"4.5/5 ⭐️

There was a point in the middle of this in which I wondered how on earth the author was going to wrap everything up but ohhh my god that ending killed any doubts I had. What a beautiful end to a series. Loved it and loved the growth of the characters we saw.

I’m just so happy "

"Oh. My. Lore. How is this possible? How did this series end in such a way that actually makes sense and still fit it's dark, twisty romance roots?

If you really want to know, you'll have to read it. It's a very slow paced finale, and spicy scene enthusiasts might have to hold their horses until past 50%, but wooey, if you've loved that fantasy politics, war and rebellion storyline spawned from something a bit Snow White-like, there is so much to get your teeth into.

... And wait long enough and your steam needs will be met. Just saying.

We catch up with Draven after the shocking events ending book 2 (#spoiler #notspoiler), follow Rhiandra off into the unknown where, let's face it, she's not going to get a friendly reception, and see meek little princess Gwinellyn decide she's done with being pushed around. All three have hard journeys ahead, though conflict and self discovery and what might be the most charged no contact dark romance of their lives.

First of all: The character arcs are so good. I had no idea how they'd be believeable considering the way we left them all but color me impressed. Rhiandra and Gwin both come under a lot of pressure to be honest with themselves about who they really are and what they really want. I loved their closeness, though that might not be the best word. They care for and want the best for each other, despite their (many) relationship issues. Spikey characters are capable of kindness, even if it's in a tough love sort of way. How Gwin learns from Rhiandra is so much more than your usual book frenemies. Draven needed a shock to wake him up, and despite everything that's come before, he too has to confront himself as much as he does the renegade ladies he's hunting.

Oh, and the chemistry. It's there. It burns. It is ever present, even if our two dark and dangerous MCs aren't together. And when they are... You know how it's going to go. Dark romance can be such a fine line to walk, and I think we get a balance between two damaged characters who feel equal in levels of power despite their obvious (and magical) differences.

(view spoiler)[OH MY TOUCH HER AND BE UNALIVED VIBES. Ahem. He fell first and he fell hard. The two chosing to pretend their feelings aren't realy yet deep down knowing they could never harm each other (well, fatally) was so good. Rhiandra responding to Draven with hatred to mask her vunerability and fear to show her emotions, Draven seeing it and knowing she just needed time to see his sincerity... A dark sort of awww. (hide spoiler)]

Love the plot, love the development, love the Lady-Gaga-Bad-Romance, and the ending is one to leave a nice bit of closure. (view spoiler)[Though I think I need a Leena/Lester screwball romance set during Gwin's early reign just because. (hide spoiler)] Zero regrets at re-reading the whole trilogy back to back.

TL:DR; If you're here only for steam, you may come away without quite as much of it as you were after. But if you're here for a war-ravaged political/magical fantasy that just happens to have sizzling chemistry alongside an unexpectedly emotional journey of self discovery, jump in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review."

"Thank you, Hailey Jade, for the free book!

I have been obsessed with this series since book one, and Her Cruel Redemption was everything I hoped for—and more. I haven’t stopped thinking about Rhiandra and Draven’s story, wondering how on earth it could possibly end, and this conclusion did not disappoint. It was brutal, breathtaking, and ended in the only way that felt right, making it all the more satisfying.

This dark take on Snow White is one of my favorite retellings ever. The tension, the betrayals, the sheer intensity of every relationship—it’s all woven together so masterfully. Rhiandra’s journey is raw and haunting, and I loved the way the themes of vengeance, redemption, and power played out.

If you love dark fantasy, morally complex characters, and a romance that will break you before it heals you, The Dark Reflection series is an absolute must-read. Highly, highly recommend!"