Book Review: Darkdawn (Nevernight #3) by Jay Kristoff (Fantasy)

Title: Darkdawn (Nevernight #3)
Author: Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 484
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Borrowed from the Library
 


The greatest games in Godsgrave's history have ended with the most audacious murders in the history of the Itreyan Republic.

Mia Corvere, gladiatii, escaped slave and infamous assassin, is on the run. Pursued by Blades of the Red Church and soldiers of the Luminatii legion, she may never escape the City of Bridges and Bones alive. Her mentor Mercurio is now in the clutches of her enemies. Her own family wishes her dead. And her nemesis, Consul Julius Scaeva, stands but a breath from total dominance over the Republic.

But beneath the city, a dark secret awaits. Together with her lover Ashlinn, brother Jonnen and a mysterious benefactor returned from beyond the veil of death, she must undertake a perilous journey across the Republic, seeking the final answer to the riddle of her life. Truedark approaches. Night is falling on the Republic for perhaps the final time.

Can Mia survive in a world where even daylight must die?


Nevernight is a trilogy I still can't decide about overall. I adored book one, book two was still good, but this final installment left me with mixed feelings. I'm glad I finished it, and it was fun to return to the world and characters; however, I found my attention slipping somewhat in this final volume. The author asides and footnotes were witty and endearing in book one, but by book three they have lost their charm, and all the meta references were simply too much. In general, this final volume felt a little overwritten, and I skimmed here and there where scenes dragged on. The conclusion was mostly satisfying, even though both my favourite characters died, which was rather sad. That said, I am giving this book four stars still and would rate the trilogy four stars overall, because it offers something a little bit quirky and different (and darker), and I really enjoyed that aspect. Plus, the premise is exciting and characters memorable and well drawn.