Darkest Day (The 19th Year, #3)

by Emi Gayle

• ISBN10: 1937744396
• ISBN13: 9781937744397
• Publish Date: 16 December 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: J. Taylor Publishing
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

"Winn and Mac. Two people on opposing sides of the world, yet living in the same realm."

  
Getting through the first two books in the The 19th Year series and the first half of Darkest Day felt like a chore. However, towards the end, I started to care about the characters and by the time I reached the end, everything felt bittersweet.

I've mentioned before that The 19th Year series has a lot of potential and an interesting take on the changeling mythology. While that potential isn't fully realised, the last few scenes that dealt with the lore and the council in Darkest Day is what I was hoping this series would have more of - along with Mac asking questions and being an active participant, instead of rebelling without any rhyme or reason. But, I can't say that the council doesn't deserve Mac's attitude because they are so frustrating.

I could also see some form of a deeper plot in Darkest Day, but the aspects of the plot was not to my taste. By the end of it all, I was so over the Maddie and Ridge drama. 

While I started caring about the characters towards the end, there are still moments of grief that I never felt, moments of stupidity that annoyed the hell out of me and many moments of indifference. I also still don't care about the relationship between Mac and Winn and all their ups and downs gave me whiplash. 

All that being said, I'm glad that I got to enjoy the reading experience a little more, even if it was just at the end. I can say, with hesitation, that my hope was not shattered. 

"Life brings us challenges for a reason."

[kimbacaffeinate]

Darkest Day is the last book in the Nineteenth Year Trilogy. Emi Gayle moves us towards the moment when Mac Thorne a changeling must choose her permanent supernatural form and takes her place on the Council. I was worried about how I was going to get my HEA or if there would even be one. Ms. Gayle wrapped this trilogy up and left me with a smile. Mini review: twists, turns and trials, and a side of romance made this exciting ending.

Mac is quickly approaching her birthday and the time of choosing. Winn a human is her advisor and the boy whom she loves and will lose once she decides her fate. The council deems his memories of her will be taken. If she doesn’t take her place along with the other 12 council members she could change the fate of their world. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Could you choose your true form at nineteen? Give up the boy you love? The tale that unfolds is an emotional one that kept me on edge.

From the beginning, I have enjoyed Mac. She is strong, opinionated and doesn’t bow to the will of the council. She questions everything. Heck in the beginning she didn’t even like humans. We have seen so much growth in her and in this final book we see her suffer, mature and define herself. Winn despite his love for Mac and his own struggles has tried to be a good advisor. He has always known he must sacrifice his memories for the greater good and it pains him. Suze the demon charged with protecting Mac is a hoot as always. He is one of my favorite characters. The council and Mac’s human friends create obstacles, assist and propel the tale towards its outcome.

Darkest Day offered excellent closure to a fast paced, well spun tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. Told in dual prospective, Winn and Mac bring us right into the thick of things and ratchet up the tension. We suffer a loss and enjoy moments of laughter in this final episode. Gayle weaved in drama, deceit, life lessons and growth as we approached Mac’s birthday. Along with the suffering she wove in a message for teens, and it was powerful and well executed. As we moved towards Mac’s birthday things began to click into place, and I began to hope for Mac to have her cake and eat it too. The ending was cleverly done and felt natural. I closed the book and the trilogy with a satisfied smile and happy heart.

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review​. ​Review​ originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer​