Trial of Fire

The Books of Elita #5

by Kate Jacoby

For years the Enclave has hidden the Salti Pazar, those gifted with magical powers, from the eyes of the Guilde and of those who would wish to see them all destroyed. But now the mountain community has been revealed and its sorcerers must scatter across Lusara. The Enemy, Robert Douglas, the greatest sorcerer Lusara has ever known, brought together the Key and Calyx, two magical artefacts, hoping for enlightenment and power. Instead, as he struggles for control, the Ally, Jenn, leader of the Salti Pazar, must save her people from the Angel of Darkness, who has found them and is hot on their heels. After twenty-five years of tyranny, Lusara is finally boiling over into rebellion, not just against the evil King Kenrick, but also against the fully regenerated Nash, the Angel of Darkness ...

Genres: Fantasy

448 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2002

About the author

Australian born Kate Jacoby has travelled all over the world. She wrote EXILE'S RETURN, the First Book of Elita, while backpacking through the Middle East.

Reviews

[Mark L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it very strange that Kate Jacoby is not more well known. I love this series. I think the characters are powerful and well thought out. Through the series Kate rounds them off beautifully. The realism and decision-making further the plot and in this book we see the culmination of a five-book series. I personally feel that none of the books were redundant, as we find frequently in the genre these days. I will point no fingers :-)

Please return Kate, we need someone who can shown them how it is done.

[Sam6172 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best series I have ever read. I originally read the first book when I was in high school but forgot about the series in the following years. I found the book in my bookshelf last month and read it again.

It had me hooked. I downloaded the rest of the series and was surprised to see very few people had heard of it. Action, intrigue, romance, magic and a fast moving plot. It has it all. For fantasy lovers who are looking for a new complete series that you probably haven't read, set in well thought out world you would be hard pressed to do better.

[Beth N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elita is a tricky one.

Let's start by saying that it was fine. Honestly. It was fine. Whatever impression this review ends up giving, note that there are fantasy series out there that are far worse. The world Jacoby has created is believable, textured, and politically complex. The prophecy at the centre of the plot is full of questions. Jacoby also knows how to write a climax full of fireworks. If you like fantasy with epic battles and twisty revelations, there are things here to enjoy.

But there are also reasons this is no longer in print. The focus that drove the series at the start becomes somewhat more diffuse as the story goes on. Much of the middle of the series feels like filler, conflict for conflict's sake, and broody introspection reads increasingly like petulant melodrama.

The action picks up again in this fifth and final book, with the culmination of the Prophecy and character arcs reaching their conclusions. And in fairness to Jacoby, she does tie off many of them neatly. But there is also a level of predictability that damages the satisfaction of the ending. A prophecy can be a double-edged sword when not wielded correctly, and in this case I fear it turns on its user.

I don't regret reading this series. It did some unusual things, gave me things to think and talk about. Maybe pick up a second-hand copy if you are interested. But go into it knowing that you are unlikely to find a new favourite.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, okay. Won't be reading again.

[Dr · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last i have finished this series after 14 years. Happy to get a happy ending but expected a lot more from the finale. Still happy.....