Warlord

May 21, 2007
In Fallon's intricately plotted final novel in the Wolfblade trilogy (after Wolfblade
and Warrior
), Marla Wolfblade's wily offspring take top billing. Marla has taught her large brood the cutthroat tactics it takes to keep and wield power. Now that they have reached adulthood, Marla has loosened her grip like a falconer unleashing a bird for the kill. At 25 years old, Damin Wolfblade, who has always known he would one day be Warlord of Krakendar Province, is anxious to take up his position as Warlord and heir to the Throne of Hythria. First, however, he must repel an invasion force from Fardohnya that's three times the size of any force he can muster, and he must tackle the politically turbulent problem of keeping the Warlord positions of Hythria's provinces filled with Wolfblade allies. With cold-blooded maneuverings that include murder, torture and thievery on an awe-inspiring scale, Fallon has brought this segment of the Hythrun Chronicles to a close with a grand flourish.

August 1, 2007
Adult/High School-This final volume in the trilogy continues the story of the education and rise to power of Damin Wolfblade, heir to the throne of Hythria, who faces his most difficult challenge yet. He must call upon all his training and natural abilities to lead an army against the superior forces of an empire invading the borders of his homeland. Back home, his mother, Marla, finds herself pitted against powerful political forces threatening to destroy both Damin's claim to the throne and their entire family. The success of everyone rests on the shoulders of Damin's childhood friend, the revenge-seeking thief Starros, and his plot to take down Mahkas, the most tyrannical warlord in Hythria, by stealing all of Mahkas's subjects out from under him. The two previous volumes delivered tightly plotted stories of political intrigue mixed into a world of romantic fantasy. This book sticks with that formula, but Fallon also includes some moments of warfare and action to help move this story forward at a brisker pace. Damin's story line, as a young man fighting with everything he has to claim his destiny, works well as the central plot and should resonate with anyone taking those first steps into adulthood. The layers of plots and subplots will likely bore readers craving a basic hack-and-slash adventure, but those searching for fantasy-based tales that build tension through subtle subtext will find much to enjoy."Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.