** May contain spoilers if you haven’t read Far Forest Scrolls Hourglass of Destruction. Read my spoiler-free review here. 

The Tournament of Flags has brought more predicaments to the Knights and their allies. Their beloved Knight Finn has fallen. However, the strength of the Vernguard against the dark forces is of utmost importance at this time. So the Knights, along with Veneficus, decide to restart the tournament to honor Finn’s sacrifice and to keep the bond between the allies across Vernguard strong.

Just as the crowd gets rejuvenated with new hope and the tournament is set to restart, a group of Proliate and Magicians blast into the arena with a vision so horrifying that every ounce of hope around Vernguard crumbles to dust. As chaos and confusion ensue, the trust among even the most trusted ones starts to shake and the loyalties begin to oscillate.

With the tournament now canceled, the Knights carry their beloved Finn toward the Forest of Creber to bury him. But they become the target of a number of forces, both internal and external, that are desperately attempting to capture the Chosen One.

How did it make me feel?

The Narrative

This book in the series is my favorite so far. Now we’re at the cusp of the story, where everything is changing. You’ll find a new twist at every turn and that makes it hard to put Rise Above the Storm down. This book in particular felt like a beautiful child of the Game of Thrones and Harry Potter to me. You name it and you’ll get everything that you think of when you think of a good fantasy book. This third book is also the most fast-paced in the series so far. The dirty politics, the trusting characters and the display of the numerous fantastical creatures and their prowess make this book a delight to read. Absolutely loved it!

The Characters

I was so bummed to lose one of my favorite characters. However, at the same time, some of these characters have evolved in this book in such a way that you never know what to expect of them. Which again adds to the mystery of Vernguard’s ultimate fate and keeps you guessing. After this book, I’m especially very curious about how Jumeaux’s character will unfold in the upcoming books. Can’t wait!

Would I recommend it?

By the end of the third book, I have no doubt that I’d recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy. This world of Vernguard is worth exploring. Do give it a try. 

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