Review Detail

You know a fantasy is going to be wild when the hero starts the story disowned, sent on a suicide mission, and left for dead.

I had a really fun time reading Downfall by Marc J. Gregson. The stakes feel huge right from the start, with the Skylands basically teetering on the edge of civil war, and Conrad being tossed into the chaos once again.

What I liked most about this book is how scrappy Conrad is. He keeps getting knocked down politically, physically, and emotionally, but he just keeps finding a way forward. Watching him survive sky pirates, hide behind a new identity, and train with the very people who want to take down his tyrannical uncle made the story feel like one long, intense climb back to power.

And the dueling pits? It's absolutely one of my favorite parts. The action scenes there were gritty and exciting, and it really felt like Conrad was fighting not just for survival, but for the chance to prove he could be a better leader than the one he’s trying to overthrow.

Overall, it’s a fast-paced fantasy with plenty of danger, political tension, and that classic rise from the ashes energy that kept me turning pages.

Thank you, Peachtree Teen and Marc J. Gregson, for sharing Downfall with me!