Back Cover Blurb
The breakneck conclusion to the trilogy that started with We Are The Dead. To beat the ultimate evil, sometimes the price is more than you can pay...
The war with the Egril has changed Tinnstra forever. A coward no more, she'll go to any length to defeat every last one of her enemies.
Zorique has grown into her powers. It's time for her to lead her army into Jia and spearhead the fight for her homeland.
But at what cost? The Egril emperor Raaku - the son of Kage himself - is waiting for them. And he intends to destroy Zorique, Tinnstra and all their allies.
They will need to put everything on the line if Jia hopes to see the dawn.
Review
This is kind of a bittersweet moment for me as I have lived and died with this series for the past three years and I am really sad to see it all come to an end. At the same time I can't deny the fact that this journey has been such a fantastic one that to finally have a resolution is something that is really satisfying in so many ways. Trying to put this into words will be challenging because The Last War trilogy is most certainly one of my favorite fantasy series ever. Nonetheless I will do my best to relay my overall feelings after swiftly devouring this magnificent finale in short order.
As I began the opening chapters of UNTIL THE LAST it became evident pretty quickly that I was going to be binge-reading this one pretty hard. There would be no taking a break from it for any significant length of time and I would be sucked in completely. And getting reunited with all of the characters that I've come to know so well after a year-long hiatus was a much welcome treat.
The tension was there right from the outset as the rebel factions within Jia plan their strategy for the upcoming Sekanowari - the final battle against the despised and cruel Egril. As the decisive battle draws near lots of maneuvering and dealing must be done if Jia has any chance of overcoming the overwhelming odds and reclaiming their homeland. The desperation of those in Jia is increasingly palpable at this point of the story as Shackle depicts what prolonged life under Egril rule has done to them during the time of occupation. It's not a happy existence and the images are that of deserted town squares policed by martial law where rights and individual expression are outlawed and enforcement comes in the most violent of ways. Surely the Jia cannot withstand much more of this hopeless existence.
But the Egril have proven that they are not only a near-unbeatable adversary, they are also extremely wise in the ways of war and as such have their own tools at their disposal to ensure that they are prepared for what is to come.
I absolutely loved the ending of this book/series. I had a feeling that Mike Shackle would not disappoint after building up so much anticipation, but I was nowhere near prepared for the brilliance that he ended up delivering. There are books that you enjoy reading and then there are books that make you feel as if you are actually in the story and part of the action. I lived every single second of this book and was even overcome with emotion a few times as Shackle skillfully puts forth each heart wrenching scene and moving exchange of dialogue.
I think the thing that I loved best about this book wasn't the battles (which are incredible), or the magic (mind blowing CRAZY magic!), but the dedication, persistence, and determination of so many of the characters I was blessed to have gotten to know. It's ironic that in the midst of some of the most inhuman atrocities and depictions of war in UNTIL THE LAST, it is the humanity and the force of will in the face of all of that which really stood out for me.
If you've missed The Last War trilogy you are missing quite a triumph in the fantasy genre. This is one of the best series that I've had the privilege of reading and my hope is that every fantasy reader adds it to their reading list. I can guarantee that it will be unlike most books that you have read. If you love fantasy that is powerful, emotional, gritty, deep in characterization, with a story that is engaging on every level imaginable, then start with We Are the Dead and continue right on through UNTIL THE LAST. This is a series and an ending that I won't soon forget.
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