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Infernal War Saga #3
The Queen's Starfire Throne
Every road must come to an end.
THE DEAD. Facing a war where revenants outnumber the living, Caris Rourke must confront a future written in the stars, one she wants no part of. In order to outmaneuver the enemy, Caris must learn to trust her instincts, no matter where they lead, whether into the heart of danger or into the arms of Nathaniel, a dead man walking she should not trust, much less love.
THE WAR. Eimarille Rourke wants nothing more than to be queen of all Maricol and will do anything to succeed, even the unthinkable. Determined to claim the starfire throne for herself, she must first eradicate all other claimants. Seeking to assassinate her sister and brother amidst a war of her own making will lead Eimarille down a road of ruin from which there is no turning back.
THE LIVING. In the wake of the attack on the Warden’s Island, Soren returns to the people who made him into the warden he is today. But the past he thought he’d left behind as a child has given him a name he does not want. Far from the only man he’s ever loved, carrying a vow that could change the course of the war, Soren must decide if destroying his life is worth saving a world.
THE STARS. In the throes of an escalating war, Vanya Sa’Liandel must put his country above all else, even his own happiness. As Houses seek to betray him and the fallout of his family’s past mistakes claws ever closer, not having Soren by his side is an anguish he can’t escape. In the end, the tide of war could turn with an alliance he cannot afford to grant. But years ago, Vanya gave his heart to a warden, and some kinds of love weren’t meant to burn out but to rage like starfire.
THE DEAD. Facing a war where revenants outnumber the living, Caris Rourke must confront a future written in the stars, one she wants no part of. In order to outmaneuver the enemy, Caris must learn to trust her instincts, no matter where they lead, whether into the heart of danger or into the arms of Nathaniel, a dead man walking she should not trust, much less love.
THE WAR. Eimarille Rourke wants nothing more than to be queen of all Maricol and will do anything to succeed, even the unthinkable. Determined to claim the starfire throne for herself, she must first eradicate all other claimants. Seeking to assassinate her sister and brother amidst a war of her own making will lead Eimarille down a road of ruin from which there is no turning back.
THE LIVING. In the wake of the attack on the Warden’s Island, Soren returns to the people who made him into the warden he is today. But the past he thought he’d left behind as a child has given him a name he does not want. Far from the only man he’s ever loved, carrying a vow that could change the course of the war, Soren must decide if destroying his life is worth saving a world.
THE STARS. In the throes of an escalating war, Vanya Sa’Liandel must put his country above all else, even his own happiness. As Houses seek to betray him and the fallout of his family’s past mistakes claws ever closer, not having Soren by his side is an anguish he can’t escape. In the end, the tide of war could turn with an alliance he cannot afford to grant. But years ago, Vanya gave his heart to a warden, and some kinds of love weren’t meant to burn out but to rage like starfire.
660 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2024
About the author
Hailey Turner
42 books1,765 followersHailey Turner is a big city girl who likes to spoil her cats rotten. She writes science fiction and fantasy with lots of action, epic plots, and romantic relationships that satisfy the heart. Hailey lives in sunny California when she isn’t adding stamps to her passport.
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May 2, 2024
Words, I'm utterly at a loss for them in being able to sum up just how epically well Hailey Turner wrapped up her Infernal War Saga.
Did things happen that made me want to scream - yes.
Did things happen that made me shout out loud in vicious satisfaction - yes.
Did things happen that broke my heart into a million pieces and left a bone deep sadness that won't be recovered from - yes.
But it was worth every bit of that pain to reach the superb level of storytelling which drew all the multiple threads together to close off what has been a fabulous series rivaling some of my all time favourite fantasy authors like Raymond E. Feist's Midkemia, Robin Hobbs' Realm of the Elderlings, and the DragonLance world created by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman.
Hailey hit every note perfectly as she opens up this final instalment with the reader gaining knowledge that something really, really bad is going to happen to those characters we've come to know and love through the first two books.
As the blows continue, you wonder if you're going to come out at the end of this 600+ page book with all parts intact and the answer is likely to be nope.
And so it was. There are sacrifices made, lives lost, and pain caused all in the name of one woman's delusions of her importance to the world of Maricol.
Could Eimarille Rourke be forgiven as her actions were directed by the Twilight Star God Innes? No, non, nein, nay - and every other incarnation of the word going!
She took to the road with eagerness, with relish, with an arrogance that almost destroyed the continent and I was vindictively hoping beyond hope she'd rue her actions and that her end would be fittingly suitable.
You'll get no spoilers in this review, this book absolutely has to be read blind, because there are so many moments where I was "Hailey Turner, I can't believe you just did that" which would be ruined by hints.
Was I happy overall with how things ended up? Yes, I think so, although my bruised heart will be smarting for a long time as I continue to dwell on this fabulous series.
There are roads which continue, roads which come to an end, and roads that fulfil the promises made by the Star Gods. Hailey Turner promised a journey and she delivered that in spades.
This book will sit on my list of all time favourites alongside its predecessors.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Valentine PR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Did things happen that made me want to scream - yes.
Did things happen that made me shout out loud in vicious satisfaction - yes.
Did things happen that broke my heart into a million pieces and left a bone deep sadness that won't be recovered from - yes.
But it was worth every bit of that pain to reach the superb level of storytelling which drew all the multiple threads together to close off what has been a fabulous series rivaling some of my all time favourite fantasy authors like Raymond E. Feist's Midkemia, Robin Hobbs' Realm of the Elderlings, and the DragonLance world created by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman.
Hailey hit every note perfectly as she opens up this final instalment with the reader gaining knowledge that something really, really bad is going to happen to those characters we've come to know and love through the first two books.
As the blows continue, you wonder if you're going to come out at the end of this 600+ page book with all parts intact and the answer is likely to be nope.
And so it was. There are sacrifices made, lives lost, and pain caused all in the name of one woman's delusions of her importance to the world of Maricol.
Could Eimarille Rourke be forgiven as her actions were directed by the Twilight Star God Innes? No, non, nein, nay - and every other incarnation of the word going!
She took to the road with eagerness, with relish, with an arrogance that almost destroyed the continent and I was vindictively hoping beyond hope she'd rue her actions and that her end would be fittingly suitable.
You'll get no spoilers in this review, this book absolutely has to be read blind, because there are so many moments where I was "Hailey Turner, I can't believe you just did that" which would be ruined by hints.
Was I happy overall with how things ended up? Yes, I think so, although my bruised heart will be smarting for a long time as I continue to dwell on this fabulous series.
There are roads which continue, roads which come to an end, and roads that fulfil the promises made by the Star Gods. Hailey Turner promised a journey and she delivered that in spades.
This book will sit on my list of all time favourites alongside its predecessors.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Valentine PR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
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May 21, 2024Available now!
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The Queen’s Starfire Throne is book 3 in the Infernal War Saga which must be read in order.
Start reading The Prince’s Poisoned Vow today!
https://mybook.to/InfernalWarSaga
Grab your copy today!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/477IfEz
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/InfernalWarSaga3
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/41yMOX7
The Queen’s Starfire Throne is book 3 in the Infernal War Saga which must be read in order.
Start reading The Prince’s Poisoned Vow today!
https://mybook.to/InfernalWarSaga
April 1, 2024
*tap tap tap* Is this thing on? *presses lips right up to bullhorn* OMG! THIS BOOK!
All teasing aside, this is exactly how I felt when I finished the book! I wanted to shout it out to the world! It’s so incredible that I don’t know where to begin. I sure as heck don’t want to spoil anything since the book doesn’t come out for a while. So, vague it is. First, I just want to say how happy I am to exist in a world that gave us Hailey Turner. I am in constant awe of her brilliance.
