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Relic Master #3
The Hidden Coronet
The third installment in the Relic Master quartet!
The coronet, a potent ancient relic, might be the only way to defeat the power that is destroying Anara. But it has been lost for centuries, and only legend tells of its whereabouts. Will Galen and Raffi be able to find it before the Watch does?
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The coronet, a potent ancient relic, might be the only way to defeat the power that is destroying Anara. But it has been lost for centuries, and only legend tells of its whereabouts. Will Galen and Raffi be able to find it before the Watch does?
Watch a Video
414 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2000
15 people are currently reading
915 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Fisher
65 books1,608 followersCatherine Fisher was born in Newport, Wales. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and a fascination for myth and history. She has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 10, 2012
Volume 3 is a return to form after the redundant volume 2 of this series. There are revelations about the Sekoi, the mysterious aboriginal cat-like people of the planet, Anara. The plot goes to some unexpected places and, unlike the previous volume, the quest makes sense.
Two of the protagonists seem to develop; Carys and the Sekoi. The Keeper and his scholar seem much the same as when we first met them at least in terms of character.
There are various mutant/genetically modified creatures on Anara; one of them lives in water and is called an Avanc. This is an Anglicisation of the Welsh, Afanc, a mythical monster. There's a great sculpture of one outside the Betws y Coed Tourist Information Centre. Go look if you're ever there. (It's a picturesque village in North Wales.) The girl protagonist also has a Welsh name; Carys. So I think Fisher wanted to sneak some Welsh culture to Anara. Maybe one of the Makers was Welsh, or a group of the colonists?
The Galen/The Crow is interesting in the context of some of Fisher's later works. He's pretty unpleasant and deeply flawed, despite being driven towards goals that are good and unselfish. In Corbenic and Crown Of Acorns the main protagonists are similar but less sympathetic Galen. That trend started here I think. These flawed characters seem very realistic but limited sympathy for the protagonists weakens those books. So weirdly Fisher has got better and worse in the last decade or so.
Two of the protagonists seem to develop; Carys and the Sekoi. The Keeper and his scholar seem much the same as when we first met them at least in terms of character.
There are various mutant/genetically modified creatures on Anara; one of them lives in water and is called an Avanc. This is an Anglicisation of the Welsh, Afanc, a mythical monster. There's a great sculpture of one outside the Betws y Coed Tourist Information Centre. Go look if you're ever there. (It's a picturesque village in North Wales.) The girl protagonist also has a Welsh name; Carys. So I think Fisher wanted to sneak some Welsh culture to Anara. Maybe one of the Makers was Welsh, or a group of the colonists?
The Galen/The Crow is interesting in the context of some of Fisher's later works. He's pretty unpleasant and deeply flawed, despite being driven towards goals that are good and unselfish. In Corbenic and Crown Of Acorns the main protagonists are similar but less sympathetic Galen. That trend started here I think. These flawed characters seem very realistic but limited sympathy for the protagonists weakens those books. So weirdly Fisher has got better and worse in the last decade or so.
August 17, 2011
(Originally posted @ CSI:Librarian.)
Like both The Dark City and The Lost Heiress, The Hidden Coronet was fantastic. From beginning to end, I was engaged, concerned, and so pleased by everything that happened.
The Hidden Coronet was the most event-filled installment so far, but it never felt overwhelmed or bogged down. Instead there is just one awesome moment after another and from a larger range of view points at a more rapid pace. I cannot settle on a favorite part, but I especially loved the Frost Fair, the way the keepers spoke to the forest to create a path, the Canticle of Flain, all the little details about Kest, all the snippets of various fairy tales, and Carys' experience in Theriss.
The world-building maintained the same level of excellence I'd come to expect from the Relic Master series, and the introduction of new characters as well as the way they were utilized was very, very cool. And the darkness that's been growing steadily began to really rear its ugly head, and I just loved the way Galen, Raffi, Carys, the Sekoi, and all the others have started to deal with it. And I cannot wait to see more of them trying to take on the Margrave.
In conclusion, completely awesome. If you aren't reading this series, you are really missing out. Fisher is a remarkable writer, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the last book, The Margrave.
