Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweeping finale of end-times drama centers gay love story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In INTO THE DYING LIGHT, sisters Beru and Ephyra are both captives of the Hierophant and forced to do his bidding. Because Beru has a god barely contained inside her, the Hierophant uses its power to strip the Graced of their magic and transplant it into his own fanatic followers. Jude, Hassan, and Hector, meanwhile, are hiding in another city awaiting news of how they can save the sisters. Jude finally makes contact with someone from the Lost Rose who offers the men a ship and a rescue plan. But more than anything Jude wants to find Anton, who disappeared after Prince Hassan's kingdom fell. All Jude's attempts at scrying (divination) for him fail, but he knows Anton, the last prophet and the only hope of destroying the vengeful god in Beru, is still alive somewhere. In fact, as the god grows stronger and Beru grows weaker, it will take all of them together to contain it and stop the end of humanity.
Is It Any Good?
This sweeping finale with end-times excitement sometimes lacks solid pacing and clarity, but always keeps love as its focal point. And after two other books in the series where you're not sure whose love story will dominate, now there's no doubt this is Anton and Jude's show. The couple has incredibly difficult choices to make, a deadly prophesy to fulfill if all goes awry (and it almost does, many times) and a wrathful god to defeat. While whole cities fall and rivers run with blood -- about as ominous as it gets -- this romance holds the crumbling world and the book together. Another spot of hope is Ephyra's story. She's a killer turned healer who learns the power of mercy and redemption.
It's helpful to have all these personal, grounding moments because at times Into the Dying Light gets too caught up in the chaos. There are so many kingdoms and religious orders and secret societies and prophets and zealots and holy artifacts to keep track of. And there are moments that build -- like a nearly endless trip through the mountains -- and then deliver too swift a disappointment. And there are many changes of plans on this quest. While these changes slow down the story in the middle, they actually work well in the end to keep readers guessing whether the world will fall or love and humanity will survive.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the vengeful god in Into the Dying Light. How do real-life religions see God or gods and the idea of the end times? What ideas are borrowed for this story and which ones are new? How many fantasies do you read that have a religious element?
The main love story of this series belongs to Anton and Jude, two men, and the straight love stories are secondary. How often does this happen in the books you read? Which love story were you rooting for the most? Why?
Would you read more about these characters in another series? Which ones?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date : September 21, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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