Star Rating: 4 "A strongly plotted third novel in this well-written, character-led fantasy." The Wishing Shelf REVIEW Thankfully, I have read the first two books in the set, so I know Ash, Keeper of the Song, a burden passed to him by accident. And Kep, who I think is the best character, now with her 'pirate' company, a girl (a young woman now), a sworn enemy of the evil Melk. I must say, I've enjoyed getting to know them, watching them develop, becoming considerably wiser, but always staying just as determined. As for book three, it's just as good as the first two - well, almost, I did enjoy the first book, Taelstone, the most. But Darkstone is well written, cleverly plotted, with strong character development throughout - all of which I'd expect from an author of this calibre. Oddly, it's not a trilogy - they all seem to be these days. There's going to be a book four - according to the Acknowledgments anyway. So, young adults looking for a set of fantasy books to get lost in, I'd recommend this to you. But don't start with this book. Start at the beginning, and allow yourself to become immersed in this amazing fantasy world. I think most readers will enjoy rooting for Kep in the savage arena of Kara-fell, a fate worse than slavery, and they'll be hoping Ash finds a way of controlling the magic of the Song, before it destroys him. All in all, this has the makings of a fantasy classic. A 'Wishing Shelf' Book Review