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Atrophy #5
The Final Dawn
Rian Sherron is a lot of things. Captain of the spaceship Imojenna. Ex-war hero. Ex-assassin. For years, he's traveled from one end of the galaxy to the other, both trying to escape his demons and get revenge on the shape-shifting aliens responsible for his slow demise into hell.
That all changed the day Rian rescued an Arynian priestess from slave traders. Ella Kinton is everything Rian both fears and admires. Ella is everything he never let himself admit he wanted. Together, they must face a harrowing choice—come together and defeat Reidar, or fall apart, leaving the universe in total chaos.
That all changed the day Rian rescued an Arynian priestess from slave traders. Ella Kinton is everything Rian both fears and admires. Ella is everything he never let himself admit he wanted. Together, they must face a harrowing choice—come together and defeat Reidar, or fall apart, leaving the universe in total chaos.
- GenresScience FictionRomance
400 pages, ebook
First published March 22, 2021
About the author
Jess Anastasi
25 books185 followersJess has been making up stories ever since she can remember. Though her messy handwriting made it hard for anyone else to read them, she wasn’t deterred and now she gets to make up stories for a living. She loves loud music, a good book on a rainy day, and probably spends too much time watching too many TV shows. Jess lives in regional Victoria, Australia. Find out more about Jess on her website www.jessanastasi.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 25, 2021
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so 4.5 stars.
The Final Dawn is the fifth and final book in Jess Anastasi’s Atrophy series, featuring the motley crew of the starship Imojenna under the command of the super badass, super enigmatic Rian Sherron. This story has been a long time coming; book four, Entropy , was published in 2018 and I confess I’d been worried that maybe the series was going to remain unfinished – so I was jumping for joy when I learned that wasn’t the case, and that The Final Dawn would – at last – complete the series and deliver a story for Rian and Ella, the Arynian High Priestess he rescued way back in book one.
The Atrophy books feature an overarching plotline and an ensemble cast, so it’s advisable to have read at least some of the preceding titles in order to gain a full understanding of the plotlines and characters. There will be spoilers for the other books in this review.
A quick bit of background. An alien race of shapeshifters called the Reidar is slowly infiltrating every aspect of human civilisation and replacing key members of Earth’s industry and government with their own. They’ve so far managed to do this without attracting attention, but Rian – who was captured and experimented on by the Reidar before managing to escape – knows what’s going on and is determined to expose the alien plot and preferably rid the universe of as many Reidar as possible along the way. Each of the books in the series has featured its own self-contained storyline running alongside the main plot as well as a romance that reached an HFN/HEA by the end, but in The Final Dawn, the focus is firmly on the fight against the Reidar and the romance between Rian and Ella who have been striking sparks off each other since they met. Their relationship became considerably more complicated in book four, Entropy, when they were mentally and emotionally connected in an entropic entanglement (which also includes former commando Varean Donnelly – and in case you’re wondering, there are no kinky mind-meld-threesomes here!), and when The Final Dawn opens, Rian is still struggling to adjust to the fact that he and Ella are inextricably bound. After years of distancing himself from everything and everyone, suddenly not being alone in his head, heart and soul is profoundly disturbing. Rian has been unsettled by Ella’s telepathic abilities and her cool, detached demeanour since they first met and has gone out of his way to interact with her as little as possible, trying to ignore his inconvenient attraction to her.
When the book proper opens, the rag-taggle crew of the Imojenna has been laying low in relative safety on the planet of Tripoli while Rian has spent the last eight months on the homeworld of the Mar’keish, a race with similar telepathic abilities to the Arynians, learning about and trying to understand the entanglement and the abilities he has developed as a result of being mentally linked to Ella. He’s also spent that time thinking up inventive ways to kill Ella’s brother Isiah Kinton; he’s sure Kinton has harmed his sister in some way and wants to find out what he did and then make the man pay.
Mar’keish intelligence learns of a likely Reidar gathering at an upcoming interplanetary summit, and if, as suspected, they are getting ready to enact the final stage of their universal domination plan, Rian wants to be part of the Mar’keish delegation. There’s just one snag – Isiah Kinton is going to be there, and word is he’s become extremely interested in Rian over the past few months.
“Aw, has he gone all fanboy over my war hero stories?”
“Think less fanboy and more wants-to-kill-you-on-sight for abducting his sister.”
“If we’re being technical, I accidentally rescued her. He should be thanking me.”
“If by ‘thanks’, you mean he wants to see you arrested and punished, then he’s already way ahead of you.”
Kinton’s presence at the summit will make things difficult but not impossible – Rian will simply have to keep a low profile. (Pfft, right.)
In the meantime, Rian’s crew has learned of his intention to head into Reidar Central, and, with the exception of Ella and Zahli (Rian’s sister), who remain on Tripoli in order to keep Ella safe from her brother, they all head out on the Ebony Winter (Qae’s ship) to provide back-up. Needless to say, things don’t quite go to plan (an understatement) and our heroes quickly find themselves up to their necks in trouble (as per usual).
I won’t say more about the plot, which is fast-paced with an intriguing storyline and some terrific set-pieces, which are so vividly written that they played out like mini-movies in my head. There’s a strongly written secondary cast – most of whom you’ll have already met if you’ve read the other books – and I continue to enjoy the humour – Qae’s smart-mouthed snark and his interactions with Rian are often very funny – the team dynamic, and the found family aspect of the stories.
Rian Sherron has been a pivotal figure throughout the series; he’s Atrophy ’s Kirk/Mal/Picard and as such has had a major role in all the other books. His romance with Ella takes a bit of a weird turn here, with lots of psychic/mental … stuff (sex on the astral plane?!) – and I never really understood why the entropic entanglement involved a third-person. In her author’s note, Ms. Anastasi explains that she had originally planned at least one more book in the series, but that “due to circumstances” that hasn’t happened – perhaps the entanglement plotline was meant to have been further developed. But still, the author makes good use of it at certain key moments, and the chemistry between Rian and Ella is as strong as ever, so I can deal with a bit of weird.
The author has dropped hints throughout the series that Ella is much more powerful than she lets on and that her abilities could be used in a truly devastating way should she ever choose – or be forced – to use them in that capacity. Here, we learn more about what those powers are, although I have to say that this is another aspect of the book that didn’t quite make sense to me. Maybe it’s me and I missed something, but I wasn’t wholly convinced by Ella’s sudden transformation near the end.
But that and a few other minor inconsistencies aside, I enjoyed The Final Dawn and would recommend the Atrophy series to fans of sci-fi/space opera and anyone who enjoys a rollicking, action-packed, high-stakes adventure yarn.
Note: The other books in this series have been re-titled and re-covered since this review was first posted. (Frankly, I don't think it's for the better.)
The Final Dawn is the fifth and final book in Jess Anastasi’s Atrophy series, featuring the motley crew of the starship Imojenna under the command of the super badass, super enigmatic Rian Sherron. This story has been a long time coming; book four, Entropy , was published in 2018 and I confess I’d been worried that maybe the series was going to remain unfinished – so I was jumping for joy when I learned that wasn’t the case, and that The Final Dawn would – at last – complete the series and deliver a story for Rian and Ella, the Arynian High Priestess he rescued way back in book one.
The Atrophy books feature an overarching plotline and an ensemble cast, so it’s advisable to have read at least some of the preceding titles in order to gain a full understanding of the plotlines and characters. There will be spoilers for the other books in this review.
A quick bit of background. An alien race of shapeshifters called the Reidar is slowly infiltrating every aspect of human civilisation and replacing key members of Earth’s industry and government with their own. They’ve so far managed to do this without attracting attention, but Rian – who was captured and experimented on by the Reidar before managing to escape – knows what’s going on and is determined to expose the alien plot and preferably rid the universe of as many Reidar as possible along the way. Each of the books in the series has featured its own self-contained storyline running alongside the main plot as well as a romance that reached an HFN/HEA by the end, but in The Final Dawn, the focus is firmly on the fight against the Reidar and the romance between Rian and Ella who have been striking sparks off each other since they met. Their relationship became considerably more complicated in book four, Entropy, when they were mentally and emotionally connected in an entropic entanglement (which also includes former commando Varean Donnelly – and in case you’re wondering, there are no kinky mind-meld-threesomes here!), and when The Final Dawn opens, Rian is still struggling to adjust to the fact that he and Ella are inextricably bound. After years of distancing himself from everything and everyone, suddenly not being alone in his head, heart and soul is profoundly disturbing. Rian has been unsettled by Ella’s telepathic abilities and her cool, detached demeanour since they first met and has gone out of his way to interact with her as little as possible, trying to ignore his inconvenient attraction to her.
When the book proper opens, the rag-taggle crew of the Imojenna has been laying low in relative safety on the planet of Tripoli while Rian has spent the last eight months on the homeworld of the Mar’keish, a race with similar telepathic abilities to the Arynians, learning about and trying to understand the entanglement and the abilities he has developed as a result of being mentally linked to Ella. He’s also spent that time thinking up inventive ways to kill Ella’s brother Isiah Kinton; he’s sure Kinton has harmed his sister in some way and wants to find out what he did and then make the man pay.
Mar’keish intelligence learns of a likely Reidar gathering at an upcoming interplanetary summit, and if, as suspected, they are getting ready to enact the final stage of their universal domination plan, Rian wants to be part of the Mar’keish delegation. There’s just one snag – Isiah Kinton is going to be there, and word is he’s become extremely interested in Rian over the past few months.
“Aw, has he gone all fanboy over my war hero stories?”
“Think less fanboy and more wants-to-kill-you-on-sight for abducting his sister.”
“If we’re being technical, I accidentally rescued her. He should be thanking me.”
“If by ‘thanks’, you mean he wants to see you arrested and punished, then he’s already way ahead of you.”
Kinton’s presence at the summit will make things difficult but not impossible – Rian will simply have to keep a low profile. (Pfft, right.)
In the meantime, Rian’s crew has learned of his intention to head into Reidar Central, and, with the exception of Ella and Zahli (Rian’s sister), who remain on Tripoli in order to keep Ella safe from her brother, they all head out on the Ebony Winter (Qae’s ship) to provide back-up. Needless to say, things don’t quite go to plan (an understatement) and our heroes quickly find themselves up to their necks in trouble (as per usual).
I won’t say more about the plot, which is fast-paced with an intriguing storyline and some terrific set-pieces, which are so vividly written that they played out like mini-movies in my head. There’s a strongly written secondary cast – most of whom you’ll have already met if you’ve read the other books – and I continue to enjoy the humour – Qae’s smart-mouthed snark and his interactions with Rian are often very funny – the team dynamic, and the found family aspect of the stories.
