RATING: 9/10
SYNOPSIS
The nail-biting conclusion to the Lightbringer series!
Stripped of both magical and political power, the people he once ruled told he’s dead, and now imprisoned in his own magical dungeon, former Emperor Gavin Guile has no prospect of escape. But the world faces a calamity greater than the Seven Satrapies has ever seen… and only he can save it.
As the armies of the White King defeat the Chromeria and old gods are born anew, the fate of worlds will come down to one question: Who is the Lightbringer?
REVIEW
Finally finished reading the conclusion of the Lightbringer series! I loved it so much but at the same time I am confused with certain parts of the story and its really frustrating.
Without a doubt, Brent Weeks is a master in crafting the characterization of characters. Andross Guile will go down in the fantasy history as one of the best morally grey characters. I am also very satisfied with the conclusion of Teia’s character arc. Brent Weeks spent a considerable amount of pages in building up her character and I can feel that she is torn apart mentally in trying to juggle with her position as a double agent.
As for the plot of this story, Brent Weeks managed to tie up so many plot threads and answered so many questions that were left hanging in the previous books. Not to mention, he has once again dropped so many revelations and plot twists in this concluding book. However, a major problem to me is that there is too much focus on religion and faith in this book (which I think most readers share the same sentiment) and this causes the first half of the book to be rather slow and draggy. But the second half of the book is just so so epic! I literally cant put down the book with all the battles in different fronts, the strategies and the magic which are happening in the last few hundred pages of the book. It is one of the most impressive final battles that I have read.
Even in the last book of the series, the magic system is still expanding. We understand more on the properties of chi luxin, the consequences of drafting chi and the use of drafting chi. However, when it comes to the immortals or the old gods, Brent Weeks seems to accord them with unlimited powers (whereby they can just heal someone with a flick of their hand?) which is a problem to me as it is rather illogical.
Despite the problems in this book, it is still a 9/10 star read to me. Lightbringer is definitely one of my favourite fantasy series and Brent Weeks is a fantasy author to look out for!
Fantastic review! I agree 100%. The focus on religion and faith and even the old gods left me confused at times. It kind of felt like it was shoehorned despite it being introduced in the previous novels. There was just so much information.
Teia’s character arc is arguably one of the best. It’s truly awe inspiring how well Weeks did with her character.