The Beauty of Darkness - Review

The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles #3)

By: Mary E. Pearson

Published: August 2, 2016 by Henry Holt and Co

688 pages

Source: Personal Kindle Library

(Goodreads / Amazon)

Summary:

Lia and Rafe have escaped Venda and the path before them is winding and dangerous - what will happen now? This third and final book in The Remnant Chronicles is not to be missed.

Bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's combination of intrigue, suspense, romance and action make this a riveting page turner for teens.

MY REVIEW:
First of all, the length of this novel nearly turned me off from reading it right now - ONLY because I don't have much time to read these days with my other duties of Mom, wife, nanny, etc... and so any book longer than 400 pages usually takes me too long to read and I get bogged down. But I have really enjoyed this series and I HAD to know the end of the story for Lia, Kaden and Rafe. Come on - series ender reading challenge anyone?!

Then there's the added challenge of writing a review for the last book in a series without giving away too much information to those who have yet to read it. Every sentence I start to write I have to delete because it would spoil some things and this is one of those series that needs to be experienced without spoilers - especially book one. So let me just say this. Lia is a STRONG, independent, fearless woman. She has been given something placed on her heart for a people who have been oppressed and undervalued. A people who have been ruled by ruthless leaders and misunderstood by surrounding kingdoms. Her heart is torn between saving those she can and staying loyal to her own home kingdom (which as a sidebar her loyalty to her own kingdom was an irritation for me to understand due to their seemingly quick belief that she was a traitor without solid proof). Add a third struggle, and that is loving a man who also feels led to lead his kingdom and save his people. Things seem rather impossible and sacrifices have to be made for Lia, Rafe and Kaden.

As for last books in a series, I was pleased with the ending to their story.

If you are new to this series, book one is fantastic! It sets the stage for a wonderfully addictive fantasy set in what resembles medieval times. The story follows a princess who runs away on her wedding day because she just can't live the life her parents are pushing on her to a strange man from another kingdom, all for the sake of alliances. She wants more for herself even if that means living as a tavern maid. Her actions start a domino effect of trouble that's already been brewing under the surface in the surrounding kingdoms. Most kingdoms, including her own, want her dead, punished or want to use her for their own gain. Her true destiny comes to light in this final book.

Top 5 Favorite Quotes:
"If we spend too much time reliving the past, it gets us nowhere."

A refusal of epic proportions because she believed in and wanted something else. That was what had first captivated me. It was her bravery.

I am choosing my destiny now - not a book, nor a man or a kingdom.

Some family you are born with, other family you choose.

Love didn't end all at once, no matter how much you needed it to or how inconvenient it was. You couldn't command love to stop any more than a marriage document could order it to appear. Maybe love had to bleed away a drop at a time until your heart was numb and cold and mostly dead.

Language: 1 (light)
Mature Content: 1 (light)
Final Rating: 4 stars