Title: Taste of Darkness (Healer #3)
Author: Maria V Snyder
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult, Last in a Series
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: January 2014
Pages: 458
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis (from goodreads):
She’s fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?
Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he’s gone forever.
But there’s a more immediate threat. 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.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.
My Review:
The war for control of the Fifteen Realms is just getting started. King Tohon may be no longer a threat but there are many factions all vying for the crown. The Skeleton King with a passion for human flesh, Estrid’s forces and former rivals coming back out of the wood work, Avry and her faithful friends have their hands full. With a mutated version of the Plague back in the mix, Avry needs to stay strong and do whatever she can for the cause.
Maria V Snyder is not easy on her characters – they are living in the middle of a war and there are casualties to be had. Avry is trying to do the best she can to help Prince Ryne defeat his enemies and return the Fifteen Realms back to some sort of normality however, he is willing to do whatever it takes – sacrifice whoever he needs – in order to defeat the others. Avry is such a great character. She’s determined to do what is right for herself and doesn’t take orders very well. Her bickering with Ryne is somewhat reminiscent of just how she used to banter with Kerrick in the first book and it’s nice to know that despite all that has changed, some things stay the same.
There is so much happening in this book. I was a little critical of Scent of Magic because I thought it felt like a bridging novel. And whilst I still believe that – it was worth reading to get to this book. As far as final books in a series go, Taste of Darkness is amazing. Things referenced in the first novel are re-addressed and everything that happened in the first two novels was leading to this moment. We get to see more about the different magic users and the extent in which some of their power and affinities effect them.
One of the things I’ve liked most about this series is Avry and her relationships with her friends – Flea, Belen, the Monkeys and Kerrick – and that hasn’t changed. As they grow older and wiser, their relationships have strengthened throughout all they have experienced. Avry’s romantic relationship with Kerrick is at times heartbreaking but these are two characters which bring out the best in each other and whilst they don’t always agree with each other, they do support one another’s decisions.
This is the first series by Maria V Snyder that I’ve read and I loved getting to experience the world she created and witness the battle of the Fifteen Realms. She’s a great fantasy author and I will definitely be reading some of her other books now that I’ve finished reading the Healer series.
Thanks to Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy.
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I haven’t renewed my interest in this series for a long time. I do remember enjoying Touch of Power (?), though, and I agree that Snyder creates such a well-imagined fantasy world.
Great review, Kate.
Thanks Joy 🙂 Since you enjoyed Touch of Power, I think you’d really enjoy Taste of Darkness. It brings everything together and in a way that feels right for the characters and well planned and executed.
I loved this series, and I thought this final book was amazing. I agree with you about the second book, it was a little disappointing, mostly because the gang wasn’t together and that’s what I loved so much about the first book. But there’s more of them together in this book, which made me happy. I loved The Study series as well, so I do recommend it. I haven’t read her Glass series, but I’ll be reading that soon. Great review!
I definitely agree with what you said about Avry and her relationships. I love how they played a big part in the book but never took away from the action. Love Maria V Snyder so much. <3 Loved your review too! 😉
Thanks! I am now a fan and bought the first book in the Study series. I’m very excited to get around to reading it and immerse myself in her writing again!