Back-of-the-Book Description: None is available, so I'll try to sum it up real quick: (boy, am I terrible at this!) Connie Lionheart hears the voice of Kullervo even in her sleep, always reminding her of their coming confrontation--a confrontation she is sure to lose. When she discovers a possible way to fight him on equal terms, she is dismayed by the lack of support from her fellow society members and Trustees, as well as angered at how they have forbidden her to learn how to defend herself from Kullervo.
Meanwhile, a chimera--third lion, third goat, third snake--is chasing after her, and drawing her visiting brother into danger. Could he be connected to Kullervo?
My Description: Wow. This is probably the best out of this eco-fantasy series, The Companions Quartet (including The Secret of the Sirens, The Gorgan's Gaze, and The Mines of the Minotaur) and I really, really, enjoyed it. Here are a few things that annoyed me, even though I like this book quite a bit:
A: HOW COULD THE SOCIETY (PARTICULARLY THE TRUSTEES) BE SO STUPID?!!!! Really, it's beginning to get a little repetitious, how many times they are terrible to Connie. If I had been her I would have quit the society by now! Then again, it's her only source of information on how to defend herself and others from Kullervo, so I suppose she has her hands tied.
I mean, I understand them keeping her from the moore (where the chimera lurks) and not allowing her to challenge Kullervo, but cutting her off from her library? Robbing her of her only source of information on how to defend herself from Kullervo? Honestly, it makes no sense.
B: Simon and Connie are brother and sister, and I absolutely hate their relationship. And why aren't they living with their alive and well parents anyways? And why isn't Col living with his father, even though his father is living with Connie and his wife (her aunt), practically right down the street?
So, I have a problem with where people live and Simon and Connie's relationship. I don't see why he was being so terrible to his big sister, though I think there was one fleeting moment where she could have fixed things (I say this as an experienced older sister--two little boys, one girl around my age), but it was easy to miss.
C: I didn't like Connie having a companion. The whole point was that, as a Universal (able to bond with all creatures), she was open to all species, and it doesn't make sense for her to bond with a particular creature. It annoyed me, made no sense, and limited her. It also doesn't seem fair to Argand (her dragon companion), as she will have to share Connie with so many other creatures.
D: I was a little surprised by how easily Kullervo turned against Connie after how hard he fought for her for so long. It seemed inconsistent with his character. I understand that eventually he would give up, but I felt like... I don't know, that it should have taken a little more to make him do so.
F: There was this point at the end that I don't want to give away, that was completely pointless, not emotionally moving at all, and didn't even develop the story. There was no reason for it, whatsoever. If the guy had survived it would have made sense, but since he didn't, it wasn't any good in my opinion, not even drawing me to tears (which is fairly easy to do).
G: My final complaint, I suppose, is that I really wanted to read about Connie telling Col about... the difference. I'd say what it was, but I try to avoid writing spoilers in my reviews.
One thing I could totally relate to was when Kullervo had Connie's friends as well as her captive, and she felt... restricted. She could handle putting herself at risk and fighting Kullervo, but having her friends there and deciding whether they lived or died a horrible death was too much. Once they were gone, we both breathed a sigh of relief, and she felt she could fight and be strong now that she didn't have to worry about them.
Also, I just love the character of Sentinel. I really have nothing more to say than that... he's honorable, kind, and I love to read about him.
Well, I guess that's it. Beside the few things I mentioned that annoy me personally, I very much enjoyed this series and am sad to see it at it's end. It is fun, entertaining, adventurous, and a very good read.
Pages: 307
Recommendations: I would recommend this series to fantasy lovers, people concerned about global warming and the environment, those who enjoy adventure, and fans of The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.
Writing Rating: 7
Story Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 8 3/4
Book #29 of 09, Book #79 of all
