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Book Review: The Fallen Kingdom

The Fallen Kingdom paperback book - Scottish fantasy fiction
Buy The Fallen Kingdom

The Fallen Kingdom

by · ISBN: 9781399631150
★★★★☆
Young Adult Fantasy Steampunk Victorian Edinburgh

Overview

The Fallen Kingdom concludes the Falconer trilogy as war between fae courts reaches breaking point and Edinburgh stands on the edge of destruction. Aileana Kameron must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to end the violence, as old alliances fracture and survival becomes uncertain.

Writing & Voice

We found the writing urgent and emotionally charged. May keeps the pace high while allowing space for grief, doubt, and resolve. The voice reflects how far Aileana has travelled from rage driven hunter to someone forced to weigh consequence.

Content & Perspective

The novel moves between battlefield action, political manoeuvring, and intimate reckoning. Aileana’s bond with Kiaran is tested to its limits, and the cost of power is made explicit as decisions ripple across both human and fae worlds.

Themes

The Fallen Kingdom explores sacrifice, responsibility, and endings. It asks what justice looks like after prolonged violence and whether peace is possible without loss. We were struck by its refusal to offer easy victories.

What Worked

  • High stakes conclusion that follows through on earlier conflicts.
  • Emotional resolution grounded in character growth.
  • Confident world building brought to a close.

Minor Quibbles

  • The scale may feel overwhelming at times.
  • Some secondary arcs resolve quickly.

Final Thoughts

We found The Fallen Kingdom a resolute, emotionally weighted finale, where sacrifice and responsibility matter, and victory carries real cost rather than comfortable triumph.

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5

We recommend this to readers finishing the Falconer trilogy who want a decisive, emotionally grounded conclusion.