How does one write an epic conclusion to a book series that holds so much intelligence, wit, love, war and emotional turmoil, strategy, adventure, multiple cultures with their own traditions and beliefs, alliances negotiated? How does one write an epic conclusion to the current state of affairs in between countries that have been at peace for 30 years? By ending an empire, of course. And when one reaches a certain age, it’s not only war that can end a man on a battlefield, it’s not a chance illness that takes a bad turn and then takes a life. At a certain age, war or no war, you can expect to lose people. Such is life, and, for the rest, life goes on.

Everything is changing and these changes with the people involved will be historical moments for generations to come. Empire’s Passing is a book that takes a deep dive into grief and then slowly but surely, rises to higher notes, like a plant after a harsh winter… Slowly, tentatively, but steadily.

Gwenna has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders as Principe and there are a lot of moving pieces on this particular game board that she needs to consider. It’s difficult to keep a level head when in mourning, betrayed and feeling alone in everything; but like that springtime plant, I think, there’s nowhere for her to go but up and onwards. When it matters most, she comes to her decisions and considers all her options. Treading steady may be difficult but only fools rush in.

Lena, Sorley, Druisius – my goodness, these three in their grief for Cillian. Cillian, who kept everything together, seemingly. Without Cillian, it’s like the Earth has tilted on its axis and everything has turned to chaos. And as Marian shows the reader, grief is dealt with in different ways. Time, patience, communication, solitude… and a dash of forgiveness in between the ones who were left behind. For words said and unsaid.

Something that Marian has kept consistency throughout the series, and turned up a level on in Empire’s Passing, are the intricacies of history of the world she has created, the political impacts of alliances, the strategies - political and military. The smallest decisions from the leaders have to be balanced just right, or risk everything falling apart. Again, I was in awe how it all played out – it’s like a good chess game – or xache, a game in the book – you have to think multiple steps ahead and all the possibilities with each move made. It’s simply brilliant and would tickle even the most demanding reader’s brain, in the most enjoyable way.

Empire’s Passing, for me, solidifies the fact that life and death are one. There is no life without death and no death without life. An inevitable and unstoppable cycle. And what makes it all worthwhile are the memories, the lessons learned, the important decisions made for future, for after one is gone. These characters had become family, I had learned to trust them and love them. They had become, in a sense, real. Having read the whole series, and now the conclusion, I feel like I myself have lived a life. A very full, wholesome life full of kinship, music and love. Yes, there were difficult moments and moments where everything was dependent on one decision, one wrong move, but ultimately, I remember mostly the good ones, and there were enough of those to last multiple lifetimes. A lot can happen in 30 years, and I loved that Marian took the time to pay homage to the history of the world and lives she had created with bringing spotlight to small connections from the past. It was so fitting, so perfect.

Another aspect of the whole series that needs a mention. As was the case from the very first page of Empire’s Legacy series, from the first book titled Empire’s Daughter, same sex and poly-amorous relationships are something that Marian weaves into her cultures. It is the dignity and natural way of things when it comes to love and sex in these books that have struck me as the most delightful thing to read. Only Marian writes like this. With dignity and respect for the human relationships. I have never felt so comfortable reading about relationships in fiction like I have with Marian’s characters. There’s no awkwardness, only how things are.

‘Love’ is not sufficient enough word to emphasize how much I have enjoyed this whole series. It’s been an absolute journey from the start, with a difficult but a rewarding conclusion. It would be hard to find something equally as balanced and distinguished in fiction to compare or compete with Marian’s writing. Impactful and evocative, emotional. Did I cry reading this book? Goodness, yes. I was prepared, though. I knew things were going to be changing a lot and difficult to accept, but at the same time, I did not expect Marian to go full out when removing pieces from the board. And yet, it made sense, it felt natural. It was like the turning of a season… Some things end, some things begin. And some things are evergeen.