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The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice #3
The Chalice
In the epic conclusion of the fantasy trilogy, the half-elven Dain, now the heir to the kingdom of Nether, joins his hated rival, Prince Gavril, in a perilous quest to find the Chalice of Eternal Life, hoping to use the magical relic to save the life of his beloved, Princess Pheresa, who has fallen victim to poison meant for Dain. Original.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Chester
55 books153 followersThe internationally published, award-winning author of 41 novels, Deborah Chester has written Regency romances, historical romances, young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. She is a tenured professor of professional writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches novel and short story writing.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 21, 2019
An OK read.
September 24, 2020
The Chalice Specific Review: The final nail in the coffin of this series was this final book. First it just through together the two "main characters" of the series in a random encounter that didn't feel deserved. Then it tried to create a layered attraction and romance development through but failed to make me believe. It also continued to force the "love" story that was the main motivation of Dane. Finally, in this book Dane encountered real hardship but that didn't seem to phase him or change him as a person. He overcame these challenges not by his own merits but plotarmor items. Also the only thing I felt that series had done particularly well, developing the rivalry between Dane and Gavril, was fully squandered in this book. The book also ended in a rushed final confrontation between the two opposing sides that was rushed, not developed well, and felt resolved mainly because it had to be not that it deserved to be
The Sword , The Ring, The Chalice Review: This series felt like a bit of a wasted read. There was no pay off in the end. The "love story" that made up much of the motivation for Dain was so underdeveloped, felt ham-fisted, and failed to make me believe in it. Even if the point of this love story was to make the reader hate it, while successful, it didn't write it in a redeeming way. Also there was such promise for a magical and mythology side of this series that was just abandoned quickly in the beginning and barely used throughout. For a supposed fantasy book it was more just a realistic middle ages style with little weight or attention given to its, I'll admit, interesting magic and fantasy side. In addition, as a Dain character Dain felt very passive, all his successes were handed to him via plot and never felt like he earned it. Dain himself had little to no character development. Even when the magic came into play it was more an ex machina style last minute undeserved save. As the main artifacts of the books, from which they get their names, were not major players in the series. They got very little attention and were not used to the extent that could have made them great. Even the "grand finale" of the series felt like it was written as an after thought, was rushed, and didn't make me feel any sense of closer. The only thing I think it did well was creating a character that was meant to be hated in Gavril. But even Gavril's characters ultimate end felt flawed; the series spent a lot of time articulating the rivalry between Gavril and Dain but in the end it came to little of import. I picked up this series knowing it may be just a generic fantasy world but when I put it down I was still very disappointed
The Sword , The Ring, The Chalice Review: This series felt like a bit of a wasted read. There was no pay off in the end. The "love story" that made up much of the motivation for Dain was so underdeveloped, felt ham-fisted, and failed to make me believe in it. Even if the point of this love story was to make the reader hate it, while successful, it didn't write it in a redeeming way. Also there was such promise for a magical and mythology side of this series that was just abandoned quickly in the beginning and barely used throughout. For a supposed fantasy book it was more just a realistic middle ages style with little weight or attention given to its, I'll admit, interesting magic and fantasy side. In addition, as a Dain character Dain felt very passive, all his successes were handed to him via plot and never felt like he earned it. Dain himself had little to no character development. Even when the magic came into play it was more an ex machina style last minute undeserved save. As the main artifacts of the books, from which they get their names, were not major players in the series. They got very little attention and were not used to the extent that could have made them great. Even the "grand finale" of the series felt like it was written as an after thought, was rushed, and didn't make me feel any sense of closer. The only thing I think it did well was creating a character that was meant to be hated in Gavril. But even Gavril's characters ultimate end felt flawed; the series spent a lot of time articulating the rivalry between Gavril and Dain but in the end it came to little of import. I picked up this series knowing it may be just a generic fantasy world but when I put it down I was still very disappointed
March 29, 2018
Prima afsluitend derde deel van de serie: Het zwaard, de ring & de bokaal. Dain gaat verder met zijn avontuur en alles komt natuurlijk goed. Het enige wat er voor zorgt dat het geen 8 wordt maar een 7 (Hier een 6) is het grote aantal gevechten. Bladzijden lang, van het een naar het andere strijdtoneel. Verder prettig lezen.
November 28, 2016
This is one of those books that didn't quite stand the test of time since I last read it. I still like certain characters like Dain and Thum, but I think one of the problems with this book for me was that I found both Alexeika and Pheresa, the two female lead characters very irritating. While I maintain that Pheresa isn't "that bad" of a female character (she does actual aspirations and ambitions). She rests mostly on being pretty for this novel. Alexeika, on the other hand, is pretty bad ass, but fits into the generic tomboy princess character. Plus she makes a lot of decisions that don't quite make sense. Still, the story itself was interesting, even if the ending is a bit wrapped up in a hurry.
September 5, 2020
The first book was really, really good. As the series progressed it became more of a letdown.
In this book particularly it seemed like everything happened at once and that the author needlessly added more circles inside of circles rather than giving each of the current threads it's own completion.
For example, Gavril was extremely important during the first two books, and up until 2/3's of the way through this book, he was very important, and then he just went crazy. There was no time explaining his going crazy or even mentioning that what the King had done to him. Not all characters get good ends in stories or are redeemable, but this one just went from super important to absolutely nothing.
Lady Pheresa's arc did not make sense. The way the poison worked never seemed to have a rule or rhyme. Sometimes she was almost dying and nothing could save her, she had to have so many people casting spells on her, to a single potion once a day is fine. Everything about it and she was boring.
The arc that I hated the most and the one that almost made me put it away unfinished was Alexieka. She started out really strong, someone you could get behind, someone with depth and maturity. A female character that was doing something. Then in this book, it just went to hell. She met Dain and then that was it for her being a good character. She became a love interest with nothing of interest to offer. Everything she did after that point was out of love of him and not anything else.
This was an aspect that everyone knew was coming from the start but the author could have actually worked on it and made it decent. Dain mostly treated her badly and refused to listen to her and then he loved her.
When I started writing this review the book had 3 stars but the more time I actually thought about the book the more it dropped.
I would not recommend this book series to anyone, mostly because of the way Alexieka was treated by the author.
In this book particularly it seemed like everything happened at once and that the author needlessly added more circles inside of circles rather than giving each of the current threads it's own completion.
For example, Gavril was extremely important during the first two books, and up until 2/3's of the way through this book, he was very important, and then he just went crazy. There was no time explaining his going crazy or even mentioning that what the King had done to him. Not all characters get good ends in stories or are redeemable, but this one just went from super important to absolutely nothing.
Lady Pheresa's arc did not make sense. The way the poison worked never seemed to have a rule or rhyme. Sometimes she was almost dying and nothing could save her, she had to have so many people casting spells on her, to a single potion once a day is fine. Everything about it and she was boring.
The arc that I hated the most and the one that almost made me put it away unfinished was Alexieka. She started out really strong, someone you could get behind, someone with depth and maturity. A female character that was doing something. Then in this book, it just went to hell. She met Dain and then that was it for her being a good character. She became a love interest with nothing of interest to offer. Everything she did after that point was out of love of him and not anything else.
This was an aspect that everyone knew was coming from the start but the author could have actually worked on it and made it decent. Dain mostly treated her badly and refused to listen to her and then he loved her.
When I started writing this review the book had 3 stars but the more time I actually thought about the book the more it dropped.
I would not recommend this book series to anyone, mostly because of the way Alexieka was treated by the author.
January 26, 2022
I enjoyed the last book in this series even though I was unable to obtain the second book, The Ring.
