We’ve reached the finale to the Halloween Boys story. To say this was bittersweet would be such an understatement. I read this series while sick, and I clung to this story, and these characters, as it transported me out of my pain ridden bed and into a magical world where Halloween is so much more than just a day of the year.

As with the previous novels, we’re introduced to a new POV, and honestly a whole new writing format. This story weaves seamlessly between events of the past, future, and present while giving us a birds eye view from Blythe, Ghost, Dragon, Wolf, and finally Devil.

I don’t know when I personally realized the Devil’s role in this story overall, but I knew he was somehow a part of Blythe’s endgame. I also didn’t completely trust that he hadn’t manipulated and schemed his way through the first three books, so while some of the revelations didn’t come as a shock the finale of the history between Devil and Blythe was incredibly emotional to read.

The angst and emotional labor this novel required far exceeded the others. The stakes were so much higher here, and Blythe was constantly in the dark searching for answers right under her own nose. At times it was infuriating to be one action, one memory, one step away from uncovering the truth, but in the end it was worth it to experience the moment she remembered who she is.

This novel was truly a culmination of all the emotional work the characters had put in previously. Their battle through hell, their inner turmoil with their monsters, and their role in their polyamorous group was heart wrenching to witness, but necessary for the eventual happily ever after.

I felt so connected with this book, with Ash Grove, with Blythe, that it wrecked me when I came to the author’s note and afterwards. I was crying so hard I couldn’t even read more than a few blurry words before closing my kindle and sobbing into my weighted dinosaur plushie. These characters, this world, this town, will be in my heart for a very long time. I cannot wait to reread this series every year, and revisit Blythe and her monsters every Halloween.