I've waited over 6 years for this conclusion to the trilogy. So the obvious question is, was it worth it? I'd answer with a resounding yes. Though I had some issues with the story (what reader doesn’t?) the plot arc was satisfying.

Like many epic fantasy series such as LOTR and the Belgariad, Chronicles of Firma is based around a quest. There’s a reason this is a popular storytelling device – it’s a familiar structure that allows for lots of variation in theme, tone and characterization. While the first two books were concerned with Rokey meeting his companions and discovering who he is, Numen’s Trust is about him becoming what he needs to be to stop Cyure from ruling the world. Naturally, this involves a quest for a macguffin to accomplish that goal, while his various friends “hold down the fort” while he pursues it. Just as happened in LOTR, Belgariad and myriad other fantasy novels. And it works here, just as it did in those stories.

The book opens in a surprising manner, with a series of letters. The author chose to jump forward in time nearly 7 years to show the fallout of Cyure’s resurrection at the end of “Scion’s Blood.” These letters are to and from the various rulers across Firma as their lands fall to the dark god. It was a clever way to bring the reader up to speed without lots of wordy exposition. The world is in dire shape. Rokey and Flash have been trying to decipher the scrolls they stole from The Order of the Bone to find a way to defeat Cyure. His companions are spread around Firma, working with the rebellion and finally making their way North toward the last two Kingdoms still free. Though it can be frustrating at times when the book rotates between the various groups, it helps to build a fuller picture of what is going on. We see how Cyure is affecting the various places the companions visited in the first two books, as well as people they encountered or rescued along the way. Readers also get to know Cyure, through the eyes of a rebel sent to get close to him, and from his own POV. It makes him more real and less of a boogeyman.

I also enjoyed the development of Rokey and Flash’s relationship, and indeed, that of all the main companions. The constant threat of danger and deaths of loved ones in the tale is balanced by the strong connections they have with one another, as friends and as couples.

One problem I had with the book was that the final battle between Rokey and Cyure was anticlimactic. After playing cat and mouse through the entire book, I expected their confrontation to be epic. It wasn’t. It took three novels to build to that point and it was over so quickly it might as well not have happened. They barely spoke and the resolution felt a bit contrived. And there wasn't enough wrap-up. Readers get to see what happens with Rokey and Flash via an epilogue, but beyond a letter from Fia to Kyzee, we don’t see how the rest of their lives end up. This was especially frustrating with Sedrine, a character who became very important and then was just rushed off stage.

Despite these minor issues, I enjoyed the book a great deal. It was a strong finish to the trilogy. Highly recommended. ( )