Too short :( ( )

Dawn's End and Outworld are connected by a single common denominator: Anastacia. Daughter of Nicole Newman - savior of Dawn's End - and Alaric Morrel, Anastacia is considered what would be high royalty to its inhabitants. She and her family are forever welcome into Dawn's End in the case she'd ever need to relocate.

Given the declining state of the Outworld due to extreme climate changes and the fallout caused by humans and their destructive behavior in the face of panic, uncertainty, and massive loss, Anastacia should really be looking into her relocation options.

She has a powerful ally within Dawn's End, a longtime friend named Bedad. Through his love of science, and his love for Anastacia, he is an integral part in the struggle to save her, her family, and a handful of those she loves.

It's a race against time and the elements, and challenges and roadblocks plague every turn. Will they reach Dawn's End in time, and will Dawn's End accept them all? Can the Outworld be saved in spite of itself?

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Dawn's End: Outworld Apocalypse is a light, fun read. I did not have the opportunity to read the first two books in this series, but I was able to read it alone without too much struggle. There is enough backstory peppered throughout to give a basic scaffolding to the reader. No doubt there exists a much richer, deeper understanding if the reader has actually read the first two books.

The apocalypse occurring in the Outworld is desperate and scary. I found the events a bit choppy, and perhaps that was the author's intention, but the timeline of events in the book felt a bit warped. Much attention would be paid to a singular, seemingly-devastating event but then everything seemed to return to a slightly-altered status quo. I didn't get the feeling that the characters' worlds were shattering the way they "should" given the state of the world. Things remained mostly normal long after things should have flipped a complete 180.

I felt a few things were rushed while others were drawn out. Specifically, the devastation that took place within Dawn's End regarding the children living there was a mere blip on the radar, while details about the Outworlders' gardens were plentiful. I would have liked to have read more about the former, in greater detail that would have endeared me to their struggles. Similarly, the disbanding of the Council was abrupt, and I really longed for more information.

These criticisms aside, Dawn's End: Outworld Apocalypse was a good read. I recommend it!

Disclaimer: I was provided this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. ( )