Take all the intrigue, action, tension, spite, cruelty, love, and passion from the first two books and magnify tenfold for the finale. I have said it before, and I will say it again. Hailey Turner’s world building is second to none. Every single detail has a purpose that advances the story. No filler. No fluff. No BS. Her wizardry with words makes you live the story, not just read it. The complexity of the characters and the care devoted to their development is inspiring. You feel what they feel and see what they see. My heart pounded, melted, and even broke a time or two.
The road to the throne is paved with blood and sacrifice, but it’s worth every single step. Read. This. Book. You’re in for a real treat.
All teasing aside, this is exactly how I felt when I finished the book! I wanted to shout it out to the world! It’s so incredible that I don’t know where to begin. I sure as heck don’t want to spoil anything since the book doesn’t come out for a while. So, vague it is. First, I just want to say how happy I am to exist in a world that gave us Hailey Turner. I am in constant awe of her brilliance.
Take all the intrigue, action, tension, spite, cruelty, love, and passion from the first two books and magnify tenfold for the finale. I have said it before, and I will say it again. Hailey Turner’s world building is second to none. Every single detail has a purpose that advances the story. No filler. No fluff. No BS. Her wizardry with words makes you live the story, not just read it. The complexity of the characters and the care devoted to their development is inspiring. You feel what they feel and see what they see. My heart pounded, melted, and even broke a time or two.
The road to the throne is paved with blood and sacrifice, but it’s worth every single step. Read. This. Book. You’re in for a real treat.
May 10, 2024
Brilliant ending to the amazing series. Stayed up till 6 am to finish with tears in my eyes. It's hard to review this book without spoilers, so I might add things later.
Loved:
* Vanya and Soren love story. It will stay with me: I highlighted so many parts with those two. Finding their way back to each other with all the secrets laid bare, fighting side by side, loving each other openly - everything I wanted and more.
"Wardens weren’t supposed to want, he knew, but Soren had always wanted this, had always wanted Vanya. If his road didn’t have Vanya walking beside him, then it wasn’t a road he would travel."
* Caris character growth. I didn't care much about her in the first two books, but I ended up respecting and aching for the queen she had to become. While Soren was able to choose the road that led to Vanya, there was just one road for Caris, and the Starfire Throne came with a heavy price
* Soren and Raiah bond
* Caris heir - I had a feeling it would end this way
* Solaria and the Houses politics
* Vanya using starfire to fight for his country
* A strong sense of duty of all the main leads - Vanya, Soren, Caris, Blaine, Hanovi
* Blaine and Havovi - their devotion and unwavering support for each other from the very beginning to the very end.
* Wardens
* Fleshed out and memorable secondary characters, especially Taisiya & Joelle
Hated Eimarille with all my heart, no redemption or sympathy for her and her Blade. Skipped through their intimate scenes - ff is not my thing or maybe it’s just those two.
Overall, I prefer my books to have one main couple. Soren and Vanya were this for me, but the attention was divided between too many POVs. It added to the worldbuilding and the overall storyline but made the book uneven - I didn't care about certain parts at all while could re-read others multiple times.
The bonus story should have been the part of the book. It is an integral part of the story and the ultimate end of the Vanya and Soren journey. I'm subscribed to Hailey Turner newsletter either way, and it's annoying to go through extra steps and always have the chapter separated from the main book. But it's been written and is not on Patreon - I'll take it as a win.
Despite the niggles, the book is a brilliant piece of epic fantasy, with Vanya and Soren story being a captivating and compelling centerpiece, so I can't rate the book anything but 5 stars.
"You’re my homeland. Not Ashion, not Solaria, not any road that leads me to a border away from you. I don’t care about the crown you wear or the one I lost. You, Vanya. You are all I have ever wanted.”
Loved:
* Vanya and Soren love story. It will stay with me: I highlighted so many parts with those two. Finding their way back to each other with all the secrets laid bare, fighting side by side, loving each other openly - everything I wanted and more.
"Wardens weren’t supposed to want, he knew, but Soren had always wanted this, had always wanted Vanya. If his road didn’t have Vanya walking beside him, then it wasn’t a road he would travel."
* Caris character growth. I didn't care much about her in the first two books, but I ended up respecting and aching for the queen she had to become. While Soren was able to choose the road that led to Vanya, there was just one road for Caris, and the Starfire Throne came with a heavy price
* Soren and Raiah bond
* Caris heir - I had a feeling it would end this way
* Solaria and the Houses politics
* Vanya using starfire to fight for his country
* A strong sense of duty of all the main leads - Vanya, Soren, Caris, Blaine, Hanovi
* Blaine and Havovi - their devotion and unwavering support for each other from the very beginning to the very end.
* Wardens
* Fleshed out and memorable secondary characters, especially Taisiya & Joelle
Hated Eimarille with all my heart, no redemption or sympathy for her and her Blade. Skipped through their intimate scenes - ff is not my thing or maybe it’s just those two.
Overall, I prefer my books to have one main couple. Soren and Vanya were this for me, but the attention was divided between too many POVs. It added to the worldbuilding and the overall storyline but made the book uneven - I didn't care about certain parts at all while could re-read others multiple times.
The bonus story should have been the part of the book. It is an integral part of the story and the ultimate end of the Vanya and Soren journey. I'm subscribed to Hailey Turner newsletter either way, and it's annoying to go through extra steps and always have the chapter separated from the main book. But it's been written and is not on Patreon - I'll take it as a win.
Despite the niggles, the book is a brilliant piece of epic fantasy, with Vanya and Soren story being a captivating and compelling centerpiece, so I can't rate the book anything but 5 stars.
"You’re my homeland. Not Ashion, not Solaria, not any road that leads me to a border away from you. I don’t care about the crown you wear or the one I lost. You, Vanya. You are all I have ever wanted.”
May 19, 2024
If there were ever lingering doubts about the quality of Eimarille as a terrifying antagonist the first chapters of this book shatter those completely. It's a cold efficiency, a calculated manipulation paired with an aura of absolute power that orders swift executions wherever she deems them best. She's always a step ahead of her foes and adversaries and if she's going to the extreme to reach her goal or distract her enemies she's taking every risk necessary. So she's the quintessential evil queen? No, because that would make her into a caricature or at least a one-dimensional character and nothing could be more wrong. We know her past, we know her love for her son and her tender, intimate friendship with Terilyn. So she's not exactly a sociopath but maybe borderlines the banality of evil and of course there are the welcomed blandishments of Innes, the star god of her country, who saved her from the inferno of her youth and the cruelty of her marriage and who promised her a crown. She only didn't care about his reasons and forgot that the star gods of Maricol didn't start as gods before the hostile nature of the planet made them into immortal beings.
So at the start I got the keyed up tension I longed for after reading the first books of this series. It even got me to the point where I had to take a break because I was worried about the road the story seemed to take when Soren went back to Vanya. There was heartbreak in the air but the version of heartbreak I can't stand but was nevertheless convinced that Hailey Turner was not averse to dish out. After all she notoriously puts her characters through the wringer but this time there was no need for worrying. The guys found a way back together. However the following part of the book was different to what I was used to from the previous books. Yes, there were still frightening roadblocks, riveting dangers and grand action but I was missing something. It was like the war took over and everything else had to follow its flow while in the previous books fate, single decisions and the belief of nations paved the road to war, tension was high and relationships had to be fought for and were in a different kind of danger. Don't take me wrong, it was not at all boring, there was nothing which could have been ignored or shortened and Hailey Turner effortlessly kept all the balls in the air. Maybe I could say I now was more invested in the story than I was in the characters? That changed later again when all roads led to Amari and the burning throne. It was a perfect ending for a great series and I loved the prelude/ epilogue. So even while this last book wasn't completely what I expected I probably will some time read the complete series again.
