"At some point we all have to go into the abyss, Ezren. The void makes us look inward, finding ourselves in that blackness before we can escape it. But though the journey is dark, I like to believe the stars are worth the sail."

Book 3 of the Into the Churn series is a wild ride. The stakes are higher than the second book, and I found I enjoyed this entry more than book 2 (but not as much as book 1). This story is fast-paced, with Ezren & Foster thrust further into a leadership role while a crime syndicate known as the Crows tries to control them.

The pacing drove the story and kept me invested in what was going to happen next. I did find some of the romance/swoony parts to be overkill, sentiments often reiterated frequently due to the dual-POV nature of the chapters. I like the Ezren/Foster relationship, but their characters felt most lively and fleshed out in the first book. Much of their personalities here was driven by their devotion to one another, even though there is so much more to both of them.

A downside, I loved reading about Sylvia/Shiro in the novella A Churn in the Dark and I found myself missing their perspectives, even though they were both present in this story.

I loved this series! The author created amazing, likable characters with good development throughout the 3 books. I haven’t always been one to be into outer space romance but this one was the perfect read to really get into these genre. I think the beginning was a little slow paced but towards the end it started to pick up and keep my interest.

I am looking forward to reading other books by this author. Thank you to both NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this ARC.

*spoilers*

This book gave me so much freaking anxiety I literally had to take breaks reading it because I couldn’t handle that it all wouldn’t work out.

And even though it did… god there was still so much heartache.

Massive spoilers ahead because you really can’t talk about this book without them.

First of all OMG FOSTER AND EZREN FINALLY GETTING MARRIED!!!! It was beautiful and absolutely perfect and every single time he called her “my wife” I swooned. Every. Single. Time.

And let’s talk about Davis. Davis who the second he started talking to Foster about going to the stars I knew we would lose him to the wormgate. I knew he wouldn’t be going home with the crew.

And even though he lived, even though he got his happy ending, even though things worked out… my heart still broke. Also, I really wish we could have SEEN a little more of his romance with Thread/Lily. We know next to nothing about her and I would have like to have known her better.

Also… I want Bex and Grady to have their romantic happy ending. Whether that be with each other or someone else I kinda really want to see it.

Unfortunately, this is the last book in the series.

I am so sad that we’re not going to get a full novel of our royalers again.

But this one had danger and death and intrigue and surprises coming out of the woodwork (I did NOT see The Crow’s identity coming.) And this was such a HUGE growth book for Foster. I feel like this one was HIS book, as opposed to the rest which were more Ezren’s. Between his relationships with his family, his acceptance of power thrust onto him, his guidance to his system… I feel like he finally stepped into his own in this book, like Ezren did in the last one.

Honestly, it was everything you could hope for in a trilogy end (Even a baby Sterling/Hart )

I don’t usually read sci-fi books but the cover made me want to read it. And I really enjoyed reading it. The romance made it very enjoyable.

HRC stuck the landing! So happy that I was able to return to the 'Verse, with all the action, intrigue, and romance l've come to expect from Foster and Ezren's story. Appropriate YA sci-fi for the win, would wholeheartedly recommend to its target audience and beyond.

5 stars

I'm thankful to Nwtgalley for the oportunity to have this ARC in m hands!

For some lucky aspect I don’t remember I was able to find and apply to the Into the Churn’s street team and I got my hands on the ARC of that book and let me tell you, am I thankful for that. I remember how much I liked the first book but I made the comment to myself -and in my review- that it was missing something to be bombastic, it had a few inconsistencies with Erzen -the female main character- and her personality -of course, I see now how that part was necessary, for us to see Ezren grow into a confident young woman- and just something, a pinch of something to take it to the next level -don’t get me wrong, book one was incredibly good- and the reason I am sharing this is because I was SHOCKED to the next world with how PERFECT and PRECISE Into the fire (book two) and Into the Abyss (book three) are. I mean, I was -and I kid you not- at the edge of my seat while reading Into the fire. I felt like I had something stuck in my throat because the characters were going through so much, I was extremely worried about them, so I though “how is Hayley -the writer- going to up herself with book three?” and let me tell you… she did it!! I know, I know, this is a very long introduction of my review but I needed to share that.

Quote: Foster cocked his head as it truly sank in for the first time how much Ezren had grown from the no-name terraforming intern he’d met almost two years ago. The one who’d wanted to stay in Tuzuno and never leave. The one who’d shied away from the reporters and VSoc. As she’s grown faster and stronger, her drive and passion had grown right along with her.

I feel like this quote from the book embodies Hayley’s writing and how much she and her story grew along the years. I’m telling you, this is an action packed sci-fi that deals with personal growth, personal challenges, rising up to the occasion, standing strong in the face of corruption, being there in difficult time for friends and family, strength in unity -this one may sound cheesy but when you read the book, you’ll understand- fear of letting go and embracing for the better whatever hand your delt, and last but not least, love; love for that special someone or love for friends and family.

