A Crown Disowned

I love the characters in this series of Norton's, which represent the range of nobility and faults of the human race.

I enjoyed the book greatly. Not sure what the May 28 reviewer was thinking.

A Crown Disowned (2002) is the third novel in the Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan and the last in the trilogy. The previous volume ended with King Peres on the throne, Ashen married to Gaurin, Rohan knighted, Anamara mad and lost in the Bog, and the dowager Ysa learning that the long awaited invasion from the north has begun. This novel begins with a meeting between Rohan and the Bog headman Tusser in the remains of the city of Galinth. While debating the fine points of alliance, they are interrupted by a group of men, hired by the dowager Ysa, who are trying to burn up the Bog. After fighting off the Outlanders, they discover Anamara in the ruins and take her to Zazar for healing. Despite the severity of the situation, the dowager clings to her plots and magic. Throughout most of the book, she tries to control everybody. One of the funniest places in the book is when the dowager Ysa is told that Rannore has married Lathrom, the former Sergeant. Of course, Ysa is scandalized that Rannore has married well below her station and is frustrated to learn that her son, King Peres, has knighted Lathrom and has granted him lands and properties. Meanwhile, Ashen studies the magic tome found by Esander, Zazar prepares for a summons, and the Foul One uses Flavielle to set up a trap. In the north, the armies of the Rendelians, Nordorn, Sea-Rovers and Bog-folk fight Ice Dragons, Frydans and renegade humans. The Unnatural cold is as deadly as the enemy. The ultimate confrontation is not obvious, but is satisfying, and the aftermath is even more so. Recommended for all fans of Andre Norton and Sasha Miller as well as anyone who likes adventure fantasy with a touch of romance. -Arthur W. Jordin

The human, inhuman and ice dragon armies of the Great One march south causing havoc to an already besieged Rendelsham and the other southern lands already struggling with hostile frozen precipitation. To survive the onslaught, the four great houses of the south must unite in an alliance against the seemingly invincible Great One. However, a key player, dowager Queen Ysa, appears in denial as she continues to divide rather than unite by pushing the rivalries between the houses.However, even Ysa ultimately realizes the danger though it may prove to late when the Ice Dragons begin spewing out frozen waste at its southern targets. Rohan and his Sea Rovers with their ships try to unite with the Nodors and the Bog-folk in an uneasy alliance. Unbeknownst to the desperate southern alliance is the Great One's most loyal servant is a sorceress who has seduced Rendelsham's High Marshal into leading Rohan and his allies into a trap. If they escape, they still must find a way to defeat the Great One's superior armies, unconquerable ice dragons, and ultimately yield magic that none seem to possess to crush the Great One.The third Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan novel, A CROWN DISOWNED is an exciting sword and sorcery tale though the story line provides little new from the previous two novels of this entertaining series. The fantasy contains numerous subplots focusing on war, intrigue, and betrayal, albeit the typical fare for an S & S novel. Still the cast engages the reader especially the enchanting magic gathering the myriad of fans of Andre Norton and Sasha Miller into the fold of a fine finale.Harriet Klausner