Monday, August 3, 2015

Review: The Conquering Dark by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith

Title The Conquering Dark
Author(s): Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
Series: Book Three in the Crown & Key Series
Published By: Del Rey (July 28, 2015)
Source: Copy Provided bu the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
he Crown and Key Society face their most terrifying villain yet: Gaios, a deranged demigod with the power to destroy Britain.

To avenge a centuries-old betrayal, Gaios is hell-bent on summoning the elemental forces of the earth to level London and bury Britain. The Crown and Key Society, a secret league consisting of a magician, an alchemist, and a monster-hunter, is the realm’s only hope—and to stop Gaios, they must gather their full strength and come together as a team, or the world will fall apart.

But Simon Archer, the Crown and Key’s leader and the last living magician-scribe, has lost his powers. As Gaios searches for the Stone of Scone, which will give him destructive dominion over the land, monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane, alchemist extraordinaire Kate Anstruther, gadget geek Penny Carter, and Charlotte the werewolf scramble to reconnect Simon to his magic before the world as they know it is left forever in ruins.










It didn't take long for the dynamic duo that are the Griffith's to win my heart over with their new UF series Crown & Key. It is so well written and full of everything I really look forward to in a good urban fantasy while still being unique, fresh, and fun. 

With lovable characters that will leave a lasting impression on you, this series truly is stand out and I can't recommend it enough. With it's non-stop action, hint of romance, witty banter, adventure, danger, unnatural supernatural cast, steampunkish tendencies, and gorgeous Victorian London setting, this really is something special.

I couldn't wait to dive into this story and get more of everything. I adored the first two books and couldn't imagine that this would be any different, which I'm happy to report, it wasn't. This was just as engaging and hard to put down as its predecessors. In fact, I stayed up late into the night until I was finished because I just couldn't get enough.

Once again the Griffith's outdid themselves. Fast paced, plot driven, and infused with the character's themselves,  this was an amazing conclusion to the story arc. 

I couldn't of been happier with the way everything happened. It is rare these days that we get an ending to anything that lives up to the rest of the books, the story itself and the characters, and the Griffith's managed to do all three, and do them well. 

I am hoping like heck, that this isn't the last book in the series because I will truly miss all of these fabulous heart driven characters. They truly have made an impact on me and I couldn't imagine not reading about them again in the future. 






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or the publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*


53 comments:

  1. Thanks for the good review, have a great week!

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  2. Dang so there was only a hint of romance? I'm. A. Romance. DEVOURER. So I wish there could have been more but I can tell you didn't mind it as much though, right? I love stories where you can dive in and get swept into the story and the characters even after being away from them for a while. AWESOME review girl! ;)

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    1. There is a romance but it isn't the main focus. ;)

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  3. I'm so happy that this is going so strong for you, Ali! I think I might need to cave and just get this series already.
    Lovely review!

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    1. Do it! I know you will love it and Simon and well,everyone else too. ;)

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  4. It's always a good thing to read a series where instalments just keep getting better and better! I hope the next one will your socks off. :)

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  5. Yet another urban fantasy I obviously need to read. Is there one you'd recommend I start with? Great review, btw!

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    1. Definitely start with the first one Shadow Revolution, it is fabulous!

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  6. I love that the books were released close to each other, that way when we don't have to be tortured with the waiting game. At the same time I wish things did not end here. I'm planning to read this for my Sunday feature, I hope I enjoy it as much as you did

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    1. I'm really hoping it doesn't end here either. The ending left it open for another one so I'm keeping my fingers crossed there will be one.

      I hope you love this and can't wait to see what you think!

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  7. I cannot wait to start this series Ali! I love how fast the books are coming out, especially given how I struggled recently with Heart of Betrayal with not remembering things about the previous book. I definitely won't have that problem here:)

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    1. You definitely won't have that problem here. I'm excited for you to start it Jenny! I know you will love it.

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  8. I totally messed up with this series, Ali! I should have been reading it from day one, but it isn't too late to do something about it. I just went and bought Shadow Revolution on audio.

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  9. I haven't heard of this series but sounds awesome - Great review and glad you enjoyed this!

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  10. I agree, they make such a tremendous team. Their writing is among the most polished commercial products I came across in my life. And their sense of pacing is perfect. Great review - glad you enjoyed it! <3

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    1. I really need to try their other series, I'm sure I would like it.

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  11. You have convinced me. I bought the first book for my Kindle yesterday. I really need to try this series. I hope it isn't over yet, either.

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  12. SWEET! I am currently reading the second book and I'm loving it. Their other series will come out with another book (Geomancer) so there may be another book for this series as well. One can hope!

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    1. Oh I hope so!!
      Glad you are liking this as well. :D

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  13. I saw you really loved the first book too. I love urban fantasy, so this series will definitely go on my list. I also love witty conversation, but I'm pretty sure I'll like these. So glad you liked them!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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  14. Skimmed since I am 75% done with audio, thus far I am loving and like you I don't want the series to end

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    1. I'm hoping they'll be another one. The ending did leave it open for one.

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  15. Another series I cannot wait to read :). Great review Ali!

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  16. Awww so glad you liked this so much :D It looks like a very impressive sequel, Rocking review, Ali xo

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  17. Ohhh, it sounds so awesome! I really want to read the series, I've had it on my radar and now I'm definitely going in :D
    Awesome review!

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  18. Man they came out with these fast it seems like. I have book one still on my tbr pile for book club. I'm definitely looking forward to that :)

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    1. They did! I think within a month they were all released, it was very nice!

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  19. I'm so happy you loved the lastest book (hopefully not the last in the series) and I'm super excited to finish it as well. What an amazing writing team. Wonderful review, Ali!! :)

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  20. I saw this one at my library and did a happy dance. Unfortunately I didn't check it out yet because my arms were too full. LOL, but I am making a note of it and will get it at my next library run. Awesome review, Ali!

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    1. Thanks so much and I really hope you love it too!

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  21. This series, (or is it a trilogy?) must be super good if you enjoyed all three books! UF with some aspects of Steampunk? Oh I definitely need this. & as I mentioned in my last comment, I love the era these books are set in, so I really need to pick these up!

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    1. It is a trilogy and it really was fantastic. I really hope you do make time for it and that you love it as well. :)

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  22. The guy on the cover is hot, hehehe. Happy you enjoyed it so much.

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  23. Yay! I am so glad to hear that this series is still delivering a great read. I have the first in series on my TBR due to your earlier review.

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  24. Yay for a good ending! Witty banter is one of my personal loves! I noticed this one lost half a star, but it sounds like you still loved it. I always hate how they have to weaken the strong character! I hope his powerlessness doesn't last long.

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    1. Only because there were some things I didn't love and I'm still hoping it wasn't the ending. ;)

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  25. Yay for a good ending! Witty banter is one of my personal loves! I noticed this one lost half a star, but it sounds like you still loved it. I always hate how they have to weaken the strong character! I hope his powerlessness doesn't last long.

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  26. Yay for a good ending! Witty banter is one of my personal loves! I noticed this one lost half a star, but it sounds like you still loved it. I always hate how they have to weaken the strong character! I hope his powerlessness doesn't last long.

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