Both Dain and Prince Gavril, Dain's hated rival, travel with their entourage of priests and soldiers on a quest to find the Chalice of Eternal Life that can heal Princess Pheresa from the poison that was meant for Dain. Dain's quest for the Chalice is thwarted by the fact that Sulein, a physician from Thirst where Dain was trained, is in possession of the Ring of Solder that can lead Dain to the Chalice. Sulein keeps the ring in the hope of a great position in Dain's court should he finally claim his throne.
Dain instead, hopes to find the eld-folk who may be able to give Dain a cure. He has no memory of where his father hid the Chalice but Gavril and his priest Noncrire insist that he must know and go to deadly ends to try and force the knowledge out of him.
Escaping Gavril, Dain continues his quest for the eld-folk with his trusted companions and meets up with Alexeika, the daughter of General Volvn, who is now a rebel leader against the ursuper King Muncel.
She joins his quest and challenges him at every turn, including his devotion to Pheresa. The forces of darkeness in Gant, lead by King Muncel and the magemons he employs, weave a web to trap Gavril and Dain, whose soul they wish to steal so that he can be used by them.
The quest to save Pheresa at times overshadows Dain's responsibility to claim his throne and free his people from Muncel's rule. When it seems he will never find a way to cure Pheresa or obtain the Chalice, a turn of events leads Dain to turn to war and invade Gant where a deception is revealed and the hope of finding the Chalice is once again in reach.
Both Dain and Prince Gavril, Dain's hated rival, travel with their entourage of priests and soldiers on a quest to find the Chalice of Eternal Life that can heal Princess Pheresa from the poison that was meant for Dain. Dain's quest for the Chalice is thwarted by the fact that Sulein, a physician from Thirst where Dain was trained, is in possession of the Ring of Solder that can lead Dain to the Chalice. Sulein keeps the ring in the hope of a great position in Dain's court should he finally claim his throne.
Dain instead, hopes to find the eld-folk who may be able to give Dain a cure. He has no memory of where his father hid the Chalice but Gavril and his priest Noncrire insist that he must know and go to deadly ends to try and force the knowledge out of him.
Escaping Gavril, Dain continues his quest for the eld-folk with his trusted companions and meets up with Alexeika, the daughter of General Volvn, who is now a rebel leader against the ursuper King Muncel.
She joins his quest and challenges him at every turn, including his devotion to Pheresa. The forces of darkeness in Gant, lead by King Muncel and the magemons he employs, weave a web to trap Gavril and Dain, whose soul they wish to steal so that he can be used by them.
The quest to save Pheresa at times overshadows Dain's responsibility to claim his throne and free his people from Muncel's rule. When it seems he will never find a way to cure Pheresa or obtain the Chalice, a turn of events leads Dain to turn to war and invade Gant where a deception is revealed and the hope of finding the Chalice is once again in reach.
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March 5, 2020Deze serie begon best leuk. Ik vond de wereld wel leuk, evenals de wezens die er geïntroduceerd werden. Gaandeweg vond ik echter dat de reeks wat minder begon te worden.
Het hoofdpersonage kan erg koppig zijn. Ook al heeft hij niet altijd gelijk maar denkt meestal dat dat wel zo is en wil daarom nog wel eens goede raad van anderen in de wind slaan, hoe voorzichtig en goedbedoeld eventuele kritiek ook gebracht wordt. Ik begon het hierdoor wat moeilijk te vinden om mee te leven met het hoofdpersonage. Ook vind ik hem soms wat wisselend in wat hij wil. Soms zegt iedereen dat het ene belangrijk is en wil hij het andere. Ik had soms het gevoel dat hij zich pas op een taak stortte als er al iets anders was dat (in mijn ogen) meer voorrang had.
Ook is er een meisje dat een demon-vrouw genoemd wordt, alleen omdat ze een broek draagt en met een zwaard om kan gaan. Het personage op zich vond ik wel leuk, maar de kijk van andere (meestal mannelijke) personages vond ik niet helemaal terecht en ook niet echt een doel dienen.
