A Time of Dying (Araneae Nation, #3)

by Hailey Edwards

I adore this series. I originally picked up the first book, A Hint of Frost back in 2013 when it was free on Amazon. At the time the books were being published by Samhain which had put out a number of winners and had started to become my go to for must buy books. It had a cool cover, the blurb sounded interesting and it was free - it was an all round winner. 

And then I read it. And I was very impressed. It was brilliant. The world building in incredible, the romance is adorable and the action is intense. There's an over-arcing mystery throughout the entire series which is riveting and comes to a fantastic conclusion. Each book focuses on a different couple but builds upon the mystery with characters and places slotting altogether. 

My favourite book of the series would have to be A Feast of Souls - because I LOVE Vaughn! - but all the books are amazing. Hailey Edwards is a very talented writer who knows how to deliver great fantasy. 


A Time of Dying

The third book in the series, A Time of Dying introduces a new clan, the Segestriidae. Like the Araneidae, the Segestriidae are artisans. They mine and process crystals, making fine jewellery and weapons. The Segestriidae are based in Titania which is not far from Cathis - the home of the Mimetidae clan. Although the book does venture into Titania, Kaidi - future Segestriidae maven - is currently on the run from her intended, so most of the book takes place in Cathis.

The third book takes us right back to the action - the mystery of plague, the wings that keep getting found next to the dead and the dead corpses who end up without their heads. Turns out, Kaidi has been beheading the corpses and the reason why is intense. Zombies! Kaidi's been on the run so long she's tired. And weary. And hungry. So it's not long before she finds herself napping next to the mutilated corpses which is where Murdoch finds her.

Murdoch was introduced in the last book, the head of the guards for the Mimetidae clan. Vaugh's tasked him with finding out why the guards keep disappearing and the corpses are being beheaded and why some corpses just vanish. I really liked Murdoch in the last book and he's fantastic in this one. Kaidi brings out the sass in him. She wants to trust him with her secret but she knows he won't believe her. And Murdoch wants to believe her but he can't without proof.

The intensity really picks up in this book. A lot of questions start to get answered and the answers are horrifying. I loved every minute. The romance between Murdoch and Kaidi was a bit light but it was very sweet. The friendship between Kaidi and Lleu was funny. I really want Lleu to get a book. He's hilarious. And Isolde! She just can't help herself. Even removed as maven of the Mimetidae clan she can't help but stick her nose in and get herself into trouble. I enjoyed the friendship she's struck up with Bram. Such scheming bastards. We did get to see a little bit of Mana but not that much of Mana and Vaugh which was disappointing.

The mystery was highly enjoyable. I loved that I found some answers to some of my questions. I can't wait to read the next one and find out more. 5 stars.