Book Review: The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #3) by Jeff Wheeler

The Void of Muirwood 

(Covenant of Muirwood #3) 

by 

Jeff Wheeler

Expected pub: October 27th 2015 

by 47North 

ARC for Review 

Summary
When banished Princess Maia is captured by her father and threatened with execution, it appears that all is lost…until the people rise in rebellion against their king. Suddenly, the cast-aside royal finds herself crowned the first Queen of Comoros. But enemies appear on all sides as her father’s conniving supporters assemble a new army against the fledgling ruler. While Maia struggles to keep the peace within her own walls, she rushes to form historical alliances with her neighboring kingdoms against an impending invasion of the ruthless Naestors—led by the cruel Corriveaux—who will destroy anyone Maia loves in order to ruin her kingdom and prevent the mastons from regaining power.

Realizing that Muirwood Abbey is once again her only hope for survival, Maia gathers her people there for protection. When she discovers an adversary greater than she’s ever known, she must use all the magic, strength, and wisdom gained from her life’s trials to prevent the Void that would bring destruction to herself, her true love, and the entire kingdom.

Although Life is Full of Despair The Key Moments Are What Make Those Struggles Worth While

It is always bittersweet when a beloved trilogy comes to a close. I must say this is one that will stay with me for some time to come. This series has a pretty clear religious undertone, I’m a fan so I loved every bit of it. It was a little apparent in the first two but pretty undeniable in this last installment. No worries though because it isn’t overbearing or preachy but it does add a wonderful element to the book. This is the third and final installment and it was absolutely wonderful. If you have read this series I’m sure your a fan because the writing and world building is just too great for you not to be a fan. This time we find ourselves in the armpit of it all and Maia has to figure out how to bring everyone together. Quickly.

The Story, okay so wow the way the last one ended had me rushing to pick up this installment. Maia is facing the gallows and she has come to accept that as the mediums will. All of a sudden by a twist of fate Maia is thrown into complete chaos where the kingdom is its weakest. Finally admitting that she loves Collier and he loves her was one of my favorite aspects of this book. Unfortunately they are separated once again. Maia fears for her kingdom all she wants is to keep everyone safe and stop an invasion. No big deal right? Lol on the first day of the job nonetheless Maia accepts this as her duty and will come up with a way to see that it happens. There are killers at every corner and Maia will come face to face with each one. The Aldermaston’s and Maston’s are an integral part of this story and we get a good look at the evil that lays within the ruined shores.

The Characters, as you well very know Maia is my favorite then Collier but I also want to mention Maia’s guides. Mainly the Aldermaston of Muirwood turned Chancellor he was a key element in who Maia was to become as a leader. The medium is spoken of quite frequently and it is this medium that has lead Maia to the throne. The High Seer aka grams was selfless and did everything in her power to see to Maia’s happiness. Maia’s hunter who made me smile every time he spoke I loved his personality and dedication to do the right thing. Oh boy now for the hard one…This guy made my heart bleed…The assassin he was also one of my favorites because this guy does some ruthless things and hurts Maia but for some reason my heart broke for him. There are quite a few more but just know that the interactions of all of the characters made this story rich with depth and emotion.

The End, as I mentioned before this is that “make it or break it but regardless i’m going to miss the heck out of these guys because we’ve come so far” moment that always gets me. I’m pretty ecstatic to report Wheeler does a wonderful job. Through cunning and forethought Collier sets everything up perfectly in order to see that he and Maia have the type of ending their characters deserve. The reader gets their HEA, not without some struggle but everything comes together remarkably. All of the kingdoms show up to the end and the medium’s power is accepted by all. Maia has grown so much and she accepts all of life’s challenges with grace and power. The only thing that could have made this ending better is an epilogue that went out farther than the one we got. All and all I’m very glad I took a chance on this series and I highly recommend others do the same.

My Rating

4.5 Trusting your heart and acting on emotions of love rather than fear. A promise long ago made coming together to bring peace to the nations.

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About the Author

BE IT KNOWN THAT: We have locked Jeff Wheeler away in Muirwood Abbey for a couple of years and have commanded him to write many more adventuresome books. He is permitted free time to roam the grounds under heavy guard. After he has written enough books that we can scarcely read them all in a lifetime, we may finally become, in our old age, sated in our quest for new characters and lands. Perhaps then, all would be well in the kingdom.

TRANSLATION: Jeff took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, a devout member of his church, and is occasionally spotted roaming hills with oak trees and granite boulders in California or in any number of the state's majestic redwood groves.

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