What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cycle of Arawn #3
The Black Star
The Chainbreakers' War freed the norren. Won independence for Narashtovik. And drove a rift between Dante and Blays that may never be mended.
After three years of wandering, Blays has returned to Gask. Blaming its king for the loss of his love, Lira, he poses as a merchant and infiltrates the enemy nobility. His goal is to bankrupt the kingdom and force its ruler from the throne. But his scheme is ruined when Dante arrives and outs him to the king.
In desperation, Blays flees to the one place Dante can't follow: the forbidden Pocket Cove. There, he intends to learn whatever secrets have kept its people hidden for centuries. Meanwhile, Dante is called back to Narashtovik. Strange lights have been seen in the nearby Wodun Mountains. His investigation reveals the lights herald the return of the Black Star, a long-lost item capable of making wishes real. With it, Dante plans to make himself immortal.
To find it, he must cross the Woduns into the mysterious country of Weslee. But there are others vying for the Black Star—and if they find it first, they will use it to scour Narashtovik from the earth.
After three years of wandering, Blays has returned to Gask. Blaming its king for the loss of his love, Lira, he poses as a merchant and infiltrates the enemy nobility. His goal is to bankrupt the kingdom and force its ruler from the throne. But his scheme is ruined when Dante arrives and outs him to the king.
In desperation, Blays flees to the one place Dante can't follow: the forbidden Pocket Cove. There, he intends to learn whatever secrets have kept its people hidden for centuries. Meanwhile, Dante is called back to Narashtovik. Strange lights have been seen in the nearby Wodun Mountains. His investigation reveals the lights herald the return of the Black Star, a long-lost item capable of making wishes real. With it, Dante plans to make himself immortal.
To find it, he must cross the Woduns into the mysterious country of Weslee. But there are others vying for the Black Star—and if they find it first, they will use it to scour Narashtovik from the earth.
633 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2014
70 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Edward W. Robertson
73 books1,236 followersEd is the author of the post-apocalyptic Breakers series and the epic fantasy series The Cycle of Arawn. A former New Yorker and Idaho-guy, he currently lives in the LA area. His short fiction has appeared in a whole bunch of magazines and anthologies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 14, 2016
I loved the first two books, but was deeply disappointed with this one. At least half of this book was the bad quest plot--descriptions of the new terrain, a small physical challenge (getting over this crevice, surviving animal attack, etc) and no change in character or real story after that bit is done. One of the best aspects--if not the main engine of the other books--was gone: Dante and Blays didn't interact hardly at all and no other characters bro witty banter into the story. And Blays became a petty, stubborn, and unlikable character. The climax was obvious, and the denouement was too long and unsatisfying.
March 22, 2014
Infinitely satisfying ending to a great story--except the part where it's now over.
Fascinating that the friendship between Dante and Blays drove the first two books and their estrangement made this third so weird. The banter wasn't there and here, you see what a big component that was. They both picked up new partners, more partners, but it wasn't the same. They may have complemented them, but without the spark. So satisfying at the end--the reconciliation and the sacrifice--and then to have this insanely long epic end simply on a happy note and a sense of optimism.
Fascinating that the friendship between Dante and Blays drove the first two books and their estrangement made this third so weird. The banter wasn't there and here, you see what a big component that was. They both picked up new partners, more partners, but it wasn't the same. They may have complemented them, but without the spark. So satisfying at the end--the reconciliation and the sacrifice--and then to have this insanely long epic end simply on a happy note and a sense of optimism.