Rian Sherron has been a pivotal figure throughout the series; he’s Atrophy ’s Kirk/Mal/Picard and as such has had a major role in all the other books. His romance with Ella takes a bit of a weird turn here, with lots of psychic/mental … stuff (sex on the astral plane?!) – and I never really understood why the entropic entanglement involved a third-person. In her author’s note, Ms. Anastasi explains that she had originally planned at least one more book in the series, but that “due to circumstances” that hasn’t happened – perhaps the entanglement plotline was meant to have been further developed. But still, the author makes good use of it at certain key moments, and the chemistry between Rian and Ella is as strong as ever, so I can deal with a bit of weird.
The author has dropped hints throughout the series that Ella is much more powerful than she lets on and that her abilities could be used in a truly devastating way should she ever choose – or be forced – to use them in that capacity. Here, we learn more about what those powers are, although I have to say that this is another aspect of the book that didn’t quite make sense to me. Maybe it’s me and I missed something, but I wasn’t wholly convinced by Ella’s sudden transformation near the end.
But that and a few other minor inconsistencies aside, I enjoyed The Final Dawn and would recommend the Atrophy series to fans of sci-fi/space opera and anyone who enjoys a rollicking, action-packed, high-stakes adventure yarn.
Note: The other books in this series have been re-titled and re-covered since this review was first posted. (Frankly, I don't think it's for the better.)
October 14, 2021
THE FINAL DAWN was an exciting end to one of my favorite series. I've followed the misfit crew of the Imojenna through all their adventures to stop the evil shape-shifting aliens invading the galaxy. These characters have felt like friends and I’ve loved reading about their journey, their happiness, and their struggles.
Rian and Ella's romance has been four books in the making and this has been the slowest burn to get to this point. Rian especially has come a long way from the angry, damaged, and lonely captain he started as. Of course he’s still dangerous and wild and willing to burn it all down to protect those he loves. This is one assassin, turned war hero, turned space misfit that you don’t want to mess with. While he won’t outwardly admit it, Rian would do anything for Ella and his devotion and care toward her was a really sweet spot on such a hard character.
Ella too is incredibly loyal to the family she’s built in the past two years and while she never expected to end up on the Imojenna she’s finally found somewhere that accepts her. I loved watching Ella gain confidence in herself and her abilities and finally break completely free from her past. And of course it was great to see all of the other side characters and prior couples who make up this series.
My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and after reading the author’s note in the back of the book stating there was originally going to be one more book before Rian and Ella’s I can see why things felt rushed. Ella and Rian spend a large part of the first half of the book apart from each other and while their relationship has been building through the whole series it felt a little abrupt when they finally decided to give into their feelings. And the last 20% or so brings a lot of action but it all happens so fast as the team goes from having no idea how to defeat the Reidar to suddenly knowing exactly what to do. I would have loved to get Lianna’s story and see this ending be fully developed but under the circumstances, Jess Anastasi does a good job bringing the series to a close.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: references to past abuse, torture, experimentation
Rian and Ella's romance has been four books in the making and this has been the slowest burn to get to this point. Rian especially has come a long way from the angry, damaged, and lonely captain he started as. Of course he’s still dangerous and wild and willing to burn it all down to protect those he loves. This is one assassin, turned war hero, turned space misfit that you don’t want to mess with. While he won’t outwardly admit it, Rian would do anything for Ella and his devotion and care toward her was a really sweet spot on such a hard character.
Ella too is incredibly loyal to the family she’s built in the past two years and while she never expected to end up on the Imojenna she’s finally found somewhere that accepts her. I loved watching Ella gain confidence in herself and her abilities and finally break completely free from her past. And of course it was great to see all of the other side characters and prior couples who make up this series.
My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and after reading the author’s note in the back of the book stating there was originally going to be one more book before Rian and Ella’s I can see why things felt rushed. Ella and Rian spend a large part of the first half of the book apart from each other and while their relationship has been building through the whole series it felt a little abrupt when they finally decided to give into their feelings. And the last 20% or so brings a lot of action but it all happens so fast as the team goes from having no idea how to defeat the Reidar to suddenly knowing exactly what to do. I would have loved to get Lianna’s story and see this ending be fully developed but under the circumstances, Jess Anastasi does a good job bringing the series to a close.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: references to past abuse, torture, experimentation
March 10, 2021
3.5 stars rounding up…
As much as I’ve been following Jess Anastasi’s Atrophy series, ‘The Final Dawn’ is far from a standalone and having read the previous Atrophy books a long time ago, catching up without having a re-read of the previous instalments is in itself an uphill climb.
That it’s the final book in the series and a sudden change in direction of the whole arc that finally focuses on Rian and Ella make it a boon, though what I hadn’t expected to hit me at first was frustration: at not remembering the whole chunk of details—essentially a very complicated world-building truckload of history—while trying to understand what’s really going on.
If I’d thought that Rian/Ella’s story was going to be a straightforward one, Anastasi reminds us that the waters had been muddied a few books ago and continue to get more and more tangled as time goes on. Their history is more than a mouthful to recap, except that it takes a bit of a turn for the weird with lots of mental/psychic movement and a ‘threesome’ (psychic!) bonding—sex on some kind of astral plane, anyone?—when for quite a bit of the book, Rian and Ella spend it physically separated.
Then again, ‘The Final Dawn’ is written in the spirit of amalgamating the well-known tropes of the super-hero/syfy shows in the last decade or so, with switches in POVs and non-stop action that juggles multiple sub-plots quite deftly. It isn’t solely a focused syfy-romance but more of a team-dynamic-focused one that zips from one place to another at the speed of light as Anastasi’s characters twist their way around fighting the bad guys and struggle to recognise the good ones.
It’s top-entertainment value—definitely so, if syfy-adventure is your thing—and the easier it is to get into the story the further on you go, if that’s the only investment to make as you push past the first few chapters to reorientate. I had personally hoped for something a little less complicated for Rian/Ella which didn’t have to take so merry rounds around the galaxy for them to come together, but the higher the stakes get, the greater the reward. Essentially, ‘The Final Dawn’ is one to go for only when you’re deep into the world of Atrophy; anything else and its impact wouldn’t be felt that much.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
As much as I’ve been following Jess Anastasi’s Atrophy series, ‘The Final Dawn’ is far from a standalone and having read the previous Atrophy books a long time ago, catching up without having a re-read of the previous instalments is in itself an uphill climb.
That it’s the final book in the series and a sudden change in direction of the whole arc that finally focuses on Rian and Ella make it a boon, though what I hadn’t expected to hit me at first was frustration: at not remembering the whole chunk of details—essentially a very complicated world-building truckload of history—while trying to understand what’s really going on.
If I’d thought that Rian/Ella’s story was going to be a straightforward one, Anastasi reminds us that the waters had been muddied a few books ago and continue to get more and more tangled as time goes on. Their history is more than a mouthful to recap, except that it takes a bit of a turn for the weird with lots of mental/psychic movement and a ‘threesome’ (psychic!) bonding—sex on some kind of astral plane, anyone?—when for quite a bit of the book, Rian and Ella spend it physically separated.
Then again, ‘The Final Dawn’ is written in the spirit of amalgamating the well-known tropes of the super-hero/syfy shows in the last decade or so, with switches in POVs and non-stop action that juggles multiple sub-plots quite deftly. It isn’t solely a focused syfy-romance but more of a team-dynamic-focused one that zips from one place to another at the speed of light as Anastasi’s characters twist their way around fighting the bad guys and struggle to recognise the good ones.
It’s top-entertainment value—definitely so, if syfy-adventure is your thing—and the easier it is to get into the story the further on you go, if that’s the only investment to make as you push past the first few chapters to reorientate. I had personally hoped for something a little less complicated for Rian/Ella which didn’t have to take so merry rounds around the galaxy for them to come together, but the higher the stakes get, the greater the reward. Essentially, ‘The Final Dawn’ is one to go for only when you’re deep into the world of Atrophy; anything else and its impact wouldn’t be felt that much.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
March 27, 2021
Originally published at Reading Reality
I picked up The Final Dawn because I enjoyed so much of the Atrophy series – to the point where I gave more than one entry in the series an SFR Galaxy Award.
The Atrophy series began as more than a bit of a Firefly-alike, and when it began back in 2015 with Atrophy, later republished as The Last Sky, it filled a Serenity-shaped hole in my heart as it had not been all that long since I finally got around to rewatching the oft-recommended and much-beloved TV series.
The series continued with Quantum in 2016 (now titled The Lost Stars), Diffraction in 2017 (now The Dark Moon) and then Entropy in 2018 (now The Empty Night). And then nothing. It was obvious from the ending of Entropy and there was more to come in the series, but real-life entropy set in and … crickets.
Until now. The Final Dawn is the final book in the series, but it’s been three years since the previous book. Long enough that I’m not entirely certain that the reason this book didn’t feel like it really followed on from the previous is because I’ve forgotten too much or because it doesn’t follow nearly as well or as tightly as the previous books did.
And that matters because the books in this series are not true standalones. The romantic pairing is different in each but everyone stays together to fight the good fight and all of the prior action and worldbuilding gets tied up in this final book in the series.
So this one follows everything that came before, and on top of that felt both rushed and like more than a bit of kitchen sink got thrown in. To reference another late and much-lamented science fiction TV series, it reminded me a bit too much of the way that Babylon 5 nearly ended at the end of season 4, so all the plot threads had to start closing in a hurry, only for there to be a reprieve giving us a season 5 after all, albeit one that had more than a bit of filler because so many plot threads had been closed.
As this series reaches The Final Dawn, the characters are separated, everything spins downward towards the dark, and it all takes on a spiritual/metaphysical direction that just did not feel like it was part of the original action/adventure story that I enjoyed so much.
Escape Rating C: In the end, The Final Dawn was a book that I so very much wanted to love, but just didn’t. And I’m rather sad about that. The first four books in this series were wonderful, the characters were fascinating, the worldbuilding was complex and the overarching story of an underdog crew fighting against an enemy that no one else even believes exists was compelling.
I’m still glad to know how it all ended. Mostly. At least I think I am.
I picked up The Final Dawn because I enjoyed so much of the Atrophy series – to the point where I gave more than one entry in the series an SFR Galaxy Award.
The Atrophy series began as more than a bit of a Firefly-alike, and when it began back in 2015 with Atrophy, later republished as The Last Sky, it filled a Serenity-shaped hole in my heart as it had not been all that long since I finally got around to rewatching the oft-recommended and much-beloved TV series.
The series continued with Quantum in 2016 (now titled The Lost Stars), Diffraction in 2017 (now The Dark Moon) and then Entropy in 2018 (now The Empty Night). And then nothing. It was obvious from the ending of Entropy and there was more to come in the series, but real-life entropy set in and … crickets.
Until now. The Final Dawn is the final book in the series, but it’s been three years since the previous book. Long enough that I’m not entirely certain that the reason this book didn’t feel like it really followed on from the previous is because I’ve forgotten too much or because it doesn’t follow nearly as well or as tightly as the previous books did.
