Dart-Thornton, Cecilia, The battle of Evernight

The first two volumes, it seemed to me, were some of the most impressive fantasy since Tolkein. Dart-Thornton's powers of description are considerable and, in particular, her ability to evoke landscape is excellent (following Tolkein, this is fantasy by bushwalking).

Another strength of the first two volumes is the strong narrative. Dart-Thornton's powers of invention are strong, and the plot is always moving in a new direction (literally).

She also has a strong sense of continuity, in the cinematic sense. Some authors (Patrick O'Brien comes to mind) tend to 'lose' people and objects (several cannon disappear in The fortune of war, and an inn burns down in The reverse of the medal, only to reappear several books later, for example). Dart-Thornton must have a very large spreadsheet with everything carefully located, before she puts pen to paper.

But somehow the third volume of the series disappoints. The surprise turns of the plotting, which seemed enchanting in the earlier books, are contrived and invite disbelief.

And what about the trick ending?

Dart-Thornton, Cecilia. The battle of Evernight. 2002, Tor (Pan-Macmillan), Sydney. paperback. 467 pages.