(Cover picture courtesy of Krystal Wade via email.)

Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who’s already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

[Full disclosure: I received a free ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

Wilde’s Meadow is like an opera.  Not because it’s melodramatic or the plot is ridiculously convoluted, but because it has grand themes and memorable characters.  It’s reminiscent of Aida what with all the tragedy and sacrifice in the last part.  But, unlike most operas, the ending is not abrupt and it is quite satisfying from a fan perspective and a critical one.

As many of my Twitter fans know, Krystal Wade has taken great pleasure in tormenting me about Wilde’s Meadow.  When she told me she cried while writing the last part of the novel, I was pretty concerned.  I rarely get attached to characters in a series on this level; I think the last series that I was this emotionally involved in was Harry Potter.  Yes, the Darkness Falls series is that good.

By this point in the series there really aren’t that many new characters, but many of the old ones go through surprising changes, especially Perth.  Out of everyone, he surprised me the most.  But it was, as usual, Kate whole stole the stage (as she should).  Her love for Arland, her desire to help Encardia, her friendship with Flanna…all of these actually feel real to me.  Kate is three dimensional along with all of the other characters, something that a surprising number of authors can’t even manage.

Need I really say anything about the plot?  It’s the last book in a trilogy; of course it’s fast paced.  Krystal Wade spent a lot longer building up to the climax than I thought she would, but for whatever reason it still worked.  Just when you think the book is over, she throws another plot twist at you and the suspense ratchets up another notch.  This is one of the very few books where I could not predict the ending, which is a refreshing change in fantasy.  I won’t tell you if it ends well for the lovers, but let me say I can see why Krystal Wade cried while writing some parts.  I almost cried reading some parts and I don’t get emotional over books very often.

If you’re looking for an amazing fantasy trilogy with memorable characters and a satisfying (if not completely happy) ending, I would highly recommend the Darkness Falls trilogy.

I give this book 5/5 stars.

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