Voice of the Gods - Trudi Canavan

After getting completely addicted to the second book in the trilogy it was never going to be long before I bought and read the third and final Age of the Five book.  It didn't disappoint.  Once again I found myself completely immersed in its world and wrapped up in the lives of the characters.  I was itching to get through the day just so that I could go home and read more of the lives of the Circlians, the Pentadrians and, perhaps most of all, the Wilds.

Voice of the Gods sees the power of the world is balanced so finely that the smallest thing could be enough to bring about another war between the Circlians and the Pentadrians.  Much of the plot is focussed on the two sides making stands and solidifying their battlelines (metaphorical or otherwise).  Interesting as that was, my favourite parts were (clearly!) the journeys the characters took of self-discovery and self-development.

As with the second book, it is Auraya that faces the biggest decisions and has the potential to change the most.  But the difference she makes to those around her isn't small either.  There aren't many characters that end the trilogy feeling the same way they did at the start (if any at all).  There is a strong theme of identity and staying true to who you are, but perhaps more importantly a theme of finding out who you really are.

Did I enjoy the book?  I think that's a pretty obvious yes.  I was so disappointed to get to the last few chapters and realise that I would have to leave the world behind.  But the ending was great and felt in fitting with the trilogy as a whole.  And the fact that I read the last page (before the epilogue) at pretty much snails' pace is a testament to how much I didn't want it to be over.

I really liked the little touches, such as Mischief playing some important roles in the final build-up and the dream-link conversations that are shared just to keep contact.  The ever-changing chemistry between characters is what I'll miss the most.  Although the world is quite well developed in terms of description it's not something I ever 'pictured' as such.  But maybe next time I'll pick up on it more.  Because while my 'to read' list is still expanding, I think I'll sneak this trilogy back in there again before too long.