The sword triumphant

Decades have passed since the Erlking was defeated, the Everwood destroyed, and Alf lost his sword, Spellbreaker. Now Alf and his sister live quietly in a remote village. Their peace is shattered when Ceremos, a vampire elf, arrives with a message from Blaise, who is believed to be long dead. Blaise calls for Alf and his cursed sword one last time, and even after all these years, Alf remains bound by his loyalty to the Nine. This final "Lands of the Firstborn" book, following The Sword Unbound, exudes an almost sentimental tone that adds layers of emotional depth to the series. At its heart, this is the story of a brother and sister who, despite being too old and burdened to shoulder the weight of the world, do so anyway with admirable resolve and humanity. The reflective prose beautifully balances the wisdom of the old with the ambitions of the young, while the immersive worldbuilding feels both ancient and adventurous. Best of all, the snarky talking sword Spellbreaker is back with all his mischief and mayhem. VERDICT A powerful epic fantasy finale, perhaps the trilogy's strongest installment.--Andrea Dyba