Warning - possible spoilers

The thrilling conclusion to Elizabeth May’s Falconer trilogy does not disappoint. I don’t remember how I found the first book in the series, but I am so glad I did. The premise is amazing – the rich history of mid-1800s Edinburgh, faeries, murder, mayhem – and at its heart, a story of love and redemption.

Aileana has made a deal with the Cailleah, a deal that brings her (Aileana) back from the dead, but with conditions. She is the only one who can find the book that will break the curse that will tear apart the world or force the death of either Kiaran or Aithinne. Aileana cannot live with that outcome, and the Cailleah finally sees a possibility to save both of her children. But is Aileana up to the task? Is she strong enough to battle the forces of evil, both inside herself and without, to ensure that she breaks the curse? If the curse is broken, what price will she have to pay – and is she truly willing to pay it? Is it really possible to change fate?

This book has everything: great friendships, powerful women and men (both of whom are caring and ruthless at the same time, shades of gray that reflect the true nature of beings), sacrifice, forgiveness, love, redemption, and a little bit of humor. Even in the midst of the great battle between good and evil, there is room for humor and levity, helping the reader realize that things might really be okay in the end. There is also a healthy helping of romance, but it’s not mushy or gushy, it’s really rather complicated. The story also reminds us that things are not always as they seem, one must look beneath the surface to see the true reality of a situation or a person. No one is truly good or evil, there are things that cause us to act as we do, things out of our control. It is our reaction to those things that determines who we are.

There are some deliciously evil characters in this book and they are complex – Sorcha, for example, reveals depths that were before uncharted. Her motivations are brought to light as the story progresses, allowing the reader to glimpse the intricacies that lie behind her choices. The Morrigan brings an element of pure evil to the story, but one must wonder how she turned out this way. There are some hints as to why, but rather than delve into those too deeply, May uses the Morrigan as the representation of greed, anger, and hate in the ultimate resolution of this story.

While I may have guessed the ending a bit, I was not at all disappointed in it. It brought the story to an inevitable, yet thoroughly satisfying, conclusion.

Very interesting and fast paced. I liked that despite the characters' dire situation they were still able to banter back and forth.

(Review will be posted publicly closer to release date.)

This was the perfect ending to the series. So much action and heartbreak. I loved that it picked up right where book two ended.

Aileana's resurrection was worrisome. I wondered how she'd get out of the whole dying aspect. But I understood the need to break the curse at any cost. The scene with the Morrigan---absolutely one of the creepiest things I've ever read. No, really, EVER.

And, of course I was worried. Would Kiaran give in to his dark side? Meet his destiny? I didn't think so, but what had gone on since Aileana's transformation didn't leave much hope. Plus, the struggle made their romantic feelings/connection all the more intriguing!

Then there's Sorcha. The biggest you-know-what in the entire series. We finally get it. Understand what makes her tick. And I can't even believe I'm saying it, but I sort of liked her this time around. Her bantering with Aithinne in scenes became favorite parts. I truly believe she managed to redeem herself.

Derrick, as always, is perfection. I still think he's the best character in the series. <spoiler: to say his fate devastated me would be an understatement.> His humor, protective nature, and love were some of the highlights of the entire series.

The ending was perfect---even if it was expected. After this ride and all these characters had been through, it was deserved and earned. I do wish there had been a bit longer of an interaction, though. Perhaps a small epilogue.

Elizabeth May is brilliant. Truly. Her world-building is on par with the best I've ever read. I could envision every scene, creature, or setting perfectly. This book (and series) reads like a movie. It's the perfect fantasy filled with action, lore, romance, magic, etc. I'm so sad that it is over. Such a bittersweet feeling; especially considering how underrated this series is.

I look forward to more works from Elizabeth May!

I could barely put this book down and was left thinking about the characters for a long time after I read the last page. Thank you for sharing this title on NetGalley. NetGalley has become an important tool for helping me find new materials for our library.

This is a perfect end to the Falconer trilogy. Aileana is the perfect warrior in the battle with the fae. Her strength as she loses everything she loves is terrifying and reassuringly human. This series is so compelling, I could not stop reading! Well done, Ms. May!

This was a fantastic ending to an epic trilogy. Everything that May has built up through the previous books has come to an outstanding climax. Kam is just as lovably stubborn trying to save the world after it is destroyed once more. The hopelessness of her task is no match for her wit and her friends. Together they work to save the world, though not without cost. The world-building of this trilogy sets it apart from popular books. Everything is so lush and vivid, rich in detail. I highly recommend this to all fantasy readers.

2.5 stars? I'm still not sure how I feel about this. I think I liked it more in theory than the actual execution.

