The Wandering Fire

The second book, middle of a trilogy. Solid ending of the book but not the series. Nods to other stories, and a big inclusion of one that might not belong...

The primary characters continue to grow, and treatment of women in this world is a step up from the previous book. Truly these protagonists have their own destinies, and a large cast of supporting characters are also clamoring to be heard. This book culminates in two mega battle scenes and startling revelations. My favorite (oft repeated) assertion is that "every gift the Goddess gave was double-edged."

Fionavar is the main world, our Earth a mere shadow. So when the story is like The Golden Bough, well that makes sense. What about when both the plot and at least one scene seem to reference Barbara Hambly's Darwath series? When the end of the second book reminds me of The Empire Strikes Back? Or the biggest inclusion of them all, one of an Arthurian nature? I felt a little overwhelmed and somewhat confused about how these all connect.

Not that it will stop me from reading the final book, soon.