And that matters because the books in this series are not true standalones. The romantic pairing is different in each but everyone stays together to fight the good fight and all of the prior action and worldbuilding gets tied up in this final book in the series.
So this one follows everything that came before, and on top of that felt both rushed and like more than a bit of kitchen sink got thrown in. To reference another late and much-lamented science fiction TV series, it reminded me a bit too much of the way that Babylon 5 nearly ended at the end of season 4, so all the plot threads had to start closing in a hurry, only for there to be a reprieve giving us a season 5 after all, albeit one that had more than a bit of filler because so many plot threads had been closed.
As this series reaches The Final Dawn, the characters are separated, everything spins downward towards the dark, and it all takes on a spiritual/metaphysical direction that just did not feel like it was part of the original action/adventure story that I enjoyed so much.
Escape Rating C: In the end, The Final Dawn was a book that I so very much wanted to love, but just didn’t. And I’m rather sad about that. The first four books in this series were wonderful, the characters were fascinating, the worldbuilding was complex and the overarching story of an underdog crew fighting against an enemy that no one else even believes exists was compelling.
I’m still glad to know how it all ended. Mostly. At least I think I am.
November 29, 2022
Series: Atrophy #5
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
We have finally come to the end of the Atrophy series and the final stand against the invading Reidar. I have loved following this crazy band of misfits around the universe while they defeat the Reidar, fall in love, and cause a lot of chaos.
Rian and Ella have been fighting their feelings since the beginning of this series, making this an extremely slow burn romance in a way. Rian is no longer the angry and vengeful man we met in the first book. He has changed over the past two years as he has dealt with the death of crew members, his friends falling in love, new revelations about the Reidar, and of course, being around Ella. Like I said in the beginning of this series, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy Rian’s book but Anastasi did an amazing job at character development for Rian. I love the progression of his character and I especially love the progression of his relationship with Ella. I love how he will do anything for her and is completely devoted to her.
Ella has found a true family with the crew of the Imojenna. She will do anything for this family and she risks it all for them. I really loved seeing her find her confidence and embrace her abilities. It was great seeing her finally stand up for herself and being the badass that has been hiding inside her. Her connection to Rian and Varean has been fascinating. It was great seeing them be a team together and learn to lean on each other in times of need, especially when dealing with grief.
The final battle against the Reidar finally happens and while I really enjoyed it and think it was a good ending, I do feel that it was a bit rushed, and maybe a little anticlimactic. The author’s note in the back does state that there was supposed to be another book before Rian and Ella’s and that got scrapped, so that probably is why things felt a little rushed. It was a lot towards the end, especially after Rian and Ella spend a good portion of this book apart.
Overall, this was a really great series. I do wish the author had been able to write the missing book and not rush things but I still really enjoyed all of it. I am really going to miss this misfit family and world.
Trigger Warnings: suicide; grief; PTSD; references to past abuse, torture, and experimentation.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
We have finally come to the end of the Atrophy series and the final stand against the invading Reidar. I have loved following this crazy band of misfits around the universe while they defeat the Reidar, fall in love, and cause a lot of chaos.
Rian and Ella have been fighting their feelings since the beginning of this series, making this an extremely slow burn romance in a way. Rian is no longer the angry and vengeful man we met in the first book. He has changed over the past two years as he has dealt with the death of crew members, his friends falling in love, new revelations about the Reidar, and of course, being around Ella. Like I said in the beginning of this series, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy Rian’s book but Anastasi did an amazing job at character development for Rian. I love the progression of his character and I especially love the progression of his relationship with Ella. I love how he will do anything for her and is completely devoted to her.
Ella has found a true family with the crew of the Imojenna. She will do anything for this family and she risks it all for them. I really loved seeing her find her confidence and embrace her abilities. It was great seeing her finally stand up for herself and being the badass that has been hiding inside her. Her connection to Rian and Varean has been fascinating. It was great seeing them be a team together and learn to lean on each other in times of need, especially when dealing with grief.
The final battle against the Reidar finally happens and while I really enjoyed it and think it was a good ending, I do feel that it was a bit rushed, and maybe a little anticlimactic. The author’s note in the back does state that there was supposed to be another book before Rian and Ella’s and that got scrapped, so that probably is why things felt a little rushed. It was a lot towards the end, especially after Rian and Ella spend a good portion of this book apart.
Overall, this was a really great series. I do wish the author had been able to write the missing book and not rush things but I still really enjoyed all of it. I am really going to miss this misfit family and world.
Trigger Warnings: suicide; grief; PTSD; references to past abuse, torture, and experimentation.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
March 9, 2021
Well this is the end of this series so the author had a lot of loose ends to tie up. If honest I have only read one other book in this series and as it wasn't recently it took me a little while to get fully immersed in this story and what was happening but when things really got going it certainly pulled me in.
Rian and Ella are struggling with their new reality as a trio who are mentally and emotionally connected as this book begins . Now don't ask me to explain it because yes there's another person involved and honestly even Rian doesn't fully understand what it all means ! What I can say is this rag tag bunch of mercenaries, space pirates and ex military are all united in overthrowing the Reidan, a type in of alien that can shape shift . Rian was forever altered by them in the hopes of turning him into a killer but with Ella's help he has come back to himself. Ella is hiding from her vile brother and to protect her Rian starts tracking him down but nothing is as straight forward as it seems and the crew of the Imojenna are about to discover what their enemies are truly capable of !
