ISBN: 0-689-31990-9 Order from: Amazon.com
A conclusion to a juvenile fantasy series, this typical but pleasant novel features more physical and magical fights, cosmic struggles, and a closure of romantic and political conflicts introduced earlier.
Reviewed by David on June 20, 1999 (rev. 1)
Genre: Fantasy (High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Juvenile, Coming of Age, Intrigue)
Synopsis: The teenage Daine and her Mage teacher and increasingly close friend Numair are transported to the Divine Realms during a deadly fight. In this strange universe, Daine has a chance to learn about her mysterious parentage, as well as the cosmic struggle whose mortal reflection has imperiled Daine and the kingdom of Tartalla.
As gods and dragons compete in arrogance, Daine has a slim chance to affect the struggle, but only if she can overcome magical opposition from an erstwhile enemy.
Full Review: This novel ends the series by transporting Daine and her friend to a rather strange Realm of the Gods. The gods seem rather petty, on the whole, and the adventures in the Realms take on a typical Quest quality.
While the plot doesn't add much originality or excitement, Daine herself remains a pleasant, sympathetic character, with a combination of humor, love, fear and courage in her life shown deftly enough to carry this otherwise unremarkable story to a very satisfying conclusion.
Universe: Tortall
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1996, Simon & Schuster (Atheneum), 1996, Cloth, 209 pages
ISBN: 0-689-31990-9 Order from: Amazon.com