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The Paladin Trilogy #3
Crusade
Old ways have been broken in the blood and smoke of the Battle of Thornhurst by Allystaire Stillbright and followers of the Goddess. Now the Paladin must recover from his ordeal, carve out a hopeful future for the shattered Baronies, and prepare for the next attack upon the Goddess's new and fragile following.But the corrupt deity Braech, the Sea-Dragon, will not easily let go of the power that has long been his. Braech's minions, led by the calculating Archpriest Symod, march on the now-weakened Baronies. The final battle, a crusade against the Mother and all of her followers, is near, and Allystaire, the Arm of the Mother, is left to rally the survivors - including some of his oldest enemies - to face a foe that will not rest until all the Mother's faithful are broken and each Barony submits to the Sea Dragon once more.
1005 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2018
About the author
Daniel M. Ford
11 books350 followersDaniel M. Ford was born and raised near Baltimore, Maryland. He holds a B.A. in English from Villanova University, an M.A. in Irish Literature from Boston College and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, concentrating in Poetry, from George Mason University. As a poet, his work has appeared most recently in Soundings Review, as well as Phoebe, Floorboard Review, The Cossack, and Vending Machine Press. He teaches English at a college prep high school in North East, Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 4, 2020
I may have mentioned before, I have always liked the idea of the Paladin...the classic Paladin. The warrior of God, of good is an ideal. Sadly most of the time someone pulls out the character they use him/her as either a buffoon, a parody of the character or worse as a tyrant. Only a few books (I have found) do anything like a good job with the ideal of the character.
This trilogy sets up a story of a goddess who has been asleep for long years and finally awakes to help the poor and downtrodden of the world. To do this she calls a fallen knight who has come to realize the folly of the "knightly love of war" and the cost it draws from the "common folk".
I'm a Christian but I'd say to you who may be bothered by the idea of a fantasy god or goddess that this is...a fantasy, just a story... it can be used to tell a story.
I won't go over the climax of this series/trilogy. I will recommend it, highly.
Enjoy...oh and do start at book 1 Ordination
you'll be glad you did. Well if your taste runs like mine, LOL. I haven't found a lot of novels that handle the paladin character well. This one does pretty well.
Again, enjoy.
This trilogy sets up a story of a goddess who has been asleep for long years and finally awakes to help the poor and downtrodden of the world. To do this she calls a fallen knight who has come to realize the folly of the "knightly love of war" and the cost it draws from the "common folk".
I'm a Christian but I'd say to you who may be bothered by the idea of a fantasy god or goddess that this is...a fantasy, just a story... it can be used to tell a story.
I won't go over the climax of this series/trilogy. I will recommend it, highly.
Enjoy...oh and do start at book 1 Ordination
you'll be glad you did. Well if your taste runs like mine, LOL. I haven't found a lot of novels that handle the paladin character well. This one does pretty well.Again, enjoy.
October 20, 2018
4.5 stars.
This was a satisfying finale.
The writing in this series is so good, it saved the book for me even tho there's no problem with the characters and the plot, they are both interesting, it's just that I wouldn't have minded if the protagonists in this failed.
I like them very much, just that the world around them didn't feel that bad. Yes there were death slavery and injustice in it but I think what was missing for me was that the characters didn't deal with their personal struggle as much as I liked them to, their lives just didn't feel that bad before, so why are they changing the world?
Back to the writing. It's concrete and gripping, and I have no doubt that if not for it I wouldn't have made it past book 1.
It's the thing that many High Fantasy books fail to do with me. I literally start dreaming about other books while in the middle of a different one. It's what happened to me reading The Faithful and the Fallen.
And the fight scenes! Gosh they were so good.
I also didn't expect to get emotional reading this. The characters really grew on me and I kept remembering how far they came and by the last couple of chapters, I didn't wish this to end.
I don't think this series is for everyone but if High Fantasy is your thing then you're missing.
This was a satisfying finale.
The writing in this series is so good, it saved the book for me even tho there's no problem with the characters and the plot, they are both interesting, it's just that I wouldn't have minded if the protagonists in this failed.
