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Iron Elves #3
Ashes of a Black Frost
In the bestselling traditions of Terry Brooks, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Bernard Cornwell comes the third novel in the acclaimed epic fantasy series following The Light of Burning Shadows.
Musket and cannon, bow and arrow, and magic and diplomacy vie for supremacy once again in this all-new epic adventure from acclaimed author Chris Evans. As the human-dominated Calahrian Empire struggles to maintain its hold on power in the face of armed rebellion from within, the Iron Elves’ perilous quest to defeat the power-hungry elf witch, the Shadow Monarch, now takes on greater urgency....
Packed with wit, high adventure, and political intrigue, Ashes of Black Frost will hook readers on this bold and exciting series.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
26 people are currently reading
771 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 20, 2013
There were two reasons I finished this series, and their names are Ymit and Alwyn. The story should have been about them. They alone deserve 5 stars. Unfortunately, everything else, from the actual main characters to the ending subtracted star after star.
~~~~~SPOILERS!!!!!!~~~~~
Star break down!
(Don't forget there are SPOILERS!!!!!)
+ 5 stars: Ymit/Alwyn
I have know idea if I've been pronouncing his name right, but Ymit is made of awesome. His only downfall is that I was never convinced he was dead, but that's just because he was way too cool to kill. Alwyn, arguably, grows the most over the trilogy, changing from a pansy, baby-faced soldier to a badass shadowman that controls the DD. His chapters were easily my favorites. Then a flaming toboggan kills him, but more on that later.
+ 1 stars: Our elves and dwarves are different
Evans gets a point for taking the fantasy formula and mixing it up a bit. The one thing I liked about Konowa was how different he was from traditional elves (aka Tolkien's elves). There were enough new ideas to keep me reading.
- 1 star: Konowa/Visnya
The book loses a star thanks to its leading couple. Konowa is boring in comparison to the dwarf and man duo. I never really cared whether he lived or died, not a good sign when you're the main character. I don't think he even changed much over the course of the trilogy.
His affection for Visnya is never really fleshed out. They were attracted to each other because, dammit, there needs to be romance in this story! They rarely even seem to interact that much throughout the entire series. It just seems forced. I think the only thing they really had in common was that they were both stubborn idiots at times.
On her own, Visnya was a pretty good character. The way she weaved magic was new and interesting for me. Her anguish when she had to kill Kritton was very well written. She did come off a bit extremist hippy at times. I had a feeling she would be blowing up factories or at the very least chaining herself to trees if she lived in modern times.
- 1 star: The end
Confusion and loose ends everywhere! The prince, isn't the prince? Whaaaat? Should I care? Why the deception...etc etc? Konowa's dad is uncrazy? How? The evil just wore off? And many others, but most important thread was Rallie. Her subplot was never adequately finished. Now, I do tend to speed read, so maybe I missed the part where we find out why the hell Rallie is full of deus ex machina (I'll just DRAW that deadly sword out of existence for you! Good as new! Too bad I wasn't around to help Ally with his leg. He'll just have to grow as a character, I guess.), but even if I did miss it, there definitely wasn't enough time spent on her. I always suspected she was a Star, but unless Evans continues the story, I guess I'll never find out.
The Shadow Monarch's ending was also a bit rushed and rather stupid. The big, final showdown was as disappointing as a video game final boss that is defeated with a quicktime event. But there was a twist, too! Not a very good one though. It was the tree all along! Konowa's hatred of trees was entirely justified!! They are full of evil ambitions to be...tall, to cover the world in more trees (evil trees, though)...and...rule the world...yeah, that doesn't make much sense. The big bad isn't very threatening when an axe can take it down. If they had just gone to the mountain in the first place, the series would have been over after the first book! I don't care if the tree has magical, illusion powers. Chop, chop, timber, trilogy done. And that brings us to...
- 1 star: The Big Bad
The Shadow Monarch's motivations aren't even very clear to begin with. A tree was dying, she wanted to save it and then suddenly, evil everywhere! Is this a subtle lesson that hell is paved with good intentions? Heck if I know. Maybe? All Her minions seemed much more threatening than she turned out to be, which was disappointing. A Big Bad needs to be bigger and badder that the minions, not the other way round. (Now that I think about it, how did She...I mean the evil tree, revive dead monsters? Did I miss the part where that is explained?)
Her second emissary, whats-his-name, on the other hand, had such an exciting final fight/death. He turns into a freaking black hole to hell simply because he is so angry. (Like the Hulk, but more evil. And less green.) How awesome was that?! That should have been the final battle, period. Everything afterward is like the scouring of the Shire at the end of LOTR but not nearly as good.
- 1 stars: The freaking exploding toboggan
Alwyn is killed by a freaking toboggan. Not by his final duel with evil, black hole guy. No. Evans decided to lull us into a false sense of security and then pull the rug out from under us. Oh, look! Ally sees his friend and father figure, Ymit, and regains his strength and will to live! Too bad. Exploding toboggan! Konowa essentially says: "Oops, my bad. Now, on to more important things!" In my opinion, it would have been more moving to keep Ally alive, rather than kill him off in such an annoying way. All his character growth was wasted in one fiery, contrived explosion.
- .5 stars: Everything else
Vague I know. These are all little things that bugged me but not enough to take off a whole star.
Soldiers were introduced just to be stupid and die. I can't even remember his name, but he jumps off a trap and falls to his death. I didn't care. He was the very definition of a red shirt.
The stars become less important, and I forgot they were a plot point for half the book.
Bad pacing.
FINAL TALLY
1.5 stars (But we are rounding up.)
Evans, if you happen to be on this site and reading this particular review, I really didn't hate your trilogy. I've read worse (coughgoodkindcough). However, I can definitely tell this is your first attempt at fiction. Keep trying. Maybe write a buddy cop story about Ymit and ghost Ally. One's a dwarf with a bad attitude; the other is a ghost with magic powers and self-confidence issues. Together they are: Shorty and the Ghost! You can even have my title if you cannot think of a better one. Just mention me in the thank yous.
~~~~~SPOILERS!!!!!!~~~~~
Star break down!
(Don't forget there are SPOILERS!!!!!)
+ 5 stars: Ymit/Alwyn
I have know idea if I've been pronouncing his name right, but Ymit is made of awesome. His only downfall is that I was never convinced he was dead, but that's just because he was way too cool to kill. Alwyn, arguably, grows the most over the trilogy, changing from a pansy, baby-faced soldier to a badass shadowman that controls the DD. His chapters were easily my favorites. Then a flaming toboggan kills him, but more on that later.
+ 1 stars: Our elves and dwarves are different
Evans gets a point for taking the fantasy formula and mixing it up a bit. The one thing I liked about Konowa was how different he was from traditional elves (aka Tolkien's elves). There were enough new ideas to keep me reading.
