The Finest Challenge

Finest Trilogy #3

by Jean Rabe

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 to protect them from harm while guiding them along a path of virtue.

THE FINEST CHALLENGE

Kalantha has successfully rescued her brother from the shadow of the evil bishop's bellicose influence, but now finds herself cut off from both him and her Finest protector, Gallant Stallion. All three must race against the clock to curtail the unnecessary war that the Bishop's minions have engineered. And, still lurking in the shadows and prowling the night skies is the avian menace whose dreams of a carrion-strewn countryside can still come through if their equine nemesis is neutralized.

The Finest series combines elements of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series with C.S. Lewis's Narnia to tell an inspiring tale of moral and mystical intrigue.

Genres: Fantasy

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

When 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.

Reviews

[Katinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this, the third book in the Finest trilogy, Kalantha has made her way back to the Palace and been reunited with her brother. She has learned much about the evil assassin birds who have attacked them repeatedly and brought him a book that explains much of what was previously unknown to them. Meven has realized that he was manipulated into starting the war, and that it is up to him to find a way to end it.

But Bishop DeNogaret is not yet done with his scheming and his plans to take control of the world. His minions are still actively working to see that he wins in the end. Can Kalantha & Meven manage to find a way to stop them and return peace to the lands?

Of the three books in this trilogy, I believe this one to be my favorite. Not only was it well written and well edited (many of the typos I noticed in the first two books were not present in this one.) Had I not needed to put the book down to sleep at night, I likely would have just read it straight through to the end.

The characters in this book were very interesting as well. While Meven was often oblivious to much of the way the world worked and treated people, his sister Kalantha was often forced by circumstance to see the things he never noticed. She saw how people in different areas of town treated those around them, or how the women were often assigned more and harder tasks to complete than the boys who were given much more freedom in their daily lives.

And while I won’t spoil the ending for you, I enjoyed the manner in which the author wrapped everything up and closed the story. For me it was a very satisfying ending to a very interesting series. Recommended.

[David Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

A good read.
Should continue. Would like to have more of Kal land the vicious birds. Hoping the birds fail.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I finished the series, but I found it an underwhelming conclusion. The way the Bishop met his end seemed too convenient, as did Kalantha's idea for governing the country. I found myself a bit surprised to learn of the provenance of Meven's noriker, though in hindsight the explanation was clever. Overall, this series was just so-so, and while the end of the third novel left a clear transition into another book, if it ever appears I don't plan to read it.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Continues the story of Kalantha and her Finest protector. Wonderful story of good vs evil. Good sacrificing to help others fight the "good fight".

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a non-ending ending. The author could very easily do another series. Overall, good read, less whiny then the 2nd book, though it still felt very frantic reading it.

[Starsreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good conclusion to the series.

[Allison Snodgrass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an easy read and a predictable conclusion. It was a pleasant read but not the best conclusion to the series.