November 5, 2014
I've now read the trilogy (The White Tree, The Great Rift, and The Black Star) of the "nether" and Dante and Blays fame. I wouldn't say it's a great read but very enjoyable. Really hard to describe in any detail and probably not easy to convince anyone to read. However, the author is an amazing young talent and I predict big things for him. I've also read a few of his "Breakers" novels recently which are also very very good and will read more. If you like fantasy or science fiction at all, give this guy a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
January 30, 2021
4.25*
I must say, if nothing else, the ending for this series REALLY stuck the landing and could, honestly end here... BUT there's more, and I'm excited to see what new shenanigans our heroes - Blays, the trash talking, master swordsman extraordinaire and Dante, the kind, but ruthless decision-making, all-powerful master nether practitioner (a form of magic) - will get themselves into next. Also, let me also iterate, that their relationship has one of the better friendships I've read in a while! Its almost akin to Frodo and Samwise (LoTR), or even Locke and Jean (The Lies of Locke Lamora), which is VERY high praise!
I must say, if nothing else, the ending for this series REALLY stuck the landing and could, honestly end here... BUT there's more, and I'm excited to see what new shenanigans our heroes - Blays, the trash talking, master swordsman extraordinaire and Dante, the kind, but ruthless decision-making, all-powerful master nether practitioner (a form of magic) - will get themselves into next. Also, let me also iterate, that their relationship has one of the better friendships I've read in a while! Its almost akin to Frodo and Samwise (LoTR), or even Locke and Jean (The Lies of Locke Lamora), which is VERY high praise!
January 2, 2016
I can say that The Black Star wrapped up the series without disappointment. At the beginning I was starting to think I was going to dread the ending, but I have to say that the plot was pulled together perfectly. I enjoyed the three book series to the full extent, and would love to read more by Edward W. Robertson in the future!
September 7, 2016
Book is full of adventure...
(more to come)
(more to come)
March 11, 2021
In this episode of “my expectations were different from reality” we have The Black Star, the final book of The Cycle of Arawn. I was expecting more sarcasm and witty banter and got it. I was expecting more adventures with Dante and Blays and got that too. I was even expecting a ramping up of the magic and the stakes for our characters and that was here as well. However, I was also expecting more closure. I wanted this to tie the three books together in a way that made for a good stopping point in the wild and crazy adventures of Dante and Blays. I don't think I got that. This felt a lot more like another good and entertaining episode. And while there is nothing wrong with that I am left wanting more. It leaves me in this weird spot in considering the next escapade of these two in The Cycle of Galand. Is this just going to be the constant and continuing reasons for these two characters to go gallivanting around this fun fantasy world? Honestly, I'm probably up for more of that. I just wonder if I will start to tire of it.
November 19, 2021
A good ending to the trilogy. There were quite a few reviews which talked about this book having a different feeling and being much worse than the rest of the series. That made me a little hesitant to read this one. I personally found this to be such a good book with the answers to the rest of the series and with the exploration of a new part of the world.
April 14, 2017
Better than book 2, but still way, way too long >.>; Oh well. Narration sort of made up for it!
I reviewed this whole series as one, here, on my blog.
I reviewed this whole series as one, here, on my blog.
April 14, 2025
This concluding volume in the Cycle of Arawn is split into two, following separate characters.
One seeks great power, for selfish reasons, but learns there are greater purposes.
The other seeks escape from destiny, and finds peace.
Together they cause great destruction...
One seeks great power, for selfish reasons, but learns there are greater purposes.
The other seeks escape from destiny, and finds peace.
Together they cause great destruction...
September 13, 2024
This book felt like a three star, but I'm going to round it down to two.
I listened at the speed 2.25 just to get it over with; Tim Gerard Reynolds might be my favorite narrator...
I listened at the speed 2.25 just to get it over with; Tim Gerard Reynolds might be my favorite narrator...
November 5, 2015
I would say that this more of a quick review of the series as a whole. All in all I loved this series. The writing was fun, the authors language was great and with the occasional well placed obscenity I found myself laughing out loud frequently. The setting was wonderful with interesting races without resorting to the standard fantasy races. The magic system was wonderful and despite being a hard magic system that the protagonist frequently employed to solve his problems I never felt it stale or over used. The characters were lovely and I felt they grew well and I loved nearly all of them.
