#dalbreck

[the-remnant-povs]

POV:

You run away from your wedding, only to end up falling in love with the man you were supposed to marry.

[andreai04]

I wished that love could be simple, that it was always given and returned in the same measure, equally and at the same time, that all the planets aligned in a perfect way to dispel all doubts, that it was easy to understand and never painful.

[vanona-camp]

You all can say whatever you want, but I shipped Lia with Kaden from the beginning and Idgf of what is canon

The scene in the meadows:

Btw Kaden is my fav male character

[of-the-way-and-wildflowers]

Books Read in 2022: The Heart of Betrayal

↳ Location: Venda

E cristav unter quinand. A sacrifice ever remembered.

Meunter ijotande. Never forgotten.

Yaveen hal an ziadre. Another day we live.

Paviamma.

[booksaremyadventures]

I[Lia] stopped him, pushing him to his feet again by the tip of my sword. “It shouldn’t matter if I am a tavern maid or a princess. When I see you treating others with respect without regard to their station—or anatomy—then your apology will mean something.”

- The Beauty of Darkness

By Mary E Pearson

I strive to be as confident as Queen Lia ❤️

[storiesofcameron]

Yes, it was the longest twelve miles of my life.

Princess Lia of Morrighan in The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson

[paviamma]

“If ever there were three mismatched riders, it was us- the crown prince of Dalbreck, the Assassin of Venda, and the fugitive princess of Morrighan. Sons and daughter of three kingdoms, each bent on domination of the other two.” 

― Mary E. Pearson, The Beauty of Darkness

[bigbookslilreads]

Review - The Beauty of Darkness

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson (The Remnant Chronicles #3)

Publication date: 2016 Read by me: April 1st to April 25th 2019 (life was getting in the way...) Full review on Goodreads. Recommended to: fans of dark fantasy, slight dystopia, royalty, political intrigue, strong female characters, well-constructed character arcs, character-based novels, love triangles, sanctified characters. Rating: 4 stars.

Link to reviews of other entries in the series:

Morrighan (The Remnant Chronicles #0.5)

The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1)

The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2)

Blurb (from Goodreads)

Lia has survived Venda—but so has a great evil bent on the destruction of Morrighan. And only Lia can stop it. With war on the horizon, Lia has no choice but to assume her role as First Daughter, as soldier—as leader. While she struggles to reach Morrighan and warn them, she finds herself at cross-purposes with Rafe and suspicious of Kaden, who has hunted her down. In this conclusion to the Remnant Chronicles trilogy, traitors must be rooted out, sacrifices must be made, and impossible odds must be overcome as the future of every kingdom hangs in the balance.

What I liked

Character growth and character arcs, which being the third book really had to come together and boy, did they. While all characters had their parts to play and experienced growth somehow, my favourite arcs will always be Lia’s and Kaden’s. The amount of learning, self-awareness and priority assessment they go through is ASTOUNDING.

Plot and political intrigue, with the book revolving around a conspiracy, it culminates in more than one show-down and a lot of strategising throughout. I was left on edge several times thinking about potential consequences of characters’ actions, how they would backfire...

World-building, still discreet, but a bit more developed, with more kingdoms mentioned, more background on the Remnants, and a privileged view into the kingdom of Dalbreck.

Females supporting each other, and this is something constant throughout the series. NEVER was there a moment in which two females came against one another. There might have been mistrust, but in the end support was the prevalent message. And I loved it! Go sisterhoods!

Resolution, and without spoiling anything, I will just say that this third book was a great conclusion to the whole series.

What I didn’t like

Characterisation, because again I felt like some characters weren’t as fleshed out... or were fleshed out with traits that I didn’t particularly like. Ask me if you want me to specify on this.

Slightly open ending, very slightly, but that left me wanting so much more. If only there were fanfics...

What I took from it

Caring for more than yourself or your own, going beyond your own happiness, previous loyalties or promises for the greater good. Lia, Rafe and Kaden are often confronted with this, and though tragic, it made their development so much better.

Respecting others’ decisions and boundaries, the importance of freedom and choice, which is stressed out often throughout the series. We see this frequently in this book with Lia and Rafe, how they are very much willingly choosing the path they are taking, and aware of those they are/don’t want to drag with them.

Stepping into your fate, accepting the power that you have and taking charge when needed. Many of us are afraid of what’s to come, of being in the spotlight, of taking risks. But it is so important to accept what we can and can’t do, our gifts, and go from there into what we are meant to be doing.