The Right Hand of God

Fire of Heaven #3

by Russell Kirkpatrick

The company has been scattered far and wide in its mission to prepare Faltha for war - now the armies of the Destroyer are near and invasion is imminent.

Leith has returned to the city of Instruere. Bearing with him the legendary JugomArk, thousands flock to him to fight for Faltha in the coming battle. But Leith struggles to accept their faith in him, and his role as custodian of this sacred artifact.

As the land darkens under the shadow of impending battle, the company must strive against treachery and self-doubt - for a great evil approaches.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy

665 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Russell Kirkpatrick was born in 1961 in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he lived until 2000. He is a geography PhD graduate of the University of Canterbury, and currently lectures at the University of Waikato in Hamilton. During the 1990s he was fortunate enough to work on two major atlas projects, as Deputy Editor of the New Zealand Historical Atlas (Readers Choice winner, Montana Book Awards, 1998), and as author of Contemporary Atlas New Zealand (Montana Book Award finalist, 2000). He has been involved in four other published atlas projects, and continues to work on atlases when he can. His latest project is an atlas of Bahrain.

In February 2004 Across The Face Of The World, the first book in Russell's Fire of Heaven fantasy trilogy was published by HarperCollins Voyager Australia, and has been sold into a number of overseas countries. The second volume, In The Earth Abides The Flame, was published in August 2004, with the concluding volume, The Right Hand Of God, published in February 2005. Across the Face of the World was published by Orbit in the UK in May 2006, and the second and third novels will follow at six-monthly intervals. He is now at work on another novel, The Path of Revenge.

Apart from cartography and writing, his major passions are reading, music - anything except country & western and polka - and sport. He plays golf to a 2 handicap. Russell is married to Dorinda, and they have two fine young men, a bichon frise, assorted cats, a ridiculously large Lego collection, a decent Cornishware collection and - finally - a new house in a gully. The perfect hideaway for a writer.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not end as I expected.

It was a long time coming to the final battle, and I must say it wasn’t as action packed as I would have assumed/hoped. Although the plot did thicken compared to the other books, there was still such a lack of character development. It left you feeling as though you didn’t connect with any character. You don’t truly know or care about the protagonists (or antagonists) and even at the end, the final hurrah isn’t very impactful.

Overall, I probably wouldn’t reccomend this series to others. Although I must give the author credit for having a unique story to tell.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredibly hard to read through, this one is definitely the worst in the series. From the incredibly cliched Children of The Mist (any NZer will know who these people are supposed to be), to the ridiculous romance (why are the two characters paired? Because they're of opposite genders, there's no other reason), this was rubbish. The preaching reaches new heights of annoyance in this one, to the point where it is actually hard to tell if the author is telling a story or trying to recruit people to his beliefs. The 'revelation' about the character of Hal was stupid, and pointless, just like the character, and the ending was pathetic. I will not be reading any more of this author's work, there are easier ways to annoy myself than reading through a set of door-stoppers that probably couldn't even do that properly.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending! A great read that pulls everything together nicely. I have ended up really liking this book. This is not my favorite fantasy series, but I found it thoroughly enjoyable. I am also writing this way after I read the book. I have decided it is time to quit denying my love of the fantasy genre. My name is Maria, and I love Fantasty!

[Книжни Криле · Rating 4 out of 5]

Краят е близо! „Дясната ръка на Бога”, последната книга от трилогията на Ръсел Къркпатрик „Небесен огън” разказва за бремето на отговорността, силата на волята и борбата със злото дори и тогава, когато всичко изглежда безнадеждно изгубено. Пригответе се за епична война в духа и традициите на класическото фентъзи! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":

https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I'm done. It's over. It's sort of over, that is. Actually, there's loose threads here and there but for the most part I'm done. In all I don't regret reading this trilogy, but the ending puts a somewhat lackluster ending on an average series at best.

This book itself is paradoxically too long and not long enough. With the regards to the minor plots, there just isn't enough time put into their development. There are threads that are partially developed and seemingly completed with little narrative or they are just left aside altogether. In some cases a minor plot element will seem very important, then set aside and forgotten and given a cursory explanation towards the end. The result is I got the sense that there were places Kirkpatrick wanted to go but was never able to fully integrate in this trilogy. The result is that these threads feel rushed.

