(4.5/5 stars)

The Shadows Rule All is the final book in the YA fantasy romance Dominions trilogy by Abigail Owen.

Oops I inhaled this in practically one sitting on a day where I was feeling under the weather. The same thing happened to me with the first two volumes in the trilogy. I really enjoyed the world-building and magic system in this series!

Though I'm still mad about some of the deaths in this one, I think it was a great final volume to the trilogy. If you're into books with secret twins, a shadowy love interest, and a lot of adventure, you should absolutely pick up this series.

I read the first two books of this series and was so excited to have the opportunity to read the last one - it did not disappoint. It was exciting and perfect and the absolute best wrap up of the series. I don’t know what I had been expecting for the ending but it could not have been better than what Abigail has written in this book. Everything was handled so well and there was such a good balance between humour and dark. As always the characters and relationships were seamless and I will miss them now that this has finished - a reread looks to be in my future.

The finale is finally here! And Owen definitely does not hold back.

The buildup seemed to have taken forever but then a reminder that not much time has passed.
I really enjoyed getting more Tabera in this book and seeing her powers and status. The first book Tabera was absent, the second she was dying so I liked seeing this side of her. The betrayals ran deep and events hit hard!

The pacing of this book went really fast and so much lore was introduced. I kept having to go back and reread because I wanted to make sure I was absorbing everything.

I missed Marin in this book though. She wasn't her sarcastic funny self but emotionally deadpan (for reasons). However, it made me realize how much she actually made the books enjoyable. Not saying I didn't enjoy it, but you could tell something was missing.

The ending of this trilogy was explosive and if you've made it this far - be sure to strap in because it's a bumpy road to the finish line.

The Shadows Rule all is the gripping conclusion of a trilogy that has held me captive for multiple years of reading now.
What I Loved
1. Starting slightly away from where I expected the novel gives some perspective on how things actually got started.
2. The Pacing had me breathless from the very first chapter.
3. This conclusion wrapped up all the character arcs I hoped it would while leaving enough open ends for me to muse on and imagine as a part of the wider world.

Who I would recommend this title for
The Shadows Rule all is the final book in a set and is best experienced by those who have already read and loved books one and two in its trilogy.

Beautiful, Romantic, and a little heart breaking at times..

I was so excited to get my hands on an early copy of the last Dominions book! Thank you Brittany at Entangled Publishing and NetGalley, you are the best! I read it as soon as I finished the previous, hoping to hear what came of Meren, Tabra, Cain and Reven. Would Reven be stuck re-absorbed into Eidolon? Would they all find a way to reunite him with Meren and his friends? Or would Meren end up with Cain in the end?

The book didn't exactly start where I expected, in fact it was more of a plot twist as we saw things through the eyes of Eidolon, his past and where things all started. I appreciated this new perspective and enjoyed how it set the tone and gave us an even deeper understanding of why things came to where we were at the end of book 2. All it took was one chapter.

I enjoyed absolutely everything, the love and the pain...but really, CAIN? It was interesting to read about the devourers, the encounters were brutal and so very well described. Abigail has quite a knack at setting a scene and making you feel the story as you read. Love, hate, betrayal and loss. How on Nova could she let this happen to Tziah and Vos? and wow..Tabra and Achlys? Although some of the main characters find their happy ending, it cost them a lot. I haven't cried reading a book in a while and yet there I was, needing a couple tissues and feeling stuffed up. I'm fine. Everything is fine...NOT!!

Thank you for an amazing adventure, a wonderful escape to real life and to the world of Nova. This is definitely a must read young adult romantasy, with very little spice (just mostly suggestion to let the mind wander).

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC of this book; the review is my own.*

I think the only reason it took me so long to read this book is because of the time of year--I've got so much other stuff I'm trying to get done that I've mostly been listening to audiobooks so I can multitask. But if I'd had the time to sit down and just read, I would have finished this book much more quickly. It was a fitting continuation (and ending) to the series, with so much going on that I hardly a moment to breathe.

Overall, I'm happy with the way it ended. That's not to say, however, that it's all sunshine and daisies; in fact, I don't think there's much of that in here at all. Everyone is in mortal peril pretty much all the time, and you can't expect that the entire cast will make it out unscathed.

One section made me chuckle a bit, not because it was actually funny but because I knew where the author had found her inspiration. At one point, Meren visits a place called Usavah Falls, which is beautifully described in moderate detail. It's a place you'd want to visit. In fact, it is a place you can visit. Google Havasu Falls.