- 1 star: Konowa/Visnya
The book loses a star thanks to its leading couple. Konowa is boring in comparison to the dwarf and man duo. I never really cared whether he lived or died, not a good sign when you're the main character. I don't think he even changed much over the course of the trilogy.
His affection for Visnya is never really fleshed out. They were attracted to each other because, dammit, there needs to be romance in this story! They rarely even seem to interact that much throughout the entire series. It just seems forced. I think the only thing they really had in common was that they were both stubborn idiots at times.
On her own, Visnya was a pretty good character. The way she weaved magic was new and interesting for me. Her anguish when she had to kill Kritton was very well written. She did come off a bit extremist hippy at times. I had a feeling she would be blowing up factories or at the very least chaining herself to trees if she lived in modern times.
- 1 star: The end
Confusion and loose ends everywhere! The prince, isn't the prince? Whaaaat? Should I care? Why the deception...etc etc? Konowa's dad is uncrazy? How? The evil just wore off? And many others, but most important thread was Rallie. Her subplot was never adequately finished. Now, I do tend to speed read, so maybe I missed the part where we find out why the hell Rallie is full of deus ex machina (I'll just DRAW that deadly sword out of existence for you! Good as new! Too bad I wasn't around to help Ally with his leg. He'll just have to grow as a character, I guess.), but even if I did miss it, there definitely wasn't enough time spent on her. I always suspected she was a Star, but unless Evans continues the story, I guess I'll never find out.
The Shadow Monarch's ending was also a bit rushed and rather stupid. The big, final showdown was as disappointing as a video game final boss that is defeated with a quicktime event. But there was a twist, too! Not a very good one though. It was the tree all along! Konowa's hatred of trees was entirely justified!! They are full of evil ambitions to be...tall, to cover the world in more trees (evil trees, though)...and...rule the world...yeah, that doesn't make much sense. The big bad isn't very threatening when an axe can take it down. If they had just gone to the mountain in the first place, the series would have been over after the first book! I don't care if the tree has magical, illusion powers. Chop, chop, timber, trilogy done. And that brings us to...
- 1 star: The Big Bad
The Shadow Monarch's motivations aren't even very clear to begin with. A tree was dying, she wanted to save it and then suddenly, evil everywhere! Is this a subtle lesson that hell is paved with good intentions? Heck if I know. Maybe? All Her minions seemed much more threatening than she turned out to be, which was disappointing. A Big Bad needs to be bigger and badder that the minions, not the other way round. (Now that I think about it, how did She...I mean the evil tree, revive dead monsters? Did I miss the part where that is explained?)
Her second emissary, whats-his-name, on the other hand, had such an exciting final fight/death. He turns into a freaking black hole to hell simply because he is so angry. (Like the Hulk, but more evil. And less green.) How awesome was that?! That should have been the final battle, period. Everything afterward is like the scouring of the Shire at the end of LOTR but not nearly as good.
- 1 stars: The freaking exploding toboggan
Alwyn is killed by a freaking toboggan. Not by his final duel with evil, black hole guy. No. Evans decided to lull us into a false sense of security and then pull the rug out from under us. Oh, look! Ally sees his friend and father figure, Ymit, and regains his strength and will to live! Too bad. Exploding toboggan! Konowa essentially says: "Oops, my bad. Now, on to more important things!" In my opinion, it would have been more moving to keep Ally alive, rather than kill him off in such an annoying way. All his character growth was wasted in one fiery, contrived explosion.
- .5 stars: Everything else
Vague I know. These are all little things that bugged me but not enough to take off a whole star.
Soldiers were introduced just to be stupid and die. I can't even remember his name, but he jumps off a trap and falls to his death. I didn't care. He was the very definition of a red shirt.
The stars become less important, and I forgot they were a plot point for half the book.
Bad pacing.
FINAL TALLY
1.5 stars (But we are rounding up.)
Evans, if you happen to be on this site and reading this particular review, I really didn't hate your trilogy. I've read worse (coughgoodkindcough). However, I can definitely tell this is your first attempt at fiction. Keep trying. Maybe write a buddy cop story about Ymit and ghost Ally. One's a dwarf with a bad attitude; the other is a ghost with magic powers and self-confidence issues. Together they are: Shorty and the Ghost! You can even have my title if you cannot think of a better one. Just mention me in the thank yous.
September 15, 2015
(These were actually written by John Tams for the BBC TV productions of Sharpe's Rifles, and seem strangely appropriate to both the setting and events of this book.)
Here's forty shillings on the drum
To those who volunteer to come,
To 'list and fight the foe today
Over the Hills and far away.
Through smoke and fire and shot and shell,
And to the very walls of hell,
But we shall stand and we shall stay
Over the hills and far away
Then fall in lads behind the drum
With colours blazing like the sun.
Along the road to come what may
Over the hills and far away.
When Evil stalks upon the land
I'll neither hold nor stay me hand
But fight to win a better day,
Over the hills and far away.
If I should fall to rise no more,
As many comrades did before,
Ask the pipes and drums to play
Over the hills and far away.
Here's forty shillings on the drum
To those who volunteer to come,
To 'list and fight the foe today
Over the Hills and far away.
Through smoke and fire and shot and shell,
And to the very walls of hell,
But we shall stand and we shall stay
Over the hills and far away
Then fall in lads behind the drum
With colours blazing like the sun.
Along the road to come what may
Over the hills and far away.
When Evil stalks upon the land
I'll neither hold nor stay me hand
But fight to win a better day,
Over the hills and far away.
If I should fall to rise no more,
As many comrades did before,
Ask the pipes and drums to play
Over the hills and far away.
November 25, 2012
I would have read this one when it came out had I known it was out. It took so long that I gave up looking for it. Thank God for library displays and Goodreads. It better be worth the wait.
July 16, 2015
I fell in love with this series, the world was a nice and unique twist from the standard Fantasy Conventions. That being said, this series should have had a fourth book. Literally, the ending was perhaps the epitome of anti-climatic. (SPOILER WARNING): We are thrown into what should have been perhaps another 300 page novel in the last thirty pages. The story picks up after the devastation at Kaman Rhal's library, where we follow the Iron Elves through the perilous, now wintery, desert. That is all we get for the first 350 (Give or take ten) pages. While the action is top notch, I felt that this wasn't the part of the story we needed to focus on. The battle at the Shadow Monarch's mountain seemingly flits by as I read it. I had to go back and re-read it, just to absorb the break-neck pacing I was enduring. I love stories with quick pacing, but we go from the regiment barely surviving to storming the Shadow Monarchs mountain way too Quickly.
2nd issue, the barely hinted at plot twist.
It's not the elf, but the tree, her Ryk Faur, that is the Shadow monarch. How does this evil Wolf Oak get taken down? Elvish suicide. I had enjoyed this series, but this felt like the greatest Anti-Climatic Ending in history. Chris Evans has talent as a writer and I will read his work from here on out, but he is human and this work shows some of the problems a story teller should avoid. since I cannot give a 3.5 star rating, i'll give it four stars for the series overall.
2nd issue, the barely hinted at plot twist.
It's not the elf, but the tree, her Ryk Faur, that is the Shadow monarch. How does this evil Wolf Oak get taken down? Elvish suicide. I had enjoyed this series, but this felt like the greatest Anti-Climatic Ending in history. Chris Evans has talent as a writer and I will read his work from here on out, but he is human and this work shows some of the problems a story teller should avoid. since I cannot give a 3.5 star rating, i'll give it four stars for the series overall.
November 3, 2011
Some books you know you should start reading on the weekend so you don't have to put them down. This definitely one of those.
Well worth the wait and a satisfying ending to a brilliant trilogy. This book has just made my top 10 for 2011.
Well worth the wait and a satisfying ending to a brilliant trilogy. This book has just made my top 10 for 2011.
April 22, 2020
Well we get to the end of the series.
I liked the first book as it set up some interesting ideas and although the characters were a bit 1 or 2 dimensional there was time to grow over the trilogy….so I read the second which ended up being a bit of a plod, but having got so far I decided to read the finale…
Wish I hadn’t bothered. Apologies for the odd, minor spoilers but here goes.
Konowa – boring character, doesn’t develop over the books, terrible officer continually getting his troops killed because he rushes into things rather than acting like an experienced senior officer. To be fair, the author seems to realise this and gives him a dressing down from Sergeant Ymit…not that it changes the way he acts. And even when his troops are reduced to a fraction of their original strength he can’t be bothered to get to know who they are.
Visnya - again never develops as a character and seems to be only there to provide a love interest for Konowa. Except that it isn’t really believable. They hardly speak over the 3 books and then it is usually to make each other angry for no real reason – which I guess the author equates to passion. Finally in this book they both suddenly decide they can’t live without each other having not conversed or thought about each other for probably a book and a half.
Ymit – to be fair he started as an interesting character in the first volume and developed into this amazing, unstoppable soldier…so much so that by the time we got to the end it was getting a bt unbelievable
Rallie – the most interesting character. At times offering some interesting interjections. But the hints about her true nature were never expanded on and at times her superpowers seemed to be used inconsistently to get the author out of a tight spot.
The action – most of this book was a slow trudge through the snow. I suspect the author thought the action was “unrelenting” but really it just became samey. The regular troops are no match for the “monsters” whilst the heroes never feel like they are in any danger. Throughout the books the author seems to get in a position where something interesting might happen, but then shies away from it (such as some proper motivation of the traitorous Iron Elf – can’t remember his name- or having a proper meet up with the original regiment and seeing if they could find some redemption)
The comedy – the author seems to have decided that the books needed some laughs in them. Don’t have a problem with that in theory (Joe Abercrombie’s books have some good 1 liners, Mark Lawrence can make me smile, I like a bit of Pratchett) but here the comedy seems to have been written separately and bolted on. We initially had the comedy platoon, but when they were killed off or became serious players we had things like Wobbly, the drunk carrier pelican or the “hilarious” ride on the giant, exploding toboggan. Really terrible.
The Prince – a thorn in Konowa’s side for 2 books he pretty much disappears from this one, with the Viceroy constantly making excuses as to why he isn’t there even though they are marching in a column with just a couple of hundred troops. And the Viceroy goes from an overweight diplomat to a dashing soldier, tactician and engineer…again to seemingly get the author out of a writing cul-de-sac
The ending – a bit of a damp squib. No sense of danger and sorted really quickly…still it was better than the saccharine epilogue.
Hmm…having looked at that, I’m not sure why I have given it as much as 2 stars.
I liked the first book as it set up some interesting ideas and although the characters were a bit 1 or 2 dimensional there was time to grow over the trilogy….so I read the second which ended up being a bit of a plod, but having got so far I decided to read the finale…
Wish I hadn’t bothered. Apologies for the odd, minor spoilers but here goes.
Konowa – boring character, doesn’t develop over the books, terrible officer continually getting his troops killed because he rushes into things rather than acting like an experienced senior officer. To be fair, the author seems to realise this and gives him a dressing down from Sergeant Ymit…not that it changes the way he acts. And even when his troops are reduced to a fraction of their original strength he can’t be bothered to get to know who they are.
Visnya - again never develops as a character and seems to be only there to provide a love interest for Konowa. Except that it isn’t really believable. They hardly speak over the 3 books and then it is usually to make each other angry for no real reason – which I guess the author equates to passion. Finally in this book they both suddenly decide they can’t live without each other having not conversed or thought about each other for probably a book and a half.
Ymit – to be fair he started as an interesting character in the first volume and developed into this amazing, unstoppable soldier…so much so that by the time we got to the end it was getting a bt unbelievable
Rallie – the most interesting character. At times offering some interesting interjections. But the hints about her true nature were never expanded on and at times her superpowers seemed to be used inconsistently to get the author out of a tight spot.
The action – most of this book was a slow trudge through the snow. I suspect the author thought the action was “unrelenting” but really it just became samey. The regular troops are no match for the “monsters” whilst the heroes never feel like they are in any danger. Throughout the books the author seems to get in a position where something interesting might happen, but then shies away from it (such as some proper motivation of the traitorous Iron Elf – can’t remember his name- or having a proper meet up with the original regiment and seeing if they could find some redemption)
The comedy – the author seems to have decided that the books needed some laughs in them. Don’t have a problem with that in theory (Joe Abercrombie’s books have some good 1 liners, Mark Lawrence can make me smile, I like a bit of Pratchett) but here the comedy seems to have been written separately and bolted on. We initially had the comedy platoon, but when they were killed off or became serious players we had things like Wobbly, the drunk carrier pelican or the “hilarious” ride on the giant, exploding toboggan. Really terrible.
The Prince – a thorn in Konowa’s side for 2 books he pretty much disappears from this one, with the Viceroy constantly making excuses as to why he isn’t there even though they are marching in a column with just a couple of hundred troops. And the Viceroy goes from an overweight diplomat to a dashing soldier, tactician and engineer…again to seemingly get the author out of a writing cul-de-sac
The ending – a bit of a damp squib. No sense of danger and sorted really quickly…still it was better than the saccharine epilogue.
Hmm…having looked at that, I’m not sure why I have given it as much as 2 stars.
September 30, 2022
Pacing felt a bit weird, it was sluggish and then the ending picked up the last 50 pages or so and ...well, that was it. The last few chapters were basically "Hey, we just slogged through this land and now we're here at the end. K byeee"
Honestly forgot the BBEG existed halfway through the book except for the reminders by the characters of why they were in the middle of what they were doing. The Shadow Monarch seemed a bit ethereal in concept, if it weren't for Her monsters I'd have forgotten she was a threat.
