This book was an action packed, thrilling read. The first chapter started the book out with a bang and easily captured my attention. Rikki, the heroine, is a virus hunter for the CDC. She’s sent to Zaire on a hush-hush mission to identify an extremely dangerous virus. She goes in blind, with no clue about the particulars of the disease. She’s just told that she must reach that village. Dangers are already high because of the worry of the rebels, but Rikki is given even more to worry about when she receives vague warnings about the mission she’s assigned to. Amiri, Eddie, and Max find themselves sent to protect Rikki after their boss, Roland, has a friend call in a favor. Amiri is uneasy about returning to a place so similar to his home, Kenya, but he goes anyway. None of them expected to find themselves on the run in the Congo.
The Last Twilight brings back a lot of familiar faces from the second book in the series, Shadow Touch. Amiri escaped the Consortium alongside Elena, Artur, and Rictor in that book, and it’s interesting to see the effects of that storyline bleed into this one. I wouldn’t say that this book would be impossible to read on its own, but I firmly believe that the Dirk & Steele books are best read in order. If you skip around you’ll miss out on seeing a lot of the character motivations, worldbuilding, and story arc complexity.
Rikki and Amiri were great protagonists. One of the things I love about this author is how real she makes her characters. She gives them a nice balance of strengths and vulnerabilities and although she doesn’t make them superheroes, impervious from harm, she gifts them with a viscous will to survive. Rikki stays true to her human nature, being slower than Amiri and less capable in a fight, but she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Just like Amiri, she has been a captive, and she will do anything to keep from going back to that.
The romance between Rikki and Amiri had a dreamy romanticism to it that I enjoyed. It built quietly, without any Big Misunderstandings or dramatic scenes to take away from the slow, sweet journey they took toward trust and acceptance. The uncertainty of their situation as they ran from danger added enough drama on its own. Anything else would have felt like too much. They both feared trusting each other and struggled to overcome their hesitance. I loved how natural it all felt. Their fear was understandable and that made their determination to overcome it all the sweeter. They didn’t push each other to get over it, they both made the personal decision that they had to find a way to open themselves up. As Amiri said,
“For us both, it is hard. We are too used to hiding. But we cannot hide from each other. I could not live that way, and neither could you.”
I really loved what the author did with Eddie and Rictor. Eddie has always seemed like the most vulnerable member of Dirk & Steele, so it was nice to see more of his personality here. I am curious, but worried, about what will be on the horizon for him after this. Rictor is a constant favorite of mine in this series. He walks a fine line between “good guy” and “bad guy,” and I’m never quite sure which side he falls on, on any given day. I find him fascinating and continually try to guess what exactly he is. We finally got a peek inside him as he revealed a rarely seen vulnerable side. I’m sure it won’t last for long, but I can’t wait to see where the events of this book will leave him.
The pace of the book moves quickly, but the romance never suffers for it. Liu skillfully weaves the growing bond between Rikki and Amiri with the intense action, without making the reader feel shortchanged on either. The plot will keep your attention glued to the pages as you sweat over the safety of the characters right alongside them. Amiri, Eddie, and Rikki quickly find themselves on the run, and between the danger of the virus, the rebels, and the Consortium, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat, wondering how they’re going to get out of the situation alive.
If you haven’t read this series, you’re missing out. Liu combines the worldbuilding of a UF and the romance of a PNR. What’s not to love?
Favorite Quote:
Rictor grunted. “I can’t believe you just quoted Shakespeare at me.”
“It seemed appropriate.”
“He was a mouth breather and his farts smelled like onions.”
Amiri closed his eyes. “You just ruined me.”
“My pleasure.”
Rating: A
The Last Twilight by Marjorie M. Liu
May 31st 2011 by HarperCollins
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About Catherine
I just looked and all your reviews so far on this series have been A or B. I’m glad to hear that since I believe this is a re-read for you right? Sometimes I feel differently about books when I re-read which is why I don’t re-read much.
Yes, these are re-reads for me. I got behind in the series and felt the need to refresh myself on everything before catching up with the new books.
All are re-reads except for The Fire King, In the Dark of Dreams, and Within the Flames. Although they mostly feel like new books because I had forgotten many of the details and plot arcs. The only one that has been below a B for me is The Red Heart of Jade, which I gave a C.
I have never read a book by this author but I’m thinking I might have to change that.
Thanks for the great review!
I really hope you like this series when you try it!
Zaire??? Is this a new book or re-published from 15 years ago?
Either way, this book sounds great. I think I need to pick up this series?
The book was first published in 2008 and re-released in 2011. I’m not sure if Catherine is re-reading a set she already owns or if she is reading the re-release though.
It’s a set I already own.
I know, Zaire is so unique, isn’t it? I love how this series takes us all around the world and through different cultures and makes it feel effortless.
I really enjoy this series, so I hope you find that it suits your style when you give it a try.
I’m thinking more about the fact Zaire hasn’t existed since the late 90s. It’s Democratic Republic of Congo. I find it strange that of all the places in the world, the author choose one that doesn’t exist.
But that oversight aside, I love the idea of PNR not set in North America/Europe, so I’m definitely going to check it out. It sounds really exciting. I’ve been looking for a new series to glom on to and this review gets my hopes up!
The book didn’t have a specific present time listed, as far as I can remember, so I’m not sure if it was an error or if the book was supposed to be set in the 90′s.
I really liked this book as well, still need to start reading Into the Flames at this moment, which is Eddy’s story.
I can’t wait for his story! I’m curious to hear more about him after the changes that have happened to him.
I also enjoyed this book. It has been a while since I have read it so it was nice to read your review. My favorite character is Rictor, an interesting one. I hope we will eventually get some more of him.
Rictor is my favorite too. I love when he shows up.