From Publishers Weekly
In fantasy stories, young protagonists are often wiser than their years and savvy in the ways of politics. In Rabe's third book about magical horses from the Finest Court (after The Finest Choice), 14-year-old Kalantha and her older brother, Meven are, regrettably, rather clueless to just about everything. Meven, who has become king, has inadvertently started a bloody war under the influence of the diabolical Bishop DeNogaret. After Kalantha persuades her brother that the war is evil, Meven decides the best way to end it is to traipse over to the opposing side with open arms. While it's a noble idea, it's also a recipe for disaster. Meanwhile, Kalantha, who's under attack at the palace, flees without the aid of her horse, Rue. What follows is a muddled game of catch-up among the main characters as they try to end the war. Rabe started the series with a bang, but this volume shows signs of fatigue.
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From Booklist
Rabe resumes the series that began with
The Finest Creation (2004) where
The Finest Choice (2005) left off, with evil Bishop DeNogaret laid up by injuries suffered when Gallant-Stallion prevented him from killing Kalantha. Meven, out of the bishop's sway, comes to his senses and realizes in horror how much suffering and death he has caused by warring with Nasim-Guri. Although Meven's forces are close to winning, he determines to go to Nasim-Guri and make amends to King Silverwood. DeNogaret is just as determined to prevent the war's ending, as is the malevolent falcon that leads the vicious assassin birds. The result is the expected attacks and counterattacks leading up to a violent climactic battle in King Silverwood's courtyard. Slightly weaker structurally than its predecessors, this is still a book that fans will want to read. And the epilogue hints at one more.
Sally EstesCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
