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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Final Battle, August 4, 2003
This review is from: The Gates of Winter (The Last Rune, Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Gates of Winter is the fifth novel in The Last Rune series, following Blood of Mystery. In the previous volume, Travis, Durge, Lirith and Sareth have been hurled into the past of Earth, but return to Eldh to reach the Black Tower and then come forward through time to their proper milieu. Grace, Beltan, Vani, and Falken also travel to the Black Tower, at first in the White Ship and then by foot. All find the tower aswarm with feydrim and each witnesses a large man in black stabbing the mysterious messenger Sky, taking a runestone from Sky's robes, and then vanishing through a wall of the tower. Shortly thereafter, Tira appears on the tower doorstep with Krondisar, the Stone of Fire, and presents it to Travis, the Runebreaker.
In this novel, Master Larad -- runespeaker, outcast, traitor -- meets with Shemal and is given the power to break runes. Deidre Falling Hawk and Hadrian Farr are welcomed back by the Seekers and promoted, but Farr subsequently disappears on a mission of his own. Grace, Durge, Travis, Beltan, Vani, Falken, Lirith and Sareth return to Calavere, still accompanied by the little girl -- and goddess -- Tira. Grace and her party are greeted by explosions that destroy two towers and open a large breech in the wall. Apparently Duratek has reached Calavere before them.
The time of conflict is nearly upon them. King Boreas calls the Warriors of Vathris to muster and to follow Grace, heir of King Uther and holder of Fellring reforged, in the Final Battle against the minions of the Pale King. The witches begin to gather to oppose the Warriors, but some covens pledge themselves to Grace and thus to support the Runebreaker. Travis feels that he would be more effective opposing Duratek's efforts to bridge the gap between the worlds and returns to Denver with his Stones to look for, and destroy, their gate.
This novel brings Grace to a confrontation with her heritage as she faces the Pale King. It also brings Travis to a realization of his role as the Runebreaker. However, it is not the end of the story, for The First Stone has yet to come.
Highly recommended for Anthony fans and anyone else who enjoys complex tales of sword and sorcery.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One more to go in an enjoyable series, February 26, 2004
This review is from: The Gates of Winter (The Last Rune, Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)
At first, I thought this was the last book of series; but there is one more, supposedly the last. Good! Don't run it into the ground, six is enough! This book is enjoyable as it's predecessors. This time, we get a bit of the X-Files inserted into a traditional fantasy. Mr. Anthony is so derivative, it actually becomes a sort of originality with him. The deeply flawed main characters are also refreshing: Travis is not all that smart, but he's kind and sweet. He is in way over his head, with a love triangle, and an ominous corporate entity to subvert. Grace is not all that nice, but she's very intelligent. She is written from her own perspective ("a skinny witch"), which makes her intriguing. She doesn't understand her own power, or her appeal. A reluctant heroine who has to save the world from the Pale King! I am glad that the ultra derivative characters of Falkan the Bard, and Melia did not get as much play as in the previous novels. They aren't as interesting as the other supporting cast members. It's also good to see the comic book character Vani develop a little--in more ways than one. A fun read, if you're in the mood for something fun, with lots of action.
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
GOOD CONTINUATION OF THE SERIES, September 22, 2003
This review is from: The Gates of Winter (The Last Rune, Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)
THE GATES OF WINTER is the fifth book in Mr. Anthony's LAST RUNE series. Usually in theses extended series' the story line becomes repetitive or the action becomes so ludicrous (yes I know were talking about a book of magic, believe me even given the existence of magic a storyline can become ridicules) by the fifth book that hope and pray for this one to be the last one. Luckily for us GATES OF WINTER hasn't reached that point, in fact the story line is just as fresh and interesting as the first of the RUNE books. Although the cast of characters is vast Mr. Anthony does a good job of keeping the story well paced without overly simplifying it to inconsequential nothingness. While it is true that many characters do experience some development here, some are even developed into nothing, this close to the end the story is the overriding factor in propelling them forward. Although I must admit one of the main characters, Travis, seems to not have developed a bit from the first book to this latest. If you were expecting more from his character, keep waiting, maybe in the next one. The next installment, THE FIRST STONE, is due out next year and is supposed to be the conclusion. Hopefully it will be. Unlike many other series LAST RUNE has not yet overstayed it's welcome, but it is a very close thing. All I can say is I am still looking forward to the last one and it can't be all bad if it leaves you wanting more. This one is RECOMMENDED.
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