Member Reviews
Valley is the third and final book in the romantasy series The Glacian Trilogy, written by Stacey McEwan and published by Angry Robot Books. An absolute rollercoaster of a novel, with a Dawsyn that is struggling to lead her people, guiding them through darkness to find a home, with her depleted powers; meanwhile, the Queen and new King of Glacia are craving for Dawsyn's blood, a persecution that can only end in one way.
If there's something that has shown McEwan during the series is the evolution of Dawsyn as a character across the books; from the girl that wants to fight to the one that becomes a leader, and finally one that is suffering as leader and that is realizing that she just wants to find a home and renounce to power. A powerful woman that develops in parallel with how McEwan takes a more epic approach to this romantasy. Sacrifices must be made to reach their goal, but at least Ryon will continue with her.
The antagonists play perfectly their role, being that threat that even if the group survives the frost will be ready to annihilate them, as they crave Dawsyn's blood; and they will be joined by a new character that will bring more light over the magic.
McEwan paced this third book a bit slower than the previous ones, taking more time to still expand the worldbuilding and Dawsyn's ancestor story. I found really smart how the tension is built for Dawsyn and her people, slowly adding elements that are adjacent to horror; and honestly, the ending is totally what I Dawsyn deserved, an extremely satisfying one.
Valley is the perfect conclusion to a well rounded series, showing McEwan's skill at weaving together various plotlines to get the best from her Glacian Trilogy. If you are a romantasy reader, or even if you want to read more epic stories, trust her, and deep dive into this series as soon as possible.
The final book in The Glacian Trilogy, and it was everything I hoped for. I have been lucky enough to receive an arc for every book in this series, and I will say that it is one of my most favorite fantasy series that I have had the pleasure of reading.
Valley starts out exactly where we ended in Chasm, with Dawsyn, Ryon, Tasheem, Rivdan, Yennes, Salem, Esra, and the dwellers of the ledge, We start off on a bit of a sad note based on how the second book ended. The first half or so of Valley is spent following these characters through the chasm, where they are hoping to find an end away from the evil of the city of Terrsaw. There is so much betrayal, anger, and secrets throughout these chapters. I was so shocked with the secrets that are unveiled in this story, and wasn't expecting them.
I really enjoyed Valley, and I am sad to be at the end. But I am grateful that I got to experience these characters and their journeys. If you want an action packed, cozy fantasy with witty, likeable characters, a great magic system, and lots of things at stake, then I highly recommend this series.
Thank you to Angry Robot, Stacey McEwan, and NetGalley for the eArc of Valley, available now!
This was such a great conclusion to a beautifully written Trilogy.
This final book kicks back off right where book two finish and Dawsyn is now in charge of leading everyone through the chasm to safety but it’s not without its challenges. Dawsyn now feels the pressure of having to lead whilst also feeling like she needs help but now has to learn to trust herself and her choices. I’ve truly loved Dawsyns character development throughout this book and enjoyed seeing how much she’s grown.
I just love Ryon as a character and he truly fits so perfectly with Dawsyn. I love how he is fiercely protective when he needs to be but ready to kill when needed. I love how much he truly loves and cares for Dawsyn and it comes across so well in the book.
But this last book is where Ryon once again faces outside forces who wish to destroy everything he has fought for.
I really enjoyed seeing the other characters develop throughout this book too.
I felt that this final book was perfect and that it gave me all the answers that I needed as well as so many twists and turns that I didn’t know I needed as well. I loved that there were twists that I did not see coming at all. This book brought out so many emotions whilst reading it and its ending was so bittersweet.
The world building was fantastic and the book was just as well written as the previous two books. I really enjoyed this authors writing style and felt that her words just flow perfectly.
I loved the epilogue at the end of the book and I’m going to truly miss reading about these characters and this beautiful world that the author created.
I can’t recommend this Trilogy enough especially if you’re a fan of fantasy, romance, well developed characters and amazing plots.
A great end to a great series! From the beginning, I liked this story full of coldness and winged creatures, and the last volume of the series only confirmed that this series is an example of great fantasy romance. The final battle was full of emotions, struggle and sacrifices. I always like when people in fantasy books unite against the evil and it's exactly what I've got in this book. I find the ending itself quite original and very elegant. Exactly what the characters of this series deserved.
Valley, the final book in the Glacian trilogy, is a welcomed ending for Dawsyn, Ryon and the other characters who have really been through a lot since Ledge. These books are difficult to review spoiler free so it will probably be brief.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the others. I hit the 30% mark and the crew were still on their perilous journey away from the Chasm. It was slow to begin with. The change in point of view was a welcome break from the monotonous cold, fights and struggles of surviving the mountainous journey.
It was fun seeing the change in loyalty for the people of Terrsaw and the sheer panic the Queens were experiencing from this. I think the trilogy was the perfect length for these characters and their story. Everything felt final and by the end it was satisfying.
I am looking forward to seeing what Stacey McEwan releases next!
I had zero doubts that this was going to be a good conclusion, I think I waited a little bit to complete it because I wasn't quite ready to put the series to bed yet.
Ugh, the amount of heartbreak that Stacey McEwan is able to punch you with, and also keep you in the middle of it is expertly done. I appreciate someone who can punch me in my feels and then have me waiting on baited breath for what happens next. This conclusion was everything I wanted it to be and more. Happy that what could have been obvious plot points were subverted. I have been slowly stepping away from some fantasy plot lines, and this makes me want to jump right back in.
I did listen to the auidobook, and it was very well done, and I would recommend the audiobooks as well.
A very excellent time, a very excellent series, and excuse me while I go see if I can swing an axe around.
Thank you to Angry Robot and Netgalley for an e-copy.
This book wrecked me, put me back together, and then wrecked me again in the most beautiful way. I can’t imagine a better ending to this trilogy than what we were given. It had all the feels from rage to sorrow, forgiveness to unending love. I cried my eyes out and still feel at a loss for the proper words to describe how much I loved and more importantly, needed, this whole series. All I can say is yes! You need to read this series. And yes! It’s worth every bit of the pain, sorrow, heartache, healing, and love that Stacey delivers in three beautiful books.
What an ending to the series! A true rollercoaster of emotions. So many twists and turns and so sad to see this series come to an end. Very excited for what this author will continue to do in the future!
Excellent final installment in an overall fantastic trilogy. I truly enjoyed this world so much. I loved how the story was wrapped up and the writing only improved with this latest installment. The ending was beautiful and the entire book up to that point was unpredictable and enjoyable right up until that point. Fantastic.
An epic finish to the trilogy!! I've come to know heartbreak after reading Stacey's writting, but the ending was so fitting.
Interesting conclusion to this series. A bit long and meandering. We get more POVs which takes the plot on a bit of a tangent at times. Not in love with Yennes as a character having such prominence. She was a paradox and not in an interesting way.
Dawsyn gets darker but somehow still continues to make some very obvious mistakes. Her relationship with Ryon takes a back seat to the very end so the plot becomes a lot more focused on politics and survival. Not bad in of itself but made this a little bit dreary and tiresome after a while. I did enjoy the way things wrapped up. I expected a different end and may have preferred it if things had gone that way but … well. Like I said interesting conclusion.
3.5 stars
There is not a lot I can tell you about the plot or characters in Valley that does not spoil the first two books, but I can tell you how it made me feel. It felt like hitting rock bottom but still finding a way to continue on. It felt like female rage and refusing to let those who have wronged you in the past win another part of you. It felt like finding family, home, and your greater purpose. It felt like mistakes and guilt. It felt like redemption and condemnation. It felt like vengeance and peace. It felt like both the beginning and the end.
You will feel the full breadth of human emotion while reading not just Valley, but the Glacian Trilogy as a whole. I could not be more obsessed.
If you love an FMC who is brave and determined and willing to do whatever she must to save her people and those she loves (while also getting revenge), then this is the series for you. Also if you like tall, dark, winged MMCs—You’ll definitely want to check out this series too.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Family is not always who you share blood with
- The cold may not be alive but the frost bites
- Two wrongs do not make a right, but you can certainly try
- Power is an alluring beast
- You shall not pass
- If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?
- Prepare for tears
- Spice: 🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)
Valley, the thrilling conclusion to Stacey McEwan’s Glacian Trilogy, takes readers on an intense, dark, and suspenseful journey as Dawsyn leads her people through the treacherous landscape of the Chasm, desperate to find a place they can finally call home. This third installment doesn’t pull any punches, wrapping up the series with emotional revelations, high-stakes danger, and the ever-present tension of survival.
At the heart of this book is Dawsyn—fierce, determined, and weary from the battles she’s faced so far. Her once formidable powers are now greatly diminished, and the weight of leading her people back to safety with few resources is palpable. You can feel her exhaustion, yet her resolve never falters, making her a protagonist you can’t help but root for. McEwan captures the internal and external struggles Dawsyn faces so vividly that every step she takes through the darkness of the Chasm feels both heroic and heart-wrenching.
But the journey isn’t just physical—Valley is filled with emotional depth and long-buried secrets. The truth behind loyalties and betrayals comes to light in ways that will shock readers, particularly as Dawsyn realizes that the dangers she faces aren’t just from the outside world, but from those she once considered friends. This complexity makes the story so much richer, as Dawsyn’s emotional battles mirror the physical ones she must endure.
The tension above ground is just as intense. The Queen and new King of Glacia are relentless in their pursuit of Dawsyn’s destruction, and their creeping presence adds a constant undercurrent of danger to the entire journey. The stakes are higher than ever, and McEwan keeps you on the edge of your seat as Dawsyn’s enemies draw closer. You know a confrontation is inevitable, but the way McEwan builds up to it keeps the suspense burning until the very end.
What really sets Valley apart as a strong finale is its exploration of loyalty, loss, and leadership. Dawsyn isn’t just leading a group of survivors—she’s bearing the weight of a broken world on her shoulders. She’s fighting not only for survival but for something bigger: hope, home, and the belief that there’s still a future worth fighting for. These deeper themes elevate the story beyond just a survivalist plot into something more poignant and impactful.
If there’s any critique to be made, it’s that some plot threads feel rushed toward the end. With so many revelations and high-stakes moments, certain aspects—especially the resolution of long-standing conflicts—could have benefited from a bit more breathing room. However, this doesn’t take away from the emotional and action-packed ride that Valley delivers.
Ultimately, Valley is a satisfying conclusion to the Glacian Trilogy, delivering on the promise of epic battles, heart-wrenching losses, and unexpected twists. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by the emotional depth and the intensity of this final chapter. McEwan brings the trilogy to a close with the kind of grit, heart, and magic that have made the journey so worthwhile.
Valley, the final installment in Stacey McEwan’s bestselling Glacian Trilogy, delivers a conclusion that’s as thrilling as it is satisfying. For fans of romantic fantasy, this book is a must read, packed with heart stopping moments, epic battles, and deeply emotional twists.
At the heart of Valley is Dawsyn’s quest to lead her people home from the treacherous depths of the Chasm. This journey through darkness and uncertainty is not just physical but also deeply metaphorical, reflecting the struggles and growth of our beloved FMC. McEwan cleverly portrays the gruelling trek, with depleted powers and scarce supplies adding to the tension.The suspense is relentless, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
As if the challenges of the Chasm weren’t enough, Dawsyn faces threats from above. The Queen and the new King of Glacia are hell-bent on her destruction, and they have unexpected allies. The betrayal of someone Dawsyn once considered a friend adds a heartbreaking twist to the story, making the stakes and risks even higher.
Valley is not just about survival and battles; it’s also about uncovering long buried secrets and facing harsh truths. As the story unfolds, revelations about Dawsyn’s past and her people add depth and richness to the storyline. These twists are well crafted, which kept me engaged and emotionally invested in the characters’ fates.
