Bridge of Souls: The Quickening Book Three

by Fiona McIntosh

Book Overview

Wyl Thirsk, former general of the Morgravian army and bearer of the curse known as Myrren's gift, is running out of time. Marriage between his beloved Queen Valentyna and his sworn enemy, the despotic King Celimus, is imminent; yet, despite the impending nuptials, war looms between the two nations, while the threat from the Mountain Kingdom grows stronger. Trapped in a body not his own, with his friends and supporters scattered throughout the realm,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060747609
• ISBN13: 9780060747602
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Harper Voyager
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

I haven't read Fantasy books in 30 years, but...

someone gave me Mirren's Gift, the first book of the Quickening trilogy. I really didn't even want to read it, as i haven't touched fantasy since my twenties. so, I starte reading it, and got into it, and couldn't put the book down. I have since completed the trilogy, and just finished Odalisque, the first book of the Percheron Saga trilogy, and this looks just as great as Quickening. Once I really love to read an author, I buy every thing they write, and Fiona McIntosh is now on that list.

Gobble This Up

This was a very enjoyable series. The plot and characters were both excellent. She throws in twists that will keep you guessing too. I would suggest this for fans of Brooks, Martin, and Hobb.

Interesting finish!

I loved the first book, was still fascinated by the second book, but by the start of the third book I thought I know what to expect. After all, Wyl Stark had the curse of Myrren's Gift, which caused him to switch bodies with whomever kills him. Crazy twists had already happened because of this. I assumed more would. But the ending had to be predictable, right? I mean, all he had to do was get killed by the evil King Celimus who was to marry Wyl's true love, Valentyna, and all would be right, yes? NOOOO! It turns out that the curse/Gift may not work if Wyl intentionally gets himself killed by someone (although what about that time...??? Well, I don't want to spoil the book, but it's not a huge plot-hole since they really didn't know everything about the Gift, so that may be wrong). The problem is that Wyl is certain that he could not stand to be Celimus, no matter if he does get his dream girl and a chance to live happily ever after. He knows he absorbs a bit of the personaility/life of the bodies he inhabits and the idea of being THAT close with Celimus just is too much for him. One wants to yell and scream at him, of course. But it does make the ending a bit more interesting!!! If he refuses to continue living if he becomes Celimus, then what? Well, you'll have to read and see! --I found my interest almost petering a bit by the third book, but I still thought it very much worth the read. I enjoyed the characters and didn't think they were that two-dimensional. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the body-swapping. I like all the threads being wrapped up, even if they were a bit too neatly done for true belief (some deus ex machina involved!). I have read hundreds of books and most are enjoyable but difficult to remember after a while, but despite a few flaws, this trilogy was still striking and an adventure to read.

Good Ending

I waited with baited breath when I ordered this book. Now that I received it I devoured it in three days. What an exilerating ending to a great series. To finally gain retribution on the one who killed him was very satisfying. Great book and hope Fiona comes out with more. If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.

A fabulous finale...well almost

I'd eagerly awaited this final book in the "Quickening" trilogy; I was not disappointed. As my title suggests, I really enjoyed this book with one minor reservation...let me explain. The pros: The book is easy to read and intriguing from the opening chapter. It has, as with most great fantasy stories, a plot filled with love, betrayal, friendship, unexpected twists and turns and a liberal dose of magic. I found myself reading late into the night to satisfy my need to find out what happens next... just one more chapter! The book has several different storylines, told alternately, that revolve around the main characters of the first two novels, that being Wyl, Valentyna, Fynch, Aremys, Cailech and of course the main villain of the tale, Celimus. The individual tales come together at the end to make for satisfactory conclusion.(To those of us who thought we'd figured out the ending for this trilogy at the end of book two... well think again.) There is also good character development of the people in this book making them more real to the readers. Characters you love to love or love to hate as the circumstances dictate. The cons: (small spoiler) Despite my enthusiasm for this novel I have one complaint, and it has a tone of disappointment associated with it; that being the overuse of magical devices/occurrences to tie up some of the potential loose ends at the conclusion of the book. After an entire book of brilliant buildups involving untold hardships, cruelty and suffering, (and some good things as well) we have a fairy tale ending...an "everyone lives happily ever after" conclusion that just doesn't fit the mood or style of the rest of this magnificent tale. All in all a great ending to this trilogy (even with the minor concern I mentioned in the above paragraph); a testament to Fiona McIntosh's developing skills as a writer in this genre. This to me, fits right up there with R.R. Martin's "Ice and Fire" series as well as Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen" novels. Well done!!! 4 1/2 stars.