Third in an exciting fantasy trilogy called 'Balanced Sword' comes PHOENIX ASCENDANT. We get a quick recap of the adventure to date, and maps. Kyri has left her home after her family were killed, but in another city she learns that the supposedly just faction of holy warriors may have been behind the deaths. She seeks vengeance. A prince called Tobimar has left his people in Skysand while in search of his ancestral homeland. The two meet in the city of Zarathanton and team up, along with a diminutive adventurer named Poplock Duckweed, quite appropriately as he is of the Toad race. Poplock is really well written, perching on someone's shoulder, slurping up beetles and picking locks happily.

By now the heroes have coped with battle and treachery, magic and dragons. Refugees are flooding the land from a coming Chaos War so the adventurers arm themselves and travel. We meet them helping to repair the structure of the Valata Tower temporarily in an effort to save people trapped there after a magical explosion. Kyri the swordswoman has been given the title of Lady Phoenix and has learned to call fire. She is astonished to meet a family member who is able to confirm her suspicions about a person of status being responsible for evil acts. Deciding to put an end to this double-dealing, Kyri and her companions head for the city of Evanwyl to confront him... through the haunted Rivendream Pass.

I'm trying not to give anything away as there are some real surprises in store. The incidentals are rewarding too, such as a bespelled scroll, a clockwork crossbow and a sand- demon. With gods and demons involved, the story includes the metaphysical. Anyone who has been following the adventurers will be thrilled to continue the quest as Kyri faces the fact that she is cursed and Tobimar realises that he loves her. Personally I find the growing sureness of love provides an emotional strength to this third instalment which may make it more powerful than the others.

Author Ryk Spoor uses some modern terms such as data, matrix, analysis, which are appropriate as used and serve to remind us that language has changed over centuries. Ryk Spoor also writes science fiction but he enjoys running fantasy role playing games, from which his written adventures grew. We can see this influence in the provision and growth of distinct and unusual characters, and in the strong proportion of conversation in which all are allowed to speak as equals - something unusual in medieval times. PHOENIX ASCENDANT is just right for adventurers of all shapes and sizes.

Book Summary

#3 in the Balanced Sword epic fantasy series, and series finale. Phoenix and her companions take on the King of All Hells in a final showdown with the fate of multiple worlds in the balance.

The King of All Hells Awaits

Kyri, Tobimar, and Poplock had managed—barely—to thwart the plans of the mad alchemist-mage Master Wieran, and defeat the monstrous Elderwyrm Sanamaveridion, saving the secret country of Kaizatenzei from the evil hidden at its core. Now they believe they have discovered the true architect of not just the fall of the Justiciars of Myrionar—god of Justice and Vengeance—but the unleashing of the forces of the Hells themselves against the other countries of Zarathan. They begin their journey back to Kyri's home, Evanwyl, to confront the being their new ally Miri calls Viedraverion, first son of the King of All Hells.

But behind that name lies an even more terrible secret, and a plan centuries in the making, a plan that depends on Kyri being who and what she is. Even if the three adventurers can escape the spies and traps within their own adventuring party, their final adversary awaits them eagerly. For with them they carry the key to their enemy's victory—a victory which will destroy not only Kyri, her friends, and her country, but also the gods themselves!

Yet Kyri and her allies have a hidden strength themselves. They are fighting for the right, and there are ancient gods and powers who may come to the aid of a true warrior's heart in the time of greatest need.