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heabooknerd's review
3.0
THE FINAL DAWN was an exciting end to one of my favorite series. I've followed the misfit crew of the Imojenna through all their adventures to stop the evil shape-shifting aliens invading the galaxy. These characters have felt like friends and I’ve loved reading about their journey, their happiness, and their struggles.
Rian and Ella's romance has been four books in the making and this has been the slowest burn to get to this point. Rian especially has come a long way from the angry, damaged, and lonely captain he started as. Of course he’s still dangerous and wild and willing to burn it all down to protect those he loves. This is one assassin, turned war hero, turned space misfit that you don’t want to mess with. While he won’t outwardly admit it, Rian would do anything for Ella and his devotion and care toward her was a really sweet spot on such a hard character.
Ella too is incredibly loyal to the family she’s built in the past two years and while she never expected to end up on the Imojenna she’s finally found somewhere that accepts her. I loved watching Ella gain confidence in herself and her abilities and finally break completely free from her past. And of course it was great to see all of the other side characters and prior couples who make up this series.
My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and after reading the author’s note in the back of the book stating there was originally going to be one more book before Rian and Ella’s I can see why things felt rushed. Ella and Rian spend a large part of the first half of the book apart from each other and while their relationship has been building through the whole series it felt a little abrupt when they finally decided to give into their feelings. And the last 20% or so brings a lot of action but it all happens so fast as the team goes from having no idea how to defeat the Reidar to suddenly knowing exactly what to do. I would have loved to get Lianna’s story and see this ending be fully developed but under the circumstances, Jess Anastasi does a good job bringing the series to a close.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: references to past abuse, torture, experimentation
Rian and Ella's romance has been four books in the making and this has been the slowest burn to get to this point. Rian especially has come a long way from the angry, damaged, and lonely captain he started as. Of course he’s still dangerous and wild and willing to burn it all down to protect those he loves. This is one assassin, turned war hero, turned space misfit that you don’t want to mess with. While he won’t outwardly admit it, Rian would do anything for Ella and his devotion and care toward her was a really sweet spot on such a hard character.
Ella too is incredibly loyal to the family she’s built in the past two years and while she never expected to end up on the Imojenna she’s finally found somewhere that accepts her. I loved watching Ella gain confidence in herself and her abilities and finally break completely free from her past. And of course it was great to see all of the other side characters and prior couples who make up this series.
My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and after reading the author’s note in the back of the book stating there was originally going to be one more book before Rian and Ella’s I can see why things felt rushed. Ella and Rian spend a large part of the first half of the book apart from each other and while their relationship has been building through the whole series it felt a little abrupt when they finally decided to give into their feelings. And the last 20% or so brings a lot of action but it all happens so fast as the team goes from having no idea how to defeat the Reidar to suddenly knowing exactly what to do. I would have loved to get Lianna’s story and see this ending be fully developed but under the circumstances, Jess Anastasi does a good job bringing the series to a close.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: references to past abuse, torture, experimentation
redhairedashreads's review
4.0
4 stars - It was really good
We have finally come to the end of the Atrophy series and the final stand against the invading Reidar. I have loved following this crazy band of misfits around the universe while they defeat the Reidar, fall in love, and cause a lot of chaos.
Rian and Ella have been fighting their feelings since the beginning of this series, making this an extremely slow burn romance in a way. Rian is no longer the angry and vengeful man we met in the first book. He has changed over the past two years as he has dealt with the death of crew members, his friends falling in love, new revelations about the Reidar, and of course, being around Ella. Like I said in the beginning of this series, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy Rian’s book but Anastasi did an amazing job at character development for Rian. I love the progression of his character and I especially love the progression of his relationship with Ella. I love how he will do anything for her and is completely devoted to her.
Ella has found a true family with the crew of the Imojenna. She will do anything for this family and she risks it all for them. I really loved seeing her find her confidence and embrace her abilities. It was great seeing her finally stand up for herself and being the badass that has been hiding inside her. Her connection to Rian and Varean has been fascinating. It was great seeing them be a team together and learn to lean on each other in times of need, especially when dealing with grief.
The final battle against the Reidar finally happens and while I really enjoyed it and think it was a good ending, I do feel that it was a bit rushed, and maybe a little anticlimactic. The author’s note in the back does state that there was supposed to be another book before Rian and Ella’s and that got scrapped, so that probably is why things felt a little rushed. It was a lot towards the end, especially after Rian and Ella spend a good portion of this book apart.
Overall, this was a really great series. I do wish the author had been able to write the missing book and not rush things but I still really enjoyed all of it. I am really going to miss this misfit family and world.
Trigger Warnings: suicide; grief; PTSD; references to past abuse, torture, and experimentation.
nikkisbooknook's review
5.0
OMW - I've loved this series from the get-go and I've not so patiently waited for Rian and Ella's story. I know it's the last in the series but I really could keep on reading. I'm really hoping that well' see more from these characters in future books/series.
Rian and Ella do not make it easy on themselves. They are their own worst enemies. I do feel sorry for Varean being trapped in the entanglement with them LOL. While the entanglement forever binds them together, Rian has somehow managed to "disconnect" himself. The others can still feel him but other than that - bupkiss. He's done a complete disappearing act. He knows he needs to get his temper and his psychic abilities under control or he'll hurt someone.
The crew, however, are not about to let their captain/friend/relation go off on a jaunt by himself. They'll track his ass down and make him see that he needs them just as much as they need him. If they're facing down Ella's odious brother and the invaders, they'll need every set of hands, eyes and weird psychic abilities they can get their hands on.
There is no resting on the laurels here - it's a fast-paced, in your face sci-fi adventure. There is plenty of humour and the "sexy times" between Rian and Ella are really well handled.
I really am sad to see the crew fly off into the far reaches of the universe.
Rian and Ella do not make it easy on themselves. They are their own worst enemies. I do feel sorry for Varean being trapped in the entanglement with them LOL. While the entanglement forever binds them together, Rian has somehow managed to "disconnect" himself. The others can still feel him but other than that - bupkiss. He's done a complete disappearing act. He knows he needs to get his temper and his psychic abilities under control or he'll hurt someone.
The crew, however, are not about to let their captain/friend/relation go off on a jaunt by himself. They'll track his ass down and make him see that he needs them just as much as they need him. If they're facing down Ella's odious brother and the invaders, they'll need every set of hands, eyes and weird psychic abilities they can get their hands on.
There is no resting on the laurels here - it's a fast-paced, in your face sci-fi adventure. There is plenty of humour and the "sexy times" between Rian and Ella are really well handled.
I really am sad to see the crew fly off into the far reaches of the universe.
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