Meanwhile, the main plot slogs along like a overburdened, vocally irate mule. I recalled Star Wars Episode I and the oh so exciting scenes where they talked in the Senate. Sorry, there's a bit of sarcasm here. One of the prime reasons this drags so is that Leith's attitude becomes harder and harder to bear. In previous novels he had a sense of wonder, moments of clarity, or The Voice that mitigated his brooding nature. Almost all of that save The Voice is gone in this book, making Leith the most whiny teen I've tolerated since Anakin in Attack of the Clones or Harry Potter in Order of the Phoenix. It's annoying and since Leith is our Protagonist, we get to wallow in self-pity with him. It's tiresome.

Another reason this dragged on so was there were several "false climaxes" - points where it seemed the final battle was here, but no, no we had to continue a little longer. It got a bit much, but mostly because each false climax reached a resolution that made Leith even more broody. Worse, there's plot points that still need developing. Maybe they are developed in the second trilogy, but I really just don't have a desire to follow up on it.

By the end of a fantasy series, I should think I'd be excited to visit that world again. I should have a sense of wonder that only another reading or a new story will bring to the fore once again. This trilogy's world has little to make it fascinating to me, and less to make me want to explore more. Over all, it's done and I doubt I'll be revisiting any time soon.

[Brian Hagedorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like the previous book, this feels like more of a first draft than a completed final draft. While it didn't have the bizarre randomness that plagued the previous book, there were still too many contrived moments that fall under the "Ha-Ha, I tricked you again" category. Too many times the author tries to be clever while badly telegraphing what would happen next. And dropping a few big words here and there doesn't add intelligence that's already horribly lacking.

Overall, this series can be summed up to this: a couple of good ideas squandered and wasted in gluttonously bad writing.

[Andrew]

Wow, this was lousy. Of course I thought the previous 2 in the series were bad too, but I had hope that the author would learn to write as he went. I was wrong.

I saw there is a new related book. I will not read that next book.

[Chris Cicmanec · Rating 1 out of 5]

i am actually angry that i wasted my time and money on these three books. the characters are all useless and the plot makes no sense. I would have actually preferred or the antagonist to win and put everyone to a painful death.

[Elmer Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different voice, different writing style, somewhat original in places, overly familiar in others, yet a worthy contribution to the fantasy genre.

We are passengers with Leith, a teenage country boy who is just hitting his "interested in girls phase", as he is thrust into one impossible situation after another (through the first two books). This entry is the culmination of that LotR style journey from warning the government council of the impending danger coming to their borders (book 1), to retrieve a legendary artifact to help with their mission (book 2), and the final confrontation to win/lose the whole world.

Kirkpatrick never wavers in this character's voice, which is a good thing, yet Leith is that whiny teen, angry at his older "brother" Hal, pining for the girl, Stella, who doesn't want him back, and woe is me...why, yada, yada. Once this lead character is acknowledged, the story moves along in a marching fashion, never too fast, just consistently forward although not where other stories predictably tread. The rest become supporting actors in a larger drama that adds layers to the world of Leith's endurance. Kirkpatrick fills in all the lore and history along the way nicely, as he collected each country's representative for the final encounter.

But it isn't a children's story by any means. People die (in numerous and gruesome ways), there are sword fights, battles, and tortures. This is a 1000-year battle between good and evil. Just to be clear.

For a fantasy story, there is some magic, nothing magical, wizardly, or overwhelming...more along the religious tones "the Fire", "word weave", illusionists, and those with healing or similar powers (or the hindering thereof.) The main bad guy has it, the good guys' have a guy that can do some stuff and find a couple other illusionists, and there are others who dabble. But it never felt like "Wow!" for me in this regard. Definitely no Gandalf or Saroman.

The interest (and clear love of the process) is displayed in the descriptive world created by Kirkpatrick, the map maker. There are all environs depicted, numerous peoples, cultures co-opted and renamed that will be easily recognized, and rightly so for the importance of this story to unfold. The journey, across the depth and breadth of the world, is truly the story.

Kirkpatrick also reveals in this story the other elements aside from "fire" and their relation to respective peoples. Earth and water specifically. This speaks to the battles that occur in the middle of overall war. We journey on the "fire" side of the heroes.

I was compelled to finish this journey. It was mostly engaging, dragging in places, abruptly ending in spots while glossing over months to get to a finish, with unexpected turns, defeats, and in some places just a lack of detail or explanation to my liking. Did Stella have real magic abilities and just didn't know? Same question for the Jugom Ark, why hint at abilities that were never brought to fruition to elevate the story? It could heal, but could it resurrect? I kept thinking that would be interesting and elevate the battle sequences, which weren't really all-engrossing. When was Leith ever going to learn tactics? or how to employ the Jugom Ark? And what was the deal with Hal, really? Who was he and why? Was he the voice in Leith's head or not? If not, then who are we supposed to believe it was? Where did Phemanderac take off to when he was needed most? Why was the Lords of Fealty prophecy said to have been in reverse? Kirkpatrick does a serviceable job trying to wrap up plot points in this last book but creates new threads while doing so.

This was a long trilogy, yet I enjoyed reading, wondering how our group of heroes was going to make out. Seeing each new group introduced along the path, deciphering cultures among our own world within Kirkpatrick's depictions, how religion and supremacy of one people tarnish or damage others, and how the lasting harmful near irreparable effects are perceived across time. Religion is within this story, not as an obstacle but as a realism in storytelling. I feel Kirkpatrick handled it all correctly and smartly.

I would recommend given this trilogy a look. He doesn't usurp Tolkien, Frank Herbert, or Robert Jordan but definitely belongs in the conversation.

Thanks for reading.

[Avid Reader]

I have read all three but this is the only one I have reviewed. I liked the series and this book, but found this one harder to pick up and finish than the other two.

The good: I enjoyed the plot and the characters. Lessons about trust, love, faith emerge as the characters develop and build and test relationships.

The tedious: I found the battle scenes to be too long and complicated. If you like that part of fantasy novels, you might enjoy them, but I found myself skimming them rather than immersing myself in them.

The subplots: I thought there were many good subplots in this series, but some just fell flat in this book. I think the author tried to demonstrate one of the key lessons, that people can fail in many ways and higher powers do not control people, for better or worse, but can only try to guide them so they can develop. The subplots that fell flat paralleled the characters' potential falling flat (i.e., I think the author intended these subplots to fall away rather than help develop the story/ Leith on his journey), but I found that approach detracted from the book a bit.

Slight spoiler:
There was rich development of relationships in prior books that all but disappeared here (for those who read the other books -- the philosopher Phemandrac, Hal, the voice, Kurr, to name a few). They disappeared because Leith pushed them away, leaving him to learn a lesson about love and community, but it left me feeling a bit empty within the book rather than on a journey of growth with the character.

All in all I enjoyed the series, but this book least of the three. Still worth a try if you are a fan of fantasy novels.

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final installment of the series reveals more of the mystery and resolves others. The biblical analogies continue and the primary piece of the story resolves in a way that I think I understand, but I also don't think the analogies are supposed to overlap completely. To this extent the story resembles Tolkien, in that it is attempting to retell a bigger story through saga. It is not as epic but it struggles with having too much to tell and rushing through some bits, while drawing out other parts beyond what seemed necessary. For example, I found the internal struggle leith went through to be overdone, his persistent adolescence getting to be too much - sure, teenagers can be immature but they all too often act beyond their age also.

I did enjoy the reflection on destiny and free will that is rolled into the story. I think this is a tension many face when thinking about their existence. Whether the result of DNA, upbringing or a higher power, the sense that life is carrying us along and minimizing our apparent autonomy feels like a loss of our human right to liberty. Leith's struggle to accept his destiny and things he can't change is a again a bit long winded but the point is made. In real life of course it's hard to resolve and so too I'm not sure this properly resolves in the story but so be it!

[Attila · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion of Kirkpatrick's trilogy, an enjoyable fantasy epic with some really good parts. There are more travels and battles, and a satisfying conclusion in the end.

I hesitated between giving it 3 or 4 stars; in the end I gave it only 3. Despite the good plot and the intensity, I could never really support the questing party and the Chosen Nation. They conquered and enslaved many other peoples in the name of an absent God through their history, and they are not really better than the Bhrudwans.

Overall, an okay fantasy trilogy, though hardly memorable.

[Phyllis]

First time reader of this Author and I loved his story so definitely will be buying his other books available.Great story teller and I felt the emotions that the characters went through .Excellent triology.

[Megan]

DNS 10/30/23

[Mark Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

People hate this book coz they can’t read and they’re stoopid- amazing book, fantastic conclusion, brilliant trilogy- onto the next one now! Hurray!

[Jean M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this final book in the Fire of Heaven series! Excited to go back and read the Husk trilogy again now.