Not sure how Konowa is a superior officer of a regiment, he's made out to be a plucky moron. I didn't mind in the earlier books he seemed to be the swashbuckling hero with pithy remarks, but it's like he lost 100 IQ points in this book. Enlisted men telling him what to do or not talking with any kind of reverence to his rank --I get it's fantasy, but I want some verisimilitude. He has some good moments, but there are times I wonder if he got his commission from a cereal box.
Honestly forgot the BBEG existed halfway through the book except for the reminders by the characters of why they were in the middle of what they were doing. The Shadow Monarch seemed a bit ethereal in concept, if it weren't for Her monsters I'd have forgotten she was a threat.
Not sure how Konowa is a superior officer of a regiment, he's made out to be a plucky moron. I didn't mind in the earlier books he seemed to be the swashbuckling hero with pithy remarks, but it's like he lost 100 IQ points in this book. Enlisted men telling him what to do or not talking with any kind of reverence to his rank --I get it's fantasy, but I want some verisimilitude. He has some good moments, but there are times I wonder if he got his commission from a cereal box.
December 31, 2017
The ragtag regiment of Iron Elves, come out of the desert a bit beaten up, and are despatched across the sea for a final reckoning with the crazy Shadow Monarch and her blighted forest.
This series was overall a bit of a disappointment, and this final volume is no different. The main issue is one of pacing this time. Too much time is spent tidying up the desert adventures with a couple of side quests, and this left too little time for what should have been the climax of the whole tale, the fight against the mad elf witch.
There are some good things here - some of the side villains are interesting and the tactical situations are usually handled quite clearly and well - but overall I had hoped for more from this book and series.
Rated M for gunplay and magical violence. 2.5/5
This series was overall a bit of a disappointment, and this final volume is no different. The main issue is one of pacing this time. Too much time is spent tidying up the desert adventures with a couple of side quests, and this left too little time for what should have been the climax of the whole tale, the fight against the mad elf witch.
There are some good things here - some of the side villains are interesting and the tactical situations are usually handled quite clearly and well - but overall I had hoped for more from this book and series.
Rated M for gunplay and magical violence. 2.5/5
April 24, 2018
Fine, nothing amazing. Good wrap-up to an average series.
February 28, 2019
This is an excellent finish to the trilogy. Most subplots were wrapped up. Knocked off a star - book was a bit bloated.
July 28, 2019
I felt the whole series was decent. I felt reading it was just passing time. I didn't feel invested in the story.
July 15, 2020
Ok I take it all back, the series just got better and better. Let's hope we get more stories of Yimt in future books.
July 23, 2021
A satisfying conclusion to this series!
October 30, 2021
Great read.
November 28, 2025
Manchmal etwas langatmig.
September 27, 2011
Ashes of a Black Frost by Chris Evans is an epic finish to an already groundbreaking trilogy. Evans has created a true piece of art with the Iron Elves trilogy, and the fans with be amazed with this last book in the trilogy.
After surviving the Suljak’s attack with Kaman Rhal’s dark magic that took on a life of its own, the Iron Elves are severely diminished and the morale is down to almost nothing. They lost too many of their own, whose immortal souls will be bound forever in the Darkly Departed’s ranks unless Konawa can figure out how to break the spell. Not only are many dead but many others are missing, some of the most important people to Konowa and to the troop. Among the missing are Konowa’s parents Chayii Red Owl and Jurwan Leaf-talker, Konowa’s furry companion from his exile Jir, Visyna, Tyul Mountain Spring, and Yimt’s boys. Konowa knows the only way to end the evil the Shadow Monarch is continuously unleashing upon the world is to end the Shadow Monarch. He knows the only way to kill the Shadow Monarch and stop her from destroying the world is to regain his lost companions and set out to his homeland with them and the Iron Elves. Will Konowa succeed or will the Shadow Monarch annihilate him and the Iron Elves and finish destroying the world?
Evans has managed to blend high fantasy and military tactics into an astonishing series that far surpasses other novels of similar type. Evans has surpassed the first two novels in the trilogy with this astounding novel. In this breathtaking last novel Evans has managed to end the series with a bigger BANG! than most other authors are capable of after writing 50+ of novels, Ashes of a Black Frost has many twists, turns and complete 360’s. There are points where you just have to reread the paragraph or page two or three more times because you couldn’t believe what just happened. There are so many events in between these pages that it is completely and utterly shocking. Not only is he able to continue with the storyline without too many pauses he also weaves in sudden changes that change everything you thought you knew. There were times when I just had to stop reading with my jaw hanging open because I could not believe what had just happened. He is also able to remind the reader of what happened in the previous novel without making it unreadable. The dark satirical comedy that drew most people to this trilogy is more present than ever, the fighting scenes are well thought out and amazingly accurate. While this novel is a bit darker than the previous two still manages to make the reader laugh at certain points. Evans has managed balanced the darker and lighter aspects of the novel perfectly, and while there is deep despair and heartache it never goes overboard to the point of no return. This novel, in this humble writers opinion, is one of the best books of the year and I believe we will look back on it in the years to come and remember it fondly as we do Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings or Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.
I would recommend this novel and the previous two in the trilogy to anyone and everyone who loves a good fantasy novel.
After surviving the Suljak’s attack with Kaman Rhal’s dark magic that took on a life of its own, the Iron Elves are severely diminished and the morale is down to almost nothing. They lost too many of their own, whose immortal souls will be bound forever in the Darkly Departed’s ranks unless Konawa can figure out how to break the spell. Not only are many dead but many others are missing, some of the most important people to Konowa and to the troop. Among the missing are Konowa’s parents Chayii Red Owl and Jurwan Leaf-talker, Konowa’s furry companion from his exile Jir, Visyna, Tyul Mountain Spring, and Yimt’s boys. Konowa knows the only way to end the evil the Shadow Monarch is continuously unleashing upon the world is to end the Shadow Monarch. He knows the only way to kill the Shadow Monarch and stop her from destroying the world is to regain his lost companions and set out to his homeland with them and the Iron Elves. Will Konowa succeed or will the Shadow Monarch annihilate him and the Iron Elves and finish destroying the world?
Evans has managed to blend high fantasy and military tactics into an astonishing series that far surpasses other novels of similar type. Evans has surpassed the first two novels in the trilogy with this astounding novel. In this breathtaking last novel Evans has managed to end the series with a bigger BANG! than most other authors are capable of after writing 50+ of novels, Ashes of a Black Frost has many twists, turns and complete 360’s. There are points where you just have to reread the paragraph or page two or three more times because you couldn’t believe what just happened. There are so many events in between these pages that it is completely and utterly shocking. Not only is he able to continue with the storyline without too many pauses he also weaves in sudden changes that change everything you thought you knew. There were times when I just had to stop reading with my jaw hanging open because I could not believe what had just happened. He is also able to remind the reader of what happened in the previous novel without making it unreadable. The dark satirical comedy that drew most people to this trilogy is more present than ever, the fighting scenes are well thought out and amazingly accurate. While this novel is a bit darker than the previous two still manages to make the reader laugh at certain points. Evans has managed balanced the darker and lighter aspects of the novel perfectly, and while there is deep despair and heartache it never goes overboard to the point of no return. This novel, in this humble writers opinion, is one of the best books of the year and I believe we will look back on it in the years to come and remember it fondly as we do Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings or Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.
