The Phoenix Transformed: Book Three of the Enduring Flame [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

I don't normally write reviews because usually by the time I've read the book, other folks have already expressed what I would say. Not in this case. I'm surprised to read that some folks skimmed pages - if so, they missed wonderful examples of character development and plot lines building. To me, the story is about a journey - one of learning compassion, understanding, respect for strange ways, and finally trust: in one's self and in others. The characters and plot unfold and develop with exquisite, realistic detail. Yes, it takes time, but how else to reconcile such disparate peoples? And what an unexpected twist at the end - never saw that coming! I found the book to be a very satisfying end to the series.

I really enjoyed the first two books- picking them up without having read the Obsidian trilogy, and I fell in love with the story which showed real promise and potential to be a great epic. The second book lagged a little bit insofar as character development went, but I figured "hey, it's the second book in the trilogy, it's obviously going to get better!"

Unfortunately that's not what happened. What we got was Harrier being gruff and grudgingly accepting of responsibility, Tiercel endlessly complaining, no Ancaladar until the last few pages, an uninspired evil villain, and endless desert trekking.

To be completely honest, reading about a group of desert nomads who struggle across an unforgiving desert could be interesting- but not for 500 pages where the 'trials and tribulations' are wash, rinse, and repeat. The group of adventurers are plagued by a series of the awakened demon Ahirain's minions. Over. And over. And over again, with little to no variation in battle sequences.

There was also no progression on the villain's side! The great demon Ahirain wanted to bring back the endarkened, that is what had been hinted at in the first two books and would certainly have made for some really awesome plot. But all she does is make ugly versions of desert animals and dead people and send them to attack our protagonists in order to impress some remnant of an ancient civilization. Very scary.

Whenever the book actually showed promise- IE Servasse taking Bisochim and Tiercel to the Elf lands to get help, which could have opened up new ideas and subsequent plot derivations- Not to mention a much desired break from the desert! But no. Servasse gets her wing eaten and so they have to go back to the main group. After much journeying, they finally get to where they were going, and they then decide it's time to go all the way back to where they started! What a plot twist right? I wanted to throw the book at the authors. The only reason I 'liked' this book was because of the ending. If the rest of the book had been written like the last 50 pages, it would've been great.

Check it out from the Library if you want some closure to the series, but don't buy it- you may as well read the first 100 pages and skip over to the last 50. You wouldn't miss much.

I was very disappointed in this whole series. I never did get "close" to Tiercel and Harrier. I wanted to, but Harrier was too grouchy and Tiercel too wimpy. I hated that they didn't bring Ancaladar back until the end. And I know I will get a lot of flack, but their total disregard of the animals in the book really turned me off. I just read the part where he burned the shotar, but it died before it hit the open ground? I found it disturbing. I know it's a book, but... I, too, wish she would have just stayed with Kellen and kept their characters going.