The Redwitner Chronicles
In The Witch Queen of Redwinter Ed McDonald brings his Redwinter Chronicles to a surprising and resounding conclusion. The third book of the series sees its protagonist Raine not only taking on the mortal forces who have taken over her home, but the demon lord in another dimension who is the power behind the insurrection.
In the world McDonald created Raine is something of an outcast and oddity. Since she was young she’s always been able to see and hear ghosts. She has struggled for years to keep this ability secret as it would mark her for execution as its supposedly as sign of supreme evil. However, as we’ve seen in the previous two books of the series, Daughter of Redwinter and Traitor of Redwinter, the talent has saved not only her but her friends as well.
Unfortunately it has also made it remarkably easy for her to be branded a danger. With everyone believing her powers are evil, the usurpers are able to quickly turn her into the enemy who must be defeated. The end of book two saw her and her closest companions exiled into another dimension where they must defeat countless demons in order to have a chance to save their own world.
While all this may sound like your typical good versus evil fantasy tale mashed with the plucky young hero overcoming incredible odds, McDonald has done a wonderful job of reinventing this trope. First Raine is a complex and interesting character. We watch as she comes into her power and begin to understand the full complexities of what it entails.
Through Raine’s eyes we see why the ability to communicate – and more – with the dead is so feared. The incredible amount of power she receives from this gift is seductive. It makes you almost invincible and gives you the ability to accomplish some fairly horrendous things.
McDonald takes us deep into the old saying “All power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, through Raine’s progression as a character and the lengths she is forced to take in order to defeat evil. Will she become just as bad as what she is fighting to overcome? Or will the resilience, and just plain stubbornness, her character has displayed all along allow her to remain true to herself and her friends?
All philosophical questions aside, McDonald has created something wonderful with his Redwinter Chronicle series. The complex societal structure, the style of magic, and, especially, the people who occupy the world are all fascinating. These are multilayered and complex stories, with more than one or two simplistic themes or answers which make the books, and the conclusion, all the more enjoyable.
The Witch Queen of Redwinter by Ed McDonald is a satisfying and intricate conclusion to an incredible series.
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