Dus al met al vond ik het geen verkeerde trilogie om te lezen, maar het had beter gekund.
Het hoofdpersonage kan erg koppig zijn. Ook al heeft hij niet altijd gelijk maar denkt meestal dat dat wel zo is en wil daarom nog wel eens goede raad van anderen in de wind slaan, hoe voorzichtig en goedbedoeld eventuele kritiek ook gebracht wordt. Ik begon het hierdoor wat moeilijk te vinden om mee te leven met het hoofdpersonage. Ook vind ik hem soms wat wisselend in wat hij wil. Soms zegt iedereen dat het ene belangrijk is en wil hij het andere. Ik had soms het gevoel dat hij zich pas op een taak stortte als er al iets anders was dat (in mijn ogen) meer voorrang had.
Ook is er een meisje dat een demon-vrouw genoemd wordt, alleen omdat ze een broek draagt en met een zwaard om kan gaan. Het personage op zich vond ik wel leuk, maar de kijk van andere (meestal mannelijke) personages vond ik niet helemaal terecht en ook niet echt een doel dienen.
Dus al met al vond ik het geen verkeerde trilogie om te lezen, maar het had beter gekund.
June 25, 2018
I have loved every book in this series. Is it a bit formulaic? It may well be for those who wich to nitpick about these things.
I found all three books gripping and almost impossible to put down. Loaded with mystery, suspense, betrayal and a whole number of cheer-worthy moments, the series felt like a welcom slice of old-time fantasy.
I found all three books gripping and almost impossible to put down. Loaded with mystery, suspense, betrayal and a whole number of cheer-worthy moments, the series felt like a welcom slice of old-time fantasy.
June 17, 2017
She's SO hard to read. Jumps around. Never satisfies with understanding of allusions. Some wacky grammar. Nice fantastic touches, though. The beeeeees!
December 5, 2017
Great ending to a great trilogy. Truly worth a reader's time.
December 4, 2018
One of the best fantasy trilogies I've read in the last few years. Only difficulty was getting last the names at first.
October 23, 2021
Quite the whirlwind adventure crammed into the final book of the series. All ended as I'd figured they would, though I would have enjoyed an epilogue.
August 1, 2022
A fit ending to the series. The series had a hate-able antagonist and good supporting players, but a weak protagonist.
The series was ojay.
The series was ojay.
October 20, 2022
Liked it more than the second book, because I always enjoyed Alexieka's pov chapters the most.
April 24, 2023
I have enjoyed this series, but the last book did feel a little rushed in the end to wrap everything up.
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October 23, 2025As the final confrontation with the darkness approaches, two mortal enemies will search for the key to life itself.
November 3, 2016
I have to say, I am disappointed with the way this trilogy was ended. I read the first book in the trilogy a long time ago and was excited to finally finish it these many years later. However, this third book filled me with extreme disappointment.
The motivations of the characters and their actions made no sense in this the third book. I grew to intensely dislike the Dain we were introduced to in the first book. His rapid transformation from a practical serf was not believable, especially in the time frame in which it happened, which if I am not mistaken is about a year. All of a sudden, he can speak fluent Mandrian like a noble, can act like a noble and intrigue with the best of them.
His actions make no sense also, i was not quite sure of what he was trying to do. Was he going to get the chalice or not? The way he was made to vacillate between both decisions was not believable. His sudden love for Princess Alexeika in the last two pages of the book came out of nowhere. However all that can be forgiven, however the treatment of Gavril was not sensible.
Gavril's actions were also not well thought out. This was the only heir to the kingdom of a major power, yet he is made to act like an ill-mannered peasant. I know the author meant to portray Gavril in a negative light, the evil foil to Dain's goodness, however, I did nto find it belivable that the only prince of a realm, no matter how evil would act so rudely and without any manners at all to everybody. At the end of the book, the only impression I had of Gavril was that he was always shouting, in all situations and did not display the intelligence that everybody else apparently saw in him and admired him for. I think the story would have been much better with the competent or at least devious foil to Dain. Gavril in the original book was built up to be that, but that potential was wasted in the other books.
