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Doran #3
Colman
Set in very early Christian times, Colman is a spellbinding fantasy of a faraway age, when the mystical and the commonplace walked hand in hand. The healer, Juniper, and her apprentice, Wise Child, are accused of witchcraft and forced to flee their small town. Wise Child’s devoted cousin, Colman, escapes with them. This is his story of their arrival to the land of Juniper’s birth, where she is, in fact, a princess.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
230 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
36 people are currently reading
1754 people want to read
About the author
Monica Furlong
43 books231 followersMonica Furlong was a British author, journalist, and activist, regarded as one of the Church of England's most influential and creative laypersons of the post-war period.
Her work often focused on religion and spirituality, with notable biographies of figures such as John Bunyan, Thomas Merton, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Alan Watts. She also explored subjects like the spiritual life of aboriginals, medieval women mystics, and the Church of England. Furlong was also known for her children’s novels, including the Wise Child series, which consists of Wise Child, Juniper, and Colman.
Furlong began her writing career in 1956 as a feature writer for Truth magazine and later worked as a religious correspondent for The Spectator and Daily Mail. She became an advocate for religious reform, particularly supporting women’s rights within the Church of England. In her first book, With Love to the Church (1965), she championed an inclusive Church. She continued to support the ordination of women in the 1980s and pushed for the appointment of women to senior Church positions.
Her autobiography, Bird of Paradise (1995), provides insights into her life and career. Furlong’s controversial experiences with LSD were shared in Travelling In (1971), which was banned from Church of Scotland bookshops. Throughout her career, Furlong wrote extensively on spirituality, reform, and religious figures, becoming a well-respected voice in both religious and literary circles.
Her work often focused on religion and spirituality, with notable biographies of figures such as John Bunyan, Thomas Merton, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Alan Watts. She also explored subjects like the spiritual life of aboriginals, medieval women mystics, and the Church of England. Furlong was also known for her children’s novels, including the Wise Child series, which consists of Wise Child, Juniper, and Colman.
Furlong began her writing career in 1956 as a feature writer for Truth magazine and later worked as a religious correspondent for The Spectator and Daily Mail. She became an advocate for religious reform, particularly supporting women’s rights within the Church of England. In her first book, With Love to the Church (1965), she championed an inclusive Church. She continued to support the ordination of women in the 1980s and pushed for the appointment of women to senior Church positions.
Her autobiography, Bird of Paradise (1995), provides insights into her life and career. Furlong’s controversial experiences with LSD were shared in Travelling In (1971), which was banned from Church of Scotland bookshops. Throughout her career, Furlong wrote extensively on spirituality, reform, and religious figures, becoming a well-respected voice in both religious and literary circles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 25, 2008
The sequel to Wise Child and Juniper, Colman follows the lives of these three characters as they flee from Wise Child’s childhood home to Juniper’s childhood home of Cornwall, only to find Juniper’s aunt has murdered her parents, the king and queen, and taken her brother, the prince, as a prisoner. Wise Child and Colman, with the help of the leper Cormac, must infiltrate the enemy stronghold, discover the prince’s affiliation, and find a way to rescue the prince and the kingdom by defeating Meroot and the Gray Knight once and for all. As a sequel, Colman draws together and completes the overarching plot set up in the first two books, but it focuses on action and lacks the sense of magic and the strong female protagonist that makes the other two books so memorable. As this book does draw the story arc to a close, I recommend this book to fans of the series, but it is not a strong or outstanding book in it’s own right.
Colman is a decided change of pace in this series of books: the male protagonist and the action-centered plot move it away from the wise woman stories of the other two books. Colman is a young boy but, concurrent with the strong woman theme in the other books, he uses the strength of his gender to protect the female Wise Child and to further her in her goals. Magic likewise still plays a role, fulfilling essential plot points, but it is not directly connected to character growth: in fact, Colman does not want to use magic, but he is willing to use it for Wise Child and Juniper’s sakes. As such, this book exists within the wise woman philosophy of the others in the series, but with a male narrator it is less character-driven and lacks the fundamental draw and mystique of the previous books.
