The last book in The Twilight Realm series was released earlier this year. It brings the series to a satisfying conclusion and brings all the characters together. While it is an easy conclusion to assume that the story was about everyone being strong. The theme was a bit more complex. A big part of the theme was the main characters learning to be vulnerable with those closest to them. This looked different for each character. However, this lesson gave them strength and unity needed to defeat the evil threatening the Twilight and Night Realms.
The Twilight Realm series started with an image of a girl with dagger tattoos on her forearms. These daggers would drop into her hands and she’d fight with them. If you’ve read any of my blogs, social media postings, or newsletter, you’ve heard this before. The Twilight Realm series was initially Zoe’s story. But more characters entered.
Since book one focused on Zoe and Nix. Book 1.5 focused on Yarissa. And book two focused on Zyanna and Daniel. Book three had to bring everyone together. But how? There were so many story threads that needed closure. The biggest question became: Will the four heroes unite to take down Nosh Dem who’s threatens the two realms. Will they find the familial bonds they long for?
It was a bit of challenge having to write from four points of view: Zyanna, Zoe, Nix, and Daniel. Each character needed their moments and full character arcs. Each character had their own area of conflict they brought to the story and something they had to work out. What was also interesting was the time gap between books one and three. Book two and three had no time gap.
Daniel begins the story. He’s fearful of his father, the king of the Night Realm, and fearful for Zyanna’s life. His father wants Zyanna as a bargaining chip in his schemes with the Twilight Realm. When Zyanna’s hurt, Daniel is forced to ask his brother-in-law, the Twilight Realm king, for help. Will he face his father and prove to Nix that he’s worthy of Zyanna?
For Zoe, she was conflicted about her feelings for Nix. She also felt an unrest about taking care of the orphans. She was hesitant to become a warrior because that was what her parents wanted for her. Her moment of decision comes when Nix asks her to join him in saving his sister in the Night Realm. Will she go? Will she stay? Will she fight?
Nix has spent his life hiding his identity and now as king, he has learned to put on a veneer. When the call comes to help his sister, he responds. But things aren’t as he expected or as easy as he’d hoped. To win the war, he needs to get along with Daniel. To restore his family, he needs to build a relationship with his sister. To avoid a life of solitude, he must win the heart of Zoe. Can he drop the practiced veneer and achieve his goals?
This series has always had strong female leads, so Zyanna had to come into her strength in the final book. One of the key elements of the final story was her magic. It had to play an important role in saving the Night Realm. But as she grows stronger, Daniel becomes more protective. The arrival of her brother, King Nix of the Twilight Realm, is no better. Zoe, who is everything Zyanna wants to be, offers Zyanna an opportunity to prove herself. Can Zyanna find her worth and value outside of her husband’s or brother’s approval?
In the end, I’m quite satisfied with the ending of the series. Twilight’s Curse introduced the conflict. Twilight’s Strength ended the conflict with starting to restore the evil that crept through the Night and Twilight Realm. Will there be more in this series? No. the series is complete, but I do have a few ideas for other stories in the neighboring realms. I’m curious to explore the Day Realm.
If you haven’t delighted in The Twilight Realm series, head on over to Amazon to check it out.
K. M. Wray 