Tracy Hickman

6/10
While the major storylines are mostly resolved, some relatively important threads are left dangling. The premise of the trilogy is that the three versions of the world somehow merge or combine, but they actually don’t. The goblin world and the faery world still exist and are still populated, although some faeries now reside in the human world and, possibly, so do some goblins. So the ending was somewhat disappointing from that standpoint. Still, the individual stories of several main characters conclude with some sense of redemption, fulfillment, and hope. However, I didn’t feel very connected to the characters other than Theona.

Having so much time elapse between the events of each book, without much reference to what happened during the intervening decades, damaged the sense of continuity the reader wants. Too many things were left unexplained.

Overall, the series was uneven—so many unique ideas and aspects, some ingenious twists on standard fantasy tropes, but some gaping holes. What was the relationship between the dreaming/Deep Magic and the more mundane “surface” magic? How did the Songstones work? Or the Book Magic? There were all these interesting magic systems but they were simply presented and used, never explained. In the first book, there was at least some exploration of the dreaming/Deep Magic as the various characters were learning to use it, but since then, no further exploration or explanation. The goblin world was obviously set in the remnants of a more mechanical, technical world, but that aspect was never explored. (Maybe it was irrelevant to this story, but my mind kept wondering about it.) And what was the relationship between the small, “house dragons” of Rhai-Tuah and the great dragons?

I wanted to like this but overall it was disappointing.… (more)

6.75/10
We find mostly new characters and a time jump of 25 years in this second book of the Bronze Canticles trilogy; neither poses a problem in terms of the story but little is explained about what what has happened in the intervening years.
Strengths: The whole concept of the overlaying of three worlds occupying the same space, connected by the Dream and the Deep Magic/Sharajentei/Techomancy (human/fae/goblin forms of magic). None of the mystics who wield these powers really understand them but are learning to use them, not always wisely or for the greater good of all. A diverse cast of characters within each of the worlds. A complex plot laced with ambition, regret, secrets, fears, hopes, loyalty, and love. Some unique plot devices (the fae’s bubble beneath the sea, for example) and plot twists. Three climaxes (one per world).
Weakness: Over-reliance on some stereotypes/tropes. Characters who refuse to talk to each other when a bit of communication would certainly not only make sense but be realistically more likely to happen than not (looking at you, Caelith and Eryn, Caelith and Jorgan, really—Caelith and anyone!!). Not quite enough explanation of how/why Ekteia manipulated characters in all 3 worlds, unless it was just to create chaos and war. And if Ekteia and Hrea are 2 of the gods depicted in the statues in Calsandria, who is the 3rd statue? It is confusing who is depicted in the fresco as well.
Hoping book 3 ties up all the threads in a satisfying way.… (more)