This final text was also a posthumous release, and the lack of editing shows: the text feels longer and has a slower, somewhat chunkier pace than the other novels. It is not, however, poorly written. It may not be as good as the other books, but it is surprisingly complete and well-edited for a posthumous work. While not outstanding, it is still an accessible, readable book that builds up to a fine conclusion.
I recommend this book to fans of the series that have read and loved Wise Child and Juniper. Although not as satisfying and in many ways very different, this final text draws together the plot line into a solid conclusion, bringing a sense of satisfied finality to the text. I doubt that the book will be so fulfilling to those that have no read the other books, and I recommend that they pick up Wise Child and Juniper (in that order) first.
Colman is a decided change of pace in this series of books: the male protagonist and the action-centered plot move it away from the wise woman stories of the other two books. Colman is a young boy but, concurrent with the strong woman theme in the other books, he uses the strength of his gender to protect the female Wise Child and to further her in her goals. Magic likewise still plays a role, fulfilling essential plot points, but it is not directly connected to character growth: in fact, Colman does not want to use magic, but he is willing to use it for Wise Child and Juniper’s sakes. As such, this book exists within the wise woman philosophy of the others in the series, but with a male narrator it is less character-driven and lacks the fundamental draw and mystique of the previous books.
This final text was also a posthumous release, and the lack of editing shows: the text feels longer and has a slower, somewhat chunkier pace than the other novels. It is not, however, poorly written. It may not be as good as the other books, but it is surprisingly complete and well-edited for a posthumous work. While not outstanding, it is still an accessible, readable book that builds up to a fine conclusion.
I recommend this book to fans of the series that have read and loved Wise Child and Juniper. Although not as satisfying and in many ways very different, this final text draws together the plot line into a solid conclusion, bringing a sense of satisfied finality to the text. I doubt that the book will be so fulfilling to those that have no read the other books, and I recommend that they pick up Wise Child and Juniper (in that order) first.
June 14, 2008
The third book following Wise Child and Juniper. Furlong wrote it while she was dying of cancer. I think it was written as a distraction and was not intended for publication. The characters and ideas are weak to non-existant, and the plot is harried and unrewarding. It is not a good read and a bad ending to the first two books. I think it is more of a reflection on how hopeless she was feeling as her struggle with cancer was drawing to a close. This book was published posthumously.
May 3, 2024
Ik vond het de minste van de drie, maar nou steeds zeker een fijn boek, drie sterren: liked it. Wijze quotes, avontuur en er is iets in de sfeer van deze boeken wat ♥️ is.
Er waren alleen ook wat meer dingen die soms iets te toevallig waren of niet helemaal logisch voelde. Het voelde wat meer beschrijvend: misschien omdat de hoofdpersonen vaak toekijken bij de actie, in plaats van er midden in te zitten.
Hoe dan ook , het was toch fijn om weer in dit boek te verblijven. Deze zomer komt de omnibus van de serie uit (ontdekt door de grote vriendelijke 100), ik ga hem kopen.
P.s. lees net dat ze dit schreef aan het einde van haar leven, toen ze al heel ziek was door kanker en dat het na haar dood is gepubliceerd. Verklaart wel waarom dit boek anders voelt (en misschien ook niet de tijd gehad om het zoveel te doordenken als anders). Geeft het boek wel een extra lading en extra speciaal dat ze haar laatste dagen doorbracht in de wereld van Colman, Juniper en Leana ♥️
Er waren alleen ook wat meer dingen die soms iets te toevallig waren of niet helemaal logisch voelde. Het voelde wat meer beschrijvend: misschien omdat de hoofdpersonen vaak toekijken bij de actie, in plaats van er midden in te zitten.
Hoe dan ook , het was toch fijn om weer in dit boek te verblijven. Deze zomer komt de omnibus van de serie uit (ontdekt door de grote vriendelijke 100), ik ga hem kopen.
