thousand years.
I love all the characters, particularly Daisuke and Yumeko. The antagonists are well-written, and the reveal of the big bad was foreshadowed since at least the second book (with some minor hints in the first). Even though their villainous identity and plan aren't revealed until the almost the end of the trilogy, that plan makes sense in the context of the world, and their villainous motivations are consistent with what's known about them so far. The style of the foreshadowing means that most of the protagonists weren't in a good position to even guess at their identity or plan, but to the audience it should be a suitably satisfying reveal.
The worldbuilding is expanded a little, but it's mostly building on what the first two books established. I remain particularly devastated (in the best possible way) by the final battles, specifically how Okame (the ronin) and Daisuke (the noble) are handled. I love their storyline and their resolution is completely appropriate to them as characters. Yumeko and Hakaimono/Tatsumi also got very full storylines, but I feel like Reika is a bit sidelined in this book. She was needed more in SOUL OF THE SWORD to get to their destination, but in NIGHT OF THE DRAGON she feels less important to the plot. This is a very character-driven series, and she definitely matters to the group's overall dynamic, but being the odd one out with two couples (each a very different kind of slow burn) means she doesn't have as many moments that stand out to me. Even Suki, a ghost that doesn't even meet up with them until the second half, feels nearly as intertwined with the party because of her connection to Daisuke.
As a sequel (and the final book in the trilogy), this wraps up many things which were left over from the previous books. It addresses the melding of Hakaimono and Tatsumi, gives resolutions to everyone in the party, follows up on all those promises to die together in glorious battle, and gives a taste of the path forward for the region after the Wish. This is a new phase of the storyline, now that it's too late to prevent the scroll from falling into the wrong hangs, the party tries to stop the dragon from being summoned and the Wish being spoken. I don't think there's a major thing that's both introduced and resolved, but it's the final book so it doesn't need to start anything new to feel complete.
Generally the narrators feel consistent with the previous book. The trio of audiobook narrators continue their stellar performance, the audiobook is a delight. The combined person of Hakaimono and Tatsumi is distinct from when either of them was the main one in control (Tatsumi in SHADOW OF THE FOX, and Hakaimono in SOUL OF THE SWORD). I love books which alter the narrator in some fundamental way which affects how they behave, but has a continuity of person which makes that changed version distinct from just being a different character together. This is an excellent example of that, and I'm pleased with how that narrative is handled.
It would not make sense to start here, as this is the final volume of a very character-driven trilogy. While the basic plot might make sense, the driving emotions and motivations were set up in previous books and wouldn't have nearly the intended impact if this is read without any reference to the rest of the series.
I love this book and I'm extremely satisfied with this ending to the trilogy. Read this series for lovable (but possibly doomed) heroes on a quest where the stakes are the fate of the next thousand years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, and Torture
queergoth_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
To me this was the perfect ending to the series. A few aspects were very unexpected and even the things I did expect took turns I didn't see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief and Suicide
jlkopp's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Never have I been so ruined by a YA book in my LIFE. I'm writing this review while sobbing. This was an incredible, heart-stopping, DEVASTATING, BEAUTIFUL conclusion to the trilogy. I genuinely can't handle the emotions it's brought out in me so I'll leave it at that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, Violence, War, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Vomit, Abandonment, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, and Animal death