*****SPOILER ALERT*****
There is something different
about the last instalment in a series. You go into it knowing that everything
will (or at least SHOULD) be resolved. All the plot elements have to start to
come together at some point and you are usually not that far away from the,
seemingly inevitable, late twist or stunning revelation that allows everything
to eventually make sense. There is a definite sense of anticipation, probably
only matched by the first few pages of a brand new series.
So it was in this frame of mind
that I approached High Lord, the
third of Trudi Canavan’s Black Magician Trilogy. Plenty of plot elements
awaited resolution. Is Akkarin telling the truth about the potential invasion
by the Ichani? What happened to him during his travels? Will Sonea be able to
trust the man she has seen kill? What will the rest of the guild think when
they discover Akkarin’s secret? And what is the truth behind the, so-called,
Black Magic?
The later books in any series
obviously don’t have to spend time “up front” introducing characters or worlds,
but this one still starts relatively slowly as we take stock of what Sonea has
discovered at the end of The Novice.
While she comes to grips what is
going on and what it means for Kyralia the rest of the plotlines seem to amble
on for a bit, almost like treading water waiting for someone else to catch up.
It doesn’t feel out of place but a few sections (Akkarin and Sonea’s exile for
one) do feel longer than they really need to be.
After a while though, the story
“turns for home” and Canavan begins to weave all the elements together towards
an increasingly frantic, though not exactly unexpected, climax. The final
battle is well written, you pretty much know “what” the end-game must be but
Canavan still manages to keep you guessing on the “how” portion of the
solution.
There was nothing particularly
surprising in the denouement but, to be honest, too often the writer tries to
be too clever with the ending and you end up with either a big deus ex machine or a great big mess (or
both). In one sense a good, clean, “expected” ending shows that the writer has
got to this point with a clear sense of direction for the narrative. That is
how this feels, it is very satisfactory in that Canavan has brought all the characters
and plotlines to this point and let them play out naturally and effectively.
It is the same with most of the
characters, all the hard work establishing and developing them has been done in
the earlier books and there is very little to be done except let them find
their way home. The key characters, of course, have to evolve for the finale.
Akkarin is still very much an
unknown quantity at the start of book but evolves and develops throughout. He
is never seen to be redeemed, because his behaviour doesn’t change, merely
people’s understanding of his motives and reasons. I like this approach; I like
the fact that Canavan doesn’t attempt to portray him differently, but she effects
the change in perception by altering the way we look at him. Sonea is not
subjected to the same approach, she changes her behaviour and her mindset when
she learns the truth about Akkarin’s secrets, becoming something different from
what she was.
It is interesting to see the two
characters evolved in different ways by Canavan. This is essentially a coming
of age story for Sonea but Canavan uses the vehicle of Akkarin to effect that
change, whilst at the same time altering our thoughts about Akkarin himself.
So, how does it rate? The trilogy
is a good one, each of the books brings something different to the table and
the story evolves nicely and sensibly – with enough unique about it to
distinguish it from others in the genre. The characters are likeable (or
dislikeable when they are supposed to be) and the plot ticks along well enough.
I gave The Novice 4.5 stars when
I first read it but I’m thinking that might be a bit high. Not because it isn’t
good but because I enjoyed The High Lord more, but only think it is worth 4
stars - the vagaries of trying to rank and label everything eh?
Book Verdict: 4 stars out of 5 – The High Lord is a very satisfying
and enjoyable ending to a very entertaining trilogy. Plenty to keep you
interested throughout, with good characters and a well-devised plot.
Trilogy Verdict: 4 stars out of 5 – A really enjoyable trilogy, but
where does it sit in the fantasy world?
The Black Magician fits towards
the “less-swordy” end of the fantasy scale (yes that is now a word!), by which
I mean this is actually quite light on swords, big battles and armies facing
off against each other. There is some magic involved but, to be honest, the
capabilities and extremes of the magic system aren’t really explored to its
full extent (i.e. such as a Sanderson world).
The “key cast list” is quite
small and the focus is on a few people, rather than throwing hundreds of people
in a pot and seeing how they react. This is definitely more about a coming of
age tale rather than telling the story of the world in the way epic fantasy
does. It is also not particularly dark or vicious.
So it is hard to place, I don’t
want to call it “light fantasy” as I think that does it a disservice (and it’s
about mages and magicians after all) but this won’t keep you up with nightmares
nor overwhelm you with its sheer sense of scale.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t a
fantastically fun ride though!
Till next time,
DT