So at the start I got the keyed up tension I longed for after reading the first books of this series. It even got me to the point where I had to take a break because I was worried about the road the story seemed to take when Soren went back to Vanya. There was heartbreak in the air but the version of heartbreak I can't stand but was nevertheless convinced that Hailey Turner was not averse to dish out. After all she notoriously puts her characters through the wringer but this time there was no need for worrying. The guys found a way back together. However the following part of the book was different to what I was used to from the previous books. Yes, there were still frightening roadblocks, riveting dangers and grand action but I was missing something. It was like the war took over and everything else had to follow its flow while in the previous books fate, single decisions and the belief of nations paved the road to war, tension was high and relationships had to be fought for and were in a different kind of danger. Don't take me wrong, it was not at all boring, there was nothing which could have been ignored or shortened and Hailey Turner effortlessly kept all the balls in the air. Maybe I could say I now was more invested in the story than I was in the characters? That changed later again when all roads led to Amari and the burning throne. It was a perfect ending for a great series and I loved the prelude/ epilogue. So even while this last book wasn't completely what I expected I probably will some time read the complete series again.
July 19, 2024
Perfect. No notes. I love this trilogy of books and I feel a grief to be finished with it. If you are in the mood for a large scale queer, steampunk, political/war fantasy epic I don’t think you could do better than these brilliant books. The first one was definitely the slowest but each one built and gathered steam until that explosive finale.
The acting in the audiobook was phenomenal. The accents and voices were all perfectly performed. I would highly recommend the audio book as a way to consume the story.
Soren and Vanya will forever be one of my favourite fictional couples. I love them so much 😭.
The acting in the audiobook was phenomenal. The accents and voices were all perfectly performed. I would highly recommend the audio book as a way to consume the story.
Soren and Vanya will forever be one of my favourite fictional couples. I love them so much 😭.
May 14, 2024
4.5 Stars
Loved it.
Loved it.
Want to read
February 1, 2024"Want to read" isn't accurate. "Driven to read," "desperate to read," might be more true. Just over three months...
May 2, 2024
4.5
Oh god, what a ride. What a ride!
This final installment had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish: it did not disappoint. My heart's still beating out of my chest, and I'm pretty sure I'll be thinking about that ending, that bittersweet, epic ending, for a long, long time.
Also, I think I need a whole month to get over everything that has happened; my heart won't recover, I fear. Betrayals, death, war, magic; heart-stopping romance, emotional upheavals, found family, and gut-wrenching angst; and, also, a boatload of heart-clenching close calls from start to finish.
I swear, I need at least twenty palate cleansers to get over the sheer amount of nail-biting angst I've just gone through. Gah.
I'm going to miss these characters a whole lot; and I'll miss this whole magical, deadly, complicated, messy world they all live it, where poisonous spores, revenants, backstabbing politicians and morally gray nobles are a daily occurrence. I love epic fantasies, and I love them even more so when everything is delightfully queer and delightfully packed with romance.
Hailey Turner's Infernal War Saga as a whole, but this final installment in particular, is yet another confirmation of how damned great she is at creating such wonderful worlds and such wonderful (and wonderfully complicated and nuanced) characters. Even though Soren is, and will remain, my favourite, I won't be forgetting Caris and Blaine and Honovi and Vanya any time soon. They all have a special place in my book-loving heart.
"The Queen's Starfire Throne" is packed, absolutely teeming, with action from start to finish, and the desperate, fierce rush towards that bitter, deadly, violent end, against Eimarille's madness, had me simultaneously clutching my heart, tearing my hair out, and screaming at the top of my lungs. It's also, like I said, packed with love: familial love, platonic love, romantic love. Hailey Turner is a masterful writer of the found family trope, and all the bonds that emerge from the death and violence and poison afflicting Maricol had me in tears more than once.
Also, that ending had me in tears. I knew not everyone was going to get their happily ever after at the end, and I guess there was only one way for all that mess to be resolved, but it still made me unbelievably sad too. Thankfully there are enough HEAs for my romance loving heart to be satisfied, but god, what a bittersweet, albeit epic, ending.
Hailey manged to weave together every single plotline, every single story arc, in a crescendo that made my heart soar: she was already one of my favourite writers, but this series is a testament to her skills. Epic fantasies with a complicated world-building and an even more complicated political landscape (or hellscape; I wouldn't want to live in Maricol; except, maybe, in E'ridia: they seem to be the least crazy and power hungry of the lot), packed with a huge cast of morally grey, ambiguous, messy, flawed characters, that, despite the sheer number of them, still manage to make a lasting impression, isn't an easy feat. I knew she'd be up to it, and I'm so, so happy we have this trilogy in our hands.
Or I will be, as soon as I get over that ending and all the damn angst: I'm still crying.
I can't wait to have my heart broken by Hailey with whichever book she gifts us next. <3
Thank you GRR for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Oh god, what a ride. What a ride!
This final installment had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish: it did not disappoint. My heart's still beating out of my chest, and I'm pretty sure I'll be thinking about that ending, that bittersweet, epic ending, for a long, long time.
Also, I think I need a whole month to get over everything that has happened; my heart won't recover, I fear. Betrayals, death, war, magic; heart-stopping romance, emotional upheavals, found family, and gut-wrenching angst; and, also, a boatload of heart-clenching close calls from start to finish.
I swear, I need at least twenty palate cleansers to get over the sheer amount of nail-biting angst I've just gone through. Gah.
I'm going to miss these characters a whole lot; and I'll miss this whole magical, deadly, complicated, messy world they all live it, where poisonous spores, revenants, backstabbing politicians and morally gray nobles are a daily occurrence. I love epic fantasies, and I love them even more so when everything is delightfully queer and delightfully packed with romance.
Hailey Turner's Infernal War Saga as a whole, but this final installment in particular, is yet another confirmation of how damned great she is at creating such wonderful worlds and such wonderful (and wonderfully complicated and nuanced) characters. Even though Soren is, and will remain, my favourite, I won't be forgetting Caris and Blaine and Honovi and Vanya any time soon. They all have a special place in my book-loving heart.
"The Queen's Starfire Throne" is packed, absolutely teeming, with action from start to finish, and the desperate, fierce rush towards that bitter, deadly, violent end, against Eimarille's madness, had me simultaneously clutching my heart, tearing my hair out, and screaming at the top of my lungs. It's also, like I said, packed with love: familial love, platonic love, romantic love. Hailey Turner is a masterful writer of the found family trope, and all the bonds that emerge from the death and violence and poison afflicting Maricol had me in tears more than once.
Also, that ending had me in tears. I knew not everyone was going to get their happily ever after at the end, and I guess there was only one way for all that mess to be resolved, but it still made me unbelievably sad too. Thankfully there are enough HEAs for my romance loving heart to be satisfied, but god, what a bittersweet, albeit epic, ending.
Hailey manged to weave together every single plotline, every single story arc, in a crescendo that made my heart soar: she was already one of my favourite writers, but this series is a testament to her skills. Epic fantasies with a complicated world-building and an even more complicated political landscape (or hellscape; I wouldn't want to live in Maricol; except, maybe, in E'ridia: they seem to be the least crazy and power hungry of the lot), packed with a huge cast of morally grey, ambiguous, messy, flawed characters, that, despite the sheer number of them, still manage to make a lasting impression, isn't an easy feat. I knew she'd be up to it, and I'm so, so happy we have this trilogy in our hands.
Or I will be, as soon as I get over that ending and all the damn angst: I'm still crying.
I can't wait to have my heart broken by Hailey with whichever book she gifts us next. <3
Thank you GRR for the ARC. This is my honest review.
May 6, 2024
Wow! This series really finished as epically as it began. I was completely immersed in this world of politics, passion, undying love, zombies and war.
We pick up where the previous novel left off, with Eimarille still using the revenants (aka the zombies) in her war against Ashion and Maricol as a whole. She's killing off everyone and allowing the revenants and rionetkas to carve a wave of destruction through the land. Tension abounds knowing that the war is coming to all parts of Maricol and wondering who will be next. There is. So. Much. Tension. I was nearly beside myself wondering when it would all hit.
