Megan
I feel like the phrase 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' is a fitting description for the sequel to the Keeper of the World, as the characters you know and love return but continue to be in more danger than ever.
At the end of the last book, it was uncertain whether ANY of them had survived the almighty destruction of the Temple of Ratacopeck, but old (and new) characters have returned to continue their journey towards a fate unknown. With the Elements (Saz, Meggie, Bex and Bethan) all trapped in the mysterious world of the Diggers, and Edmund and his companions (Eliom, Fred and Thom) discovery of the chance to get them back, we discover that there was more to the Keeper of the World than meets the eye.
For Edmund, the loss of his love was like a stake through the heart, but when he learns that the women survived the fires of the temple and are now trapped in an unknown world, he risks everything to get her back. Along the way we meet some new and interesting characters including a Seer of things that might come to pass, a dangerous foe who could disrupt the entire journey, the life partner of one of his companions and an old friend who betrays his trust and leads him straight into a trap that could endanger his mission.
Whilst those still in Tungala take a journey to learn the truth, the Elements have their own problems when they arrive in the Digger world, unable to recall their names, let alone anything that had transpired on their home world. Here we see them band together and, with the help of two elements who have been trapped in the Digger world for an eternity, discover how to escape and return to those they left behind, but the information they need comes at a deathly cost.
In what turns out to be a race against time for both parties, fate plays a crucial role in getting everyone exactly where they need to be for a blissful reunion, but when one Element has nothing to return for, she has the decision of a lifetime to make.
This adventure has just as much heart and determination as the first, and leaves you with SO many questions about the Digger world, who is the builder, is Eliom becoming more human, and what happens to Soph and Elanore after their clash with the remaining clones (who knew there would be MORE of those?!). I'm looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into the final book and finding out what fate has had in store for them all along.
Just when you thought it was all over, it soon becomes clear that destiny is not yet done with Edmund, the elements, and their companions. With the fate of two of their own unknown, there is one journey left to make to find out what happened to those they left behind. However, it soon becomes clear that the way is fraught with danger and without the steady and unfailing help of Eliom, they can but hope they make it through unscathed. And whilst it seems that they always seem to get there in the end, this time, their luck may have run out.
With 3 of the 4 elements saved, they begin a life of bliss, recovering from the events that unfolded in The Entity of Souls, but much to the surprise of the elements, they have one last journey to make to recover Soph and Elanore who were last seen being overrun by the last of Renard's clones. Before they can begin, Eliom is brutally stripped of his powers, and fears that what is left of him will cause destruction beyond belief. As the characters begin to understand what this means for him, we slowly get an insight into the Wizarding Order and what Eliom has been holding back all those years. And although for those travelling with him see a husk of the person he used to be, we are able to see and feel the raw emotion and pain he is trying to get to grips with.
Despite choosing to stay, the last element in the Digger world is far from safe either, as she finds herself back on the run. Choosing to stay behind has caused the balance between the worlds to become unstable, a state of being the Builder cannot leave unchecked. Just when she thought she was safe to spend an eternity with her love, she will once again have to risk it all in order to feel safe once more.
Despite feeling done with their journey, the group cannot leave the Entity of Souls to continue to falsely draw humans into it's power over and over again. Once they have the facts in order, there is one last task for them to complete.
The destruction of the Entity of souls is the last stage to the long journey of the group, and the shocking discovery to both Edmund and Eliom that the wizard Eliom had once thought he had destroyed is at the centre of the matter leads to even more questions. However, with the Wizarding Order there to help along the way, the final task should hopefully be an easy one. However, from the moment I read that Meggie was not going to make it coming back through the gateway, to the brutal beheading of Saz (that was so unexpected, I almost missed it!), I knew that in the final conclusion no one was going to be safe from harm this time.I admire a story where the author is not afraid to kill off main characters (I'm looking at you George Martin). I have a deep loathing of plot armour (for those that don't know, it's where characters will face certain death but make it through because they are needed for the plot to move forward) because it so often ends up with a lucky coincidence saving them, or by some ridiculously unrealistic means; you have to write characters well for you not to feel they have plot armour. And whilst some of the instances in these novels have erred on the side of plot armour, I have felt more that they have escaped through the strength of their characters and the group they have become. I also like the portrayals of the deaths themselves, as whilst Meggie's was more drawn out, the swiftness of Saz's demise is just as important, as so often in real life it can be a shock.
Four women are about to have their entire world turned upside down in the first of a new YA trilogy (I am so glad it is a trilogy, as I HAVE to know what happens next). Meet Bethan, Saz, Bex and Meggie, who until now were living their best life, when Edmund, a great explorer, discovers they have a bigger part to play. What obviously started out as a love letter to Lord of the Rings (I mean 8 people travelling on a quest together?), becomes a story of adventure and companionship, and a chance to save the world they love.
The four Elements and their companions are called to a greater purpose, to release the Keeper of the World and save their home, a planet called Tungala. The first half is devoted to the collection and journey to a town called Stanzleton, where they will all meet for the first time, and continue on with their quest to save the world. These journeys are not without their own trials and tribulations, but the real danger comes when it becomes apparent that there are forces competing for the power within the Keeper of the World. Barely escaping with the skin of their teeth, they then set off to their final destination, and uncovering the mystery of the orb and how they can save their planet.
Whilst marketed as a YA Epic Fantasy, these characters are in the tail end of young adulthood, making their determination and willingness to get involved more believable and their characters easier to relate to. The world building in this is exceptional, giving you the feeling of being alongside the characters throughout their journey, whilst also introducing new and old mythical beings without much hesitation. Alongside the detail of the world, you also get a deep insight into the inner workings of each character, creating a bond with them that leaves you rooting for them end up with their happily ever after.
Overall a strong start to an exciting journey, with a great introduction to each of the characters and who they are. Whilst some characters have more focus than others (talk about sexual tension!), there is plenty to keep you rooting for them to succeed in their quest and get their happily ever after. Bring on book number 2!