I’m so excited to be on the tour for A Darkness at the Door by Intisar Khanani! This is a phenomenal read and an epic end to The Dauntless Path series! Let’s check it out.
About the Book:
Title: A Darkness at the Door
Author: Intisar Khanani
Series: The Dauntless Path
Page Length: 486
Publication Date: July 21, 2022
Publisher: Snowy Wings Pub.
Synopsis: Only Rae knows the extent of the corruption at the heart of the kingdom of Menaiya, from the noble lord who betrayed her, to the Circle of Mages whose wards protect the slavers from discovery. Injured and imprisoned on a slave ship, Rae’s options are quickly running out. When a desperate escape attempt goes terribly wrong, she finds herself indebted to a terrifying Fae sorceress.
Now Rae will not rest until she has rescued her fellow prisoners and freed her land from the darkness that has taken hold. To succeed, she’ll need every ally she can find—including Bren, the thief who may have stolen her heart. But Bren is hiding his own bloody secrets, and the curses that encircle Rae have sunk their claws into her mind. With her debts coming due and time running short, all the truths in the world may not be enough to save her kingdom, or herself.
LINK: https://books2read.com/adatd
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My Review:
Wow. Just…wow! This book is a brilliant conclusion to The Dauntless Path series, and I loved every action-packed, suspenseful minute of it.
The character development and growth, especially with Rae, are so well done. She goes through so much, and she learns a ton about herself, society, justice, and more. She’s such a badass, and she doesn’t even realize it! Strong, smart, and resilient, Rae seems even more determined when she learns about and becomes a victim of human trafficking. Rae fights not just for herself but for the other victims too. She has a lot of integrity and a strong sense of right and wrong, yet as she breaks her own moral code, she realizes what must be done to get justice in a corrupt and ineffective system.
“I don’t think you’ve ever gotten lost,” he says meditatively. “You just find a new way.”
I really love the disability rep too. Rae has some physical struggles and often feels limited in what she does, but she begins to see her worth and refuses to be defined by her disability. Her growth as she learns to love her body is phenomenal, and there are many powerful moments where she begins to see her value. I think the influence of her new found family, and especially her growing relationship with Bren, has a lot to do with her growing confidence and her feelings of self-worth and importance.
The romance between Rae and Bren is slow-building loveliness. This pair is so different in their life choices, morals, and views on justice and society, yet they both learn so much from each other. Rae and Bren face many obstacles, but their feelings for each other, their amazing banter and conversations, and their undeniable chemistry are wonderful. I also really like the found family Rae becomes a part of. It feels like Rae finds a sense of belonging with them, and their times together show respective admirations and respect. Above all, they all like each other and enjoy each other’s company. They make a great team and are a wonderful support to each other.
There’s so much more I love about the story. The plot is layered, action-packed, and suspenseful, especially as Rae uncovers a mysterious and nefarious plot that, if exposed, threatens to change everything. Plus, there’s a ton of political and social intrigue, the world-building is immersive and vivid, the themes are powerful and thought-provoking, and the writing is masterful. I actually binged all three books in two days. I just couldn’t put it down!
Some wounds can’t be reached by words or bandages.
I love Khanani’s writing style! The use of dialogue, description, and figurative language, the symbolism and inclusion of tropes I love – it’s fantastic! It’s the kind of storytelling that brings the characters and world and plot to life in such a vivid way that you don’t want the story to end. And I like that, though there is a satisfying conclusion to the story, there are definitely possibilities for spin-offs or a continuation. That could be wishful thinking on my part, but I would love to revisit this world and these amazing characters!!
Later in the year, I plan on putting together a list of my favorite fantasy series, and this one will be at the top of the list. It’s a phenomenal read and one I won’t soon forget. Thanks so much to MTMC Tours and the publishers for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
Everything. I literally loved everything about the book. From the gorgeous cover to the intricate plot, the characters, the love story, THE WRITING!!!!
Favorite Lines:
We’re all a little broken in our way.
It’s hard to trust you when I’ve already been betrayed by someone else, and you – whom I thought of as a friend – do the same to me with a smile.
If all the city is good for is cruelty, I’ll keep my country ways.
A good thief is worth a great deal. A good friend is worth even more.
Glad this was a five star read for you!
I can’t wait to get to this series. You have me so much more excited to pick it up. So glad you loved it!!
OMG I loved it, Ali!! I would definitely recommend it when your in the mood for a darker YA fantasy!!
Wonderful review, Julie. I am glad this was a great ending to the series for you.
Thanks so much, Carla!!