Title: Sagaman Kessler: Moonlight Vale (Book 4)

Author: Maggie Kirton

Genre: High Fantasy

 

In this fourth, concluding book of the Sagaman Series, the Moonlight Vale has been bestowed from Kessler to Kamari. However, Kamari has to prove he is worthy of the true Sagaman title by completing eight tasks and lessons known as the “Trials of Validation.”

Meanwhile, Kessler has to confront and quench the black fire in his grandson, Yuma, a mission that, to be successful, will require Yuma’s death by Kessler’s hand…

Kirton brings all her extravagant imagery and esotericism from the previous three novels to bear on this ultimate book.  However, there are subtle changes in tone. This immense epic chronicle has now reached the business end, and the narrative has a more streamlined, deliberate feel.

Nonetheless, the beginning is a little abstract. Most characters return, even if they had died previously, which proves a touch confusing. Kirton has again provided an excellent, extensive glossary and, once up to speed, it’s both refreshing and reassuring to be re-acquainted with some of the past players, even if momentarily.

Simplistically, Moonlight Vale is split into two branching narratives, Kamari’s trials and Kessler’s task. Kirton loosely interleaves their perilous adventures, chapter by chapter. It works well, maintaining curiosity and momentum while enabling the reader to draw breath as events gather intrigue and intensity.

However, for a while at the beginning of Moonlight Vale, Kamari and Kessler are together, dealing with loose ends and emerging beginnings, figuratively and literally, which will enable them to forge ahead on their personal missions. Kessler’s is known but Kamari’s is slowly revealed.

First, it appears that this might only involve returning shards of glass to the Rune tablets to enchant them. However, this is the conclusion of the Sagaman series, and the reader soon realizes that for Kamari to become a valid Sagaman, he will need to confront and overcome obstacles of far deeper complexity.

Kirton’s boundless imagination takes full flight, albeit controlled and structured, with the eight Trials. They all contain hauntingly beautiful imagery and inventive and visionary concepts that never become overly complicated. Importantly, they are incredibly entertaining to read, ensuring the reader is eager to discover the mystical cleverness of the next trial.

Each trial teaches Kamari important, often intricate yet obvious truths and tenets. These are never trite and resonate deeply with the reader on a subtextual, spine-tingling level.

Kamari occasionally seems a little too similar to an early Kessler, but as he advances, his individuality becomes apparent. His relationship with Ryki-Fyrst, aka “Skappy,” neatly echoes the dynamics between young Kessler and the boy, Shai, and Kessler and Vinur, Kamari’s father.

Kirton has clearly laid out the chapters involving Kamari’s tests, and her writing is nicely concise and focused for their duration. Overall, however, her prose is as luminous and mesmerizing as always.

Moonlight Vale contains more illustrations, they are beautifully rendered and ensure her characters, however fantastical, step out from the page and are relatable. Indeed, many feel like old friends to the reader—such is the personality, vibrancy, and emotional depth she brings to their depictions.

Kessler’s issues, to an extent, are internal, although the situation with Yuma is a tangible one. Notwithstanding, and despite being twice dead, Kessler is presented with a few revelatory bombshells, the largest of which comes courtesy of his father, Yashan, who is a solid addition to the cast, even at this late stage.

Kirton capably draws this unique series to a close with an exhilarating fourth novel. Spellbinding and profound, Moonlight Vale expertly weaves together the concluding strands in this rich, complex tapestry with dexterity, ease, and enjoyment.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.