The Way Of The Rose (Everien: Book Three) by Valery Leith

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The Way Of The Rose (Everien: Book Three) by Valery Leith
Pub: Gollancz. 452 page paperback. Price: Ł 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07303-9.

check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk

Istar is on a journey. She shares it with a man who is a shattered remnant of another she knew as Elteltar. He that remains can only speak when the Sky Hawk, an enormous bird, is near. Istar the Honorary journeys through a land that has been sliced up by a time serpent. Ordinary mortals cannot cross the divides.

The Way Of The Rose (Everien: Book Three) by Valery Leith Jaya Paradox can cross the divides, knowing herself to be not entirely human. Moving out of her garden into the real world, Jaya seeks Tarquin with whom she once knew brief happiness. Tarquin is on his own mission and must merge with Ice, one of the time-travelling horses of Or, to maximise his chances of success.

When Tash - the Pharician warlord, captures Jaya, the Sky Hawk and Istar come to her rescue.

Meanwhile, Pallo finds himself in Everien and realises he is staying young as those around him age. He decides to take some power for himself by manipulating others who cross into Everien into becoming his army. When Grietar is 'changed' by Zene, member of the mysterious Circle, he travels to meet with Pallo. Both have something the other wants.

This novel is the third of three and should tie up the plot loose ends of the first two (‘The Company Of Glass’ and ‘The Riddled Night’).

I found myself reading it with a sense of wonder and bafflement. It was difficult having not read the previous books in the series. The world created is fascinating and her descriptive powers are very strong. However it is quite a long book, coming in at 452 pages and I found it tricky at first to keep the characters in mind.

All the characters previously featured in the first two books. You really need to already be attached to them before this book starts as none of them demonstrate any endearing qualities. Herein lies the problem of only reading Book 3. If you are to sell a trilogy make sure your characters are attractive enough so that the readers will bother to come back for the series.

The story is quite complex and not easy to summarise and there is little back-story offered as it would hold up the action.

I did enjoy the book sufficiently to keep reading to the end but not enough to go back and read the previous books. The last few chapters felt like a conclusion that explained Book 1 and 2, so I hope they do for the faithful readers that have staggered through circa 1500 pages!

Sue Davies

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