Helpful Score: 3
The final book in the Black Magician Trilogy. The entire trilogy was excellent. I had a small problem with parts of the ending, but all-in-all, it was good.
Brittany Q. (notebook-junkie) reviewed The High Lord (Black Magician, Bk 3) on + 81 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A great ending to the trilogy....I loved it!
Jodi G. (Barroom-Psychologist) reviewed The High Lord (Black Magician, Bk 3) on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent, loved this trilogy. Waiting for her to write more.
Helpful Score: 1
Great last book to this trilogy! I really enjoyed reading it. What a powerful ending....
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
This book was my favorite in the trilogy, though not by much over 'The Magician's Guild.' The various characters from the prequels - magicians and thieves alike - all have a storyline, which we read from their points of view. The action is ongoing, with some elementary plot twists to add to the suspense.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
Fun Read. I have read the whole trilogy. I hear there is another trilogy coming after this one too. I can't wait!
An exceptional series from an author I can already see I will love.
Irene L H. (NonExistence) -
The third volume is an enjoyable wrap up to the series. If you enjoyed the first two, you'll like this. It's quite a bit
longer than the first two, though. But I like Canavan's characters, perhaps mostly because they seem to actually listen
to each other and shockingly, also seem to be able to entertain the idea that they might be wrong. Conflict between the Guild
and the High Lord was quite refreshing.
Both sides have interesting characters who, based on their own view of the world, feel that they are working for the greater
good of all.
It was a exicting, well writen book that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The ending was bitter sweet but overall
the entire series was a must read.
longer than the first two, though. But I like Canavan's characters, perhaps mostly because they seem to actually listen
to each other and shockingly, also seem to be able to entertain the idea that they might be wrong. Conflict between the Guild
and the High Lord was quite refreshing.
Both sides have interesting characters who, based on their own view of the world, feel that they are working for the greater
good of all.
It was a exicting, well writen book that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The ending was bitter sweet but overall
the entire series was a must read.
It started out slow but this may be due to the fact that it is the third book in the series. It is the first one of the series that I have read and that may be what influenced how I felt as I was beginning to read the novel.
very good thrid in trilogy
Last book in the trilogy. A very good read, liked the characters and it ended well I thought.
I thought this book was good and offered some strange scenarios to form the story line.
Another in an excellent trilogy. Does not end how you expect.
Excellent end to the trilogy? Hard to put down!
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
This book was my favorite in the trilogy, though not by much over 'The Magician's Guild.' The various characters from the prequels - magicians and thieves alike - all have a storyline, which we read from their points of view. The action is ongoing, with some elementary plot twists to add to the suspense.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
See the first two books in this series for my review.
I was dying to read this book after the huge cliffhanger in the second book. The first and middle parts of this book were absolutely awesome; I was completely glued to this story. Unfortunately the ending absolutely sucked in the most sucky of sucky ways.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. I highly recommend listening to this series on audiobook.
This is one of those books that is tough to review without spoilers; so I will put a spoiler header in here further down.
The first part of the story focuses on Sonea as she deals with being Akkarin's apprentice. Akkarin reveals some truths to Sonea in very convincing ways. This leads Sonea down a difficult path along Akkarin's side.
The story is well written and flows nicely. I loved the characters as well. The story really focuses on Akkarin and Sonea; although Dorian, Robin, and others still play a big role in the story as well. Akkarin is the best character in this series so I was excited to have him feature so much in this story.
Things end up coming together nicely and I loved how all the factions of the city (commoners, dwells, thieves, and mages) had to band together to face a larger fault.
Now for the spoilers....
-----------BIG SPOILERS START-------------------------
I loved how Sonea stuck up for her beliefs and what she thought was right. The fact that she stands steadfastly by Akkarin's side for the sake of the kingdom and her own believes showed amazing strength and also showed how much she had matured as a character and magician. Even when Akkarin wants to take the fall by himself and leave Sonea out of it, Sonea refuses to make things easy for herself and the Guild and instead does what is right.
Sonea and Akkarin falling in love and becoming a couple was perfect. They complement each other so well; neither one will let the other falter and they both temper each other when either start to go down a path that's too dark. I loved that they had started thinking about ways to change the future of Imardin and improve it for future generations. I was so looking forward to seeing Sonea and Akkarin come back and help the city improve and really put energy into taking care of the city they loved so much.
So...well screw that! said Canavan...I have a better idea let's f%^&% kill Akkarin right at the end of the battle. Because you know neither Sonea nor Akkarin has suffered enough personally throughout this series. They only both lost all their friends and their home trying to save this stupid city, so right when they get to the pinnacle of victory let's kill off the best character in this book.
As if that's not enough let's take this awesome, beautiful, and strong new person Sonea has become (despite all her previous trials and tortures) and crush the emotional fight out of her once and for all. Nope, no happiness for this girl. In fact let's pour salt in the wound and make her pregnant too! That way she can be a perpetually sad woman, who is shadow of herself and continues to be ostracized by the guild for not only being Black Magician left but for being pregnant with a potentially powerful child as well.
I don't get it, why take a great story and give it this awful and contrived ending that does nothing but destroy the best characters in the book. So depressing and sad and anti-climatic.
-----------BIG SPOILERS END-------------------------
Overall this was a great series and this book definitely wraps it up...but not nicely. The majority of the book is fantastic and engaging, the world and characters are amazing. The ending sucks big time and kind of made me sad I read this series at all. I don't plan on reading anymore of Canavan's books because the ending to this series angered me big time.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. I highly recommend listening to this series on audiobook.
This is one of those books that is tough to review without spoilers; so I will put a spoiler header in here further down.
The first part of the story focuses on Sonea as she deals with being Akkarin's apprentice. Akkarin reveals some truths to Sonea in very convincing ways. This leads Sonea down a difficult path along Akkarin's side.
The story is well written and flows nicely. I loved the characters as well. The story really focuses on Akkarin and Sonea; although Dorian, Robin, and others still play a big role in the story as well. Akkarin is the best character in this series so I was excited to have him feature so much in this story.
Things end up coming together nicely and I loved how all the factions of the city (commoners, dwells, thieves, and mages) had to band together to face a larger fault.
Now for the spoilers....
-----------BIG SPOILERS START-------------------------
I loved how Sonea stuck up for her beliefs and what she thought was right. The fact that she stands steadfastly by Akkarin's side for the sake of the kingdom and her own believes showed amazing strength and also showed how much she had matured as a character and magician. Even when Akkarin wants to take the fall by himself and leave Sonea out of it, Sonea refuses to make things easy for herself and the Guild and instead does what is right.
Sonea and Akkarin falling in love and becoming a couple was perfect. They complement each other so well; neither one will let the other falter and they both temper each other when either start to go down a path that's too dark. I loved that they had started thinking about ways to change the future of Imardin and improve it for future generations. I was so looking forward to seeing Sonea and Akkarin come back and help the city improve and really put energy into taking care of the city they loved so much.
So...well screw that! said Canavan...I have a better idea let's f%^&% kill Akkarin right at the end of the battle. Because you know neither Sonea nor Akkarin has suffered enough personally throughout this series. They only both lost all their friends and their home trying to save this stupid city, so right when they get to the pinnacle of victory let's kill off the best character in this book.
As if that's not enough let's take this awesome, beautiful, and strong new person Sonea has become (despite all her previous trials and tortures) and crush the emotional fight out of her once and for all. Nope, no happiness for this girl. In fact let's pour salt in the wound and make her pregnant too! That way she can be a perpetually sad woman, who is shadow of herself and continues to be ostracized by the guild for not only being Black Magician left but for being pregnant with a potentially powerful child as well.
I don't get it, why take a great story and give it this awful and contrived ending that does nothing but destroy the best characters in the book. So depressing and sad and anti-climatic.
-----------BIG SPOILERS END-------------------------
Overall this was a great series and this book definitely wraps it up...but not nicely. The majority of the book is fantastic and engaging, the world and characters are amazing. The ending sucks big time and kind of made me sad I read this series at all. I don't plan on reading anymore of Canavan's books because the ending to this series angered me big time.
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
This book was my favorite in the trilogy, though not by much over 'The Magician's Guild.' The various characters from the prequels - magicians and thieves alike - all have a storyline, which we read from their points of view. The action is ongoing, with some elementary plot twists to add to the suspense.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
This book was my favorite in the trilogy, though not by much over 'The Magician's Guild.' The various characters from the prequels - magicians and thieves alike - all have a storyline, which we read from their points of view. The action is ongoing, with some elementary plot twists to add to the suspense.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
Though her writing is nothing remarkable (not bad, just not great), Canavan is a good storyteller if you overlook the occasional redundancy and incongruity. I've gotten hooked on her novels because they're easy, quick reads, which is what I've been in the mood for lately. I think of them as one step up from a guilty pleasure.
One of the best Fantasy series I have ever read. High Lord is a great conclusion with some very nice twists.
