Horn Book Review
In these third (Coronet) and fourth (Margrave) series entries (first published in Britain over a dozen years ago), Galen and Raffi continue their quest to seek out and harness the relics' powers. Solid plotting, interesting characters, and provocative themes should provide a pleasant diversion for ardent Fisher fans. [Review covers these Relic Master titles: The Hidden Coronet and The Margrave.] (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The conclusion to Fisher's science-fantasy quartet satisfies, despite failing to answer a number of nagging questions.Embittered by the events of the search for the Coronet, Relic Master Galen drives his companions mercilessly to destroy the Margrave, the shadowy abomination behind the Watch. His scholar Raffi bears the brunt of Galen's obsession, andtortured by visions of the Margrave's beckoningbreaks in both mind and spirit, falling into the clutches of the Watch. As Galen, Carys, the Sekoi and all their allies launch a hopeless attack upon the Watch stronghold, Raffi confronts the last twisted Relic of the Makers and must decide who needs rescuing most. Despite important roles for the other characters, this is very much Raffi's story, as his failures and fears are outweighed by the open-hearted compassion that allows him to accomplish for the world Anara what learning, cleverness and strength have not. In a surprising inversion of the standard tropes, the climacticdeus ex machina(or perhaps more properly,deus machina est) leaves open most of the mysteries of the world and the Makers, while providing emotional closure to each character's narrative arc.Readers who came for the adventure will be left pondering the fragile alliance between mercy, justice, duty and responsibility.(Science fiction. 11-16)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
