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hello_ned's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A very fast-paced, but wonderful ending to the series. Quick read that also feels satisfying. A mix of juvenile fun and a bit of an "older" underlying tone/ending.
The dislikes
The dislikes
- Very fighting-based. Pretty much all of what this book is. Not necessarily a bad thing, and I did enjoy it, but there are no breathers. It is just constant action until the end, some of which I had trouble imagining. It is a massive difference to the middle book which was very slow paced.
- There was a little bit of "coincidence" that pushed this book quicker to the conflict.
I kind of didn't understand why Suki was sent down to make sure Yumeko, Tatsumi and Okame, Daisuke and Reika meet again after the ship wreck... but when she appeared at the Kingdom, both groups at the same time met up. maybe I missed something? - At one part the phrase "held me by my waist" way too many times. This is silly nitpicking.
The loves
- Well thought out ending with a lot of shocks/revelafions. You can really tell that this was the plotted ending from the very beginning. Often, writers have difficulty writing revelations as they can be unbelievable and too unpredictable. I wouldn't say I had many significant "oh my god!" moments, but that can be a good thing. When something was revealed, I was shocked, but... it also was very easy to accept. You can tell it has been leading up to it.
- I like that it's not a ""happy"" ending. There's a lot of wounds and deaths, like a real war. I wasn’t overwhelmingly sad, I didn't cry, but I am upset.
- Yumeko has so very gradually grown in character, it's almost hard to see. But comparing the first book to the last, it is stark, well-written, and expected.
- I loved the epilogue. Wonderful closure, with a little left unsaid.
- I'm so glad the leaf was finally used. I was waiting for it since book one lmao
- I liked the relationships and friendships. I think Daisuke's and Okame's relationship was so well done, it was romantic, and despite
their deaths (with one reviewer mentioning homophobia??) it made sense and was actually a happy ending. There was some light suggestive content, which was cute. I give my LGBT stamp of approval.
Overall, a really great and fun work. I save 5 stars for books that are significantly impactful or important, and it didn’t really reach that level for me. But I still had fun and enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Gore
mintywitch's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death
asipofcozy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This was a great finale to a really good trilogy. Went into the trilogy apprehensive after reading the first book many years ago. However, I have loved the journey through each book and how well rounded the character's came out to be in the end. I loved that the action continued to flow throughout the 300 pages and so we were never left dangling or lingering too long in one place. For a book less than 400 pages it sure packed a punch.
I love every single one of the character's and my heart strings (and tear ducts) were tugged constantly. Kagawa did so well with these character arcs.
I wish there was an epilogue to the epilogue.
I love every single one of the character's and my heart strings (and tear ducts) were tugged constantly. Kagawa did so well with these character arcs.
I wish there was an epilogue to the epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, 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: Death, Gore, and Violence
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: Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Emotional abuse, Torture, Vomit, and Pregnancy
queergoth_reads'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: Death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
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, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Cursing, Sexual content, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol