The world building continues to be this series’ greatest strength, with not only the different places ruled by a Lord or Lady with their differing magic that marks them, but also the bond between the Legacy and their Source.
Even more interesting is the introduction of other worlds that have similar systems, people, and magic, but also show how different they are in how the different races are treated and viewed, particularly the Fae. The world and the magic system is what initially drew me into this series and I continued to love it in this final book of the series, always wanting to learn more of both it and especially the Gods which appear more as the series goes on. I also can’t help but love the crossover from the author’s other series with familiar characters that really brighten up this book.
The characters can still be their usual frustrating selves, a fact that has been true from the start of the series, but at least their consistent. Even so, it’s hard not to root for them and want to see the best result for each of them in the end and holding on to the hope that they’ll be able to see passed each others issues and frustrating tendencies to come together finally. Because of this, I feel it makes them strong enough characters to make for a compelling series and it outweighs the repetitiveness that the relationship between Tessa and Theon/Luka can at times be because of the stubborn inability they have to see eye to eye. Tessa has been a particularly frustrating character from the start of the series as she can be childish and petulant no matter the circumstances and how right she might be to fight against the role she has been forced into, at times it just comes across as tedious and makes her a hard character to like, and yet for all that she is so strong and has her redeeming qualities and I kept coming back to this series for more.
Honestly, I have not been terribly invested in the recent addition of Eviana’s story and this didn’t change throughout Dawn of Chaos and Fury. On the other hand, Axel’s point of view has truly been a delight and has continued to be one of my favourite. Between his forbidden love and the tough new circumstances, he has to navigate, I was fully invested in his story and was happy each time his chapters came around.
As always, it’s bittersweet to see a series come to an end, it’s hard not to grow fond of the characters and part of me will definitely miss seeing them. But all together it was a fitting ending in Dawn of Chaos and Fury to a well written series.