Legend of the Lakes by Clara O'Connor

 

Title: Legend of the Lakes (The Once and Future Queen #3)
Author: Clara O'Connor
Publish Date: June 24th, 2021
Publisher: One More Chapter
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

I thought to die that night in the solitude where they would never find me…

Cassandra stands silent upon a ravaged battlefield, watching as the druids prepare the dead for the pyres, embers drifting up into the still winter darkness. She can barely breathe through the agony of her grief, but she cannot waste another second on tears.

Because Londinium, the Caesar, the empire… all of it is still out there. The empire whose code she had followed, whose prince she had promised to marry, whose schemes she had been swept up in since birth.

They tried to use her magic against her. To silence her.

So she will use her magic against them. To silence them. Forever.

The third and final chapter of The Once and Future Queen trilogy, this epic scifi fantasy adventure set in a dystopian world where the Romans still rule will enchant fans of Sarah J Maas and Cassandra Clare.

Penelope's Review

*Please DO NOT read this if you haven't read the first two books - SPOILER ALERT*

OMG. I will forever be in love with this series, despite the emotional turmoil Clara O'Connor has put me through. I mean seriously... she tears my heart out, starts to put the pieces back together again, then ambushes me and rips my heart out again (I was ready to throw my Kindle across the wall let me tell you) and then puts the pieces back together again. Like what?! CLARA... MY HEART.... CAN'T!! But it did. And now I feel whole again.

So after the end of the second book, I was upset to put it lightly. By upset I mean my world felt empty and devoid of light and happiness. I mean... who in their right mind creates a character like Devyn... and then KILLS HIM?!?!?! WHAT?! I was 100% convinced that this author was not going to be able to redeem herself, despite a tweet telling me that it was going to be ok lol! 😂 I did not believe her AT ALL but I held out hope.

Needless to say, she redeemed herself. I was very grudgingly brought over to Team Gideon, but was soon a very enthusiastic fan. Gideon was an excellent character. Loyal, loving, dark, straightforward... everything I love in a male lead. I didn't think I would ever like Cassandra with someone other than Devyn but alas... I was proven wrong. Gideon is literally perfect. I can't even. 

Cassandra herself was excellent in this final book. Far from the naïve, slightly self-absorbed person she was in the first book, Cassandra is now self-assured, eager to help her people, and more in tune with her magic. She has to go through quite a bit in this book, but faces everything with heart and determination. 

It speaks to the skill of the author that I was able to fall so thoroughly in love with two different love interests. I cannot wait to read anything and everything that Clara O'Connor comes out with. Perhaps a spinoff featuring Féile? 😉👀 Lol whatever it is, this author has me as a fan for life. Now I have to buy actual physical copies of this trilogy because... how beautiful are these covers right?!

Rating: 5/5 Devils!