The Finest Challenge (Finest Trilogy) [Hardcover]

Jean Rabe (Author)

Book Description

Series: Finest Trilogy | Publication Date: September 5, 2006

They were the Finest Creations--mystically forged creatures of perfection sent by the creators to aid the Fallen (mankind) during their mortal existence. Though they resemble ordinary horses they are highly intelligent, capable of communicating telepathically, and completely moral. They are assigned to bond with individuals of great potential and to protect them from harm while guiding them along a path of virtue.

THE FINEST CHALLENGE

Kalantha has successfully rescued her brother from the shadow of the evil bishop's bellicose influence, but now finds herself cut off from both him and her Finest protector, Gallant Stallion. All three must race against the clock to curtail the unnecessary war that the Bishop's minions have engineered. And, still lurking in the shadows and prowling the night skies is the avian menace whose dreams of a carrion-strewn countryside can still come through if their equine nemesis is neutralized.

The Finest series combines elements of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series with C.S. Lewis's Narnia to tell an inspiring tale of moral and mystical intrigue.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In fantasy stories, young protagonists are often wiser than their years and savvy in the ways of politics. In Rabe's third book about magical horses from the Finest Court (after The Finest Choice), 14-year-old Kalantha and her older brother, Meven are, regrettably, rather clueless to just about everything. Meven, who has become king, has inadvertently started a bloody war under the influence of the diabolical Bishop DeNogaret. After Kalantha persuades her brother that the war is evil, Meven decides the best way to end it is to traipse over to the opposing side with open arms. While it's a noble idea, it's also a recipe for disaster. Meanwhile, Kalantha, who's under attack at the palace, flees without the aid of her horse, Rue. What follows is a muddled game of catch-up among the main characters as they try to end the war. Rabe started the series with a bang, but this volume shows signs of fatigue.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Rabe resumes the series that began with The Finest Creation (2004) where The Finest Choice (2005) left off, with evil Bishop DeNogaret laid up by injuries suffered when Gallant-Stallion prevented him from killing Kalantha. Meven, out of the bishop's sway, comes to his senses and realizes in horror how much suffering and death he has caused by warring with Nasim-Guri. Although Meven's forces are close to winning, he determines to go to Nasim-Guri and make amends to King Silverwood. DeNogaret is just as determined to prevent the war's ending, as is the malevolent falcon that leads the vicious assassin birds. The result is the expected attacks and counterattacks leading up to a violent climactic battle in King Silverwood's courtyard. Slightly weaker structurally than its predecessors, this is still a book that fans will want to read. And the epilogue hints at one more. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765308223
• ISBN-13: 978-0765308221
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An action-packed finale from a fantasy master, January 9, 2007

By 

J. Helfers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Finest Challenge (Finest Trilogy) (Hardcover)

Having been a fan of Jean Rabe since her Dragonlance novels, I was very pleased to see her get the chance to create and play in her own world with the Finest trilogy, and I'm even happier to see that the third volume continues the wonderful writing and plot of the first two. It's refreshing to see characters, especially young adults, who <don't> know everything and aren't able to save the kingdom and tie everything up in a neat little bow; her heroes and heroines come across as real in their worry and hurt and struggle to make the right choices. And her take on such fantasy tropes as sentient animals (love the deadly flock of birds!) is a fresh breath of originality in endless books and films of talking animals and magical creatures. Kudos on a delightful journey...with the possible hint of more to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finest Challenge Review, November 28, 2009

By 

P. Ogilvie "cozmicgod" (Somewhere, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Finest Challenge (Finest Trilogy) (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this end to the Finest Trilogy. There aren't a lot of stories in fantasy with horses so it was great reading this! The end of the story was also left open ended in a fashion so the author could continue the story if she chooses to do so. I hope she does pick up with the Finest Court and we can get a glimpse of life there and what happens if the evil birds get in and the Fallen Favorites have to give a helping hand. It would be a great plot twist. Excellent story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book!, June 14, 2007

By 

Paul Genesse "fantasy author" (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Finest Challenge (Finest Trilogy) (Hardcover)

What a fun book and a great read. The fast-paced adventures of Kal and Rue (also known as Gallant Stallion) continue in this novel about a young girl and her guardian angel--who happens to be a horse! The bad guys are out in force and a terrible war must be ended. There is something great about the determination of Kal, who shows us how to have courage no matter how bad it gets.