Title: Darkest Day
Author: Emi Gayle
Series: Book Three in the 19th Year Trilogy
Published By: J. Taylor Publishing (January 6, 2014)
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Book Description:
Mac Thorne’s time as a Changeling is coming to an end.
It may have taken eighteen years, but Mac did finally manage to do what the Council wanted: she chose a teacher and renounced the in-between.
There’s just one last step. She must say goodbye to her human. Forever.
After being challenged in every way possible, Mac leaves what she thought would be the easiest task for the last possible moment. As midnight on July fourth draws near, though, she hasn’t found a way to give up Winn Thomas.
Nor does she want to.
With time running out, Mac stands at a literal crossroads. Choose Winn, and she’ll be stripped of the only family she’s ever known — vampires, dragons, and her favorite demon. Even her own mother. Accept her position on the Council and rule as an equal to her twelve peers, and she’ll forget Winn ever existed.
Independence and freedom have never before been so limiting.
In this final chapter of the 19th Year Trilogy, it’s time for Mac to decide.
Responsibility? Or Love?
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About the Author:
Emi Gayle just wants to be young again. She lives vicariously through her youthful characters, while simultaneously acting as chief-Mom to her teenaged son and searching for a way to keep her two daughters from ever reaching the dreaded teen years.
Ironically, those years were some of Emi's favorite times. She met the man of her dreams at 14, was engaged to him at 19, married him at 20 and she's still in love with him to this day. She'll never forget what it was like to fall in love at such a young age — emotions she wants everyone to feel.
How the idea for a book about a changeling came about.
There are moments, as an author, that we simply don't force. For me, it’s usually the creation of a facet of a story. Like who a character is, or what the character’s problem is or even just a title. These moments ‘just happen’ and its in these that either a story is born or an idea sparks something else to happen in an already created story.
In the case of Mac Thorne, she came to me as After Dark (title and all) as a changeling. I didn’t do anything to create her. One day she just litterally popped into my head.
What would an eighteen year old do if she could only be one thing upon the end of her 19th year? And never change it? That was the situation that dropped into my writing brain and that spurred the entire trilogy.
Of course in then thinking about this problem, I had to have one creature that could be anything up to this point and while the original lore about changelings isn’t that they can shape-shift and *be* anything, but that’s not what being creative is all about. We take what’s common or known and twist it to be something new and exciting.
Therein lies the ‘birth’ of Mac Thorne and her ultimate problem - how to choose what to be.
The fact that she’s a changeling just comes because I got creative with the name of the creature being ‘change’ and envisioned a totally different type of life than mythology suggests.
From there, all three books came to be and as we close it out with the third today, you’ll have to read to the end to find out just what Mac picked.
What form will Mackenzie Thorne, of the 19th Year Trilogy, select upon turning 19?
Do they get their happily ever after that you are hoping for or are things left open ended and frustrating beyond belief? Will you close the book with a happy sigh or want to chuck it across the room with disbelief that the author choose end it the way she did?
Either way I knew I was going to be in for quite the ride. There were so many questions that still needed answers, so much still left unsaid and undone. I knew I needed to buckle up. I was afraid the ride would be bumpy at best and a full on mud slinging four by four, get stuck in the ditch ride at the least.
I wasn't wrong, not at all, this was quite the journey. One filled with happiness and love but also heartbreak, consequences and as always, filled with a beautiful friendship that was forged from the very beginning between all the characters. Ever single one of them had a role to play in the final book and they all played it well.
Emi Gayle managed to create a beautiful ending to a fabulous trilogy, and while it wasn't all smooth sailing, it was perfect. Yes there was heartache and tough times for Mac and Winn but everything played out wonderfully, fabulously, realistically. Everything was answered and them some. She didn't leave a single thread undone or a single word unspoken.
Gayle outdid her self and this last installment shined. I couldn't have asked for anything more.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
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Ooo she can pick to be whatever she wants? That's really interesting. I think I might go with a Griffin, I think shifting into something with wings would be amazing. So glad this series ending was everything you wanted it to be Ali, love it when that happens!
ReplyDeleteI think you would really like this series Jenny. I hope you try it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review Ali, I too have enjoyed this series immensely. I am on the tour and my post goes up Thursday. I agree she wrapped this series up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThat's great you really liked this trilogy. It's definitely never fun to have a series come to a close. sounds like it ended well though!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read your review Kim!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing your previous reviews for this series. It's one I definitely need to give a try!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy the trilogy ended on such a high note for you, Ali! I think the covers for this series are pretty irresistible and I find the idea of her being able to choose what to become fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone, this really is a great series that is also really unique!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing series! I always love series with a great conclusion, so I think I'll definitely have to check this out. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine choosing what I'd be at that age. I'm pretty sure I would screw up spectacularly and regret my choice forever. :-) I'm thrilled to hear that the ending worked so well for you. It is always so bittersweet saying goodbye to a beloved series, but a really wonderful, realistic ending helps tremendously. Beautiful review and guest post!
ReplyDeleteSounds fantastic! What a great review!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes ... I know. I need to read this trilogy. What else is new? Can't you just zap the story into my brain? That would be cool. Really though, it does sound good.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteOh, if ONLY Christy! Wouldn't that be nice?
I know the feeling :( sometimes I wait forever to read the last book just because of it but it's always amazing to hear that the author did not let you down on the last book.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you loved this series. I have it on my TBR list. It sounds really great. Awesome review and guest post.
ReplyDeleteI vote human so her and Winn can be together forever! LOL I still need to read the 2nd book. I already forgot so much from the first book but I remember wanting her to pick human but there being reasons why she shouldn't as well. It is a hard decision!
ReplyDelete