Customer Reviews

The Dark Remains (The Last Rune, Book 3)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book took me a while to get into. It had been a while since I read the other two books in the series, so I had to re-figure out all the characters. I like the variety of characters in the book. Each new character adds something to the mix. However, some characters are ignored after the first section, which is odd--because they could figure into the rest of the book.

Some of the very enjoyable characters in this book are Marji, Mitchell & Davis (the cowboys), Ellie (the chimp), Glinda, and the fairy. The usual characters are still interesting, but I felt like the whole "who does he really love" thing was getting old after a while.

All the characters come to face their greatest fears. Grace finds out who her parents really are (now THAT'S a plot twist I didn't see coming). Travis still has to figure out where he belongs, but at least he is not as wimpy in this book as in others. Aryn has many things to figure out in this book, and it isn't quite known if she does figure them out.

This book is about defeating evil, in its many forms. Duratek and the Seekers play prominently in this book. Some interesting clues are given throughout the book to lead readers to other things. I call this book a placeholder because while it does advance the series, it still seems that there is something larger on the horizon, and this is just a prelude.

I would recommend this book.

I guess I'm one of the few people who is enjoying this series more with each book. I liked this book just as much as the first two. I like the fact that the author is able to juggle a number of subplots and keep them all interesting, whether they're occurring on Earth involving the Seekers and Duratek, or on the alternate world named Eldh involving gods, myths and magic.

I have no problem with the increasing number of characters in the book, in fact I think it adds to the story since each character brings something unique into the mix. Mr. Anthony has managed to give us some essential scenes with each of the characters, revealing some of their motivations and secrets, making them that much more real. All are essential to the plot. It's interesting to see how the friendships are growing and the romantic interests are weaving together. In each book, the characters have been evolving and deepening. Some reviewers seem to have a problem with the way some of the relationships appear to be developing, but to me, the characters have become so familiar and so real that their yearnings and growing awareness are all the more poignant. How can you not wish them well?

In this third book of the series, Travis and Grace return to Earth to seek medical care for the gravely wounded knight, Beltan. However, while there, the evil Duratek Corporation (who are planning to rape the ecological resources of the world Eldh) have managed to locate them due to the betrayal of a friend, have captured Beltan, and plan to conduct medical experiments on him. Travis and Grace are forced to turn to the Seekers for assistance. Meanwhile, back on Eldh, Melia, Falken and the others travel to the fabled city of Tarras to find out who is killing the New Gods. Grace and Travis are finally forced to come to terms with the shadows of their pasts that have haunted them all of their lives. This, of course, is a great simplification of the plot, which has many more twists and turns, trials and tribulations. It is a fast-moving, interesting, and enjoyable story, and I for one am looking forward to Book Four.

Once again Anthony had me spellbound with story-telling ability! This is the third in his soon to be classic Last Rune series.He takes us right where he left off with the last one. Grace and Travis take the severely wounded knight,Beltan to Earth.There they must stop a sinister corporation that with help of dark magic seeks to kidnap Beltan in their quest to get to Eldh and exploit it! Meanwhile on Eldh Baroness Aryn and her witch friend Lirith aid the goddess Melia and immortal bard Falken stop a powerful evil that is killing gods!Anthony's world-building skills get better in each installment of his series.He is able to bring more focus to his world of Eldh and it's history and mythology.He also knows how add more interesting characters such as Marji, a kind-hearted transvetite and lethal lady assasin,Vani a woman so tough she could give Xena a run for her money!Anthony also knows how combines chills with his thrills with descriptions of unrelenting evil as deadly golden spiders who bite kills in seconds and some terrifying ape-like monsters terrorizing our heroes on both worlds! Anthony also puts a little X-file type conspiracy with this one with it's sinister corporation,Duratek and the mysterious group called Seekers.But a word of warning to everyone: this novel does end with a cliffhanger other than that your hands will be glued to the pages of gripping fantasy novel with it's memorable cast of characters, chilling scenes of evil and nearly nonstop action and suspense!

I cannot understand the magic in The Last Rune series, with the blood, and runes and gates and Weirding. I was completely confused by the gate magic in this book. But you get the feeling that it's all going to come together in the end. It is quite depressing to have a likable character imprisoned in a lab, and being experimented on, but you have to admit, this makes a fairly routine fantasy a little different. There are far too many subplots, and the core group of characters--Travis, Grace, Beltan, Durge and Arya--needs to come together soon. The book uses too much of one my least favorite fantasy-epic devices: Having different characters doing things in different locations. How are these events related? It's all going to come together, in the end, but Mr. Anthony best not drag this series out, the way Bob Jordan did with the monstrous Wheel of Time. He needs to refocus, in the next book.

Mark Anthony continues to meld the world of Eldh (and for that matter, the world of Earth) into a more elaborate and rich place. Symbols, myths, science, rituals, strong characters, rich detail, consistency, and even noble drag queens all are woven into a rich pattern without a tangle in sight! "Blood of Mystery" cannot come out soon enough to please me. Bravo.

Why is it that every new installation in this series not only introduces new characters but also new plot twists?

It seems that Mark Anthony is making up the story as he goes along. There are no frameworks, no build up, things just "happen" and there are no explanations... The first book in the series could have been forgiven as the first attempt but the rest? I don't know there are so many good books out there and this isn't one of them unless it was intended for young audiences rather than adults.....

It has been a while since I read this book.
I've read the whole Rune series except for the
last one. I quite enjoyed the plot and the sense
of action in DRs. Maybe I haven't read enough fantasy
books but I didn't find the magic trite.

As for the reviewer complaining about the boy gets
boy scenario she may be right "the majority of readers
would be more likely to relate to a hero who's after the princess instead of the knight."

So considering that there are zounds of other

fantasy books with boy gets *girl* scenarios- that
those *are* the majority, than sci fi fan should read
those instead and leave great books such as these to
those who wish to read them as they are a special
rarity.

Mr. Anthony has went from a good first book in a downhill slide.Ending with the second book and throughout this book the main "heroes" mostly seem to be boy gets boy scenario instead of the usual.Though this may appeal to some,the majority of readers would be more likely to relate to a hero who's after the princess instead of the knight.