I would recommend this novel and the previous two in the trilogy to anyone and everyone who loves a good fantasy novel.
Read
October 14, 2011Ashes of a Black Frost by Chris Evans is an epic finish to an already groundbreaking trilogy. Evans has created a true piece of art with the Iron Elves trilogy, and the fans with be amazed with this last book in the trilogy.
After surviving the Suljak’s attack with Kaman Rhal’s dark magic that took on a life of its own, the Iron Elves are severely diminished and the morale is down to almost nothing. They lost too many of their own, whose immortal souls will be bound forever in the Darkly Departed’s ranks unless Konawa can figure out how to break the spell. Not only are many dead but many others are missing, some of the most important people to Konowa and to the troop. Among the missing are Konowa’s parents Chayii Red Owl and Jurwan Leaf-talker, Konowa’s furry companion from his exile Jir, Visyna, Tyul Mountain Spring, and Yimt’s boys. Konowa knows the only way to end the evil the Shadow Monarch is continuously unleashing upon the world is to end the Shadow Monarch. He knows the only way to kill the Shadow Monarch and stop her from destroying the world is to regain his lost companions and set out to his homeland with them and the Iron Elves. Will Konowa succeed or will the Shadow Monarch annihilate him and the Iron Elves and finish destroying the world?
Evans has managed to blend high fantasy and military tactics into an astonishing series that far surpasses other novels of similar type. Evans has surpassed the first two novels in the trilogy with this astounding novel. In this breathtaking last novel Evans has managed to end the series with a bigger BANG! than most other authors are capable of after writing 50+ of novels, Ashes of a Black Frost has many twists, turns and complete 360’s. There are points where you just have to reread the paragraph or page two or three more times because you couldn’t believe what just happened. There are so many events in between these pages that it is completely and utterly shocking. Not only is he able to continue with the storyline without too many pauses he also weaves in sudden changes that change everything you thought you knew. There were times when I just had to stop reading with my jaw hanging open because I could not believe what had just happened. He is also able to remind the reader of what happened in the previous novel without making it unreadable. The dark satirical comedy that drew most people to this trilogy is more present than ever, the fighting scenes are well thought out and amazingly accurate. While this novel is a bit darker than the previous two still manages to make the reader laugh at certain points. Evans has managed balanced the darker and lighter aspects of the novel perfectly, and while there is deep despair and heartache it never goes overboard to the point of no return. This novel, in this humble writers opinion, is one of the best books of the year and I believe we will look back on it in the years to come and remember it fondly as we do Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings or Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.
I would recommend this novel and the previous two in the trilogy to anyone and everyone who loves a good fantasy novel.
After surviving the Suljak’s attack with Kaman Rhal’s dark magic that took on a life of its own, the Iron Elves are severely diminished and the morale is down to almost nothing. They lost too many of their own, whose immortal souls will be bound forever in the Darkly Departed’s ranks unless Konawa can figure out how to break the spell. Not only are many dead but many others are missing, some of the most important people to Konowa and to the troop. Among the missing are Konowa’s parents Chayii Red Owl and Jurwan Leaf-talker, Konowa’s furry companion from his exile Jir, Visyna, Tyul Mountain Spring, and Yimt’s boys. Konowa knows the only way to end the evil the Shadow Monarch is continuously unleashing upon the world is to end the Shadow Monarch. He knows the only way to kill the Shadow Monarch and stop her from destroying the world is to regain his lost companions and set out to his homeland with them and the Iron Elves. Will Konowa succeed or will the Shadow Monarch annihilate him and the Iron Elves and finish destroying the world?
Evans has managed to blend high fantasy and military tactics into an astonishing series that far surpasses other novels of similar type. Evans has surpassed the first two novels in the trilogy with this astounding novel. In this breathtaking last novel Evans has managed to end the series with a bigger BANG! than most other authors are capable of after writing 50+ of novels, Ashes of a Black Frost has many twists, turns and complete 360’s. There are points where you just have to reread the paragraph or page two or three more times because you couldn’t believe what just happened. There are so many events in between these pages that it is completely and utterly shocking. Not only is he able to continue with the storyline without too many pauses he also weaves in sudden changes that change everything you thought you knew. There were times when I just had to stop reading with my jaw hanging open because I could not believe what had just happened. He is also able to remind the reader of what happened in the previous novel without making it unreadable. The dark satirical comedy that drew most people to this trilogy is more present than ever, the fighting scenes are well thought out and amazingly accurate. While this novel is a bit darker than the previous two still manages to make the reader laugh at certain points. Evans has managed balanced the darker and lighter aspects of the novel perfectly, and while there is deep despair and heartache it never goes overboard to the point of no return. This novel, in this humble writers opinion, is one of the best books of the year and I believe we will look back on it in the years to come and remember it fondly as we do Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings or Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.
I would recommend this novel and the previous two in the trilogy to anyone and everyone who loves a good fantasy novel.
January 17, 2012
Pros: lots of action, character development, dry humour, satisfying series conclusion
Cons: Konowa recovers from serious injuries remarkably fast, there is little downtime in the middle third of the book causing reader exhaustion, Konowa and Visyna's romance isn't very convincing
A second star has returned but not without cost. As a poisoned metallic snow begins to fall in the desert, heralding more of the Shadow Monarch's nightmares, the Iron Elves must decide their route. With Yimt's company missing, including Visyna and Konowa's parents, the Iron Elves head for the coast by way of Suhundam's Hill, last outpost of the original Iron Elves. There they face new dangers that make wiping out the Shadow Monarch more important than ever.
This book introduces new monsters again, including evolved sarka har, a once more transformed Emissary and the Shadow Monarch herself. It also explains the fate of the original Iron Elves Konowa is so eager to find.
There is a lot of character development, both with established characters and newly introduced soldiers. Often fantasy books dealing with the military or feudal hierarchies will constrain themselves to a small group of people, eventually causing a gap in characters as previous ones die or retire. So it was nice to see Evans bring forth a new batch of soldiers in this book and continue promoting them within the military ranks. It gave the series a realistic feel that the world continues, even as characters move on.
The action is fast and furious, with occasional downtime when the characters laugh and learn, though there was a section in the middle where it seemed everyone should have been collapsing from exhaustion. Konowa himself managed to recover remarkably fast from several serious accidents throughout the book. Readers may find themselves requiring a short break from the relentless action.
The romance between Konowa and Visyna seemed a little forced. Though it was hinted at through all three books there was little time for the characters to really get to know each other after the first book. It was nice seeing Visyna come to understand Konowa better in this installment, but there was no scene where she conveyed her new understanding to him.
The series came to a highly satisfying conclusion. If you like elves but want something different, give this series a try.
Cons: Konowa recovers from serious injuries remarkably fast, there is little downtime in the middle third of the book causing reader exhaustion, Konowa and Visyna's romance isn't very convincing
A second star has returned but not without cost. As a poisoned metallic snow begins to fall in the desert, heralding more of the Shadow Monarch's nightmares, the Iron Elves must decide their route. With Yimt's company missing, including Visyna and Konowa's parents, the Iron Elves head for the coast by way of Suhundam's Hill, last outpost of the original Iron Elves. There they face new dangers that make wiping out the Shadow Monarch more important than ever.
This book introduces new monsters again, including evolved sarka har, a once more transformed Emissary and the Shadow Monarch herself. It also explains the fate of the original Iron Elves Konowa is so eager to find.
There is a lot of character development, both with established characters and newly introduced soldiers. Often fantasy books dealing with the military or feudal hierarchies will constrain themselves to a small group of people, eventually causing a gap in characters as previous ones die or retire. So it was nice to see Evans bring forth a new batch of soldiers in this book and continue promoting them within the military ranks. It gave the series a realistic feel that the world continues, even as characters move on.
The action is fast and furious, with occasional downtime when the characters laugh and learn, though there was a section in the middle where it seemed everyone should have been collapsing from exhaustion. Konowa himself managed to recover remarkably fast from several serious accidents throughout the book. Readers may find themselves requiring a short break from the relentless action.
The romance between Konowa and Visyna seemed a little forced. Though it was hinted at through all three books there was little time for the characters to really get to know each other after the first book. It was nice seeing Visyna come to understand Konowa better in this installment, but there was no scene where she conveyed her new understanding to him.
The series came to a highly satisfying conclusion. If you like elves but want something different, give this series a try.
March 7, 2012
Ashes of a Black frost is the third installment within a 3-part trilogy called 'The Iron Elves' and if anyone has read either of my reviews for book one (A darkness forged in fire) or book two (the light of burning shadows) then you will already be aware of how much i loved them and what i also think of the final book. This epic fantasy trilogy all comes down to one final, breathtaking and spine-chilling moment that is so drematic and stunning that it really is an ending to be proud of. Book two had also ended on a cliffhanger similarly to book one and so it was an eagerly awaited read that did not disapoint but one which only got better and better. The charicters by now were so reconisable to the reader that you felt as if they were part of your family and as to the ever lingering romance one could not help not to but wonder if it was ever going to be resolved and as a real romantic i was completely and utterly willing the charicters on to make the right (or what i imagined to be 'perfect') descision. If things could get better in the way of creativity and imagination then they did not disapoint when it came to the enemy and her trees (or should i say 'Sarka Har' (or Blood Tree) that became airborn, i mean when has anyone throughout fantasy literature ever conjured up a flying, dragon of a tree?! Spectaular! I was completely blown away by his creativity as an author and as a writer to be able to produce something as fantastical as this and to put it on paper is such a feat and i am in great awre of Chris Evans. The climax or finale at the end of the book seemed to have taken apsolutely ages to reach and a journey in which the reader had voyaged to as well as the charicters, so when it came to it you really felt so much a part of what was happening. I am a sucker for a happy ending and i could not help but let out a sigh of releif (as too did the main charicter i am sure) when it was deemed to be all over, and also then to go and fetch the box of tissues. Anyone who loves fantasy fiction needs to at least try this trilogy as it is so amazing, but i do understand that i cannot convince the entire world of how great Chris Evans is as an author...but perhaps a few people. I am now extremely sad that it is all over! x
January 3, 2013
The main attraction I have to this series is the different technology level it has to normal fantasy fare. Black powder is in common use among the soldiers, so they have muskets and cannon.
A handful of the characters are fun and interesting, namely the Queen's scribe, Rallie, a cigar smoking old bat, who knows way more than she will say, and is quite probably the most powerful person in the series, and Yimt, a dwarven (never thought I'd see the day I like a dwarf) soldier who is constantly getting promoted for bravery and then knocked back down to private for insubordination. There's a handful of others that are appealing - the main character though is not one of them. I find Major Swift Dragon annoying at best, and flat out dangerous as a leader. His love interest is slightly less aggravating, but fairly forgettable personality-wise.
The writing is competent if not a bit repetitive. Toward the end there are a few scenes that appear to have been rewritten with information from previous chapters forgotten in the process. For example, Jir, the Major's cat/dog/critter companion, gets blown from the docks, onto the boat where the Major is, and yet a couple pages later the Major is worrying about what happened to Jir and fearful that he won't see him again. Then later when they get off the ship, and a large bird shows up to drop off the Major's girlfriend, Jir suddenly shows up again, and it reads as if he arrived with the bird also. There's a few other oddball moments like this in the last quarter of the book.
I give the book (and series - this being the third and final volume in the series) three stars for being different, and for the interesting support characters. I deducted two stars for the annoying main character, the consistency issues, and the rather lackluster ending.
A handful of the characters are fun and interesting, namely the Queen's scribe, Rallie, a cigar smoking old bat, who knows way more than she will say, and is quite probably the most powerful person in the series, and Yimt, a dwarven (never thought I'd see the day I like a dwarf) soldier who is constantly getting promoted for bravery and then knocked back down to private for insubordination. There's a handful of others that are appealing - the main character though is not one of them. I find Major Swift Dragon annoying at best, and flat out dangerous as a leader. His love interest is slightly less aggravating, but fairly forgettable personality-wise.
The writing is competent if not a bit repetitive. Toward the end there are a few scenes that appear to have been rewritten with information from previous chapters forgotten in the process. For example, Jir, the Major's cat/dog/critter companion, gets blown from the docks, onto the boat where the Major is, and yet a couple pages later the Major is worrying about what happened to Jir and fearful that he won't see him again. Then later when they get off the ship, and a large bird shows up to drop off the Major's girlfriend, Jir suddenly shows up again, and it reads as if he arrived with the bird also. There's a few other oddball moments like this in the last quarter of the book.
I give the book (and series - this being the third and final volume in the series) three stars for being different, and for the interesting support characters. I deducted two stars for the annoying main character, the consistency issues, and the rather lackluster ending.
January 14, 2012
drey’s thoughts:
Ashes of a Black Frost picks up after the bitterly hard-won battle with Major Konowa Swift Dragon emerging from the haze of blood and guts barely cognizant of those around him. He’s lost so much to get to this point, and it’s not even a point he wanted to be at. But being a soldier, he has to go on, because the Iron Elves’ salvation is the most important task to him. Plus, someone has to kill these obnoxious hordes of evil.
