The final novel in the Valdaar’s Fist Quartet has a glowing Mithril rating on my own scale (five out of five stars, see ‘Don’t Attack a Sundae,’ for the inspiration of my rating scale). On with the review!

Where to begin?  I finished the fourth and final installment of the high fantasy series Valdaar’s Fist.  I feel vexed, in a good way.  The last fifty pages took exciting, painful, tearful, a little expected, and still surprising turns.  The culmination of the search for the ancient Drow forged weapon comes to an end.  Yet, it is the whispered discovery of the ritual truth which leaves the reader anxious and sad to come to the story’s final pages.  Still, like the song says, “every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.”

The tale picks up after the party members spend several weeks training in preparation for the final push to recover the sword from his current keeper, the Lord of Dragons, Bahamut.  A task which provokes the mind.  How? How can a group, so small, bring down the famed Platinum dragon?  I don’t dare spoil the ending, but the victory is achieved with depth, intelligence, and teamwork forged in the fires of time and trust.  Ever dynamic characters, once mistrustful of each other, come through for each other, even through death to achieve a bIttersweet victory.  The first arc for the heroes is completed of Valdaar’s Fist but it is clear, even with the heroes parting and the years passed in the Epilogue, the friends will find their story moves ever onward.  I have no doubt they will be fighting and scraping by together once more. 

The novel is flawlessly presented.  My only critique would be the amount of times a certain character is resurrected, but that is largely negated by the explanation and circumstances.  The author presents a beauty to the bond between familiar and man which is carried from the beginning of the novel through tears to the sweet nod of an Eagle’s head at the finale.  An equal elegance is presented through the strength, determination, and dedication of the adventurers. 

Of great note are the detailed descriptions of fight scenes, comedic banter, spells, and love which lift of the page and create a stunning reel of film in your imagination, of magic, dragons, legendary weapons, and the culminating journey’s wealth of breathless words.  This last work of the author is equal to household names of high fantasy royalty.  

The Platinum Dragon is an enjoyable conclusion to a Dungeons and Dragons inspired story sure to thrill fans of all ages.

I only found out today the next story arc is already out with a fifth novel. I’ll be reviewing it as soon as possible for sure!

[Please note, in exchange for a free copy of the novel, I agreed to provide a HONEST review.]