ARC Review: Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Taste of Darkness (Healer #3)
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Genre: Young Adult, High Fantasy
Release Date: January 1, 2014
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Goodreads rating: 4.26 out of 5.00 (200+ ratings)
Goodreads | The Reading Room

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

Review by Nara

*Mild spoilers for previous books in the series*
Quotations taken from the ARC and may not be the same in the final copy.

In the third and final installation of the tale of Avry of Kazan, Healer of the Fifteen Realms, fans of Maria V Snyder will most certainly not be disappointed. With all the important questions answered, and a wonderful (and cute haha) ending, Taste of Darkness is a conclusion to remember.

"Does anyone else think she's an ungrateful bitch?" Quain asked.
Loren raised his hand. "Me."
"I wasted a perfectly good dinner for her," Flea said only half joking.

One thing that I find very interesting about this series is that the writing style is very different from most other high fantasies that you find. The tone isn't quite as formal as you usually see. It's quite casual, and almost modern, in a way. We also get many of those snarky and/or hilarious lines filled with the classic Snyder humour. I've included a few (by which I mean two) such quotes in this review.

Ah, the old let-me-show-you-this-rock-formation move. Beau probably had a lady with him.

The world building, as always with Maria V Snyder, is fantastic. Every time I read a Snyder book, I just love how her worlds seem to be so well thought out. And the characters! There are so many interesting characters- take Flea, for example, and his journey to come to terms with his magic. And what about Prince Ryne? I honestly don't know what to think of him. I mean, I have to admit, he's pretty manipulative at times. But for the right reasons? To like him, or not to like him...

And the romance. How could we not talk about the romance? Avry and Kerrick are probably my favourite of the Snyder relationships that I've read about, just because they're so supportive of each other. Even when all the other characters give up on finding one or the other, they continue to have this steadfast belief that the missing character will be found. And they don't wash each other out, as sometimes happens with couples that are this close. Kerrick doesn't cause Avry to collapse into a puddle of swoon, and Avry doesn't make Kerrick become a sappy idiot (although I guess that could be subjective haha). There are other more important things going on in this world that just the romance.

All I can say in conclusion is that if you're a fan of the series, you'll love this book. If you're not a fan of the series, get out (lol totally kidding. Don't know why you're reading this review to the third book in the series if you're not a fan though haha). If you haven't tried the series before- dang. Go grab yourself a copy of Touch of Power asap.

Incredible

Ratings
Overall: 9/10
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5