Name: Taste of Darkness
ISBN: 9780778315858

Book 3 in the Healer series. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

Taste of Darkness

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

4.5 STARS

OH MY. Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness, this book was incredible! Taste of Darkness was everything I expected for the final book in this brilliant series and more. There were still some iffy parts that I’m still not too sure about (those Death and Peace Lilys are still the most bizarre things I’ve ever read), but other than that, I LOVED this book. There’s so much going on, between Avry and the gang trying to find Kerrick, and the upcoming war to save the whole kingdom, but at the heart of it all, Avry truly shines in this book. She displays an impressive amount of courage and leadership, she takes charge and fights for those she loves, and she never loses faith in Kerrick

So if you’ve read Scent of Magic (which you should have before starting Taste of Darkness–this series should be read in order!), then you know there was one hell of a cliffhanger at the end. But not to worry folks, Maria V. Snyder gives us an excellent follow-up to that awful cliffhanger. This final book is actually my favorite of the series, despite not loving Kerrick as much.

Avry has her usual stubbornness and her goodness for wanting to heal, but she has matured so much throughout this series. I had admired her already from reading the other books, but my admiration only grew stronger after reading Taste of Darkness. And Kerrick, well, he’ll do just about anything for Avry. He loves her, no doubt about that, but I was a little disappointed in him in this book. He’s weak (magic powers-wise), but I was hoping for more of that spark that he had in the previous two books that made me fall in love with him, but he fell just a little bit short of that. Nonetheless, when these two are together, they make the impossible possible. They love together and fight together, and these two characters have ingrained themselves into my heart. Reading Avry and Kerrick’s adventures, they’ve become so dear to me that it was a little hard to say goodbye to them.

And I can’t forget about the incredible cast Maria V. Snyder has created! The most wonderful part of this fantasy series are the characters. Avry, Kerrick, and the gang are back in action. They’ve been through so much together, and in this final round, they stick by each other no matter what. I love the beautiful camaraderie between these friends. The jokes and banter between everyone made me smile and laugh and love them even more.

And the brilliant story-telling! The book was a bit slow in the beginning, but it was a slow I enjoyed. And when the plot started picking up, there was non-stop action, as usual. But as this is the final book of the series, it’s even more heart-pounding and thrilling to the end. There are strategies to plan, battles to fight, people dying and coming back to life, a freaking kingdom to save. Everything was just WOW. This intricate world hooks you in and never lets you go until the very last page.

Taste of Darkness is an entirely satisfying ending to this series. I’m so sad it’s over, but I’m just so happy with the way everything ends. Maria V. Snyder is just SO GOOD at writing fantasy! (Maybe I should get back to finishing the Study series…)

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!

Katerina Thorson

4/5

One of the best re-reads this year, and so many nostalgic memories! I remember reading this book for the first time 5 years ago and just falling head over-heals for Maria V. Snyders writing. 5 years later, I am still feeling that head over-heals drunk feeling.

There are not many authors that can flesh out perfect world archs and character archs but well..here she is folks. If you are ever in doubt pick up a book by Maria V. Snyder.



Avry has been through so many trials and she is still standing on her feet. She is a character that I have loved watch grow, become stronger and more sure as a female, and understand her placement in life. She is light and yet understands that there is darkness in this world that even the light is tempted to - no matter how hard she tries to avoid it. In the first book Touch of power we saw the naivety of Avry, her need to help others before thinking of herself. She has grown and while she is still selfless, she now knows that her attempts to help others can hurt them...whether she meant to or not. 


  "You stopped Flea from coming along."
"Only because Odd threatened to sit on him. Flea said he wasn't going to speak to me ever again." Loren shook his head. "I've been waiting for Quain to say that for years."
"Hey!"


The Gang was another group that I loved watching their character arch's develop. Flea, who has come back from the dead, understands the trials of growing up and making choices. Loren and Quain grow and start to have ideas of their own and understand that even the leader of a group will not always make the right choices. And of course "Pappa-bear" Belen, who I will say was MIA most of the book, starts to learn that it's time to let his "cubs" grow up and become who they were meant to be. 

Kerrick is still a character, after multiple re-reads, that I am still trying to get a grasp on. However, this book is one where he definitely does a lot of growing. Especially when it comes to his devouted following of Prince Ryne. Kerrick, while a strong male, was a blinded follower and would listen to only one man. However, through his trials in this book he begins to not only listen to himself as a leader but to the others around him. 

Once again, just like the second book Scent of Magic, I was not satisfied with the romance build. The focus was strongly on the magic/political system, war tactics, and plot climax that the romance was pushed to the back burner. I love Kerrick and Avry, do not get me wrong...and yes they had more pages together in this book than in the second book. However, if your focus is on the magic/political system keep it at that instead of trying to throw romance into the mix. I am not always about the romance in books but when we are given a sliver of what could be..well that is just sad. That and most of the book they are separated. 

I am so happy I picked up this series once more and I do plan on doing another re-read in the future. If you are hesitant to pick up Maria V. Snyder's books don't be! Her writing is gorgeous and the world building is honestly one of the best I have every read (excluding LOTR and Game of Thrones).

Taste of Darkness

Reviews

Highlights