Character Impressions:

Tallora
Tallora's grown into a stronger, active protagonist compared to who she was in the first book. She doesn't stop until she finds a way to save her people from impending doom, and on top of it all, she finds a way to let Dauriel back into her heart despite everything that's happened between them.

I do wish she was able to participate in council meetings more alongside Dauriel instead of being pushed to the side by those who don't think her insight is valuable

even after she and Dauriel get married.

Dauriel

I really wish the first thing Tallora saw when she met Dauriel again wasn’t Dauriel sleeping with other women. I know Dauriel is hurting, falling back into old habits, and trying to forget Tallora, but that hurt to read. However, I can’t blame Dauriel and Tallora can’t really be mad at her cause 1) They’re not together since Tallora chose to leave her at the end of Book 2, which means Dauriel wasn’t expecting her to return and 2) Tallora kissed Kal back in Book 2.

Something I really appreciate is how Dauriel’s suicidal or depressing thoughts weren’t cured overnight “because of love.” Even after Tallora forgives Dauriel again and they start a relationship once more, Dauriel still has self-destructive tendencies which she has to work through on her own.

Overall, badass through and through.

Minor Characters:

So many minor characters have a bigger role in this final book. Khastra, Illune, Harbinger, Kal, etc. Each of them have important parts to play and it makes the world feel alive because they’re doing something that doesn’t just revolve around the two heroine’s relationship. I adore each and every single side character except the asshole villains of course.

Story Impressions:

Having my expectations for how the plot may go only to get subverted for the third time is a charm.

That final act was amazing. I didn’t think I would root for certain characters to win so much because I wasn’t expecting them to be there for that last fight.

When it comes to dark fantasy, I prefer death, destruction, and hopelessness instead of the usual SA that most dark fantasy books gravitate to include. So, I’m glad this story had impactful deaths in it that meant something to Tallora.

I would have liked the epilogue to be a tad longer not because the page count was too short, but only because I wanted to linger with the heroines for a little longer. But the ending is perfect for every character. I wasn’t expecting certain people to end up where they did, but it made sense and was the best outcome for each of them to achieve a happy ending.

Reading all three books back-to-back really highlights the dynamic of motherhood in the story. Dauriel and her mother have a terrible relationship, compared to Tallora and her mother who have a loving one, compared to Goddess Neoma and Staella who have a balanced relationship with their daughter Illune.

Highlights:

Highlight 1: The third act was glorious.
Highlight 2:
Khastra finally hugging Dauriel after all this time right before Dauriel plans to sacrifice herself.
Highlight 3:
Khastra is banging the Goddess of Death, yall. I love that these two are in a relationship together.
Highlight 4: Illune is such a fun character.
Highlight 5:
Letting Morathma live because it’s more of an insult.
Highlight 6: The book cover.
Highlight 7: The strap.
Highlight 8: HARBINGERRRRR!!! The true unsung hero.
Highlight 9:
Staella coming to rescue her daughter, Illune, and Illune is just like, “Yeah, I knew you’d come.”
Highlight 10: I love the worldbuilding. Each time a character explains something, they do so in their voice, which means information isn’t spewed out like a robot, but told through their unique perspective.
Highlight 11: The amount of yearning Tallora and Dauriel have for each other.

A review by k_cao_xai Death's Abyss by S.D. Simper

Character Impressions:

Minor Characters:

Story Impressions:

Highlights:

My Personal Tags About the Book:

A review by k_cao_xai
Death's Abyss by S.D. Simper