Dark Ascension

Dark Ascension (2015) M. L. Brennan

I believe this is the conclusion to the series. If it’s not the conclusion, then I’m extremely disappointed with the ending. If it is the conclusion, then I’m okay with the ending. It wasn’t awesome, but I can understand the desire to neatly wrap things up.

Fort has started his transition to a full vampire (I really find her vampire mythos fascinating, and quite enjoyed it) but has continued trying to delay it, as he continues to try to come to terms with who and what he is.

There were some thing I very much liked in this book, including Fort truly coming to terms to Suze and what she is.

“That’s terrible, Suze. Why are you so happy about that?”

“Because, unlike you, I believe in the beauty of capitalism. I am proud to be an American, while you are showing suspiciously Canadian elements of socialistic inclination.”

“You told your cousin that I was having teething pain,” I said slowly.

“No!” Suze denied immediately. “No, I would never betray a confidence. I definitely never even mentioned your name. I just mentioned that it was for an adult vampire.” She paused, and pondered what she’d said for a second. Then, “Okay, bad news. It’s possible that Yuzumi might figure out that it’s for you. She has pretty good deductive reasoning skills.”

I sighed heavily. Apparently hoping that the embarrassment of teething at the age of twenty-seven would remain a secret known only to those closest to me had been something of a futile dream.

Fort and Suze are very different creatures, and have completely different mindsets. And they have to come to terms with their different natures. That quote sounds rather trite, but it is part of the difference between Fort and Suze and their natures.

I also love the bits about Fort’s family living in the modern world.

The delights of climate-controlled living were a favorite conversational topic with my family, challenged only by the thrills of window screens and refrigerators. I’d heard more maggoty food stories than anyone outside the range of a Ken Burns special.

That really seems like what someone who lived for hundreds of years would talk about the most.

I did like Fort’s resolution to his needs following his full transition (it’s not a unique solution, but it had apparently never occurred to his siblings to use such a solution). I also like Suze’s additions to Fort’s plan.

As to the end of the book, I am satisfied if this is the conclusion to the series. If there is going to be another book, I’ll find this ending somewhat irritating.
Rating: 7/10

Published by ROC

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