| Title | : | Si'Empra's Queen: Beyond the here and now (Songs of Si'Empra Book 3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 452 |
| Publication | : | Published August 30, 2020 |
It's been fifteen years since Ellen became Si'Empra's leader. She's still a young woman but her health is failing. She must train a successor - maybe two. Richard is an obvious candidate but she cannot - yet - tell him the one secret that will make or break him, but she can take him to places that reveal the true nature of Si'Empra. Ellen's focused on her duty and on making good her promises. She's oblivious to Norm Tucker's designs for revenge till too late.
In book three of the Songs of Si'Empra series, an era comes to an end to make way for a new one that's full of excitement and energy. Not everyone is destined to step into that sunny future. Read this book to finally learn all the verses of the Songs of Si'Empra.
"A deeply moving but highly satisfying ending."
Si'Empra's Queen: Beyond the here and now (Songs of Si'Empra Book 3) Reviews
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Verbeek wraps up her graceful, gripping trilogy in Si’Empra series with this satisfying third installment which follows the life of Ellen as the Queen of Si’Empra as the story hops across time.
It’s been fifteen years since Ellen took charge as Ürügh of Si’Empra, the leader of the Skyseeker Society. The hostile Antarctic island is flourishing under her command now, but the effect of Mylin, a drug produced by Cryptals, which fuels energy for Ellen’s ailing body is gradually diminishing, bringing her end closer. But there are tasks she must accomplish before she leaves: Getting Richard, her long-time close friend, ready for the leadership and discovering the long-buried secrets of the original Guild to ensure the rightful place of the detested Webcleaners in the society. But Ellen’s old nemesis Norm Tucker is back, and he has every intention to avenge his past insults.
The novel brims with the same gripping immediacy (despite Ellen’s cool demeanor) and emotional intensity that have marked the earlier installments in the series. Ellen’s heart aching tale offers an exploration of how one goes on living after suffering sexual abuse and mental trauma. Verbeek’s storytelling is urgent, and her language scintillating and polished.
Her characters, especially the pair of Ellen and Rosa are thoroughly human. Ellen with her stubborn disposition and her panache to shut out others may get on readers’ nerves but she is easy to root for. Verbeek has portrayed her with great sympathy and yet admirably refuses to gloss over rough edges. The connection between Ellen and Rosa is achingly tender as Ellen, relentlessly struggling with her inner demons tries to find strength in their enduring bond.
The sheer exhilaration of the fascinatingly created remote and hostile Antarctic island world with its varied inhabitants such as Crystalmakers, Skyseekers, Cryptals, and Webcleaners among other, the tight plotting, and the unexpected twists will keep readers engrossed through to the heart wrenching and yet satisfying conclusion.
This sweeping fantasy is as much a coming-of-age story as it is an exploration of trauma, grief, duty, sacrifice, friendship, and love. New readers are advised to read the series in proper order to get a better understanding of Si‘Empra’s intricate world. This unique, consistently compelling account of Ellen’s life is an apt finale to a stunning tale.
A must read for both fantasy buffs and lovers of women’s fiction. -
The challenges and pace of SI’EMPRA’s Queen are different to the preceding books. It’s interesting to see how Si’Empra survives in the modern world, and then provides a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
