A review by wordsofclover
A Darkness at the End by Ruth Frances Long

5.0

I was sent a free copy of this book by O’Brien Press in exchange for an honest review.

This is the conclusion to the Dubh Linn series and starts off with Izzy trying to pick up the pieces of her life after the devastating ending of A Hollow in the Hills. Izzy turned to something to drastic in order to save Jinx and now she is paying the price. Meanwhile, Dubh Linn is beginning to fall apart as Holly massacres her way through the Aes Sidhe and angels and demons are loathe to side against her. Izzy and her friends now need to save the world - both fae and human but not everyone will come out of it okay.

This was a great conclusion to an amazing trilogy. Like all the other books in this series, this book kept me on my toes and had me completely hooked until the very end. I just couldn’t put it down. Each book in this series takes place a couple of months apart from each other yet the actual action in each book takes place over only a few days which means everything is very intense and fast-paced, not to mention action-packed. Izzy had to overcome so much in this book, and almost had to build herself back together piece by piece, and I was so proud of her, watching her overcome her difficulties and really go from strength to strength in this book.

Another character who totally shone in this book was Dylan. He was fantastic and showed such strength and fortitude and really came into his own with his power. Ruth called him her other hero at her book launch and I really have to agree with this. He is an absolutely cutie and can I just say also how awesome Clodagh was. She showed fae, angel and demon just how great an ordinary human girl can be. Go Clodagh!

I really enjoyed the conclusion and it didn’t come without some heartbreak unfortunately. It was fantastic to read a series about Irish mythology and legends, set in Dublin and with an “authentic Irish voice” as Sarah Rees Brennan described Ruth and she’s very, very right. I can’t wait to see more of Ruth’s work, and also hope for more in the Dubh Linn world in the future - because I need more about the Keeper and that organisation AND/OR a prequel series about Rachel please and thanks :D