The Weaver's Lament

The ninth and final chapter of Haydon's popular Symphony of Ages epic fantasy series (after The Hollow Queen) wraps up loose ends and sends its main characters into retirement in suitably dramatic fashion. After 1,000 years of high-stakes magic, intrigue, and battle, the celebrated Three%E2%80%94 musician Rhapsody, the ruler of the Cymrian Alliance; Achmed the Snake, king of the Firbolg; and the giant Falstaffian Sergeant-Major Grunthor%E2%80%94are feeling their mortality and ready to leave rough adventure behind. They feel they've done all there is to do to protect their work. But trouble has a way of finding the Three, and now a surprising murder fans the flames of old conflicts between Rhapsody and her husband, Ashe, who is also fighting his own nature's call to leave his human body behind and transform into a dragon for good. Haydon juggles a number of story threads, and the murderous plot twist feels contrived, but subsequent events unfold to a workable conclusion, bringing a cast of beloved characters to their well-earned rest. Agent: Richard Curtis, Richard Curtis Associates. (June)