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Renshai Trilogy #3
Child of Thunder
The final book in Mickey Zucker Reichert’s acclaimed, bestselling epic fantasy Renshai Trilogy—an intricate world of Norse mythology, slashing swordplay, and devastating sorcery.
Colbey’s duties in the world of mortals were seemingly done—the Renshai were safely established in a community of their own, and Sterrane was ruling peacefully in the kingdom of Bearn. Now Colbey must face the Seven Tasks of Wizardry and learn whether he is truly the new Western Wizard, keeper of neutrality.
But Colbey is about to discover that there is an Eighth Task far more dangerous not only to himself, but to the worlds of humans and gods alike. And even if he survives to take on that eighth challenge, there are those among the gods, Wizards, and mortalkind ready to make loyal allies into weapons to use against Colbey.
For with Ragnarok looming over all the worlds, both those sworn to law and those promised to chaos will unite to stop the Wizard-warrior by any means—though their very actions against Colbey may become the catalyst for mutual destruction.
Colbey’s duties in the world of mortals were seemingly done—the Renshai were safely established in a community of their own, and Sterrane was ruling peacefully in the kingdom of Bearn. Now Colbey must face the Seven Tasks of Wizardry and learn whether he is truly the new Western Wizard, keeper of neutrality.
But Colbey is about to discover that there is an Eighth Task far more dangerous not only to himself, but to the worlds of humans and gods alike. And even if he survives to take on that eighth challenge, there are those among the gods, Wizards, and mortalkind ready to make loyal allies into weapons to use against Colbey.
For with Ragnarok looming over all the worlds, both those sworn to law and those promised to chaos will unite to stop the Wizard-warrior by any means—though their very actions against Colbey may become the catalyst for mutual destruction.
592 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1993
24 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Mickey Zucker Reichert
89 books183 followersMickey Zucker Reichert (pseudonym for Miriam Susan Zucker Reichert) is an American fantasy fiction author of several best selling novels. Perhaps her most famous work is the epic Renshai series, which offers an intriguing perspective on traditional Norse mythology. She is also a parent and paediatrician with a soft spot for critters great and small. She has been known care for a veritable zoo of creatures, at times including mice, horses, snakes, llamas, parrots, squirrels, possums, and foxes.
Alongside her twenty-two novels, Reichert has also published one illustrated novella and fifty-plus short stories.
Alongside her twenty-two novels, Reichert has also published one illustrated novella and fifty-plus short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 17, 2023
3 and a bit stars.
In the concluding book of the trilogy Colby, the last of the Renshai, becomes the Western Wizard and despite being warned against it, decides to take the eighth task of wizardry and acquires the staffs of law and chaos in response. The other wizards are horrified at the possibility of chaos being released upon the world and potentially bringing about Ragnarok, so they decide to work against him.
After reading the previous two books I found this novel enjoyable but still frustrating. Although it was engaging, I felt as though a lot of the book was building up purely for the sequel rather than for a conclusion in its own right. And Colby's constant arrogant assurance that he knew best about everything was infuriating enough to make me want to punch the book occasionally.
I will be reading the remaining books in the series, but I'm going to be taking a break before diving into the second trilogy.
In the concluding book of the trilogy Colby, the last of the Renshai, becomes the Western Wizard and despite being warned against it, decides to take the eighth task of wizardry and acquires the staffs of law and chaos in response. The other wizards are horrified at the possibility of chaos being released upon the world and potentially bringing about Ragnarok, so they decide to work against him.
After reading the previous two books I found this novel enjoyable but still frustrating. Although it was engaging, I felt as though a lot of the book was building up purely for the sequel rather than for a conclusion in its own right. And Colby's constant arrogant assurance that he knew best about everything was infuriating enough to make me want to punch the book occasionally.
I will be reading the remaining books in the series, but I'm going to be taking a break before diving into the second trilogy.
July 9, 2020
All the promise from the first two books is fulfilled here and the hints of the bigger picture are most definitely played out. It starts pretty quickly with the Seven Tasks of Wizardry and doesn't really let up from there. They dynamic of Good/Evil is also now contrasted with Law/Chaos and it makes for very interesting reading, arguments I have heard before, but still interesting.
I still love Colbey and after all the setbacks he had in the last few books it was good to see him get his head straight again even though the hardships didn't lessen much. A lot of the other characters played a much smaller role in this book except for Shadimar though we had another major character, Khitajrah who was fleeing a serious of tragedies in the East. I never warmed to her fully but she was an interesting character and was useful to explore how the world was changing from the stiff Order of Odin's original plan.
The gods play a much more important role here (as you'd imagine leading up to the Ragnarok) but I don't think they overshadowed the story. Freya, Thor, Frey, and my favourite god of all Loki, all have parts to play along with Odin and they add a suitable epicness to the storyas it played out. As a result of this the world felt much more developed and made sense of a lot of things I wasn't sure about in the previous books. There are also some things I did not see coming which in retrospect seem obvious, and I love when authors pull that off.
Overall this was a great conclusion to a really enjoyable series and I am planning to move on to the next one.
See this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/
I still love Colbey and after all the setbacks he had in the last few books it was good to see him get his head straight again even though the hardships didn't lessen much. A lot of the other characters played a much smaller role in this book except for Shadimar though we had another major character, Khitajrah who was fleeing a serious of tragedies in the East. I never warmed to her fully but she was an interesting character and was useful to explore how the world was changing from the stiff Order of Odin's original plan.
The gods play a much more important role here (as you'd imagine leading up to the Ragnarok) but I don't think they overshadowed the story. Freya, Thor, Frey, and my favourite god of all Loki, all have parts to play along with Odin and they add a suitable epicness to the storyas it played out. As a result of this the world felt much more developed and made sense of a lot of things I wasn't sure about in the previous books. There are also some things I did not see coming which in retrospect seem obvious, and I love when authors pull that off.
Overall this was a great conclusion to a really enjoyable series and I am planning to move on to the next one.
See this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/
August 13, 2023
Not bad, slow. I do agree with my man that it could be much better if shorter with faster pace of story.
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October 23, 2025In the final novel of this brilliant epic trilogy, Reichert weaves together all the diverse plot strands she created in The Last of the Renshai and The Western Wizard. Colbey, Renshai warrior, hero, and teacher, finally accepts the possibility that he must take on the role of the Western Wizard. Only time will tell whether he and his allies can avert the end of all the worlds.
July 6, 2017
Involved story of wizards and champions and exiled warriors and Norse gods and everything else one can imagine in a rather long tale. The story progresses steadily, but of the three, this last volume was my favorite.
January 11, 2019
A most definitely great adventure
This is and has been one of my all-time favorite series that I have had the pleasure to read twice now and still looking forward to finishing it again
This is and has been one of my all-time favorite series that I have had the pleasure to read twice now and still looking forward to finishing it again
April 13, 2020
What happens when wizards make assumptions? You get a story like this one. Well executed battles, interesting character interactions and development, and a twist or two which most readers may not see coming.
September 21, 2017
Story that never get old
I recommend this series to every fan of the genre. I've red it four time now and it get better with reach reading
I recommend this series to every fan of the genre. I've red it four time now and it get better with reach reading
November 18, 2011
Original review posted here
Goodness gracious, this trilogy has me going a bit crazy with love. I liked it after the first book, really liked it after the second and this third book – it has me bonkers!
Twists and turns take us into the final moments before Colbey is to become the Western Wizard. When he is, he does it on his own terms. While reading this book I couldn’t help but think of all the assumptions I made about where the story would lead when I got this far and how many of them were completely, utterly wrong.
Seeing Law and Chaos, Good and Evil, all up against one another, going through the eighth trial, watching Colbey making decisions that may or may not bring about the Ragnarok … and so much more. This book was filled with battles, climaxes of storylines that left me wanting more and when I finally read the last page all I could think was.. “Thank goodness there’s another trilogy to dig into!”.
I’ve recently learned that MZR is writing three prequels to Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot, and after losing myself in the world of the Wizards, I cannot wait to see what that series will do as well. I have complete confidence in her writing ability and her attention to detail. So very thrilled I was introduced to this writer!
Goodness gracious, this trilogy has me going a bit crazy with love. I liked it after the first book, really liked it after the second and this third book – it has me bonkers!
Twists and turns take us into the final moments before Colbey is to become the Western Wizard. When he is, he does it on his own terms. While reading this book I couldn’t help but think of all the assumptions I made about where the story would lead when I got this far and how many of them were completely, utterly wrong.
Seeing Law and Chaos, Good and Evil, all up against one another, going through the eighth trial, watching Colbey making decisions that may or may not bring about the Ragnarok … and so much more. This book was filled with battles, climaxes of storylines that left me wanting more and when I finally read the last page all I could think was.. “Thank goodness there’s another trilogy to dig into!”.
I’ve recently learned that MZR is writing three prequels to Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot, and after losing myself in the world of the Wizards, I cannot wait to see what that series will do as well. I have complete confidence in her writing ability and her attention to detail. So very thrilled I was introduced to this writer!
July 20, 2010
It's interesting that the author not only pits good against evil but law against chaos. The four cardinal wizards try to maintain the balance. In the past, there was only good and evil, one wizard championing each. The society the Wizard of Evil oversees has laws that we would consider very evil. It, however, is a lawful society because those who commit the atrocities are following the law of the land.The other two wizards remaining neutral to maintain the balance. In this final book of the trilogy, the two neutral wizards and given chaos and law to champion.The creativity of man stagnates under a totally lawful society. Once chaos is introduced, there are new inovations. Man finds better, more automated ways of doing daily tasks. Chaos also tempts man to lie, steal, murder, and all of the vices we usually attribute to evil.
September 27, 2016
I first read this book a very long time ago, and to this day it (and, honestly, almost everything by this author!) ranks among my all time and forever favorites!
The finale, part three, so sad it's over! This was by far one of the best series that I have ever, in my life, read. Each book is full of rich detail and interesting characters, action and adventure and all the Norse God goodness you could possibly want! A bang up ending... hello Ragnarok!
Enjoy!
*** Please note that I am playing "catch up" with some old and favorite reads! Enjoy my Backlog! ***
The finale, part three, so sad it's over! This was by far one of the best series that I have ever, in my life, read. Each book is full of rich detail and interesting characters, action and adventure and all the Norse God goodness you could possibly want! A bang up ending... hello Ragnarok!
Enjoy!
*** Please note that I am playing "catch up" with some old and favorite reads! Enjoy my Backlog! ***
April 23, 2013
I did read this book several years ago, but I honestly didn't remember much about it, so some of the plot points came as surprises, which is a good thing, I suppose, for a re-read. This book has a markedly different feel from the previous two, in that things get a bit cerebral, and with a main character that is a sword master, it's a little weird. I'll have to read the second, related series, as I own the first book: Beyond Ragnarok.
October 21, 2013
The final chapter in this well written easily read trilogy. Some of the concepts maybe a touch difficult to grasp however stay with it.
A mans code, his beliefs, his honour sadly missing in today's life but rekindled with the reading of these books.
A mans code, his beliefs, his honour sadly missing in today's life but rekindled with the reading of these books.
May 30, 2021
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
October 4, 2019
This is a reread after many years and to be honest it didnt age well. I remember loving this book but it is true that sometimes you cant go home again. A fun but not great book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews