And finally, volume 3 reaches the top of the review pile! But at least I read it soon after the release date this time. Somehow, though, it was still tricky sorting out the main cast.
As with all fantasy trilogies, this book contains the final battles and the establishment of the new world order. The rogue dragons are ‘rescuing’ as many tamed dragons as they can find and leading them into the mountains to recover. At the same time, the humans are busy fighting amongst themselves. Very convenient because they are busy blaming each other for the destruction of the dragon eyries, rather than looking for Snow and the rogues. By the time the humans realise their mistake, most of the ruling families have been destroyed. But it is a simple mercenary who discovers the real treasure, a spear that can turn a dragon to stone. But who is going to believe him? Exactly no one, until it is almost too late.
This is a book that bears some thinking about. As you read it, it seems to be an adventure tale, but then too many of the ‘good guys’ die. In fact, the selfish, underhanded, manipulative Jehal sticks with the story almost to the last page. He opened the trilogy with a murder, and still survives until the end – it’s simply not fair. And patient, longsuffering Kemir? After seeing everything he loved destroyed, he is enslaved by the rogue dragon. When Snow finally releases him, he tentatively finds love, and just as it begins to bloom…well it’s not pretty.
This trilogy does have the good sense to end before the establishment of the new world order. Surprising for a series that has been so political. You would assume the Deas mapped out the new ‘democracy’ even if only to decide who had to survive the final battle, but does he share? Nope. That will certainly leave some readers wanting more.
And like any good fantasy novelist, the final chapter gives just a hint of another story to tell. “I am Silence, and I am hungry,” Scary words indeed.
