02/01/2024
Gr 8 Up—Opening moments before the end of Blade Breaker, the previous book in this trilogy, a new perspective watches as the Companions are torn from each other and spread across the Realm. If they are to make it back together, they will each have to stand on their own and confront their respective pasts and present. Readers watch as each Companion fights physical, mental, and political battles alike as they attempt to unite the Ward against Erida and Taristan's dark legions. Will they be enough to defeat What Waits and save a Realm determined to ignore their pleas? The buildup is steady and palpable as Aveyard peppers in plenty of powerful, cinema-ready speeches sure to get readers pumped for battles to come. While certain story lines could have benefited from more fleshing out, it does not detract from the final, fist-pump inducing battle. Even the most righteous of readers will not be disappointed with the redemption arc granted to our villains. Tolkien fans, get ready for an ending not to be missed. VERDICT Pasts come crashing into the present, dragons are fought, and armies converge in this spine-tingling epic conclusion to the "Realm Breaker" series. Heads up, this one knows how to stick the landing.—Elisha Sheffer