Here be where the spoilers lie,
Most of my issues lay with 2 problems. First is the unresolved conflict between Blaze and Dante with the death of Lyra (not sure on spelling I was listening to the audiobook) at the end of book 2 for which Blaze blamed Dante. It ended the book in contention and themed their relationship for the third book but yet it was never addressed but briefly near the beginning of book 3 and not resolved still. Yet at the end Blaze has found a new love. And has begun to grow closer to Dante again all without resolving his blame of Dante for this book shaping death. Second is the adoption of nethermancy by Blaze in book 3. My love for blaze came from his ability to solve problems without resorting to Dante's trump card. I realize this is petty but his ability to look these horribly powerful nethermancers in the face and then stab them in it, was a point of endearment to me.
Lastly though I did listen to the audiobook of this series. It was wonderful and the slightly British sounding voice actor had me using a British off and on throughout the 2 months I listened. He was great and if it's still going for one credit on audible for the whole series, a real bargain.
Here be where the spoilers lie,
Most of my issues lay with 2 problems. First is the unresolved conflict between Blaze and Dante with the death of Lyra (not sure on spelling I was listening to the audiobook) at the end of book 2 for which Blaze blamed Dante. It ended the book in contention and themed their relationship for the third book but yet it was never addressed but briefly near the beginning of book 3 and not resolved still. Yet at the end Blaze has found a new love. And has begun to grow closer to Dante again all without resolving his blame of Dante for this book shaping death. Second is the adoption of nethermancy by Blaze in book 3. My love for blaze came from his ability to solve problems without resorting to Dante's trump card. I realize this is petty but his ability to look these horribly powerful nethermancers in the face and then stab them in it, was a point of endearment to me.
Lastly though I did listen to the audiobook of this series. It was wonderful and the slightly British sounding voice actor had me using a British off and on throughout the 2 months I listened. He was great and if it's still going for one credit on audible for the whole series, a real bargain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
The Cycle has a Broken Wheel.
Robertson's final "Cycle of Arawn" novel has a similar structure as the second novel. We have a large time jump (3-4 years) and a MacGuffin hunt (the titular Black Star). Otherwise, the plot offers a stewpot of disparate elements that never really works together. Blays is hiding out cosplaying as a merchant and tries to corner the fashion market (?) while Dante is trying to achieve immortality through the Black Star....and they're mad at each other. It's never satisfactorily explained why they're in conflict, but they are, until they're not. So the bulk of the novel are their two separate plot lines glancing off each other until they finally meet and...basically just hug it out.
The first novel was a solid effort at teenage buddy banter while the second two failed to mature or develop the characters in any meaningful ways such that it felt like too much more of the same while the plots became disconnected from the initial premise of returning Death God Arawn and settled into more insular DnD side-quests.
Robertson's final "Cycle of Arawn" novel has a similar structure as the second novel. We have a large time jump (3-4 years) and a MacGuffin hunt (the titular Black Star). Otherwise, the plot offers a stewpot of disparate elements that never really works together. Blays is hiding out cosplaying as a merchant and tries to corner the fashion market (?) while Dante is trying to achieve immortality through the Black Star....and they're mad at each other. It's never satisfactorily explained why they're in conflict, but they are, until they're not. So the bulk of the novel are their two separate plot lines glancing off each other until they finally meet and...basically just hug it out.
The first novel was a solid effort at teenage buddy banter while the second two failed to mature or develop the characters in any meaningful ways such that it felt like too much more of the same while the plots became disconnected from the initial premise of returning Death God Arawn and settled into more insular DnD side-quests.
November 1, 2024
So the buddy banter that carried me through the first two books has been removed. The characters have a falling out and go their separate ways finding themselves in new lands with new friends.
Without the comedy to help sugar coat this medicine, for me at least, I swallowed it up with much hesitation and chased the lingering bad taste. Separated, the two characters took me on a mundane travel, a sad ending that was supposed to be selfishly surprising as Dante uses the star, but was it really unpredictable?
Even the relationship between Callay and Dante was nonexistent. No comedy, no humor, and not enough suspense or drama to make this book really stand up to its predecessors. Overall, I'm happy with the series, just feel like the ending was too fragmented between the two characters to create any excitement within me.
Without the comedy to help sugar coat this medicine, for me at least, I swallowed it up with much hesitation and chased the lingering bad taste. Separated, the two characters took me on a mundane travel, a sad ending that was supposed to be selfishly surprising as Dante uses the star, but was it really unpredictable?
Even the relationship between Callay and Dante was nonexistent. No comedy, no humor, and not enough suspense or drama to make this book really stand up to its predecessors. Overall, I'm happy with the series, just feel like the ending was too fragmented between the two characters to create any excitement within me.
February 19, 2014
a good finish to a so so series.
August 10, 2017
The Black Star is, in my opinion, the best book of The Cycle of Arawn. Dante and Blays are still separated at the beginning of the book. After spending several years grieving they each have more or less settled into pursuing their own projects. Blays has decided he can be of most use in trying to bring down the oppressive government of Gask. Dante has begun to get serious about preparing for his future duties as the leader of Narashtovik.
Blays still hates Dante because he holds Dante responsible for the death of Lira in the war that ended the previous book, The Great Rift. Dante is looking for Blays, who he hasn’t seen in several years at this point. Dante is also off to investigate mysterious lights in the night sky over the Woduns mountain range on behalf of the Citadel. So he has two projects going at once.
A mysterious woman appears who claims to be able to find Blays. In return, she wants a job spying for the Citadel. She actually leads Dante to Blays. Dante confronts Blays at a most inauspicious time, in the castle of their old enemy, King Moddegan of Gask, just when Blays is trying to conclude a deal that he intends to bring down Moddegan’s government. Blays runs away, all the way to Pocket Cove, with Dante in hot pursuit. Blays (barely) persuades the people of the Pocket to let him in, but they refuse to let Dante come in after him.
Eventually, Dante returns to Narashtovik to his other tasks. Through a lot of painstaking research, Dante learns that the lights in the sky he has been investigating signal the return of an object known as Cellen, or the Black Stark, a potent magical object that appears only once every thousand years but is supposed to possess immense power. Dante returns to the Woduns with a small party to see if he can find this Cellen.
In Pocket Cove, Blays begins the study of the nether, under the tutelage of Minn, one of the women of the pocket. When, after a long learning process, Blays has gotten somewhat proficient with the nether, Minn learns from her uncle that her cousin has been kidnapped and threatened with death. Minn and Blays go to try to save him. In the process, they learn that the ransom demanded for the cousin was a rare book with information about Cellen. The kidnapper was trying to get it for King Moddegan, who wants Cellen for his own purposes.
Meanwhile, Dante and his party, in the land of Weslee on the far side of the Woduns, have discovered another ruler who wants Cellen specifically to destroy Narashtovik, which he blames for a catastrophe in his country several thousand years ago.
Keeping Cellen away from both the Minister and Moddegan suddenly becomes a very important goal, more important than any use Dante may have thought to make of the Black Star on his own behalf. Eventually, he and Blays have to join forces again to remove the Black Star from the Minister’s possession before he can use it.
Blays still hates Dante because he holds Dante responsible for the death of Lira in the war that ended the previous book, The Great Rift. Dante is looking for Blays, who he hasn’t seen in several years at this point. Dante is also off to investigate mysterious lights in the night sky over the Woduns mountain range on behalf of the Citadel. So he has two projects going at once.
A mysterious woman appears who claims to be able to find Blays. In return, she wants a job spying for the Citadel. She actually leads Dante to Blays. Dante confronts Blays at a most inauspicious time, in the castle of their old enemy, King Moddegan of Gask, just when Blays is trying to conclude a deal that he intends to bring down Moddegan’s government. Blays runs away, all the way to Pocket Cove, with Dante in hot pursuit. Blays (barely) persuades the people of the Pocket to let him in, but they refuse to let Dante come in after him.
Eventually, Dante returns to Narashtovik to his other tasks. Through a lot of painstaking research, Dante learns that the lights in the sky he has been investigating signal the return of an object known as Cellen, or the Black Stark, a potent magical object that appears only once every thousand years but is supposed to possess immense power. Dante returns to the Woduns with a small party to see if he can find this Cellen.
In Pocket Cove, Blays begins the study of the nether, under the tutelage of Minn, one of the women of the pocket. When, after a long learning process, Blays has gotten somewhat proficient with the nether, Minn learns from her uncle that her cousin has been kidnapped and threatened with death. Minn and Blays go to try to save him. In the process, they learn that the ransom demanded for the cousin was a rare book with information about Cellen. The kidnapper was trying to get it for King Moddegan, who wants Cellen for his own purposes.
Meanwhile, Dante and his party, in the land of Weslee on the far side of the Woduns, have discovered another ruler who wants Cellen specifically to destroy Narashtovik, which he blames for a catastrophe in his country several thousand years ago.
Keeping Cellen away from both the Minister and Moddegan suddenly becomes a very important goal, more important than any use Dante may have thought to make of the Black Star on his own behalf. Eventually, he and Blays have to join forces again to remove the Black Star from the Minister’s possession before he can use it.
September 4, 2018
So here's the thing.
The payoff is amazing.
The journey there is somewhat... difficult.
It's not bad, exactly. It's fine. But, well.
On the one side, it was hard for me to get fully invested in Dante's journey. The side characters are okay, but... really didn't do a great job of hooking me in. Somburr was interesting but didn't really have enough focus, and Cee also had an interesting concept but mostly functions as a substitute Blays. Also, Dante gets changes directions (towards looking for Cellen) so fast I got whiplash. His quest for immortality was believable, but the build-up to it was missing, I guess. Honestly I might've missed some stuff. It was hard for me to really enjoy Dante's hijinks without Blays there. I wish the narrative had drawn attention to what was missing more often; that might have helped. Still, I mean, it's interesting hijinks, just....
And on the other side, look, I get the soul-searching and the recovery and all that and I'm not opposed but holy crap was it both weirdly fast and slow. On the one hand, SO MUCH development and change is crammed into about one year. On the other hand, it's SO SLOW. And I can do slow, I can, but something about the circumstances just made it difficult. I kind of wish that this arc had been stretched out to cover the whole three/four years –– the pacing would've seemed more realistic –– and also that maybe I'd not had to read it all in such detail. Or maybe that wouldn't have worked, I don't know.
I'm just saying, I didn't have as much fun on the way as I could have. That's why you only get FOUR stars.
Ehh, also, I didn't really need the romance, but you knew I was going to say that. It wasn't intrusive, I just didn't feel like it was a necessary thing to complete my experience.
The payoff though, when everything finally comes together and sh*t goes down? Everything slots into place and it was annoyingly all worth it.
And I wrote this review without making a single Legend of Galactic Heroes reference.
The payoff is amazing.
The journey there is somewhat... difficult.
It's not bad, exactly. It's fine. But, well.
On the one side, it was hard for me to get fully invested in Dante's journey. The side characters are okay, but... really didn't do a great job of hooking me in. Somburr was interesting but didn't really have enough focus, and Cee also had an interesting concept but mostly functions as a substitute Blays. Also, Dante gets changes directions (towards looking for Cellen) so fast I got whiplash. His quest for immortality was believable, but the build-up to it was missing, I guess. Honestly I might've missed some stuff. It was hard for me to really enjoy Dante's hijinks without Blays there. I wish the narrative had drawn attention to what was missing more often; that might have helped. Still, I mean, it's interesting hijinks, just....
And on the other side, look, I get the soul-searching and the recovery and all that and I'm not opposed but holy crap was it both weirdly fast and slow. On the one hand, SO MUCH development and change is crammed into about one year. On the other hand, it's SO SLOW. And I can do slow, I can, but something about the circumstances just made it difficult. I kind of wish that this arc had been stretched out to cover the whole three/four years –– the pacing would've seemed more realistic –– and also that maybe I'd not had to read it all in such detail. Or maybe that wouldn't have worked, I don't know.
I'm just saying, I didn't have as much fun on the way as I could have. That's why you only get FOUR stars.
Ehh, also, I didn't really need the romance, but you knew I was going to say that. It wasn't intrusive, I just didn't feel like it was a necessary thing to complete my experience.
The payoff though, when everything finally comes together and sh*t goes down? Everything slots into place and it was annoyingly all worth it.
And I wrote this review without making a single Legend of Galactic Heroes reference.
February 24, 2025
I have steadily come to enjoy and appreciate these novels. I do care about the characters. There is a care-free level of accountability in the writing that makes it easy to page-turn through these. I don't really mind that because of the zoomed in level that we experience the stories through, even though the events span nations, etc. and sometimes I don't want to have to earn every bit of information from a book. So in that sense, it was an ideal followup to reading House of Leaves. I'm curious about how the next series defines itself as separate from this trilogy. I'm more interested in continuing the series at some point than I expected to be. Something I have appreciated across the books is how much Edward Robertson makes the evolving technologies of war an active element of each story. From the use of children in war, to communications, to espionage, to financial and trade related warfare, to a similar vibe to atomic and nuclear bombs. Many more instances pop up but it was an interesting enough parallel to grow the world in tandem.
September 16, 2017
Dante and Blays continue stumbling through their plans in the last installment of the Cycle of Arawn trilogy. It took the Edward W. Robertson 7 years to write it, and the use of language and detail shows why. Unfortunately, the level of descriptions are too detailed for a lot on unimportant stuff, so while it's better than the second one, it's still way too long.
The recurring characters from the other books - besides the main ones - were not overly used, but most were well handled and they all stayed 'in character' from the other books, which obviously makes the feel and red thread of the trilogy better.
The leading up to and the actual ending was very well handled and the last 20% went by very fast.
The recurring characters from the other books - besides the main ones - were not overly used, but most were well handled and they all stayed 'in character' from the other books, which obviously makes the feel and red thread of the trilogy better.
The leading up to and the actual ending was very well handled and the last 20% went by very fast.
April 14, 2018
This was a rather unusual one... Usually when best friends are estranged in the course of a story, there ensues a certain amount of whining and moping and general bitterness you just have to grit your teeth and slog through. That wasn't the case with this one, however. In fact, there was almost no time spent on bitterness and self-pity at all, which to me is a refreshing change of focus!
Dante's character goes through some really interesting development over the course of the series. I haven't yet decided whether or not I *like* it, per se, but it's definitely an interesting angle that was pulled off with SIGNIFICANTLY more subtlety and realism than I've seen before. I won't go into detail because spoilers, but Blaze makes a couple comments in this book that really drew my attention to it, so I think you'll see what I mean.
Vague generalities aside, the end was thoroughly satisfying, and I will be reading The Cycle of Galand some time in the near future. ^^
Dante's character goes through some really interesting development over the course of the series. I haven't yet decided whether or not I *like* it, per se, but it's definitely an interesting angle that was pulled off with SIGNIFICANTLY more subtlety and realism than I've seen before. I won't go into detail because spoilers, but Blaze makes a couple comments in this book that really drew my attention to it, so I think you'll see what I mean.
Vague generalities aside, the end was thoroughly satisfying, and I will be reading The Cycle of Galand some time in the near future. ^^
March 22, 2021
In actuality this is probably 3.5 stars, it is a good story but by no means my favourite of the trilogy. My biggest gripe was the alternating chapters where we had 1 chapter focussed on Dante and one on Blays for me this made it a very fragmented reading experience whilst I understand that both points of view are key to the overall story I would have preferred them to be presented in larger chunks. It was also a bit frustrating as it was obvious that Dante and Blays would at sometime meet the author seemed to drag this out longer than was necessary as I'm sure it came as a surprise to no one when it happended.
