Into the Bright Unknown

By: Rae Carson

Narrated by: Erin Mallon

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

The stunning conclusion to Rae Carson’s New York Times best-selling Gold Seer trilogy

Leah Westfall’s journey has been one of ever-present peril, hidden magic, harsh realities, loss, life, determination, and love. She has searched for a place to belong and a place to call home, and people who can accept a girl with magical powers that prove to be both blessing and curse.

Rae Carson has been lauded as one of YA’s best writers of fantasy, and fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, and Westworld will be riveted by the conclusion of this remarkable historical fantasy trilogy.

Leah is poised to have everything she ever dreamed of on the long, dangerous journey to California’s gold fields - wealth, love, the truest friends, and a home. Thanks to her magical ability to sense precious gold, Leah, her fiancé Jefferson, and her friends have claimed rich land in California Territory. But their fortune makes them a target, and when a dangerous billionaire sets out to destroy them, Leah and her friends must fight back with all of their power and talents. 

Leah’s magic is continuing to strengthen and grow, but someone is on to her - someone who might have a bit of magic herself. The stakes are higher than ever as Lee and her friends hatch a daring scheme that could alter California’s history forever. 

With a distinctive heroine and a unique interpretation of American history, Into the Bright Unknown strikes a rich vein of romance, magic, and adventure.

©2017 Rae Carson (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Unnecessary to the Series

Let's start with the positive. The narrator is excellent!

Unfortunately, the story was disappointing and unnecessary. The plot was thin. The storyline was boring. It’s also a bit preachy, which I wasn’t in the mood for. I don't mind when books have lessons or make a good point, but I hate that feeling like it is forced upon me...like the author is hitting me over the head with it. When that happens, it disrupts the story more than it helps or makes a point.

I gave this 3 stars, because I still love the characters and setting (and typically love everything Rae Carson). In reality, it’s more of a 2.5.

Unfortunately, this lacks intrigue, action, emotional resonance, and a satisfying conclusion. There's a happy ending. I just didn't enjoy it. In fact, by that point, I didn't even care anymore.

The longer you read, the more tedious and cliché the story becomes. The displays of power are lackluster. Most of those questions I’ve been carrying with me since book one remain unanswered, which is both disappointing and a missed opportunity. Any answers you do get are vague and along the lines of –-because it just is what it is, grasshopper.

I honestly can’t really understand why this book was necessary, other than it was part of the publishing contract. It definitely did not grow the series or contribute positively towards it. Almost everything I loved about the previous books was missing in this addition.

If you really like period pieces and/or happy endings, enough to overlook things like plot and character development, then you’ll probably still enjoy this. It just wasn’t enough for me. My overall impression of this story is – meh.

And I'm pretty sad about that.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great book!

This book was a great ending to a great series! I’ve always loved the slight fantasy elements that Carson includes, and this book has a sort of heist feel as well which I really enjoyed!

Perfect Conclusion!

I have loved this series way more than I thought I would. This trilogy has been a great listening experience!

The characters were amazing as always, but it was the plot that kept me guessing. Basically Lee comes up with a plan to take down Hardwick, a man who's even more greedy than her uncle, that requires such secrecy that you don't know the whole plan until the end of the book. Everyone plays a part, and there's plenty of surprising twists. Lee and Jefferson are as cute as ever.

I loved the historical detail in this series. I also loved that Leah was a smart, honorable person who wanted to help those less fortunate than herself. Although, her willful naivete was, at times, a little tough to take. Overall, this was a very satisfying conclusion to the Gold Seer Trilogy.

Brilliant continuation of the gold rush story.

Man's inhumanity to man are prominent throughout this three book story. But the ability to adapt shines through. Love the characters in the books.