How does the Fire and the Ancient Ones work with the Children of the Best Leader?

This young adult fiction is the third in the Fire Chronicle series. It is very good and uplifting, even when it presents evil and insurmountable odds.

In a fantasy world where races of creatures, usually humanoid, often fight each other, order has come to much of civilization. The Alliance was formed by fire with a great battle where Lord Luminor was seriously injured. He leads this group of people beneficently with powers that have not been equaled until now.

Now there is danger, a fearsome new evil has begun to invade the Morvians. These people live beyond the Impossible Mountains. Although this does not affect his domain, Luminor must defend these people from the invading threat. He assembles his army, the largest yet, combining many groups into a single fighting force. He heads north leaving home behind and home guarded by a regent and wise elders to protect his domain and his family.

This leaves Espira, Essie familiarly, and Ardientor sitting at home and worrying about their father. As hybrids, combining human and Gaian ancestry, they are the domain’s first and possibly only salvation, but must overcome sibling rivalry and a confinement spell imposed by their father. When all seems lost, they find a way, especially Speyer, to reconcile personalities and powers, first to request help from the Old Kingdom and then to lend their use to the army across the Impossible Mountains.

The danger is real and present. Rivalries run deep and ultimately fatal. Will Espira be able to rise to the occasion and carry on the legacy? Will Ardientor be able to help or fail her older and more powerful sister? Will the Old Kingdoms help save the day?

What is the power of Fire that Spire must control? Is a dragon the key to victory? What are the human-eating giants going to do when they move out of Morvia?

The plot is tried and true, with more than enough twists and turns to keep you interested and provide motivation to see it through. The characters are well developed, albeit slowly. The flow of the narrative goes well with clear transitions between the thoughts and actions of the characters and the story itself.

This series, if this part is any measure, is a great idea and should be an inspiration to any reader.

Satisfying and comprehensive enough to stand on its own, this book is a great example of good young adult fiction, as well as just plain great writing.

5 stars.