Quickening

by Peter Gribble

How could the City of the Magicians, avowed pacifists, embroil themselves in a warriors' battle to the south? For the nefarious 5th School it's the lure of becoming an imperial capital; for Purdu, the Barbarian leader, it's proof of his divinity; for others, it's an exciting adventure.Back in the City, Shoan, Council Strategist, urges Lalya to make a public repudiation of the 5th School. She would love to, but Sas warns it is premature.Hyur, suffering from a curse sickness, tells anyone who will listen that his venomous sword is "returning to the place of its making"––but he's mad, so no one believes him.Gleswea, recovering from a knife attack, is being coached into a position of safety, but her chance comment wrecks the plans and puts her on a show trial for heresy. Gamblers set the stakes high that she'll be found guilty and sentenced to death by rending.Sas, disillusioned with his part in Shoan's manipulations, puzzles at a shadowy phenomenon drawing the City towards an unseen destiny. Are the underpinnings of existence––the sentience of Reality itself––beginning to show?Unexpectedly, the battle in the south unleashes a second––for the City's very soul!Quickening concludes the City of the Magician's first trilogy, where complacency and compromise have brought Citizens to the cliff edge of change. They ask themselves, Do I slow, stop, step away . . . or jump?

616 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2024

About the author

Peter Gribble has written for NUVO and other magazines in British Columbia. He currently writes a monthly gardening column for a local, online Vancouver journal. This is his first published novel.

Reviews

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickening” is the final installment in Peter Gribble’s The City of the Magicians fantasy trilogy. In this final addition to the series, Gribble masterfully weaves together all the intricate plotlines that captivated readers from the very beginning. We’re able to see what happens to the characters we’ve been following through this epic adventure. This fantasy picks up where the previous book “Within” left off, taking us right back into this fascinating world of magic and political intrigue. Characters must deal with the consequences of their choices and actions which have impacted their relationships and the fate of their city. Tension builds as the threat of war looms over the city. I found myself fully engaged because I was invested in the outcome of this amazing series.

Despite their desire not to involve themselves in battle, The City of the Magicians finds themselves having to take action to avoid losing control of the city. Some of the magicians are engaged in espionage through the 5th School, which seeks to take down the system in this place. Complex relationships develop, making matters even more difficult.

The characters are multidimensional and clearly operate out of their own motivations. While they each have their own flaws, some are still likable, and I found myself supporting my favorites with their endeavors. Sas, Lalya, and Lady Mother who was the Crone of the 5th School remain my favorites. The complicated relationships greatly add to the plot.

In addition to creating a cast of interesting, complex characters, Gribble also does a beautiful job using vivid details and descriptions to create the settings in this unique place. I always felt like my senses were engaged wherever the scenes took place. Having always been a fan of old libraries, I found the ancient ones here to be particularly interesting, especially knowing that there were secrets hidden within those magical pages. This adds a great deal of depth to the tale helping captivate my interest. Because “Quickening” takes off right where “Within,” the second book in the series leaves off, it would be best to read the series in order to fully understand the characters and the plot.

“Quickening” is a perfect conclusion to The City of the Magicians trilogy. Peter Gribble showcases his wonderful talent for writing epic fantasies in this amazing adventure. Fans will enjoy the complex plot, engaging characters, political machinations, and magical elements. This is a must-read for fans who enjoy sophisticated sagas.