For those not familiar with the books in this fantastically imaginative series, I'd like to provide a list of the previous books before going into book nine. The series so far is divided into three trilogies, namely the Twig Saga, the Rook Saga and the Quint Saga. The series is sometimes confusing chronologically, as the events of the Quint Saga actually happen first, but the first book of this particular trilogy is actually book four in the series.
Without spoiling the series for newcomers, I'll just say that the character Twig is from the third generation, Rook is from the fifth, and Quint is from the second generation of the character chain.
Book 1: Beyond the Deepwoods- Twig
Book 2: Stormchaser - Twig
Book 3: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax- Twig
Book 4: The Curse of the Gloamglozer- Quint
Book 5: The Last of the Sky Pirates- Rook
Book 6: Vox- Rook
Book 7: Freeglader- Rook
Book 8: The Winter Knights- Quint
Book 9: Clash of the Sky Galleons - Quint
There is also a book of four short stories called "The Lost Barkscrolls", and the final book is also allegedly in progress.
This book is the last of the Quint Saga, and is a violent and bloody tale of greed, treachery and revenge. Quint and his father are Sky Pirates, in command of the sky ship The Galerider. The story takes place for the most part aboard the ship, as their adventures take them from The Edge to the Deepwoods. Many lives are lost during the skirmishes, whether fighting the weather, carnivorous Bloodoak trees, vicious Shryke warriors or various mortal enemies, making for one of the bloodiest books in the series.
Although always interesting, it tends to get carried away at times, making the story a bit longer than it should be. The battle of the title, for example, doesn't get going until way down the book, and then is over all too quickly. However, as is the case with all the books in the series, the illustrations and character names and descriptions make for a quick page-turning read.
In order to fully enjoy this book, you'll need to read at least the first two Quint books, but why deny yourself the opportunity to read them all? Highly recommended for all young readers and for bigger folk also - Now where's that movie version?
Amanda Richards