P.s. lees net dat ze dit schreef aan het einde van haar leven, toen ze al heel ziek was door kanker en dat het na haar dood is gepubliceerd. Verklaart wel waarom dit boek anders voelt (en misschien ook niet de tijd gehad om het zoveel te doordenken als anders). Geeft het boek wel een extra lading en extra speciaal dat ze haar laatste dagen doorbracht in de wereld van Colman, Juniper en Leana ♥️
January 19, 2021
Iedereen waarschuwde me dat dit een heeeeel erg teleurstellend laatste deel was. Het was dus een aangename verrassing dat ik er erg van genoten heb. Het enige dat bij me blijft spoken, is dat Juniper al haar heksenspullen en vooral haar dieren moest achterlaten, en dat breekt toch wel iets in mij. Haar dieren! Wie zorgt er voor de dieren!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 24, 2021Niet uitgelezen, gestopt op bladzijde 85.
Ik heb geen zin om hier veel woorden aan vuil te maken. Dit boek is dertien à vijftien jaar na zijn twee voorgangers geschreven, en het lijkt wel alsof Furlong niet meer exact wist wat ze toen had geschreven. Er zitten een paar rare tegenstrijdigheden en onlogische dingen in het boek in vergelijking met de andere. De personages doen heel erg vreemd en draaien als een blad aan een boom. De schrijfstijl is niet al te fameus.
Kort gezegd: wat is hier in vredesnaam gebeurd? Verspil er je tijd niet mee, lees iets anders.
Ik heb geen zin om hier veel woorden aan vuil te maken. Dit boek is dertien à vijftien jaar na zijn twee voorgangers geschreven, en het lijkt wel alsof Furlong niet meer exact wist wat ze toen had geschreven. Er zitten een paar rare tegenstrijdigheden en onlogische dingen in het boek in vergelijking met de andere. De personages doen heel erg vreemd en draaien als een blad aan een boom. De schrijfstijl is niet al te fameus.
Kort gezegd: wat is hier in vredesnaam gebeurd? Verspil er je tijd niet mee, lees iets anders.
August 8, 2021
‘Als goede mensen, of mensen die in ieder geval goed proberen te zijn, hun macht niet nemen, dan gaat het allemaal naar slechte mensen zoals Meroot, die er nooit genoeg van kunnen krijgen en het voor zichzelf willen gebruiken. Dus, al is macht gevaarlijk voor ons allemaal, we moeten leren hoe we ermee om kunnen gaan als het op onze weg komt en het dan verstandig en behoedzaam gebruiken. En niet voor onszelf. Dat is het moeilijkste.’
May 18, 2007
I love this series -- Juniper, Wise Child, and Colman -- but I love many of the books in this world that make herbalists, wise women, and dorans out to be ordinary people that can do special things. I want to be a doran when I grow up. This book could be excellently used with a young man who is in his coming-of-age process.
July 11, 2008
I didn't think that I would like this book until the very end. This was the last book that Monica Furlong ever wrote. It's worth reading.
February 27, 2025
Not as magical as the first two books that I devoured as a child.
November 8, 2024
Quite enjoyed the final book of the trilogy but the ending is, as always, rushed. Also, I would have liked more on dorans and their powers, much like in the previous installment - Juniper. I will maybe return to the first installment in years to come.
December 18, 2025
—-
Voor het lezen
Dit deel schreef Furlong lang na haar andere twee boeken en (blijkbaar) vlak voor haar overlijden. Ik wilde na het open einde van ‘Wise Child’ weten hoe het verder zou gaan. Dit boek gaat meteen verder waar het andere geëindigd is.
Het voorwoord zet Furlongs leven mooi in perspectief: waarom ze zowel feministisch als christelijk was en streed tegen de patriarchie in onder meer de kerk - wat je ook kunt merken in ‘Wise Child’. Voor haar waren geloof in (een) God en de natuur geen tegenstrijdigheden - integendeel.
Pro-tip:
Lees eerst ‘Juniper’ over Junipers jeugd, dan ‘Wise Child’ waarin zij als volwassen vrouw het meisje genaamd Wise Child in huis neemt en dat eindigt met een vlucht, omdat Juniper ervan wordt beschuldigd heks te zijn. Ik ben heel benieuwd hoe het haar, Wise Child, Colman en Corman met Finbar zal vergaan.
