Review: Slow out the gate, but an amazing finish...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 11, 2012
The 3rd book in the Ashes of the Realm series sets the stage for what seems like an epic confrontation between the creative force and the enemy behind the Black Ships, as well as the ruling empire of this series and the faded, but not forgotten, realm of the last one (Annihilation Series).The first 1/3 of the book is not only depressing, but frustrating in that the 'heroes' take on a passive stance and lose all their previously renowned problem solving skills.  The result is a bunch of seemingly pointless deaths which had to occur 'just because.'  And why these people continue to support the creative force after it screwed up the psychic situation so badly that people were in danger of spontaneously combusting is beyond me...Despite this, the latter 2/3 of the book is pretty awesome.  The survivors are angry and determined; they become innovative again, and you are treated to a blazing ride of destruction and vengeance throughout multiple universes, against multiple enemies.  Alliances change and the people of the empire form a closer union than anything seen before.  I never wanted the book to end (being shorter than the other books didn't help) and I can't wait to see what happens next.