Synopsis
The fate of the world hangs from the Moon.
The green world overwhelms all of Yaz’s expectations. Everything seems different but some things remain the same: her old enemies are still bent on her destruction.
The Corridor abounds with plenty and unsuspected danger. To stand a chance against the eyeless priest, Eular, and the god-like city-mind, Seus, Yaz will need to learn fast and make new friends.
The Convent of Sweet Mercy, like the Corridor itself, is packed with peril and opportunity. Yaz needs the nuns’ help – but first they want to execute her.
The fate of everyone squeezed between the Corridor’s vast walls, and ultimately the fate of those labouring to survive out on ice itself, hangs from the moon, and the battle to save the moon centres on the Ark of the Missing, buried beneath the emperor’s palace. Everyone wants Yaz to be the key that will open the Ark – the one the wise have sought for generations. But sometimes wanting isn’t enough.
Review:
A compelling read, that grasps you from the start and drags you into a relentless ride of twists and turns ending in a breathtaking epic finale. One of the best ending to a fantasy series…ever!
I don’t say this lightly as I dived in expecting Mark’s shenanigans and was still blown out by the climax.
After leaving us hanging (near literally) by the climax of The Girl and the Mountain, the book picks the plot seamlessly up. The story follows Yaz as she struggles to unravel the mysteries of the Moon aided by her friends while being hunted by forces which are far superior, more resourceful and always a step or two ahead of her. In what turns out to be a cat and mouse game as Yaz struggles to open the Arc all the while trying to deny Seus, the plot moves at a breakneck pace through the book as I was hooked binge reading till the finish. The plot branches out early on and we get multiple PoVs from Yaz, Mali, Thurin each revealing hints of the puzzle all the while giving the characters nice advancement.
I never cease to be impressed by the Abbess(es) of Sweet Mercy and their sharp tactical acumen. Abbess Claw herein doesn’t disappoint and the balancing act she does between Yaz and the Archon is as compelling as anything fans of Abbess Glass (of Book of the Ancestor series) can expect. Also as readers of Book 2 may know, there are some nice tie-in’s to Book of the Ancestor series that takes place down the line in time after this.
I’m a huge fan of Mark’s blend of ancient sci-fi meets current magical world since Broken Empire and still continue to be spellbound by it. The plot is woven with the leftovers of Ancient Cities & Artificial Intelligence merging smoothly with the Four Tribes magic of current day flawlessly. And as if that wasn’t enough….more surprises! I really have bunch more stuff to write, but will abstain for fear of spoilers however mild or unintentional.
Overall, this book caps a highly entertaining series that all fans of fantasy must read! Certainly is one of my favourite reads of this year!
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