I like them very much, just that the world around them didn't feel that bad. Yes there were death slavery and injustice in it but I think what was missing for me was that the characters didn't deal with their personal struggle as much as I liked them to, their lives just didn't feel that bad before, so why are they changing the world?
Back to the writing. It's concrete and gripping, and I have no doubt that if not for it I wouldn't have made it past book 1.
It's the thing that many High Fantasy books fail to do with me. I literally start dreaming about other books while in the middle of a different one. It's what happened to me reading The Faithful and the Fallen.
And the fight scenes! Gosh they were so good.
I also didn't expect to get emotional reading this. The characters really grew on me and I kept remembering how far they came and by the last couple of chapters, I didn't wish this to end.
I don't think this series is for everyone but if High Fantasy is your thing then you're missing.
August 27, 2018
This was a very good ending to a fun series. Well paced with characters I loved. If you enjoyed the Dragonlance books or are/were a D&D player this series is for you.
Also, I would like to thank Mr. Ford for writing a trilogy in a reasonable time span and not stretching this into a watered down 6 book series at the expense of his readers. This has become the norm for the fantasy industry and I salute you for not doing so.
Also, I would like to thank Mr. Ford for writing a trilogy in a reasonable time span and not stretching this into a watered down 6 book series at the expense of his readers. This has become the norm for the fantasy industry and I salute you for not doing so.
November 5, 2024
Excellent ending to an amazing fantasy series for me!
A little boring in the beginning of this third volume, but the things get on track very fast and it was a great ride until the end!
I didn`t have any expectations when starting this series, but, oh, man( !), this was like a perfect job from all the angles of the story!
Excellent effort from the writer and a fantastic trilogy to remember!
A little boring in the beginning of this third volume, but the things get on track very fast and it was a great ride until the end!
I didn`t have any expectations when starting this series, but, oh, man( !), this was like a perfect job from all the angles of the story!
Excellent effort from the writer and a fantastic trilogy to remember!
September 8, 2018
Excellent sword and sorcery fantasy
This book brings the trilogy to an end and does it in a very satisfying way. It also leaves room for more adventures in the same world. To say it made me think of Elizabeth Moon is about the highest praise I can give. The Deed of Paksennarion (along with the years later follow ones)is probably the best fantasy I have ever read. And here we have a Paladin worthy of comparison, if a little more bloodthirsty.
This book brings the trilogy to an end and does it in a very satisfying way. It also leaves room for more adventures in the same world. To say it made me think of Elizabeth Moon is about the highest praise I can give. The Deed of Paksennarion (along with the years later follow ones)is probably the best fantasy I have ever read. And here we have a Paladin worthy of comparison, if a little more bloodthirsty.
September 8, 2018
A heavy trilogy
I am rating the entire trilogy. If you haven't read from the beginning don't start here. The first book is a solid 5+ in the epic fantasy genre. Books 3/4 lose a little steam but are solid 4s. Overall the author created a well written, well edited epic fantasy that will be shelved and reread. I applaud the author for a taut tale, for staying true to his characters and ending the story as it should have ended...I hope the story continues and new threads are pursued.
I am rating the entire trilogy. If you haven't read from the beginning don't start here. The first book is a solid 5+ in the epic fantasy genre. Books 3/4 lose a little steam but are solid 4s. Overall the author created a well written, well edited epic fantasy that will be shelved and reread. I applaud the author for a taut tale, for staying true to his characters and ending the story as it should have ended...I hope the story continues and new threads are pursued.
September 9, 2018
The life and death of a paladin
I loved this series. The main character was that mean ole well meaning uncle who inspired you to be a better version of yourself not for your sake, but for the world. We should all emulate his example.
I loved this series. The main character was that mean ole well meaning uncle who inspired you to be a better version of yourself not for your sake, but for the world. We should all emulate his example.
September 12, 2018
I am glad I stumbled upon this trilogy. A great conclusion to a great series.
September 14, 2018
Awesome book. Ending was a bit sad, but understandable from within the story (plot wise), as well as out of story (author adding a definitive end to the story)
September 8, 2018
The story I started reading as one of my very first ebooks over two years ago comes to an end. If I was to say it shortly and without spoilers, it's a good and deserved end in a way that makes sense.
---
Following the battle of Thornhurst at the end of the second book, Allystaire and his fellows need to face many challenges regarding the future of Lionel's land, something that is harder for those following his two children than for said children. While Chaddin and Landen manage to find a way, to see it through might be harder than it seems and take a time they don't have to.
With their help, as well as Garth and his sister, Allystaire asks old Baron Innandan to organize a peace council that will eventually show more about the young Baron Oyrwyn and why Allystaire ran away - something that is easily understood.
Only with at least some progress in said council, the small army assembled by the present barons move to fight Symod and his forces. Yet, their time is running out maybe faster than they'd like and even using the enemy's weaknesses against them and their strengths as best as they can make it a tough struggle. Among all of that, the sorcerer is lurking as well, afraid of what Gideon learned and did.
The final confrontation was quite an epic battle. I admit I expected a bit of more 'screen time' for Evolyn and maybe some bit here and there. Maybe a bit more where the land might head with the conflict over. Still, it was a trilogy I enjoyed a lot and will return to it at some point. With fond memories.
Longer review at my blog
---
Following the battle of Thornhurst at the end of the second book, Allystaire and his fellows need to face many challenges regarding the future of Lionel's land, something that is harder for those following his two children than for said children. While Chaddin and Landen manage to find a way, to see it through might be harder than it seems and take a time they don't have to.
With their help, as well as Garth and his sister, Allystaire asks old Baron Innandan to organize a peace council that will eventually show more about the young Baron Oyrwyn and why Allystaire ran away - something that is easily understood.
Only with at least some progress in said council, the small army assembled by the present barons move to fight Symod and his forces. Yet, their time is running out maybe faster than they'd like and even using the enemy's weaknesses against them and their strengths as best as they can make it a tough struggle. Among all of that, the sorcerer is lurking as well, afraid of what Gideon learned and did.
The final confrontation was quite an epic battle. I admit I expected a bit of more 'screen time' for Evolyn and maybe some bit here and there. Maybe a bit more where the land might head with the conflict over. Still, it was a trilogy I enjoyed a lot and will return to it at some point. With fond memories.
Longer review at my blog
June 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this series. This is a well paced read. The narrator was spot on. Man! I bet it was tough to do the voice for Idgen Marta(spelling?). I love these characters. I'd LOVE to read/listen to more of their lives before.. or how they continue on. This is the part in fantasy storytelling that is often glossed over. This tells the story of HOW the Goddess came to be. The explanations given of the world drew me in. So much hate in this world. So much senseless war. Now it's the time of the people.
I only have one teeny bone to pick with the main character. Allystaire. I wanted to smack him. His internal castigation got old. I know he is supposed to go thru the struggle, but DAMN! Then the rest of the time I just wanted to give the guy a hug.
I only have one teeny bone to pick with the main character. Allystaire. I wanted to smack him. His internal castigation got old. I know he is supposed to go thru the struggle, but DAMN! Then the rest of the time I just wanted to give the guy a hug.
September 11, 2018
A solid finish to the series. It made me cry.
March 14, 2021
A familiar feeling has settled in - another beloved saga ends. What are we supposed to do now?
Sir Allystaire Stillbright rides to his inevitable destiny. He manages to combine a crusade and a dragon-slaying/god-slaying and a capstone adoptive-father/adoptive-son moment, secure a future for his people, and see the threat of sorcery ended (for now) in the Baronies, along with a death scene worthy of Sturm Brightblade. And while that Dragonlance luminary may have made paladins meeting their end in battle without fear stick in the minds of most fantasy fans of a certain age (read: mine, and probably Master Ford's as well), he was just following in the long tradition laid down by Roland and Oliver over a thousand years earlier. Allystaire knows things have to be done a certain way, but he meets his end having triumphed over his enemy, which these legendary literary forebears did not. I believe even Gotrek Gurnisson would have called it a worthy doom.
