Season End: Sons of Meir by Jacqueline T. Johnson is a brilliant addition to the series, an epic fantasy that features intrigue, kidnapping, family drama, mystery, and a treasure hunt. The reader is thrust into a fascinating world with an array of compelling characters, each on a perilous mission. The queen of Meir is kidnapped and Erich decides not to share this bad news with the family. Instead, he sets out with Nash and Malak, the bastard son, in search of her. Malak has to infiltrate the ranks of the enemy, the Bear, the leader of the Nidarian. But is he prepared for the dangers that lie ahead? Can Daniel, the one left at home, acquit himself in the duties entrusted to him in his father’s absence without falling into the temptation of usurping power? And can Gideon, the first-born, uncover the reason why enforcers are present in their land?

The reader is in for an adventurous ride with characters that are believable, well-developed, and fleshed-out. The story holds many surprises and the characters are written in a way so that readers relate to them closely. Mina, the mysterious enforcer, seductress, and secret keeper is one of my favorite characters. The masterful use of red herrings, the unpredictability of the plot, and the intensity of the action are elements I enjoyed in this novel. Nothing ever seems to be what meets the reader’s eyes, and the twists are powerful enough to leave readers with whiplash. I enjoyed the suspense that results from the action taking place on different fronts in the narrative.

Jacqueline T. Johnson knows how to shift from one scene to the other, always leaving readers with questions to make them turn to the next page. The writing is beautiful and it is peppered with wonderful insights on life, war, espionage, and royalty. One of the expressions that captures a character’s outlook on life is: “The harshness of life had robbed him of the hope to believe that somewhere in the vastness of this world good would eventually overcome evil.” Readers will find a lot of material that provokes reflections on reality, but above all, they will enjoy the humor, the drama, and the intrigue that brings this beautifully told story to life.

Season End: Sons of Meir by Jacqueline T. Johnson is the fifth installment in the Sons of Meir series. After Queen Kalya has been kidnapped, Erich embarks on a mission to save her, entrusting a dangerous charge to his illegitimate son, Malak, one of the titular sons. Daniel and Gideon are enmeshed in their own assignments as well, with Gideon having a wholly unexpected encounter with the Keeper of Secrets and the secrets she bears for him. Daniel, seduced once more by the prospect of power, is confronted with an entangled choice that could produce devastating consequences. Meanwhile, Nash's son, Reuben, takes to the sea in an adventure that culminates with an indelible twist.

Season End: Sons of Meir is my first foray into Jacqueline T. Johnson's series, but starting with book five didn't come with the usual pitfalls that entering a story at such a point otherwise might hold. The characters and events are so well developed, with their backstories interlaced just enough to allow any reader to jump right in. That said, Season End definitely made me want to pick up book one, Test of Time. Her descriptions are wonderfully fleshed out and the dialogue is authentic enough to be believable (not an easy feat in an epic fantasy). The fight scenes are exceptionally well depicted. "To know a man is strong is one thing, but to feel the vise grip of his strength squeezing the breath from your body is another. He felt the crushing of his ribs." I'd highly recommend this series for readers looking for a fast-paced escapade into the thrilling world of Sons of Meir.