Scan barcode
wardenred's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
I hear all the cool bodyguards love to shut their clients in a strange room with a strange man. Extra points when zombies are involved.
This series has been recommended to me more times than I can count, but I've shied away from it because of the trigger warnings. I cracked open the Amazon sample once, and the way Rune's past trauma was mentioned/handled at the very beginning didn't sit well with me. But the recs kept coming, so I eventually caved, and wow, I don't regret it one bit! There were some aspects of the trauma narrative I remained slightly put out by until the end, I admit, but there were also scenes where I liked the handling of it, and anyway, there is just SO MUCH MORE to this book.
I really loved the worldbuilding and how it was delivered. The author uses my absolute favorite approach: just plunge the reader in the middle of things, throw in a bunch of stuff that is completely natural to the POV character so he doesn't dwell on every detail and just experiences things instead of actively explaining them, and wait until it all makes sense. A tad overwhelming at first, but by the end of first act I felt like I had a strong grasp on the basics of the setting, and then more exciting stuff kept getting added throughout the book, making for a super exciting kitchen-sink-type urban fantasy setting with complex political relations between the Tarot-inspred courts and an interesting take on the Vancian magic system. And it's not just the worldbuilding info that's delivered this way: Rune definitely keeps secrets from the reader that he alludes to periodically—or rather, it's not that he actively keeps secrets, it's that he only narrates what is immediately relevant. So I'm very excited to keep reading and learning more about all the things that's been hinted at.
The character dynamics are a huge strength of the story. There's a big web of relationships growing around Rune, each of them unique and compelling. I particularly adored the relationship he has with Brand, and how most of their interactions consist of sniping at each other in fluent sarcasm, but when it matters, they're always able to brush it aside and have an honest, vulnerable conversation. I also liked the budding relationship between Rune and Addam, and Rune's interactions with Lord Tower, and so many more connections. Also, the banter is absolutely to die for. I may have burst out into loud laughter at least four times. I also found myself a huge fan of action scenes here. A lot of them are long, but they never feel drown out and are always exciting in more ways than one, slipping in plenty of character development and worldbuilding info between all the tension.
The plotting overall is solid, both in terms of delivering a self-contained adventure and setting up the foundations for an overarching plot. I was, however, a bit annoyed by the number of times the characters were backed into a corner and then saved by a happy accident. Though this kind of thing was easier to stomach when I remembered that
Finally, a shoutout to Josh Hurley who's 100% one of the best audiobook narrators I've come across. Such an amazing job making every character feel distinct and maintaining the mood throughout!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement and Rape
bluejayreads's review against another edition
The ideas behind this book seemed interesting, and there's a lot going on in this world. But I can't tell if there was too much going on or it just wasn't explained well, because I spent most of the time incredibly confused. There's guns, but there's also magic. There are humans, but also fey and werewolves (and Atlanteans, who I can't figure out if they're human or something different). There is "human society" and a second magical society and I have no idea how the two relate. The houses of Atlantean society are either named after or physical manifestations of the major arcana tarot cards. And Rune, the protagonist, is not exactly a bad character, but he kind of feels like one of those urban fantasy characters who's trying way too hard to be a badass to actually be a badass. In fact, not of the characters are particularly interesting or emotionally engaging. This whole book seems like it's not quite sure what it really wants to be, and so ends up being a bit confusing and not all that interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
jjjreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Gore, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Self harm, Slavery, Excrement, Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol
paula014's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
alouette's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
sometimes love is a gay poly trio solving a mystery and fighting monsters, and i just think that's neat
seriously though, this action-packed urban fantasy surprised me in the best way. the dialogue, relationships, and fight sequences were stunning, i loved those aspects so, so much. while the first chapter did have me stumbling a bit, i like that you didn't have to understand the Atlantean society's structure to enjoy the book, and the magic itself was easy to grasp and lots of fun. the world was fascinating, and the author masterfully balanced humour with the dark story and violence. dark content which is not just for shock or anything but adds to the story and characters. my hope for the sequel is more characters of colour and female or gnc characters!
seriously though, this action-packed urban fantasy surprised me in the best way. the dialogue, relationships, and fight sequences were stunning, i loved those aspects so, so much. while the first chapter did have me stumbling a bit, i like that you didn't have to understand the Atlantean society's structure to enjoy the book, and the magic itself was easy to grasp and lots of fun. the world was fascinating, and the author masterfully balanced humour with the dark story and violence. dark content which is not just for shock or anything but adds to the story and characters. my hope for the sequel is more characters of colour and female or gnc characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Homophobia
scribblesandsuch's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Very fun universe with great characters, a real page turner
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
frantic_vampire's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Reread April 2022:
It was so much fun to reread this one! I’m still in love with these characters, with this world, and with where this story is going. I picked up on a bunch of things that I think I either forgot completely or just didn’t notice the first time around! Rereading The Last Sun was like getting a hug from my favorite book. And this is still a solid five stars!
Original Review July 2020:
I loved this so freaking much! Rune and Brand are everything! Their love for each other is so much more then brothers or friends or lovers ever could be. I was in awe of their relationship the entire time I was reading this. I just loved them and I wanted to give them all the hugs.
It was so much fun to reread this one! I’m still in love with these characters, with this world, and with where this story is going. I picked up on a bunch of things that I think I either forgot completely or just didn’t notice the first time around! Rereading The Last Sun was like getting a hug from my favorite book. And this is still a solid five stars!
Original Review July 2020:
I loved this so freaking much! Rune and Brand are everything! Their love for each other is so much more then brothers or friends or lovers ever could be. I was in awe of their relationship the entire time I was reading this. I just loved them and I wanted to give them all the hugs.
So, K.D. Edwards is a master of making characters that I just want to adopt? I loved Max and Quinn! They are so stinkin’ precious. They both just need all the love and support. I also really love that Rune kind of accidentally adopted them both.
This is honestly one of the best found family stories that I’ve ever read. And! The fact that most of the characters are canonically polyamorous and bi or pan is just *chef’s kiss* amazing. I also loved that consent was a big part of Addam and Rune figuring out the start of their relationship. This book is getting a solid five stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
micheala's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Trigger warning for graphic sexual assault
A fun take on urban fantasy. I LOVED that it had actual adults and not 18-21 year olds as the main characters. I found that the number and style of the fight scenes started to feel a little Action Movie to me. I adored Brand and Rune's interactions, and Quinn is by far my favourite character.
I went into this assuming that Rune and Brand would end up in a relationship and thus started pulling for a poly relationship about half way through, however I believe I was totally wrong and Brand and Rune will not ever become romantically involved and I'm ok with that (I still think that the poly relationship would have been gold)
A fun take on urban fantasy. I LOVED that it had actual adults and not 18-21 year olds as the main characters. I found that the number and style of the fight scenes started to feel a little Action Movie to me. I adored Brand and Rune's interactions, and Quinn is by far my favourite character.
I went into this assuming that Rune and Brand would end up in a relationship and thus started pulling for a poly relationship about half way through, however I believe I was totally wrong and Brand and Rune will not ever become romantically involved and I'm ok with that (I still think that the poly relationship would have been gold)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
More...