I want to speak freely and add spoilers to this review but I’ll refrain and try to give my opinion without telling what happens here, so, to do that, I’ll break this review in pieces: plot, characters, world -I already spoke about the writing but I’ll speak a little bit more- and sentimental value.

- Plot: So, there’s not much I can tell you plot wise that will allow me to be a free spirit -because I want to tell you everything lol- but I can say this: the events of this book are so gut punching they will hit you in the face and you won’t see them coming and I don’t mean guessing what happens because I saw something bad coming at 40% I think and it happened BUT then some things happening that took a dark turn for me and I did NOT see that coming and it added so much depth to the characters and the story I, of course, ended up enjoying every single moment (not really enjoying and you’ll get it when you read it but it added points to the plot). And then things get even more complicated and I was shocked in a way that made me sit down and stop reading for a second. There are a lot of things that happened here that build to the plot of all of these books: people in power and corruption. Because that’s pretty much the big bad enemy in these books.

It was amazing to read how these two young characters faced all of that with everything they had so, the question is, do they make it? I’ll let you find out on your own. Moving on… This book reads extremely easily, and by that I mean, this is not one of those books that are difficult to read because the pace is slow or the writing is sloppy, or the characters aren’t likeable, in fact, quite the opposite, this book has an incredible pace, incredible writing and the characters sneak under your skin and you don’t even realize it, so yeah, the plot was pretty incredible.'

- Characters: Our main characters Foster and Ezren take the lead on this one but we get to spend more time with characters that impacted the story in a way that MADE ME CRY. But that’s beside the point. We were able to share time with Sam -Ezren’s little brother-, Micah -Ezren’s best friend-, of course Shiro, a pich of Sylvia, Davis and another pinch of Grady-Guns. What I love about these characters is how I saw them face horrible and beyond-this-world difficult choices and they rose to the occasion. There were some moments I found myself thinking “how are they even walking??” because they not only faced difficult decision but also extreme physical situations that made me wonder if they would be able to come on top of them. The characters are beautifully created, to the point where you love them, cry for them, laugh with them, are happy for them, mourn with them. Every single moment is worth it.

I have to give a piece of the review to the romance in this book. It had me with pterodactyl-size-butterflies feelings in my belly. I LOVED every single moment Ezren and Foster shared. I have A LOT of quotes from them highlighted in my book and I can’t wait to share them with you.

- World: I’m scared of wide-open space but for some reason I find myself drawn to sci-fi books and this one didn’t let down. We get to know a little bit about the science and inner-workings of this galaxy. How it manages its interstellar travel and how they control the economic part of it. All of this is presented in small pockets of the book but they added to the story and I liked it shared what was necessary for us to know.

- Writing: I spoke a little bit on this but I want to make sure this is out there. The writing in this book is perfect. Nothings feels out of place, nothing is badly written, on the contrary, the writing style adds to the story to the point you feel like you’re there with the characters, it feels like you’re one more passenger in their ship.

- Sentimental value: I’m not a crying person and the fact that this book made me cry not one, not two, not three, but FOUR times is incredible. Of course, I won’t say the parts that made me cry but I’ll mention one: the terraforming. There’s one part where Ezren is showing to some people something related to the terraforming and it follows with how people in general are reacting to this information and it made me cry, out of the blue, I was crying like it was me living in this planet being impacted by what was going on. And I say this because I was pleasantly surprised by how the story got under my skin and made smile AND cry.

Anyways, this book is such a wonderful adventure. One of those books where you don’t have to wreck your brain solving things but it manages to bury itself into your heart and there it stays. I loved everything about this book and I can’t wait for what other stories Hayley Chow has in store for us.

P.s. There is something that also needs to be said. There’s something that happens in this book that had me stressing out and texting the writer to share my feelings and state of mind with her. At the end of this book, she gives us some scenes that feel so freaking wholesome. I was just kicking my feet in happiness and smiling over the possibilities presented in those pages. I just want to say that Hayley KNOWS exactly what we, as readers, need from a story and she delivered, I repeat, she delivered. And this finale is the perfect cherry on the top of this wonderful series.

P.s.s In case I wasn’t clear, give this amazing series a chance, you won’t regret it!!

I cannot say enough good things about these series to people. Hayley Reese Chow delivers an epic, fast-paced, sci-fi series that is emotional and beautifully written. This final conclusion to the series does not disappoint.

The characters featured in this series are some of my favorites - from Ezren's "can do" attitude and Foster's "steady calm" to the side characters that provide some of the best one liners and comic relief. I love the relationship between Foster and Ezren - it is steady, sweet, and so important. I love how they really support each other throughout this whole series -- so many kick up your feet moments.

This book has alot of emotional upheaval for the characters -- I knew it was coming. Hayley has been pulling us toward these moments since the beginning (and especially with book 2). And damn did she know how to twist the knife as we hurtle toward that final epilogue. She keeps things moving between the emotional moments and the action packed moments to keep the reader on the edge of their seat in all the best ways.

Truly this series has a little bit of something for everyone! Can't wait for this author's next adventure.