One of the strengths of McEwan’s writing is her ability to blend action with deep emotional resonance. The climactic scenes in Valley are not just about who wins the fight but also about the cost of victory. Hearts are broken, alliances are tested, and characters are pushed to their limits. The emotional payoff is immense making this conclusion epic.
Stacey McEwan has delivered a fitting end to an epic trilogy with Valley. It’s a tale of courage, love, betrayal, and resilience.
If you haven’t started the Glacian Trilogy yet, now is the perfect time to dive into this enchanting world. And if you’ve been following Dawsyn’s journey from the beginning, prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions and a finale that truly does justice to this incredible saga.
A huge thank you to Angry Robots Publishing for providing me with this brilliant book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a good book!!!! Stacey is queen of keeping us on edge and I loved it all, Even the bits that made want to faint 😂
Truly the perfect end to this trilogy! Emotional, heartfelt, and just the right amount of romance and action. It kicks off right where Chasm ended and takes you on a roller coaster of a journey, with turns and reveals you’d never expect. I can’t WAIT to read more from Stacey McEwan. 🩷
Valley is the bittersweet conclusion to The Glacian Trilogy. Valley follows straight on from Chasm with our protagonists faced with darkness, grief, anxiety, suspicion and a glimmers of hope. I cannot say often enough, the authors voice allows for a punch and methodical placement of dialogue and action that places the reader squarely in the discomfort. Throughout the story arc the author was not kind to anyone. Everyone is suffering. It felt like a philosphical nudge from the author to acknowledge that we all suffer and we all suffer differently. Yet we all love deeply as well.
The third person writing style evokes the walls of the cavern as the characters walk its base. As a reader, be prepared for travel, being lost and being found.
The plot felt like we were reading an echo. Like the sounds of the Chasm echoing, the story itself offers echoes of other times as history weaves and the future emerges.
The relationships between characters drives the story. Their ebbs and flows, tension, forgiveness, duplicity and emerging trust all have their place. The unfurling of Dawsyn into a mature leader with Ryon as her stoic, unwavering support is done without fluff. Of my favourite characters, Esra, Salem, Hector and Ruby, we again see that love is love and the precious value of levity in dire situations. The overall character twists were beautifully unveiled.
The fantasy style leads the throughout the trilogy, with romantasy “small r”. A rare original series, The Glacian Trilogy, Ledge, Chasm and Valley will be on my highly recommended list for some time to come.
With thanks to Angry Robot, Net Galley and the author, Stacey McEwan. All opinions are my own and I will forward my therapy bills to the author :).
I loved this book!
It was a little dark in the beginning, wich suited the ending of the previous book.
I liked the different POVs and following the characters. This book really tied the story together perfectly and I loved that everyone got an ending.
The character arc for Dawsyn was amazing! I loved her from the start and I feel like she really setlled in herself in this book.
Would definitely recommend this whole series!
A wild, unrelenting and entirely unhinged final instalment from McEwan, I thought Valley delivered on all fronts. The story picks up where we left our band of intrepid heroes - right in the thick of bad decisions and pessimistic prospects. The writing is punchy and the dialogue balanced between witty banter and grim exchanges. It's fast-paced and entirely readable.
One thing about this book that made me smile wryly throughout is that NOBODY is having a good time at any point. Not Dawsyn, not her little found family, not anyone putting their faith in her actually. But also none of the "baddies" are having a fun rainbow happy time of it either - everything is disordered, making poor decisions and just hoping for the best. It lends the story a real feeling of chaotic fervor and as events crack along the reader is just along for the ride.
We have grown so attached to the characters over the course of the books and there's some really beautiful, touching moments that grow their relationships amongst all the action. Dawsyn remains a firm favorite of mine but I was surprised to really be drawn to Yennes' story as we learnt more about the mysterious mage.
I did find myself getting bogged down in the middle of the book, but I do think this had more to do with me rather than the book itself, because I couldn't fault the writing.
This was an action-packed, heart-in-mouth finale to one of the most original fantasy trilogies I've read in recent years.
I have loved this series since book one and have been impatiently waiting for this book and it was everything I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down it was amazing.