A trilogy by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory, "The Enduring Flame" is certainly a trilogy that I was dying to get ahold of.
It was early in 2009 that I got 1st of the first book, and not until last week when I got the 3rd and last. Suffice it to say, that huge gap in time really made me yearn for the third book, and I spent 2 days reading and rereading it.
However, during that gap of time, I was able to read "The Phoenix Unchained" several times, and what I've discovered is simple; this author team is amazing, rivaling my favorite authors of all time, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman of the Dragonlance novels.
The storyline starts with 2 averages young men of Armathelieh, Tiercel and Harrier, whom are about to embark on the next journey in their lives and separate, despite their close friendship throughout their years. Harrier is on to become the next Harbormaster, while Tiercel, of a noble family, will move on to study at a university and work in the government.
This all changes with one book, leading Tiercel to experiment with a magic long forgotten. In these days, the "wild magic" is all that remains, and those that serve it serve no authority except the balance that is life. Tiercel however has discovered another kind of magic, the high magic, used long ago with the wild magic to destroy the last known evil in the world. He and Harrier than set out on a journey to understand this magic, unaware of the evil beginning to stir on the other side of the world.
The novel has an amazingly detailed scenery, with beautiful details without using too many large and complicated words, making the book a simple read. Lackey and Mallory find a beautiful balance of imagination as well, without going too far from reality to seem detached or completely unrealistic. Sticking with the fantasy theme though, it introduces all sorts of "Otherfolk," or non-human creatures with intelligence, that add to the general feel of the story.
Beyond that, the way the story is constantly in motion, yet doesn't give up too much storyline too fast, allows for the reader to both be enamored by the content, but yearn desperately for more. This is why the novel is one of my favorites, and will continue to be.
Be sure to pick it up and read, you won't be disappointed!
I rate this book a 4 1/2 out of 5.
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