I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did NOT read the first two books in this series. However, I don't believe that is an issue as this plotline stands on it's own.

The descriptive conversation and strong characters drew me in within the first 20 minutes of reading.

Good relationship building and character growth. While the romance is integral to the plot, it isn't the main thread of activity - the plot developed on points of family, loyalty, duty.

This is the third book of the Iron Phoenix series and it closes the trilogy. The main characters, Nadya and Shay return to Storm’s Quarry to confront a powerful yet enigmatic new enemy.
The first thing to say is that this is not really a standalone novel. It should be read, and deserves to be, read as part of the trilogy. It all hangs together so much better that way. The next thing to say is that his is certainly a good book. Originality is not easy in fantasy these days, but these stories make a good go of it. I really like that “magic” reflects innate power and comes in different and unique forms, but with no spells and incantations. Although keeping to the genre, the standard sword and sorcery carnage is plentiful.
Shay and Nadya are close and their relationship strong – but at the same time their different personalities and drives put strain on their partnership. The romance is central to the story. It is not played out in any real detail – but provides enough background to understand their character development and growth as individuals and as a couple.
Overall a satisfying conclusion to this trilogy, and well worth a read if you like unique fantasy starring very strong young women.

This was a good F/F YA fantasy series. The first two books had a lot of action, violence and dark aspects to them. We have seen Nadya grow from being unsure of herself into a strong young woman through the books. This last book is where Shays character grows and finally learns to trust. From the beginning, there was a connection between these two. Watching it go from an innocent teen relationship. And grow into a mature love overtime was a real treat.I feel you really need to read these books in order. So it's a good thing all three books are available now. I also wanted to mention there are no steamy sex scenes in these books they really are for the YA audience.

When a book is released as part of a series (or, for that matter, released without mention of a series, but an unofficial series connects other books to that book . . . but that’s not what is occurring here so I’ll move on), it is important to ask and answer one simple question. How important is it to read the prior works in the series? It is prudent to ask a question like that – there are books that are officially part of a series, but there is no real connection between the books (and, sometimes, between the authors); then there are series like this one here. That builds on each additional novel. How important is it to read this series in order? Very.

Right, so, assuming you haven’t read the first book in this series – go and do that now. I’ll patiently wait here. Now read the second book, as this here is the third.

I’m both joking and serious in the last paragraph. Serious in that you need to read this series in order, joking that you need to do it immediately.

Right, so, what’s this third book about? Well, see . . . *insert here spoiler for the series* . . . and we enter the realm of ‘how do you talk about the third book in an interconnect series that builds on itself without spoiling prior books’?

Well, let’s look at the book description. ‘Nadya and Shay have built a quiet life together away from the island city-state of Storm’s Quarry and their outlaw vigilante identities, the Iron Phoenix and the Shadow Dragon.’ Well, that’s wrong on two levels. Nadya is constantly in a state of depression and guilt at the actions of the past. Shay keeps having jealous flashes, though she keeps getting reminded that ‘I choose you’. Quiet life? Built? They live in a tent and are caravanning around with Shay’s adoptive mother, the Forgemaster. And that ‘life away from . . . Iron Phoenix and the Shadow Dragon’ is just . . . wrong. They still put on the costumes and help those around them. Heck, the book opens (at least the Nadya & Shay part) with Nadya tentatively approaching the Forgemaster to ask to have her armor dinks un-dinked. Because it got damaged. From being used, by Nadya, as the Iron Phoenix.

The only thing ‘correct’ in the part I quoted from the book description would be the ‘away from . . . Storm’s Quarry’.

Okkkay, I was going to say the second paragraph in the book description is accurate, until I read it again and . . . just don’t read that, m’okay? The paragraph. It’s too spoiler-y. Mentions stuff that occurs later in the book, and is kind of spoilery.

Right, so, the two women who, over time, have developed a relationship – Shay and Nadya, continue their relationship. Though their bonds are tested when news reaches them that call Nadya back to the city-state. Not specifically that the city is/was under invasion/attack, but there are coded parts in the message that lead Nadya to suspect something like that. So they return and do what they can to help.

A good solid book. Enjoyable. There’s both a feeling, as another review (the only other review at the moment) indicated, that the series has reached its conclusion, while at the same time there’s a tantalizing bit that could be followed in another book that’s left open by how the book ended.

Rating: 4.44 (of note: I rated the first book ~4.25 stars, second 4.45, and now rate the third 4.44)

July 5 2018

YA F/F Fantasy. This is the third and I am guessing finale book in the Storm’s Quarry Series. I have to say I am sad to see this series end, but I’m happy with the ending Harwell wrote. I must admit I’m kind of surprised how under the radar these books are. Yes, the first book had some issues, but the finale two books were strong and good reading entertainment. You don’t have to be a lesfic fan to read these either. I could easily see this put out by a mainstream publisher and holding its own against other YA fantasy books.

Nadya and Shay are on their own, traveling and trying to build a quiet life together. Shay is so happy to be away from the city of Storm’s Quarry, but she can tell Nadya misses her family and home. When Nadya gets a message, from her father, asking for help from the “Iron Phoenix” (her vigilante/hero identity) Nadya knows the city must be in real trouble. Can the Iron Phoenix and Shadow Dragon work to save Storm’s Quarry once again?

In the first book Nadya was 17 years old, still coming into her powers and extremely unsure of herself. In this third book I am guessing she is either 19 or 20 and has finally grown into a strong young woman. The complaints I had about her insecurity are now gone and I enjoyed seeing her growth over the series. Shay, on the other hand, is a tougher nut to crack. With her history she has trouble trusting. While Nadya grew over the series, Shay’s character really had her epiphany in this book and it was enjoyable to read. I will miss these characters now that the series is over.

This is a YA style romance so there are no explicit sex scenes, but I didn’t feel them missing. The connection between Nadya and Shay was believable and the romance very sweet. I enjoyed watching their relationship strengthen into true love. The ending was perfect and I was very satisfied with it.

Since a lot of this finale book was about Shay’s growth as a character, it was a little less exciting than the other books. However, there were still some good entertaining battle scenes with a really tough new foe. I actually think it was a good mix of Shay’s journey, Nadya family issues, and battling to save Storm’s Quarry.

This was an enjoyable YA fantasy series. I hope more people give these books a chance because they are worth the read. Yes, book one has some issues, but the series gets better and better. These books can be dark, gritty, and violent at times, but they are also sweet and filled with hope and love. It’s a good mix for a good fantasy series.