The First Stone: Book Six of The Last Rune

I had the series of 6 books of the Last Rune for a while before I finally read them, and when I did I was kicking myself for waiting so long. I could hardly put down each book as I read through the marvelous happenings that occured to Grace and Travis, and then the friends they make along the way. This particular book wrapped up the series nicely. It was a little sad, somewhat bittersweet, and not your typical "Everyone winds up living happily ever after" scenario. I for one was pleased because I get a little tired of the same old same old where everyone pairs up in some kind of romantic bonding, and the end is almost predictable. It wasn't until the very last book that I realized how everything was really connected as the Author finally spelled it out far more literally for us. I enjoyed that aspect of the books, the fact that I couldn't easily jump ahead! I notice one of the commentators mentioned a poor rating in regards to this book and how it had nothing to do with the others -- but thats not exactly true. The other books were just a prelude really, other 'happenings' in the worlds that were taking place and certainly needed to be dealt with. But as we know, even if you solve one delima, that doesn't mean there isn't another, equally bad or even worse delima hovering just over the horizon. As for Travis' family 'breaking up' and him supposedly not being with Vani, I think you should read the book for yourself and see exactly what happens, for it isn't as cut and dried as that statement implies. Vani and Travis' relationship isn't the end all and be all of the story after all. There's so much going on and so many connections between people that you can't focus on one simple aspect of the story. I highly reccomend this series of books and I hope this author has more stories comming. I would definitely reccomend this book.

Fans of The Last Rune won't be dissapointed by the series' conclusion. Mark Anthony wraps everything up well, three years from the ending of The Gates of Winter. Well-written; presents some excellent ideas. Admittedly, there are one or two awkward moments; but even so, this book is worth reading.

Earth and Eldh always have been linked in some way beyond the understanding of humanity. On Eldh, magic is the commonplace norm while science rules the earth. Travis Wilder is a powerful mage on Eldh, but for the past three years he has lived on earth with his lifemate Beltan, an Eldh warrior with fairy blood. Their peaceful time together ends with earth and Eldh moving towards annihilation as a rift in the sky widens; if the opening continues to spread, the multiverse will vanish into nothingness. The Philosophers, who have achieved immortality, drank the blood from the seven sorcerers who left Eldh for earth to sleep for two millennia in peace. They are critical to healing the rift along with Travis and his daughter, but the modern day Philosophers and sorcerers want to stop the outsiders from intruding on their power. Book six of the Last Rune saga answers all the questions hanging from the five previous works with a terrific conclusion to a brilliant epic fantasy. Travis is an honorable man forced to play hero though he does not want to the destiny of two worlds but knowing success is slim, he still gracefully accepts the mantle. Friends, fantasy lovers, and earthlings we have come to praise Mark Anthony for he has gifted readers with a triumphant saga. Harriet Klausner