Rate: 4/5

Medium:  Book

Overview (No Spoilers):

There is always some measure of sadness when a beloved series comes to an end, similar to that of a long journey.  While, as the reader, you revel in the adventure that the author creates, knowing that you will be picking up last book can be bittersweet, while simultaneously building anticipation. Alas, somehow I missed the memo that Immortal Reign would be the concluding installment in the Falling Kingdoms series as I’d first started reading this series long before my blog started. I’ve only officially reviewed two of the now six books (Crystal Storm, Frozen Tides).  Three fourths of the way through this fast paced, edge of your seat read it dawned on me that the events unfolding were in fact staging the long awaited confrontation.  I found myself feeling a bit disappointed that I hadn’t started this book with a mindset of finality that it was meant.  Regardless, Immortal Reign was everything you’d want in a concluding YA novel, from answers being revealed to our much-loved characters continuing to grow and evolve. While the ending was entertaining, it was a bit unsatisfactory in how everything wrapped up too cleanly with in a pretty bow for a series that has managed to balance fine line between YA and more mature content throughout the majority of the story.  As I read the final chapter it dawned on me that this whole final installment had felt rather safe, in contrast to Rhodes’ other books. Honestly though, as someone who loves their happy endings, I can’t complain too much. Overall, Immortal Reign was an entertaining finish to a series I’ve thoroughly enjoyed throughout.  While it might not be as detailed or complex as many other series I tout, the Falling Kingdom series has been a delightful journey that I look forward to every year and will miss.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

• I found it frustrating the miraculous turn around King Gaius made in Immortal Reign as he now tries to rekindle his relationships with his children.  Just as he is making significant process he is conveniently killed off leaving his children reeling with a seesaw of emotions. In many ways his abusive behavior was excused away and he was made into the heartbroken victim.
• What did Magnus actually do with the bloodstone ring? Did he melt it down and lie to Cleo in the end? Why doesn’t she demand for an answer?  I thought they’d learned by now not to lie to each other. Who made the ring? If it was melted down, how did Magnus know that its powers wouldn’t diminish? Also, the ring was used in excess as a way to put characters in terrible situations where you think they’ll die and have them miraculously survive.
• There were so many weird forced relationships in this book. Jonas has been strong this whole time but now he takes all the abuse from Lucia? She was awful to him over and over again and he apparently still wanted to be with her.  Also, Amara and Nerissa being a couple is also a strange side story that came out of the blue in its strength.  Did Amara’s character really need ‘saved’? She’d proved to be evil over and over and over again, however this was all excused away  as she was the puppet of her Grandmother.  The whole  Kraeshians side story seemed out of place and ill fitting in this last novel as Amara is suppose to be ruling all of Mytica but packs her bags and leaves, abandoning the mess she made.
• Will Ashur be able to forgive Amara? I can’t believe he didn’t with how picture perfect this ending was.
• What will happen with Jonas and his Watcher mark? Now that magic is everywhere will he still be a holder for magic? What will happen to the old Watchers?
• Ugh. That happy, happy ending.  Where to start? So Mytica is now being jointly ruled by Magnus and Cleo, with a council of their closest friend as advisers. How is that not a bad idea? They are all in their early 20s I think at the oldest.  Where are all the old people?
• One of the reviews that convinced me to read this series was the description of Falling Kingdoms as a young adult Game of Thrones.  Throughout most of this series  I could understand the comparison, however Rhodes lost sight of that in this last novel as it couldn’t have turned out more ideal for our protagonists.
• What was the point of adding in Valoria? She really didn’t add anything and what will she do with the Golden Dagger now and how did she get it? Was she actually the goddess?  Magnus was so mean to her for no reason. How was she helping them?
• Between Magnus and his sister this series really does glorify being genuinely rude to everyone and anyone.