Fod that was a fantastic ending to the series! Heart pounding through the highest stakes we have seen. Foster and Ezren continue to grow and develop as do the side characters. I cannot get over how much depth and personality even the “smallest” character has. I was surprised around every corner and that ending chefs kiss! I cannot wait for others to read this. These series was made with heart can feel it through the pages. I’m thankful for this early copy from NetGalley my opinion is my own and I loved this book and this ending.

I.AM.OBSESSED!!! This is the perfect ending to this trilogy and after that epilogue I am begging for a spin of series (iykyk).

This book delivered the signature action, heart, and romance that we all know and love from the other books. I can only describe the reading experience as the best roller coaster of your life. I loved single second of it and I can’t believe that it’s over but also I’m so in love with how it all ended.

These characters have my whole heart and this will always be one of my favourite series of all time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of this book!

“We can believe in our forever.” - Ezren Hart

Hayley has outdone herself with the final book in the Into the Churn series!!

I've loved this series so much and am still not ready for it to end!
Every book in this series has blown me away with the amount of action, romance, plot twists and friendship.

I went into his book thinking it would be the same as the rest of the series. But somehow, Hayley managed to surprise me with his insane and plot twisty this book is. Every time you turn the page you have no idea what's about to greet you. Each plot twist took the stakes of this book higher and higher, with more people's lives on the line every time.

Hayley brought all her characters back, as well as introducing a few new ones for this final volume. From Bex and Grady, Silvia and Shiro, Micah and Sam, and so many more, we see almost every familiar face in this final book. Which made me cry so much more.

I don't know how I managed to read the last quarter of the book with so many tears clouding my eyesight. All I know is that when I reached the end all I wanted was to go back to before I read book 1 and read the whole series again for the first time. Just to experience the truly incredible story Hayley has written.

I don't think I've ever not liked Ezren! She's been a powerhouse from page 1, always ready to jump into anything if it's to protect the people she cares about.
This book was no different.
Ezren was practically unstoppable from the start. Always ready to jump into the deep end. And not for the first time, I felt ready to jump with her.
She went through so much in this book and came out stronger than before.
Her friendships were tested in this book, not only with her childhood friends but also with her younger brother Sam.
We haven't seen much of them together since the first chunk of book 1 so it was really nice to see more of his relationship with Ezren.

This book was another rough one for Foster. Just when he's finally starting to relax everything kicks off and he's swept up in the middle of it all.
He's been Ezren's rock time after time and it was nice to see him rely on someone else being his rock in this book. The situation might not have been the best but reading as he let every one of his walls down and allowed someone other than Ezren to see him at his most vulnerable made me start crying.
I loved reading this book and realising how far he's come and how much he's grown since Into The Churn.
He's no longer shut off from the people around him, he has friends and a family again!

Overall I have absolutely loved this series. It will be one I go back and reread time and time again!

Into the Abyss is an action packed and emotional conclusion to this exciting series.

Ezren and Foster have taken their place on the BRR Council, working with the mysterious and lethal Calderon. While Foster can never forgive Calderon for his crimes and is ready to walk away as soon as the contract is up, Ezren sees the good they can do using their positions on the council. But when a unexpected announcement leads to some big changes in their lives, and a conspiracy points to a corrupt crime syndicate, Ezren and Foster must decide what to do with their influence and position - walk away, or fight for change?

I loved this book so much! It is a perfect blend of YA themes, sci-fi, and romance. The books are non-stop action, but also have plenty of character development and growth, and a beautiful and chaotic found family. I absolutely loved Into the Churn, and was thrilled to have more books in this unique world. They are fairly quick reads and I was able to complete this book in one day. The stakes are higher in this book, and the pacing kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that we see Ezren and Foster working together. While they are separated for part of the book, they are fully committed to each other and we see how that devotion plays out in their decisions and actions. I also love that we see lots of old friends in this book, and meet some new allies and enemies too. I found this to be a fantastic read, and a wonderful end (maybe??) to this great series. I really enjoyed this book so much!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Hayley Reese Chow, and Whimsical Publishing for the advanced copy of this wonderful book. All opinions are my own.

Goodness this one brought out all the feels. I laughed, cried, and asked what on earth was she doing to my beloved characters. This is an adventure just like the other books. It has left me not wanting this series to end. Hopefully we get a few side stories from other characters. There so much I want to say, but it would spoil it for others.

Loved every second of this book. Honestly, this whole series is one of my all-time favorites.

There is adventure, high stake action and still one of the sweetest romance stories ever. Ezren and Foster have come such a long way and their character arcs throughout the whole series, but also in this book. I love it so much!

I could not put this book down and read it in one setting.

Please read one of my favorite series!

-Multi POVs
-Criminal syndicate
-Non-stop action
-Family and friendships
-I think the epilogue was my favorite; it focuses on one of my favorite characters 🥹❤️

I would definitely recommend reading the novella "A Churn in the Dark" #2.5 before jumping into book 3.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (ARC from NetGalley)

This is the perfect balance of sci fi and romance. A great conclusion to the story but I wish it wasn't over because I loved it so much. I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!