A good example of that is when he and cardinal nonicure attacked Dain in his own hold. I refuse to believe that somebody apparently as intelligent and devious as cardinal Nonicure would agree to that, because it seems to me that the risk was much greater than the reward in that case. Why did they not wait until they were on the road?
The Princess Alexeika's actions also did not make sense. it just seems like she kept the ring till the last minute because the author needed the ring to not be available to Dain until that time, so he could appear i battle when he did with the Chalice and Mirengard etc etc. The explanation given for why she kept the ring did not make sense. Out of jealousy? that I believe was just a cop out.
There are many plot holes in the book and many questions left unanswered. Why is Dain's eld magic different from that of the other eld? How exactly, based on the magic system created in that world was the king able to pass on his weapon and armour to Dain? How was he even able to appear to Dain all the times he did and why then? why not earlier in their life? Why can't nonkind cross running water?
When reading this trilogy, I knew it was formulaic. The son of a king treacherously taken by his evil brother, a single article proclaiming his royalty, has to struggle all his life until his lineage is discoevered and he suddenly finds kingly behavior within himself, has some strange and unique power, goes forth and is victorious. It is extremely formulaic, it was enjoyeable, but I think it would have been even better if some more care was given to characterizations and making sure that the world is consistent within the rules of magic that bind it.
The motivations of the characters and their actions made no sense in this the third book. I grew to intensely dislike the Dain we were introduced to in the first book. His rapid transformation from a practical serf was not believable, especially in the time frame in which it happened, which if I am not mistaken is about a year. All of a sudden, he can speak fluent Mandrian like a noble, can act like a noble and intrigue with the best of them.
His actions make no sense also, i was not quite sure of what he was trying to do. Was he going to get the chalice or not? The way he was made to vacillate between both decisions was not believable. His sudden love for Princess Alexeika in the last two pages of the book came out of nowhere. However all that can be forgiven, however the treatment of Gavril was not sensible.
Gavril's actions were also not well thought out. This was the only heir to the kingdom of a major power, yet he is made to act like an ill-mannered peasant. I know the author meant to portray Gavril in a negative light, the evil foil to Dain's goodness, however, I did nto find it belivable that the only prince of a realm, no matter how evil would act so rudely and without any manners at all to everybody. At the end of the book, the only impression I had of Gavril was that he was always shouting, in all situations and did not display the intelligence that everybody else apparently saw in him and admired him for. I think the story would have been much better with the competent or at least devious foil to Dain. Gavril in the original book was built up to be that, but that potential was wasted in the other books.
A good example of that is when he and cardinal nonicure attacked Dain in his own hold. I refuse to believe that somebody apparently as intelligent and devious as cardinal Nonicure would agree to that, because it seems to me that the risk was much greater than the reward in that case. Why did they not wait until they were on the road?
The Princess Alexeika's actions also did not make sense. it just seems like she kept the ring till the last minute because the author needed the ring to not be available to Dain until that time, so he could appear i battle when he did with the Chalice and Mirengard etc etc. The explanation given for why she kept the ring did not make sense. Out of jealousy? that I believe was just a cop out.
There are many plot holes in the book and many questions left unanswered. Why is Dain's eld magic different from that of the other eld? How exactly, based on the magic system created in that world was the king able to pass on his weapon and armour to Dain? How was he even able to appear to Dain all the times he did and why then? why not earlier in their life? Why can't nonkind cross running water?