Hailey Turner really knocks it out of the park with this one. She captures the desperation of Ashion when no lands will come to help them fight a war that is not their own (for me reminiscent of our own political climate). We FEEL the grief of what Vanya and Soren have lost and the predicament Caris and Nathaniel (my sweet Nathaniel) find themselves in.
As with the other two books in the series, it takes a minute to get into it. There is A LOT going on. But when you get past those first 2 or 3 chapters it is well worth the effort as we follow the 4 couples through this epic, steampunk saga.
And when Vanya and Soren . I couldn't easily say who my favourite couple is but I think my heart really belongs with Vanya and Soren. I'm so sad for this series to be over.
I can honestly say this is one of the best steampunk / paranormal / fantasy series I have read.
ARC provided for my honest review
We pick up where the previous novel left off, with Eimarille still using the revenants (aka the zombies) in her war against Ashion and Maricol as a whole. She's killing off everyone and allowing the revenants and rionetkas to carve a wave of destruction through the land. Tension abounds knowing that the war is coming to all parts of Maricol and wondering who will be next. There is. So. Much. Tension. I was nearly beside myself wondering when it would all hit.
Hailey Turner really knocks it out of the park with this one. She captures the desperation of Ashion when no lands will come to help them fight a war that is not their own (for me reminiscent of our own political climate). We FEEL the grief of what Vanya and Soren have lost and the predicament Caris and Nathaniel (my sweet Nathaniel) find themselves in.
As with the other two books in the series, it takes a minute to get into it. There is A LOT going on. But when you get past those first 2 or 3 chapters it is well worth the effort as we follow the 4 couples through this epic, steampunk saga.
And when Vanya and Soren . I couldn't easily say who my favourite couple is but I think my heart really belongs with Vanya and Soren. I'm so sad for this series to be over.
I can honestly say this is one of the best steampunk / paranormal / fantasy series I have read.
ARC provided for my honest review
April 30, 2024
Thank you to Valentine PR and Hailey Turner for this eARC!
A fantastic end to an amazingly unique trilogy of books. I only hope Hailey gets the flowers she deserves for this story! This was everything I hoped for wrapping up this series and I cannot wait to see what she writes next
A fantastic end to an amazingly unique trilogy of books. I only hope Hailey gets the flowers she deserves for this story! This was everything I hoped for wrapping up this series and I cannot wait to see what she writes next
May 12, 2024
When I started the first book in the Infernal war story, "The Prince's Poisoned Vow", I was captivated by the story
The first chapter made me fall in love with Blaine and Honovi, who are still one of my favourites, and then I found Soren and Vanya
I've waited for each book with anticipation and I've also waited for this last one with some trepidation as it's the last one and I'm so sorry to have to say goodbye to these characters.
The storyline in this book starts, where the last one ended. There is so much happening here, and I don't want to spoiler anything.
I say only that it is everything I wanted it to be and what I hoped for.
Hailey Turner spans across these three books a story, which is engaging, captivating, lovely, horrifying, heartbreaking, awesome and definitely one of the best, I've ever read.
The writing is awesome and besides the story and the characters, one if the main draws of this story.
I had to re-read the story immediately after I finished it, to get my fill on the characters and to overcome my book hangover.
This story, the whole trilogy, is a must read for fantasy fans and it has to be read in order!!!!
I can't wait to listen to the audiobook . Hopefully it comes out soon.
The first chapter made me fall in love with Blaine and Honovi, who are still one of my favourites, and then I found Soren and Vanya
I've waited for each book with anticipation and I've also waited for this last one with some trepidation as it's the last one and I'm so sorry to have to say goodbye to these characters.
The storyline in this book starts, where the last one ended. There is so much happening here, and I don't want to spoiler anything.
I say only that it is everything I wanted it to be and what I hoped for.
Hailey Turner spans across these three books a story, which is engaging, captivating, lovely, horrifying, heartbreaking, awesome and definitely one of the best, I've ever read.
The writing is awesome and besides the story and the characters, one if the main draws of this story.
I had to re-read the story immediately after I finished it, to get my fill on the characters and to overcome my book hangover.
This story, the whole trilogy, is a must read for fantasy fans and it has to be read in order!!!!
I can't wait to listen to the audiobook . Hopefully it comes out soon.
April 28, 2024
HAILEY TURNER WHEN I CATCH U…. WHEN I CATCH U HAILEY TURNER
anyways. this book had everything i hoped for and more. the political machinations were written brilliantly. the romance was brutal and compelling. the last 150 pages had me in a vice grip. one of my top reads of 2024 for sure. it’s a shame it’s not more popular. i will make it my quest to bring this book to the surface.
i was generously given an ARC by valentine PR. this review is true to my thoughts and feelings of the book.
READ IT
anyways. this book had everything i hoped for and more. the political machinations were written brilliantly. the romance was brutal and compelling. the last 150 pages had me in a vice grip. one of my top reads of 2024 for sure. it’s a shame it’s not more popular. i will make it my quest to bring this book to the surface.
i was generously given an ARC by valentine PR. this review is true to my thoughts and feelings of the book.
READ IT
May 20, 2024
I'm speechless. The world building, the writing, the political intrigue, the betrayals. Oh the betrayals of this series!! I don't think anyone can weave worlds as intricate as Hailey Turner. It truly is an art they have mastered well.
This is a series you do not want spoilers for. Every gasp, every scream, every sweet moment is something you want to get first hand and not described by someone else. I've been very careful in reviews of these books in order to steer far away from revealing anything.
I've only read one other ensemble romance a long time ago so it took me a bit to get my brain on board with it all. There are a lot of different POV and storylines going on at once. The author does a good job of switching without causing confusion, however binging the entire series as a whole may make it even easier to follow along with how plot driven this series is. This story will break your heart. You may shed actual tears. Scream how unfair some things are to the sky. But you will also have read an amazing ending to a truly well written trilogy.
This is a series you do not want spoilers for. Every gasp, every scream, every sweet moment is something you want to get first hand and not described by someone else. I've been very careful in reviews of these books in order to steer far away from revealing anything.
I've only read one other ensemble romance a long time ago so it took me a bit to get my brain on board with it all. There are a lot of different POV and storylines going on at once. The author does a good job of switching without causing confusion, however binging the entire series as a whole may make it even easier to follow along with how plot driven this series is. This story will break your heart. You may shed actual tears. Scream how unfair some things are to the sky. But you will also have read an amazing ending to a truly well written trilogy.
May 13, 2024
4 / 5 book
5 / 5 (audio)
This was well written and overall great, but not what I longed for.
For those who love a very zoomed-out and plot driven narrative, this will hit the sweet spot. For me, I missed the small moments, the intimacy (not talking about spice) between the characters, I wanted to *feel* more of the love, family, and friendship. This read quite cold and like a poetic history book for this far away strange world.
We did get some sweet and heart-wrenching moments between Soren and Vanya, but the rest of the couples did not pull through...
Overall, compared to previous installments, I felt like this was very long yet still missing the best parts. It went in depth into politics and warfare and left the beloved characters behind.
5 / 5 (audio)
This was well written and overall great, but not what I longed for.
For those who love a very zoomed-out and plot driven narrative, this will hit the sweet spot. For me, I missed the small moments, the intimacy (not talking about spice) between the characters, I wanted to *feel* more of the love, family, and friendship. This read quite cold and like a poetic history book for this far away strange world.
We did get some sweet and heart-wrenching moments between Soren and Vanya, but the rest of the couples did not pull through...
Overall, compared to previous installments, I felt like this was very long yet still missing the best parts. It went in depth into politics and warfare and left the beloved characters behind.
May 18, 2024
(DEUTSCH WEITER UNTEN)
You look forward to a book for so long and then you finish it in two days ... bloody crap Q_Q (It was just so damn good!!!!)
I still can’t quite believe that it’s truly over ... I’m really going to miss all our main characters (except Eimarille) and I’d love to know what happens after the war. I really don’t know how to let go Q_Q
My favourite book is still volume two because it was kind of this climax and so full of uncertainty. Volume three was like a band-aid on the wound. I was allowed to breathe again, to cry and laugh and curse and be desperate. Volume three brought me ... this peace. The peace of knowing what was happening and who would find each other again, or not.
There were a few repeated words that really bothered me, but on the whole the writing style is wonderful. The worldbuilding has somehow totally impressed me ... it’s just so fascinating.
I’m just in love and would love to read more about Vanya and Soren (yes I’ve read the short story Q_Q) ... it feels like it’s never enough.
Thank you for this amazing journey <3
(DEUTSCH)
Da freut man sich so lang auf ein Buch und hat es dann in zwei Tagen ausgelesen ... verdammter Bockmist Q_Q (Das war halt einfach so verdammt gut!!!!)
Ich kann noch nicht ganz glauben, dass es nun wirklich vorbei ist ... ich werde all unsere Hauptcharaktere (bis auf Eimarille) wirklich vermissen und ich würde so gern wissen, wie die Zeit nach dem Krieg nun weitergeht. Ich weiß echt nicht wie ich loslassen soll Q_Q
Mein Lieblingsband ist noch immer Band zwei, da dies irgendwie dieser Höhepunkt und so voller Unsicherheiten war. Band drei war wie das Pflaster auf der Wunde. Ich durfte wieder atmen, durfte weinen und lachen und fluchen und verzweifeln. Band drei hat mir ... diese Ruhe gebracht. Diese Ruhe zu wissen, was passiert und wer wie wieder zueinanderfindet, oder halt nicht.
Es waren immer mal wieder einige Wortdopplungen drin, die mich doch schon sehr gestört haben, aber im Großen und Ganzen ist der Schreibstil wundervoll. Das Worldbuilding hat mich irgendwie total geprägt ... es ist einfach so faszinierend.
Ich bin einfach verliebt und würde gern mehr über Vanya und Soren lesen (ja ich habe die Kurzgeschichte gelesen Q_Q) ... es fühlt sich an, als wäre es nie genug.
Danke für diese tolle Reise <3
You look forward to a book for so long and then you finish it in two days ... bloody crap Q_Q (It was just so damn good!!!!)
I still can’t quite believe that it’s truly over ... I’m really going to miss all our main characters (except Eimarille) and I’d love to know what happens after the war. I really don’t know how to let go Q_Q
My favourite book is still volume two because it was kind of this climax and so full of uncertainty. Volume three was like a band-aid on the wound. I was allowed to breathe again, to cry and laugh and curse and be desperate. Volume three brought me ... this peace. The peace of knowing what was happening and who would find each other again, or not.
There were a few repeated words that really bothered me, but on the whole the writing style is wonderful. The worldbuilding has somehow totally impressed me ... it’s just so fascinating.
I’m just in love and would love to read more about Vanya and Soren (yes I’ve read the short story Q_Q) ... it feels like it’s never enough.
Thank you for this amazing journey <3
(DEUTSCH)
Da freut man sich so lang auf ein Buch und hat es dann in zwei Tagen ausgelesen ... verdammter Bockmist Q_Q (Das war halt einfach so verdammt gut!!!!)
Ich kann noch nicht ganz glauben, dass es nun wirklich vorbei ist ... ich werde all unsere Hauptcharaktere (bis auf Eimarille) wirklich vermissen und ich würde so gern wissen, wie die Zeit nach dem Krieg nun weitergeht. Ich weiß echt nicht wie ich loslassen soll Q_Q
Mein Lieblingsband ist noch immer Band zwei, da dies irgendwie dieser Höhepunkt und so voller Unsicherheiten war. Band drei war wie das Pflaster auf der Wunde. Ich durfte wieder atmen, durfte weinen und lachen und fluchen und verzweifeln. Band drei hat mir ... diese Ruhe gebracht. Diese Ruhe zu wissen, was passiert und wer wie wieder zueinanderfindet, oder halt nicht.
Es waren immer mal wieder einige Wortdopplungen drin, die mich doch schon sehr gestört haben, aber im Großen und Ganzen ist der Schreibstil wundervoll. Das Worldbuilding hat mich irgendwie total geprägt ... es ist einfach so faszinierend.
Ich bin einfach verliebt und würde gern mehr über Vanya und Soren lesen (ja ich habe die Kurzgeschichte gelesen Q_Q) ... es fühlt sich an, als wäre es nie genug.
Danke für diese tolle Reise <3
June 18, 2024
The desire to get my hands on this book is honestly driving me insane.
April 27, 2024
I couldn’t sleep! I spent all day and night devouring this book!!!! It was such a great ending to this fantastic trilogy! It keeps you enthralled start to finish!
On my top read of 2024, for sure! It’s everything! Soren and Vanya are guhhhhhhhh! I can’t! They are wonderful! I was pleased with how everything was wrapped up- I didn’t feel like anyone or any specific storyline was left out! Such an intense-dramatic-action pact-sexy trilogy! I adore all of Hailey Turner’s work, this was no exception! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Hailey Turner and VPR for the ARC!!
On my top read of 2024, for sure! It’s everything! Soren and Vanya are guhhhhhhhh! I can’t! They are wonderful! I was pleased with how everything was wrapped up- I didn’t feel like anyone or any specific storyline was left out! Such an intense-dramatic-action pact-sexy trilogy! I adore all of Hailey Turner’s work, this was no exception! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Hailey Turner and VPR for the ARC!!
May 2, 2024
Overall Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The final book of the series did not disappoint. Honestly, I thought this last book would be the hardest to read, because I was sure it would be the hardest on the main characters. I was afraid for no reason and the books was just perfect. 600+ pages and I felt like I´ve read a 200 pages book. I just couldn´t put is down. Who cares about sleep? Certainly not me when I read books from this author. Overall, this trilogy was like anything I´ve ever read. The whole world building is out of this world amazing, I can´t comprehend how the author even came up with something so intricate without frying her brain. Book hangover, here I come.
Plot: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Amazingly complicated, full of real emotions and hard-fought happiness. There was never a dull moment. Every little corner of the plot was explained and resolved, and they all finally found peace they deserved and fought for after such a hard journey.
Characters: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Character development was amazing as always. I thought they reached their peak in the previous books, but I was wrong, and they all matured, learned from their journey and their mistakes and became one of my favorite characters ever. And the best thing? They are far from perfect, but that just makes them more real and amazing. One of the most deserved HEA I´ve ever read.
Tension: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Compared to the first two books of the series, I would say this final book was milder. But it did not make to book boring by any means. I just couldn’t wait for the book to end so I would know all of them were alright and happy, but on the other hand I never waned it to end. I´ll miss this world and characters more then I care to admit.
Spice: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I would call it a typical Hailey kind of spice. Not too much but not too little either. She makes the intimate scenes the way I really appreciate, because they always have a purpose and a deep meaning. You can basically feel the love and desperation the characters have for each other. It´s simply beautiful.
ARC
The final book of the series did not disappoint. Honestly, I thought this last book would be the hardest to read, because I was sure it would be the hardest on the main characters. I was afraid for no reason and the books was just perfect. 600+ pages and I felt like I´ve read a 200 pages book. I just couldn´t put is down. Who cares about sleep? Certainly not me when I read books from this author. Overall, this trilogy was like anything I´ve ever read. The whole world building is out of this world amazing, I can´t comprehend how the author even came up with something so intricate without frying her brain. Book hangover, here I come.
Plot: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Amazingly complicated, full of real emotions and hard-fought happiness. There was never a dull moment. Every little corner of the plot was explained and resolved, and they all finally found peace they deserved and fought for after such a hard journey.
Characters: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Character development was amazing as always. I thought they reached their peak in the previous books, but I was wrong, and they all matured, learned from their journey and their mistakes and became one of my favorite characters ever. And the best thing? They are far from perfect, but that just makes them more real and amazing. One of the most deserved HEA I´ve ever read.
Tension: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Compared to the first two books of the series, I would say this final book was milder. But it did not make to book boring by any means. I just couldn’t wait for the book to end so I would know all of them were alright and happy, but on the other hand I never waned it to end. I´ll miss this world and characters more then I care to admit.
Spice: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I would call it a typical Hailey kind of spice. Not too much but not too little either. She makes the intimate scenes the way I really appreciate, because they always have a purpose and a deep meaning. You can basically feel the love and desperation the characters have for each other. It´s simply beautiful.
ARC
May 16, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
The Queen’s Starfire Throne is the third book in Hailey Turner’s epic steampunk fantasy trilogy, the Infernal War Saga. The books must be read in order, and this book and review will have spoilers for earlier events in the series. If you want to get started with this fabulous trilogy, check out Jay and Kris’ spoiler-free review of the first book, The Prince’s Poisoned Vow.
Read Jay’s and Kris' review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
The Queen’s Starfire Throne is the third book in Hailey Turner’s epic steampunk fantasy trilogy, the Infernal War Saga. The books must be read in order, and this book and review will have spoilers for earlier events in the series. If you want to get started with this fabulous trilogy, check out Jay and Kris’ spoiler-free review of the first book, The Prince’s Poisoned Vow.
Read Jay’s and Kris' review in its entirety here.
May 27, 2024
1,000,000/10 ⭐️ I can’t believe it’s over
May 6, 2024
This book was everything I wanted it to be and more! What an end this was to a 2 year journey following the lives of characters who became almost like friends. I loved every page. Everyone was put through the ringer. The feelings ranged from pain and betrayal to joy and jubilation. The world of Maricol has left quite the impression on me and I didn't want to leave. But like all good things, this story came to an end. It was such a good end with well deserved happiness. I do not want to give away anything. I just wish I could reread it for the first time again. What a pleasure that was! I can't wait to see where Hailey Turner takes me on the next adventure!
May 3, 2024
Thank you, Hailey Turner and Valentine PR, for sending me an advanced copy of this book!
Wow, I am deceased. I feel like lately I've been let down by a lot of series-finishers, in that the final book didn't live up to my expectations. That wasn't the case here whatsoever. That said, this book does NOT pull the punches. My heart was pounding during most of my read-through!
My biggest favorite for this book was finally learning more explicitly about the star gods' motivations. We got to read about them throughout all three books, but their goals and conflicts were (at least to me) left obscure, which exponentialized the tension. These are the people pulling the strings all over the world (or, the continent? Maricol) and yet what are their goals? Are they trying to go after each other? Some cooperated together at different points in the three books but are they allied or 'friends of convenience'? I'm not saying we get all the answers -- Hailey Turner simultaneously did an amazing job of leaving these gods as gods. We got to see more of them, understand their thoughts a little more, but ultimately, they are still on a different plane of existence from the humans. Great stuff!
This book starts with a time jump. After the harrowing end of The Emperor's Bone Palace, several months pass before the book starts. I think this was a good strategy since it allowed for the world-stage to develop off-screen, however to me it also derailed some of that tension, since characters were rehashing the past few months, and we didn't get to see that 'live'. Oh well!
Two of my favorites, Melvin and Ezra, also reappear, which I was wondering if would happen. Hopefully other readers are as excited about that as I am/was. If you haven't read the prequel novella An Emporium of Hearts, I absolutely recommend!!
One thing I learned that I can share about Soren in this book (since it's not a spoiler) is that he's actually brown-haired. In my raving review of A Prince's Poisoned Vow, I compared him to Cloud from Final Fantasy VII and always imagined him as grey-eyed and blond, but I was wrongggg! Now I'll have to go back and re-read in order to fix my mental imagery of the badass (but brown-haired) warden. (boohoo, another reread!)
In terms of characters you love to hate, Eimarille and Terilyn really take the cake. Man, I absolute hate them!! And yet you can't help but love their love for each other and Eimarille's son, Lisandro. This was a great balance to have throughout the trilogy since, with many POVs, you inevitably take sides on who's in the right or wrong, but it's a window into 'what the other side' is up to, and in the first book, you really have no idea from the start what direction each character is going to go. This is a valuable balance that I think gets missed out on in stories that I wouldn't rate at the same high tier of this series.
Things that I wish had happened, in order to make a thousand-page book instead of 660:
1. More Blaine and Honovi time. Don't worry!!! They are there!!! But I would have loved to see more of them. After Vanya and Soren, they are my favorite couple, and it would have been great to see even more of E'ridea through their eyes. Alas!
2. I think the tension could have been handled a little differently in a number of places (particularly the beginning 20% of the book or so) so that the reader isn't primed for 'the next big thing' that's going to happen due to explicit explanation from Eimarille's POV. To avoid spoilers I won't go into more detail, but I would happily, haha.
3. I wish there had been more magic! I know that's a weird thing to say, since this is a fantasy trilogy and there's magic everywhere, but as an example, we got to see more into the world of the wardens in book two, but they kind of fell to the background in book three. Same thing with Klovod, Caris' engineering, and even the military magic we see from Solaria. I guess the takeaway is that innovation as a catalyst pretty much ended in book two, which makes sense as book three had to start winding things down to a conclusion, but that doesn't mean I didn't miss it. Starfire was the reigning champion for this book throughout.
I am looking forward to the audiobook coming out and listening along to Guy Furlong's narration! He did a great job for books one and two, and that's definitely how my next reread of The Queen's Starfire Throne will happen. :)
Wow, I am deceased. I feel like lately I've been let down by a lot of series-finishers, in that the final book didn't live up to my expectations. That wasn't the case here whatsoever. That said, this book does NOT pull the punches. My heart was pounding during most of my read-through!
My biggest favorite for this book was finally learning more explicitly about the star gods' motivations. We got to read about them throughout all three books, but their goals and conflicts were (at least to me) left obscure, which exponentialized the tension. These are the people pulling the strings all over the world (or, the continent? Maricol) and yet what are their goals? Are they trying to go after each other? Some cooperated together at different points in the three books but are they allied or 'friends of convenience'? I'm not saying we get all the answers -- Hailey Turner simultaneously did an amazing job of leaving these gods as gods. We got to see more of them, understand their thoughts a little more, but ultimately, they are still on a different plane of existence from the humans. Great stuff!
This book starts with a time jump. After the harrowing end of The Emperor's Bone Palace, several months pass before the book starts. I think this was a good strategy since it allowed for the world-stage to develop off-screen, however to me it also derailed some of that tension, since characters were rehashing the past few months, and we didn't get to see that 'live'. Oh well!
Two of my favorites, Melvin and Ezra, also reappear, which I was wondering if would happen. Hopefully other readers are as excited about that as I am/was. If you haven't read the prequel novella An Emporium of Hearts, I absolutely recommend!!
One thing I learned that I can share about Soren in this book (since it's not a spoiler) is that he's actually brown-haired. In my raving review of A Prince's Poisoned Vow, I compared him to Cloud from Final Fantasy VII and always imagined him as grey-eyed and blond, but I was wrongggg! Now I'll have to go back and re-read in order to fix my mental imagery of the badass (but brown-haired) warden. (boohoo, another reread!)
In terms of characters you love to hate, Eimarille and Terilyn really take the cake. Man, I absolute hate them!! And yet you can't help but love their love for each other and Eimarille's son, Lisandro. This was a great balance to have throughout the trilogy since, with many POVs, you inevitably take sides on who's in the right or wrong, but it's a window into 'what the other side' is up to, and in the first book, you really have no idea from the start what direction each character is going to go. This is a valuable balance that I think gets missed out on in stories that I wouldn't rate at the same high tier of this series.
