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Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction

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Rating: 5/5.

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“Forgetting is essential to learning, just as exhaling is essential to breathing. Breathe out, then in. Find the self, then lose it once again. Thus, the path goes ever onward.”

Lightbringer is a book of preservation above all else. Beyond the mess of violence inflicted in Dark Age, the narrative reaches for a better, if not quieter, world. 

It was with a heavy heart that I opened up this book; considering how much of a wild ride this whole saga has been, I was just not ready to have no next book until the publication of Red God. I am dreading the day when we say goodbye to our characters and all the plotlines are finally resolved (although I can’t imagine in a million years how). But still, I would be lying if I didn’t have the time of my life with Lightbringer.

Lightbringer, in many ways, is Dark Age’s hopeful brother. A much, much needed one. I like to think that Brown used all his tricks of torture in Dark Age that he had no choice but to stop the madness when he sat down to write this book. I was so relieved that while war is still raging mercilessly, the narrative brought a breathing space where our beaten down characters could regain their strength and conviction in their mission. While I was unsure if the rebel forces had ever a sliver of chance in winning the overall conflict at the end of Dark Age, Lightbinger reignited my hope that perhaps they are still capable of pulling through. With the new amount of troops in Darrow’s disposal, I truly hope he can get to Mars in time and rescue Mustang. 

“Do not fear for me. Instead, pity them.”

Of course, we have to mention the character that stole the scene. The one and only, Cassius Bellona. After he comes to save the day at the end of Dark Age, I was so ecstatic to see his brotherhood with Darrow spark again. Separate all this time and space but still able to understand each other through their shared struggles with their identities, it was such a heartwarming reminder that love can still bloom through everything. All this to say, I am STILL recovering from his death. It was bad the first time, but knowing this time, he is truly gone forever was just… too much. Especially after all the time he got to spend with Darrow. Definitely the highlight of the series when he affirmed his honor one last time, something Lysander could never do. 

“I think…if love is anything, it is truth. If life is anything, it is struggle.”

There are two plots I also want to touch on. The first is regarding Lyria and her Figment. I know some people were discontent with how Lyria just gave up this mysterious power, thinking it as a waste of an interesting plotline; while I agree with the sentiment, I did respect how she is beginning to shape up to be a confident person who can make these hard decisions. In a characterization sense, I see why Brown felt that it was necessary. The other is Sevro. Honestly, as my favorite character in the original trilogy, he is kind of losing me. I think that the reintroduction of Cassius really pushed him out, lessening his impact in the overall narrative. Coupled with the fact that he has become more… focused on his way. I would like for him to finally reunite with his family and just have a happy and safe life. 

Overall, Lightbringer was an incredible addition to an already fantastic saga, bringing back the elements that I dearly missed in Dark Age. 5/5.

“I am Cassius Bellona, son of Tiberius, son of Julia, brother of Darrow, Morning Knight of the Solar Republic, and my honor remains.”