Crown of Crystal Flame – a review by Miranda H.

The fifth, and final installment of the Tairen Soul series by CL. Wilson; Crown of Crystal Flame is utterly compelling, and brilliant in its intensity. This novel offers readers not even a second to catch their breath, or stop their heads from spinning.

While navigating this literary journey, simply put, I was reeling from a kaleidoscope of emotion. I am so blown away by this series, and the talent of this author. There is nothing I enjoy in literature more, than an entirely unique fantasy, written within a time and place, not our own. Original, and fresh down to even the language and weaponry. At times, the realm of fantasy is far more perilous than our own world, but rich with magic, honor, and true love. Besides the Sword of Truth series, it is hard to imagine any other novels within this genre comparable to this level of excellence.

Just as the Lord of Fading Lands, was everything a debut novel should be in an epic fantasy series, so too was Crown of Crystal Flame all that a concluding novel should be. It was non stop fast paced action, heartbreakingly tragic, laugh out loud funny, breathtakingly romantic–all wrapped into one spectacular novel. To say that I loved this book seems so inadequate to describe the feeling with which it has left me, but as it is the only word the human language has derived to express such, I have no choice but to use it.

From the very beginning I was on the edge of my seat…a bundle of jittery nerves when Rain and Ellie were captured by the Eld. I was blown away when the shadowed warriors risked their lives, and everything they held dear to save and heal them–even though the same courtesy would never have been extended to them in the past. I fell instantly in love with Farel and Sheyl, and my heart was warmed with the life these outcasts have made for themselves. I was overjoyed that Sheyl was saved by Ellie’s gesture of friendship, and gratitude., yet incredibly saddened when Farel refused to allow his soul to be healed, especially after all he had sacrificed for the brethren who had abandoned him, and the other Dahlreisen in their greatest time of need.

These two are well developed, fantastic side characters, and I hope to learn more about them within upcoming novels of the Fading Lands. I truly hope that Farel and Sheyl are true mates, and that they will somehow be able to complete the shetaniesta bond–freeing Farel’s soul from torture, and healing him by the power of their shared love. Ever since we readers were introduced to Gaelen; the continued verbal abuse to the fey who had turned was bothersome to me. For this reason, I found it wonderful how Rain was so deeply touched by the Dahlreisen village, and how his eyes were opened where they were concerned. I enjoyed Rain, and the other Fey realizing how wrong they all were.

It was a gut wrenchingly poignant moment, when Ellysetta gave her blessings to Varian and the other 35 Dahlreisen as they prepared to sacrifice their lives for her. I was deeply moved by these warriors, who have been reviled and hated by their kind, yet retained their honor, and integrity–despite their kin giving them no reason to do so. Their self loathing and pain was enough to bring a reader to their knees, but I was filled with joy when Ellysetta restored their pride in themselves, enough so that they would–could sing, before meeting their deaths…shining bright as any champion of light did before them. So profound, so heartbreaking, yet so beautiful as well.

I was awed, and deeply moved later in the story when Varian and the other spirit warriors came to Ellie in her great time of need. In my mind, I literally could see him standing before Ellysetta, glowing, shining beautifully in the warmth of her love, and bright in his soul’s restoration to the light. It brought tears to my eyes, that in death they had been cleansed of all pain and darkness…granted peace by the grace of their ultimate sacrifice. I greatly hope that the Fey belief is true that a warrior dying in the service of the Lutan bond, will be rewarded with their own true mate in the next life.

The entire closing of this novel–from the climax, all the way to the last sentence located on the final page…put into the simplest of terms–was glorious. In my opinion, there is no greater gift an author can give readers who pushed through the bad, and stuck with the series; than that of fulfilling their hopes by the grandeur of good triumphing over evil. Essentially readers hope for a true Happily ever after. C.L Wilson delivered this concept beautifully, yet still managed to leave things open enough to revisit this world and it’s characters in the future. It is a true testament to her talent as an author, that she did this without sacrificing any of the answers, or holding back on the dazzling ending that we as readers had been waiting five long books for. Every single tear a reader had shed, every single tragic death a reader had witnessed, every single emotion dragged from a reader’s heart–was validated.

I was extremely pleased that it was Shan who took out Vadim, gaining his righteous revenge upon the man who has subjected he and his mate to one thousand years of unspeakable torture. I could not have picked a more fitting occurrence for Vadim to receive his just payment due. Ellysetta’s personal journey to accept herself, and Rain wholly…hysically, spiritually, and mentally…in every way possible–and in so doing; complete their true mate bond–was a trial of tangible emotion. The fantastic display in which this bond was realized, blew me away.

I cannot help but suspect that Galaen’s mate, when his story is written will be Melliandra. There seemed to be a profound exchange of feeling in that split second their eyes met across the crumbling caves of Boura Fell. I was ecstatic to read Elfeya confirm my suspicions that Kieran and Kiel were the twin girls true mates. I loved the interactions between Ellie and her birth parents at the end but after wishing them to be free and together for nearly five books, I wanted more, more, MORE of it. I do so hope to receive more in the future books of Ellysetta and her parents bonding. The last ten pages, were utterly breathtaking, and it was a deeply profound moment to finally witness Ellysetta embrace all sides of herself, finding her Tairen song, and wings.

I cannot wait to see what this amazing author has to offer in future novels, both in the world we just left, and that of the new one we will soon be introduced. Forgive my insanely long review. Few books affect me, and stir my passions as a reader than this series has done.

Miranda