December 24, 2022
3.4
p 46
"Try not to be taken in by things like great houses or money or splendor, Colman. Or grand people. Of course, all of us get taken in a bit, but it is all nonsense. Everyone—kings, rich people, clever people—is going to die one day just the same as poor people, and all the great buildings will fall into ruin."
Lots of basic goodness, and of good conquering evil. However, in YA recent literature, special powers are required to overcome evil. I hope kids realize that love and kindness can accomplish a lot.
Wise Child was a stronger story, but this is good. The kids will like it.
p 46
"Try not to be taken in by things like great houses or money or splendor, Colman. Or grand people. Of course, all of us get taken in a bit, but it is all nonsense. Everyone—kings, rich people, clever people—is going to die one day just the same as poor people, and all the great buildings will fall into ruin."
Lots of basic goodness, and of good conquering evil. However, in YA recent literature, special powers are required to overcome evil. I hope kids realize that love and kindness can accomplish a lot.
Wise Child was a stronger story, but this is good. The kids will like it.
August 5, 2019
I agree with others that "Wise Child" was the best of the trilogy, but I am very grateful for Monica Furlong's work to complete this series while having a terminal illness.
Furlong's other more academic writings and activism are inspirational and she incorporated so many of these important ideas into her storyline.
I have been pondering over what I liked so much about "Wise Child", it was not the "hero's journey" at all as made known through Joseph Campell, although the end may be seen as the beginning of such, whereas "Colman" could be seen as a little closer to this trope, but not fully either.
Campell denied there was a heroine's journey which was argued by many students and supporters. A heroine's Journey is more like "The Wizard of Oz" have to go off away from home etc like the hero, but she stops and helps others along the way and builds communities and alliances that are not or at least much less hierarchical in nature. In this way, I enjoyed Colman very much. Also, he was a male character who knew his roles or chosen jobs were important, but HE was NOT primary and was more than ok with that and uncomfortable when anyone tried to make him so. This is something I find very rare in both stories and life. I haven't fully formulated all this in regards to this series so I will be back to edit when I do.
I like the rhythms of these books: the work, life balance, hardships and celebrations, the strong women leaders who are not seeking accolades or applause and families, friends and communities working together towards a free way of life.
Furlong's other more academic writings and activism are inspirational and she incorporated so many of these important ideas into her storyline.
I have been pondering over what I liked so much about "Wise Child", it was not the "hero's journey" at all as made known through Joseph Campell, although the end may be seen as the beginning of such, whereas "Colman" could be seen as a little closer to this trope, but not fully either.
Campell denied there was a heroine's journey which was argued by many students and supporters. A heroine's Journey is more like "The Wizard of Oz" have to go off away from home etc like the hero, but she stops and helps others along the way and builds communities and alliances that are not or at least much less hierarchical in nature. In this way, I enjoyed Colman very much. Also, he was a male character who knew his roles or chosen jobs were important, but HE was NOT primary and was more than ok with that and uncomfortable when anyone tried to make him so. This is something I find very rare in both stories and life. I haven't fully formulated all this in regards to this series so I will be back to edit when I do.
I like the rhythms of these books: the work, life balance, hardships and celebrations, the strong women leaders who are not seeking accolades or applause and families, friends and communities working together towards a free way of life.
August 4, 2009
This book is a solid 4 star read. Although I really enjoyed this book, it is not as solid a read as the two books that come before it, Juniper and Wise Child. Both the other books could be read to stand alone. Although the story is obviously richer when you read both of them, they make sense apart, and stand alone wonderfully. Colman, however, does not. If you have not read Juniper and Wise Child, much of Colman would be lost to you. Although it could still be an enjoyable enough read on its own, there would be a lot more confusion, and a lot less depth and meaning. Colman isn't as well developed as the other two, because it is able to rest on those books for much of its back story, and depth. Although it wasn't as great as the other two, I still greatly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who has read and enjoyed the other two.
August 18, 2018
This book compared to the other two in the series got me quite depressed. As i was reading i could feel the unwellness of the author, and was really sad at the end of this journey due to Monica Furlong passing away i felt that the characters passed along with her at the end of the book (odd i know). The climax of the story was pretty dull and the ending was bittersweet to me as it ended quite differently from what i was expecting. I do agree with many negative reviews here but i award Colman 3 stars due to understanting that the health of the author greatly influenced her writing, it was not a bad book ( i read a lot worse) but comparing to the others its clearly my least favorite.
November 10, 2014
This is the third in a series - read the first 2 as a kid and then noticed this the other day and decided to see if I like it (plus it's finals...which means reading YA lit is my procrastination tool of choice).
I don't like it near as well as the first 2, but it's nice to finally get the ending...I always felt like the second book was a really dumb way to "end" things!
May 12, 2008
I liked this book all right, but "liked it" is all. It did not amaze me or keep me eagerly reading like the first two, but it was nice to know what happened to Juniper, Wise Child, Colman, and Finbar.
March 27, 2008
I tried to read this, but it was so horribly written that I just couldn't get through it. It's such a disappointment in contrast to "wise child" and "juniper". I can't even believe it was written by the same person. Very weird.
December 11, 2007
my least favorite of the trilogy - but it does finish it off....
December 23, 2007
my least favorite of the trilogy, but still good--only wish i had discovered these as a little girl making them all the more magical!
February 17, 2008
A pretty satisfying ending to the "Wise Child" series, though not quite as satisfying as the original.
March 13, 2008
Not as good as the other 2 of it's series. I had to struggle through it. I did love getting the back story for the main characters.
May 27, 2021
Weer heel spannend en alle magie wordt ingezet om het kwaad te overwinnen; een fijn verhaal!
February 24, 2008
liked it a lot...more exciting and better than Wise Child, i thought.
August 17, 2019
This is, I think, one of those odd handful of children's series that turns into YA before the end. That always irritates me slightly when I review the individual volumes on Goodreads, as it seems more consistent to have the whole series under one shelf or the other, but I suppose if a series follows the same characters over time, those characters age and that has its own consequences. There are exceptions to that exact progress, though, and this series might be one of them. It's only a few months, really, since the events of Wise Child, and both the protagonists, including the narrator Colman, are actually children. (They're those creepy looking kids on the cover. Cornish Gothic, I think the illustrator is going for.) But the argument here is more adult, and the tone is immensely darker. It's full of murder and torture, and though the previous two books in the series have been fairly grim around the edges, there's always been that sort of peaceful happy centre, and that's really not the case here. Hence the different shelving.
What remains childish about the series is, I think, the refusal to look at killing as a useful tactic for the good guys. I don't meant to imply by that that the refusal to murder is in itself childish, but there's something really off-putting to me, something deliberately and almost harmfully naïve, in the choice to let torture and slavery and murder go on for one minute longer than they have to simply because one of the good guys feels they are above the act of killing. I'm sure the fact that their morals remain unbesmirched is a great comfort to those others who have been slaughtered, or who are watching their children starve to death. Meroot has been a blight upon the land for at least a generation at this point, and there's a doran in her inner circle with the opportunity and ability to save everyone by getting rid of her for good, and they refuse to do it, because apparently decent people don't do that. Well, I beg to fucking differ I think, and it irritates me that the price of such squeamishness isn't even mentioned. It's all very well wittering on about dorans being in tune with nature, but shit dies in nature, and violently, so get on with at least considering it, please.
Suffice to say, this was my least favourite of the trilogy. Wise Child remains the best of the bunch, and I think the only one I'd ever be interested in reading again.
What remains childish about the series is, I think, the refusal to look at killing as a useful tactic for the good guys. I don't meant to imply by that that the refusal to murder is in itself childish, but there's something really off-putting to me, something deliberately and almost harmfully naïve, in the choice to let torture and slavery and murder go on for one minute longer than they have to simply because one of the good guys feels they are above the act of killing. I'm sure the fact that their morals remain unbesmirched is a great comfort to those others who have been slaughtered, or who are watching their children starve to death. Meroot has been a blight upon the land for at least a generation at this point, and there's a doran in her inner circle with the opportunity and ability to save everyone by getting rid of her for good, and they refuse to do it, because apparently decent people don't do that. Well, I beg to fucking differ I think, and it irritates me that the price of such squeamishness isn't even mentioned. It's all very well wittering on about dorans being in tune with nature, but shit dies in nature, and violently, so get on with at least considering it, please.
Suffice to say, this was my least favourite of the trilogy. Wise Child remains the best of the bunch, and I think the only one I'd ever be interested in reading again.
October 29, 2025
I went into this with the knowledge that it was published after Furlong’s death, and that she was never able to finish it. It’s definitely unpolished and most of the characters don’t feel quite like themselves. But all in all, I’m glad I finally got the opportunity to read Colman. I’ve been looking for a specific release that matches my copies of Wise Child and Juniper for years.
Spoilers below!!
—————————————————————————
While aware that this is less like a finished work and more like a manuscript, there’s still a few things I want off my chest. A lot of the plot points just seem to *happen* because they have to. Characters just *know* things, things just conveniently turn out a certain way, etc. It doesn’t feel very satisfying.
The Gray Knight is propped up to be an antagonist, but he doesn’t do much, nor does he give the reader a reason to fear him like the characters do. Meroot had slightly more scenes in which it’s clear that she’s an antagonist, but her death happens far away from our main character and kind of out of nowhere. She literally just drops dead. It didn’t really feel like a victory against an evil witch, she just died all of a sudden.
I’m also not certain if I like the choice of giving Colman doran powers. It seemed to be out of nowhere.
Also what happened to Finbar?? He just disappears, there’s no mention of him in the end like, at all. When he went up in smoke in the other two novels it was because of his work as a sailor, but now he’s just gone I guess.
It was nice to be able to read about these characters that are dear to me for one last time, but I wish I lived in the timeline where this could have been fully fleshed out and polished.
Spoilers below!!
—————————————————————————
While aware that this is less like a finished work and more like a manuscript, there’s still a few things I want off my chest. A lot of the plot points just seem to *happen* because they have to. Characters just *know* things, things just conveniently turn out a certain way, etc. It doesn’t feel very satisfying.
The Gray Knight is propped up to be an antagonist, but he doesn’t do much, nor does he give the reader a reason to fear him like the characters do. Meroot had slightly more scenes in which it’s clear that she’s an antagonist, but her death happens far away from our main character and kind of out of nowhere. She literally just drops dead. It didn’t really feel like a victory against an evil witch, she just died all of a sudden.
I’m also not certain if I like the choice of giving Colman doran powers. It seemed to be out of nowhere.
Also what happened to Finbar?? He just disappears, there’s no mention of him in the end like, at all. When he went up in smoke in the other two novels it was because of his work as a sailor, but now he’s just gone I guess.
It was nice to be able to read about these characters that are dear to me for one last time, but I wish I lived in the timeline where this could have been fully fleshed out and polished.
June 10, 2025
This was a good conclusion to the series, though if Furlong was still with us I admit that I would have loved another story about Juniper, Wise Child, and Colman. These books create a nostalgia even upon the first read and I look forward to sharing them with my future children and anyone I meet that could use some whimsy in their lives. The characters are well written with realistic flaws and strengths and as a reader it feels like we're watching the trio truly come into their own. It's only the final villain that we don't necessarily get a lot of backstory on, but I don't feel that it's detriment to the story.
The only reason I couldn't justify giving a full 5 star rating was It just seemed an odd choice considering the established tone that it can be a good thing to embrace some of life's unpleasantness. Up to that point, magic seemed to used realistically as herbal treatments and mind games or in the more unlikely scenarios against adversaries. Again, beyond that one choice that seems to stand out, this series will remain near and dear to my heart and I can tell it's only a matter of time before I choose to re-read it.
