The final book in the Legend of Tal series takes the heroes to the final stand – though the face of the true enemy might be different than they expected.

After enjoying some respite and hospitality in the seat of the Empire’s ruler (where they ended up at the end of the last book) and taking the time to train, it’s soon time for the group of heroes led by Tal to be on the move. While the Emperor is trying to mobilize other forces and Tal has sent a request for reinforcements to King Aldric, these armies would only fight off the numerous ground forces of Yuldor.

Tal and his friends are to infiltrate the peak where Yuldor resides – a peak that hosts a paradise in the making Yuldor once strived to create across the whole world – if the legends are to be believed. However, this paradise is, in itself, the most thorough defense, filled with a magical mist that lures people to stay and enjoy the gifts forever, never to continue the ascension or return to the “normal” world.

Thus, they set out to find an alchemist who knew a way to counteract this measure. However, the strained situation with Yuldor’s servants attacking around the world and Tal’s reputation among many denizens of the Empire not being the best, requires a different approach. Thus, despite Tal’s best attempts, their progress isn’t without conflict that slows them down.

Once they reach the town, beset by enemies, they try to find the alchemist’s home ransacked and the alchemist missing, leading to a search of an enemy stronghold – and another complication as the alchemist gives them only vague advice.

Another enemy soon appears – a dragon queen brought back to life by the machinations of the enemy and the source of magic that rests at the peak. Garin, urged by the dragon spirit residing in his mind, is urged to find the former hatching grounds to safeguard them against further damage, and ends up having to make a difficult choice to save not just the remaining eggs but also his friends as even Tal’s power might not be enough this time.

With this task done, they finally head towards the mountain that is Yuldor’s seat, hounded by the dragon queen and Yuldor’s forces, constantly keeping them on edge until they reach the supposed paradise. There, the story slows down a bit before the final confrontation, revealing the final pieces of the puzzle about Yuldor’s rise to power and his fall to madness.

---

Read date: 14.8. – 1.9.2024
Published: 22.9.2022
Goodreads/Amazon rating: 4,47/4,6
My rating: 90%
Length: 630 pages
My highlights

---

The book is a well-written conclusion with a finale that has a satisfying ending that isn’t without costs. There are some scenes after the final showdown to hint at the future of some characters, with a follow-up novella that deals with the fate of the Elven capital and a hint that the author isn’t done with this world yet. And I can say I’ll be waiting to return to this world when these stories come.