Title: The Final Dawn
Author: Jess Anastasi
Series: Atrophy #5
Pages: 355
We have finally come to the end of the Atrophy series and the final stand against the invading Reidar. I have loved following this crazy band of misfits around the universe while they defeat the Reidar, fall in love, and cause a lot of chaos.
Rian and Ella have been fighting their feelings since the beginning of this series, making this an extremely slow burn romance in a way. Rian is no longer the angry and vengeful man we met in the first book. He has changed over the past two years as he has dealt with the death of crew members, his friends falling in love, new revelations about the Reidar, and of course, being around Ella. Like I said in the beginning of this series, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy Rian’s book but Anastasi did an amazing job at character development for Rian. I love the progression of his character and I especially love the progression of his relationship with Ella. I love how he will do anything for her and is completely devoted to her.
Ella has found a true family with the crew of the Imojenna. She will do anything for this family and she risks it all for them. I really loved seeing her find her confidence and embrace her abilities. It was great seeing her finally stand up for herself and being the badass that has been hiding inside her. Her connection to Rian and Varean has been fascinating. It was great seeing them be a team together and learn to lean on each other in times of need, especially when dealing with grief.
The final battle against the Reidar finally happens and while I really enjoyed it and think it was a good ending, I do feel that it was a bit rushed, and maybe a little anticlimactic. The author’s note in the back does state that there was supposed to be another book before Rian and Ella’s and that got scrapped, so that probably is why things felt a little rushed. It was a lot towards the end, especially after Rian and Ella spend a good portion of this book apart.
Overall, this was a really great series. I do wish the author had been able to write the missing book and not rush things but I still really enjoyed all of it. I am really going to miss this misfit family and world.
Trigger Warnings: suicide; grief; PTSD; references to past abuse, torture, and experimentation.
Previous books and reviews for the series:
Red-Haired Ash Reads 