Book Review - The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay

Synopsis:  And so the time of prophecy has come at last, the final days for those in dwell in Fionavar, the first of all worlds. Even as the Unraveller's armies march to battle, the warriors of Light are calling upon the most ancient of powers to aid in their struggle.

But despite all that can be done by mage lore and earth magic, and the sacrifices made by those brought from our own world, all may come to naught because of one child's choice. for he was born of Darkness and Light, and as the fate of all the worlds hangs in the balance, he alone must walk The Darkest Road.

First Line:  "Do you know the wish of your heart?"

Random Quote:  "Bound by his own duty to the Wood and by the power of that place, Flidais watched helplessly as the two of them drew closer yet.  He saw Lancelot, lithe and neat-footed, mastering pain and weariness, drop to one knee, just out of reach of the advancing demon and, lunging forward and down, level a scything blow of his sword at the demon's leg, the only part of the slate-grey rock shape that was not impervious to iron."

Review:  This is the last book in the trilogy and in some ways it is the simplest (which is not to say that it is simple).  It is, after all, the tale of the final battle that all the rest of the tale has been leading us towards.  There will be skirmishes and surprises and a final contest of epic proportions.  There will be moments of heroism and cowardice, of tragedy and joy.  And there will be deaths. 

Kay neatly and seamlessly brings together the threads of his story and ties them off, one by one.  This book will break your heart and will uplift you.  It will remind you why you love all the old tales in all their old forms and all their new ones.  This is a great story, well-written - read it.  You won't be sorry.

Reading Challenges:  Once Upon a Time IV Reading Challenge, Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge 2010, 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge