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As this is the final book in the Demon Cycle series, if you've read the previous 4, you should read this to complete the series.
I struggled with the rating for this book. For 90 percent of the book, it deserves at least 4 stars. However, it is the last two chapters that has some major problems that I couldn't get over.
The ending seemed rushed. To me, it seemed as if the author didn't know how to fully end the story and the story arcs of so many characters. Through out the entire series there is an overarching theme of fate versus free will. The characters grow around this theme and there is a great running conversation between Arlen and Jardir for a majority of this book about this topic. But ultimately, this conversation is never satisfyingly resolved. There is also a continued internal monologue by the captured Alagai Kai of the humans not fully understanding the magic they use in comparison to Alagai Kai, but that also is never fully resolved/explained. In fact, the resolution of the Alagai Kai is wholly unsatisfactory.
As I said the rest of the story is great. The female characters are strong and the characterization across even the supporting characters is very strong. The struggle between the demons and humans is brutal and swings for both sides from seemingly easily overcome to extremely desperate.
My biggest problem with the end of this story is how Arlen beats the demons and dies. He dies by extending himself too far while dissipating to the Core trying to get all of the demons. The story is told as he uses the magic from the core to create wards for the queens and then extends himself out to write the wards on the surface to kills the demons. Now the problem I have with this is the logic. If he extended himself as a sphere, he would either be able to reach the surface in all areas, or none, as being close to the core puts him at the center of a sphere himself. If he extended himself in some other shape, why not then sweep the surface of the planet instead. It is mentioned multiple times how the closeness of the core is affecting Arlen and his desire to go into the Core, and that he has essentially dissipated himself over too large of an area, so distance is an important factor, but it is never explained to at least my satisfaction, how Arlen dies in this manner.
The other problem I have with the ending is the abruptness. Now this may mean that he is planning follow on stories to include the character arcs he didn't wrap up. like the Alagai Kai who gets them to the core, then escapes and is never heard of again. Abban's arc also ends abruptly, especially after a majority of this story talking about his part to play. His “part” seems to simply be a mental battle with a demon mind that ultimately does nothing to further or change the overall plot. The last thing I'll complain about is the use of dice and the suggestion by Alagai Kai that the dice was either manipulated by or doing exactly what the demons ultimately wanted. Again, another interesting arc that went unresolved.
I loved this series, I just wish it would have ended as strong as it started.
An awesome second act to an awesome series
A gripping story that continues from the first in the series exploring the consequences of actions driven by two sides who think they are in the right. There are so many intriguing themes to explore in this narrative, from the question of free will in a world with gods and the ability to see in the future to the choice of the individual over the greater good. I can't wait to read the final installment and go back and reread these two. I hope James never stops writing! He is definitely my new favorite fantasy author
Great new author and story
The start of an epic story that has mystery, action and magic. Most of the themes will be familiar to epic fantasy readers. Feels familiar to Raymond E Feist's Magician. The world building is very good, the characters are fully fleshed, if a little cookie cutter epic fantasy tropes. Overall a solid and enjoyable story.
