R. L. Kiser's "The Last Battle"

Title: Spellbound

“The Last Battle” by R. L. Kiser

Reviewed by B. Smart

11/24/15

12:05 p.m.

Imagine a world where all magic stems from a single source; a crystal filled with the knowledge of thousands of souls of generations past. Then imagine that the source becomes the object of desire of the most sinister being in the land; an ancient dark arts user who wishes to use the crystal to commit unspeakable acts of terror. In The Last Battle, the second edition in the Tales of Crystal series, author R. L. Kiser follows the lives of dauntless warriors who are willing to defend that crystal at any cost, even if it means using a destructive weapon that has been forbidden for ages.

The Last Battle is a riveting legend that tells the timeless tale of the fight between good and evil, light and darkness. Kiser creates dynamic, unforgettable characters that are courageous, powerful, and intriguing. His vast universe, which he describes using beautiful poetic imagery, is a living entity itself, acting as much on the characters as they act on it. The picture of his story and its culture that he paints is all at once unique, enticing, moving, and spellbinding.

At times, however, the novel is slow-paced and fraught with lengthy details that do not advance the action or give information about the character. In these instances, it is difficult for the reader to move forward because of the excessive exposition and limited dialogue. On the other hand, the novel sucks the reader in immediately and leaves them hungry for more. As a result, those who appreciate well flushed out characters and expertly crafted worlds will find the novel to be an enjoyable, effortless read.

I highly recommend this book to any fan of the fantasy genre, especially those who love The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter.

I give “The Last Battle” 4 out of 5 stars.

Cheers.

B. Smart