The Tenth Power

Kate Constable (author)

Allen&Unwin, Australia: 2005; 264pp

ISBN: 1865089761

Genre: fantasy

Issues: friendship, giftedness, responsibility, tolerance

This is the final novel in the Chanters of Tremaris trilogy and Kate Constable complements her readers with a beautifully crafted conclusion to what has been an imaginative and quite original narrative.

Calwyn, bereft her of powers of chantment, is finding her way back to Antaris, where she lived before the arrival of Darrow. Mica and Trout travel with her, looking forward to seeing Calwyn's home and the warm welcome she expects. When they arrive in Antaris, however, all is not as it should be. Calwyn's mentor is dead by a magical disease that has infected many of the Sisters - a disease that robs them of their powers. Can Samis be behind this, or is it something far more serious? Is the land of Tremaris itself in trouble?

Calwyn comes to learn that although she is now without magic, she has other gifts that enable her to lead and care for the people she loves. When Darrow, too, becomes infected with the dreadful disease, Calwyn must travel across the land to find a cure. She encounters Samis and he teaches her many things - but does she have the strength to do what must be done? Can she embrace the dark magic that is needed to save both Darrow and Tremaris?

One of the great strengths of Kate Constable's writing, other than the strong, imaginative narrative, is her characters. They are complex individuals, human in their strengths, weaknesses and gifts. The relationships between them are also complex, much less predictable than is often the case in children's literature. There is anger and forgiveness, patience and tolerance, independence and rebellion, thoughtlessness and compassion. Constable's writing is very much driven by the characters, which is why the narrative is so appealing - it flows logically from the actions, reactions and motivations of the people she has created. This is enhanced by Constable's almost poetic use of language. There is considerable skill in the lyrical power of her descriptive passages, as well as the changes to sentence lengths and structure that she uses to affect the pace and intensity of various passages.

Highly recommended, but it is best to read The Singer of All Songs and The Waterless Sea first if readers wish to fully appreciate this novel.