Susan Carroll, Silver Rose

Silver Rose

Susan Carroll

Ballantine, Mar 2006, $13.95

ISBN: 0345482514

Ten years ago, Simon Arisitide the witch hunter thought he did the right thing when he brought justice to Faire Isle, but now has doubts as the evil Silver Rose and her minion use infant sacrifice to conjure spells. He is tired and needs help to stop the unknown Silver Rose; his last hope lies in Faire Isle, which he destroyed a decade ago by betraying his beloved Miri Cheney. Still she can lead him to her sister Ariane, who he, by his actions sent into hidden exile (see THE DARK QUEEN), but needs the Lady of Faire Isle, even if she and her two sisters are witches.

Miri wants nothing to do with Simon, who understands her loathing of him just by looking around the once thriving Faire Isle that he devastated. Still with the France's "Dark Queen" Catherine de Medici demanding she and or her siblings help stop The Silver Rose before further demonic practices occur, Miri reluctantly agrees to assist Simon on a quest between the good wise women and the malevolent devil worshipper.

The final tale in the Faire Isle trilogy (see THE DARK QUEEN and THE COURTESAN) is a fine romantic historical fantasy starring two individuals in love with a past that makes teaming, even against a malicious common foe, difficult. The relationship between Miri and Simon supersedes the action, as each tries to do the right thing for the good of people, yet the events of a decade ago that led to the destruction of her home hangs heavily between them; especially in light of his losing his target, the lethal sinister Book of Shadows. Susan Carroll's fans will appreciate this fine climax to an enchanting series.