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Firebringer #3
The Son of Summer Stars
The Final Volume of the Firebringer Trilogy
A secret haunts Jan's dying father, Korr a secret so dark that, if exposed, could bring the downfall of the Firebringer. Jan is left with its terrible burden, and an impossible choice: renounce Tek, his beloved mate, and lose forever the kingship of the unicorns, or return and face the consequences of his father's acts, and of his own.
"A first-rate ending for a fine fantasy series." "Booklist""
A secret haunts Jan's dying father, Korr a secret so dark that, if exposed, could bring the downfall of the Firebringer. Jan is left with its terrible burden, and an impossible choice: renounce Tek, his beloved mate, and lose forever the kingship of the unicorns, or return and face the consequences of his father's acts, and of his own.
"A first-rate ending for a fine fantasy series." "Booklist""
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
5 people are currently reading
811 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Ann Pierce
19 books641 followersMeredith Ann Pierce is a fantasy writer and librarian. Her books deal in fantasy worlds with mythic settings and yet overturn standard expectations, frequently featuring young women who first wish only to love and be loved, yet who must face hazard and danger to save their way of life, their world, and so on, usually without being respected for their efforts until the end of the story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 1, 2020
Darker, getting darker. This series is to become a favorite. Quick paced and wonderful to immerse yourself in the land of Firebirnger. Loved every detail. Land, sea, air, it all came together under the throes of an intense battle that captures you from the first volley thrown. It's wonderful and keep you interested to the last page.
June 10, 2017
In dit laatste boek uit de trilogie wordt eindelijk de strijd om de Wijheuvels gestreden, waar de wormen--wyverns--400 jaar geleden de eenhoorns uit verdreven hebben. Terwijl prins Yan zijn krankzinnig geworden vader achtervolgt die weggevlucht is uit de vallei, en een hele tijd bij de draken verblijft, maken de eenhoorns uit de vallei zich onder leiding van Tek op om over de Vlakte naar de Wijheuvels te trekken. En voornamelijk doordat Yan al enkele jaren als vredestichter tussen verschillende rassen--pans, eenhoorns, griffioenen, eenhoorns van de Vlakte (het Vrije Volk) en nu zelfs draken optrad, krijgen de Eenhoorns van de Kring langs alle kanten hulp om te strijd te winnen. En zowel Yan als Tek komen het al lang verborgen gehouden geheim van hun afkomst te weten.
Spannend slot van deze trilogie. Sommige zaken liggen er wel wat te dik bovenop, en worden tot in den treure herhaald (in hints), zoals de afstamming van Yan en Tek.
Spannend slot van deze trilogie. Sommige zaken liggen er wel wat te dik bovenop, en worden tot in den treure herhaald (in hints), zoals de afstamming van Yan en Tek.
February 25, 2022
I had the first book of this trilogy for years and was unable to find books 2 and 3, until the reprint of them all in 2003. Finally, after such a long time, I was able to know the full saga!
I enjoyed the story so much when I read it as a younger person. As an adult with a lot more reading experience and more series under my belt, I now think the story has both strong pros and cons. Some things I feel are both a pro and con at the same time, even.
The author spends such a long time setting up so many variables in the first two books, and so this last installment comes off as a big "pay off" of everything that came before it, but it feels to me like that makes up the bulk of the telling. Every tiny thing that was even mentioned in passing in the first two books has to be brought back up and explained in detail here. It's nice that we have the Chekov's Gun theory firmly in place, but honestly I felt like we didn't need every single thing brought back and given attention to.
But I feel like a big strength in this story, the moral of it all in fact, is that life is more shades of gray than it is black and white. The things we were flat out told in the earlier books (Unicorns are good, Reneges are bad, Wyverns are bad, gryphons are bad) continue to be explored and exposed as untruths in this last part of the saga. Even the worst of the unicorns has reasons for the way he acts, and is as much an enemy to himself as he is to others.
Some of the choices in the story, I wish had gone another way. I wish Jan had not sat on the sidelines for most of the story. I'm not sure the reason that choice was made, other than to give other characters more time to shine, and to keep him away so certain secrets wouldn't be exposed until the end. It gives a somewhat frustrating lack of agency to his character.