The only reason I couldn't justify giving a full 5 star rating was It just seemed an odd choice considering the established tone that it can be a good thing to embrace some of life's unpleasantness. Up to that point, magic seemed to used realistically as herbal treatments and mind games or in the more unlikely scenarios against adversaries. Again, beyond that one choice that seems to stand out, this series will remain near and dear to my heart and I can tell it's only a matter of time before I choose to re-read it.
January 8, 2023
Frustrating and disappointing. I love the first two books, and it's such a shame the trilogy ended with this one. You could really tell the author was in the final stages of her illness, sadly.
The most frustrating part for me was that Colman is just the worst choice for a POV character. He is incredibly passive, to the point where he sits out *several* exciting scenes, so we only get a description afterwards from the people who were actually involved. Annoying!
I also didn't like how Cormac was suddenly such an important character - why?? Why was freaking Gamal never even mentioned when he plays such a pivotal part of the freaking plot in 'Juniper'? Why is the relationship between Juniper and Wise Child basically sidelined? Why does EUNY have a more important role? Why is the Doran magic suddenly more akin to actual fantasy magic rather than a more nature-based 'The Force' sort of thing? WHY.
Sigh. Frustrating! I'll reread the first two but I'm staying clear of this one in the future. I'll just imagine my own ending.
The most frustrating part for me was that Colman is just the worst choice for a POV character. He is incredibly passive, to the point where he sits out *several* exciting scenes, so we only get a description afterwards from the people who were actually involved. Annoying!
I also didn't like how Cormac was suddenly such an important character - why?? Why was freaking Gamal never even mentioned when he plays such a pivotal part of the freaking plot in 'Juniper'? Why is the relationship between Juniper and Wise Child basically sidelined? Why does EUNY have a more important role? Why is the Doran magic suddenly more akin to actual fantasy magic rather than a more nature-based 'The Force' sort of thing? WHY.
Sigh. Frustrating! I'll reread the first two but I'm staying clear of this one in the future. I'll just imagine my own ending.
April 12, 2025
4-
In this final part of the Doran trilogy we get Colman's (Wise Child's cousin who escapes with them at the end of book 1) POV on the onward journey, where the company go back to Cornwall thinking to seek asylum with Juniper's family, but on getting there they discover that all is not as it should be. Indeed, Meroot and the Grey Knight have been wreaking havoc on the land. So Juniper, Wise Child, Colman and Cormack hatch a plan to save the enslaved people of Cornwall.
I enjoyed spending some more time in this world, and the overall story is fine, though somewhat less compelling than its predecessors. I don't really think it's much to do with the change of narrator as I like Colman as a character, maybe more that while it was nice to see how their lives went on, I was actually perfectly happy with how Wise Child ended, and could have left it there. That being said, it's absolutely well worth a read if you enjoyed the other two.
In this final part of the Doran trilogy we get Colman's (Wise Child's cousin who escapes with them at the end of book 1) POV on the onward journey, where the company go back to Cornwall thinking to seek asylum with Juniper's family, but on getting there they discover that all is not as it should be. Indeed, Meroot and the Grey Knight have been wreaking havoc on the land. So Juniper, Wise Child, Colman and Cormack hatch a plan to save the enslaved people of Cornwall.
I enjoyed spending some more time in this world, and the overall story is fine, though somewhat less compelling than its predecessors. I don't really think it's much to do with the change of narrator as I like Colman as a character, maybe more that while it was nice to see how their lives went on, I was actually perfectly happy with how Wise Child ended, and could have left it there. That being said, it's absolutely well worth a read if you enjoyed the other two.
November 16, 2017
It was nice to get another installment in Juniper and Wise Child's story, although I do think the book as a whole could have used more stringent editing -- there's a lot of telling not showing, and some of the dialogue is... unusually direct, let's say. But it's a children's book and some of that is to be expected. My one major qualm is with the conclusion of the book, And I did also spend the entire book wondering what on earth happened to Gamal, because he's never even mentioned! I'm very glad that the Dillons were able to create the cover for this book as well as the previous two; it gives a really wonderful visual continuity to the books.
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