Happy Book Birthday, The Shadows Rule All by Abigail Owen!

 It's time to shout-out another book birthday! This one released yesterday and is the final book in a trilogy. Even more amazing, I've actually read these books so far! So, that says something, I guess. This is a pretty well-woven plot (at least, it has been so far), which also explains the 500 pages plus. If I remember right from the end of book 2, the heroine has a lot to get through and smoothed out still.

I'm excited to see where the story heads and how it all ends.

THE SHADOWS RULE ALL

Dominions #3

by Abigail Owen

Entangled Teen

YA Fantasy

512 pages

Let the darkness rise…in the breathtaking conclusion to award-winning author Abigail Owen’s Dominions series.

King Eidolon has taken everything.

My throne, my Shadowraith, and even my kingdom. I am a queen with no one to rule, and a tattered army that's not even mine. And hope is fading fast.

Now the shadows who once tormented Reven live within me, hissing and wheedling―and enticing me to betray my friends. Which could be deadly for us all. Because without the guy I fell for, without Reven, I am all shadows…and no light.

And the Alignment is almost upon us―the culmination of centuries that have fueled a vengeful king’s festering rage.

We’re outnumbered. We’re underpowered. And even if we could unleash the trapped goddesses, they would destroy the kingdom and everything in it.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

Tension hits a high-note as it swaddles with heart-break, angst, and everything needed to mold an epic tale with richness flowing in every direction and more.

This third book in the series takes off from the ending of book two with a little time gap, meeting the characters as they've begun to settle, more or less depending on the situation, into their last met state. It takes a little bit to get into the flow of things, not due to the writing...that jumps right in...but simply because there are such rich arcs and while the characters have slid in after the last happenings, the reader needs to join them first. But it doesn't take long, and after that, it's non-stop amazement the entire way through.

If the other two books held tension (and they did), this one manages to notch things up again and promises situations which are over-the-top impossible. It draws the reader to the edge of their seats, makes it clear that not everything can run well, packs in more violence, higher stakes, and so much more heart break than the first two books did. It's a well-crafted weave with everything needed to create that epic atmosphere and plot, which invites to get lost in. With rough corners and edges galore. This makes it not only a read for the upper end of YA, but also adults will enjoy the adventure. Still, it tippy-toes enough to stay balanced on that YA line from the content side...although it is a tight line.

There is frustration on the romance end as the characters suffer through the amnesia string, and that one is harsh. The ending comes with surprise and holds all the weight to do the tale justice. Don't expect warm fuzzies, though. There are a few frayed ends on some plot strings, which stay open, but this doesn't frustrate and slides right in to the atmosphere.

Simply said, this is a well-woven ending to an grabbing series.

And here she is...

Abigail Owen is the #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today bestselling author of 30+ books that range from upper YA (18+) epic romantasy to new adult modern mythic romantasy to super spicy adult paranormal romance. She loves magical worlds with plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of HEAs! Other titles include: wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, AuDHD, spreadsheet lover, Jeopardy! fanatic, organizational guru, true classic movie buff, linguaphile, wishful world traveler, and chocoholic. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their (mostly) angelic teenagers, and an adorable fur baby. abigailowen.com