Stephen R. Lawhead: The Sword and the Flame (1983)

    Quentin reigns as the Dragon King and faces the insidious attack of evil from within himself when Nimrood holds his son hostage (Goodreads).

    The first two novels being relatively lackluster, Lawhead concludes his fantasy trilogy on a surprisingly pleasant note, showcasing much more complex and intriguing character development that is thought out well and an equally enjoyable plot with just the right amount of detail and layering. The new additions to the supporting cast are well utilized, although the main antagonist does not live up to expectations, and some of the main character's side-quests seem a bit pointless. Although it does surpass its predecessors in terms of quality, this third novel also seems very disconnected from the first two in terms of series continuity and overall structure. That being said, one cannot ignore its relative superiority. Overall, that’s obviously not saying much, as the first two were quite poor. 6.9/10

Scott Westerfield: Behemoth (2010)

    Dr Barlow and Deryn deliver their precious cargo to the Sultan, but their peace-keeping mission goes unexpectedly - and disastrously - awry (Goodreads).

    The world building continues to shine in Westerfield's series as this sequel continues to expand and introduce new elements and characters to the unique alternate history. The plot remains relatively simple (though still enjoyable) and the characters follow suit. The romantic aspects are pointless and add nothing to the story, and some of the cultural explorations and character beliefs around them are questionable, but again, the concepts and unique mechanical and organic beasts are the real selling point of the series, and it is worth noting that the illustrations depicting said things are also very well done. Overall, Behemoth stays consistent with its predecessor in showcasing, if not the most amazing plot or characters, wonderful and imaginative vessels (quite literally) for the weaker aspects of the novel to ride the success of. 8.3/10

    

James Frey & Nils Johnson-Shelton: Rules of the Game (2016)

        Two keys have now been found, and the remaining Players must find the final key—before Endgame brings about the ultimate destruction (Goodreads).

    In this concluding installment, the two authors are able to retain a quality of overall consistency that has become increasingly evident with each novel. Consistently good writing is at the forefront, as the authors showcase excellent prose with a good variety of pacing, although as usual it shines amidst the fast-paced action. The international scope of the series is also displayed extremely well, and although the cast becomes smaller for obvious reasons, it still maintains a wide variety of different characters, each of whom are well fleshed out (with the exception of the aliens). On that note, it must be acknowledged that the more science fiction aspects of the book remain consistent with the rest of the series in that it is the weakest link. All in all, though, a satisfying conclusion. 8.2/10

Rick Yancey: The Last Star (2016)

    In these last days, Earth’s remaining survivors will need to decide what’s more important: saving themselves…or saving what makes us human (Goodreads).

    Rarely is such a fall from grace seen in a series as the one in Yancey's young adult science fiction trilogy. It is all too clear that the author hoped to expand his plot, backstories, relationships, and antagonists, but unfortunately this concluding novel has one wishing for the admittedly simpler, but far more enjoyable harrowing alien survival tale of the first installment. The Last Star is nothing more than a filler novel, something a concluding piece should definitely not be, as the plot is convoluted, reasons for character's actions are blurred, and the various romance subplots are wince-inducing. No notable additions in the cast are added, and the whole climax and conclusion seem utterly sudden and ultimately pointless, leaving one with a disconcerting sense of dissatisfaction. Yancey writes well enough, and his prose is often quite professional, but the smooth diction does little to clear up a convoluted and disappointing plot. 6.5/10

James Frey & Nils Johnson-Shelton: Sky Key (2015)

    Sky Key—wherever it is, whatever it is—is next. And the nine remaining Players will stop at nothing to get it (Goodreads)

    Once again, the immense task that the authors undertake must be acknowledged: Having so many characters, each with their own intricate plot and backstory is not an easy undertaking, but as in the first novel, the duo of writers handles it extremely well, as each character has a unique and well developed story, complete with the signature action scenes where the writing really flourishes. That being said, the whole thing is a bit too similar to the first novel in general, as both share the same story structure and pacing. The only thing that might set this second book apart is the further development of the alien lore, but that is unfortunately not done well and just adds an unnecessary element to an already packed novel. The first novel was good, of course, but this second one feels a bit like a convoluted remix, rather than a sequel. All in all, though, the fast-paced plot and dynamic characters enable readers to stay invested in the trilogy leading up to the final novel. 8.1/10

Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell: The Descenders (2019)

    Quove’s deadly agenda has finally caught up with Cade, and now he must leave his home and flee once more, this time to the legendary floating city of New Sanctaphrax (Goodreads).

    A slightly convoluted plot aside, this final installment of Stewart and Riddell's epic series must first and foremost be regarded for what it truly represents: The immense scale and magnitude of how far the co-authors have come in their development of the Edge itself. The scale at which the series comes to be written is admirable, and though the tenth novel gave a small piece of this, it left something to be discovered, and this thirteenth novel fulfills it. Upon first inspection it is easy to see the flaws: the slower pace, the exorbitant amount of characters, and the lack of a strong antagonist, but in taking a step back to examine this conclusion in the overall scope of the series prompts a much greater appreciation. That being said, the flaws still have an impact on the quality, of course, so it is by no means a perfect novel. Overall, though, it is a much more thought-provoking and serene novel than perhaps any of its predecessors, and yet it still manages to unite the tales prior to it, although perhaps with too many endings in all of the loose endings needing to be tied up. Those tallow-hats are also pretty sweet. 8.3/10

Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell: Beyond the Deepwoods (1998)

    Abandoned at birth in the perilous Deepwoods, Twig Verginix is brought up by a family of woodtrolls. One cold night, Twig does what no woodtroll has ever done before – he strays from the path (Goodreads).

     In terms of world-building and visual accompaniments, Stewart and Riddell's series is perhaps unparalleled. Countless fantastical creatures being unveiled through the eyes of a relatable and likable protagonist in Twig is a foolproof strategy used brilliantly by the authors. The countless adventures he experiences throughout the plot might seem a bit repetitive after a while, but the imagination and variety implemented in each is enough to make them each unique in their own right. The fast paced, high-stakes adventures are balanced out with slower ones which also serve to develop Twig's character, and so pacing is far from an issue, but that being said, there is some room for character development overall. The climax on the Edge itself is executed well, with the final declaration of independence from our protagonist being a solid emotional moment. Although the authors do not gamble on much in terms of development and plot, the imagination showcased in the world they set up make it an excellent novel. 8.6/10