In the third book of Avi's Crispin trilogy, Crispin and Troth pick up where we left off. I liked the character of Troth, so I was disappointed when early in the book an excuse to take her out of the story was used.
Crispin falls in with a pack of murderous thieves, who then use him and won't let him go. It's all right, but certainly lacks the plot intricacies that made Crispin: The Cross of Lead so good.
Well written, exciting in places, and Crispin remains a very sympathetic character, but the two sequels are much weaker than the first book. ( )

Young Reader Reaction: This novel is the final book of the trilogy about Crispin. Even though I like the trilogy as a whole, I did not like the ending of this book very much. It ended at a very awkward point in the plot. Crispin never steps foot into Iceland, and the whereabouts of Troth and the thieves are never mentioned. I would recommend this for middle school students, and I would recommend this trilogy as a gift.

Adult Reader Reaction: Review pending.

Pros: Readers who like serial stories of historical adventure will like Crispin.

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It's been two or three weeks now since I finished this book and the series. If this story sticks with me much longer I'll be coming back and raising the ratings. The third book seemed to enhance the enjoyment of the whole series for me. Very good story; very well conceived and written. It's emotionally accessible to the younger reader but doesn't sacrifice any of the feel for the history and living in the time. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and the Crispin series have made me add some more of Avi's work to a couple wish/purchase lists and I'm looking forward to them. ( )

Third of the trilogy ( )

Avi brings to life yet more aspects of medieval society and conditions in this final volume of the trilogy. As well, he poses life-and-death moral dilemmas confronting "a broken boy" - dilemmas faced, unhappily, by many a boy or girl today faced with the threat of gang life, and gang death. Well done. ( )