The Pearl of the Soul of the World

January 1, 1990
Readers who crave solemn tales peopled with strange beings will find much to relish in this final volume of the Darkangel trilogy. Deprived of both her memory and the power of speech, Aeriel awakens to find herself in a cave somewhere below the earth's surface. In the company of three underground-dwelling duarroughs--natives--Aeriel journeys to the city of Crystalglass. There she meets Ravenna, the last of the race of ancient beings who created the world. Ravenna restores Aeriel's memory and reveals to her the nature of the role she must play in the final battle against the cruel White Witch. Though good does finally triumph over evil, this novel's conclusion is not a typical ``happy ending'': Aeriel is reunited only briefly with her estranged husband before she must leave to begin the lonely task of healing her planet. Pierce's thoughtful characterization and well-constructed plot lead to a poignant and believable conclusion. The meticulous, creative use of language gives form and substance to a fascinating mythic world. Ages 12-up.

December 1, 1989
Gr 6 Up-Dazed, a young woman wan ders through a labyrinth of caves, un able to speak or remember her own name. A glowing pearl hangs around her neck, and in her pale hair gleams a tiny silver pin. With this arresting scene, Pierce opens the final volume of her acclaimed Darkangel Trilogy. Her heroine, Aeriel, is a victim of the world- destroying witch she has been trying to combat; the silver pin sunk deep into her head is responsible for her state. Rescued and restored by the Ancient Ravenna, Aeriel receives the dying Ra venna's powers within her pearl and must carry them to her successor. The subsequent destruction of the witch puts an end to the threats to the planet, but to Aeriel, newly reunited with her husband, Irrylath, it brings only sorrow and new burdens. Becoming Ravenna's successor, she must leave Irrylath for ever and set out with only her faithful companion, Erin, on her lonely destiny as world guardian. Readers will be im mediately and irresistibly drawn into Pierce's fantasy world, but the flash back necessitated by this beginning slows the pace of the story considera bly. Those who have read the earlier books will find this no hardship, how ever. Pierce always has the power to catch the imagination of her readers, and her creativity never falters.-Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library