This third book in Cannon’s enjoyable fantasy series continues the saga of Sillik. Having returned home to Illicia, “the most powerful and wealthy city in the land,” to learn of his father’s death, he becomes king. With his wife, Renee, by his side, Sillik surrounds himself with trusted advisors. The city is attacked by dragons and the horrible Schula—“green-skinned, long-tusked creatures.” As it becomes clear that the dragons and Schula are attacking other cities, war seems imminent. The Seven Gods and Illicia are pitted against the nine dark forces, which include the formidable gods Mind Breaker and Soulcrusher. As the two factions move toward war, it becomes clear that Sillik and his people will need to harness all their magical powers if they are to defeat the Nine. Will they succeed, or will all be lost in the final battle?

Cannon proves himself to be a masterful storyteller in this final book of his trilogy. The plot is filled with surprising twists that keep readers engaged throughout. The characters are well-rounded, and political intrigue abounds, giving depth to the narrative. The author builds believable worlds filled with fantastical creatures like the horrifying Schula. Much in the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s use of verse in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Cannon uses verse to enhance the telling of the story. The bard, DeChance, adds an interesting aspect to the plot as his verses appear at the beginning of chapters, sometimes foretelling the fate of characters. Fans of fantasy will appreciate the depth of description and plot as well as the fascinating characters in the novel. Though the book can be read as a standalone, readers will be compelled to read the first two books of the trilogy.

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