Overall though an excellent trilogy and I am looking forward to read the Cycle of Galand to see how the story continues
Overall though an excellent trilogy and I am looking forward to read the Cycle of Galand to see how the story continues
July 26, 2021
All's well that ends well, am I right? That's how I felt after this book. I enjoyed this series and most importantly I enjoyed the ending! After three long books I was happy with the pay off and it got rocky there through out this book. Blays and Dante spent most of this book apart on their own journeys but, no spoilers, satisfyingly finished. I think I like Blays storyline better than Dante's, I felt like he had a ton of growth as a character, not that Dante didn't grow it just wasn't as much as Blays. In the end I was very satisfied and felt like this series was a lot of fun. Enough fun that I may look into the follow up series The Cycle of Galand.
December 14, 2019
Nice, tight wrap-up with good character development and good world building. The Author is in a good groove now. I like how the two main characters were driven apart but are set on a journey that will eventually reunite them. I like the political aspect of how Dante is expanding the influence of Narashtovik and freeing neighboring kingdoms. Looking forward to the next cycle. I only initially read these because a friend suggested them and lent me his spare kindle to read them on but I plan to actually buy the the first book of the next cycle in the series.
January 5, 2025
I wanted to like this series so much but I just couldn't. The characters don't have much for morals. And this author has no idea what religion is yet tries to implement it in the story. And biggest reason I can't like this series is because every character is basically the same. They curse the same and think the same. For instance the main character uses disgusting foul language in front of some sort of priestess and she not only isn't shocked or offended, she's uses the same language and this is so common in the series. No one is unique. They are all the same person.
February 9, 2019
I have to say this book caught me and didn't let go. The start was fascinating, and I enjoyed the new style of the story. It felt quite fitting. As always, the book faltered midway, but it wasn't too bad, for things were still happening. On one side of the continent, anyway.
The climax though, that was something else. I stayed with it for hours even though I had other things to do. Each chapter ended on a point on which I just couldn't stop, forcing me to read more...
The climax though, that was something else. I stayed with it for hours even though I had other things to do. Each chapter ended on a point on which I just couldn't stop, forcing me to read more...
September 15, 2021
It was solid book and two pov helped it a lot.
Expansion of world and new characters were also good.
I didn't like black star as plot device too much but ending was not bad at all in it Dante's character was developed very well but I didn't like blays too much he was just drifting apart from place to place and learning nether and forgetting swordmanship was also blase and dumb in my opinion.
But it was solid ending to good series and series worth reading in my opinion.
Expansion of world and new characters were also good.
I didn't like black star as plot device too much but ending was not bad at all in it Dante's character was developed very well but I didn't like blays too much he was just drifting apart from place to place and learning nether and forgetting swordmanship was also blase and dumb in my opinion.
But it was solid ending to good series and series worth reading in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this whole series. Although there is a bit of swearing in this one. The characters were fun and being a boy mom they were pretty true to how boys of an age would act out on their own. I did think it’s funny how so many ���today” things found their way into this story as usually with an epic fantasy world our everyday things in the real world don’t make it into the story. But overall this was a fun read, I liked the characters and all the action.
July 18, 2020
I have the full trilogy but wanted to say that book three is my favourite of the series because it swings back and forth between Dante and Blays, gradually bringing together the clever plot in addition to developing their characters even more and expanding their horizons.
Great writing style, sense of place and humour.
Highly recommended.
Great writing style, sense of place and humour.
Highly recommended.
February 24, 2022
Great ending to the series and leaves it open for more. The one difficulty I had was seeing the main characters as more than the teenagers they were at the beginning. Even though they had aged, and their skills increased, their interactions and language was the same as it was at the beginning of the series.
October 1, 2025
I read this trilogy for a friend. I didn't think it was terrible, but I did not have much fun with the series overall. The buddy dynamic I enjoyed so much in 1 and 2 is almost non-existent in 3. This book felt bloated. Maybe if it was shorter, it would have been better. I'm not interested in any more " training archs" either. Could be better. I'm glad no worse. Hope you are happy, Mark.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews