I think this was wrapped up really well. I appreciated that we got answers and the epilogue was beautiful. It topped the story well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA Fantasy

This is the final book in this YA fantasy series filled with African mythology and I’m sad for it to end. In this book, Koffi and Ekon are on a quest to defeat the evil god Fedu. They seek the help of other gods along the way to the bonding ceremony where they know Fedu will be. Without spoiling it, the book comes full circle and I was happy with the ending. There is a dash of romance, but more so it is an adventure series.
The first book Beasts of Prey was my absolute favorite with all the different mythological creatures and the dangerous jungle. This one has a few beasts but is more centered on the journey to finding different gods.
This series is definitely underrated! If you like books with an adventure/quest feel and strong female heroine, you need to check out this series!
Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! 🐍🦁🦁🦁🦁

Thank you Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an eARC!

An exhilarating finale to an adventurous trilogy!

I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of Koffi’s and Ekon’s stories. We get more splendor, more mythical beasts and more Gods!! I’m sad to see the series end but so happy to have gone on this journey with these characters.

Full transparency: I am not a high fantasy reader. I am a visual reader and I have difficulty visualizing the world building when the descriptions aren’t rooted in “real” things. However, that being said I read the first two books of this series with friends (I need translators for high fantasy lol) and loved both of them. I was excited about reading book 3 and decided to go for it on my own. Yall this book and series have officially made me a fantasy reader. The author writes with such detail that even though I have never seen the beasts she describes, I am able to clearly get it. I realized that I didn’t want this series to end. I want to know so much more about the characters.

4.5⭐️
Thank you so much Penguin Teen & NetGalley for the ARC!
I started this series a few months ago, and overall it’s been such a great ride. BOW was a great conclusion to the trilogy!

This series is definitely a new favorite fantasy, and I will absolutely be recommending it! I love how unique and diverse it is, but also fast-paced and kept my attention. I love the characters too, and I’m so glad they got their happy ending.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this series, and I hope others enjoy this finale as much as I did!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. MS. GRAY. Wow, talk about an absolutely amazing journey. The pacing was done so well, and I really felt like the story wrapped up at the perfect time, with everything feeling well explained, and a natural winddown. I also was very impressed that the series didn't seem to weaken as the books released, usually sequels and trilogy's can lose my interest, but that did not happen here once. Ms. Gray will forever on my auto-buy list! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

Y’all….I FLEW THROUGH THIS. I read 70% of it on two flights yesterday and finished the rest this morning.

This is probably one of my favorite YA fantasy trilogies ever. Beasts of War picks up right where Beasts of Ruin left off. When I say picks up…I mean picks up. This book was so action packed and fast paced from the start. The world building was expanded on even more, we got more lore about The Six, and the character development that occurred was *chef’s kiss*. My favorite part of the book was Akande’s chapters. I think they added to much depth and nuance to the story and oh how my heart hurt for him by the end.

I don’t really want to dive too deep into the plot or anything because I don’t want to spoil anything. But ugh, this series will always hold such a special place in my heart and I will continue to scream from the rooftops about how everyone needs to read it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beasts of War" takes readers on a thrilling and epic journey into a world where vengeful gods, powerful magic, and the bond between two unlikely heroes collide. This is a story of courage, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.

The narrative revolves around Koffi, a former prisoner of the vengeful god of death, Fedu. Having regained her freedom, Koffi's life is anything but safe. Fedu is determined to hunt her down and harness her formidable power to wreak havoc on the mortal world. The tension is palpable as Koffi knows that Fedu's next strike will coincide with a celestial event known as the Bonding, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. To survive, Koffi must swiftly gather new allies and persuade them to join her in a battle of epic proportions.

Enter Ekon, a warrior-turned-runaway with a past that continues to haunt him. Alongside unexpected companions, Ekon's mission is to escort Koffi to the Kusonga Plains before the fateful Bonding event. The stakes are high, as failure could result in Koffi's destruction, either at the hands of her own potent power or the dire fate Ekon is determined to prevent. Ekon's dedication to protecting Koffi is unwavering, but the threats from his own past loom large and urgent.

As the duo races toward the Kusonga Plains, they encounter a multitude of perilous challenges, including both ancient and newly emerged beasts. The author masterfully crafts these encounters, immersing readers in a world filled with danger and wonder.

What sets "Beasts of War" apart is the richly developed world, where ancient gods and mythical creatures come to life. The narrative expertly weaves together elements of fantasy and adventure, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The exploration of themes such as destiny and the strength of the human spirit adds depth to the story.

Ultimately, "Beasts of War" is a captivating fantasy adventure that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Koffi and Ekon's journey is one of self-discovery, bravery, and the enduring power of friendship. Whether you're a fan of epic quests or intricate world-building, this book has something to offer. Prepare to be swept away by the enchanting and dangerous world created by the author.

I gell in love with Beast of Prey when I read it. And then it got the cover change and I got to see beautiful people that look like me on the cover and I loved it even more. The story was fast paced and I loved all the lore behind everything and I was like wow this is perfect. Then she came back with Beast of Ruin and I was like wow this couldn't possibly top book one, and It absolutely did! Usually sequels don't top the first book and I was pleasantly shocked. Then book 3 comes out and I'm still a little skeptical but I should have trusted Ayana had my back. I'm absolutely in love with book 3! It's everything I wanted and more, the story, the characters I already knew and love grew so much from book one to book 3. I couldn't put it down I needed to know what was going on, did I lose sleep? Yes do I regret even a moment of it? Not at all. Everything Ayana writes is a masterpiece

I have no words. This series absolutely slayed me! I can't believe it's the end already. But what a way to go out. I'm just as obsessed with the worldbuilding as ever before, can't get enough of the magic and the powers, and live for Koffi and Ekon. And, of course, THE ANIMALS. I came for the magical zoo and stayed for all of the incredible magical animals throughout. I'm simultaneously upset and glad these don't exist IRL. An epic adventure, a satisfying conclusion, and all of the gods mixed up in their own destruction make up the last of this series. If you haven't read it yet, you are so missing out!