Also, Jan and Tek's twins feel more like plot exposition than actual characters. I would have loved to get to know them more; it seemed like each time they appeared, it was only to explain things that were happening to characters who wouldn't otherwise know that info. Part of the issue with this is the time this story was written. It was a lot more acceptable in 80's and 90's fantasy to have characters who only existed to tell the protagonists "You need to go here now and do this thing, for the greater good of all." In modern writing we would say these characters are a crutch for the story to exist.
Despite my observations, I still feel this is a wonderful fairy tale and I really enjoyed revisiting it. I will definitely seek out the rest of the author's published writing now, even though the characters don't have hooves and horns. ;)
I enjoyed the story so much when I read it as a younger person. As an adult with a lot more reading experience and more series under my belt, I now think the story has both strong pros and cons. Some things I feel are both a pro and con at the same time, even.
The author spends such a long time setting up so many variables in the first two books, and so this last installment comes off as a big "pay off" of everything that came before it, but it feels to me like that makes up the bulk of the telling. Every tiny thing that was even mentioned in passing in the first two books has to be brought back up and explained in detail here. It's nice that we have the Chekov's Gun theory firmly in place, but honestly I felt like we didn't need every single thing brought back and given attention to.
But I feel like a big strength in this story, the moral of it all in fact, is that life is more shades of gray than it is black and white. The things we were flat out told in the earlier books (Unicorns are good, Reneges are bad, Wyverns are bad, gryphons are bad) continue to be explored and exposed as untruths in this last part of the saga. Even the worst of the unicorns has reasons for the way he acts, and is as much an enemy to himself as he is to others.
Some of the choices in the story, I wish had gone another way. I wish Jan had not sat on the sidelines for most of the story. I'm not sure the reason that choice was made, other than to give other characters more time to shine, and to keep him away so certain secrets wouldn't be exposed until the end. It gives a somewhat frustrating lack of agency to his character.
Also, Jan and Tek's twins feel more like plot exposition than actual characters. I would have loved to get to know them more; it seemed like each time they appeared, it was only to explain things that were happening to characters who wouldn't otherwise know that info. Part of the issue with this is the time this story was written. It was a lot more acceptable in 80's and 90's fantasy to have characters who only existed to tell the protagonists "You need to go here now and do this thing, for the greater good of all." In modern writing we would say these characters are a crutch for the story to exist.
Despite my observations, I still feel this is a wonderful fairy tale and I really enjoyed revisiting it. I will definitely seek out the rest of the author's published writing now, even though the characters don't have hooves and horns. ;)
February 5, 2016
This still got four stars from me, but it probably deserves lower. My adoration for the series and the writing style keep it at 'really liked' because I did really like it, I wish there were more books in the series so I could keep reading it.
That said this is definitely the 'least good' book in the series. Character interaction is cut down by a lot, the novel is a lot of 'things happening' without people really getting to react to it. Even Jan doesn't really seem to react to any of the revelations. He stresses about them until things happen and he's resolves himself to do something in response, but there's no real communication with characters to work through these things.
Lell and the twins are the best thing about this book because they're the closest thing you get to developing relationships over time.
I was also particularly unfond of having Jan with the dragons just 'watching' everything unfold instead of actually participating in it. It made his presence feel entirely unnecessary, especially since the scouts of Halla allegedly needed help finding their way home - except not really? It's all a little contrived just to have dragons, it seems.
The ending of this book is the least satisfactory thing about everything. You can't have a trilogy and a 400 year war building up to this moment, and then end before ever showing the unicorns settling down in their ancestral home they (and we, by following along) have fought so hard for.
Instead we get the abrupt conclusion of a fight, Jan telling everyone he slept with his sister, and then his Mother and Mother-in-oath(?) telling him "Actually, you're not."
"Oh, well that's good."
The End.
That said this is definitely the 'least good' book in the series. Character interaction is cut down by a lot, the novel is a lot of 'things happening' without people really getting to react to it. Even Jan doesn't really seem to react to any of the revelations. He stresses about them until things happen and he's resolves himself to do something in response, but there's no real communication with characters to work through these things.
Lell and the twins are the best thing about this book because they're the closest thing you get to developing relationships over time.
I was also particularly unfond of having Jan with the dragons just 'watching' everything unfold instead of actually participating in it. It made his presence feel entirely unnecessary, especially since the scouts of Halla allegedly needed help finding their way home - except not really? It's all a little contrived just to have dragons, it seems.
The ending of this book is the least satisfactory thing about everything. You can't have a trilogy and a 400 year war building up to this moment, and then end before ever showing the unicorns settling down in their ancestral home they (and we, by following along) have fought so hard for.
Instead we get the abrupt conclusion of a fight, Jan telling everyone he slept with his sister, and then his Mother and Mother-in-oath(?) telling him "Actually, you're not."
"Oh, well that's good."
The End.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2016
Very disappointed. It was okay, but certainly not as good as I remembered #1 and #2 being. Not much happened, and Jan wasn't even involved in the bulk of what little action there was: he "watched" it second-hand. I liked Illishar, but Lell's story seemed to be cut off abruptly after much was promised. The twins likewise featured prominently and then dropped out of the story abruptly. The ending felt abrupt and forced after the long leisurely lead-up. And Korr's ? anticlimactic to say the least, infuriating to be more honest. Meh.
It was OK but certainly not great.
It was OK but certainly not great.
June 23, 2017
Oh it saddens me to give this book 2 stars.
Unlike the first two books, even when I was 10 I disliked this one. It was confusing at parts, in some parts it moved too fast, others too slow. Some areas of the plot seem out of place or very predictable, and sadly for me the middle and ending fell flat. I think the author just wrote this to get the series over with, which is sad because the books are so spectacular.
Unlike the first two books, even when I was 10 I disliked this one. It was confusing at parts, in some parts it moved too fast, others too slow. Some areas of the plot seem out of place or very predictable, and sadly for me the middle and ending fell flat. I think the author just wrote this to get the series over with, which is sad because the books are so spectacular.
March 2, 2012
I like the series quite well, but this is my least favorite.
In the first two books, the foreshadowing was very well done. You get it, but you may not get it immediately upon the hint being read.
In this book, apparently that is the wrong way to read. In this book, the Sledgehammer of Foreshadowing will hit you over the head about every 2 paragraphs.
Have fun!
In the first two books, the foreshadowing was very well done. You get it, but you may not get it immediately upon the hint being read.
In this book, apparently that is the wrong way to read. In this book, the Sledgehammer of Foreshadowing will hit you over the head about every 2 paragraphs.
Have fun!
October 4, 2008
This is the third segment of the Firebringer series. It was written ten years after the first, so the plot twists were unexpected, probably to the author as well, because I don't believe she had intended to continue the series originally. Well written and hard to put down.
April 17, 2017
The first time I read this book, I was very disappointed with it. After rereading it several times, it has grown on me, although I still have issues with it.
Aljan, the prince of the unicorns, is finally ready to lead his people against the wyverns, who banished the unicorns from their homeland hundreds of years before. Jan has spent the last few years cultivating peace between his herd and the various creatures who live nearby, including the pans and the gryphons.
However, before the unicorns can begin their march back to the Hallow Hills, Jan must learn the secret that haunts his father Korr and driven him mad. Jan embarks on a journey to find Korr, which takes him farther than he ever imagined.
I'm pretty sure I guessed Korr's secret long before we finally learn it in this book. The foreshadowing for the plot's various twists related to it were pretty obvious, too, in my opinion. It's kind of frustrating that Jan is so oblivious to it when the reader figures it out pretty quickly. Once Jan learns the truth from Korr, he spends a very long time wandering lost and confused. I got tired of it.
*Spoiler Alert*
Jan meets the red dragons of the Smoking Hills in this book. While the dragons are fascinating and well-developed, it was frustrating that
*End Spoilers*
That being said, there were more positive points in this book than negative. I loved the new character we meet -- Calydor, a unicorn who lives on the plains. We are treated to a couple of wonderful songs by him.
I also appreciated the discussion about the unicorns' hatred for the wyverns. Jan has spent most of his time encouraging peace between his people's former enemies, so it is kind of hypocritical that he does not consider offering a truce with the wyverns. That particular element still results in a battle between the two creatures, but it was still important that is was brought up in the first place.
Lell, Jan's younger sister, also has her time to shine in this book. She is young, but she longs to be a warrior and participate in the battle. She is also fascinated by Illishar the gryphon, another great character. I liked their subplot and their part in the battle, but I am kind of puzzled by their relationship. To me, it is heavily implied that Lell has fallen in love with Illishar, and it's treated as a real possibility instead of a silly foal's fantasies, which is pretty weird to me since they are different species.
Ses, Jan's mother, and Jah-Lila, Tek's mother who has magic, are both given wonderful backstories that flesh them out more fully. I do feel like the twins were set up to do something impressive in this book and it never really came to anything. It makes me want to read about their adventures when they became older, though. I was also sad that Dagg and Ryhena were relegated to background characters in this book. I don't think either of them even speak in this novel.
One of the best parts of the trilogy, surprisingly, is the treatment of the goddess Alma. It is one of the better series I've read when it comes to having a god/goddess as a character. Jan learns a lot about Alma and his relationship with her and the world in each book, and it was handled well.
Despite all of the ups and downs in the book, overall I will still rate it highly. I'm always sad when I finish it. It is a world I am never ready to leave. I wish Meredith Ann Pierce wrote more in this world. As I mentioned before, I would love to have a book (or several) about the twins.
This trilogy is one of the only published works I know of that treats unicorns as mythic, powerful warriors instead of cute, pink creatures living inside a rainbow. For that alone, it's worth a read for anyone who loves animals, especially mythical ones. Highly recommended.
Aljan, the prince of the unicorns, is finally ready to lead his people against the wyverns, who banished the unicorns from their homeland hundreds of years before. Jan has spent the last few years cultivating peace between his herd and the various creatures who live nearby, including the pans and the gryphons.
However, before the unicorns can begin their march back to the Hallow Hills, Jan must learn the secret that haunts his father Korr and driven him mad. Jan embarks on a journey to find Korr, which takes him farther than he ever imagined.
I'm pretty sure I guessed Korr's secret long before we finally learn it in this book. The foreshadowing for the plot's various twists related to it were pretty obvious, too, in my opinion. It's kind of frustrating that Jan is so oblivious to it when the reader figures it out pretty quickly. Once Jan learns the truth from Korr, he spends a very long time wandering lost and confused. I got tired of it.
*Spoiler Alert*
Jan meets the red dragons of the Smoking Hills in this book. While the dragons are fascinating and well-developed, it was frustrating that
*End Spoilers*
That being said, there were more positive points in this book than negative. I loved the new character we meet -- Calydor, a unicorn who lives on the plains. We are treated to a couple of wonderful songs by him.
I also appreciated the discussion about the unicorns' hatred for the wyverns. Jan has spent most of his time encouraging peace between his people's former enemies, so it is kind of hypocritical that he does not consider offering a truce with the wyverns. That particular element still results in a battle between the two creatures, but it was still important that is was brought up in the first place.
Lell, Jan's younger sister, also has her time to shine in this book. She is young, but she longs to be a warrior and participate in the battle. She is also fascinated by Illishar the gryphon, another great character. I liked their subplot and their part in the battle, but I am kind of puzzled by their relationship. To me, it is heavily implied that Lell has fallen in love with Illishar, and it's treated as a real possibility instead of a silly foal's fantasies, which is pretty weird to me since they are different species.
Ses, Jan's mother, and Jah-Lila, Tek's mother who has magic, are both given wonderful backstories that flesh them out more fully. I do feel like the twins were set up to do something impressive in this book and it never really came to anything. It makes me want to read about their adventures when they became older, though. I was also sad that Dagg and Ryhena were relegated to background characters in this book. I don't think either of them even speak in this novel.
One of the best parts of the trilogy, surprisingly, is the treatment of the goddess Alma. It is one of the better series I've read when it comes to having a god/goddess as a character. Jan learns a lot about Alma and his relationship with her and the world in each book, and it was handled well.
Despite all of the ups and downs in the book, overall I will still rate it highly. I'm always sad when I finish it. It is a world I am never ready to leave. I wish Meredith Ann Pierce wrote more in this world. As I mentioned before, I would love to have a book (or several) about the twins.
This trilogy is one of the only published works I know of that treats unicorns as mythic, powerful warriors instead of cute, pink creatures living inside a rainbow. For that alone, it's worth a read for anyone who loves animals, especially mythical ones. Highly recommended.
September 6, 2011
Another great hit and a thrilling conclusion to the Firebringer Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce! It susceeded in uniting all the subplots and creating an epic ending to the "big" plot in general. I was very satisfied. Pierce has a very formal way of writing that suits the tale and I like how the tale is told by a supporting character, interesting way to go. Also, God is referenced many times but in a different guise. I don't know about you but everytime I read Christian literature in a fantasy setting it turns the magical meter off. I then lose interest, sad I know but for the first time it didn't happen. Pierce accomplished the hard combination of Christanity and Fantasy. Good jod! Most of all however, is the adressing in depth emotions and issues that everyone goes through in life, I like her veiw on it. Lastly take a look at the cover... now, I got to say that this cover rocks! Like all of the other covers it has a kind of bleery qaulity that draws you into the motion of the story.
Anyway, if you love unicorns, are christian, philisophical meanderings, or a exciting fantasy story; then this series is for you. Thank you Pierce for the great journey that I will never forget. Another 7/10!
Anyway, if you love unicorns, are christian, philisophical meanderings, or a exciting fantasy story; then this series is for you. Thank you Pierce for the great journey that I will never forget. Another 7/10!
July 7, 2016
I'm a bit speechless after finishing this trilogy. The author paints detailed and vivid pictures with her words, so much so that I often re-read sentences, paragraphs, and even entire pages. This fantasy series is a full immersion experience. Readers are introduced to the mythology, legends, languages, religions, fighting styles, and customs of not only unicorns, but wyverns, gryphons, pans, humans, dragons, and others. Each community is complete in its construction. As a writer myself, I learned a lot reading these books. As a horse lover and fantasy fan, I was delightfully entertained!
Regarding the plot--the legends, prophecies, and relationships come to an action-packed conclusion in this final installment. There are many surprises along the way and new creatures are introduced. This series led me on an exciting journey to the land of unicorns and while I'm sad to leave it, I feel enriched for having read it.
Regarding the plot--the legends, prophecies, and relationships come to an action-packed conclusion in this final installment. There are many surprises along the way and new creatures are introduced. This series led me on an exciting journey to the land of unicorns and while I'm sad to leave it, I feel enriched for having read it.
January 8, 2026
actual rating 3.5/5
There's some stuff in here I really love but also some stuff that frustrates me.
One, Jan is too passive here imo. He does nothing but travel or sit in a cave for 90% of the book. Tek and Lell are far more proactive.
Second, the plot conveniences. Of course the unicorns suddenly figure out a super convenient way to be poison-proof. The story also introduces a possible incest subplot between our main leads, but refuses to commit to it in the last few pages by having every parent character sorta-cheat in just the right way to prevent relations between Tek and Jan.
That said the climax is great and I love Tek and Lell best girlbosses forever.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
There's some stuff in here I really love but also some stuff that frustrates me.
One, Jan is too passive here imo. He does nothing but travel or sit in a cave for 90% of the book. Tek and Lell are far more proactive.
Second, the plot conveniences. Of course the unicorns suddenly figure out a super convenient way to be poison-proof. The story also introduces a possible incest subplot between our main leads, but refuses to commit to it in the last few pages by having every parent character sorta-cheat in just the right way to prevent relations between Tek and Jan.
That said the climax is great and I love Tek and Lell best girlbosses forever.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2018
What a great finish to this series! I only wish that she had written more series to accompany this one. I could see one about Lell and Illishar, their love story and perhaps continuing on to the story of the first winged unicorn. I could also see a series about the Dragonqueen and the fallen Lynex. So many spin-off series! Oh how I wish that she had kept writing. I am glad to own this trilogy, I will definitely be reading this one again and again. Five out of five stars to The Son of Summer Stars!
February 18, 2011
It pains me again to give the final installment of this series two stars - this series that started so beautifully with Birth of the Firebringer. But The Son of Summer Stars just... flopped. Revelations were paper-thin; I had guessed them in the second book. And the climax was more anti than anything. The two stars go for Ilishar, Aiony and Dhattar - and for Dagg, because I didn't forget him, even if Jan and Tek did.
January 16, 2020
This book took me so long to read. It really dragged. Even the action scenes were so verbose I had trouble figuring out what was going on. The story is great, full of twists and turns, but the execution of that story is hard to follow and feels pretentious. The unicorns are still angsty and broody. I'm glad I read this series but I am also glad I'm finished with it now.
December 10, 2011
The last installment of this series did not disappoint. It was a fairly fast-paced story; a little predictable at times, but pleasantly so. If the idea of unicorns kicking butt appeals to you, you must check out the Firebringer series. I'm not sure how else to praise it- all good things.
April 19, 2011
Very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy... and I enjoyed how all of the pieces fit together nicely and created a happy ending :)
July 20, 2015
This being the last book in the trilogy, did not disappoint at all! It was classically beautiful and is a wonderful be call a hero's tale. These books may be small but the story is grand.
July 22, 2017
So much better than the beginning of the trilogy! It all came together very nicely.
January 26, 2023
Actual rating 2.5 stars
November 6, 2020
This is honestly one of my new favorite fantasy series of all time. While you can tell it was written for a slightly younger audience, I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy.
The world is expanded upon so much. We are introduced to new species, and new unicorns alike, each as lovable and divisive as the next. And with that, comes new relationships, which are just as complex as ever. Even though you’re not exactly sure of some characters’ fates at the end, it’s still sweet enough that you can thoroughly imagine the best.
Also I wanted more Dagg and Ryhenna, to be honest. But maybe that’s just because I’m biased towards them because they are two of my absolute favorite characters.
The pacing, while at rare points, was a little odd, towards the end it really fed into the story itself and thrust me into the climactic point.
This ending to the trilogy really wrapped it all up perfectly. Jan is taken on countless adventures, and it all culminates to the point where you look back at the original prophecy, and you think, “Wow. It really came together. Full circle.”
One thing, however, that made me dock a star is the fact that there is an incest plot line...? They are unicorns, so I don’t know if that counts to a lot of people, but it does to the characters. Even though it turns out to not be true, just warning you lol.
The world is expanded upon so much. We are introduced to new species, and new unicorns alike, each as lovable and divisive as the next. And with that, comes new relationships, which are just as complex as ever. Even though you’re not exactly sure of some characters’ fates at the end, it’s still sweet enough that you can thoroughly imagine the best.
Also I wanted more Dagg and Ryhenna, to be honest. But maybe that’s just because I’m biased towards them because they are two of my absolute favorite characters.
The pacing, while at rare points, was a little odd, towards the end it really fed into the story itself and thrust me into the climactic point.
This ending to the trilogy really wrapped it all up perfectly. Jan is taken on countless adventures, and it all culminates to the point where you look back at the original prophecy, and you think, “Wow. It really came together. Full circle.”
One thing, however, that made me dock a star is the fact that there is an incest plot line...? They are unicorns, so I don’t know if that counts to a lot of people, but it does to the characters. Even though it turns out to not be true, just warning you lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
My opinion of this final volume has improved on rereading. In my memory, it was somewhat of a letdown and very slow. I do still think the build up to the final battle is very leisurely but I found myself more absorbed in the story this time around as opposed to just itching for the confrontation with the wyverns. Aiony, Dhattar, Calydor, and the Dragon Queen are all wonderful new additions that keep things from feeling stale. I love that we get background on the gryphons and their claim to the vale, and honestly I would read an entire novel about Lell and Illishar. The fleshed out backstories for the mothers of both main protagonists are great and make them feel like more realized characters. I guessed Korr’s secret long before we actually learn it and the ‘Summer Stars’ foreshadowing was very heavy handed, but overall I love these books so much. I like that the ending is satisfying, tying up all the major plot points while still leaving lots of room to speculate about what happens to these characters next. The writing is beautiful, reminiscent of a fairy tale, and the books remain the only depiction I’ve ever come across of unicorns as a warrior race; a world I doubt I’ll ever tire of revisiting.
