The Fortress of Glass

My default rating for any of the Lord of the Isles series is three stars, just over into positive territory. Yes, these books are pretty much all the same. Yes, many of the characters are two-dimensional at best. But they're fun to read, all the more so BECAUSE I know exactly what I'm going to get when I pick one up. And in those terms, I was not disappointed.

The extra half a star comes from two specific events that took place toward the end of this book. In one, the author went contrary to form and did not provide a happy ending for all of his characters. In the other, a paradigm shift that will affect the rest of the series took place, making me (for the first time in a while) actually want to pick up the next volume right away to see show more what would happen.

My favorite character in this series is Ilna. She is the only one of the main characters who is in any way imperfect, although there is an argument that she might be perfect in her imperfections, so to speak. Regardless, she is the only character that Drake appear to be comfortable with tormenting to any extent, the only character who has gone through a believable emotional arc. I'll be interested to see where her arc goes after this.

Recommendation? This is the seventh book in a series, a series whose basic pattern has been the same from book 2 onward. If you're still reading at this point, you either don't care or you're a glutton for punishment. As for me, I have affection for these characters, regardless of their flat portrayal, and I want to see what happens to them. show less

If you've read any of Drake's Lord of the Isles series after book one - you've read them all. Its the same plot every time after the first book. Garric's friends get sent to other worlds/times by a wizard, and somehow all make it back in time for the big fight at the end - all precisely at the same time, every time. Every time one group has to go on a quest, every time one group is in a trap, every time 1 group has to fight their way out. Every time whoever is left home has to fight the wizard's forces. No explanation, no overall plot, random wizards just keep sending them off to alternate realities, just because they haven't read the previous books and haven't figured out that never works. The characters are caricatures and show more repetitive.
No more, I'm not reading the next book. show less

The saga of the Isles is winding up with a true trilogy. This is book one of The Crown of the Isles trilogy.

Once more, Garric and company are separated by wizardry, and face different problems in their efforts to save the Isles from chaos. However, instead of essentially resolving the problems presented in the adventure, being reunited at the climax of the book, and then having another one in the next book - they are brought back together, but not in the Isles, and with new problems to face as they have to deal with a new environment.

The book is complete in itself, and an enjoyable read but it cries for the next two books and a a triumphant conclusion in which the good guys win and the Isles have a thousand years of peace and unity show more before the forces rise.

A good book, one anyone who has read the earlier books in the series will want for sure - and if you haven't already met and come to know and like and admire Garric, Ilna, Liane, and company, here is your chance to remedy that. Some characters I liked and cared about fall out of the story in this book, but whether forever or not, I don't know. The next two books in the trilogy will tell that tale. show less

a new trilogy wrapping up the Lord of the Isles Saga. 2 Magicians of cosmic power duke it out. Chalcus and Merota die, and in the end all the multiverses kind of come together into one new land. Very 2 dimensional, you don't feel a thing when people die, but it is a good fantasy yarn. Cheap fantasy is probably the term for this whole series.

Solid entry in the 'Isles' series. Surprising ending.