Book Review: Redeeming the Lost

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Redeeming the Lost     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Elizabeth Kerner
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Tales of Kolmar # 3
Tor, Jul 2004, $25.95, 400 pp.

Berys the malevolent demonlord has captured Lanen, the humanoid Gedri who awakened the evil wizard’s enemy the dragonoid Kantri. Although he is unaware of the power that Lanen possesses, he feels he can use her as a hostage to force her mate, Varien, a Kantri in Gedri form, to do his bidding. Ultimately, with the help of Lanen’s father, Berys plans to sacrifice his prisoner as a means of “meeting” the ancient prophecy, which will enable him to destroy the Kantri and allow him through his demons to control the world.

However, what the malevolent allies are unaware of is that Lanen is pregnant with her Kantri lover as the sire. She now has the most powerful blood known on the orb flowing through her body as the fetus has given some of that of the Kantri. With no kernnel of hope for success, Varien and his Kantri kin will try to rescue Lanen. Meanwhile Berys has created and moved into a new body the Black Dragon and released the demons from the Six Hells in a final confrontation.

This is a terrific conclusion to a strong fantasy trilogy in which good vs. evil with both sides construing that the ancient prophecy meets their needs. Fans will appreciate Lanen’s predicament as a prisoner of an egomaniac with the power to back his insanity. As with most genre miniseries, readers will be better suited to first peruse SONG IN THE SILENCE and THE LESSER KINDRED to increase understanding of the various species and key characters although REDEEMING THE LOST is an exciting conclusion that can stand on its own.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner