Book 1 of The Enduring Flame Trilogy
Genre: epic fantasy
About The Phoenix Unchained:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory first teamed up to write The Obsidian Trilogy, set in a wondrous world filled with magical beings, competing magic systems, and a titanic struggle between good and evil. That world proved so popular with the creators and readers alike that Lackey and Mallory have returned to it with The Phoenix Unchained, Book One of The Enduring Flame, the opening volume of a new epic fantasy trilogy.Source: Info in the About The Phoenix Unchained was taken from GoodReads at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/373051.The_Phoenix_Unchained on 11/12/2011.
After a thousand years of peace, much Magick has faded from the world. The Elves live far from humankind. There are no High Mages, and Wild Mages are seen only rarely. Bisochim, a powerful Wild Mage, is determined to reintroduce Darkness to the world, believing that it is out of Balance.
Tiercel, a young Armethalian nobleman, is convinced that High Magic is not just philosophy. He attempts a spell--and draws the unwelcome attention of Bisochim. Tiercel survives Bisochim's attack and begins trying to turn himself into a High Mage.
Next in line to be Harbormaster of Armethalieh, Harrier instead finds himself regularly saving Tyr's life and meeting magickal people and creatures. To Harrier's dismay, it seems that he must become a hero.
In The Phoenix Unchained, Harrier and Tiercel begin a marvelous journey to uncover their destinies. Along the way, they meet a charming female centaur, several snooty Elves, and the most powerful dragon their world has ever known.
[image credit: Todd Lockwood]
Review:I bought this book because I knew that the story telling quality of this "author dou" is very good!I love this author dou
, but, having experienced reading the Obsidian Trilogy, I resisted buying/reading this book when I first saw it a few years back. I just knew that it would be just like the Obsidian Trilogy where the first two books ends in a whooping cliffhanger. And I was right. This book ended in a cliffhanger. Good thing that I got all three books before I started reading and was able to go straight to Book 2 as soon as I hit the cliffhanger. Disaster averted! Otherwise I would be pissing mad (again!).
[image credit: AnimeJanice]Character development is the same fabulous quality that I got to know with the Obsidian Trilogy. In this book my favouritest character is Simera. She's a well-rounded Forest Warden Apprentice, likeable, no non-sense centauress. Somebody I could totally root for! And then the book breaks your heart!.... it is really a good thing I got Book 2. And I love the fact that I got to re-visit old, well-loved characters from the previous trilogy, i.e., Ancaladar!
Overall I would give this book a 4 out of 5. Can't give it a 5 since it ended with a cliffhanger.
Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 3
Ending = 2
World building = 3.5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 4
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries
Other Books In This Series:
I have actually never tried a book by her but I should :)
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of her books, but I've heard many amazing things about her. So glad to see you loved it. :D Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have actually never tried a book by her , or heard of her
ReplyDeleteadding to wishlist
i love fantasy
great reviwe