Spellbreaker

Starred review from May 23, 2016
Charlton’s magnificent epic fantasy novel concludes his Spellwright trilogy (after Spellbound) but also works as a standalone story. Leandra Weal is one of three Wardens, charged with quelling neodemons who arise from malevolent thoughts and the magic energies of the world. A spell induces a vision that warns her she must either kill someone she loves or die herself—very soon—in order to prevent widespread destruction. The other Wardens—her father, Nicodemus Weal, and her mother, Francesca DeVega—have discovered evidence of incursions by spellwrights from a foreign empire and the presence of an ancient demon, which may signal a significant supernatural assault against the human kingdoms. Charlton inserts backstory naturally, and readers will effortlessly pick up on the history and mythology underlying the tale’s present. His worldbuilding is impressive, with each culture having a distinct flavor. His magic is based on spells that can turn words into physical forms, and readers will be awed by the divinity complexes, which are powerful constructs of multiple deities and humans. There is significant emotional depth to the story, and ponderings on fate, love, and the purpose of human society give the novel some gravitas. Intricate plotting, strong characters, and a wonderfully imagined world make this a winner. Agent: Matt Bialer, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

April 1, 2016
"Where's the apocalypse?" wonder the characters and the reader as this epic fantasy trilogy reaches its long-awaited conclusion. Thirty-four years after the events of Spellbound (2011), the cacographer Nicodemus Weal and his half sister, the Empress Vivian, have divided the world between them. Nicodemus' misspelled metaspells make magical language more intuitive in the realms controlled by the League of Starfall, weakening the logic of spellwrights' magic while strengthening the power of the local deities--and encouraging the rise of neodemons. Vivian's metaspells increase the imperial spellwrights' power, but the inexorable, sterile logic of her magic is also causing crop failures in her lands. Meanwhile, the long-prophesied Disjunction, when the Dread God Los leads an army of demons from the Ancient Continent to destroy humanity, has so far failed to occur. As political tensions rise, Leandra Weal, the daughter of Nicodemus and his draconic wife, Francesca DeVega, sets herself between the two magical factions and discovers some painful truths about herself and the Disjunction. Leandra is not a particularly noble champion; while Nicodemus' and Francesca's love for their daughter is understandable, her apparently rash, brutally efficient actions don't make her terribly likable, even if her ultimate cause is just. But Charlton warned us that prophecy is slippery; no one should've expected to see the series conclude with heroes fighting a gigantic human-demon war. The worldbuilding and the conflict are expertly delineated, but much of the trilogy's focus is far more intimate: a richly textured portrait of personal growth, primarily of Nicodemus as he gains self-confidence in himself and his magic, opens his heart to a lover, and then takes on mature responsibilities as a family man, warrior, and politician. Vivid, intelligent, and painful in an authentically laudable way.

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Starred review from April 15, 2016

As Warden of Ixos, Leandra Weal not only hunts the neodemons that plague her home, she tracks down godspells that may be used for nefarious purposes. A prophetic spell she recovers reveals that in the future, Leandra will either kill someone she loves or die herself. As she attempts to discover whom she will murder, personal, political, and religious issues turn her life into a battleground. With only one day to obtain the truth, Leandra and her family rush to understand a foretold demonic invasion and the language of spells, all the while trying not to kill one another in the process. VERDICT The final book of the "Spellwright" trilogy (after Spellbound) can be read as a stand-alone. The idea of the power of human language in magic runs through the story and is supported by the writing. Vivid characters, political intrigue, and family drama make this a solid, imaginative work.--KC

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2016
Leandra Weal is not only the warden of Ixos but also the daughter of two powerful magicians, and she is in trouble. She has obtained a prophetic spell that indicates she will either murder someone she loves or die herself. Unsure of what's to come, she begins her investigation, only to have a chronic disease flare up while the Ixonian Archipelago seems to be falling apart. Family problems, political infighting, and demonic cults are all around her. The thrilling conclusion to the Spellwright trilogy answers some lingering questions about Leandra's parents and brings descriptive depth to her character. As the young woman defines her own path, and her parents face difficulty accepting her decisions, there is an element of relatability that Charlton has brought to each of his books without succumbing to formulaic series writing. While Spellbreaker can stand on its own, having read its two predecessors adds depth to its undercurrents. It will appeal to readers who enjoy high fantasy, complex worlds, and characters that change and grow throughout the story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)