In this final installment of the Blood of Kings trilogy, Vrell and Achan battle their adolescent romantic problems as well as the forces of evil. I was happy with the outcome of the book, but felt the story dragged a bit. Like I said in my review of the second book, To Darkness Fled, although the story is fantastic, this trilogy does not have enough plot to last three books. It could have made such a sweet standalone book! On the other hand, the characters are very well-developed and lovable (even though their adolescent vices are a tad frustrating at times). And there was a good story to it. The trilogy would appeal only to readers of Christian Fiction—the religious message gets to the point of sermonizing a couple of times. ( )

With the cliffhanger ending in To Darkness Fled I couldn’t wait to read the third and final installment in the Blood of Kings series – From Darkness Won. As always, it is difficult to review sequels and ending novels in trilogies without giving away important plot details to readers who may only be beginning their journey with the series. Can I just say that author Jill Williamson didn’t disappoint me? I have to say that some rollicking series seem to wind down, get muddled, or lose steam in the final book, but that wasn’t the case here!

Vrell and Achan continue to struggle forward in their quest to bring the Light back to the land of Er’Rets as darkness continues to spread. The tone and pacing of From Darkness Won is a bit different than book 2. Vrell and Achan spend most of this book separated from each other, each maturing in Arman, facing down character flaws, temptations, and of course – the enemy. There is also a heightening intensity lent to the importance of various battles as Achan and his army press towards their ultimate goal of taking Armonguard, the seat of the Hadar Kings since the settlement of Er’Rets.

This finale is also slanted somewhat towards Achan’s perceptions than Vrell’s. Book 2 was a bit heavy towards the more romantic thread, book 3 is much more war-focused. Though I’m a woman, I do find that Williamson has depicted Achan very realistically as a young man. Having been married for ten years this fall I had to laugh a few times at just how male Achan is!

Readers who have felt that Esek was somewhat a weak villain, a bit too stereotypical perhaps, will now find that there HAS been a darker, deeper force behind he and his father’s manipulations for the throne. In fact, Williamson has surprises in store for you dear readers, but I won’t let you know what they are!

Of course there is a gloriously epic conclusion to this sweeping saga, in ways similar to, yet disparate from most classic fantasy. In both a subtle and striking departure from the familiar story-saga ending of a lone hero triumphing over all evil, Williamson’s conclusion is instead much truer to the underlying threads of the tapestry she has woven in this fantasy world.

When all is said and done I can certainly affirm that Williamson is one of Christian fantasy’s most captivating authors. The world and characters she has created are sure to sweep you into the world of her imagination and have you flipping pages as quickly as you can turn them, devouring each word.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com ( )