StarMan is the third and final book of the Axis Trilogy (started with BattleAxe and Enchanter).
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After defeating his half-brother Borneheld, Axis and his army march North for the final battle against Gorgrael, whose bringing along his terrible legion of Gryphon. The situation seems hopeless.
Meanwhile the Prophecy of the Destroyer goes on enfolding, and Azhure and Faraday both set off on a journey to fulfill their part. Azhure, accompanied by StarDrifter, travels to the Island of Mist and Memory, where she'll unravel the mystery of her and Axis's heritage. Faraday, now freed from both Borneheld's and Axis's love, moves East to replant the forty-two thousand seedlings, souls of the dead Avar banes, and reawaken the ancient forests whose power must, in the end, help Axis defeat Gorgrael.
The only two reasons why I didn't give this book five stars is because some battles sometimes seemed to be won too easily, and because I found the Skraelings and Gryphon a tad grotesque. But aside from this, StarMan is an spellbinding, beautifully woven tale of love and friendship, where enchanting moments and unexpected events take place, and where the descriptions and atmosphere betray the author's deep, passionate love of nature.
The review of this Book prepared by crooty
Tor, May 2002, 27.95, 558 pp.
ISBN: 0312878885
Already bone weary from battle Axis SunSoar knows his destiny requires he fulfill Wolfstar's prophecy, but the Icarii patriarch's words are vague and it is hard to understand what must be done. Axis realizes he needs to fight WolfStar's malevolent half-brother, Gorgrael and sacrifice the evil one's lover. However who is this woman? Is it Axis' own wife, the niece of his enemy Gorgrael, a pregnant Azhure carrying sorcery killing twins? Or perhaps Axis' former lover Faraday is the intended victim? Or is some unknown other female?
At the same time Gorgrael creates deadly gryphons who have seemingly endless litters containing nine puppies and seem constantly pregnant or giving birth. At the rate they multiply, the world is endangered.
Battle is eminent between the forces of Axis and those of Gorgrael. Axis and Gorgrael, prepare for the epic confrontation in different ways.
STARMAN closes out the Wayfarer Redemption sub-trilogy with a solid epic fantasy but not quite on a par with THE WAYFARER REDEMPTION and ENCHANTER novels because the final confrontation seems too brief and Utopian. The story line for the most part is exciting and fast-paced as the forces of good and evil ready for war though mystical pregnancies abound in this plot playing with the hormones of strong individuals. Still fans of the series will relish Sara Douglass' latest tale and want to read the remaining Tencendor tales; for those who cannot wait for the American release, go to amazon.co.uk to obtain most if not all of the remaining novels not just this sub-trilogy.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner