Facing the Fire

Sun-Blessed Trilogy, Book 3

By: Carol Beth Anderson

Narrated by: Carol Beth Anderson

Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

“We’re probably going to lose. Why should we even try?”
“Trying gives us purpose. Sometimes trying is the whole point.”

The Grays have won.

Despite resistance from Tavi Malin and the rest of the Golds, Konner Burrell and his puppet king now rule Cormina. Knowing their lives are in danger, the fugitive Golds have gone into hiding.

Tavi bides her time, striving to craft the perfect strategy to defeat the Grays. But when Konner’s people begin killing innocents, Tavi realizes the battle for her nation’s freedom cannot wait.

As gray magic infiltrates the land, the Golds plot to lure Konner into one final confrontation.

But Tavi isn’t only fighting to liberate Cormina, she’s also struggling with her own future - and how her friend Tullen fits into it.

It’s hard enough for Tavi to risk her life. She must also decide if she will risk her heart.

Join the Golds for the magical conclusion to the Sun-Blessed Trilogy. Pick up Facing the Fire today!

©2018 Carol Beth Anderson (P)2018 Carol Beth Anderson

Will it be worth it just to have tried? Definitely

I am very grateful to the author for a copy of this audio book in exchange for my honest review. Facing the Fire is a culmination of the Sun-Blessed Trilogy. Like the first two novels the descriptions of the environment and events have exquisite detail, allowing one to imagine being part of the experience. The internal reflection and thoughts of the characters is still a strong component and the question of how a decision might impacts both oneself and others is considered. As I titled this review, "Will it be worth it just to have tried?" is a question that Tavi asks herself as she makes decisions throughout the novel and it seems like an important question for young adults today to reflect on as well. Both of these aspects are key elements of growing up, but I think are likewise lost on our culture today. There were a few places in the novel where I felt like it dragged a little with the same idea being replayed, but reflecting at the end, I'm not sure how I would have changed those scenes. The integration of worldview, history, faith and morality is masterfully done. The interplay of good vs. evil is well woven. While reading this series I also happened to be studying spiritual gifts and I reflected on how the magical gifts of the characters might allude to spiritual gifts in the Church - how people work both individually and collectively for the sake of the Gospel. This might be over-interpreting the novel, but it was a cool connection for me. Without hesitation I would recommend this novel and this series to those who enjoy an interplay of historical ideas, a bit of fantasy, deep character development, conviction and traditional family values.

A Series of Last Stands

After the build-up in book two and the Golds losing the battle (although you could barely call it a fight), Tavi is more cautious than ever. This time she and her friends are "hiding out" in Tullen's hometown, the Meadow. But after the Meadow is attacked, they all realize that waiting until they're ready only gives the Grays time to grow in power and strength and numbers, so they prepare to fight. This book is more interesting than the previous two as it takes us through many new locations, from the Meadow, to a newly formed Dukedom, to a monastery, to Savela, and back to all of those places again. It also looks at different philosophies of resistance, from pacifism to infiltration to open rebellion. I appreciated that there was a place for all of those viewpoints and that some even changed their stance out of necessity for the current situation while others never did. There was also a lot more strategy in this book than the previous ones. Finally, they have stopped underestimating Konnor. They also have some new allies in several of the Grays. And once again, there were several points in the story where it seemed that all hope was lost, only for it to be regained because of a chance encounter or a new awareness that things were not all as they seemed. Overall, this was a fitting ending and a beginning of a new world of possibility.

I received a free copy of the audiobook from the author who also narrated it beautifully and have reviewed it willingly.

Sava is everywhere

OMG. This was the best book of them all. I have enjoyed all of the ups and downs of the Golds and was constantly talking to the audiobook to help the characters. They were like family to me and I only wanted the best. If you have listened to the first 2 books, this book is a Must . Everything was resolved the way I wanted the. to be. I am hoping for an additional book and will definitely follow this author and narrator. Just exce

Better than book 2, not quite as good as book 1

loved how it was written, very descriptive with believable and realistic characters, though I could've done with a lot less of the angsty bits between Tavi and Tullen. I get that some was needed, but it just seemed a bit much.
Hated to see some of the characters go, some i didn't, and some seemed to get less time in the limelight as opposed to the other books
Konner was at his best in book 2, but I liked how control kinda spiralled out of his hands after he got what he wanted and how it all wound up.
That last hour was really good (the whole book was, but I digress) I wasn't sure how it would end..