Dawnbreaker is the third and final instalment of Jay Posey’s Duskwalker Trilogy.  Three and Morningside Fall were the first two books and I confess that I had a number of reservations with No.2 but I can say that Dawnbreaker worked a lot better for me, I thought it was a good ending and Posey has written a story that knocks a few of my former qualms on the head.  Be aware that this review may contain spoilers for the first two books in the series.

The story picks up almost immediately after Morningside Fall.  Wren has been posted out to Greenstone under the care of Chapel, Mol and Charles whilst Cass and a few remaining survivors try to gather their forces and escape from Asher and his Weir.

Basically the author chooses a split route for this story with Wren and Cass who have been together throughout taking separate paths.  Cass has taken the decision to hide Wren and try and lure out Asher.  She has a number of her retinue present and they’ve come up with a suicidal plan to return to Morningside to recover urgently needed supplies.  They will uncover a number of revelations along the way and in particular Cass has a moment of awakening herself.

Meanwhile Wren too has to make a difficult decision.  We’re finally introduced to the mysterious character from No.2 and he bears a strange resemblance to Three.  His name is Haiku and he was a ‘brother’ to Three.  He offers to help Wren but this offer definitely comes with strings and will involve Wren leaving the temporary comfort and security which Charles and Mol’s home offers.

Briefly, I really enjoyed Three.  It was such a unique reading experiences and I loved the character Three.  This is perhaps why Morningside Fall was more of a struggle – having killed Three off we were left with Cass and Wren holding up the story and to be honest neither of them felt strong enough to do so.  I really hate saying this but I have to be honest.  Cass was never my favourite character, she kind of gets on my nerves the way she ‘mummies’ Wren and, well, Wren is still a very young boy and not really ready to step into the ‘shoes of the main hero of the piece.  And, like I said, I liked Three so felt his loss.

Now, in steps Haiku and his strange ‘house’.  He leads Wren into the wilderness and hooks him up with a kind of sensei character who begins to train him – which basically means deconstructing everything he ever thought he knew and starting afresh.  I did really enjoy this element of the story – it has a Mr Miyagi ‘wax on, wax off’ feel to it.  Don’t get me wrong – there isn’t time for years to pass which will leave us with an adult and much changed Wren but there are some differences and some revelations and maturing.

On the other side I felt that Cass worked much better when she wasn’t constantly fussing over Wren and she also has a bit of a moment (almost a guilty revelation) in which she realises there is some freedom in now being on her own.  She’s confident that Wren is protected and she’s out on a mission to destroy Asher and this is something she decides she must do alone.

In that respect there was a sort of ‘coming of age’ feel to this instalment.

We also have Haiku, he’s a strong character and good to read.  Even though he doesn’t play the main role he certainly plays a very cohesive thread to the story.

And we have the introduction of some very tough as boots characters who come to the aid of Charles, Mol and Greenstone in the hour of their greatest need.

I still had a few criticisms.  Nothing major of course.  I think the story could have been shortened slightly and I have to admit that as soon as Cass and Wren were reunited I found them once again a little grating.  The ending was also a little quickly and quietly resolved and for those expecting major battles that could be a let down – personally I didn’t find the lack of massive battle scenes disappointing but just thought I’d chuck it out there.

Overall I enjoyed Dawnbreaker and thought it was a good ending – I think that Three remains my favourite character and favourite instalment of the series but this was a good ending.

I received a copy of this from the publishers through Netgalley for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.