The Empire has fallen, and the Council’s treacherous alliance delivered the precious dragon eggs into the Lich’s hands. The Day of Eternal Darkness is upon them, and the Dark Master’s gambit is ready—which will win him the war and the world.
After awakening his dark powers in Snowhaven, Thor turns on his allies and concedes to the Lich. As he unites with the Dark Master, the grim Selena Liongod has no choice but to launch a counter-attack, joining forces with the Nidhoggr and acquiring an army of vampires and a ragtag team of old friends. Though the end is nigh, the allies are determined to strike first and defeat the Lich once and for all.
But Selena will soon discover that her actions and choices to protect their world may lead to its destruction.
“Our Divine fire will reign,” Thor promises Selena early on, when the pair at last find a chance to take to the skies together. But for all the epic stakes, conflicts, and revelations of this climactic volume–including a storied weapon, exposed truths about the Lich’s past, plus pirates, vampire lords, shapeshifters, and a vivid host of undead creatures and dragons called Nidhoggr–the most powerful suspense Muller musters is character driven. Dragon and rider both are keeping secrets from each other, and as their bond grows fraught the danger faced by all grows ever more dire, as the Lich marshals his army and power–and seizes the chance to divide his most powerful adversaries.
Even as she enjoys a tender romance with Silver, a deep connection to the most mythic of beasts, and fame across the world, Selena remains a humble hero, demurring when she’s called “the queen of dragons” and always deeply concerned about those she loves. Like the fire in a dragon’s belly, Selena’s irresistible bond with Thor powers this book and series, bringing fresh urgency to epic fantasy storytelling that at times risks familiarity and a leisurely pace. The novel doesn’t stand alone, but new readers will get plenty from that relationship.
Takeaway: This fantasy finale makes the bond between a young woman and her dragon matter as much as the world’s end.
Great for fans of: Naomi Novik, Anne McCaffrey.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A
