Journey Into the Void (Sovereign Stone Series, 3)

This blasted book kept me up late when I should have been drooling on my pillow. I could not put it down, but the first two in the trilogy must be read before making this journey. One of their best works.

Journey Into the Void is the third novel in the Sovereign Stone Trilogy, following Guardians of the Lost. In the previous volume, Wolfram has brought Ranessa to the monastery on Dragon Mountain, where her real mother brings out the dragon in her. Dagnarus and his army of ten thousand taan come through the Tromek Portal and invade the Vinnengaelean Empire. Baron Shadamehr flees to New Vinnengael with Damra, Griffith, Jessan, Bashae, and the Grandmother. There they find the king has been murdered and Shakur the Vrykyl has replaced the young Prince Hirav. Shadamehr discovers the Vrykyl's identity the hard way; he is gravely injured by Shakur and has to escape through a fifth floor window.In this novel, Damra and Griffith travel invisibly to the harbor and contact the Orken captain waiting for Shadamehr. The baron, Alise and Jessan go to cover in a nearby tavern. Alise determines that Shadamehr is dying from a blood knive wound. Since she in unable to use Earth magic after her use of Void magic, Alise sends Jessan to fetch Ulaf to cure the baron with his magic. However, the baron is fading fast, so she uses Void magic to transfer some of her life force to Shadamehr to counteract the wound and almost dies herself.Ulaf finds the missing pecwae in the company of a Vrykyl and takes them to the Tubby Tabby. Jessan joins them there and then the Grandmother whaps the Vrykyl with her stick, forcing him to show his true aspect; in the ensuing havoc, Bashae is mortally wounded and Jessan is injured.They flee back to the tavern where Alise and Shadamehr are hiding and find her close to death, but the baron conscious and much improved. However, Bashae is dying, so he gives the human piece of the Sovereign stone to Shadamehr and the baron takes it this time. The Grandmother drapes her skirt, with its bells and magic stones, over Alise and she quickly recovers from the Void magic.The baron sends Ulaf to get Rigiswald and travel to Krammes. Jessan and the Grandmother agree to travel with Ulaf at least part of the way, for they are taking home the body of Bashae. Shadmehr and Alise venture through the sewers to reach the Orken ship. They reach the Orken with little difficulty, other than the stench and one puzzling encounter with some taan, and soon sail off to Krammes.This novel is one dire encounter after another. Other characters, including Ravenstrike the Trevinici, Fenella the dwarf girl, the Orken Captain of Captains, and K'let the taan Vrykyl, have their moments of glory, but the final encounter is between Dagnarus and the Sovereign Stone within the Portal of the Gods.Recommended for Weis and Hickman fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of magical quests.

This final book in the trilogy succeeds in its purpose of closing the "Sovereign Stone" story but leaves many things open. I guess that is material for other books.Though this book, and the series in general, isn't as powerful and immersive as the Dragonlance series it is pretty good and I would recommend it to any Weiss/Hickman fan.The four star rating was given because the ending was, in my opinion, lame.

Two hundred years ago King Tamoras of Vinnengael received the Sovereign Stone by the gods and was told to keep it in one piece. In his desire to see the races of humans, orks, elfs and dwarves live in peace with one another he split the stone in quarters, each species receiving one. The center of the stone was part of the Void and the King's youngest son Dagnarus took it into his heart and became Lord of the Void. Corrupted by his newfound powers, Dagnarus sought to overthrow his father but instead destroyed the kingdom.Now Dagnarus returns from another world, bringing with him the taan, fierce warriors and workers of magic. Using them as an army, he became the new ruler of New Vinnengael. Dagnarus wants the four pieces of the sovereign stone so he can turn them into one jewel, but the four Dominion Lords who carry them have other plans. They must battle the Lord of the Void and win if they want to beat back the darkness that overwhelms the world.Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman bring to a glorious conclusion The Sovereign Stone Trilogy. Readers do not have to read the first two books in the series to thoroughly enjoy and understand JOURNEY INTO THE VOID though doing so will add to the pleasure. Readers will surprise themselves by feeling pity for the antagonist who at unexpected moments shows himself to be vulnerable to his own emotions. The heroes of this fantastic epic drama, and there are many, capture the hearts of the reader with their intensity and determination to triumph over the forces of evil.Harriet Klausner