A much quicker read than either of its companion novels, but still beautiful and a satisfying conclusion. ( )

http://ninecats.org/margaret/blog/2015/05/18/sea-thy-mistress-elizabeth-bear ( )

It's been 36 years since the Rekindling. The world is growing, the people thriving and the World-killer arrives. The goddess from the dead world that tricked the Children into destroying themselves, mortally wounded the new world then stepped forward in time two millenia to enjoy the apocalypse. Needless to say, she didn't get what she wanted.

With the World-killers arrival, Mingan begins his path to gaining Vengeance for the souls slaughtered all those years ago. But he can't do it alone, nor does Heythe take her time in getting what she wants.

The final installment of the Edda of Burdens is a treat all it's own. The book, like the previous two, has been written in a different style. It does a wonderful job of collecting and tieing up all the loose ends (even those barely noticeable) from the rest of the trilogy. The time-skips are a bit jarring if you aren't paying attention, but the overall transition is smooth between them and the occasional shift in perspective. And the incorporation of the Voluspo, in an edited format, is a wonderful touch. ( )

...Bear uses a lot of tropes, ideas and styles that don't usually show up in a single trilogy, making it something of an experiment. In fact, I am a little surprised Tor, not a publisher to take too many risks, has been persuaded to publish it. Although Bear is a very skilled writer, I don't think much of her work appeals to large groups of readers. In this case, that is clearly a shame. Bear presents some of the most original, well written and challenging speculative fiction of recent years in this trilogy. I'd say take a chance on it, Bear's work is more than worth it.

Full Random Comments review ( )

All the Windwracked Stars was a great book, but By the Mountain Bound was even better. I thought this final installment in the trilogy was just about as good as the middle/prequel volume. It had some beautiful writing, characters with a lot of depth, and I especially loved how Elizabeth Bear took parts of Norse mythology and really made them her own. Lovely books, and someday I am going to have to reread them all back to back to get the most out of all the connections.

Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2011/02/review-of-the-sea-thy-mistress-by-elizabe... ( )