Just Finished Reading: The Poisoned Crown by Amanda Hemingway (FP: 2007)

With the cup and now the sword safe on Earth only one piece remains to enable the Great Spell to be spoken and a Universe saved from ultimate destruction. But this time Nathan Ward really has his work cut out for him. The next piece of the puzzle – the crown – is on Widesea a world without any land apart from the artic pole, a world populated by weird sea creatures the like of which Nathan has never encountered before and a world very jealously guarded by a demon who hates all non-aquatic life. Meanwhile with the feeling that something truly momentous is about the happen the few remaining magical creatures are going to ground but not before they tell stories of previous attempts at performing the Great Spell and the disturbing consequences for those directly involved. As the end approaches Nathan’s mother Annie finally tells him the story of his conception and how she suspects that he was always part of the plan to bring the Great Spell to fruition. Feeling betrayed and lied to his entire life Nathan is blinded to his real father’s plans for our Universe. Can he wake up before it’s too late?

This was a very good ending to a very good trilogy. All of the existing elements are there and all of the fine characters continue doing their things. Nathan himself is maturing fast as he approaches his 16th birthday. Hazel is learning both the danger and power of her witchcraft and even Inspector Pobjoy is developing an open mind – reluctantly. There’s much humour at Nathan hanging out with a mermaid definitely not drawn by Disney (no covering shells) and lots of tension as battle lines are drawn on both worlds. The ‘boss fight’ on Widesea was a bit of an anti-climax but I forgave that. The design/description of the world was very good and the ‘people’ who lived there suitably complex. I had guessed some of the final act but was impressed by a mother’s power to overcome to protect her only child. I was really proud of Annie when the dust has settled and I’m sure that Nathan was too! I thought that this was a delightful little (very) English fantasy trilogy and enjoyed it/them a great deal. If you want a read that isn’t too strenuous or want your kids to read something after Harry Potter then this is definitely the series for you. Recommended.