The first book was honestly a ton of fun, and the ending will ensure you'll go grab book two the moment you sit it down. But before I get ahead of myself- here's what I loved and craved more of after book two... I LOVED the mystery aspect of Kiaran (and trying to guess what his deal was), I loved loved loved the Scottish setting and looking up the locations that made for big events in the story. Also, the whole Seelie / Unseelie courts thing is just way cool for me - why is there not more of this in YA literature? (Yes, I'm well aware of the Fever series but it just wasn't for me.) Also hell yes to anything steampunk! (But that's pretty non existent after book one.)

Book two wasn't bad either, I loved the introduction of Athinine (is that how you spell it?) and some of the new magical elements. But I started disconnecting in some of the descriptions. I had a hard time following the abstract faerie realms (again, I loved the idea of them, but the way they were described.. I was a big lost. Same with Derrick's kingdom.)

This brought back some of the good parts- and honestly the ending of book two was a legit set up for this one. Still some cool elements here, but I was a bit disappointed at how everything played out. I honestly think most people that were super into book two will really enjoy this third installment.

**SPOILERS BELOW**

I was STOKED to find out that Kiaran was the Unseelie King, like i'd suspected all along. And when he returned to his kingdom in this? I was so ready for a devious Kiaran, but instead, he was still a softie who lacked the sass and wittiness of Kiaran and book one. I was so ready for a struggle between Kam and Kiaran at that point- but instead, she finds him, he's practically himself, and bleh.

Secondly, I loved the ending and all... with ONE major exception... which really ruined the entire story for me. What the flipping heck WHY DERRICK???? WHY????? He was easily my favorite character and yeah yeah I get that everything shouldn't be a perfect happily after but that just ticked me off. He had the most personality and was just a ball of cuteness and I can't... I can't...

Also, my last complaint.. The whole repeated thoughts in Kam's head was like... agh. Really? We get it.. don't need to see it 10 billion times in each book.

Anyway, I really think I"ll be in the minority on this one. This IS a really fun series with a cool concept and I think I just had different expectations in my head for this third installment.

Elizabeth May delivers! That last cliffhanger from book 2.....the follow up.....everything that happens in between. Wow.

I believe this series has just hit my top 5 favorites! And I am very stingy with my top 5. Strangely, there are 3 fae series in there right now >.>

Anyway, beautiful series, I highly recommend everyone who loves kick ass females, not so nice fae, historicalish steampunkish books to read this one!

(Full review closer to pub date)

A beautiful conclusion to the Falconer Trilogy filled with action, adventure and romance. Elizabeth May's writing grew stronger with each book and her characters became more 3 dimensional. It was hard to say goodbye to the characters and world, but it was one of my favorite endings to a series.

Nice wrap up of the Falconer trilogy. I read it all in one go- couldn't stop. I thought that the banter between the characters, both friend and uneasy allies was welcome, funny, and totally in character. I like a story where the characters are likeable, tick me off at times, have the depth to cause more than just one emotional reaction. (kind of like real people do).

Devastating and beautiful, this book will leave you clutching your book before the end. This is a great ending to this series. Everything is tied up in the end, but the ending will still shock you.

This was a great conclusion to The Falconer series. The heroine stayed strong, courageous, and true to herself throughout the book, and is someone young girls can admire. The secondary fae characters also added several interesting layers to the story.
This book is extremely well-written and really draws the reader into the story and into the world of The Falconer. The descriptions made it very easy to get lost in the pages and lose all track of time.
My only issue with the book would be the way the author goes back and shares the backstory from the earlier novels. I know this is necessary, but every time Aileana went back and "explained" something that happened in the past, it felt inorganic and clunky. I almost wanted to say, "Who is she explaining this to, when this is all coming from inner-monologues in her head?" It took me out of the story. I'm not sure how to change this or make it better, but every time a past event or circumstance in an earlier book was "explained," it just felt like "this happened in one of the other books so I have to take just a minute to explain it to you, in case you didn't read it." Once all of the necessary past events were explained, the story rolled on quite well and everything moved to a satisfyingly powerful climax and an emotional and fitting conclusion.
I really enjoyed all of the books in the Falconer series, and was very sad to leave the world the author created behind. I certainly wouldn't mind reading any further adventures of Aileana Kameron in the future, and would definitely recommend this book and this series to others.

I thought this was wonderful! I like books that have a good ending but still have their characters actually learn and grow, and also that aren't completely perfect.

After book 2 I was scared for this book I'll admit it. But man this was everything book 1 was and more! The perfect ending!

Pub date: June 2017
I loved this series, with its strong female heroine in Aileana, her companions (especially Derrick), and her sigh-worthy romance with Kiaran. The cliffhangers at the end of every book made me need the next one ASAP, which was frustrating but very clever, Ms. May. The end to this series pits Seelie against Unseelie, with Aileana having to overcome a LOT of challenges. A LOT. And to be honest, though I liked the ending, I can't help feel like it was a bit too pat.
Recommended for fans of Sarah Maas.