Fantasy Book Review: Shadow Grail #4: Victories

Shadow Grail #4: Victories by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Synopsis:
Spirit White and her friends Burke, Loch, and Addie have escaped from Oakhurst Academy. But their freedom has come at a terrible cost—a dear friend sacrificed her own life to save theirs. In the wake of Muirin’s death, they are also forced to deal with the terrifying truth behind the facade of Oakhurst Academy: all of the legends are true.

Queen Guinevere, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table really had existed. With the magic of Merlin, they were able to imprison their greatest foe, Mordred, before he could plunge the world back into the Dark Ages. But Mordred is now free, in charge of Oakhurst Academy, and determined to finish what he started so long ago.

Pursued by Shadow Knights, the reincarnated remnants of Mordred’s original army, Spirit’s small band undertakes a quest to recover the Four Hallows, objects of immeasurable power. Memories of a past life have begun to surface, one in which Spirit wields a legendary sword. She comes to realize that these memories are the true key to Mordred’s defeat. Can Spirit and her friends manage to recapture the magic of Camelot in time to save their fellow students and prevent the end of the world?

Review:
Now that Spirit and her friends know the truth behind Oakhurst Academy, they still need to learn who they were the last time they fought Mordred, find their artifacts, and figure out how to stop him. The characters are already well-developed and have little time for socializing. Time has run out, and this final installment focuses solely on them trying to defeat this incredibly powerful evil.

Victories is the fourth novel in the Shadow Grail series and concludes in a fast-paced, action-paced adventure. A lot is crammed in this quick read, though it surprisingly doesn’t feel rushed. The suspense builds to an exciting, big finale that doesn’t disappoint. This talented team of Lackey and Edghill have created a fun and fascinating series for young adults that I thoroughly enjoyed.