As I stated I've missed a few books in this series so some of the ensemble cast took me by surprise. I think it's clear the author had hoped to expand this storyline but did an excellent job of bringing everything to fruition earlier than probably planned. I am still a little hazy about all the metaphysical events happening here but could easily follow the basic storyline. I absolutely loved the humour although hasten to say that this is sci fi romance with action although at times I wasn't a hundred percent convinced by somethings particularly Ella's remarkable transformation. I think for this reader show rather then tell does work better. I also believe having read this book that I personally prefer the authors Valiant Knox series but if I get the time I might search out previous books because I really liked Rians cousin. This is hard to rate because it honestly didn't wow me initially but (slight spoiler) when certain characters got captured it got very interesting so have decided on a four.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Rian and Ella are struggling with their new reality as a trio who are mentally and emotionally connected as this book begins . Now don't ask me to explain it because yes there's another person involved and honestly even Rian doesn't fully understand what it all means ! What I can say is this rag tag bunch of mercenaries, space pirates and ex military are all united in overthrowing the Reidan, a type in of alien that can shape shift . Rian was forever altered by them in the hopes of turning him into a killer but with Ella's help he has come back to himself. Ella is hiding from her vile brother and to protect her Rian starts tracking him down but nothing is as straight forward as it seems and the crew of the Imojenna are about to discover what their enemies are truly capable of !
As I stated I've missed a few books in this series so some of the ensemble cast took me by surprise. I think it's clear the author had hoped to expand this storyline but did an excellent job of bringing everything to fruition earlier than probably planned. I am still a little hazy about all the metaphysical events happening here but could easily follow the basic storyline. I absolutely loved the humour although hasten to say that this is sci fi romance with action although at times I wasn't a hundred percent convinced by somethings particularly Ella's remarkable transformation. I think for this reader show rather then tell does work better. I also believe having read this book that I personally prefer the authors Valiant Knox series but if I get the time I might search out previous books because I really liked Rians cousin. This is hard to rate because it honestly didn't wow me initially but (slight spoiler) when certain characters got captured it got very interesting so have decided on a four.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
March 22, 2021
4.5 stars
It’s been a while since I’ve read this series, but within a few pages, I felt like I’d just visited Rian and his crew yesterday!
The Final Dawn was a fitting end to the Atrophy series. So many loose ends were tied up and explanations/reasons were finally given and/or exposed! Especially the Reidar’s ultimate designs—clues have been dropped left and right over the course of the series, but the entire plan exposed was definitely satisfactory. Rian and Ella’s relationship was put through the wringer (I was even getting the Romeo and Juliet-esque vibes for a little while) and I loved the unguarded emotions between them. Qae was still a mouthy hot mess I could depend on for levity, Zander and a few others also have a strong showing...I could prattle on, and on, and on...
Although I’m sad to see this series end, Anastasi ended things with a definite bang and I couldn’t ask for a better ending.
I received an advance reader copy from the Entangled Publishing/Netgalley. This is my honest review.
It’s been a while since I’ve read this series, but within a few pages, I felt like I’d just visited Rian and his crew yesterday!
The Final Dawn was a fitting end to the Atrophy series. So many loose ends were tied up and explanations/reasons were finally given and/or exposed! Especially the Reidar’s ultimate designs—clues have been dropped left and right over the course of the series, but the entire plan exposed was definitely satisfactory. Rian and Ella’s relationship was put through the wringer (I was even getting the Romeo and Juliet-esque vibes for a little while) and I loved the unguarded emotions between them. Qae was still a mouthy hot mess I could depend on for levity, Zander and a few others also have a strong showing...I could prattle on, and on, and on...
Although I’m sad to see this series end, Anastasi ended things with a definite bang and I couldn’t ask for a better ending.
I received an advance reader copy from the Entangled Publishing/Netgalley. This is my honest review.
March 23, 2021
I was able to read the first in this series and then this one, which unfortunately seems to be the last. I'm glad I discovered a new author that I hope to continue reading for a long time, and I can't recommend that you read the three books in between as well, because they are definitely worth it.
Sono riuscita a leggere il primo di questa serie e poi questo, che sembra purtroppo l'ultimo. Sono contenta di aver scoperto una nuova autrice che spero di continuare a leggere a lungo e non posso consigliarvi che leggere anche i tre libri nel mezzo, perché sicuramente valgono la pena.
I received a complimentary digital copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Sono riuscita a leggere il primo di questa serie e poi questo, che sembra purtroppo l'ultimo. Sono contenta di aver scoperto una nuova autrice che spero di continuare a leggere a lungo e non posso consigliarvi che leggere anche i tre libri nel mezzo, perché sicuramente valgono la pena.
I received a complimentary digital copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
March 23, 2021
It feels like forever since I read the last book in the Atrophy series. I was beginning to lose hope but finally, here it is: The Final Dawn. What! A! Ending! OhEmGee it was well worth the wait because finally, FINALLY - Rian and Ella’s story! YOWZA!
Years ago, Rian had rescued Arynian priestess, Ella, from slave traders. There has always been this attraction between them, but they have been refusing to admit they wanted each other. That tension has made for some great reading and the overwhelm desire to shake them both. Years of pent up desires and refusal to acknowledge those emotions exist have been some of the funniest moments between them. Rian makes a mistake with Ella and goes running, hiding away for MONTHS leaving his crew and everybody hanging. Of course, the Readon are up to something but the question is what. Because all of that isn’t exciting enough, Ella’s brother is still on the hunt for her. Everything is out of control and escalating so fast. I don’t know if I can take the excitement.
Let’s start with The Final Dawn should not be read as a stand-alone. There are quite a few couples, a lot of history with the Readons and what has happen between them and the rest of this galaxy. Without that knowledge you will be lost. So, if you plan on jumping into the series starting with this book, don’t. Now if you have been following the series, let me tell you now, call in sick, hide away somewhere because once you start you will not want to put it down.
Holy cow, Rian and Ella. About time they finally get together. However, we can’t just make it simple. Oh, no. Rian is stubborn headed in his usual style and he goes and makes it worse by running away leaving his crew and Ella high and dry. Oh, Rian - did you forget the Readon and Ella’s brother are still trying to get their hands on her? Then there is poor Varean, thanks to the entanglement, he is stuck in the middle of their emotional roller coaster ride. It’s a rough road for this couple to finally get their HEA, and along the way they must deal with abductions, killer aliens, a prisoner planet, and a crew that just can’t stay out of it.
Seeing as this is the last book in the series, here’s a lot of loose ends that need to be addressed. It’s all very fast-paced but for those in the know of the series, it more than satisfying. Author Jess Anastasi has done an outstanding job addressing them which made The Final Dawn well worth the wait. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the adventures of the Imojenna crew and I’m so sad to see it all end. I’m going to miss everything from Qae smart mouth antics, Varean’s quandary in the entanglement to Rian’s…everything! The Atrophy series is probably one of my most favorite science fiction romance series and I plan on reading it again.
Stars: 5
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Years ago, Rian had rescued Arynian priestess, Ella, from slave traders. There has always been this attraction between them, but they have been refusing to admit they wanted each other. That tension has made for some great reading and the overwhelm desire to shake them both. Years of pent up desires and refusal to acknowledge those emotions exist have been some of the funniest moments between them. Rian makes a mistake with Ella and goes running, hiding away for MONTHS leaving his crew and everybody hanging. Of course, the Readon are up to something but the question is what. Because all of that isn’t exciting enough, Ella’s brother is still on the hunt for her. Everything is out of control and escalating so fast. I don’t know if I can take the excitement.
Let’s start with The Final Dawn should not be read as a stand-alone. There are quite a few couples, a lot of history with the Readons and what has happen between them and the rest of this galaxy. Without that knowledge you will be lost. So, if you plan on jumping into the series starting with this book, don’t. Now if you have been following the series, let me tell you now, call in sick, hide away somewhere because once you start you will not want to put it down.
Holy cow, Rian and Ella. About time they finally get together. However, we can’t just make it simple. Oh, no. Rian is stubborn headed in his usual style and he goes and makes it worse by running away leaving his crew and Ella high and dry. Oh, Rian - did you forget the Readon and Ella’s brother are still trying to get their hands on her? Then there is poor Varean, thanks to the entanglement, he is stuck in the middle of their emotional roller coaster ride. It’s a rough road for this couple to finally get their HEA, and along the way they must deal with abductions, killer aliens, a prisoner planet, and a crew that just can’t stay out of it.
Seeing as this is the last book in the series, here’s a lot of loose ends that need to be addressed. It’s all very fast-paced but for those in the know of the series, it more than satisfying. Author Jess Anastasi has done an outstanding job addressing them which made The Final Dawn well worth the wait. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the adventures of the Imojenna crew and I’m so sad to see it all end. I’m going to miss everything from Qae smart mouth antics, Varean’s quandary in the entanglement to Rian’s…everything! The Atrophy series is probably one of my most favorite science fiction romance series and I plan on reading it again.
Stars: 5
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 22, 2021
When I initially requested FINAL DAWN I was unaware that it was both part of a series and the series ender. Being brand new to the series, I wasn’t sure what to expect other than it would be an intergalactic sort of chase which I was totally down for. What followed was such an interesting series of plots with a cast of characters that I’m dying to know more about. And while it did take me a little time to get used to the world and the machinery and the places and things, everything eventually settled nicely into place leaving me easily able to enjoy this fast-paced tale.
While this is definitely a sci-fi romance book, the romance isn’t at the forefront. Instead the action and the chase and the danger take precedence and I was most definitely patiently waiting for the spark between Ella and Rian to finally come to fruition. And slowly but surely it did. There’s also an interesting element which ties in directly to the romantic thread where certain characters share a sort of mental bond where feelings and such are shared via mental link, and I really enjoyed that part. Though I’m hoping to learn more about it when I eventually go back and read the beginning of the series.
Bottom line — despite coming in to the series at the end, I really enjoyed this final book in Anastasi’s Atrophy series. Filled with action, adventure, and a really interesting romance, I will certainly be starting this series from the beginning to catch up on all I’ve missed.
*eARC received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.
While this is definitely a sci-fi romance book, the romance isn’t at the forefront. Instead the action and the chase and the danger take precedence and I was most definitely patiently waiting for the spark between Ella and Rian to finally come to fruition. And slowly but surely it did. There’s also an interesting element which ties in directly to the romantic thread where certain characters share a sort of mental bond where feelings and such are shared via mental link, and I really enjoyed that part. Though I’m hoping to learn more about it when I eventually go back and read the beginning of the series.
Bottom line — despite coming in to the series at the end, I really enjoyed this final book in Anastasi’s Atrophy series. Filled with action, adventure, and a really interesting romance, I will certainly be starting this series from the beginning to catch up on all I’ve missed.
*eARC received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.
March 14, 2021
OMW - I've loved this series from the get-go and I've not so patiently waited for Rian and Ella's story. I know it's the last in the series but I really could keep on reading. I'm really hoping that well' see more from these characters in future books/series.
Rian and Ella do not make it easy on themselves. They are their own worst enemies. I do feel sorry for Varean being trapped in the entanglement with them LOL. While the entanglement forever binds them together, Rian has somehow managed to "disconnect" himself. The others can still feel him but other than that - bupkiss. He's done a complete disappearing act. He knows he needs to get his temper and his psychic abilities under control or he'll hurt someone.
The crew, however, are not about to let their captain/friend/relation go off on a jaunt by himself. They'll track his ass down and make him see that he needs them just as much as they need him. If they're facing down Ella's odious brother and the invaders, they'll need every set of hands, eyes and weird psychic abilities they can get their hands on.
There is no resting on the laurels here - it's a fast-paced, in your face sci-fi adventure. There is plenty of humour and the "sexy times" between Rian and Ella are really well handled.
I really am sad to see the crew fly off into the far reaches of the universe.
Rian and Ella do not make it easy on themselves. They are their own worst enemies. I do feel sorry for Varean being trapped in the entanglement with them LOL. While the entanglement forever binds them together, Rian has somehow managed to "disconnect" himself. The others can still feel him but other than that - bupkiss. He's done a complete disappearing act. He knows he needs to get his temper and his psychic abilities under control or he'll hurt someone.
The crew, however, are not about to let their captain/friend/relation go off on a jaunt by himself. They'll track his ass down and make him see that he needs them just as much as they need him. If they're facing down Ella's odious brother and the invaders, they'll need every set of hands, eyes and weird psychic abilities they can get their hands on.
There is no resting on the laurels here - it's a fast-paced, in your face sci-fi adventure. There is plenty of humour and the "sexy times" between Rian and Ella are really well handled.
I really am sad to see the crew fly off into the far reaches of the universe.
March 13, 2021
The conclusion to the 5 book series and not a standalone. I had to look up when I'd read the last book. While I still recall the main storyline of the fight against the Reidar, I was somewhat lost at the beginning of the book which I assume must have picked up where the 4th one left off. I couldn't even remember some of the characters, surprisingly the ones in the 4th book, Rian's cousin Qaelan & his lover Cami.
Having said that I still found The Final Dawn a good read. The characters totally suck you in. Rian especially has been a firm favourite since the 1st book. What I liked most was the camaraderie between the characters, and how each one had their unique personalities and quirks but that they were totally a family and loyal to each other.
I felt the Reidar's hive mind wasn't explained at the end (or I didn't get it). Still the whole series is worth the read. I'm hoping the author will continue with the series or with a spin off.
Having said that I still found The Final Dawn a good read. The characters totally suck you in. Rian especially has been a firm favourite since the 1st book. What I liked most was the camaraderie between the characters, and how each one had their unique personalities and quirks but that they were totally a family and loyal to each other.
I felt the Reidar's hive mind wasn't explained at the end (or I didn't get it). Still the whole series is worth the read. I'm hoping the author will continue with the series or with a spin off.
March 28, 2021
Great finale to this sci-fi romance series! I'm so glad to see the crew of the Imojenna survive and love how the major issues get resolved, as well as finally getting a resolution (and a happy one) to Rian and Ella's turbulent relationship. The story is told mostly from Rian, Ella, and Rian's cousin Qae's point of view, which is fitting as there are now multiple characters whose story arcs are intertwined as the overall worldbuilding arc come to its conclusion. I'm glad the author was able to finish the series and thankful to Entangled for waiting patiently, like the rest of the fans, for the conclusion. It's definitely a series for the reread shelf!
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 14, 2021
While I enjoyed this book it would have been best if I had read the previous one. It took a bit to figure out wshat was what. The world building is excellent. The characters diverse and entertaining. I will go back and read the previous books.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and freely leave this honest review.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and freely leave this honest review.
March 25, 2021
Went into this with anticipation. Rian will give us his full attention as he goes be the captain whom happens to do a rescue. Ella's is a interesting character. He tries to be in denial on feelings but the two have to be a team. Going along with the two to see where they takes us and do we survive?
Read
June 7, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Torture
Torture
March 23, 2021
So I started it, then realized it's been three years since the last book came out I should refresh my memory, so I went back and reread the previous four books. And yes you really should read the previous books beforehand.
Dang! This book! Just a great end to the story. Reading the progression of Rian and Ella's connection in the previous books and then reading this one was just wow. The Reidar's master plan is coming to fruition. Rian and the crews of the Imojenna and Ebony Winter are facing the ruthless shape shifters one last time.
Death, destruction, and the annihilation of it all! A rollercoaster of excitement and Rian and Ella finally have sex!
ARC REVIEW
Dang! This book! Just a great end to the story. Reading the progression of Rian and Ella's connection in the previous books and then reading this one was just wow. The Reidar's master plan is coming to fruition. Rian and the crews of the Imojenna and Ebony Winter are facing the ruthless shape shifters one last time.
Death, destruction, and the annihilation of it all! A rollercoaster of excitement and Rian and Ella finally have sex!
ARC REVIEW
March 30, 2021
To finally get a conclusion to this series and especially about my two favourite characters is a relief. I’d have loved to have more books in this series but as the author says (or something along these lines) at the end things don’t always work out as you wish. But all in all this was a fantastic ending for the crew of the Imogenna and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to end.
Advanced review copy provided for voluntary review consideration
Advanced review copy provided for voluntary review consideration
May 24, 2021
This was a fun book and great premise. If you enjoyed watching Firefly or its movie Serenity then this would definitely be your jam. Wonderful friendships and great banter between the characters. I will seek out the other books in the series as I have not read them.
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