Book 3 of 4 – and things are shaping up to be awesome!
Honestly, book 1 didn’t have me hoping for much, at least not to begin with. Like I wrote in my review, it was slow, confusing and there were far too many names. When I read this third book, I couldn’t finish it fast enough.
I love this story and the world it’s in. I love the mysteries, the prophecies and the intrigue. I can’t wait to see how it ends by the next book.
Like a lot of epic fantasy Gwynne paints a vast picture. If you’ve read any of my other reviews (and know a little bit about my tastes) it’s almost a bit too vast sometimes. It’s not particularly fast paced, and it’s looong. But at the same time, it’s so very good. Seeing the characters build and grow over time, following them as they rise to the occasion, as they fail and succeed, and overcome their challenges… It’s brilliant. Honestly, I’m going to be sad when it’s over.
Also, the one thing I really like about Gwynne’s writing is the action. The fight scenes. The swordplay. I often find action scenes to end up being these generic back and forths, lacking tension because you know (or expect) who’s going to come out the victor. And even if I still do that here sometimes, there’s still a beauty and brutally to it. A finesse. I love it.
Book 3 of course carries on the story directly from book 2. Ever since the kind of slow start of book 1 we’ve held a steady course, and book 3 has for the most part stayed true to that. But it also turns everything on it’s head toward the end. Not at all what I was expecting, and I definitely didn’t see it coming.
If you’re looking for some epic fantasy about warring kingdoms, magical prophecies, ancient giants, and a young boy who reluctantly grows up to be a hero – look no further. This series is amazing!
Trey Stone, Author 