This is still an epic military fantasy read–there’s lots of battle, orders, guns, strategies, and guts and gore and death. But there’s also the characters caught up in the mayhem and chaos. The Major is one, of course. Worried about his family and friends, missing (yes, even if he only admits it to himself) his crusty Sergeant–one of my favorite characters in this story, trying his best to keep the remnants of his troops alive to get to the end, hoping to get to the Shadow Monarch to end this curse, the Major is a pivotal character in this series. However, my favorite character in this installment is Viceroy Alstonfar, the diplomat-turned-entertaining-solder-and-strategist. He takes the place of Yimt in providing a touch of humor in this otherwise bleak and despairing landscape. And I’ll leave the character-talk here since I can’t discuss some of the other characters from the series without letting you know whether they’re alive or dead, which would be very spoiler-esq. And you all know I don’t do spoilers!
Will Konowa find his Iron Elves? Will he be able to free them all from the curse of the Shadow Monarch? You’ll have to pick this up and find out. Fans of military fantasy will love this conclusion to Chris Evans’ Iron Elves series.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
Ashes of a Black Frost picks up after the bitterly hard-won battle with Major Konowa Swift Dragon emerging from the haze of blood and guts barely cognizant of those around him. He’s lost so much to get to this point, and it’s not even a point he wanted to be at. But being a soldier, he has to go on, because the Iron Elves’ salvation is the most important task to him. Plus, someone has to kill these obnoxious hordes of evil.
This is still an epic military fantasy read–there’s lots of battle, orders, guns, strategies, and guts and gore and death. But there’s also the characters caught up in the mayhem and chaos. The Major is one, of course. Worried about his family and friends, missing (yes, even if he only admits it to himself) his crusty Sergeant–one of my favorite characters in this story, trying his best to keep the remnants of his troops alive to get to the end, hoping to get to the Shadow Monarch to end this curse, the Major is a pivotal character in this series. However, my favorite character in this installment is Viceroy Alstonfar, the diplomat-turned-entertaining-solder-and-strategist. He takes the place of Yimt in providing a touch of humor in this otherwise bleak and despairing landscape. And I’ll leave the character-talk here since I can’t discuss some of the other characters from the series without letting you know whether they’re alive or dead, which would be very spoiler-esq. And you all know I don’t do spoilers!
Will Konowa find his Iron Elves? Will he be able to free them all from the curse of the Shadow Monarch? You’ll have to pick this up and find out. Fans of military fantasy will love this conclusion to Chris Evans’ Iron Elves series.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
November 2, 2011
This is a different sort of fantasy, I do know that fantasy is about war a lot, but this takes it a step further. It is military fantasy and the author does it so very well.
In the third and final book the world is crumbling. An evil elf wants destruction, and our hero, Major Konowa is bent on finding and destroying her. Since this is military fantasy there is a lot of fighting. First they have to fight they way out of the desert they are in. Evil beings and trees are after them (yes trees ;). And then there is the final battle against the Shadow Monarch. Evans keeps the tempo up and when I am closing in on the end I still do not know how this all will turn out.
While reading it I find myself thinking of the Hornblower adventure books (even if those are set at sea), and the Richard Sharpe series, because the military feeling is clearly 19th century. I do like it because it is so very different. There are usually no guns in fantasy, and I always like those who try something new.
I know that the whole military aspect may be a bit of a turn off for some, but after I had read book 1 I was hooked. You root for the Iron Elves and Konowa. And there is even a tiny bit of romance, I say tiny because it is tiny, but at least it has me hoping he will get his girl.
Conclusion:
A nice conclusion to this series and with an ending that made me happy. If you want to try something different then give book 1 a go (because you do need to read the books in order.) And it truly is fantasy for everyone.
Rating:
Nice, oh and I must mention how much I love the title!
In the third and final book the world is crumbling. An evil elf wants destruction, and our hero, Major Konowa is bent on finding and destroying her. Since this is military fantasy there is a lot of fighting. First they have to fight they way out of the desert they are in. Evil beings and trees are after them (yes trees ;). And then there is the final battle against the Shadow Monarch. Evans keeps the tempo up and when I am closing in on the end I still do not know how this all will turn out.
While reading it I find myself thinking of the Hornblower adventure books (even if those are set at sea), and the Richard Sharpe series, because the military feeling is clearly 19th century. I do like it because it is so very different. There are usually no guns in fantasy, and I always like those who try something new.
I know that the whole military aspect may be a bit of a turn off for some, but after I had read book 1 I was hooked. You root for the Iron Elves and Konowa. And there is even a tiny bit of romance, I say tiny because it is tiny, but at least it has me hoping he will get his girl.
Conclusion:
A nice conclusion to this series and with an ending that made me happy. If you want to try something different then give book 1 a go (because you do need to read the books in order.) And it truly is fantasy for everyone.
Rating:
Nice, oh and I must mention how much I love the title!
November 10, 2011
Ashes of a Black Frost by Chris Evans
One of the things I like about Chris Evans is his wonderful titles. This title is evocative of many things and ties so tightly to the story line that it is astoundingly descriptive. This is the culmination of a terrific trilogy. (I just love alliteration.) I highly recommend that you read both The Light of Burning Shadows and Darkness Formed in Fire before reading this final running battle. The Iron Elves are resurrected in several ways in the ultimate confrontation with the Shadow Monarch.
There is more to these books than just entertainment. The evolution of personality and the maturation of goals are just a few of the delightful nuggets of philosophy strewn through out the book and the series.
As I said in one of my previous reviews, the Iron Elves are once more the sharp point of the human empires bayonet. I don’t think there is a single character that isn’t transformed in some way by the intricate plot of this book. There are surprises a’plenty awaiting you! Evans does magical and marvelous characterizations though out the book. Ymit, Major Swift Dragon, Jir and Visyna are just a few of the extraordinary colorful and passionate players in this behemoth battle of wills and nature. In some ways it is just a very exciting rendition of the often confusing and confounding identification of the difference of good, evil and the vast gray area in between.
I enjoyed the book, loved the trilogy and highly recommend all three of the books!
One of the things I like about Chris Evans is his wonderful titles. This title is evocative of many things and ties so tightly to the story line that it is astoundingly descriptive. This is the culmination of a terrific trilogy. (I just love alliteration.) I highly recommend that you read both The Light of Burning Shadows and Darkness Formed in Fire before reading this final running battle. The Iron Elves are resurrected in several ways in the ultimate confrontation with the Shadow Monarch.
There is more to these books than just entertainment. The evolution of personality and the maturation of goals are just a few of the delightful nuggets of philosophy strewn through out the book and the series.
As I said in one of my previous reviews, the Iron Elves are once more the sharp point of the human empires bayonet. I don’t think there is a single character that isn’t transformed in some way by the intricate plot of this book. There are surprises a’plenty awaiting you! Evans does magical and marvelous characterizations though out the book. Ymit, Major Swift Dragon, Jir and Visyna are just a few of the extraordinary colorful and passionate players in this behemoth battle of wills and nature. In some ways it is just a very exciting rendition of the often confusing and confounding identification of the difference of good, evil and the vast gray area in between.
I enjoyed the book, loved the trilogy and highly recommend all three of the books!
