themoodreader's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Body horror, Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, War, Alcohol, Death of parent, Abandonment, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Seeing as i literally sobbed twice i guess i enjoyed this
Yeah you know when i finished the first one and said then end scene was a bit of a cop out? Well…
She rly did have the time of her life fighting dragons with you 💔
Its only a matter of time…
Yeah you know when i finished the first one and said then end scene was a bit of a cop out? Well…
She rly did have the time of her life fighting dragons with you 💔
Its only a matter of time…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Murder, Violence, Death, and War
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility
fullybookedlola's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book – I have no words. This book was so magical and wonderful in its own way. I'm so glad I finally picked up book 1 and decided to read further until the end, book 3.
Is there really not more? Not another epilogue? The last sentence of this book gave me so much hope.
I want to thank Kagawa for writing this series since it became one of my favorites. I cannot even think of what all happened, I'm just so relieved and happy, but sad at the same time.
Until I read it again.
Is there really not more? Not another epilogue? The last sentence of this book gave me so much hope.
I want to thank Kagawa for writing this series since it became one of my favorites. I cannot even think of what all happened, I'm just so relieved and happy, but sad at the same time.
Until I read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
NIGHT OF THE DRAGON is the heart-wrenching conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. Full of action, intensely personal moments, and just the right amount of heartbreak.
I love all the characters, particularly Daisuke and Yumeko. The antagonists are well-written, and the reveal of the big bad was foreshadowed since at least the second book (with some minor hints in the first). Even though their villainous identity and plan aren't revealed until the almost the end of the trilogy, that plan makes sense in the context of the world, and their villainous motivations are consistent with what's known about them so far. The style of the foreshadowing means that most of the protagonists weren't in a good position to even guess at their identity or plan, but to the audience it should be a suitably satisfying reveal.
The worldbuilding is expanded a little, but it's mostly building on what the first two books established. I remain particularly devastated (in the best possible way) by the final battles, specifically how Okame (the ronin) and Daisuke (the noble) are handled. I love their storyline and their resolution is completely appropriate to them as characters. Yumeko and Hakaimono/Tatsumi also got very full storylines, but I feel like Reika is a bit sidelined in this book. She was needed more in SOUL OF THE SWORD to get to their destination, but in NIGHT OF THE DRAGON she feels less important to the plot. This is a very character-driven series, and she definitely matters to the group's overall dynamic, but being the odd one out with two couples (each a very different kind of slow burn) means she doesn't have as many moments that stand out to me. Even Suki, a ghost that doesn't even meet up with them until the second half, feels nearly as intertwined with the party because of her connection to Daisuke.
As a sequel (and the final book in the trilogy), this wraps up many things which were left over from the previous books. It addresses the melding of Hakaimono and Tatsumi, gives resolutions to everyone in the party, follows up on all those promises to die together in glorious battle, and gives a taste of the path forward for the region after the Wish. This is a new phase of the storyline, now that it's too late to prevent the scroll from falling into the wrong hangs, the party tries to stop the dragon from being summoned and the Wish being spoken. I don't think there's a major thing that's both introduced and resolved, but it's the final book so it doesn't need to start anything new to feel complete.
Generally the narrators feel consistent with the previous book. The trio of audiobook narrators continue their stellar performance, the audiobook is a delight. The combined person of Hakaimono and Tatsumi is distinct from when either of them was the main one in control (Tatsumi in SHADOW OF THE FOX, and Hakaimono in SOUL OF THE SWORD). I love books which alter the narrator in some fundamental way which affects how they behave, but has a continuity of person which makes that changed version distinct from just being a different character together. This is an excellent example of that, and I'm pleased with how that narrative is handled.
It would not make sense to start here, as this is the final volume of a very character-driven trilogy. While the basic plot might make sense, the driving emotions and motivations were set up in previous books and wouldn't have nearly the intended impact if this is read without any reference to the rest of the series.
I love this book and I'm extremely satisfied with this ending to the trilogy. Read this series for lovable (but possibly doomed) heroes on a quest where the stakes are the fate of the next thousand years.
I love all the characters, particularly Daisuke and Yumeko. The antagonists are well-written, and the reveal of the big bad was foreshadowed since at least the second book (with some minor hints in the first). Even though their villainous identity and plan aren't revealed until the almost the end of the trilogy, that plan makes sense in the context of the world, and their villainous motivations are consistent with what's known about them so far. The style of the foreshadowing means that most of the protagonists weren't in a good position to even guess at their identity or plan, but to the audience it should be a suitably satisfying reveal.
The worldbuilding is expanded a little, but it's mostly building on what the first two books established. I remain particularly devastated (in the best possible way) by the final battles, specifically how Okame (the ronin) and Daisuke (the noble) are handled. I love their storyline and their resolution is completely appropriate to them as characters. Yumeko and Hakaimono/Tatsumi also got very full storylines, but I feel like Reika is a bit sidelined in this book. She was needed more in SOUL OF THE SWORD to get to their destination, but in NIGHT OF THE DRAGON she feels less important to the plot. This is a very character-driven series, and she definitely matters to the group's overall dynamic, but being the odd one out with two couples (each a very different kind of slow burn) means she doesn't have as many moments that stand out to me. Even Suki, a ghost that doesn't even meet up with them until the second half, feels nearly as intertwined with the party because of her connection to Daisuke.
As a sequel (and the final book in the trilogy), this wraps up many things which were left over from the previous books. It addresses the melding of Hakaimono and Tatsumi, gives resolutions to everyone in the party, follows up on all those promises to die together in glorious battle, and gives a taste of the path forward for the region after the Wish. This is a new phase of the storyline, now that it's too late to prevent the scroll from falling into the wrong hangs, the party tries to stop the dragon from being summoned and the Wish being spoken. I don't think there's a major thing that's both introduced and resolved, but it's the final book so it doesn't need to start anything new to feel complete.
Generally the narrators feel consistent with the previous book. The trio of audiobook narrators continue their stellar performance, the audiobook is a delight. The combined person of Hakaimono and Tatsumi is distinct from when either of them was the main one in control (Tatsumi in SHADOW OF THE FOX, and Hakaimono in SOUL OF THE SWORD). I love books which alter the narrator in some fundamental way which affects how they behave, but has a continuity of person which makes that changed version distinct from just being a different character together. This is an excellent example of that, and I'm pleased with how that narrative is handled.
It would not make sense to start here, as this is the final volume of a very character-driven trilogy. While the basic plot might make sense, the driving emotions and motivations were set up in previous books and wouldn't have nearly the intended impact if this is read without any reference to the rest of the series.
I love this book and I'm extremely satisfied with this ending to the trilogy. Read this series for lovable (but possibly doomed) heroes on a quest where the stakes are the fate of the next thousand years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, and Torture
ikillsunflowers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
To me this was the perfect ending to the series. A few aspects were very unexpected and even the things I did expect took turns I didn't see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief and Suicide
jlkopp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Never have I been so ruined by a YA book in my LIFE. I'm writing this review while sobbing. This was an incredible, heart-stopping, DEVASTATING, BEAUTIFUL conclusion to the trilogy. I genuinely can't handle the emotions it's brought out in me so I'll leave it at that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, Violence, War, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Vomit, Abandonment, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, and Animal death
monicalaurette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
third book in a series, there will be small minor spoilers that are unhidden, turn back if you haven’t read ANY of the others
“What is, is what must be.”
What a way to close out a trilogy! I’m just in awe of this story and this book. So many twists, so many turns, so many emotions and tears (from me and the characters, but mainly me).
These characters, especially Yumeko change and grow so much. Yumeko still has this goal, this large overarching goal of stopping the wish, stopping Genno, but she will put it all on hold to save a small village or help right a wrong that she didn’t even do. It shows that no matter what, that stereotypical kitsune spirit, the one that is always hurting and scheming, is not the true Yumeko. She is also part human and she cherishes that and uses her kitsune powers to aid her in that quest.
“You made me believe a demon could be worth saving.”
I will say that I loved the further explanation of more worlds that are out there that just...don’t touch Iwagoto. It makes me want to hop onto a ship and sail around their world, learning all I can, before just sailing the ocean (but hopefully avoiding the water/ocean demons...because scary). I saw what happened to all of them when the umibozu appeared, I know for a FACT that I would not have survived at all.
The land of the Moon Clan was so interesting to see, that even though it was part of Iwagoto it was so different and disconnected. And it was the perfect place for our Yumeko to shine. I feel that perhaps the ground itself, and maybe even the surrounding kami, helped Yumeko to defeat the evils around her. But passively of course, just being on the islands held a power onto Yumeko that helped her. And I’ll stand by that forever.
I gave Night of the Dragon 5 stars because it really held the ending of the story in a powerful way. It took me a hot minute to actually start the book after finishing Soul of the Sword, but once I did I had to be pried from the book. Now if you don’t mind I will go lay down and just...think about this book and all the characters that I love for about a week.
“I have never loved anything as I have you.”
*spoilers ahead*
Spoiler
OUR GIRL IS A KAMI PRINCESS I’M SO PROUD OF HER SHE’S ROYALTYSpoiler
I wish I had gotten more mother-daughter content between Kiyomi and Yumeko but maybe in the future! Just love seeing a happy and wholesome mother and daughter relationship.Spoiler
The way that Genno disappeared after Yumeko smashed his skull reminded me of the way that Rasputin died in the animated Anastasia movie and I honestly started laughing about it.Spoiler
Daisuke & Okame 😢 at least that are going to be together forever in the end. Also please Julie saw that you’ve written their epic poem because I want to read that!Spoiler
Don’t come for me but the ending of the epilogue, with all the lanterns on the river, and Yumeko staring back at Tatsumi (or his soul I guess) made my brain start playing “I See the Light” from Tangled and I love that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
ghosthermione's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed it but the middle part did not feel like a right fit for the rest of the trilogy. There were plot decisions surrounding the ending especially around the Wish itself that could have been better thought out, especially to avoid . I felt like the pacing kind of suffered in this book as well. Simply way too much fighting was crammed in. The fight with Genno which was planned for 2 books was barely a footnote, and then it goes from fight to fight and I felt like the author kept having to up the stakes (this has been true throughout the trilogy, going from small demons to bigger demons to i guess bigger and stronger demons every time...) for some reason to keep making it interesting and really, you don't have to.
We also knew Seigetsu was planning things the whole way but i don't think that was done in a satisfying way. I'd have liked to be more suspicious, to have a *hint* of what he truly planned. As it stood that whole chunk of the book was just me going "what the f*ck??? Why???" (And being bored by all the fighting and the characters needing to come up with more tricks. Every. Time. Somehow.) and the half glimpse we get of Seigetsu's memories just doesn't justify things.
This seems like a very negative review, and to be honest I did enjoy the conclusion of this book, I'm just struggling with the tone of the middle segment vs the very lord of the rings hopeful feel of the earlier books.
I'm bitter about this trope and just how utterly dark this was, and while the epilogue is a lot lighter and I did find it satisfying, it didn't ring true with what happened before.
The book mightve been more satisfying if the tone of the earlier volumes had been different.
Spoiler
a pretty blatant bury your gays trope. I know practically everyone dies, but the focus specifically on these two gay characters' deaths was painful and not in a satisfying way. Yes, even if they're happy ghosts together in the afterlife...We also knew Seigetsu was planning things the whole way but i don't think that was done in a satisfying way. I'd have liked to be more suspicious, to have a *hint* of what he truly planned. As it stood that whole chunk of the book was just me going "what the f*ck??? Why???" (And being bored by all the fighting and the characters needing to come up with more tricks. Every. Time. Somehow.) and the half glimpse we get of Seigetsu's memories just doesn't justify things.
This seems like a very negative review, and to be honest I did enjoy the conclusion of this book, I'm just struggling with the tone of the middle segment vs the very lord of the rings hopeful feel of the earlier books.
Spoiler
Yes, we're told early on that they're all gonna die. I didn't expect Tatsumi to live tbh, I didn't see a way out of it. But the point is that prophecies that do fullfill themselves are usually boring, and we're led to hope that the future is movable. At least Seigetsu's been shaping it the whole time. But I guess that the future won't move for queers.I'm bitter about this trope and just how utterly dark this was, and while the epilogue is a lot lighter and I did find it satisfying, it didn't ring true with what happened before.
The book mightve been more satisfying if the tone of the earlier volumes had been different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Spoiler
bury your gays trope right there
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