Devlin's Justice (Sword of Change, Book 3)

What started out as a great story ended up as mediocre. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, but not what one expects of the genre. The first book started good, but it just sort of pettered out near the end. Afraid can't recommend the series. I've recently come across one that is far better than this one. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.

This was a good series. Watching Devlin grow as a person from a down-trodden man with little direction and future to regent of the kingdom was an excellent tale. One of the things I like most about Devlin is his down to earth attitude and honor. Even when he could have easily ceased power, because of his status as Chosen One and immense popularity, he still chose to serve honorably. He does not want power. In Devlin's Justice, Devlin is returning from Duncaer with the Sword of Light. He is betrayed and captured. During this time Jorsk is "invaded" and Devlin begins a rebellion and defeats the conquerors. The ending was very satisfying and Devlin, Stephen, and others are changed by the war, and other events of the past two books. Author Patricia Bray ties all this together nicely. Devlin's Justice was definitely not an afterthought. I am looking forward to Ms. Bray's future work.

I had mixed feelings picking up this book. I've enjoyed the first two in this series and was sad to know that it would be ending. But at the same time I was eager to find out how Devlin's story would turn out. Devlin's Justice exceeded my expectations. It's darker that the first two books, as Devlin finally comes face to face with the unseen enemy who has been stalking him. He manages to defeat the prince, but that's only the first of the many challenges that he'll face. Ultimately Devlin will have to decide where his loyalties lie, and each of his friends will also have to choose between their sworn oaths and their friendship with the Chosen One.Bray does a nice job of pulling all the threads from the first two books together as she builds to the ultimate climax, and Devlin's final showdown with those who betrayed him. All in all, it's a great read and a fitting successor to the first two books in this series. Highly recommended.

King Olafur of Jorsk knows his grip on the kingdom is not solid so he asks the Empress of Selvaret to honor an old treaty with his country by sending soldiers to battle Jorsk's enemies. When the Ambassador of Selvaret arrives at court with his retinue, he tells the king that the Empress has sent men to Korinth in the eastern part of the Kingdom, to guard against enemy invasion. In return the king is to turn over Devlin of Duncaer to them. Olafur agrees knowing whatever they have in mind for the people's hero isn't good.The King hands over Devlin to the Selvaret ambassador who in turn gives the people's hero to the Prince Consort Arnaud. Devlin is angered that his king betrayed him and knows that no matter how much he is tortured, the magical geas laid upon him won't let him betray Jorsk. When he is finally able to get free, he organizes a resistance to fight the Selvaret Protectorate who is deed if not in name already annexed one third of the kingdom.The third installment in The Sword of Change series DEVLIN'S JUSTICE is an enthralling sword and sorcery series. The hero has grown throughout the three books from someone who was suicidal to a leader of men. There is a lot of action in this novel but Patricia Bray fully develops her prime characters, even many secondary players, so readers get a well rounded and satisfying novel. Devlin is such a fascinating and complex character that it would be a shame if his adventures came to an end even with this stirring fantasy.Harriet Klausner