The Soul Weaver (Bridge of D'Arnath)

Rating:
Summary: Great Conclusion to a Great Series
Review: It's been four years since the last book, and with it Gerick and his relationship with his mother, Seri, has blossomed. But his father's work in Avonar has kept him away from his son, so Karon decides to take Gerick over the Bridge and risk the eyes of the Lords of Zhev'Na so he can bond with his son for a night. Yet right after they return, the problems start coming.

Gerick is accused of being a traitor, people all over Leire are disappearing, and the mysterious people responsible are haunting Gerick's dreams. There is another world, the Bounded, and its people are convinced Gerick will rule them.

As with the last book, the point of view changes between characters, although a bulk of it will go to Gerick. He has stopped his incessant whining and temper tantrums and is acting more like an adult. Karon is losing himself to the more violent D'Natheil, the Prince's personality overwhelming Karon's in his rage. Seri must decide whether she believes her husband or her son, and must play mediator between the two. The character's changes as well as the fast-paced plot make this book come to life.

I absolutely loved this book. It outshone the previous two, and thats saying something. Berg plays with the reader's emotions and uses them to make an intense story that you can't put down. Definetly one of the best fantasy series I've ever read, and this book concludes it impeccably. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: excellent fantasy
Review: While Karon rules in Avonor on the world of Gondai, a place where magic is practiced openly; his wife Seri and their son Gerik live on the mundane world of Valleorn, where magic is stamped out whenever the anomaly appears. Gerick recovers from being held prisoner by the lords of Zhev'Na, powerful evil sorcerers. They hoped to break Gerick and make him one of them but his parents rescued him.

In Avonor, Karon battles the Lords of Zhev'Na, a war that has been going on for a millennium. The only time he sees his wife and son is when he crosses D'Arnath's Bridge that links the two worlds. He takes Gerick to Avonor for a day and returns him to his mother. Not long afterward Karon believes Gerick betrayed his plans to the Lords.

Gerick crosses the bridge into a new world whose people say he is their rightful king. He cares for these people, damaged, broken, but kind. Still he knows he must leave them to so he can root out the traitors that counsel his father. He also wants to use his knowledge to help Karon put an end to the Lords and bring peace to a world that knows only war.

Carol Berg is one of those rare and talented fantasists who has the ability to create worlds out of her imagination, populates them with tortured but likeable characters and place them in realms that feel believable. After reading THE SOUL WEAVER readers will feel as if they have gone through an emotional wringer having empathized with the three main characters. This exciting finale brings to a close one of the best fantasy series in a long time.

Harriet Klausner