Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Pages: 992
Release Date: October 22, 2019

Haven’t read the previous novels? Check out my reviews of The Black Prism, The Blinding Knife, The Broken Eye, and The Blood Mirror.

The nail-biting conclusion to the Lightbringer series!

Stripped of both magical and political power, the people he once ruled told he’s dead, and now imprisoned in his own magical dungeon, former Emperor Gavin Guile has no prospect of escape. But the world faces a calamity greater than the Seven Satrapies has ever seen… and only he can save it.

As the armies of the White King defeat the Chromeria and old gods are born anew, the fate of worlds will come down to one question: Who is the Lightbringer?

The Burning White is the fifth and final novel in the Lightbringer series. The Lightbringer series is a series I’ve only recently discovered, but love wholeheartedly nonetheless. Full of magic, lies, and betrayals, the Lightbringer series should be on everyone’s TBR.

The Burning White does the series justice as a final novel. It ties up loose ends and ends the series with an explosive ending.

The Burning White follows, for the most part, Kip and the The Mighty as they prepare to return to the Chromeria, Karris as she prepares for war, Teia as she continues her dangerous mission of destroying The Order, and Gavin as he embarks on the task delegated to him at the end of the previous novel.

As usual, Teia’s chapters were my favourite. Teia is an incredibly competent assassin. What I enjoyed most about her chapters in The Burning White was Weeks’ decision to explore her feelings. Teia is conflicted about everything throughout the novel. From her friendships or lack thereof, her romantic feelings, her viciousness, and the path she’s been on and where it has led her. Teia’s inner conflicts make her chapters compelling to read. My heart broke for her repeatedly.

Does The Burning White deliver a satisfying ending? Yes. The ending is bittersweet. The characters are not the same characters readers meet in The Black Prism. They have all evolved and matured in ways that will make readers happy and sad simultaneously.

I’ve seen the same criticism of this final book floating around a few reviews. Without getting into spoilers, I will say that they have a valid point. I’d even go so far to say that this criticism validates a lower star rating. As you can see from my star rating, I didn’t rate it less favorably because of this criticism. It has been such an incredible journey with these characters since Weeks’ character work is second to none. He has put these characters through the ringer and deserves all the praise.

Spoiler:
The Gods showing up and not being explained or explored properly.

Overall, The Burning White is a satisfying conclusion to one of the best fantasy series I’ve had the pleasure of reading. I’m very much looking forward to what Weeks has in store for us next!