Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: After almost being trapped in a blood circle, Titus & Iolanthe have been lead to a rebel base and have their memories back. They begin to fight Atlantis and the Bane from the base and soon are trapped by a bell dome. They are freed by the help of their mysterious allies and escape the Bane. But they don’t run for long, Titus & Iolanthe know they must go to the Commander’s Palace and face the Bane to end his reign of terror, but as more prophetic dreams and his mother’s vision foretell death and misery, they begin to lose hope. Even in the face of certain death, they are determined to see their quest through to the end.
This was a marvelous end to the series, but I wish there had been more books. Trilogies are awesome, but I want more! The series concludes with many deaths, but there is still some happiness. My advice is to keep hope until the last page.
The action and adventure is the main theme and there are almost no dull or boring moments. How can there be when you’re running from and going to certain death? The fight in the exposition is wonderful and every time Iolanthe is in a battle, she seems to grow more powerful and resourceful. Titus is always a charmer and I loved how he was being sassy to the Bane in the midst of battle, just delightful.
The romance is still present and in this book there are no “takes backsies” as in Perilous Sea. Some of the romantic moments could’ve been more drawn out, but I was still happy with what happened. It can’t be all doom and gloom at the end of the world. Speaking of romance, the epilogue is so cute!
Of all the characters, I think Kashkari was the most developed in this installment. He also gets the most screen time in this novel since he becomes a more active part of the rebel movement and joins Titus & Iolanthe on their quest. I liked how he was more fluid with his prophetic dreams and didn’t consider them set in stone. I felt like that’s how I would interpret such dreams if I had them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series and I’m kind of sad to leave the world of the Domain. It was such a lovingly and wonderfully crafted world. I am a huge fan of all the magic and cool countries. I hope she’ll write more stories in this universe and draw a map of it, I want a map!