Bee-shifter, bear-shifter, Forest spy and woman-lover; what's second nature to four unlikely friends is a death sentence in the Citadel. From the Royal Dragonfly Award Winner and 2020 Kindle Book Award Fantasy Finalist, the standalone climax to an award-winning series.
Mage Kermon struggles to stay loyal to Mielitta, the Queen of the Warrior Bees, in the ongoing war between the oppressive Citadel and the vibrant Forest. His secret dual role in the Citadel is threatened when his students trespass into the mysterious world beyond the walls and, in the back-stabbing climate of Citadel politics, he’s the sacrifice everyone is prepared to make.
Little do those around him know that the future of both Forest and Citadel depends on his survival. Mielitta has always relied on Kermon in her fight to restore harmony with Nature and now he needs her help. But to save him and the lives of his two young rebels, the bee-shifter must face the evil that lurks in the Citadel walls.
Her natural forces tested beyond human endurance, she discovers that evil can wear a friend’s face and that to keep one promise, Kermon must break another. This gripping conclusion to the acclaimed Natural Forces trilogy takes the reader on a wild flight into the unexpected as Mielitta learns why she was born. Can she fulfil her destiny?
Block Nature out and she’ll force a way in.
Assessment:
Plot: This well-plotted third book in the Natural Forces trilogy is a rich fantasy tale, combining magic, political intrigue, and an impressive knowledge of the natural world. But for those who desire a deeper understanding of Gill’s story — and its characters — it may be best to read previous installments; some of the twists and turns are less impactful without context.
Prose/Style: Gill uses clean, concise prose — easy to understand without being simplistic. Her descriptions of bees, their hives, and their mindset are spot-on, elevating the natural elements to another level.
Originality: The book has shades of The Giver, involving a world where “Perfection” has turned into a dystopian nightmare, but the magical component – and the focus on bees, bears, and other creatures – separates the book from similar offerings.
Character Development/Execution: Some of the development is lost in previous installments — it’s difficult to play catch-up when characters have complex, well-plotted backstories. Kermon, Janette, Arven, and Mielitta are all intriguing, even without a complete picture, but understanding what they’re fighting against could be clarified.
Date Submitted: April 04, 2021
This is an epic addition to this series. Each book in this series is beautifully written and comes alive into its own unique world and stays on your mind long after you finish the book. I have to say that this is my favorite of the three books so far with the mix of intrigue, nature, and human culpabilities. I do have to say that as soon as I finished this book, I immediately launched into a re-read of the entire series. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous series and this third addition really shines. I thoroughly recommend this series, and it makes for a tremendous afternoon getaway. Thank you for a spectacular read!
Another absorbing read and a satisfying finale to this unique trilogy set in a highly visual, almost tangible 'other world'. Yet again the rich tapestry of characters, their complex histories and emotional battles through different layers of time, drew me right in....
As others may have said this is Game of Thrones, meets Harry Potter, meets Hunger Games and more -- complemented by the ever-present bees, whose fascinating world and hive mind add such an original touch. If you enjoy fantasy this series is not to be missed!
What an utterly fabulous cbook. I’ve loved everything about this series and this final book wraps up everything superbly. Jean Gill has certainly given herself a lot of work to do in this last volume. There are, for example, a lot of characters to deal with. Some good, some bad, most intriguing and realistic combinations of both. Jean Gill’s character development is a powerful feature throughout the trilogy and creates real engagement with the main players.
