Aileana is alive again (for now), but with the power of the Cailleach running through her, she doesn’t have long to live. Her only hope to is a find a magical book that has the ability to break the curse on the Cailleach children and forces every generation of siblings to kill one another. But Kiaran is no longer Kiaran; he’s returned to being Kadamach, the King of the Unseelie. While he is still bound by his vow not to kill humans, it doesn’t prevent him from harming them or killing Aithinne. Plus, Aileana has no idea if he can ever be her Kiaran again. And in order to save them all, it’s going to mean teaming up with old enemies. So, it’s a race against time to try and save what’s left of the world, not even knowing if there any chance of an ending for her that doesn’t end in death, either hers or Kiaran’s if not both.
The final book of this trilogy did not disappoint. One of the things I’ve really appreciated about this trilogy is that I didn’t see the plot twists coming. There was a lot of zigging where I expected zagging. I’ve read a lot of YA over the years, and it’s nice to be surprised for a change. It doesn’t happen very often anymore. And it had a satisfying conclusion. I read all three books in about the space of five days, and it was completely engrossing while I was reading but didn’t make me think too much otherwise. The perfect sort of escapist read at the end of a long day of work. I have a few quibbles about minor things, but for the most part it was great. I especially liked the fact that there wasn’t really a love triangle, just people in love with circumstances in the way. I do have a few feelings about the end, so spoilers after this point.
Turning back time so things never happened is a trope that when it works for me work, but when it doesn’t can ruin an otherwise good story. In this case it really worked. I liked the fact that Aileana isn’t the only one who remembers, and that her human friends who were with her at the end also remembered what had happened. I also really like the fact that having her mother back, while good, did not negate all that Aileana went through and the sorrow she felt for the other people so lost, especially Derrick and Kiaran. And the fact that Kiaran was brought back and as a human so he and Aileana could have that one life together that he wanted was just lovely. Four out of five stars.
