Once this one got started, I enjoyed it more than the 1st installment. There were a few glaringly obvious plots, but they were balanced by one complete surprise.

I am really enjoying this trilogy and hopes that Mr. Bunn keeps on writing fantasy.
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Edit after finishing series

This review is for the entire trilogy.
I hope this doesn't sound snobbish, but this trilogy forever changes my mind about indie books. Up until now I've been either ho-hum or actively looked down on all the self-published Kindle books out there. In my defense, a lot of that was due to all those spam books in the Kindle store. On the other hand some was also due to the fact that I always figured that if a book was really good, someone would pick it up. Guess I was wrong!

Anyway, back to the books. This was a great installment of the standard boy meets wizard, goes on quest with band of trusty helpers, boy saves world trope in epic fantasy. When done correctly (as this one is), it will remain an oldie but a goodie.

There was a good mix of humor, magic, mystery and a few twists that I didn't see coming. In the end, not all evil was defeated and not all of the good guys got their HEA which surprised me, but made me wonder if it wasn't an opening for another book or two. I'm all for that!

Favorite Lines (All from Book #3. I tried a new quote system that failed miserably for books 1 & 2)

"though all agree that the painted caravans of the Farrow clan were never again seen trundling about the duchies of Tormay. Declan was the last of that blood."
Note: Awww. I was hoping the Farrows got their HEA. Not fair.

"They died, cursing and spitting and calling out defiance even as more and more ranks of the enemy marched over the ruins of the walls to join the fray."
Note: This part of epic fantasy stories always seems stupid to me.


"He is the fire that always burns. He was the eldest of the anbeorun."
Note: Didnt see that coming


“Your neck. Do you hear? I’ll snap it like a twig.” “Very well, my lord.” The steward managed to look both alarmed and honored at the prospect of being strangled by the Lord Captain of the Guard."
Note: Haha. Try to manage that.

Book 1 - B
Book 2 - B-
Book 3 - B ( )

Sometimes incredibly exciting and wonderful, sometimes a bit meh. I think the pacing may need a bit of work.

What's up with all of the character names that sound so similar? I spent most of this book getting names confused. :)

Overall, a fascinating concept with fascinating characters. I'll read the 3rd book eventually. ( )

This was an excellent continuation of the first book. It was fast paced and well written. There were very interesting revelations about the characters and plot developments. I look forward to reading the final installment of the Tormay Trilogy. ( )

Sprawling story of Jute and his new friends continues in this second part to the Tormay Tilogy. Still enjoying the flow of the story and the interesting characters included. Well done and a great way to spend the afternoon in the sun. Can't wait to start book three. ( )

My full review: http://coffeecookiesandchilipeppers.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-tormay-trilogy-by-c...

I do not normally review more than one book in a series at the same time. However, I feel that this trilogy reads much more like one book in three volumes and that each of the titles cannot really be treated as a stand-alone book.

Disclaimer: I was given this trilogy free by the author via a Librarything Member Giveaway, in return for an honest review.

The world building is well done and we are rarely presented with piles of exposition. There is an interesting magic system based upon the use of words of power that can be used to take control of things. I especially liked the idea of the magical wards, which had a variety of uses varying from simple alarms when a door was opened to disguising a person’s identity. We are also provided with a creation myth and a far portion of history relating the battle between the Anbeorun and the Darkness that seeks to destroy all life. Elements of this did seem a little similar to Tolkien’s creation story, as outlined in The Silmarillion, but was sufficiently different to keep me interested. One aspect of this world that I particularly liked was the interaction with animals. Some, like the Hawk, were able to speak to all humans, but mostly we saw exchanges between Levoreth and the various animals that she encountered. There was one particularly delightful scene with her helping a squirrel by asking a tree to grow a branch towards another tree so that it could gather nuts without crossing the ground and being harassed by foxes.

On the whole this was a fantasy with some elements of epic scale, such as battles and whole nations plunged into conflict. However, in the great tradition of Tolkien, it kept a firm grounding in the actions of individuals and their connection to the homes and families. ( )