May 7, 2012
In this final installment of The iron Elves trilogy, Major Konowa Swift Dragon makes the fateful decision to confront the Shadow Monarch once and for all and on her ground. So he and the remnants of his iron elves march toward her mountain as a storm of metal falls all around them.
However, they are not the only ones heading towards this confrontation. Both friend and foe alike are converging on the Shadow Monarch's realm and there will be no turning back for anyone.
As in the previous two books, author Chris Evans' knowledge of military history shines through and is highly satisfying. The rest of the book - not so much. He begins plot threads which look interesting only to drop them midstream including, literally, the case of a newly evolved Sakar Har. Many of the old characters are underused and in some cases (Alwyn and the Prince for example) almost non-existent while new ones take up too much of the story line.
The final showdown between Konowa and the Shadow Monarch was, at once, surprising but unsatisfactory and there were too many loose ends which remained hanging including the mystery of Rallie Synjyn, probably the most interesting character throughout the series.
Still, Evans has real talent for writing military fantasy and it is worth reading Ashes of a Black Frost for this reason alone.
However, they are not the only ones heading towards this confrontation. Both friend and foe alike are converging on the Shadow Monarch's realm and there will be no turning back for anyone.
As in the previous two books, author Chris Evans' knowledge of military history shines through and is highly satisfying. The rest of the book - not so much. He begins plot threads which look interesting only to drop them midstream including, literally, the case of a newly evolved Sakar Har. Many of the old characters are underused and in some cases (Alwyn and the Prince for example) almost non-existent while new ones take up too much of the story line.
The final showdown between Konowa and the Shadow Monarch was, at once, surprising but unsatisfactory and there were too many loose ends which remained hanging including the mystery of Rallie Synjyn, probably the most interesting character throughout the series.
Still, Evans has real talent for writing military fantasy and it is worth reading Ashes of a Black Frost for this reason alone.
May 23, 2013
PLOT SUMMARY: Amidst a scene of carnage on a desert battlefield blanketed in metallic snow, Major Konowa Swift Dragon sees his future, and it is one drenched in shadow and blood. Never mind that he has won a grand victory for the Calahrian Empire. He came here in search of his lost regiment of elves, while the Imperial Prince came looking for the treasures of a mystical library, and both ventures have failed. But Konowa knows, as do the Iron Elves — both living and dead — that another, far more important battle now looms before them. The campaign in the desert was only the latest obstacle on the twisted, darkening path leading inexorably to the Hyntaland, and the final confrontation with the dreaded Shadow Monarch.
In this third novel of musket and magic in Chris Evans' Iron Elves saga, Konowa's ultimate journey is fraught with escalating danger. A vas... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
In this third novel of musket and magic in Chris Evans' Iron Elves saga, Konowa's ultimate journey is fraught with escalating danger. A vas... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
April 16, 2012
it's always a bitter sweet moment when you finish the last book in a particularly good series you ache to know what happens but don't want the ride to be over, and of course there is always the fear that the ending will leave one disappointed. well on that last i can promise that this volume does by no means disappoint. if the series had to come to an end and i suppose it did i could not have asked for a better ending. it was exciting and at times a little heart wrenching. i will say that the final confrontation felt a little abrupt but that i suspect was by design. so i finish the iron elves with a sad satisfaction and hope that the author in his infinite wisdom, at least +3, will see fit to grace us with another adventure for the iron elves some day.
September 3, 2012
This is the third and final installment of the Iron Elves trilogy.
Evans has created some memorable characters faced with external and internal conflicts.
Swift Dragon remains the main focus but many we see grow and exceed who they were while others grow but it is less obvious as in the case of the prince.
As they race toward the final confrontation with the Monarch many join in the race on both sides of the conflict with an ending that was both surprising and yet fitting all at once.
This book draws on military history as well as ancient lore and magic making it both an odd combination but just as well and in some cases brings flashes of Glen Cook's Black company.
I would highly recommend this and also look forward to future endeavors by Chris Evans.
Evans has created some memorable characters faced with external and internal conflicts.
Swift Dragon remains the main focus but many we see grow and exceed who they were while others grow but it is less obvious as in the case of the prince.
As they race toward the final confrontation with the Monarch many join in the race on both sides of the conflict with an ending that was both surprising and yet fitting all at once.
This book draws on military history as well as ancient lore and magic making it both an odd combination but just as well and in some cases brings flashes of Glen Cook's Black company.
I would highly recommend this and also look forward to future endeavors by Chris Evans.
August 3, 2013
I'll make this brief: this series is great. But what's great about it is not the story in itself (even though the story IS good), but how well written and real the characters feel. Konowa is just perfect, irresistible and all around awesome. A reader takes pleasure in following the story of a character they can fall in love with.
I love what he did with elves too. Never, in a million years would I imagine Elves shooting muskets, but Chris Evans makes it look like it's been that way since forever.
It's a very good read, perfect for high fantasy lovers. I am very sad to see it go.
I will miss Konowa and Yimt and Rallie like they were my closest friends.
I love what he did with elves too. Never, in a million years would I imagine Elves shooting muskets, but Chris Evans makes it look like it's been that way since forever.
It's a very good read, perfect for high fantasy lovers. I am very sad to see it go.
I will miss Konowa and Yimt and Rallie like they were my closest friends.
November 24, 2011
A satisfying conclusion to a fresh and likeable trilogy.
At some points i've thought that maybe this last leg of the journey was a little bit too smooth going, too few real hurdles and hardships to continue the convincing tones of the two prequels. It wasn't exactly a walk in the park but it came too close far too often. Nonetheless the cast of characters is fascinating and the background Evans has designed for his story is at least solid and just begs to be explored in depth and detail. well, this time not much happened in this regard, but maybe some day the author will go back to tell further stories in his renaissance world.
At some points i've thought that maybe this last leg of the journey was a little bit too smooth going, too few real hurdles and hardships to continue the convincing tones of the two prequels. It wasn't exactly a walk in the park but it came too close far too often. Nonetheless the cast of characters is fascinating and the background Evans has designed for his story is at least solid and just begs to be explored in depth and detail. well, this time not much happened in this regard, but maybe some day the author will go back to tell further stories in his renaissance world.
May 28, 2013
I was so looking forward to this wonderful conclusion to this series. But I was somewhat disappointed by this installment. There were so many loose ends that were never explained and given resolution, as well as the great climax of the book felt a little rushed.
For a final battle it was sadly put together quickly and confusingly. While all the parts of this book were nicely written and well done by Evans I think he should have added a little more oomph to the ending of this series that caught me and dragged me in.
The conclusion fell well into place, but the finale left lots to be desired.
For a final battle it was sadly put together quickly and confusingly. While all the parts of this book were nicely written and well done by Evans I think he should have added a little more oomph to the ending of this series that caught me and dragged me in.
The conclusion fell well into place, but the finale left lots to be desired.
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