A Hanging Moon [Leopard’s Bane #3], by Phill Featherstone

I’ve said it before – in my review for the second book – that I have been eagerly waiting to see how this trilogy unfolds. And now we’ve reached the final book, this bittersweet moment. You know this feeling when you start reading a book and don’t want it to end even before you’ve finished the first page?

Phill created an interesting world in the first book – fantasy with a lot of dark edges, a caste system, social critique, intrigues and – last but not least – two main characters that fascinated me. Not only Peglar, the kind of prince with rivalrous siblings, but also Yalka, the poor girl, but street wise. The second book brought both characters to life, with some serious development especially on Yalka’s side.

So we’re off to the conclusion now. Welcome to the hanging moon!

Sadly enough, parts of this story feel like a serious step backwards in the character development, especially regarding Peglar. I’m trying to keep this spoiler free, but if I look over the course of the novel, Peglar hasn’t achieved even one thing he set out to do.

While Yalka continues to be the more interesting character, even she loses the spotlight – to Eylese, her friend who was introduced in the second book. In fact, when everything is said and done, it seems like the first book was Peglar’s arc, with Yalka taking the second book – and Eylese firmly gripping this one. She ended what the other two started.

In fact, the climax feels very rushed to me. Eylese does her Deus Ex Machina thing, and suddenly everything is over. I felt that to be at odds with the rest of the storytelling so far, and there are certain avenues teased but never finished, like the Underlings. I would have loved for the pace in the first half of the book to pick up so there would have been more room to finish the story properly. It does feel kind of unfinished.

Maybe Phill will grace us with a novela at some point to tie up the unfinished business. One can certainly hope!

All in all, I enjoyed my return visit to the city of Chamaris and the surrounding towns, even if the end felt a little forced. Well earned 4.5 stars!

Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.