“In the fifth and last volume of the Fourth Talisman series, the worlds of the living and the dead collide in a final confrontation that will leave Nocturne and Solis forever changed….

Three talismans adrift.
Two mad kings.
One poisonous crown.

As dark forces gather at the Rock of Ariamazes in Samarqand, Nazafareen discovers that there are worse places than the afterlife. The twisted creature pulling the Vatras’ strings is holed up in the deepest level of the Dominion—and only she has the power to follow him there, though at the potential cost of her own soul.

Prophecy claims the three daeva clans must unite to face their greatest enemy again, but two of the talismans have vanished and the third is a child more used to skulking in the shadows than leading an army. Meb the Mouse might be their last hope—if anyone bothers to take her seriously.

And within the confines of the Rock, a dying king makes a pact with the devil, setting in motion a chain of events that could spell doom for friends and foes alike.

WARNING: This book contains twists and turns, richly deserved comeuppances, shocking revelations, knock-down, drag-out fights, obsessive stalkers, some very nasty monsters…and, of course, true love.”

Inferno by Kat Ross is the final installment of the awesome Fourth Talisman series. Nazafareen chases Farrumohr into the depths of the Dominion. Darius makes a deal with the Drowned Lady, following after Nazafareen. At Samarqand, Shahak makes the mistake of opening the Rock to Gaius and his Vatra, putting all of the residents, including Javid and his family at risk. To save himself and those he cares about, Nicodemus takes on a terrible burden. It gives him better access to Gaius, but at great cost. As Gaius raises an army, can the talismans come together?

Like the previous books, Inferno follows multiple people, though fewer POVs, as the characters begin to come together again. Action condenses down to the Rock, in Samarqand. I loved seeing each of these characters we've followed through five books truly blossomed. I was touched to see the depths of Nico's loyalty and protectiveness. He really has become my favourite character! I still love Javid though. I'm so glad that things ended up well for these two- one dragged into this whole mess by accident, and the other misled into a crusade not his own.

War erupts, centered in Samarqand, with the talismans taking on Gaius and his Vatra, supplemented by monstrosities summoned by King Shahak. Other Vatra, not allied with Gaius, turn up, giving aid to the other daeva clans. They've no love for the man responsible for the harsh exile imposed on the entire Vatra clan.

I fell in love with this series, and read it before I'd ever heard of the preceding Fourth Element series. Now I can finally read that series! I didn't want to get confused, so I waited. What I really hope, though, is that maybe another series with the daevas is in the works. *fingers crossed*

***Many thanks to the author for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for XPresso Tours ( )

- I received this book free though Xpresso Book Tours.

Buckle up! Cause this is one crazy ride to the finish...

But wait! If this is your first time hearing about the Fourth Talisman Series, you are in the wrong place. This is the ending not the beginning. Go back and read my review of Nocturne, the first book in the series.

Light Spoilers Ahead (after all this is the last book in the series.)

After 8, count them 8 books with Nazafareen and Darius and 5 books on the world of Nocture/Solis we finally come to an end, and WHAT AN END! I must say after the way Nemesis ended I was kinda of worried. More than worried, I was sweating bullets! I couldn't wait to get my hands on Inferno.

However, it was absolutely worth the wait. I know that Kat Ross poured her heart into this book and it shows. The book is at times almost lyrical. The world building that has been so excellent to this point really brought everything in the book together.

The relationships between characters gave us so many satisfying moments throughout Inferno. Darius and Nazafareen have always had a great relationship, that although complicated at times, never left us questioning that they were OTP (one-true-pairing for those who don't know all the online 'ship talk. 😉) Their relationship takes several fun and satisfying turns in the book, but the relationships that really shine are several of the others. I've always loved the adult (as in mature not x-rated) relationship between Mina and Culach. Things got pretty interesting when Victor (Mina's ex) showed up, but even that relationship as complicated as it is and with all the literally crazy stuff Victor does it felt fulfilled in this story. Then there is the friendship between Meb and Culach. Both bringing out the best in each other. Culach helping Meb find the courage to become queen and Meb helping Culach find the courage to fight again despite his blindness and loss of elemental power.

It's just great stuff people. And really makes reading ALL the books worthwhile! I could go on and on because the relationships and the webs between characters have so much power in Inferno.

I will go on to one more relationship because it's also wonderfully adult and complicated and has a very interesting outcome in the book. Nico has at times been a villain and at times a hero, his relationship to Domitia is complicated because in the Kiln you don't make many friends. Throughout the series we see this relationship splinter as Nico came to better understand the world outside the Kiln. His betrayal of her wasn't a shock, as he knows her thirst for power would eventually lead to all of them in chains. But what is surprising is his reaction to seeing her again (and to how her father deals with her)... it's one of the more real moments in the crazy series of events that bring the book to a close. Time kind of freezes on these two friends as she lays dying and says... "Let go of my f***ing hand." Perfect.

There was not a relationship moment in the series that didn't lead to a pay off in Inferno. I haven't even scratched the surface... the Maenads, or Javid for instance, but before this review gets too long let me give you the...

Bottom Line:

Inferno is the pay off readers deserve. Go get this series and binge read it. It's an absolutely must-read fantasy series. Especially for readers who want some depth in the relationships and a new fantasy world setting. ( )