The High Lord by Trudi Canavan

Title:  The High Lord
Author:  Trudi Canavan
Format:  PB
Pages:  525
Genre:  Fantasy
Publisher:  Harper Voyager, 2004
ISBN-13:  978-0060575304
Series:  Black Magician Trilogy, Book 3

Favorite Quote:  "Then let it be known throughout the Allied Lands that Akkarin of family Delvon, House of Velan, formerly High Lord of the Magicians' Guild, and Sonea, formerly the High Lord's novice, have been exiled for the crimes of learning, practicing and killing with black magic."

Synopsis (Amazon):  "You want to know the truth."

Sonea has learned much since she was but a penniless urchin possessing an awesome untapped ability. She has earned the grudging respect of her fellow novices and a place in the Magicians' Guild. But there is much she wishes she had never learned—what she witnessed, for example, in the underground chamber of the mysterious High Lord Akkarin . . . and the knowledge that the Guild is being observed closely by an ancient fearsome enemy.

Still, she dares not ignore the terrifying truths the High Lord would share with her, even though she fears it may be base trickery, a scheme to use her astonishing powers to accomplish his dark aims. For Sonea knows her future is in his hands—and that only in the shadows will she achieve true greatness . . . if she survives.

Review:  As I suspected, this was a thrilling end to what is a very good trilogy.  Since I don't want to spoil the story for anyone, I hesitate to write too much about the plot, but I will say it was exciting and sad and full of great characters.  Unfortunately, a few of my favorites did fall to the fight against the Ichani.

I still love Sonea, although towards the very end of the trilogy she has changed a bit and lost some of her independent nature.  Since many terrible things happened to her and were done by her, it is understandable that she would change.  And, she is still strong.  Perhaps not as sure of herself as she once was, but still a strong young woman.

I was correct in my earlier guess that Black Magic is not intrinsically evil.  It all depends upon who is wielding it and their intentions.

While all three of the novels of this trilogy were very good, I think this one was the best of them.  I love how the story ended on a bittersweet and hopeful note.  It was just the right ending.

Rating:  8.5 / 10