The Obsidian Tower — Freda Warrington

As this final volume of the Jewelfire Trilogy opens, all seems lost for the humans of Aventuria. The shape-changing Bhahdradomen have invaded their lands and usurped their Queen, aided by the Aelyr lord Falthorn. Queen Helananthe has been forced to stand down or see the deaths of her mother and brother. Tanthe, imprisoned with her company of friends in the Amber Citadel, must face great peril as they make desperate plans to escape. But even if they succeed, her sister Ysomir is still imprisoned at the mercy of the terrifying Bhahdradomen leader, Vaurgroth.

One by one all strands of hope are cut. Deserted by allies, betrayed by Falthorn's dark machinations, the Nine Realms appear doomed. Human, Aelyr and shape-shifter alike are haunted by visions of the final portent, the mysterious Obsidian Tower; a Bhahdradomen myth, a place that may or may not exist, and the heart of Tanthe's darkest fears.

Meanwhile, Rufryd Tanthe's ex-lover is presumed lost on the shape-changers' desolate isle of Vexor. Then stunning news comes from that direction.

In "The Obsidian Tower, " Freda Warrington proves again the strength of her vision, and concludes this trilogy though not the story of Aventuria with brilliance and a warmth of feeling for her characters."