When reading this trilogy, I knew it was formulaic. The son of a king treacherously taken by his evil brother, a single article proclaiming his royalty, has to struggle all his life until his lineage is discoevered and he suddenly finds kingly behavior within himself, has some strange and unique power, goes forth and is victorious. It is extremely formulaic, it was enjoyeable, but I think it would have been even better if some more care was given to characterizations and making sure that the world is consistent within the rules of magic that bind it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2010
I finally finished this last installment to the trilogy on the plane home from St. Louis today. My best friend LOVES this series...in fact when I didn't get the first one (The Sword) back to her in a timely manner (seems to be a trend with this trilogy...I didn't get the second one back to whom I borrowed it from for 4!! years) bought a new copy. I myself thought the trilogy was eh. The first book was good, though it started slow. The second (The Ring) was my favorite, and when I finally got to it, it read pretty quickly.
This one started off good, and then....dragged. For the last hundred pages or so I had to force myself to finish. I should have cared when good characters I liked died, but I just kept plodding on. The evil characters get what is due them, sort of. It just is not a good set of books in my opinion.
This one started off good, and then....dragged. For the last hundred pages or so I had to force myself to finish. I should have cared when good characters I liked died, but I just kept plodding on. The evil characters get what is due them, sort of. It just is not a good set of books in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2012
I liked this book, but unfortunately the sequel does not keep up with the first volume. I liked the boy's adventures and even if the story doesn't stand out for its originality, I found it quite enjoyable: the lost prince, the lost heritage, the quest for the magical talisman... if not new, they were at least decently developed. The characters also seemed quite interesting... but in the following two volumes the main character loses all depth: as long as he was a commoner he was 'true', but as soon as he discovers his true identity he suddenly IS a prince. There is no struggle, no hesitation, no CHANGING, one day he is a foundling and the next he is an arrogant noble. Bah. I would suggest Miss Chester to read TheBoneDollsTwin (by Flewelling), just in order to see how a believable -and wonderful- character is developed.
February 3, 2010
I was really disappointed in this. It felt like it wasn't moving. And since this was the last book of the triology I was expecting a lot more take control kind of action. But instead the main character went from being captured, to escaping to being captured again. It was so frustrating and rather boring. There was a lot of stuff that needed to be done in this book, since The Ring (book #2) didn't do anything. So this book just dragged on and on not accomplishing anything until the last 30 pages, and then it was just quickly fixed and tied into a nice little bundle.
July 12, 2013
Ho-hum....each book got progressively worse. The first one "The Sword" wasn't too bad I actually enjoyed it. The second had its moments but the way this one just finished and tied everything up....good lord. And the heroine the Alexeika makes such a damning decision that costs lives there is NO WAY anyone in their right mind would forgive her in the whole 10 pages it happens. Give me a break. This series was reccomended and after finishing it I'm very dissapointed. I'll be scratching anything by Chester of any list in the future.
September 20, 2013
Again the third volume started out just fine, not great, not bad, just solidly decent. Then when I was getting close to the end I realized I still had no idea how this was going to reasonably wrap up in the remaining pages left in the book. the all of a sudden it was over and wrapped up. I felt the ending was rushed and rather disappointing, and was a complete let down from where the rest of the story had been. What could have been very good, became just OK. (see reviews for The Sword and The Ring).
June 16, 2007
The Chalice really made up for The Ring and then some. The ending was rather predictable but it didn't take away from the excitement at all which I thought was very artfully done. Prince Gaebril's story was sad but it was deserved I think and the last two pages were very corny and dumb but in a pleasing way. Dain was cool.
May 5, 2007
This was an amazing end to the trilogy. I couldn't put it down and was almost late getting back to work a couple of times. If you like fantasy I recommend this trilogy.
January 2, 2011
Final book of the trilogy and ended up very nicely.Enjoyed the whole trilogy.
October 18, 2010
I loved this series! I haven't had a fantasy series hook me like this since Dragonlance. The world building was excellent but so was the character development, which isn't an easy balance to strike!
October 3, 2011
I have never been one for fantasy fiction but the trilogy really hooked me in.
September 2, 2012
Read this after part 2, couldn't wait to read it!! finished in a day...
April 19, 2013
A good sequel. Some aren't, but this one was neither less well written nor predictable.
August 11, 2017
The same as book one and two, just perfect!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews