Vampire Royals: The Finale by Leigh Walker-A critique

"The Finale" is a 2018 book of more than a hundred pages by Leigh Walker. It is the third book in the Vampire Royals book series.

Book Overview (according to Amazon)

"A ROYAL WEDDING IS COMING…BUT WHICH CONTESTANT WILL BE THE BRIDE?

Gwyneth West's a finalist in The Pageant, the dating competition that's gripping the settlements. Down to the final week, the dashing Prince Dallas Black will choose one young woman as his fiancé. One small issue: Gwyneth's a human and the prince is a vampire. What's worse? Gwyneth's family are sworn rebels, out to take back the settlements and overthrow the crown. What's worse than that? Gwyn's own rebel brother is a prisoner in the castle dungeons, but the king and queen don't know his true identity.

Gwyneth and Dallas want to show the settlements that vampires and humans can live together in peace. But as their differences threaten to tear them apart, Gwyneth discovers her love puts the prince at risk.

How do you choose between love and duty?"

Critique

It starts with the King and the Blackguard going into the forest to find the rebel army. It's written and can be read as a stand-alone. Dallas is consistent, it's very endearing to see. I like that the queen asked Gwyn about what would happen if she were chosen in terms of living at the castle and all that. She recognizes the differences between humans and vampires but while Dallas recognizes them and believes they can co-exist peacefully, she does not. However, Gwyn has been too focused on the emotional aspect of the competition as Shaye said in the previous book. She told her to consider other things such as the duties of the role she could assume. Shaye had the emotions and an acknowledgment of responsibility as the production team believed too which was evident in their initial edit of her. 

Ohhh, now the unedited car scene with Tamara hurt me. Yeah, I get why she's pissed never mind. I remember her saying in the first book that she wanted to protect her feelings in case she didn't get picked and after reading these books back to back I'm honestly tired of the emotional rollercoaster, I want off. As I said for the previous book, I may request for elimination if I were her but that depends on if I would be willing to really fight as Tamara who played the game in that unedited clip by showing her intelligence, interest, assertiveness, etc. Tariq told her that she has to play the game because if she didn't she might not get picked because what matters is not his emotions alone despite Blake's encouragement to be one's self. Honestly, I get why she's confused. He's polite and he's polite with everyone so she might be unsure of his true feelings as he's giving everyone a fair chance despite his pleas to trust him.

However, there are things Dallas does to show his dedicated affection for her so much so his preference was recognized by the other contestants and everyone. He chose her as the first for the first and second dates as well as the first for the meeting with his mother. Plus he risked his position and life so many times. Now he may have been intimate with the other ladies but they have gone on adventures which is different as it still hurts her to see his embrace of others especially when their warmth is not shown in the show as much. He even told her that his mother liked their conversation and seemed to approve of her after their meeting. Meanwhile, the King decided he pick Tamara, crazy. I mean I could tell what the lead-up was especially from the last book but why not Shaye? Hmmm I guess she hasn't had as much of a presence as she did in the first book plus the connections from Tamara's family would be beneficial. Oh, Dallas said any human settler would be an accomplishment but he wants a wife not a running mate when she pushes him to pick Tamara for the political benefits.

Her brother and dad are confirmed rebels too but he says he doesn't care. It's a good thing she has Eve to calm her down and put things into perspective for her. Even if it's the same thing at times, it's nice to hear it from someone else, especially in a caring tone. She picks and chooses when to do the right thing or worry about the right but again, Dallas has been consistent. I'm so impressed by Dallas and his dedication to his people for change. Has my opinion on princes/rulers been that sullied or is he truly impressive? Because he truly believes in unity while many others don't even want to rule. Not judging them but it's refreshing almost to see someone in a position of power want that position and want to use it to the best of his ability to make a great impact. To be honest, Dallas did say that if it were him in Gwyn's position he would probably feel the same in terms of jealousy. I'm not invalidating her feelings, it's just tiring because I want fluff but it's problems always.

I like that they threw the jealousy back at him though. When he questioned her about her former boyfriend he was jealous and it's funny that he's being bothered for a change even a little bit. They said 'I love you' to each other. This is the first time they've made declarations like 'I like you' or 'I love you'. They say they care about each other but this is different. She finally became sure of his emotions and was trusting and supportive. Good for her. Good for him. Good for them. Austin gave her information on a lot.

I'm happy they just gave up the ending part because it wasn't feeling like much of a competition anymore despite Tamara's hopes and plans. Good for Balkyn for overcoming his prejudices to acknowledge Dallas and apologize to his sister even though she cut it short. I can't believe the king was going to behead them, in public and on camera. Huh, it's interesting that the Queen cut his violent outburst but she had hers in the 1st book. I'm surprised she's rooting for them.

Ohhh Gwyn learned and is still learning that choice is important when changing (consent) so Balkyn's pleased he's alive because he didn't want to change. Good for her. Austin and the queen, maybe the king too see them as ridiculously optimistic which was shown to be okay with people's opinions and the resolve Balkyn changing even though Gwyn thought he had sincere hatred for her being associated with them. Although, Dallas did help him avoid a beheading. He also helped him escape and reunite with the other rebels allowing him the possibility of seeing a flaw in his view of them. Dallas asked if the remaining three girls could join his court as ambassadors. Shaye accepts to stay after she tells Gwyn it's okay despite knowing she probably doesn't have a chance anymore. She apologized to Tamara too who pretended she didn't care and said she didn't want him but the title which she would be getting with the ambassador position. She and Blake reunite and they talk about Austin's suggestion for an ambassador up North probably being about her.

The King accepted their union despite everything with much convincing through their argument but ultimately because he loves and supports his son. Balkyn apologized for all the things he said and said he's changing how he sees things as well. He sent their father to the palace to fulfill his dying wish to see his family as his condition worsened. Gwyn's consistent value is family. In the first book, she looked for her brother and father. In the second book, her brother was found, captured and imprisoned while she questioned him about their father. In the third book, she dealt with an imprisoned brother before his release and he sends their father back allowing a reunion. Eve joins them at the choosing party and I'm happy she's back to civilization in the public eye. Gwyn is chosen and proposed to. She asks Eve if she will be her maid of honour and she accepts. Tariq really apologized to Gwyn seeing as she was going to be the princess. Mira was still supportive of them though at least for the most part. I loved the ending; the arrangement of the girls, the proposal, Blake wishing them happiness, Austin staring at Blake, and more. I am so happy this book had the most fluff or good times because they cover serious issues and after reading them back-to-back, it was needed. I'm happy for them. I would've liked to see the wedding and more of their relationship but the next book is focused on Blake's decision to be the Goodwill Ambassador of the North with Austin. Oh, I actually read the 1st 3 chapters of the next book, "The North" and it begins with the wedding but swiftly goes to Blake and Austin. It's absolutely adorable from their wedding to the support and the connection between Blake and Austin.

Favourite character: Gwyneth, Dallas, Blake, Eve, and Austin. Austin is so unfiltered and shameless and …I like him. He and Blake would be amazing.

Favourite scene: When Blake defended Gwyneth to Tariq. Everything about Dallas and Gwyneth's visit to Settlement 4 was great from the hospital visit, the namings, the recognition of his work, the sleepover and the conversation. Austin and Blake in the garden. The clasped hand and offered arm thing Dallas did for them and their mothers is adorable.

Most memorable thing: The beheading attempt, that was crazy. Their visit to Balkyn. My word, that was painful. He said such horrible words. Just pure hatred and anger. He said he gave up his life to fight them but they could have come back. You could have left. That dedication was his choice.

Overall: I enjoyed it and I enjoyed reading the 3 books in this series.