Yuliia's Reviews > Empire of the Dawn

First, thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve loved this series so much that I was genuinely considering getting it tattooed on my skin—that’s the level of emotional investment I had. The first two books built an incredible world of blood, tragedy, and unforgettable characters, and for most of this third installment, I was completely immersed and convinced it would cement this trilogy as an all-time favorite.

And then came the ending.

Without spoiling anything, I can only say that the resolution left me feeling deeply unsatisfied. After nearly 2,800 pages of heartbreak, tension, and sacrifice, the final act undercut much of what made the journey so powerful. The tone of the series has always promised consequences and lasting scars, and the last chapters chose instead to undo that hard-won gravity.

I know some readers may appreciate the choice, but for me, it felt like a betrayal of everything the story had been building toward. Instead of leaving me devastated in the best way—like only great dark fantasy can—I was left hollow, like my emotions had been toyed with for no real payoff.

This doesn’t erase the beauty of the earlier volumes or the author’s undeniable talent for world-building and atmosphere, but unfortunately, the ending keeps me from being able to call this series a favorite, and that breaks my heart.