CROWN OF EARTH

Fittingly and fulfillingly, the triptych’s conclusion focuses on its third protagonist and its third long-sought religious icon. Picking up directly from the cliffhanger ending of Sword of Waters (2008), this volume opens with Prince Edoran sneaking away from his castle in search of friend Weasel, kidnapped by the coldly evil Falcon. Edoran stumbles upon Arisa, the Falcon’s daughter and Weasel’s other best friend. Arisa has expertise in survival and undetected travel, while Edoran’s clueless at the simplest tasks (he’s been deprived of basic life skills by corrupt advisors), so they reluctantly join forces until Edoran’s kidnapped. The following adventures (rescues, living undercover with fishermen, sailing) provide plenty of interest, but the real depth arrives during Bell’s swift and surprising climax. One talisman assumed to be an object turns out to be, stunningly, a physical gesture, while interpersonal connections assumed to be emotional turn out to be historical and religious, too. Read the whole trilogy at once for optimal satisfaction. (Fantasy. 9-12)