A Sorrow Fierce and Falling (Kingdom on Fire, Book Three)

January 1, 2019
Grades 8-11 In this final trilogy volume, Cluess gives her Kingdom of Fire series an unabashedly romantic ending. It's the day of heroine Henrietta Howel's marriage to Lord Blackwood of Sorrow-Fell, but she finds war has broken out on her doorstep. Her wedding day ends up blood-soaked, with dear friends dying and terrible revelations about her now-husband revealed. The finale to any series with as many characters and subplots as this one cannot possibly stand alone, and Cluess relies on readers' familiarity with the rich characterizations and intricate histories and customs previously established in A Shadow Bright and Burning? (2016) and A Poison Dark and Drowning (2017). Readers not already absorbed in the alternate magical England and its war against the monstrous Ancients will probably not go back to seek out earlier titles, but for those who have spent time with mysterious Rook, rascally Magnus, Chosen One Maria, charming Eliza, Henrietta's problematic father, and the fiercely independent Henrietta, this action-packed title will answer all questions. A satisfyingly sweet conclusion will leave romance fans smiling.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)