The Last Paladin (The War of the Rose, Book 3) (Paperback)

by Kathleen Bryan (Author)
Key Phrases: soulless soldiers, serpent magic, Dylan Fawr, Young God, Great One (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Concluding the fantasy trilogy begun in The Serpent and the Rose (2007) and The Golden Rose (2008), Averil, now queen of Lys, returns to claim her throne and heal the land. Though the king who sought to free the chaos-bringing Serpent is dead, the soulless armies he raised still roam. Averil must seek the sorcerer who commands them and assert her authority as even her most loyal defenders seek to keep her far from the action. Meanwhile, her soul mate and forbidden love, Squire Gereint, makes an unsettling discovery that explains his unusual magical talents. Bryan raises the stakes without descending into melodrama, highlighting the heroism of patience and making the Serpent more complicated than a standard Dark Lord. The effect is spoiled by a too-pat, shallow ending that rings false against the complex, nuanced story. (Mar.)
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Review

“The Serpent and the Rose is an assured and powerful novel of magic, politics, and two young people coming into their power in dangerous times. Bryan has a clear eye for nuance and a love for high fantasy that shines through the page.”

--Kate Elliott, author of Spirit Gate

“In Kathleen Bryan's The Serpent and the Rose, Averil, magic-trained heir to the duchy of Quitaine, teams with powerful peasant Gereint to stop the evil King of Lys before he unleashes chaos. …Well-thought-through magic, convincing medieval details, and likable characters make for a pleasant adventure.  For Fans of Elizabeth Haydon, Terry Goodkind.” 

--Entertainment Weekly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1 edition (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765313308
• ISBN-13: 978-0765313300
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,103 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great ending to a strong quest trilogy, March 8, 2009

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Averil has become the queen of the Kingdom of Lys with the death of her wicked uncle King Clodovec. However, the evil he did lives after him; there is no good interred with his bones as the sorcerers who used her odious relative continue their quest to bring forth the Serpent God of Chaos and their soulless armies continue to kill anyone in their path.

Averil knows she must confront the amoral sorcerers before the Serpent God arrives; if she fails to stop their incantations in time, Chaos will rule over Order. Her magecraft bondmate Squire Gereint reluctantly supports her quest to take the battle to the enemy, but her loyal subjects fear her death means the end of the Light. None can prevent the final war between Order and Chaos with the Serpent God apparently ready to lead Averill's enemies.

The final War between Order and Chaos (see THE SERPENT AND THE ROSE and THE GOLDEN ROSE) is a great ending to a strong quest trilogy. The courageous Averil and her brave bondmate have gained wisdom as both sadly understand what she must do. However, it is the Serpent God who makes the tale as he also comprehends that even Chaos has a need of Order. Although the ending appears too formulaic for this extremely complex character driven fantasy saga, Kathleen Bryan's fans will relish the final battle between the forces of Order and those of Chaos.

Harriet Klausner

3.0 out of 5 stars Series ends with a whimper, May 7, 2009

By	Lisa "Fantasy fan" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews

The Last Palladin is the last in the War of the Rose Series. You must read The Serpent and the Rose (The War of the Rose, Book 1) and The Golden Rose (The War of the Rose, Book 2) before reading this book.

I bought the first book in this series because I am a sucker for a pretty cover and I love the hostoical fantasy genre. I enjoyed the world building. I am also sucker for stereotypes like the beautiful Princess who is raised in a convent environment but is destined to rule her counry, and falls in love with a commoner. So... after a promising start, here we are at the conclusion of this series, nearly three years latter.

This book was a let down. After a lot of simmering tension, the romance ends with a whimper. The great battle between the Palladins and the Serpent also ends with a whimper. The plot is so predictable. There is a "too stupid to live" moment where Averil goes straight into the hands of her enemy and of course gets kidnapped. It was so obvious, I felt insulted. It almost felt to me that the author was fed up with this trilogy and just needed to end it to finish her committment to the publisher.

On a plus note, no graphic sex, and so it is appropriate for all age groups. Also Kathleen Bryan is the pseudonym for Judith Tarr, so I will keep reading anything she writes because I am usually a big fan.