September 8, 2025
Finishing a trilogy where one has setup the story to end with a big epic showdown is always hard, and I think Pierce managed better than most fantasy authors in this book. I have re-read it several times and liked it a lot, but as an adult I think I do feel as if the whole felt a bit too convenient and half-baked, and Jan doesn't do much for most of the story, which is a bit of a let down, even though we do get the big, epic battle and other characters get to shine. The ending feels a bit rushed, although I'm gald we got a better ending to this trilogy than Pierce's Darkangel trilogy.
I wish we had gotten more time with Jan's little sister and the griffin - there are clear hints at a love story between them (even in book 2 there's a hint that it's going to happen), and while this might be too much for some readers, I would have loved to know how on earth they made it work?! I'm just the logistics of such a union, where they're going to live together, how they each work out that it's more than friendship etc.
Anyway, overall it's a fairly satisfying conclusion to the whole trilogy.
I wish we had gotten more time with Jan's little sister and the griffin - there are clear hints at a love story between them (even in book 2 there's a hint that it's going to happen), and while this might be too much for some readers, I would have loved to know how on earth they made it work?! I'm just the logistics of such a union, where they're going to live together, how they each work out that it's more than friendship etc.
Anyway, overall it's a fairly satisfying conclusion to the whole trilogy.
April 7, 2018
While this book was a bit more all-over-the place than the others, the final battle and ending were just as epic as I could have hoped. Though Jan, the main character, spent much of this book away from his family, dreaming of their lives in the den of a dragon, I enjoyed the new characters that I was able to meet first-hand, particularly Lell, who has grown up a lot in this series. I loved her unique relationship with Illishar, the gryphon, along with the significant role that she played in the final battle. With Tek becoming queen of the unicorns, a feminist move that I quite liked, I felt as if she had fulfilled her role and risen to her full potential. What I really liked was this: Jan was important, but it was the side characters such as Lell, Tek, Ses, and Illishar who were ultimately the ones to save the day. Much like Jan learns, all creatures of Alma are beloved by her, and equally important in her eyes. Altogether this was a lyrical and beautiful end to a lovely series, which showed unicorns in a different way than I'd ever seen them before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2022
Just like the previous books was this my 3d reread.
The story continues after Korr went totally nuts. Yan makes peace (and a deal) with the griffons, Pans and Folk of the Plain. During his journey to find his father Korr, he meets new folk (DRAGONS!!!!) including the Scouts of Halla.
Also, both Tek and Yan find out that their father is not their father, but who has which dad? Lill is head over heals with Illishar and Dhattar and Aiony are just scary twins 😅
The end fight is quite brutal and the unicorns call it the End of Days.
Yan literally brings the fire so the world can be reborn.
I love these books just as much as i love the Harry Potter books and the Pendergast novels, and i will gonna miss my lovely warrior unicorns. Until next time ❤
The story continues after Korr went totally nuts. Yan makes peace (and a deal) with the griffons, Pans and Folk of the Plain. During his journey to find his father Korr, he meets new folk (DRAGONS!!!!) including the Scouts of Halla.
Also, both Tek and Yan find out that their father is not their father, but who has which dad? Lill is head over heals with Illishar and Dhattar and Aiony are just scary twins 😅
The end fight is quite brutal and the unicorns call it the End of Days.
Yan literally brings the fire so the world can be reborn.
I love these books just as much as i love the Harry Potter books and the Pendergast novels, and i will gonna miss my lovely warrior unicorns. Until next time ❤
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September 21, 2024Third or fourth time around and it’s still an excellent conclusion to Jan’s story. But I do see this installment with new eyes. It’s quite repetitive. And longer than it needs to be. But Tek’s stepping into the protagonist’s role and Lell and Ses getting meatier roles is welcomed! Jan’s surrounded my mates that are way cooler than he is.
September 9, 2021
Mooie afsluiting van de trilogie. Ik vond de wereld, culturen en wezens goed uitgedacht. Het was wel wat jammer dat Yan lange tijd een soort toeschouwer rol heeft. Al met al genoten van deze trilogie.
July 22, 2023
Gorgeous, glorious finale to this incredible series. While in some parts it might feel like it droned and dragged a bit, it was necessary in order to tie everything together, which was beautifully done. Bravo.
January 10, 2019
3.5 stars
November 8, 2020
As an adult, pretty predictable, but just an excellent story with vivid imagery. I wish that the Pans had more of a part in the overall story...
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