5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Jenny Mounfield, June 25, 2009
This review is from: Wardragon (The Jelindel Chronicles, Book 4) (Paperback)
What began in Dragonlinks with 14 year old Jelindel, sole survivor of her masacred family, draws to a heart-stopping climax in this the final chapter.
Having become a powerful mage and, with the help of her friends, dispatching the chainmail shirt that threatened to destroy all the worlds, Jelindel is shocked to learn that the cursed shirt has risen to power once more.
The mailshirt, made from a blending of cold science and magic, may be invincible, but the consciousness that inhabits it is not. Drawing on the body of its host, the Preceptor, its plan is simple: eradicate every scrap of magic everywhere. Q'zar, Jelindel's world, is destined to become like ours, a place where magic no longer exists. But only if Jelindel fails to find the mailshirt's weakness. Jelindel, herself, says it best:
" `Cold science naturally displaces magic, just as heat pushes out cold, or disbelief holds sway over belief. They cannot live together.' "
Jelindel is the quintessential heroine. She has overcome personal tragedy and crushing adversity to fight for what she believes in. Yet, thanks to Collins' obvious skill, she remains endearingly human with an underlying innocence, and more than her fair share of the fears that reside in us all.
While each book in this series is a link in itself - a piece of a much larger story - each volume is also a fully-formed smaller story that stands alone. Anything from the previous books that is needed to enhance understanding of this one, has been artfully woven into the narrative.
Wardragon has it all: rich description, adventure, characters as familiar as family and humour, often at the most unlikely times. Jelindel's story is a treat for fantasy fans of all ages. Highly recommended.
Jenny Mounfield is the author of two junior novels: Storm Born (Koala Books), and The Black Bandit (Lothian). Her first YA novel, The Ice-cream Man is scheduled for publication in July 2008.
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