Like both The Dark City and The Lost Heiress, The Hidden Coronet was fantastic. From beginning to end, I was engaged, concerned, and so pleased by everything that happened.
The Hidden Coronet was the most event-filled installment so far, but it never felt overwhelmed or bogged down. Instead there is just one awesome moment after another and from a larger range of view points at a more rapid pace. I cannot settle on a favorite part, but I especially loved the Frost Fair, the way the keepers spoke to the forest to create a path, the Canticle of Flain, all the little details about Kest, all the snippets of various fairy tales, and Carys' experience in Theriss.
The world-building maintained the same level of excellence I'd come to expect from the Relic Master series, and the introduction of new characters as well as the way they were utilized was very, very cool. And the darkness that's been growing steadily began to really rear its ugly head, and I just loved the way Galen, Raffi, Carys, the Sekoi, and all the others have started to deal with it. And I cannot wait to see more of them trying to take on the Margrave.
In conclusion, completely awesome. If you aren't reading this series, you are really missing out. Fisher is a remarkable writer, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the last book, The Margrave.
December 16, 2015
The world of Anara is starting to crumble all around our heroes. And there’s not much they can do to stop it. Except, maybe one thing. Find the ancient coronet of the Maker Flain. It is something which our keeper don’t even have the least bit idea where to find. But they must, for the fate of Anara. And they must find it before the Watch and the Margrave, Kest’s most dangerous creation, finds it first.
Plot
In The Lost Coronet the gang is trying to find the coronet of Flain because, basically, Anara is beginning to fall apart because of the spread of the Unfinished Lands and Kest’s creatures. This book is more of a setup book for the finale than anything else. So it’s not the most engaging.
Writing
The writing is still good. Once again, we are subject to a slow start. I’ve seen other reviewers mention that the first half of the books are slow to them too. I’ve got no trouble reading past it, but it takes longer to read the slow first half than the more interesting second half.
Characters
I’m honestly confused whether or not I was supposed to feel sad by [name withheld]’s death. I wasn’t, and I hope I wasn’t supposed to, or that means Fisher did a bad job making me feel apathetic to that character. Besides that, I liked the rest of the characters, the exception being Raffi, still. I don’t know why, but Raffi isn’t a protagonist that really stands out to me. He hasn’t made any buffoon-ish mistakes this time around, but I don’t give him all that much credit. I don’t hate the boy, but I don’t really like him either.
I still love, love, love Carys! She is such a great character. I would have liked her as the protagonist instead. She’s everything that Raffi should be. Galen didn’t get as much attention as he did in The Lost Heiress, which saddens me. I like the focus being on Galen, for pretty much the same reasons as Carys. The Sekoi is a character that I just become more interested in. I hope nothing bad happens to it.
Things I Liked
I’m starting to get a hang of the world of Anara. There are concepts that I have a better grasp of now, three books in to a four part series. Better late than never. That aside, I think Anara is a very fascinating world. If Fisher had another series set in it, I honestly think I’d read it.
Things I Didn't Like
I suppose I didn’t really like the insinuation that Raffi had this sort of untapped potential that he has literally never shown. I think Fisher believes she’s created a much more proactive protagonist but for the most part all he does is fumble around and get saved by Carys and Galen.
Also, there are still things that aren’t being explained. For example, characters make what are called “signs” with their hands, but it’s never described what it physically looks like. Also, I’m still confused about the Makers. The words “Makers” and “God” are used interchangeable. Who’s God? And what is their relation to the Makers? It’s stuff like that which shouldn’t be kept from the readers.
Diversity
Carys. That’s it.
Overall
I liked The Lost Coronet. Like I said earlier, it’s more of a setup book for the big finale, but that doesn’t make it bad. The first half was a bit slow and dull, but the book more or less picked up. It wasn’t as action-packed as The Lost Heiress was, though. I’m hoping for all that didn’t happen in this book will happen in the next one.
Here is a link to my notes.
Plot
In The Lost Coronet the gang is trying to find the coronet of Flain because, basically, Anara is beginning to fall apart because of the spread of the Unfinished Lands and Kest’s creatures. This book is more of a setup book for the finale than anything else. So it’s not the most engaging.
Writing
The writing is still good. Once again, we are subject to a slow start. I’ve seen other reviewers mention that the first half of the books are slow to them too. I’ve got no trouble reading past it, but it takes longer to read the slow first half than the more interesting second half.
Characters
I’m honestly confused whether or not I was supposed to feel sad by [name withheld]’s death. I wasn’t, and I hope I wasn’t supposed to, or that means Fisher did a bad job making me feel apathetic to that character. Besides that, I liked the rest of the characters, the exception being Raffi, still. I don’t know why, but Raffi isn’t a protagonist that really stands out to me. He hasn’t made any buffoon-ish mistakes this time around, but I don’t give him all that much credit. I don’t hate the boy, but I don’t really like him either.
I still love, love, love Carys! She is such a great character. I would have liked her as the protagonist instead. She’s everything that Raffi should be. Galen didn’t get as much attention as he did in The Lost Heiress, which saddens me. I like the focus being on Galen, for pretty much the same reasons as Carys. The Sekoi is a character that I just become more interested in. I hope nothing bad happens to it.
Things I Liked
I’m starting to get a hang of the world of Anara. There are concepts that I have a better grasp of now, three books in to a four part series. Better late than never. That aside, I think Anara is a very fascinating world. If Fisher had another series set in it, I honestly think I’d read it.
Things I Didn't Like
I suppose I didn’t really like the insinuation that Raffi had this sort of untapped potential that he has literally never shown. I think Fisher believes she’s created a much more proactive protagonist but for the most part all he does is fumble around and get saved by Carys and Galen.
Also, there are still things that aren’t being explained. For example, characters make what are called “signs” with their hands, but it’s never described what it physically looks like. Also, I’m still confused about the Makers. The words “Makers” and “God” are used interchangeable. Who’s God? And what is their relation to the Makers? It’s stuff like that which shouldn’t be kept from the readers.
Diversity
Carys. That’s it.
Overall
I liked The Lost Coronet. Like I said earlier, it’s more of a setup book for the big finale, but that doesn’t make it bad. The first half was a bit slow and dull, but the book more or less picked up. It wasn’t as action-packed as The Lost Heiress was, though. I’m hoping for all that didn’t happen in this book will happen in the next one.
Here is a link to my notes.
August 23, 2011
*Sigh* sometimes I wonder why I keep reading these books. The Dark City was decent, The Lost Heiress was okay -and I wasn't falling over myself to get the next book in the series. Well, the library did get the entire Relic Master series in, so it helps that I can read them all for free. Plus, I keep reading reviews and other online comments that say the series gets better as it goes on, so I kept on going.
Book three in the Relic Master series, The Hidden Coronet continues the story of young Raffi and his master Galen. This time, they are questing for a very powerful relic, a coronet that may help save the world.
Yeah, that's pretty much all there is to it. Even though the plot itself is very simple and pretty thin, Hidden Coronet is a quick and easy read that still has the charm and fun of the previous installments. Most importantly, Hidden Coronet is a definite improvement from the previous installment, The Lost Heiress. It has more character development and some more action, as well as greater mystery to it -and was just downright more intriguing.
Overall, I was happy with The Hidden Coronet, more so than The Lost Heiress. I wouldn't say that it's amazing, but it's a fun and enjoyable read.
Book three in the Relic Master series, The Hidden Coronet continues the story of young Raffi and his master Galen. This time, they are questing for a very powerful relic, a coronet that may help save the world.
Yeah, that's pretty much all there is to it. Even though the plot itself is very simple and pretty thin, Hidden Coronet is a quick and easy read that still has the charm and fun of the previous installments. Most importantly, Hidden Coronet is a definite improvement from the previous installment, The Lost Heiress. It has more character development and some more action, as well as greater mystery to it -and was just downright more intriguing.
Overall, I was happy with The Hidden Coronet, more so than The Lost Heiress. I wouldn't say that it's amazing, but it's a fun and enjoyable read.
October 28, 2015
The Hidden Coronet is a fantasy book set on the world of Anara, a fictional identical Earth. It was written be Cathrine Fisher and is one of the best books I have ever read. Learn more about the story behind Carys and how Raffi could be the most important person on Anara. Learn the Sekoi secrets and how the Great Hoard is more important than we could have ever imagined.
July 18, 2015
Another childhood favorite, I loved this book since I was 10 and I just remember it being one of my first adventure genre novels that I read. I totally recommend others to try this series even if it's a little old (>o<).
February 3, 2012
I am done with this series and I will not read the final book. I did not care for the underlying religious theme that became more prominent in book 3. I don't enjoy reading about zealots.
June 1, 2020
Galen and Raffi have found another Keeper. Unfortunately they are going to have to rescue him from the Watch. The weather is going bad. The Margrave is gaining power. Now Galan Discovers they need to find the Coronet, a powerful relic. But someone is spying on them and telling the Watch who is with them and where they are going. Who could the spy be?
This book is even better than the first two. Of course there are still the problems of Raffi and Carys seeming younger than they actually are and Galen being an ornery grumpy butt. Other than that I really like these characters. I am concerned snout their welfare. I don’t want to see them injured or in jail.
I really love this story. I cannot say it enough. I like how we see this world that has clearly lost touch with civilization. It is very interesting how quickly it sank into darkness. How their belief systems were derived from the technology of the original colonizers. As readers we continue to find out more about the makers, each clue gives us a greater understanding both on how far this world has sunk and how technologically advanced the makers were.
I am very curious to see if the makers will actually return during this series or if it will continue to be some far off prophecy.
G- Scary monster. Tornado like storm. Violence between people.
This book is even better than the first two. Of course there are still the problems of Raffi and Carys seeming younger than they actually are and Galen being an ornery grumpy butt. Other than that I really like these characters. I am concerned snout their welfare. I don’t want to see them injured or in jail.
I really love this story. I cannot say it enough. I like how we see this world that has clearly lost touch with civilization. It is very interesting how quickly it sank into darkness. How their belief systems were derived from the technology of the original colonizers. As readers we continue to find out more about the makers, each clue gives us a greater understanding both on how far this world has sunk and how technologically advanced the makers were.
I am very curious to see if the makers will actually return during this series or if it will continue to be some far off prophecy.
G- Scary monster. Tornado like storm. Violence between people.
February 26, 2025
I like this series a lot a lot and this might be my favorite of the 3 Ive read. However, I really can't get a grip on Fisher's writing style and I can't for the life of me picture what is going on visually.
I explain the reasons why I like this series better in my review of the 1st book but I think all the characters are very enjoyable, and Raffi is a dear favorite of mine, but I'm convinced Fisher doesn't like him because he's treated as borderline incompetent or at least feels pushed around by everyone else, when he is presented as the protagonist, and a impactful protagonist shouldn't feel like this. I still really like the plot of this series and I really like Raffi personality wise.
To sum it up, I have some major frustrations with how the author write these books and how Raffi feels diminished when he's a very central character but I still end up really liking this series. I would still read Fisher's other series but probably not for a while.
I explain the reasons why I like this series better in my review of the 1st book but I think all the characters are very enjoyable, and Raffi is a dear favorite of mine, but I'm convinced Fisher doesn't like him because he's treated as borderline incompetent or at least feels pushed around by everyone else, when he is presented as the protagonist, and a impactful protagonist shouldn't feel like this. I still really like the plot of this series and I really like Raffi personality wise.
To sum it up, I have some major frustrations with how the author write these books and how Raffi feels diminished when he's a very central character but I still end up really liking this series. I would still read Fisher's other series but probably not for a while.
July 4, 2018
Friendship. Betrayal. Saving. Destruction. All of this and more happens in this third installment in the series. Raffi, a relic master's apprentice, is getting more of an education than he ever bargained for when he began his training under Galen Harn. They are on a race against time and other forces to save their beloved world. Yes, this is a theme that has gets repeated in this genre but I'm still enjoying this variation.
July 11, 2022
Fisher does a good job continuing the momentum and bringing new elements into the book. I did feel that weaknesses of characterization have diminished my reading pleasure, especially as they are magnified through the series. I think Raffi is not a substantial main character. It feels like other characters are a bigger focal point or impact through the majority of the book
May 13, 2017
This is more three and a half stars. If it were just a fantasy alone, I wouldn't really want to continue reading, but these tiny hints of science fiction are keeping me hooked. Hopefully they're explored more in the next (and final) book.
April 19, 2020
I might not finish the series at this point. It's just so meh. I don't hate the series, contrary to the rating. I won't remember it in a year, by which I mean that I even read it, not just forgetting the fine details; and that's the problem.
December 23, 2024
I enjoyed what I heard. I couldn’t get it to download correctly, probably because the Phx Public Library was near to transitioning away from Overdrive at the time ☹️
I do love the good adventure and the characters.
I do love the good adventure and the characters.
September 29, 2018
Very exciting and interesting, i like it a lot.
May 10, 2022
Another great book in the series!
October 16, 2024
Continuing the quest from Thr Makers. Found the Corinet and moons trajectory restored. Can't wait to read book 4 finale.
March 4, 2021
So good💛
April 23, 2013
This series is the perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy. I really enjoy Catherine Fisher's writing, on the whole. I especially like the way she creates entire complex mythologies for her stories. Even the little snippets of folklore and poems (from the the world of her stories, of course) at the beginning of every chapter are genius! I suspect that she's doing with folklore what Tolkien did with linguistics. It's almost as if she writes a pile of folk tales and then says, "Hey, what if I had a group of people in x, y, or z sort of world who believed they were true?" and then she writes a story about the people who believe in the mythology she created...just like Tolkien invented High-Elven Quenya and then wrote a story about people who spoke it. Crazy-brilliant stuff!
I was a little uncomfortable at first with how the series sort of falls between epic fantasy and post-apocalyptic science fiction (being one of those box-y people who likes labels and likes things to fit in places), but it's actually a really good blend of the best parts of both genres. On the fantasy side, you have your epic quest for relics (magical and technological). There's a prophesy about a lost heir to the throne who must be found. There's a wizard-like person trying to teach his apprentice the ways and magics of their order while they're on the run. There's the search for lost history and magical knowledge, and (haven't read the last book yet, but assuming, given how this book ended and the title of the next and last book) the ultimate battle between good and evil. On the sci-fi side, you've got this futuristic world on a different planet. There's the left-over people from some great apocalypse that crushed their society. There's a small group of those people trying to fix their world before everyone dies (and, of course, a larger group of people trying to stamp them out). There's forbidden technology that no one quite understands how to use, but it's the only hope for saving the planet. The people in the story have to piece together how to solve their problems through what they know from folk tales, ruined control buildings, and bits of technological 'relics' left over from better, more advanced days. The way this story merges the two genres is fantastic.
And, if I may gush for a moment about the characters, I love them all. Especially Raffi! He's definitely one of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy characters of all time. The characters are all brilliantly written and their chemistry is interesting. The main characters are a strange bunch of personalities to be thrown into a quest together, but it works!
I was a little uncomfortable at first with how the series sort of falls between epic fantasy and post-apocalyptic science fiction (being one of those box-y people who likes labels and likes things to fit in places), but it's actually a really good blend of the best parts of both genres. On the fantasy side, you have your epic quest for relics (magical and technological). There's a prophesy about a lost heir to the throne who must be found. There's a wizard-like person trying to teach his apprentice the ways and magics of their order while they're on the run. There's the search for lost history and magical knowledge, and (haven't read the last book yet, but assuming, given how this book ended and the title of the next and last book) the ultimate battle between good and evil. On the sci-fi side, you've got this futuristic world on a different planet. There's the left-over people from some great apocalypse that crushed their society. There's a small group of those people trying to fix their world before everyone dies (and, of course, a larger group of people trying to stamp them out). There's forbidden technology that no one quite understands how to use, but it's the only hope for saving the planet. The people in the story have to piece together how to solve their problems through what they know from folk tales, ruined control buildings, and bits of technological 'relics' left over from better, more advanced days. The way this story merges the two genres is fantastic.
And, if I may gush for a moment about the characters, I love them all. Especially Raffi! He's definitely one of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy characters of all time. The characters are all brilliantly written and their chemistry is interesting. The main characters are a strange bunch of personalities to be thrown into a quest together, but it works!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2013
In this third installment of the Relicmaster series, Raffi and Galen continue to search for relics which could help save their world. As they travel, they again have to evade the Watch, but again and again their faith is renewed as they travel, finding others who believe in the Makers.
Now, there is an oddity – what are the Makers? Real or holograms? Immortals or human? The world of Anara is a lost colony, but how did the Makers get the power they had? What were they? And how did they create a world, and why did they run off and leave it with the evil creatures created by Kest?
A thread begins to be seen here, as the faith and trust of Galen almost destroys not only his little group, but the items they seek as well. He mistrusts Marco, trusts Solon, more or less trusts Carys, and treats Raffi badly at times, ignores him at others, and rushes to help him at times. I am reminded of an abusive parent acting in their own interest.
Also, why oh why do the travelers continue to ignore the problem within their clique? Little clues and big tells abound, but are ignored in deference to old prejudices.
I will read book 4, but the thrill is fading as the theme continues to be travel and travel and don’t trust anyone.
Now, there is an oddity – what are the Makers? Real or holograms? Immortals or human? The world of Anara is a lost colony, but how did the Makers get the power they had? What were they? And how did they create a world, and why did they run off and leave it with the evil creatures created by Kest?
A thread begins to be seen here, as the faith and trust of Galen almost destroys not only his little group, but the items they seek as well. He mistrusts Marco, trusts Solon, more or less trusts Carys, and treats Raffi badly at times, ignores him at others, and rushes to help him at times. I am reminded of an abusive parent acting in their own interest.
Also, why oh why do the travelers continue to ignore the problem within their clique? Little clues and big tells abound, but are ignored in deference to old prejudices.
I will read book 4, but the thrill is fading as the theme continues to be travel and travel and don’t trust anyone.
December 20, 2011
My thoughts: While I really enjoyed the second half of the book, the first have was really slow and I almost didn't want to keep reading. The action (when we finally got to it) was exciting and the world Fisher's created and all its intricacies became more interesting and more immediate to me than in the previous two books (The Dark City and The Lost Heiress). I was fascinated by the world and the moons and how they interacted with the weather and especially with the Makers. There were certainly parts of the story that seemed so ephemeral and vague to me that I had a hard time following what was going on. But, I think the overarching mystery of who the Makers are and what Anara is made me continue with the series. Though I was able to figure out pretty quickly the immediate mystery of this book, I didn't know all the details. And I like Raffi, the one who would rather be home and well fed than off having dangerous adventures. Probably because I relate so well to that.
Full review at One Librarian's Book Reviews.
Full review at One Librarian's Book Reviews.
January 6, 2014
Continuing with book #3 in the Relic Master series. I liked this book a lot. The series is definitely getting better. The characters are evolving and I still like Carys, the spunky girl from the dreaded Watch who has become a traitor to her kind.
The planet Anara is dying. One of its seven moons is falling from the sky and is out of sync. There is a perpetual winter with more and more terrible gales, snows, and darkness. The Unfinished Lands are spreading their desolation and taking over once Finished Lands. There is a legend that Flain, one of the original Makers or Gods (first men who came from earth centuries before to colonize Anara) wore a coronet that can stabilize the weather. Galen has seen this in visions. With this in mind the Keeper Galen, his apprentice Raffi, and one of the native beings on the planet, a Sekoi, set off to find the hidden golden treasure. Carys joins their cause as does another Keeper, an aged man, and his friend who is a gold thief. But Raffi has seen evil, the Margrave, in visions and knows that the evil is among them. Who is it? And will they reach the golden coronet before the Margrave shows itself for what it is and destroys Anara.
The planet Anara is dying. One of its seven moons is falling from the sky and is out of sync. There is a perpetual winter with more and more terrible gales, snows, and darkness. The Unfinished Lands are spreading their desolation and taking over once Finished Lands. There is a legend that Flain, one of the original Makers or Gods (first men who came from earth centuries before to colonize Anara) wore a coronet that can stabilize the weather. Galen has seen this in visions. With this in mind the Keeper Galen, his apprentice Raffi, and one of the native beings on the planet, a Sekoi, set off to find the hidden golden treasure. Carys joins their cause as does another Keeper, an aged man, and his friend who is a gold thief. But Raffi has seen evil, the Margrave, in visions and knows that the evil is among them. Who is it? And will they reach the golden coronet before the Margrave shows itself for what it is and destroys Anara.
July 11, 2013
The Hidden Coronet is the third book of Catherine Fisher’s RELIC MASTER series, following The Dark City and The Lost Heiress. While book one was quite strong, the sequel was solid but a bit disappointing, hurt by somewhat weak plotting and worldbuilding. The Hidden Coronet is much stronger and a welcome return to the quality of The Dark City.
It begins with several tense scenes — one involving Galen and Raffi trying to rid a house of an evil presence and the other concerning the attempted rescue of several prisoners, including a Keeper, sentenced to hang by the Watch. Eventually, Raffi, Galen, Carys, and the Sekoi from the first two books are back together, their numbers augmented by two: the rescued Keeper... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
It begins with several tense scenes — one involving Galen and Raffi trying to rid a house of an evil presence and the other concerning the attempted rescue of several prisoners, including a Keeper, sentenced to hang by the Watch. Eventually, Raffi, Galen, Carys, and the Sekoi from the first two books are back together, their numbers augmented by two: the rescued Keeper... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
January 31, 2016
Another excellent book in this series. Galen, Raffi, Carys & Sekkoi are now searching for the elusive Coronet of Flain in order to save Anara from global disaster. They meet up with fellow keeper Solon & Marco, former thief & general bad guy. They journey to Sarres but something's amiss & they all feel the betrayal looming. As they make their way to the observatory in hopes of finding the Coronet, they discover a great gathering of all the Sekkoi called The Circling. It is at this gathering that they discover the location of the Coronet, which can be used to save their world. An action-packed adventure leading right into the final novel. Perfect for those readers that loved LOTR.
August 22, 2012
Catherine Fisher's Relic Master series is similar to the Incarceron novels in its intriguing blend of sophisticated future technology with medieval-type lifestyles. But something is going wrong with Anara's systems, and in this third installment, Raffi's master Galen is frantically trying to find an ancient artifact that could recall the Makers to the ailing planet. The action is fast-paced, and the book is a quick read good for established teen fantasy readers. I like the Incareron books better, but the Relic Masters series has grown on me.
September 14, 2011
Although a little less strong than "The Lost Heiress", this is another great installment in the series, and sets up some drama for the fourth and final volume. I'm looking forward to seeing how all the character relationships play out. But Fisher's strength, as always, is her imagery and world-building. Egad, the imagination she has!
Recommended for fans of:
The Claidi Journals by Tanith Lee
The Earthsea books by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Book of Atrix Wolfe by Patricia McKillip
Recommended for fans of:
The Claidi Journals by Tanith Lee
The Earthsea books by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Book of Atrix Wolfe by Patricia McKillip
October 20, 2011
in the 3rd book of the relic master series the dying panet of Anara hasnt gotten any better. Most of the relm and people have left or have given up hope for survival. Galen and Raffi still have a lot of hope to find a cure and close a final chapter on the chain of events that've occured. The Watch has gained big leverage and is still trying to take over the planet. The 4th and final book was presented as a well awaited release.
November 30, 2011
Raffi and Galen see visions of Flain's hidden Coronet, and they find out that it's the only thing that they can use to stop the moons from falling and destroying everything. It's lost, but the Sekoi takes them to see the rest of it's people. they find out that it's in the great hoard, and the sekoi has to decide whether to betray his people, or take his friends to save the world...
a couple hours??
a couple hours??
December 20, 2011
I liked this book. The story continues on with Raffi helping Galen as they help another keeper escape death by hanging. The other keeper joins with Galen and Raffi as they seek to find a golden coronet that they have seen in a vision. the weather worsens as the moons are falling out of alignment. They believe the coronet will help. It is exciting and has some twists that makes it a good read.
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