Crusade is a great monster of a book, at a hefty nigh-eight hundred pages in paperback and has the dubious distinction of being the fantasy novel I have been most afraid to drop on my foot. (And I say that as an owner of Tad Williams' To Green Angel Tower, a book so big I had to buy it in two volumes.) But it also tells a bigger story than the previous two volumes, as we work to tie up every plot thread (and set up some new ones, like the Order of the Arm). All of what we have come to expect from the Paladin Trilogy is here: blood-splattered battles, debates on right and wrong, brutal training, witty banter (less and less of that, the Ordained care about each other too much), heartfelt love, barely contained (sometimes not at all) righteous fury, grieving for the dead, a few moments of shock, and a slam-bang Final Battle on multiple fronts as Ally and Gideon clash with the Sea Dragon made flesh whilst Igden Marte, Torvul, and the Order desperately try to hold the line against giants and the living dead hundreds of miles distant.
This volume might be the weakest of the series, but I only say that because it has so much to accomplish, and some of the characters that we have really come to take an interest in don't get much time in the spotlight, and sometimes they feel a bit forgotten. Mol is probably the strongest example of this - she is left to tend to Thornhurst and its people as the other Ordained set off on their peace accords and inevitable crusade. While someone had to stay behind and look after the people in need of their Church and their Goddess, Mol has been with us from the very beginning, and I think she deserved more than to bid Ally the others a heart-wrenching goodbye before effectively being ushered offstage. Garth and Audreyn are more or less out of the picture aside from brief asides here and there as the Final Battle comes to a head.
In hindsight, we could have used some stronger villain development, not in the sense of being worthy challenges to the Ordained (Symod, Gilrayan Oyrwyn, and most of all the sorcerers were certainly up to the job), but mostly more time and action for us to see more of their evil ways and to fuel our desire to see them defeated. I remember the opening scene of Ordination with Gideon forced to particpate in Bhimanzir's foul, unspeakably cruel auguries and how much I wanted to see him get his. Or the slavers in the opening act of the same book. A bit of that in this volume would have gone a long way.
What probably causes Crusade to suffer most of all is the abrupt ending. It does have a certain beauty in it - heroes often give their lives for those they love, and that's simply the way it is. But a series that trades in so much on characters that you come to love would be better served, I believe, by providing the space to show them really reacting to a moment like a final farewell to Sir Allystaire Stillbright, Arm of the Mother, Hammer of the Sun, Prophet and Paladin, and First Grand Master (if I may take the liberty of borrowing from historical precedent) of the Order of the Arm.
We needed to see the other Ordained grieve for the man who was the glue of their adoptive family. We needed to hear their words, see their tears, and see them work to cement his legacy and care for the people for whom he gave his life. We needed to see Gideon begin his work to found an Order of his own. We needed to see Norbert, Harrys, Tibult, and Johonn accept the mantle of carrying on after Allystaire, to see them work to keep the Order alive and to carry out its mission. We needed to see who Ardent chose as his new master. We needed to see Landen Delondeur build a church for the Mother. We needed to see Rede find peace. We needed to see Cerisia carry on in her own church. We needed to see Andrus Carek writing his story. We needed to see the pilgrims coming to Thornhurst, many years later, to pray at the grave of Saint Allystaire Dragon-slayer, to kneel at his pillar at the High Altar, and to see where the Mother first came back to a world that desperately needed Her mercy.
Most of all, we needed to see Mol, Igden Marte, Torvul, and Gideon sit in Timmar's Inn at Thornhurst, long after everyone's gone to bed, remembering.
We could have used less time spent at the peace conference - which was well-written, entertaining, and central to the plot - and more time after the end of crusade back home in Thornhurst. Or - and I know my own hypocrisy in saying this after teasing Master Ford about the dimensions of this last volume - a longer and bigger book. Perhaps a two-volume solution in the mold of To Green Angel Tower might have worked.
None of this is meant to dissuade the reader, nor to disparage Master Ford's efforts. He has written my favorite paladin, and so many other wonderful characters besides. I had a lump in my throat when I was done. I had that wistful sensation that you get when a proper Great Adventure is over - the same one I get whenever I leave Middle-earth, or Narnia, or Mossflower Country.
This trilogy has a space on my shelf and in my heart, because it deals in the things that really matter - is there Anyone out there who loves us? Can one person or only a few make a difference in a world strangled by darkness and cruelty? Is it worth it to do what's right, even when it will take so much away from us? Will anyone help us do that?
The answer to all of these, as Master Ford's books will tell you, is "Yes." That's why they're special.
I hope to go back to the Baronies one day. Or to see the Dwarf Homes, or Keersvast and the Concordat, or the elf-country away off in the far north. Hear that, sir?
Sir Allystaire Stillbright rides to his inevitable destiny. He manages to combine a crusade and a dragon-slaying/god-slaying and a capstone adoptive-father/adoptive-son moment, secure a future for his people, and see the threat of sorcery ended (for now) in the Baronies, along with a death scene worthy of Sturm Brightblade. And while that Dragonlance luminary may have made paladins meeting their end in battle without fear stick in the minds of most fantasy fans of a certain age (read: mine, and probably Master Ford's as well), he was just following in the long tradition laid down by Roland and Oliver over a thousand years earlier. Allystaire knows things have to be done a certain way, but he meets his end having triumphed over his enemy, which these legendary literary forebears did not. I believe even Gotrek Gurnisson would have called it a worthy doom.
Crusade is a great monster of a book, at a hefty nigh-eight hundred pages in paperback and has the dubious distinction of being the fantasy novel I have been most afraid to drop on my foot. (And I say that as an owner of Tad Williams' To Green Angel Tower, a book so big I had to buy it in two volumes.) But it also tells a bigger story than the previous two volumes, as we work to tie up every plot thread (and set up some new ones, like the Order of the Arm). All of what we have come to expect from the Paladin Trilogy is here: blood-splattered battles, debates on right and wrong, brutal training, witty banter (less and less of that, the Ordained care about each other too much), heartfelt love, barely contained (sometimes not at all) righteous fury, grieving for the dead, a few moments of shock, and a slam-bang Final Battle on multiple fronts as Ally and Gideon clash with the Sea Dragon made flesh whilst Igden Marte, Torvul, and the Order desperately try to hold the line against giants and the living dead hundreds of miles distant.
This volume might be the weakest of the series, but I only say that because it has so much to accomplish, and some of the characters that we have really come to take an interest in don't get much time in the spotlight, and sometimes they feel a bit forgotten. Mol is probably the strongest example of this - she is left to tend to Thornhurst and its people as the other Ordained set off on their peace accords and inevitable crusade. While someone had to stay behind and look after the people in need of their Church and their Goddess, Mol has been with us from the very beginning, and I think she deserved more than to bid Ally the others a heart-wrenching goodbye before effectively being ushered offstage. Garth and Audreyn are more or less out of the picture aside from brief asides here and there as the Final Battle comes to a head.
In hindsight, we could have used some stronger villain development, not in the sense of being worthy challenges to the Ordained (Symod, Gilrayan Oyrwyn, and most of all the sorcerers were certainly up to the job), but mostly more time and action for us to see more of their evil ways and to fuel our desire to see them defeated. I remember the opening scene of Ordination with Gideon forced to particpate in Bhimanzir's foul, unspeakably cruel auguries and how much I wanted to see him get his. Or the slavers in the opening act of the same book. A bit of that in this volume would have gone a long way.
What probably causes Crusade to suffer most of all is the abrupt ending. It does have a certain beauty in it - heroes often give their lives for those they love, and that's simply the way it is. But a series that trades in so much on characters that you come to love would be better served, I believe, by providing the space to show them really reacting to a moment like a final farewell to Sir Allystaire Stillbright, Arm of the Mother, Hammer of the Sun, Prophet and Paladin, and First Grand Master (if I may take the liberty of borrowing from historical precedent) of the Order of the Arm.
We needed to see the other Ordained grieve for the man who was the glue of their adoptive family. We needed to hear their words, see their tears, and see them work to cement his legacy and care for the people for whom he gave his life. We needed to see Gideon begin his work to found an Order of his own. We needed to see Norbert, Harrys, Tibult, and Johonn accept the mantle of carrying on after Allystaire, to see them work to keep the Order alive and to carry out its mission. We needed to see who Ardent chose as his new master. We needed to see Landen Delondeur build a church for the Mother. We needed to see Rede find peace. We needed to see Cerisia carry on in her own church. We needed to see Andrus Carek writing his story. We needed to see the pilgrims coming to Thornhurst, many years later, to pray at the grave of Saint Allystaire Dragon-slayer, to kneel at his pillar at the High Altar, and to see where the Mother first came back to a world that desperately needed Her mercy.
Most of all, we needed to see Mol, Igden Marte, Torvul, and Gideon sit in Timmar's Inn at Thornhurst, long after everyone's gone to bed, remembering.
We could have used less time spent at the peace conference - which was well-written, entertaining, and central to the plot - and more time after the end of crusade back home in Thornhurst. Or - and I know my own hypocrisy in saying this after teasing Master Ford about the dimensions of this last volume - a longer and bigger book. Perhaps a two-volume solution in the mold of To Green Angel Tower might have worked.
None of this is meant to dissuade the reader, nor to disparage Master Ford's efforts. He has written my favorite paladin, and so many other wonderful characters besides. I had a lump in my throat when I was done. I had that wistful sensation that you get when a proper Great Adventure is over - the same one I get whenever I leave Middle-earth, or Narnia, or Mossflower Country.
This trilogy has a space on my shelf and in my heart, because it deals in the things that really matter - is there Anyone out there who loves us? Can one person or only a few make a difference in a world strangled by darkness and cruelty? Is it worth it to do what's right, even when it will take so much away from us? Will anyone help us do that?
The answer to all of these, as Master Ford's books will tell you, is "Yes." That's why they're special.
I hope to go back to the Baronies one day. Or to see the Dwarf Homes, or Keersvast and the Concordat, or the elf-country away off in the far north. Hear that, sir?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2018
A very well written high fantasy novel .
October 20, 2019
Great Story; Legendary “Ending”
The action, characters, and plot - as always - do not disappoint. The thing that makes the whole series is the continuing attention to the small details: how people feel, what they say, and how they interact with each other. In this climax we see the characters become what they will be known as, especially the Arm and the Will. And while I would really have liked one final scene with Allystaire after his fight, somehow I get the feeling that we may see more.
An excellent series; highly recommended. This book in particular is utterly required if you’ve enjoyed the series thus far.
The action, characters, and plot - as always - do not disappoint. The thing that makes the whole series is the continuing attention to the small details: how people feel, what they say, and how they interact with each other. In this climax we see the characters become what they will be known as, especially the Arm and the Will. And while I would really have liked one final scene with Allystaire after his fight, somehow I get the feeling that we may see more.
An excellent series; highly recommended. This book in particular is utterly required if you’ve enjoyed the series thus far.
December 3, 2018
It was just a really awesome book. Mr Ford not only managed to finish the series he started in a timely manner, but he did it while maintaining the (top) quality and increasing quantity of writing. Books rarely have physical effects on me. This time I was having goose bumps and shaking with excitement during the finale where followers of Mother fought against Braech, Symod and the Eldest. This final battle was followed by top quality display of justice being served and satisfying, not really closure, but rather suggestion of how is the life in baronies going to develop. I only hope we'll see more of top quality fantasy from Mr Ford.
November 8, 2018
I just finished the audiobook (masterfully narrated by Michael Kramer) a few minutes ago. This was an excellent conclusion to an amazing trilogy. I can’t recommend these books enough. Excellent prose, deep and interesting world building and characterization, and well written and exciting action (the clarity and momentum of the action sequences reminded me of Sanderson).
Daniel, if you read this, you’ve done an excellent job crafting this story, the world of the baronies, and the characters therein. I hope you continue writing novels such as these.
To everyone else who reads this review - read (or listen to) these books!
Daniel, if you read this, you’ve done an excellent job crafting this story, the world of the baronies, and the characters therein. I hope you continue writing novels such as these.
To everyone else who reads this review - read (or listen to) these books!
November 1, 2020
Perfect finish to a perfect trilogy
If you've made it here you probably already finished books 1 and 2, so you know how good this will be. If you want books with none of the terrible -isms plaguing our world today, these are the ones to get. The Paladin trilogy closes out beautifully with a long book that doesn't have a single wasted second. Every word, every sentence is necessary to build this world and develop the people in it. I have absolutely no complaints. Michael Kramer does an excellent job narrating the audiobook as well. Ford absolutely nailed this trilogy. I couldn't be happier with it, and I hope to The Mother that these books will reach a massive audience, like they deserve.
If you've made it here you probably already finished books 1 and 2, so you know how good this will be. If you want books with none of the terrible -isms plaguing our world today, these are the ones to get. The Paladin trilogy closes out beautifully with a long book that doesn't have a single wasted second. Every word, every sentence is necessary to build this world and develop the people in it. I have absolutely no complaints. Michael Kramer does an excellent job narrating the audiobook as well. Ford absolutely nailed this trilogy. I couldn't be happier with it, and I hope to The Mother that these books will reach a massive audience, like they deserve.
January 6, 2020
This final book was a great conclusion to this Paladin trilogy. The first half was rather slow as it focuses on the mission for peace, lots of politics, and build up for battles at the end of the book. The number of characters and viewpoints increased greatly. I'm glad the author did not pull any punches at the end. I'd love to read more books set in this world but this book concludes everything quite well.
I was very happy with this trilogy overall. I can't help but compare it to The Deed of Paksenarrion as that trilogy has paladins but this trilogy was very different. In this fantasy world there has not been a paladin in hundreds of years so there is a lot of doubt throughout from characters who have not seen what Allystaire does. The gods and priests that currently hold sway in this world are mostly corrupt and they favor the bold/powerful/rich. The mother is a fledgling goddess who champions the peasants/poor/weak. Allystaire is her champion and the strength he gets when someone is threatened is terrible to behold. Instead of a nebulous goddess who is mostly in the background she talks to her champions fairly frequently and even appears in a physical form to them. Allystaire is definitely the primary character of this trilogy but I really liked that there were five champions of the goddess and each had a different role and strengths. Learning more about the background of these characters was great and done at a slow rate that kept you wanting to hear more. Most of the champions are a little overpowered as opposed to the forces they face but one champion in particular is a little too overpowered sometimes.
I was very happy with this trilogy overall. I can't help but compare it to The Deed of Paksenarrion as that trilogy has paladins but this trilogy was very different. In this fantasy world there has not been a paladin in hundreds of years so there is a lot of doubt throughout from characters who have not seen what Allystaire does. The gods and priests that currently hold sway in this world are mostly corrupt and they favor the bold/powerful/rich. The mother is a fledgling goddess who champions the peasants/poor/weak. Allystaire is her champion and the strength he gets when someone is threatened is terrible to behold. Instead of a nebulous goddess who is mostly in the background she talks to her champions fairly frequently and even appears in a physical form to them. Allystaire is definitely the primary character of this trilogy but I really liked that there were five champions of the goddess and each had a different role and strengths. Learning more about the background of these characters was great and done at a slow rate that kept you wanting to hear more. Most of the champions are a little overpowered as opposed to the forces they face but one champion in particular is a little too overpowered sometimes.
August 20, 2020
I surprised myself with it, but I loved reading these books.
The topic of goodly given powers was never on top of my list, but this trilogy is very well written and has very real, alive and non-standard characters. The world is not all flowers and unicorns. This kind of read is very refreshing and realistic, daring and frank. Events are dynamic and I loved the ending. Also first book captured me from the start.
There are trilogies and sagas where each book can be read separately, but this trilogy should be read in order. The first book leaves you so much room and all main characters hung in the air, it opens up and gives you both surprised and mysteries. And than later on second and third! book still have their secrets and new things you learn about the characters. Really nicely done with it.
4 starts on first 2 books and 5 starts on the third for me. Can recommend for reading. Thanks to the author for a great time with the story :)
The topic of goodly given powers was never on top of my list, but this trilogy is very well written and has very real, alive and non-standard characters. The world is not all flowers and unicorns. This kind of read is very refreshing and realistic, daring and frank. Events are dynamic and I loved the ending. Also first book captured me from the start.
There are trilogies and sagas where each book can be read separately, but this trilogy should be read in order. The first book leaves you so much room and all main characters hung in the air, it opens up and gives you both surprised and mysteries. And than later on second and third! book still have their secrets and new things you learn about the characters. Really nicely done with it.
4 starts on first 2 books and 5 starts on the third for me. Can recommend for reading. Thanks to the author for a great time with the story :)
March 4, 2019
Shining!
This story is how it be, it drew me into the world and the characters became old friends. This series kind of reminds me of the Valdemar of mercedes lackey, who I consider an Awesome writer,where the characters are true to who they have become, and though they succeed in their trials, do not always have a happy ending. Awesome series, and I will wait impatiently for more stories of this world.
This story is how it be, it drew me into the world and the characters became old friends. This series kind of reminds me of the Valdemar of mercedes lackey, who I consider an Awesome writer,where the characters are true to who they have become, and though they succeed in their trials, do not always have a happy ending. Awesome series, and I will wait impatiently for more stories of this world.
January 23, 2019
Enjoyable trilogy about a Paladin, the struggles, the defeats, and the victories.
I enjoyed this trilogy of books...my wife may have gotten mad at me for binge reading my way through it. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about a paladin.
Not an over complicated story, but some great villains and realistic characters.
I enjoyed this trilogy of books...my wife may have gotten mad at me for binge reading my way through it. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about a paladin.
Not an over complicated story, but some great villains and realistic characters.
September 4, 2019
I thought the mother should have been present in the end
March 11, 2025
What an impressive trilogy. How did I miss this one for so long?
August 13, 2019
I really enjoyed the characters in this story, some truly fun and interesting personalities and concepts. The first two books were very enjoyable. But I felt like the ending of the story was rushed. I left with several unanswered questions about the plot (especially the motivations & origins of the villains; those characters lacked depth and fell flat to me), and I felt like the ending was wrapped up far too quickly given how much detail and attention was spent on the beginning of the book’s plot (the build up). The final battle and its aftermath felt like it could have taken up an entire book on its own. Perhaps the series would have worked better as four books, in terms of pacing. I will say, though, that Michael Kramer’s narration of the audiobooks for this series were truly masterful - he is one of the best audiobook narrators out there!
March 11, 2022
Vote: 3,75
Class: L-A3 (FP)
(third and final book)
A little spoiler here: there is a Paladin in this book! A real good old fashioned Paladin!
And he is willing to borne any burden to save you.
And he is not alone: the Arm, the Shadow, the Voice, the Wit and the Will of the Mother are together to face what is coming.
All in all I think this is a really great fantasy, sometimes ingenuos maybe but refreshing and well written.
To read and to recommend.
Class: L-A3 (FP)
(third and final book)
A little spoiler here: there is a Paladin in this book! A real good old fashioned Paladin!
And he is willing to borne any burden to save you.
And he is not alone: the Arm, the Shadow, the Voice, the Wit and the Will of the Mother are together to face what is coming.
All in all I think this is a really great fantasy, sometimes ingenuos maybe but refreshing and well written.
To read and to recommend.
April 7, 2026
This book was good but certain parts I think were a bit lackluster and like the last book I started lose focus at some of the scenes in the book. It was still entertaining and with a somewhat serious conclusion to many, if not most, of the plot points being answered. Overall, I though this and the series as a whole were great and worth a read or listen to.
May 16, 2020
Such a wonderful conclusion to such a fantastic journey. Few books have left me both happy with the state of the ending and craving more.
January 13, 2021
A perfectly serviceable conclusion with a lot going for it. Nothing groundbreaking, and I do wish that we got to explore some more consequences after the climax, but a fun read overall.
November 14, 2023
This book is 3 for 3 on perfect scores. Nothing grandiose to say that the story itself won't. Can not recommend this trilogy enough.
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