The Obsidian Throne

Ballad of Sir Benfro #5

by James Oswald

The series finale of the Ballad of Sir Benfro. This stunning dragon fantasy series draws to a close - Errol and Sir Benfro find their destinies drawing closer together, and the a fate of the two realms of Gwlad depends entirely on the success or failure of our heroes.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Magic, Fiction, Adult, Audiobook

599 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2016

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH MY! GUYS, THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!!!

It has dragons. Some feral ones. Some more sophisticated ones. Some old ones. A few young ones. And, of course, our lovable hero Benfro who has been through so much in his short life that most dragons a hundred times his age couldn’t even imagine. His character and loyalty and perseverance in all things while the world has been throwing all these difficulties at him is nothing but admirable.

The book has magic. Lots of it. The characters in this book supposedly know a lot about the way magic works and is supposed to work, but the events in the previous book are messing everything up and it’s simply so interesting to see what all these characters end up doing in the face of all these hardships.

It has intriguing characters who are so complex that it would take A LOT of time for me to even scratch at the surface. Nothing is really black and white and while I, as a reader, would love nothing else but to hate some characters from the bottom of my heart, it is also a bit impossible as Oswald has managed to write them in such a complex way that you cannot help but hate them, but also understand them. The good guys are not all good, either. There's some bad in them and it's all so relatable. The world is not easily distinguishable as good and bad just as it is in the real world.

The plot is intriguing and it's fast-going at all times. I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to keep myself from nibbling on my nails (and I don't do that!) as it's oh so interesting and if one's characters's chapter ends with a bang and you're kind of irritated that you now have to wait before it's their time again, you're also superglad because now you can finally find out what happened to that other character a few chapters back... Oh, isn't it great!?

And that ending! Guys, that ending blew me away! Without wanting to give away anything to those of you haven't read it yet, but would like to, I'm going to say this much: It's a happy one (at least to most of the characters), but it put shivers all over my body. It was that well written and that's how *in* I was. Oswald's writing really grabbed me and refused to let go of me before I had found out what on Earth happened to Clun and Beulah. What the heckerino was going on with Melyn and Frecknock? How could Errol, Martha and Benfro EVER be saved? Why on Earth are Iolwen and Dafydd even important? All these questions (and more) find their answers and I'm really glad to say that Oswald tied up the ends in a very neat way. Sure, he could write more books in this world if he wanted to, but I do not think it is necessary anymore and the series is perfect the way it is.

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[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a resolve.. but not the best one. In this final instalment the author throws a new storyline in, introduces unfamiliar elements to the magic system and bounces around between characters too much. These things weren't needed, there was enough to work with. It's a shame, because it made the book confusing to me. I guess a re-read would resolve this more, but it was not entertaining enough for that.

[Harj D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since discovering the Sir Benfro series last year, I have been avidly following the life of Sir Benfro and his friend Errol, so knowing that this would be the last leg of their adventure, I was a little nervous to pick up 'The Obsidian Throne' and read it; I just did not want it all to end!

'The Obsidian Throne' continued where it left of from in 'The Broken World', with Benfro and Errol both separated, trying to find a way back to each other whilst trying to piece Gwald back to together. So much happens in this book, so many deaths, so much misery, so much pain, so much anguish and although I completed this book with tears in my eyes, I feel like James Oswald did justice to both Benfro and Errol. Even though the ending was incredibly bittersweet, the world of Gwald was renewed, the people and dragons starting anew with the hope of peace between them all and it was all thanks to the hard work, the strife and the selflessness of Benfro and Errol. They brought both mankind and dragons together and fixed all the wrongs which had been done. Knowing this made my heart swell in happiness and made it easier to accept all the cruel things which had befallen our two protagonists thus far.

This book made me feel glad that I had picked up 'Dreamwalker' all that time ago and I am only grateful that a series of books such as this exists, with a magical world about both dragons and man, a world which can easily be imagined and grip you, page by page. I urge anyone who has not started this series yet to do so and if you have not read this last book in the series then-do so soon!

[Christine Shilling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good ending to the series and I did enjoy it. I did have some difficulties with it, though. The Palisander storyline seemed to come from nowhere and I didn't think it was needed as a driver for Benfro's final actions in the book. I also think the author split the action across too many protagonists, maybe spending too much time with characters who should have been more support roles and not putting the switches between storylines in the right order. I wonder if there was just a bit too much left to do but not enough for another book. I would have to see more interaction between Erroll, Benfro, Martha etc. I'd like to be able to understand them and how they've changed like I could in the first few books. still, an enjoyable read and a serviceable end to the series.

[BookishBenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I managed to pick this book up for 50p (about 8% of the normal price) brand new in a The Works store. I didn’t initially read it as I was still on book 3 but I have worked through the books one after the other since and have now finished The Obsidian Throne.

It’s been a long tale since I first read Dreamwalker, wondering what fate would be dished out unto Erroll and Benfro. Well now I have finished it and I’m glad to say that it ties up all the stories in this final book.

I personally really enjoyed the grym, the history of the shepherd and the wolf, the twin kingdoms and the broken world and the use of the order of the fryyd.

I would say if you are reading this review because you have this book left to read then just jump in. It is 600 pages and personally I think it could have been 450-500 but it is ultimately James’s tale to tell.

I would and will continue to recommend this story to other people as a YA GoT.

[Angharad Truelove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic end to a brilliant series!!

I really wanted to find out where Benfro's story would take me, but I never wanted this book to end! So much so that I'm feeling rather lost now that I've finished it!

This book is more action packed than its predecessors, but yet still manages to handle the characters and environments with care. I can't rate it highly enough!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to Dreamwalker so I can enjoy the journey all over again!!

[Malene Clementsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really loved this series about Sir Benfro and Errol! The inspiration from Welsh/Celtic lore and culture was amazing and fit amazingly together with the world and the narrative! Dragons of all sorts and magic. The destiny of two young heroes coming together in an epic tale!

[Svensai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a slow start but this picks up the pace eventually. Some parts are not that well written so i always looked forwards to the parts with only the maincharacter , Benfro.
Wierd ending maybe we get an after story ?

[Oliver Gateley · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I like the content. Dragons, Magic, Prophesy and all that jazz.
Secondly, I like the writing of that content. Clear and detailed, emotive when relevant and pacy action at the right times.

I must confess that this final book in the series becomes rather repetitive when each character, spread throughout the worlds is given more knowledge on the same historical events. It was a major reveal the first and perhaps second time but soon the result shifts from dramatic to simply frustrating. I found myself thinking, "I already know, world splits apart, millennia ago, magic is unravelling".

Not to mention the flavour text at the start of each chapter is somehow the same as other books and its obviously channeling the subject matter ahead.

Still, these are relatively minor quibbles in an otherwise enjoyable series.

[Jackthedad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply, the best dragon tale I've read.

James Oswald avoided the usual format of the story being set in a place like medieval England and everyone has American accents. Instead, it has a Welsh feel to it and the saga is better for that. It's a shame it had to end but it ended well. Thank you Mr Oswald.

[Nik Lue · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book -sad to see the series concluded

[Andrew Lawston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up The Obsidian Throne quite cheaply on an afternoon when I was on my way to the pub and needed a book to read. Obviously I didn't realise it was the fifth and final book in a series until I started reading it, but frankly that probably wouldn't have stopped me. I have form where these things are concerned.

So the book starts with a bang, a dragon called Benfro doing a lot of flying and falling, while some other dragons are eating people in a palace elsewhere. As you'd expect from this sort of fantasy epic on its final volume, there's loads of characters in various different places, all busy doing different stuff. It took me a while to get to grips with who was related to whom. Were Daffyd and Iolwen incesting? There seemed to be the odd hint in that direction, but none of the other characters really seemed to care, so maybe I misread it. There are at least three or four different sorts of dragons. If you've read the first four, you'll probably be way ahead of me.

The "magic system", the part of fantasy novels that generally bores me rigid with over-elaborate worldbuilding, is fairly clear from the start, which was a relief. Rather sweetly, most characters seem to use magic to keep warm during snowstorms. The bit that wasn't immediately clear was the whole business of dragon jewels, where they came from, and what this "reckoning" business was all about. It was explained eventually, by which point I'd kind of got the gist, but still. I suppose it's probably not fair to expect authors to tailor their style to half-pissed readers who just picked up the final volume in a remaindered bookshop.

So the characters are all well-drawn, and the action rockets along even when it's a bit confusing. There's a faintly weird amount of attention drawn to dragon poo, throughout. In general the tone is kind of YA heroic fantasy, but then there's some jarringly unpleasant scenes of gore - particularly very early on when someone who was presumably a major character in the first four books is dispatched briskly.

It's all very exciting and, slight confusion aside, I actually wonder whether coming in at the finale is how I ought to read all fantasy sagas in future because once you're up to speed I feel it's like reading a condensed version of the whole series.

I got the feeling that probably the earlier books in the series were a lot more fun, and that this was the grim "high stakes" conclusion. I probably won't read the first four in order to check, but basically it was a thoroughly charming Welsh-flavoured fantasy romp.

[Ayxan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to begin?

For one, I’m definitely upset – but more in a depressed way – in how it ended. I’m happy for those who have survived (the most of them, at least), but I can’t stop mourning for that one character who died. Surely a lot have died throughout the course of these books, especially in this last one.
While many of the villains died, and it is also expected to some of the heroes to die in an epic fantasy tale, I find it more than unfair for this particular character having died.
Reading the last few pages have truly been torturing, knowing that this character won’t somehow miraculously be reborn, surely not even the mother tree is that powerful. But mostly because tears clouded my sight. (And sadly I’m not as powerful as Clun is, to be able to see even though being blind.)
And even more upsetting that that one character died, but a particular other one survived. Oof...

Overall, reading the books have been a ride of emotions. So much has happened.
After all, about 18 or more years have passed in only 5 books. The characters went through a lot, more than most will in their lifetime.
And it literally feels like I’ve lived these 18 years as well, although it has been scarcely 3 months only since I started reading the first book.

The books will definitely hold a treasured place in my heart, but I’m not sure I will be able to read them again. Not without crying, at least.

Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a character to mourn over.

[Clio (Bemuzed) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've immensely enjoyed reading the Ballad of Sir Benfro (otherwise, I wouldn't have read three books in a row). It is one of those undiscovered jems, or should I say jewels ;-), that you can sometimes still come across. A truly epic fantasy tale that skillfully takes its time to map out the story and intertwine the story lines. You might instinctively know from the beginning of the series that Benfro and Errol's storylines will eventually come together, yet the author doesn't rush to get to this part and even when their storylines finally mesh, they are just as frequently and abruptly thrown apart again. A magical telling that manages to draw you in equally to many different characters, good as well as, let us say not so good and that manages to center around two equally strong and belowed main characters. Tiny flaw: an epilogue. I hate epilogues. They are almost always these highly sweetened story-enders in which all turns out well and no further questions remain. This epilogue was slightly better than others, there was a purpose in one of the storylines presented in this epilogue, but most of it was still unnecessary for me. A warm request to all authors out there: do not write an epilogue, leave your stories open, be confident that they will then continue on in the imaginations of your readers.

[December Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished it!! And thought about giving it 5 stars!

Here's why: the last instalment of this series is a multi-layered tangle of plots woven expertly around each other, dozens of substories slowly getting closer to each other until they meet in the big bang of a finale. It was well-written; despite the many events of the previous book, the author found ways of raising the stakes even higher, and I'm pretty sure all the stories got resolved in the end, which made for a satisfying read.

Here's why I didn't give it 5 stars on the end: yes, the ending worked out brilliantly, but the way there was a dredge. Benfro, who is one of the characters we are supposed to be the most invested in, has *so many* bad things happen to him, it is never ending, and exhausting to read. I think in the attempt to raise the stakes, the author ended up creating the miserable feeling that Benfro was doomed to fail, as every small success was immediately dashed by another plot point. For all that I loved the book, it was difficult to keep reading through all this relentless misery and feel motivated to turn the page. (This is why I put down GoT in the end - so if it doesn't bother you, you will love this!)

Still, an excellent finale to a consistently great series.

[John Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the entire series.

I picked up Dreamwalker and Rose Cord 10 years ago when I worked as a sales assistant in WHSmith because I liked the cover art and blurbs. I unfortunately couldn't get into the first book at that age because it felt very slow moving, so it sat in my drawer in my room for 10 years. I only picked it up several months ago as I was going to suggest some books to my wife and stumbled upon it.

I knew it was slow going but I stuck with it and by the end of the Rose Cord I knew I had to buy the rest of the series. Come Christmas time before being deployed to the Falklands I get gifted the final 3 books of the ballad and I packed all three to finish and I absolutely loved it.

It's taken me a while but thank you to J D Oswald for an amazing series that I feel has been overlooked by many.

[Dave Poole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Dreamwalker in my local library as I had seen the entire series on the shelf. I did enjoy it though it felt like a 2nd division fantasy series. There was enough "What happens nextness about it for me to pick up The Rose Cord and the rest of the series.
Whereas Dreamwalker was originally a self-published work this one is a work where the author has had 15 years honing his craft and feels like 1st division stuff.
It reaches a suitable but pyrich climax.
The loose end that frustrates me is not knowing how Clun gained his knowledge and powers

[Floor Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this conclusion to the series with so much anticipation and it delivered. The ending had me in tears. I only understood what was happening when Myfanwy mentioned something specific which made me go "surely not, please no he doesnt deserve that" but it did happen and even though it makes me sad, I do believe that also makes it a very worthy end to the overall story.

I dont understand how this series isnt as widespread as other fantasy series out in the world but dang I'm going to recommend this one to so many people.

[Wendy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed that. Thought at one point the end was going to be hurried and incomplete but very satisfying finish to a long read. I have enjoyed the journey with Benfro Errol and Frecnock and Martha.

[Maura Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series

I've waited a long time for the ending to the Sir Benfro saga. It did not disappoint. This isn't the genre I would usually choose, but I have really enjoyed all five books, which have been an absolute joy to read.

[Just This · Rating 3 out of 5]

picked this up in bargain books, not realising it was no.5. in the series, so a confusing read. dragons again, and magic, and a world torn in two. a few interesting ideas though. i'll give the first volume a go.

[Martin P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

A master story teller, vivid descriptions making it difficult to put down, shame I've finished the last book in the series. I wish there was a second series!! Brilliant J. D. O

[Tasha S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it, even for someone who hadn’t read the other books. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had followed these characters from the beginning but being able to pick up the book where I did and understand what was going on was great.

[Miss Thing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every single one of these books and this was no exception.

[Bas Groesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great wrap up of the epic Ballad of Sir Benfro saga. Pure satisfaction.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting to go into this book and have big battles and schemes, but it was not what i expected. A bit slow going for me but i think the ending was perfect

[Dr K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

It is one of the few book series I have truly connected with and I am sad to see it end.

[James Shrimpton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent conclusion to a good series. Much enjoyed.

[Oklartitel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending almost made me cry

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how you end an epic series. Simply wonderful.