Will I pick up another Abigail Owen book in the future? Quite possibly, as I enjoyed this series.

I’ve been with the series since it first came out. I was lucky enough to partner with entangle to help spread the word for book 1 and 2. This series has popped into my mind so often as I patiently waited for book three.

I didn’t expect to be so shattered and renewed whole again by the end of it all. I was so blown away by all the action, the twists and turns! I don’t want to spoil it but this was such a great ending to the series. Even with the devastation Abigail puts us throughout the series. I’m sad it’s come to an end. This will be a series I will turn to again and again.

Great ending to this fantasy trilogy!

Meren has been overcome by shadows that left Reven, her bondmate, and now they’re torturing her. The shadows take over her mind and appearance if she gets too stressed or they get upset. Reven has completely forgotten Meren and he has no memory of them being in love. Meren has collected most of the amulets needed to stop the king. She needs one more plus the help of her dedicated companions to save their kingdom. She’s determined to help save the kingdom and Reven’s memory, even if she has to sacrifice herself to do it.

“𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝑒. 𝒴𝑜𝓊’𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓂𝑒.”
__________________________________________

𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
Hitting the end of this series is nothing but bittersweet. There are so many highs and way too many lows (😭 cries!). Reven and Meren had my heart since I first read The Liar’s Crown and I am SO happy where they ended up in this series. Prepare yourself though because your heart will not come out of this one unscathed.

🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂:
👑 Soulmates
💜 Shadow daddy
👑 Magic
💜 Good vs. Evil

I truly truly enjoyed the first two books in this series! The third one just didn’t do it for me. I hated the narrative that meren and reven were once again separated and once together he couldn’t remember her? I just couldn’t do it anymore.
Overall, the ending of the book was perfect but getting to that point was boring for me

**Thank you, Entangled Publishing, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review**

I love when one invests so much time and emotion into a series to have it end in such a perfect way that you could not envision it any other way, and I am pleased to announce that “The Shadows Rule All” did exactly that.

This is the last novel of a trilogy and a very worthy ending for our heroine Merenith and her fellow companions (Shadow wraith included). We still follow Merenith as the main character throughout this novel, but we are finally given insight into what made Eidolon into the absolute wreck of a human he is today and why he acts the way he does. There are a lot of twists and turns, complete surprises, and just enough heartache to really make you feel like this novel is worthy of your time and a perfect conclusion to the series.

I don’t want to give anything away, so what I can say is that I shed a few tears, gasped audibly a good few times, and ended the novel with a smile on my face. It does not get much better than that.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Darkness reigns, secrets unravel, and a heroine rises to claim her fate.”

A gripping conclusion to the Dominions trilogy, The Shadows Rule All had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish!

Meren's journey comes to a head as she faces impossible odds, both from external enemies and the shadows that now haunt her. King Eidolon has stolen everything, and with the Alignment looming, the stakes couldn't be higher. The power struggles, intense battles, and moments of betrayal kept me turning pages late into the night.

The slow-burn romance with Reven continues to be a highlight, with their chemistry adding so much depth to the story. But it’s not just the romance—Meren's growth as a leader and the dark magic she must confront make this a truly compelling read.

What to expect:
⚔️ High-stakes action
⚔️ Betrayals and shocking revelations
⚔️ A fierce heroine battling inner and outer demons
⚔️ A romance worth rooting for

It's hard to believe that we've finally arrived at the final installment of the Dominions series. This has been an epic journey through a world of harsh landscapes, bitter rivalries, revenge, sisterhood, friendship, and a love to stand against the tests of time. Of all the books in the series so far, this one definitely took me the longest read, and not just because of its imposing length at over 500 pages. Rather, I simply didn't want to see this tale come to an end. The author has presented us with a world we can easily lose ourselves in, and the thought of closing the book on its final chapter was almost too harsh a thought to consider, especially when we come to the realization that not all of our beloved characters will have the chance to meet with their own happily ever after. We've encountered villains, heroes, and every shade of morally gray character in between since page one, and you can't help but hold your breath in anticipation as you wonder what fate might befall those we've come to know as friend and foe. When all is said and done will the shadows indeed rule all, or will a bit of light prevail in breaking through the darkness?

You absolutely must read this series in order! Not only will it help you fully grasp the intricate web of connecting plot points, but it will also allow you to experience the profound evolution of the characters. Meren’s journey, in particular, transforms from the innocence of her teenage years to the haunting realities of adulthood—a progression that’s as breathtaking as it is heartbreaking. You don't want to miss a single step along the way!

The true brilliance of this series lies in its sweeping trajectory as an epic journey from beginning to end. It’s no surprise it has found its place in the Entangled: Teen repertoire, while still appealing to adults seeking a romantasy escape. Each installment is more devastating and intense than the next, and the audience is provided with the opportunity to grow and mature alongside Meren in her quest. From the first book, we meet a mildly timid yet secretly defiant Meren, and across the subsequent novels, we watch her transform into a fierce warrior and a true leader. She confronts the horrors of her world head-on, emerging stronger and more resolute with every trial she faces. This is a story steeped in love, heartbreak, friendship, and the bittersweet realities of loss.

This is the exciting conclusion to this series. This was an epic story. Meren has been through so much as the spare twin that is basically invisible. But they both hold power that is pretty interesting and with the basically evil King trying to take over she is not hiding anymore. The bonded soulmate situation is very interesting since it spans lifetimes. Love the idea of that. The friend/squad side characters were so great. Loved her journey and her desperate attempt to get her love back. This did wrap up nicely though there was a lot of loss and fighting to get there.
Def recommend - it is a completed series.

This was an amazing conclusion to this fantastic series. Full of angst and love and plot twists and a few moments that had us in tears. If you haven’t picked up this series yet we highly recommend it! Especially now that it is completed. Abigail Owen has an amazing talent to make very well rounded and deep characters and wonderful world building. You cannot help but get attached to these characters. If you are a lover of fantasy and romance then this would be a perfect series for you.

This book is absolutely amazing! I did not was be to put it down!!! I've been waiting for this conclusion since book 2 came out last year! I will read anything by Abigail Owen. I can't wait to dive into her other books!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA Fantasy

This is the conclusion to the series. It took me a little bit to remember what had happened in the first two books and unlike the others I listened to this on audio & supplemented it with the physical book. Once I remembered though, I easily picked it up.

This one is a little darker & more complex than the first two. I prefer the adventure of the first book the best. This one has more of an amnesia trope with a romance plot which I enjoyed, but prefer a fast paced quest. I think it was a little longer than it needed to be… the middle dragged a bit. There were no loose ends and I liked the ending.

I have read The Games Gods Play by this author too & that one is really good!

Thank you Entangled Teen for the ARC!

Well, we start off with a gorgeous cover (by Elizabeth Turner Stokes) for the finale of the Dominions series, with the final chapter being told in The Shadows Rule All by Abigail Owen and it was a doozy. Abigail included anything and everything you could possibly want for a fantasy romance. We have a struggle for leadership, some magical machinations, battles, death and romance. I was lost in the , but because it is such a long book, I couldn’t finish it in one sitting.

The Shadows Rule All is the third book in the series, so I’m not going to give you the lowdown. I definitely recommend beginning at the beginning, if this sounds like a winner to you. I do love when a series is complete, don’t you?

I will tell you that their worlds are crumbling with the loss of the goddesses. To set things right, they would have to release the goddesses from the amulets they are trapped in. For them to be released, they are sent on a quest to recover Allusion’s heart.

I went teary eyed more than once as character after character fell. By killing off some of my favorite characters, Abigail makes the story seem real (for a fantasy), because in battle not all will survive. Even the peripheral characters have a pivotal role to play, adding their magic to the story.

We have Meren, the main character, looking for her soulmate. Reven. He is lost in the Shadows. Is she going to have her happy ever after? Will she ever be rid of the Shadows who threaten her and Reven? Can they release the goddesses and save their Dominions?

For a finale, I think Abigail hit the nail on the head. She left me with a heavy heart, but a feeling of satisfaction. I wouldn’t change a thing.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

Thank you Netgalley and Abigail Owen for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

The third book in her amazing series, this book did not disappoint. Did I cry? Absolutely. But was it worth it? Also absolutely. I need therapy now. This romantasy has such a strong cast of characters that surprise me more in each book and I love how one situation blends into the next making a roller coaster of a ride of will they wont they figure everything out.

Honestly I could gush about Abigails world all day. Just read it. That is all.

Owens closed out the Dominions Trilogy in style with The Shadows Rule All. The complicated relationship of Meren and Reven was handled beautifully so that we got the romance we wanted without it overwhelming the plot. We had the loose ends of the goddesses being contained (how and why) tied up, maybe not a tightly as I could have wanted, but enough that the plot was served without being unwieldy. Emotions get even high and destroyed with some of the events at the end of the book-one event in particular I am very unhappy with and think the author may have been trying to make sure we all visit our therapists with that one.