Review: End of Days (Penryn & the End of Days 3) by Susan Ee

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

The concluding book to Penryn & the End of Days. My expectation for this book was high; I loved the first two books. Although the ending was satisfying, it didn’t have that wow factor of which was present in the first two instalments.

CHARACTERS

Penryn’s and Raffe’s relationship takes a spotlight in this story. They are both conflicted about their alliances; with each other, and with their own people. It’s a forbidden love, and they’re in the midst of a war. But they want each other. It’s just a matter of how badly.

I LOVE how much Penryn has grown since we met her in the first book. I like how she grows into a selfless person, rather than the typical main character who unrealistically risks their life for a stranger. She has much more confidence in herself, and where she stands in this war. While she has feelings for Raffe, she’d never risk human extinction.

Paige has become key in the battle to stop Uriel’s advances, but she’s still only a kid. Her strong morals keep her from succumbing to the monster everyone expects her to be. She’s very strong willed, and I admire her for it.

And finally, all the bits and pieces fit together to form Raffe’s story. I want to avoid spoilers though, so I’ll keep this short. I think he’s someone who feels strongly, and Penryn is the only one who is capable of receiving his love.

PLOT

The final battle is drawing close. The angles are at the climax of their elections, and the finishing act? A human hunt fest. Penryn won’t stand idly by. Raffe will lose everything if he doesn’t defeat Uriel. The tension was thick in this fast-paced story line.

The ending unfolded well, in my opinion. It was everything I could’ve imagined. While they may not have gone out in a blaze of glory, it was satisfying.

SETTING

The same atmosphere is present in all three books; dark and tense. You never know what’s on the next page.

WRITING STYLE 

There were so many Penryn/Raffe moments in this book that made me warm and cozy. But unlike the other two books, I didn’t feel the earth-shattering rawness of emotion that I felt while reading the previous stories. Don’t get me wrong though, it was beautifully written, but it didn’t showcase the height of which Susan Ee is capable of reaching.

LIKES

– Their kiss in the rain. Cliché, I know, but it was in hell so …
– This applies to the whole series, but I find the whole Daughter of Man story very intriguing.

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DISLIKES

–  A few sparks were missing here and there between characters. I’m not complaining though. I still think it wrapped up quite nicely.

FINAL VERDICT

A nice conclusion for an awesome trilogy. I totally have a book hangover.

RATING