Taste of Darkness (Healer #3)Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA, 400 pages
Publication Date: December 31, 2013
*Received ARC from publisher via NetGalley
From Goodreads:
Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.
But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.
Review:
A stunning and satisfying conclusion to the Healer series, I absolutely loved this book (and the entire series). Avry is such a wonderful heroine, she is strong, caring, and just doesn't quit. The fact that she takes on the pain of whoever she heals never ceases to amaze me. And Kerrick, I just love him! He's also strong (and swoony) and he who truly appreciates Avry for who she is. They both have jobs to do and they are so good together that I was happy to see more of them together in this book.
The stakes are at an all time high, with not only a new villain to deal with, The Skeleton King (and The Skeleton King is truly a revolting character, by the way), but also Tohon's army. Prince Ryne is the ultimate strategist, and while I appreciated his smarts, he definitely puts the end game ahead of individuals. I guess that's what you have to do as a leader, but it didn't make me like him, that's for sure. What he does to Avry, time and time again...I would have punched him if I were her. She definitely stands up for herself, but still. (By the way, I appreciated the fact that Maria Snyder never created a love triangle, which would have been so easy to do. Thank you!) I loved the fact that the gang is back together again (for the most part), which was missing from Scent of Magic.
Vivid and memorable characters, intricate world-building, gorgeous writing, wonderful romance, this book has it all. Avry and Kerrick continue to have challenges they must face, although there are quite a few tender moments between them. There were twists and turns along the way, and a lot of political maneuvering. An immensely enjoyable read, I definitely recommend this series. Fantasy at its finest...loved it!
Posted by: Pam
I have not started this series yet but it is always wonderful to hear a conclusion doesn't disappoint! Great review!
ReplyDeleteSo far I haven't been disappointed in any of the conclusions to the series I've read by Maria Snyder. ~Pam
DeleteI am glad to hear that this ends well, makes me even more determined to read the series. Plus, NO LOVE TRIANGLE, YAY! :) Great review.
ReplyDeleteIt's so refreshing to read one without a love triangle, that definitely seems the norm. ~Pam
DeleteI need to read Maria Snyder's books. You have convinced me. *adds all the books to TBR* Fantasy at its finest? Why have I not listened to you sooner? I know that's what I'm going to say when I finally read these. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely recommend both this series and the Study series, although I think I may actually like this one better. It's hard to decide, they were both so good. And the best thing is that they're complete, although I heard somewhere that Maria Snyder was continuing the Study series so I need to check that out. Hopefully I haven't made your expectations too high! ~Pam
DeleteI have the second book and this one to still read. I heard the second was so-so and I skimmed your review of it, which seemed to confirm that. I'm glad that this one was good. Final books in a series can really make or break that series for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If the last book is not good, it definitely influences how I feel about the whole series. I actually enjoyed the second one, I just didn't love it as much. This last one was great. ~Pam
DeleteYay I am so glad the series ender was awesome! I will definitely read this series I just don't know when *sigh*. Fire Study is taunting me on my kindle still... and I mentioned she is writing 3 more books in the study series, yes?
ReplyDelete