The Summer Palace: Volume Three of the Annals of the Chosen [Hardcover]

I really liked this series. I thought the first two volumes were very good. I thought this one was a bit weaker. It wasn't terrible or unreadable, but it was fairly slow in pacing and more contemplative than action packed. The bulk of the book has Sword basically hiding out until he can make an attempt on the Wizard Lord. The actual conclusion is fairly swift and has a neat little twist. While I was glad to read the final novel and to get closure on the storyline, I doubt I would read it again. Too little happens and too few of the characters that we got to know are in the book for much time at all. With that said, I still think Watt-Evans is a strong author and I would highly recommend his work especially the Ethshar series and the Obsidian Chronicles.

Having finished the series, I must say I was generally disappointed by it. The first book was quite strong and got me very interested in the world Watt-Evans had created and the characters he populated it with. However, the second and third books have really dimmed my interest. The main problem as I see it is that there really isn't enough material in the last two books to justify publishing them separately. Each of them is filled with needless repetitions to the point where the last two volumes of this series should have been edited down and released as one three hundred page novel. Yes, I do think about half of the last two books amounted to unnecessary and extraneous material. As an example, there were at least two places on this book, in addition to the prologue, in which the entire series up to that point was summarized.
In addition, the characters are remarkably slow and dim-witted. I figured out every single plot twist and problematic plan pages in advance of the characters in the story. Essentially reading this book amounted to me wading through pages of repetitious ruminations waiting for the characters to figure out what should have been obvious from page one. All in all, much as I like the work of Watt-Evans, I cannot recommend the series. Book one is a good read; a self-contained and interesting story. I would recommend you read that and skip the rest. If you are particularly bored you might try to get the books from the library, but frankly I am not sure they are worth even that limited time commitment.

The Summer Palace (2008) is the third fantasy novel in the Annals of the Chosen trilogy, following The Ninth Talisman. In the previous volume, Boss and Lore were imprisoned by the Wizard Lord. Azir and Babble were killed at the Wizard Lord's command just as several wizards had been slain.

Sword had killed the soldiers who attacked the Chosen and then fled. Bow, Snatcher and Beauty had also escaped. But the current Wizard Lord was still alive.

In this novel, Erren Zal Tuyo kam Darig seveth Tirimsir abek Du is Sword, the Chosen swordsman. He has decided to wait for the Wizard Lord in the Summer Palace, which is outside the realm of Barokan and thus outside of the magic of that land.

Artil im Saltir -- the former Red Wizard -- is now a Dark Lord. He still has his soldiers looking for the Chosen survivors.

Farash nith Kerra is the Old Boss. He had betrayed the Chosen to the Dark Lord of Galbek Hills. Now he is the chief advisor of the new Dark Lord.

In this story, Sword returns to Winterhome. Disguised as a Hostman, he finds a way up the cliff to the Plateau. He gets himself accepted by the Uplanders who live there during the clement months and becomes part of the Golden Spear tribe. He dwells among them and learns their ways.

When the Uplanders leave the Plateau to winter in Winterhome, Sword stays in the Summer Palace. He finds a few useful items in the palace, but little food. Eventually, he learns that lir exist of the Plateau, but are only active during the winter while the ara birds are absent.

With help from the Upland lir, Sword prepares a secret entrance to the Summer Palace. When spring returns, he awaits the coming of the Wizard Lord. As the only Chosen available, Sword is determined to kill this Dark Lord.

This tale concludes the trilogy. Sword learns much about the Uplands and discovers the secret of the Ninth Talisman. The ending of this storyline is satisfactory, but leaves one wishing for more.

Highly recommended for Watt-Evans fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of exotic cultures, unusual magic, and a bit of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin