Return of the Dragon Slayers

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up because I had such an amazing time with this final book

Truly an epic conclusion to the Fableheaven series and universe. This series has been very dear to me since first reading it in high school, and I cannot recommend it enough.

This final book explored in depth the origins of magic in the Fableheaven universe, as well as an epic showdown between the dragons and the people standing for the humans. Mull's last books in series are generally this epic if Fableheaven book 5 was any indication, and this stays true for this one. My best takeaway was Seth's arc. He grows and learns so much in the span of this second series, but it's especially true in this book. He goes through hell and back for his family, even when he thinks that they would be right to turn their back on him because of his betrayals in the past. He has been through darkness, and in the end, rather than holding onto his power and the pain it brought him, he chose redemption and forgiveness. While I liked how Fableheaven showed, through Seth and Kendra being so different, that powers of light and dark can both be used for good, I ultimately also liked this resolution for Seth. My only complaint is that Kendra had less of a growth in this one, as for her it was moreso over the previous books. But the return of Bracken, of which we see too little in the entirety of the series, was well worth the wait. His choice to become mortal also felt sound to me, as an emphasis on the benefits of living a life to it's full potential.

There is a discussion to be had about the representation of death, as being once again too close to religious heaven and hell for my taste. However, thankfully, it was articulated enough that it didn't feel disconnected to the series and its establishment of magic's importance in the lives of the characters. This book emphasizes on forgiveness and the importance to right some wrongs, which made for very satisfying character arcs. In itself, this is also a topic of strong worth.

Thanks again Fableheaven for this incredible journey ✨