Vyrkarion: The Talisman of Anor

J.A. Cullum

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

The living crystals, karionin, have been searching for young wizards capable of attuning themselves to the magic of the stones.

Now, in this third and final book of the trilogy, will Jerevan Rayne, who was cursed at a young age to be a wizard, meet his match in Alanna Cairn, who, with almost no training, bears the crystal Vyrkarion? Jerevan knows he must train her, but she wants nothing to do with him.

Will the prophecy that says “the king will die, a god-king take his place, and a child will need to be saved,” come true?

Will Aavik, the ruler of the lizard folk, who wants Vyrkarion for himself, find that corruption in the capitol benefits his goal?

And will Rhys Cinnac, the half breed who was cursed by a god to madness, take the throne?

Read Vyrkarion: The Talisman of Anor to find out who kills the king, who’s imprisoned in the Black Tower, who’s kidnapped, amd who escapes.

Review by Paul Lappen (300415) Rating (9/10)

Review by Paul Lappen
Rating 9/10
Last of a trilogy, this fantasy tale takes place on a planet with nine different races. For the humans, an ever-present threat is of being enslaved by a race of shape-changing lizard people. There's also an ancient prophecy whose time has come.

While traveling, a young noblewoman named Alanna meets Myrriden, a wizard who is also bearer of Vyrkarion, one of eight living crystals. Myrriden makes Alanna Vyrkarion's new bearer. He had little choice; he was dying at the time. Myrriden tells Alanna that she must be trained in how to handle a living crystal by a famous wizard named Jerevan. (In part 2 of this trilogy, Jerevan was given a very advanced curse by another wizard. It's the sort of curse that can only be lifted by Jerevan becoming an "expert" wizard.) Alanna is very aware of Jerevan's past, so she would rather get her training from anyone else.

Aavik is the leader of the isklarin (the lizard people). He is very aware of Vyrkarion's change in "ownership," and makes plans to get the crystal for himself.

Rhys Cinnac is cousin of the king, and also bearer of Cyrkarion, another of the living crystals. He is most interested in the part of the prophecy which says that the king will die, and a child will be saved. Could the child be Aubrey Cinnac, legitimate heir to the throne? He acts incredibly mature for his age. Can Alanna get over her strong dislike for Jerevan, and let him train her, so Aubrey can stay alive, and help the crystal to show its full power?

This is an excellent novel, and trilogy. The author does a fine job from start to finish, with the storytelling, the society-building, and the wizardry (and other weird stuff). It is very much worth reading.
Paul Lappen (30th April 2015)