Customer Reviews

The Fatal Strand

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

 

 

The follow-up to The Raven's Knot and The Woven Path, this is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller whose pace doesn't let up for a minute! The villains are detestable, the young heroes are flawed but likeable and the other characters are mostly insane. The decaying Wyrd museum provides a perfect backdrop for this sad tale of the inevitability of change. That doesn't mean that there isn't a light at the end of every tunnel, and this book does contain a message of hope for the future amid a grim present.
It isn't quite as moving and beautiful as the Raven's Knot, but makes up for it by being even scarier and more demanding.
The characters are well drawn, especially the cruel asylum guard 'Tick-tock Jack', the Webster Sisters, hero Neil's very flawed father and best of all 'Quoth', Neil's adorable conflicted talking raven. Highly recommended.

After reading the first two I was expecting much of this book and Robin Jarvis has provided the best of the three. This is one exciting read, Neil returns from Glastonbury with Edie and the late Miss Veronica Webster's body only to find another more chalenging adventure waiting for him. A strange ghost hunter who he met in the previous installment has been invited into the wyrd museum and as soon as he enters the museum begins to come back to life. Old spells lying dormant begin to awake to help protect the Websters against the approaching evil forces of Woden the Gallows God. But one of Woden's agents has already infultrated the Wyrd Museum in the form of evil Warder Jack (Tick-Tock)Timms, a man bestode with time traveling powers by Woden and sent to kill the remaining Webster sisters and Edie. Assisted by his faithfull companion Quoth the Raven Neil must help to protect the Websters in this their final stand against the forces of evil.
This is the biggest and most complex of the three books, it also holds some of the major character developments, Ursula Webster's constant battle against her approaching insanity, Celidine Webster already insane but driven further into the black abyss of her mind by the death of her sister Veronica. Edie makes friends with a strange new character of the Gogus a small imp but the Gogus' loyalties are unclear. Neil has a new relationship with the mysterious Ghost Hunter who has now entered the museum. Quoth also has a dilema, he is offered a choice of staying with his beloved new master Neil and being punished by having his power of speach taken away and then finally being killed or returning to his old master Woden and becoming the evil Memory once more.
Also Neil's father Brain Chapmann plays a much bigger role in the happening of the Wyrd Museum, confused and afraid by all the strange events occuring he stops looking after himself and begins to loose his temper a lot easier.
This amazing story boils over and with the Museum its self turning against them our heros are loosing hope for the future of the world fast. This is definatly the best of the trilogy with thrills, splills and one fantastic twist near the end.

This trilogy is good enough to rival Harry Potter anytime! With a plot that's thick with twists, details and non-stop excitement, it's a fantastic read even for adults!

Robin Jarvis has crafted an excellent trilogy drawing on various mytholgies. These books are so well written, they appeal not only to young adult readers, but also children and adults. I picked up the first book but quickly realized my young children would like this as well- it has become a read-aloud treasure in our house! We will be reading and re-reading this series for many years...