Third in an exciting fantasy trilogy called 'Balanced
Sword' comes PHOENIX ASCENDANT. We get a quick recap of the
adventure to date, and maps. Kyri has left her home after
her family were killed, but in another city she learns that
the supposedly just faction of holy warriors may have been
behind the deaths. She seeks vengeance. A prince called
Tobimar has left his people in Skysand while in search of
his ancestral homeland. The two meet in the city of
Zarathanton and team up, along with a diminutive adventurer
named Poplock Duckweed, quite appropriately as he is of the
Toad race. Poplock is really well written, perching on
someone's shoulder, slurping up beetles and picking locks
happily.
By now the heroes have coped with battle and treachery,
magic and dragons. Refugees are flooding the land from a
coming Chaos War so the adventurers arm themselves and
travel. We meet them helping to repair the structure of the
Valata Tower temporarily in an effort to save people
trapped there after a magical explosion. Kyri the
swordswoman has been given the title of Lady Phoenix and
has learned to call fire. She is astonished to meet a
family member who is able to confirm her suspicions about a
person of status being responsible for evil acts. Deciding
to put an end to this double-dealing, Kyri and her
companions head for the city of Evanwyl to confront him...
through the haunted Rivendream Pass.
I'm trying not to give anything away as there are some real
surprises in store. The incidentals are rewarding too, such
as a bespelled scroll, a clockwork crossbow and a sand-
demon. With gods and demons involved, the story includes
the metaphysical. Anyone who has been following the
adventurers will be thrilled to continue the quest as Kyri
faces the fact that she is cursed and Tobimar realises that
he loves her. Personally I find the growing sureness of
love provides an emotional strength to this third
instalment which may make it more powerful than the others.
Author Ryk Spoor uses some modern terms such as data,
matrix, analysis, which are appropriate as used and serve
to remind us that language has changed over centuries. Ryk
Spoor also writes science fiction but he enjoys running
fantasy role playing games, from which his written
adventures grew. We can see this influence in the provision
and growth of distinct and unusual characters, and in the
strong proportion of conversation in which all are allowed
to speak as equals - something unusual in medieval times.
PHOENIX ASCENDANT is just right for adventurers of all
shapes and sizes.
#3 in the Balanced Sword epic fantasy series, and series
finale. Phoenix and her companions take on the King of All
Hells in a final showdown with the fate of multiple worlds
in the balance.
The King of All Hells
Awaits
Kyri, Tobimar, and Poplock had
managed—barely—to thwart the plans of the mad alchemist-mage
Master Wieran, and defeat the monstrous Elderwyrm
Sanamaveridion, saving the secret country of Kaizatenzei
from the evil hidden at its core. Now they believe they have
discovered the true architect of not just the fall of the
Justiciars of Myrionar—god of Justice and Vengeance—but the
unleashing of the forces of the Hells themselves against the
other countries of Zarathan. They begin their journey back
to Kyri's home, Evanwyl, to confront the being their new
ally Miri calls Viedraverion, first son of the King of All
Hells.
But behind that name lies an even more
terrible secret, and a plan centuries in the making, a plan
that depends on Kyri being who and what she is. Even if the
three adventurers can escape the spies and traps within
their own adventuring party, their final adversary awaits
them eagerly. For with them they carry the key to their
enemy's victory—a victory which will destroy not only Kyri,
her friends, and her country, but also the gods
themselves!
Yet Kyri and her allies have a hidden
strength themselves. They are fighting for the right, and
there are ancient gods and powers who may come to the aid of
a true warrior's heart in the time of greatest need.
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