The High Lord

The Black Magician Trilogy, Book 3

By: Trudi Canavan

Narrated by: Richard Aspel

Length: 21 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Life should have been easier for Sonea, now that Regin ignored her and the rest of the novices treated her with wary respect, but she cannot forget what she witnessed in Akkarin's underground room, or his warning that Kyralia's ancient enemy is watching the Guild closely. The last few years have been good for Cery. He has a respected position among the Thieves, and connections in high and low places. When an exotic stranger offers to help him with a secret task, Cery knows he should refuse, but life would be boring without the occasional risk...

As Akkarin reveals more, Sonea does not know what to believe or what she fears most - that the truth is as terrifying as he claims or that he is trying to make her his accomplice in black magic.

©2004 Trudi Canavan (P)2009 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"A wonderfully and meticulously detailed world, and an edge-of-the-seat plot, this book is a must for lovers of good fantasy." (Jennifer Fallon)

Amazingly narrated but the story ended poorly.

I was dying to read this book after the huge cliffhanger in the second book. The first and middle parts of this book were absolutely awesome; I was completely glued to this story. Unfortunately the ending absolutely sucked in the most sucky of sucky ways.

I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. I highly recommend listening to this series on audiobook.

This is one of those books that is tough to review without spoilers; so I will put a spoiler header in here further down.

The first part of the story focuses on Sonea as she deals with being Akkarin’s apprentice. Akkarin reveals some truths to Sonea in very convincing ways. This leads Sonea down a difficult path along Akkarin’s side.

The story is well written and flows nicely. I loved the characters as well. The story really focuses on Akkarin and Sonea; although Dorian, Robin, and others still play a big role in the story as well. Akkarin is the best character in this series so I was excited to have him feature so much in this story.

Things end up coming together nicely and I loved how all the factions of the city (commoners, dwells, thieves, and mages) had to band together to face a larger fault.

Now for the spoilers….

-----------BIG SPOILERS START-------------------------
I loved how Sonea stuck up for her beliefs and what she thought was right. The fact that she stands steadfastly by Akkarin’s side for the sake of the kingdom and her own believes showed amazing strength and also showed how much she had matured as a character and magician. Even when Akkarin wants to take the fall by himself and leave Sonea out of it, Sonea refuses to make things easy for herself and the Guild and instead does what is right.

Sonea and Akkarin falling in love and becoming a couple was perfect. They complement each other so well; neither one will let the other falter and they both temper each other when either start to go down a path that’s too dark. I loved that they had started thinking about ways to change the future of Imardin and improve it for future generations. I was so looking forward to seeing Sonea and Akkarin come back and help the city improve and really put energy into taking care of the city they loved so much.

So...well screw that! said Canavan...I have a better idea let’s f%^&% kill Akkarin right at the end of the battle. Because you know neither Sonea nor Akkarin has suffered enough personally throughout this series. They only both lost all their friends and their home trying to save this stupid city, so right when they get to the pinnacle of victory let’s kill off the best character in this book.

As if that’s not enough let’s take this awesome, beautiful, and strong new person Sonea has become (despite all her previous trials and tortures) and crush the emotional fight out of her once and for all. Nope, no happiness for this girl. In fact let’s pour salt in the wound and make her pregnant too! That way she can be a perpetually sad woman, who is shadow of herself and continues to be ostracized by the guild for not only being Black Magician left but for being pregnant with a potentially powerful child as well.

I don’t get it, why take a great story and give it this awful and contrived ending that does nothing but destroy the best characters in the book. So depressing and sad and anti-climatic.
-------------BIG SPOILERS END-----------------

Overall this was a great series and this book definitely wraps it up...but not nicely. The majority of the book is fantastic and engaging, the world and characters are amazing. The ending sucks big time and kind of made me sad I read this series at all. I don’t plan on reading anymore of Canavan’s books because the ending to this series angered me big time.

Great Trilogy

A truly well thought out trilogy that I would recommend to any who are looking for a good book to listen to, I hope that you will see the characters in future books.

A ripping Saga

This is the final book in the Black Magician Trilogy, and in my opinion the best by far. Trudi has entertained us well with this different trilogy. The high lord has all the twists and suspense you need to make a ripping finale to a great series.

fascinated me

The story line fascinated me and hooked me into this trilogy. Even though this is a long and detailed tale it had some good twists in it. Overall I've enjoyed the series and will probably read it again sometime

Holy plot holes.

Narrator was good. Story was too high strung and ill thought out for me. Liked the first two books better.

Very enjoyable

The series was well written and kept my attention throughout all three books. The characters were well defined and the story was not cliché, which is hard to come by sometimes. I enjoyed them thoroughly.

Great Triology

I enjoyed all three books. I would definitely recommend to anyone who like fantasy and magic.

solid read

Not a deep as a lot of books but still a good listen. some small inconsistencies here and there with the characters actions and magic system. good to pass the time

Good Story, but unsatisfying

I liked this series and would recommend it. This book had the most action of the 3 however it was my least favorite. Despite the good writing, I the story left me unsatisfied.

Loved it so much

Dreaded finishing it because I didn't want it to be over but I couldn't stop reading it either! Off to read more by Trudi Canavan now :)