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Master of Malice #3
The Gateway
The scarecrow’s evil knows no bounds …Robin’s fate plunges Brynne Sullyan into despair. With vengeance her only desire, she races to the scarecrow’s lair in Bordenn. But Reen’s power is greater than she knows, and his trap is cunningly set. Sullyan is faced with a terrible surrender to the scarecrow and see the Veils destroyed with her own power, or abandon her loved ones to an eternity of torment.The only glimmer of hope lies in rediscovering an ancient Artesan discipline that is the stuff of legend. With nothing to go on but a page from a long-dead Supreme Master’s diary—and a vague message from beyond the Void—Sullyan embarks on a desperate search for the Gateway to the realm of Spirit.Yet even hope has its price, and the Gateway demands a terrible toll.
456 pages, Paperback
Published December 29, 2016
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 9, 2017
“The Gateway” is the final episode in the nine-book “Artesans of Albia” saga that has taken us from the flights of High Fantasy to the depths of Horror, and the finish does not disappoint. Cas Peace has a masterful command of the expression of emotion, and in this book she runs us through the whole gamut, from unspeakable dread to triumphant tears.
“The Gateway” is also the finish of the third trilogy, “Master of Malice,” which centres on the evil Baron Reen, the ultimate enemy of all Artesans because his avowed goal is to wipe them from the universe. The fact that he is an Artesan of incredible natural talent makes the task of the heroine more difficult. So the tension is ramped up to almost-unbearable levels as Sullyan challenges her archenemy on his own ground.
As we might expect in the finale of a magical horror story, this third series has left the epic fantasy realm of warfare and gallantry and entered the more terrifying sphere of magical evil. Murder, rape, and the stealing of souls through horrendous torture are the order of the day. This is not a story for the weak of heart.
The setting of the final battle is the spirit realm of the dead; an apt ending to a series that spanned many worlds. Like Orpheus, Sullyan is required to go to the gates of the underworld to sing home the souls of her followers sent there prematurely by Reen, and only an act of supreme sacrifice can enable their return.
If I were pressed, I would have to say that this is my second favourite book of the series. I feel that “Full Circle,” the ending of the “Circle of Conspiracy” trilogy, showed a better range of the sweep of Epic Fantasy. In this book, the subplot involving Aeyron and the Andaryan court is less well integrated into the main plotline. Also, the unrelieved horror of the centre section of the book takes us past the point where we can react with further feeling. I suppose I prefer emotion applied with a rapier, not a broadsword.
However, “The Gateway” is the fitting culmination to a work of epic proportions of which the author can be rightfully proud and which I highly recommend to all Fantasy and Horror fans.
I received a copy of the manuscript from Loving The Book in order to write this review.
“The Gateway” is also the finish of the third trilogy, “Master of Malice,” which centres on the evil Baron Reen, the ultimate enemy of all Artesans because his avowed goal is to wipe them from the universe. The fact that he is an Artesan of incredible natural talent makes the task of the heroine more difficult. So the tension is ramped up to almost-unbearable levels as Sullyan challenges her archenemy on his own ground.
As we might expect in the finale of a magical horror story, this third series has left the epic fantasy realm of warfare and gallantry and entered the more terrifying sphere of magical evil. Murder, rape, and the stealing of souls through horrendous torture are the order of the day. This is not a story for the weak of heart.
The setting of the final battle is the spirit realm of the dead; an apt ending to a series that spanned many worlds. Like Orpheus, Sullyan is required to go to the gates of the underworld to sing home the souls of her followers sent there prematurely by Reen, and only an act of supreme sacrifice can enable their return.
If I were pressed, I would have to say that this is my second favourite book of the series. I feel that “Full Circle,” the ending of the “Circle of Conspiracy” trilogy, showed a better range of the sweep of Epic Fantasy. In this book, the subplot involving Aeyron and the Andaryan court is less well integrated into the main plotline. Also, the unrelieved horror of the centre section of the book takes us past the point where we can react with further feeling. I suppose I prefer emotion applied with a rapier, not a broadsword.
However, “The Gateway” is the fitting culmination to a work of epic proportions of which the author can be rightfully proud and which I highly recommend to all Fantasy and Horror fans.
I received a copy of the manuscript from Loving The Book in order to write this review.
January 6, 2017
It is very difficult to properly review this book without having read the previous books in the series. This is the third book in a trilogy that is the third series in a collection, therefore it continues the conflicts and characters set up in the previous books.
Artesans of Albia
Circle of Conspiracy
Masters of Malice
The cover style makes me think that it is a juvenile fiction, but quickly into the read, it gives me a feel for a much older audience - a dark fantasy.
Jumping into the end of a trilogy did confuse me a bit. There were too different storylines at the start with opposite feelings - I couldn't see their connection. Also, throughout the book, it jumped from character to character in their point of view and since I had little experience with these characters, I easily became lost at the start and had to struggle to reconnect to the right storyline.
I was very impressed with the battle scenes near the beginning that actually had characters being wounded. I am use to those types of things being glossed over or only happen to the enemy or not happen until later in the book. It really showed that this book is about the fight and the struggle.
The raw emotions were amazing to read. It truly expressed several feelings in a realistic and touching way. I loved the ending because of the emotion - both the joy and the grief. Fantastic writing skills! It makes me want to go back and read through all the books by this author. I want to dive deeper into this world and feel an even stronger bond with the characters.
I received a copy of the book from Loving The Book in exchange for an honest review.
Artesans of Albia
Circle of Conspiracy
Masters of Malice
The cover style makes me think that it is a juvenile fiction, but quickly into the read, it gives me a feel for a much older audience - a dark fantasy.
Jumping into the end of a trilogy did confuse me a bit. There were too different storylines at the start with opposite feelings - I couldn't see their connection. Also, throughout the book, it jumped from character to character in their point of view and since I had little experience with these characters, I easily became lost at the start and had to struggle to reconnect to the right storyline.
I was very impressed with the battle scenes near the beginning that actually had characters being wounded. I am use to those types of things being glossed over or only happen to the enemy or not happen until later in the book. It really showed that this book is about the fight and the struggle.
The raw emotions were amazing to read. It truly expressed several feelings in a realistic and touching way. I loved the ending because of the emotion - both the joy and the grief. Fantastic writing skills! It makes me want to go back and read through all the books by this author. I want to dive deeper into this world and feel an even stronger bond with the characters.
I received a copy of the book from Loving The Book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews