War of the Bastards (Royal Bastards)

Tilla is on the run, spending her days attacking her father’s army and hiding with the rebels. She dreams of spending her days with Zell, living out her days quietly on a farm, but knows she must first defeat her father and return Lyriana, the true Queen, to the throne. After being saved from a doomed rescue mission, Tilla and her friends meet Syan, who claims to be from the Red Wastes, a land they all believed to be vast and empty. Tilla and the group join Syan in the hopes of finding more magical soldiers who can take on her dad’s army of bloodmages, but when they arrive in her home city, their welcome is anything but.

This third and final book in the Royal Bastards series is a whirlwind of constant motion and momentum. The author kills off characters and describes the horrific gore of war with unapologetic glee. Tilla’s contemporary slang and sarcasm make her a character to love and respect. The plot twists do not stop coming until the final chapter in a lovely and deserving conclusion. Those who loved Red Queen and the Grishaversewill enjoy this series.