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Finest Trilogy #2
The Finest Choice
They were the Finest Creations--mystically forged creatures of perfection sent by the creators to aid the Fallen (mankind) during their mortal existence.
Though they resemble ordinary horses they are highly intelligent, capable of communicating telepathically and completely moral. They are assigned to bond with individuals of great potential and then protect them from harm while guiding them along a path of virtue.
Gallant-Stallion has found his charge, a young girl by the name of Kalantha, whose brother is soon to be king and the pawn of a deceitful and murderous bishop who covets the royal power and has allied himself with creatures of the dark arts. The Finest has successfully removed her from his influence but now must contend with the other temptations of the world--the lure of power, the mystery of learning and knowledge, and the intrigue and freedom of adventure and independence.
Kalantha is still young and bitter over her lot in life, betrayed, envious, and scared, and her mentor Gallant-Stallion is unsure of how to lead her as is his duty as her Finest.
The Finest series combines elements of Misty Lackey's Valdemarr series with C.S.Lewis's Narnia for an inspiring tale of mystical intrigue and the crucible of morality for mankind.
Though they resemble ordinary horses they are highly intelligent, capable of communicating telepathically and completely moral. They are assigned to bond with individuals of great potential and then protect them from harm while guiding them along a path of virtue.
Gallant-Stallion has found his charge, a young girl by the name of Kalantha, whose brother is soon to be king and the pawn of a deceitful and murderous bishop who covets the royal power and has allied himself with creatures of the dark arts. The Finest has successfully removed her from his influence but now must contend with the other temptations of the world--the lure of power, the mystery of learning and knowledge, and the intrigue and freedom of adventure and independence.
Kalantha is still young and bitter over her lot in life, betrayed, envious, and scared, and her mentor Gallant-Stallion is unsure of how to lead her as is his duty as her Finest.
The Finest series combines elements of Misty Lackey's Valdemarr series with C.S.Lewis's Narnia for an inspiring tale of mystical intrigue and the crucible of morality for mankind.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
5 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Jean Rabe
221 books157 followersWhen I am not writing, I toss tennis balls to my cadre of dogs. My house is filled with books and dogs, you can smell both when you walk in the front door. It's a good smell.
I have 36 published novels and am currently writing in the mystery genre. My latest mystery, The Dead of Winter, was a finalist for the Claymore Award and is the first in the Piper Blackwell series.
I live in a tiny town in the middle of Illinois that has a Dollar General, a pizza place with exceedingly slow service, a veterinarian (good thing, eh?), and train tracks...lots of train tracks.
I have 36 published novels and am currently writing in the mystery genre. My latest mystery, The Dead of Winter, was a finalist for the Claymore Award and is the first in the Piper Blackwell series.
I live in a tiny town in the middle of Illinois that has a Dollar General, a pizza place with exceedingly slow service, a veterinarian (good thing, eh?), and train tracks...lots of train tracks.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 1, 2019
Kalantha has run away from her brother Meven and the bishop yet again. She isn’t aware of it, but this act of defiance has managed to save her life. Had she done as was expected of her, she would never have arrived at the religious settlement to which she was being sent.
The bishop needs her dead if he is to retain control of her brother’s rule. Meven has unknowingly been controlled by the bishop and used as a pawn in his evil schemes for a long time, with the bishop working from behind the scenes to rule the country as he sees fit.
Kal has never been one to do simply as she has been told, and having had a taste of freedom, even though things have not been easy, she cannot simply roll over and give in. She feels a need to find out who has sent the assassin birds after her and why, and though finding such information is not easy, she keeps looking. Can she find her answers before they find her? And what will happen when she learns the truth of who is behind all the hardships and killing that has been stalking her family before it is too late?
I very much enjoyed reading this story, though I do wish it had gone through another round or two of editing before publication. Although the story was amazing, there were more typos than I am used to seeing in this author’s books.
I am planning on continuing to read this series as I really want to know how it will end. There are plots within plots in this story and I am very interested in seeing how it will all come together in the end.
The bishop needs her dead if he is to retain control of her brother’s rule. Meven has unknowingly been controlled by the bishop and used as a pawn in his evil schemes for a long time, with the bishop working from behind the scenes to rule the country as he sees fit.
Kal has never been one to do simply as she has been told, and having had a taste of freedom, even though things have not been easy, she cannot simply roll over and give in. She feels a need to find out who has sent the assassin birds after her and why, and though finding such information is not easy, she keeps looking. Can she find her answers before they find her? And what will happen when she learns the truth of who is behind all the hardships and killing that has been stalking her family before it is too late?
I very much enjoyed reading this story, though I do wish it had gone through another round or two of editing before publication. Although the story was amazing, there were more typos than I am used to seeing in this author’s books.
I am planning on continuing to read this series as I really want to know how it will end. There are plots within plots in this story and I am very interested in seeing how it will all come together in the end.
October 15, 2016
Still not as good a series as I want it to be. I have a hard time believing that Kalantha, Meven, and Rue still haven't put together the truth about the Bishop. I don't understand why Rue has to be called "ugly" so often. Isn't there beauty in every living form?
did-not-finish
May 20, 2010I just grew bored with the story.
September 19, 2011
The second in the series. I enjoyed the first story and the second story did not disappoint me. These are great books for youth.
September 19, 2012
Second in the series, got a bit tired of the frantic, whiny ditziness of the girl, but overall a good read.
October 12, 2016
Good book, good read, and fun character with nicely snarky commentary.
November 10, 2016
Great concept. Fast read. Potential to be better in terms of plot and writing style.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews