I think this was a good book, and a fitting end to the banned and the banished series. First of all, the good things about it: I kept wanting to keep reading, as it the sort of book you can't put down. I like (no spoilers though!) how while the book had a victorious end, many things were still lost, and all the problems were not solved, though there was no loose ends. Another good thing about the book is that it had the "light and dark" theme that I like, but not in cheesy way. The charecters were believable enough they could be real people, and the magic system was interesting and mysterious, which I liked, though that was through the whole series.
Next, what i didn't like: I felt the author lost the plot a little toward the end. The two main things that annoyed me were 1st that we had had nearly 5 books leading up to the confrontation of Ly'chuk (The Dark Lord - yeah i know), and that was mostly talking. When they actually stopped having a nice little chat, they did a little battle, but that basically went: "Oh no we are all going to die!" to "Yay a bunch of warriors with magical weapons that can kill the most powerful person ever have just appeared from nowhere!"
So instead of the climax being the battle with Ly'chuk, it was a god suddenly deciding to destroy the world because he had been turned insane. Okaaaaay. Right. 2nd thing was that Ly'chuks secret lair was accessible via a stair from the first floor of Blackhall, his demonic volcano? I get it was well guarded, but what about when there was people there? what if someone said "Hmmm i wonder what's down there!" and went to investigate? I just find it a little far fetched.
Other than all that, it was an overall good book, and I would recommend it (read the others first though.)!Show moreShow less
Next, what i didn't like: I felt the author lost the plot a little toward the end. The two main things that annoyed me were 1st that we had had nearly 5 books leading up to the confrontation of Ly'chuk (The Dark Lord - yeah i know), and that was mostly talking. When they actually stopped having a nice little chat, they did a little battle, but that basically went: "Oh no we are all going to die!" to "Yay a bunch of warriors with magical weapons that can kill the most powerful person ever have just appeared from nowhere!"
So instead of the climax being the battle with Ly'chuk, it was a god suddenly deciding to destroy the world because he had been turned insane. Okaaaaay. Right. 2nd thing was that Ly'chuks secret lair was accessible via a stair from the first floor of Blackhall, his demonic volcano? I get it was well guarded, but what about when there was people there? what if someone said "Hmmm i wonder what's down there!" and went to investigate? I just find it a little far fetched.
Other than all that, it was an overall good book, and I would recommend it (read the others first though.)! Show more Show less