Things that I wish had happened, in order to make a thousand-page book instead of 660:
1. More Blaine and Honovi time. Don't worry!!! They are there!!! But I would have loved to see more of them. After Vanya and Soren, they are my favorite couple, and it would have been great to see even more of E'ridea through their eyes. Alas!
2. I think the tension could have been handled a little differently in a number of places (particularly the beginning 20% of the book or so) so that the reader isn't primed for 'the next big thing' that's going to happen due to explicit explanation from Eimarille's POV. To avoid spoilers I won't go into more detail, but I would happily, haha.
3. I wish there had been more magic! I know that's a weird thing to say, since this is a fantasy trilogy and there's magic everywhere, but as an example, we got to see more into the world of the wardens in book two, but they kind of fell to the background in book three. Same thing with Klovod, Caris' engineering, and even the military magic we see from Solaria. I guess the takeaway is that innovation as a catalyst pretty much ended in book two, which makes sense as book three had to start winding things down to a conclusion, but that doesn't mean I didn't miss it. Starfire was the reigning champion for this book throughout.
I am looking forward to the audiobook coming out and listening along to Guy Furlong's narration! He did a great job for books one and two, and that's definitely how my next reread of The Queen's Starfire Throne will happen. :)
May 1, 2024
I received an ARC of The Queen's Starfire Throne in exchange for my honest review.
This has been my most anticipated read of 2024, and it did not disappoint. So much happened in this book, and everybody's roads ended where they were supposed to be. But let me tell you, Hailey Turner is the QUEEN of suffering, and EVERYONE suffered. There was loss, there was sacrifice, there was pain, and there was death. But throughout the whole thing was an undercurrent of fate that drove all our favorite characters. I was NOT expecting the devastation that Eimarille wreaked on the countries of Maricol, especially Solaria, nor the consequences that came in the fallout.
My favorite thing about this book has to be Soren. He was always a steadfast, practical person, but he grew out of that warden box he'd been in. And let me say, he was f*cking ruthless. It was such a surprise, but also really awesome to see him take charge, doing his duty, and never, ever wavering from who he was. I think Vanya could have been made to grovel a little more, but I was glad to see his and Soren's relationship reconnect and bloom. And the promise Vanya made???? It was as sweet as it was hot!
There were a few things I wish had happened in this last book since it's the last in the series. I wish there had been more Blaine and Honovi! I wish we had seen more of the time Vanya and Soren spent apart. I wish we had seen Soren practice his starfire to gain control. I wish the star gods' motivations had been sprinkled more throughout the series more. I wish we got to see the (inevitable) WEDDING (IYKYK)!!! And I wish Eimarille's defeat had had even more destruction. I wanted to see her suffer.
Overall, though, as always, this was a 5 star read from Hailey. I'm sad to see this series come to a close, but it was stunning in all its starfire glory. It was well worth the wait, and I eagerly await her next project!
This has been my most anticipated read of 2024, and it did not disappoint. So much happened in this book, and everybody's roads ended where they were supposed to be. But let me tell you, Hailey Turner is the QUEEN of suffering, and EVERYONE suffered. There was loss, there was sacrifice, there was pain, and there was death. But throughout the whole thing was an undercurrent of fate that drove all our favorite characters. I was NOT expecting the devastation that Eimarille wreaked on the countries of Maricol, especially Solaria, nor the consequences that came in the fallout.
My favorite thing about this book has to be Soren. He was always a steadfast, practical person, but he grew out of that warden box he'd been in. And let me say, he was f*cking ruthless. It was such a surprise, but also really awesome to see him take charge, doing his duty, and never, ever wavering from who he was. I think Vanya could have been made to grovel a little more, but I was glad to see his and Soren's relationship reconnect and bloom. And the promise Vanya made???? It was as sweet as it was hot!
There were a few things I wish had happened in this last book since it's the last in the series. I wish there had been more Blaine and Honovi! I wish we had seen more of the time Vanya and Soren spent apart. I wish we had seen Soren practice his starfire to gain control. I wish the star gods' motivations had been sprinkled more throughout the series more. I wish we got to see the (inevitable) WEDDING (IYKYK)!!! And I wish Eimarille's defeat had had even more destruction. I wanted to see her suffer.
Overall, though, as always, this was a 5 star read from Hailey. I'm sad to see this series come to a close, but it was stunning in all its starfire glory. It was well worth the wait, and I eagerly await her next project!
May 17, 2024
5⭐️
3🌶
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
-Steampunk
-High Fantasy
-Multiple POV
-LGBTQ+ Rep
-Spicy
Every road must come to an end. Oh what a journey it has been! There has been so many twists and turns, highs and lows, hope and chaos, love and betrayal. This series has everything for a perfect adventure.
This author is truly skilled and needs to get more love and attention. I truly don't know what they put in this book to make it so good. There is never a dull moment or a boring POV. There were so many moments where I was at the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. Be warned, it can be heart-wrenching! There are so many moments that I was yelling at the book.
The steampunk element throughout this series has always been one of the best parts. It is such a unique and different idea compared to the popular genres these days. Each book adds some new machinery that makes me want to live in this world.
All the characters are so full of personality and drive the story forward. I love all the different POVs because they each bring something different to the table. I even enjoyed reading the "villain" POVs because in their mind they don't believe they are the villain of this story.
Overall, I will never stop recommending this series. This series is truly a masterpiece and is in my top series of all time.
3🌶
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
-Steampunk
-High Fantasy
-Multiple POV
-LGBTQ+ Rep
-Spicy
Every road must come to an end. Oh what a journey it has been! There has been so many twists and turns, highs and lows, hope and chaos, love and betrayal. This series has everything for a perfect adventure.
This author is truly skilled and needs to get more love and attention. I truly don't know what they put in this book to make it so good. There is never a dull moment or a boring POV. There were so many moments where I was at the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. Be warned, it can be heart-wrenching! There are so many moments that I was yelling at the book.
The steampunk element throughout this series has always been one of the best parts. It is such a unique and different idea compared to the popular genres these days. Each book adds some new machinery that makes me want to live in this world.
All the characters are so full of personality and drive the story forward. I love all the different POVs because they each bring something different to the table. I even enjoyed reading the "villain" POVs because in their mind they don't believe they are the villain of this story.
Overall, I will never stop recommending this series. This series is truly a masterpiece and is in my top series of all time.
May 9, 2024
Epic and emotional ending to a fantastic saga! Some chapters got me anxious, others angry, and a few made me grin and swoon. Being this an epic steampunk inspired fantasy story, the plot is BIG; machinations, politics, betrayals, fights, everything is a lot and never ending and you truly don't get to breath a sight of relief until the very end. Things move too fast and not fast enough, and you experience a war from lots of POVs, yes, even from the villains which are characters as important as the others.
With lots of characters, you obviously will have a favourite and mine was Soren. But also with lots of characters and a very bloody plot, you can't be chill because they're all constantly in danger and who knows if everyone will come out alive in the end!! I was STRESSED!! I may have more gray hair now than when I first started the book a few days ago.
The characters journey took them on roads they were destined to walk. Some roads crossed, bringing together characters who wouldn't have met if the event that started everything didn't occurred. It was such a complex story and I loved everything about it. It got me being a sort of strategist, trying to come up with ways to defeat the enemy and burn the revenants. Hoping for a miracle that everyone was going to be okay.
I cried reading the last chapter of the book. It left me happy but empty, like my road came to an end. I wish I could've stayed with the characters but even if I couldn’t stay, they'll stay with me, always!
With lots of characters, you obviously will have a favourite and mine was Soren. But also with lots of characters and a very bloody plot, you can't be chill because they're all constantly in danger and who knows if everyone will come out alive in the end!! I was STRESSED!! I may have more gray hair now than when I first started the book a few days ago.
