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The Dust Collector by E.M. McConnell – Honest Thoughts & Rating

 

Cover of The Dust Collector by E.M. McConnell, part of a gripping fantasy series with morally grey characters and intense storytelling.


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Having read The Guard, needless to say, my expectations for every book in this series are astronomically high. And now that I’ve just finished The Dust Collector, I’m once again left amazed by Eryn McConnell!

Darius had a life that was so different from the main character in the first book, which made it fascinating to see the prison from a completely different perspective. Walking through the desert with Darius made me thirsty — the scenes were written so vividly that I felt every step he took.

Engaging With the Author Made It Better
It was fun tweeting about my progress and discussing the book with Eryn while reading. It made the journey feel even more personal and immersive. Eryn’s ability to craft morally grey characters that tug at your heartstrings is remarkable. Darius was no exception. Despite knowing he’s a criminal, I couldn’t help but feel bad for his situation.

Mister — My Favorite Character
I loved Mister! Who is he? You’ll have to read the book to find out, but trust me, he’s my favorite ever. The scenes between Mister and Darius broke my heart — they highlighted just how lonely Darius really was, making it painful to read at times.

Intense and Gritty Storytelling
The scenes with the crawlers made my stomach churn, which is a testament to how brilliant Eryn is at writing intense, heart-pounding moments that instill fear in the reader’s mind.

Darius displayed a range of emotions throughout the book, and each was written exceptionally well. I wanted to slap him across the face a few times, but it also made me realize how different life was beyond the prison gates. He’s an incredibly complex yet intriguing character, and I enjoyed following him on this journey. I’m curious to see where his story goes next!

Woestynn Is a Cruel Place
Woestynn is a harsh, unforgiving place — that’s all I’ll say. I also feel so sad for Kail. His story offered another heartbreaking perspective on this world, making me appreciate how easy my own life is in comparison.

Curious About Pilgrim?
Oh, and I have my eyes on Pilgrim! He’s such a fascinating character, and I’m left with endless questions about him. I can’t wait to read more about him in the next book.

Final Thoughts
I cannot explain in words how much I loved The Dust Collector. It’s definitely one of my top favorites this year. I’m beyond excited to dive into more books in this amazing series!

“Have you read The Dust Collector? Share your thoughts below!”

Get the Dust Collector here - amazon US and amazon UK

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