The High Lord

Title: The High Lord
Author: Trudi Canavan
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2003
Series: The Black Magician (book 3)

Review:
In the last installment of the Black Magician trilogy, all the pieces start to come together. Akkarin’s guardianship of Sonea turns into a mentorship. He gives her ancient volumes that tell a time when the Guild freely used Higher Magic as well as the terrifying reason it was banned forever on pain of death. And all the while, the murders in the city continue. This is what convinces Sonea, and changes her mind about the High Lord once and for all. For he is not the murder, but the one stopping each of the killers, these Black Magicians, infiltrating his city.

And so it seems the Guild is in far more peril than they could ever imagine. If Akkarin is correct, then the Sachakans are determined to gain revenge and destroy the Allied Lands. But when the Guild finds the books he has been giving to Sonea, they are both exiled and the Guild – and Imardin – is left defenseless.

In this stunning conclusion, prejudices are challenged, injustices halted and ways of life are threatened. Sonea grows into her powers and best of all learns to understand who she is and who she wants to be. No longer is she the fearful little street urchin that allowed others to push her around. Gone are the aggravatingly repetitive themes which held back the first two books in the series. This book moves along seamlessly, full of high emotions and fear. The history of Imardin and the Allied lands is deeply entwined with the fate of its current citizens. The High Lord leaves the reader with the wonderful concept that if old ideas are not confronted then a society becomes too hidebound to save itself from destruction.

Perspective:
The High Lord is told from third person omniscient, switching between many characters’ point of view.

My Thoughts:
This is easily the best book in the trilogy. It more than makes up for the inadequacies of the two previous and makes readers realize the complex planning that went into making this series.

Favorite Scene:
I loved the trial where Sonea finally does what she thinks is right.

Who this book is best for:
High school kids and adults will like this novel.

Violence: 3.5 of 5, for many death and battle scenes

Stars: 4 of 5