4.8🌟

What a thrilling roller coaster ride of a conclusion to this very compelling trilogy. I have been dragged along by strong currents and undertows, then warmed and licked by flames, then wind swept and soaring upon wings of Fallen Gods throughout the saga before having my bones roasted and cracked open to expose the marrow and ultimately realising it is all the little things in life that truly make the difference.

Faithbreaker’s rich tapestry of vibrant world and character building is a wunderkammer of fantasy delight. The depth of inclusivity and representation within this world is the broadest I’ve seen, all colors, creeds, queerness, disfigurements, and abilities are here as a regular part of life, normal and accepted without a second glance.

Love, sacrifice, intrigue, devotion, engineering, gorgeous food, pirates, this book has all I could want in a story, and more.

The plot drives you through a compelling maze towards the ultimate possibilities of crushing defeat at the hands of Hseth or bittersweet victory and the promise of lives rebuilt via the savior King Arren, only to pull it all down at the last moment like shattering a labyrinth of funhouse mirrors because life isn’t a series of ultimate choices, but made up of millions of tiny actions constantly driving it forward. Something akin to the mycelial mat beneath an ancient forest floor.

 All the characters are well developed and I never felt out of place moving from one to another. I do have a particular soft spot for the travails of Kissen and would gladly follow her on further journeys.

In the end this was a gorgeous finale to the Fallen Gods Trilogy. I really had to sit with it a while to understand my feelings on the unexpected ending. Now is an excellent time for books that make us think deeply about our connections and not just our potential heroes.

Thanks a million to NetGalley and Harper Voyager books for giving me the chance to read this amazing book ahead of publication.

-Sgàire