Customer Reviews

The Magicians' Daughter: Book Three of the Stoneways Trilogy

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

 

 

The other reviewers mentioned the psychological aspects of the book, which Butler nails. There are also more adult themes in this book including infertility and even adultery. Yet despite these adult themes and a grim overtone this book has a taste of sweetness. I'm not sure whether it is the dashes of humor thrown in or what, but at the end of the book you still feel uplifted. That is pretty impressive considering we're dealing with quarreling spouses, daughter versus father, best friend conflict etc.

I'll be brief and to the point. Buy and read this trilogy. You will be happy that you did.

The wicked Wizard Fornoch turns his attention from destroying his former student the magician Reiffen and his enemy's mage wife Ferris to their ten years old offspring Hubley. At least that is what Reiffen believes the last wizard, who once abducted him, (see REIFFEN'S CHOICE) plans. Reiffen turns so obsessive in his efforts to keep his daughter safe, he drives his spouse and child crazy while they wonder if he is going mad with his paranoid fixation.

However, his over protection leads to a frustrated Hubley suddenly finding her magical skills. Still she, her mom, her father's friend Avender, and others try to keep her safe from the evil Fornoch and even more so from her insane phobic father. Avender has his own issues as he loves the queen who is married to a close friend. All this preoccupation is going on while the manderstone expands in Issinlough.

The premise of Reiffen losing his mind is a terrific concept as heroes never mentally fall apart, but the story line feels somewhat padded especially with a bittersweet romantic triangular subplot. The Stoneways fantasy has moved on with the next generation title character playing a major role (and not as her increasingly demented father's fear for her - keep in mind the paranoid can sometimes be right). Fans of the saga will enjoy the finish that started as a coming of age thriller (REIFFEN'S CHOICE) became a morality drama (QUEEN FERRIS) and ends with a psychological save the world thriller.

Harriet Klausner

The first two pages are unrelentingly grim, which may put sensitive readers off. Get past them, I tell you, because it's worth it. We shortly jump ten years into the future. Reiffen and Ferris' daughter, Hubley, is eagerly awaiting her tenth birthday, because her parents have promised her that when she turns ten, she can start learning *real* magic. I will not reveal too much of the plot, because I hate reviews that have spoilers. However, it would not be amiss to tell readers that things do not go as planned, because what sort of story would it be if they did? Butler skillfully handles his characters' emotions and motivations. The scope of the book is wide -- there is madness and love and hatred and revenge and.... I'm really hard-pressed to tell you more without major spoilers. Butler messes with his characters' heads and lives a great deal in this book, which is all to the good. If you're expecting everything to be set right, don't. There are some parts in the middle that are somewhat confusing, but again, this just shows Butlers' skill at keeping his cards hidden. The characters don't understand what's going on at that time, so why should the reader? When those cards are revealed, the pieces fall into place.

I found this overall an enjoyable read. What am I saying? I turned the lights out for Earth Hour, and found, at 9:30, that I had failed to fall asleep, so I turned a light back on, so I could keep reading, which I did until almost 1:00am. I was totally drawn in. While this is the final book in the Stoneways Trilogy, I hope it is not the last we see of this world -- or these characters. I found Hubley and Avender particularly compelling.