The characters journey took them on roads they were destined to walk. Some roads crossed, bringing together characters who wouldn't have met if the event that started everything didn't occurred. It was such a complex story and I loved everything about it. It got me being a sort of strategist, trying to come up with ways to defeat the enemy and burn the revenants. Hoping for a miracle that everyone was going to be okay.
I cried reading the last chapter of the book. It left me happy but empty, like my road came to an end. I wish I could've stayed with the characters but even if I couldn’t stay, they'll stay with me, always!
June 8, 2024
I’m undecided,
It’s such a great series but I just cannot get over how much one character (Caris) had to sacrifice. I found it unfair.
It was unfair she had to give up so much for something she didn’t even want & and then had to watch everyone around her be happy.
There definitely could have been an alternative ending.
It’s such a great series but I just cannot get over how much one character (Caris) had to sacrifice. I found it unfair.
It was unfair she had to give up so much for something she didn’t even want & and then had to watch everyone around her be happy.
There definitely could have been an alternative ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
This finale has cemented the Infernal War Saga as one of my all time favorite series. Hailey Turner is a masterclass in worldbuilding and crafting compelling characters. I adored reading from each and every unique perspective, although I have to give a special shout out to my unrivaled faves — Soren & Vanya. Their love story is one for the history books. But so is Blaine & Honovi's and Caris & Nathaniel's. I cared so deeply for their dreams and ambitions, and I feel so lucky I got to see their stories play out. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat as the war efforts really ramp up in this one, but rest assured you are in very capable hands. I already know this book will be my number one of the year, and while I'm sad the journey is over, I can't wait to see what Hailey cooks up next. (P.S. The bonus scene was EVERYTHING.)
An ARC was provided by the author for review.
An ARC was provided by the author for review.
April 8, 2024
I will be back to give this the review it deserves once I stop sobbing.
May 12, 2024
3.5 Stars
I almost never request advanced copies of books these days. I don't read as much as I used to, and I don't really write long reviews, but I've been so excited about this book. So when I had a chance to read it a couple of weeks early, there was no way I was saying no. And I really liked it. It was a great conclusion to the series. All the storylines got wrapped up. The book did take a bit to really get going, but that's also because I was more invested in some characters than others.
Soren and Vanya are, of course, the two I've been most desperate to find out more about. Things between them ended so badly in the last book, and I needed to know how their story would conclude. So anything that came between me and them was at least slightly bothersome. It took over a hundred pages for either character's POV, and I was very impatient. But their arc didn't disappoint. I loved how things wrapped-up between them.
Next, Eimarille. I find her to be a great character. She's a very good villain and her chapters are interesting. But I fucking hate her because she's a horrible person. Which, I think, is perfectly reasonable.
Blaine and Honovi's story doesn't have a lot to it at this point. Most of their conflicts were in the last two books, and I'm happy about that. I don't need either of them to suffer more. I'm glad to have them as important side characters if it means that they aren't tortured more.
Finally, Caris. I like her, but she was never a favourite. She has too much of a YA protagonist vibe, and that's not a genre I've been that interested in for years. Also, I never felt much chemistry between her and Nathaniel. They kinda just bore me. But the main plot of the series, about the war with Daijal, is tied the most to her, and I liked that. She's grown a lot since the first book. She's matured and started to make better decisions. She's not perfect, but no one is. I really enjoyed her arc in this book. Even if I have somewhat mixed feelings about the very end of it.
Now that we've talked about the main characters, I have a few more things, positive and negative.
The positive is that one of my issues with the last two book was resolved. I always found the Star gods to be too present and not present enough, and I wanted them to lean one way or the other. And I'm happy to report that we got to know more about them! We got POVs from some of the Star gods, and we got to know a little of their history. There's still a lot of mystery to them, I think, and I'm hoping there will be a spin-off or something.
Now for the not-positives. The book takes place over a period of several months. So sometimes, weeks have gone by between one chapter and the next. And I couldn't help but feel that nothing happened between the chapters. For example, Ashion needs allies in the war. They found a way to contact someone for an alliance (trying to be non-specific to avoid spoilers). Three weeks later, meaning the next time we saw them on-page, they finally acted on the opportunity. And I just... you're in the middle of a war and desperate for help, can you afford to wait three weeks just to open a channel of communication? No, you can't. And this is just one of several occasions where this happened.
It also might've caused another issue, which is that when Eimarille made a big move, no one had any contingencies. Maybe because the big move needed to be a surprise and any contingencies discussed on-page would give mess that up. And if it's not on-page, then it doesn't exist, right? It bothered me quite a bit, because it made everyone else seem incompetent.
So, while I liked the individual characters and their stories, the big war wasn't as well handled as it could've been. It's something the author still needs to work on for future books if she plans to do more with the genre. And I'm hoping she does. For a first foray into high fantasy, this series was pretty good. Overall, I liked the book, and I'm happy with the conclusion.
I almost never request advanced copies of books these days. I don't read as much as I used to, and I don't really write long reviews, but I've been so excited about this book. So when I had a chance to read it a couple of weeks early, there was no way I was saying no. And I really liked it. It was a great conclusion to the series. All the storylines got wrapped up. The book did take a bit to really get going, but that's also because I was more invested in some characters than others.
Soren and Vanya are, of course, the two I've been most desperate to find out more about. Things between them ended so badly in the last book, and I needed to know how their story would conclude. So anything that came between me and them was at least slightly bothersome. It took over a hundred pages for either character's POV, and I was very impatient. But their arc didn't disappoint. I loved how things wrapped-up between them.
Next, Eimarille. I find her to be a great character. She's a very good villain and her chapters are interesting. But I fucking hate her because she's a horrible person. Which, I think, is perfectly reasonable.
Blaine and Honovi's story doesn't have a lot to it at this point. Most of their conflicts were in the last two books, and I'm happy about that. I don't need either of them to suffer more. I'm glad to have them as important side characters if it means that they aren't tortured more.
Finally, Caris. I like her, but she was never a favourite. She has too much of a YA protagonist vibe, and that's not a genre I've been that interested in for years. Also, I never felt much chemistry between her and Nathaniel. They kinda just bore me. But the main plot of the series, about the war with Daijal, is tied the most to her, and I liked that. She's grown a lot since the first book. She's matured and started to make better decisions. She's not perfect, but no one is. I really enjoyed her arc in this book. Even if I have somewhat mixed feelings about the very end of it.
Now that we've talked about the main characters, I have a few more things, positive and negative.
The positive is that one of my issues with the last two book was resolved. I always found the Star gods to be too present and not present enough, and I wanted them to lean one way or the other. And I'm happy to report that we got to know more about them! We got POVs from some of the Star gods, and we got to know a little of their history. There's still a lot of mystery to them, I think, and I'm hoping there will be a spin-off or something.
Now for the not-positives. The book takes place over a period of several months. So sometimes, weeks have gone by between one chapter and the next. And I couldn't help but feel that nothing happened between the chapters. For example, Ashion needs allies in the war. They found a way to contact someone for an alliance (trying to be non-specific to avoid spoilers). Three weeks later, meaning the next time we saw them on-page, they finally acted on the opportunity. And I just... you're in the middle of a war and desperate for help, can you afford to wait three weeks just to open a channel of communication? No, you can't. And this is just one of several occasions where this happened.
It also might've caused another issue, which is that when Eimarille made a big move, no one had any contingencies. Maybe because the big move needed to be a surprise and any contingencies discussed on-page would give mess that up. And if it's not on-page, then it doesn't exist, right? It bothered me quite a bit, because it made everyone else seem incompetent.
So, while I liked the individual characters and their stories, the big war wasn't as well handled as it could've been. It's something the author still needs to work on for future books if she plans to do more with the genre. And I'm hoping she does. For a first foray into high fantasy, this series was pretty good. Overall, I liked the book, and I'm happy with the conclusion.
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