[Peter Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

While some may like this, I found this 3rd book in this series somewhat of a chore. I found myself asking again and again, when does it end? The story continues from book 2, and elements of action are there, but most of the book is filled with the main characters personal turmoils rather than the store I wanted to read.

Some may like that, and i may have to a degree as well, but I found it dragged on without resolution far too long leaving the main story plodding.

I still give it 3 stars, I have read many worse fantasy novels, and the story does have a satisfactory resolution, I jus wish we could have gotten to it sooner.

[Paige Belfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a series I would actively recommend to anyone, but it is still a series I mostly enjoyed. The first two dragged for a large portion of their weight, the second one suffering excessively so, however the third one was at the very least an easier read. I started the series doubting the worth of the main character Leith, and unfortunately by the end of The Right Hand of God I still felt that he lacked substance. All the other characters had great potential but very few had that potential met. The plot sustained the story more than the characters as a result. A suitably intriguing series, though I am definitely more partial to his next trilogy, as it provides a more well rounded tale

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over all, not a bad ending to a decent series. The characters are still interesting despite not developing much, and the war takes a few unexpected turns.

The one thing that really bothers me is that I had a clear "aha!" moment when it seemed obvious that the finale would closely tie in with the Midwinter's play (which in some respects was the start of this whole thing); however, none of the characters (Leith, in particular) ever made that connection. It felt like a missed opportunity to tie the series together.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c2005. I kind of lost heart in this series of book after the 2nd which seemed way more christian fundamentalist than the first book. However, the story piqued my interest enough to get the 3rd book to find out what was really going on. I think that I feel rather disappointed witht they way that some of the "mysteries" were resolved and were not thrashed out enough to give a credible wind up to the trilogy. That said, some parts of the story were excellent but weighted down in the main by some very stilted passages.

[Mick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the conclusion of the Fire of Heaven Series. While I still recommend it, especially if you read the first two, I have to say it is the least enjoyable of the three. I'd like to explain why this is but I can't do it in any detail without giving away plot points. Lets just say it wasn't as rewarding as I would have hoped. It is still a great read full of intrigue and fast pacing with perhaps the most action of the three novels.

[Felicity · Rating 2 out of 5]

My mother gave me this series of books to read. There are a lot of descriptive battle scenes and an underlying religious message. Most books take me about a 3 days (if not busy) to a week to read. Each one of these took me a month. It was good enough to keep reading but it didn't hold my attention for long periods of time. I like to be swept away by fiction. Unfortunately that did not happen with these books.

[Connor Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this, we finally understand all of the characters fully, hero and villain alike. The protagonist has been struggling with very real internal problems for a while (the exact same problems I have with religion, in fact), and finally finds a good solution. There is a lot of loss here at the end, but the end is perfect for the villain and his henchmen, and has good triumph over evil in a way that mostly avoids cliches.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Characters that had been signposted as having a bigger role got sidelined. Shame, because the first book, scene-by-scene was perfect. The publishers forced him to produce books 2 and 3 a year apart; the first took 13 years to write. You have to hate publishers who kill the goose thinking they'll get the golden eggs.

[Aisha Mahmoud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Not as good as the first two but still I could not put it down. Loved it. Some Christianity in it but not extremely so. Very exciting and interesting with many surprises. Loved it. My only frustration is my library does not have his second series. Eventually I will have to buy it. I am loving his writing.

[Brennetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't think this was a terrific series but I enjoyed it. This third and last one was definitely the hardest to get through and at times I almost put down to never pick up again. About 2/3 into the book I felt like it finally got started and I didn't want to put it down at all. That was how each book was.

[Sue Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really well done epic fantasy trilogy. The world-building excellent and believable, and the character development is solid. The story is mostly interesting, although slows a bit in book 2 and the latter part of book 3. Still, one of the better representations for this genre.

[Nathan Balyeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, if somewhat deus ex machina ending, to a good epic fantasy trilogy. If you liked the first book, it's worth continuing through to the end to watch the characters grow and develop, and to further explore a very interesting world.

[R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic fantasy that follows one of the classic formulas - Group from remote mountain village finds out that they have a destiny and are part of a prophecy to fight the forces of evil etc etc lol. Hey, run with what works right?

[Yisroel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting at first but alot of questions were left unanswered it seemed. It was a little of a struggle to finish. The story was ok but some characters were not fully developed. More or less it wad an OK read