Triad [Hardcover]

Terry Mcgarry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2005

The world must change.

The magic-steeped realm of Eiden Myr has come under attack from the outerlands. A new power has arisen that may be the key to winning the war of the coast. Is it the light of salvation—or of delusion?

To vanquish darkcraft, mages destroyed a warding that protected the realm for fifteen hundred years. Now the last ragged defenders battle horrors out of nightmare. Their blades are no match for the monstrous onslaught. The shield will fall.

It will take more than the golden light of mages, the copper shine of touches, and the silver glow of visants to stave off annihilation. More than delving the mystery of the bonefolk. More than the forging of an impossible blade. It will take a harrowing passage into realms beyond death, beyond human sight--a quest for the source of light itself.

A great triad will rise, more wondrous and terrible than any before conceived, and the world will be transformed past all imagining.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Even though the magelight has been reborn and a new generation of mages—wordsmiths, illuminators and binders who work in triads—has arisen, the island continent of Eiden Myr remains under siege, beset by horrors and in need of "a good deal of saving," in McGarry's impressive conclusion to an ambitious trilogy that began with Illumination (2001) and continued with The Binder's Road (2003). Saving Eiden Myr, however, will require a journey to a haunted realm of wonder as well as the casting of forbidden "darkcraft." Adroit world-building includes rich language derived from the humanlike outline of Eiden Myr (one might travel "Headward" or send a shipment "Fistward") and a base nine counting system that accounts for the culture's many triads. Some may be daunted by the ambitious scope and multiple points of view, but others will be rewarded by the absorbing metaphysics of this intricate fantasy world. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In the conclusion of McGarry's Eiden Myr trilogy, that island realm is under attack by monsters from the outerlands, with the wards that once protected it having been destroyed by the mages for the sake of banishing darkcraft. Odds and sods of defenders battle the incoming horrors, but at the price of exile, for killing is forbidden in Eiden Myr. A new light, or power, has appeared, however, and it may allow victory for the defenders. But can it be trusted? The quest to answer that question may be deadlier than the attackers are. This book will be best appreciated by readers of Illumination (2001) and The Binder's Road (2003), who will be familiar with Eiden Myr, for many characters from the previous books appear in this one. Newcomers should retreat to Illumination, though McGarry also provides a Web site for those seeking enlightenment. Frieda Murray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (October 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765304295
• ISBN-13: 978-0765304292
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,458,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars high fantasy at its best, November 1, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triad (Hardcover)

The Outerlands using darkcraft have successfully attacked the island continent of Eiden Myr, which was a safe haven for at least fifteen centuries. Desperate efforts to save the isle so far have failed and apparently those still living are doomed as monsters from the myths assault them in spite of the rebirth of the magelight with new practitioners (wordsmiths, illuminators and binders) establishing fresh triads.

The last hope is for a Triad to travel to a haunted realm where they will probably die. They must cast spells using the taboo darkcraft. They are too young and the mage leaders like Breida Shielder wonder how far they have fallen already having depended on lunatics to defend their island home and now the inexperienced youngsters. Breida also ponders if they succeed somehow, who will contain this Great Triad that includes someone close to her that she wants to protect, but knows she cannot indulge in such a luxury.

This is high fantasy at its best as Terry McGarry closes her trilogy (see ILLUMINATION and THE BINDER'S ROAD with terrific finish. The story line is action-packed, but never loses sight of the importance of key characters and not just the Great triad members. Readers will treasure this fabulous end to a great saga, but be advised that to fully savor the epic tale read the previous novels first.

Harriet Klausner