The third book in the Fire Chronicle series is this Young Adult novel. Even when showing unbeatable evil and odds, it is really nice and thoughtfully encouraging.
Order has largely prevailed in a fantasy world where races of creatures, most of which are humanoids, frequently engage in conflict. Lord Luminor suffered serious injuries in the fierce conflict that resulted in the formation of the Alliance. With abilities that have never been matched before, he governs this collection of individuals in a beneficial manner.
There is now danger because the Morvians are being overrun by a brand-new, terrifying evil. Beyond the Impossible Mountains, these people reside. Luminor must protect these people from the approaching threat, despite the fact that this does not concern his domain. He creates his army, the most powerful up to that point, by fusing numerous factions into a single battle force. He leaves his hearth and home, which were guarded by a regent and wise Elders to keep his dominion and his family safe, and journeys north.
Espira, Essie, who they all know, and Ardientor are now left at home worrying about their father. They are the first and might be the only people who can save the realm because they are hybrids with human and Gaian ancestry, but they must get through sibling rivalry and a spell their father cast to keep them in their place. When all appears lost, they discover a solution—Espira in particular—to balance the personalities and the abilities, first calling on the Ancient Realm for assistance before using it to help the army overcome the Impossible Mountains.
Real and current danger exists. The conflicts are intense and ultimately deadly. Can Espira handle the situation and carry on the tradition? Can Ardientor succeed or fail his more powerful and older sister? Will the Ancient Realms come to our rescue?
What aspect of the fire power does Espira need to control? Are dragons the secret to success? When the giants that eat humans leave Morvia, what will they do?
The plot is tried-and-true, with plenty of twists and turns to maintain interest and give the protagonist incentive to see it through. Although sluggish, the characters are well-developed. The story flows smoothly, with noticeable changes between character thought and action and those of the story itself.