Spirit’s End: A satisfying end to Eli’s tale

Spirit’s End by Rachel Aaron

Spirit’s End (2012) is the final book in Rachel Aaron‘s THE LEGEND OF ELI MONPRESS. You’ll want to read the first three books, The Spirit Thief, The Spirit Rebellion, The Spirit Eater, and The Spirit War before picking up this one. This review will have some spoilers for the previous installments.

The prologue of Spirit’s End gives us a look into Eli’s past, finally revealing why he has become a thief and a rogue — and why he places such importance on the massive bounty on his head. Over the course of the series, it’s become clear that Eli’s apparent greed and lawlessness are rooted in motives that are far more understandable — and even admirable — than they first appeared. Now we learn the full story behind his lifelong efforts to escape the Shepherdess, Benehime.

In the present, Eli is once again in her grasp. She’s furious with his continued defiance and eager to punish him. He’s so desperate to break free that he begins considering alliances with people he doesn’t like or trust.

His best friends are also in trouble. Josef is now king of Osera, but the kingdom lies in ruins, and no one trusts him to lead. To them, he’s just a brute with a sword. Rebuilding will take more than strength—it will take a lot of money, and Josef has a plan to get it.

Nico is being hunted by the Lord of Storms, who has finally been given permission to go after her. Still locked in a struggle with her inner demon, she’s running out of time.

Meanwhile, Miranda has become Rector of the Spirit Court, but her authority is being challenged from within. The spirits are in a panic, warning her that the stars — something she’s only just begun to understand — are disappearing. She needs to figure out what that means before their loss destroys the entire world.

As the story unfolds, old enemies become unlikely allies, betrayals are revealed, and long-standing mysteries are finally explained. The stakes are high, and the world is about to change in ways no one expected.

The fight scenes are as brutal as ever, and, true to form, death isn’t always final. Some plot points stretch believability, but Spirit’s End is still an enjoyable fantasy with likable characters, an interesting world, a twisty plot, and a satisfying conclusion that reshapes everything that came before.

Luke Daniels continues to narrate Tantor Audio’s editions of the series. As with The Spirit War, there’s a noticeable shift in tone and vocal characterization from the earlier books, likely due to the five-year gap in production. It’s not quite as strong as his original performances, but it’s still a solid narration.