Book Review: The Conquering Dark (Crown & Key # 3) by Clay & Susan Griffith

Title: The Conquering Dark (Crown & Key # 3) 
Author: Clay & Susan Griffith 
Publisher: Del Rey 
Publication Date: 28 July 2015 
Pages: 352 
Format: Paperback 
Genre: Paranormal / UF / Steampunk
Source: Bought Copy



The Crown and Key Society face their most terrifying villain yet: Gaios, a deranged demigod with the power to destroy Britain.

To avenge a centuries-old betrayal, Gaios is hell-bent on summoning the elemental forces of the earth to level London and bury Britain. The Crown and Key Society, a secret league consisting of a magician, an alchemist, and a monster-hunter, is the realm’s only hope—and to stop Gaios, they must gather their full strength and come together as a team, or the world will fall apart.

But Simon Archer, the Crown and Key’s leader and the last living magician-scribe, has lost his powers. As Gaios searches for the Stone of Scone, which will give him destructive dominion over the land, monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane, alchemist extraordinaire Kate Anstruther, gadget geek Penny Carter, and Charlotte the werewolf scramble to reconnect Simon to his magic before the world as they know it is left forever in ruins. (Goodreads Synopsis)


The Crown and the Key trilogy is a series that has grown on me more with each book. The first I enjoyed, but did not think it as engaging as The Vampire Empire series. That is still the case; however, I liked the second book much more, and this final instalment, The Conquering Dark, was equally good. It was a fitting conclusion to the series, with some wonderful moments between Simon and Kate in particular. I found Simon a bit annoying in book one, but I came to love him as the series progressed. The supporting cast are well drawn and come across as believable and interesting characters. My only gripe comes from an editorial stance, not a reader's one. The editor here seemed happy to leave in sentences that had body parts committing random actions. This is a pet hate of mine and grated on me every time it occurred - I was itching to rewrite it a bit so the character was performing the action, not their hand, eye etc. But that minor annoyance aside, this is an excellent series full of originals ideas, memorable characters, and excellent pacing. Now I look forward to the new Vampire Empire story later this year.