The Fiend and the Forge: Book Three of The Tapestry

This series has always been unique with familiar characteristics thrown in, such as a school to learn magic; however, this book is where Neff sets the series apart. In the third book, we enter a world completely different, one whose nature is decided by a demon who hails as the Great God. The series tells great lessons about losing lesser battles to win again another day, a message that may come across too negatively to some readers, but one that is well-learned here.The world Neff creates positively brims with magic, lore, and interesting creatures. You almost cannot go a chapter without being fascinated by a sequence of magic, combat, scenery, or unique beast/demon. Neff is a wordsmith, the human equivalent to a Mystic.The story starts out very focused and strung together beautifully; however, the fabric of the story seems to fray or thin. Throughout the book, some scenes and sequences felt dull during my first read-through. For example, the farm scene, though it successfully completed its purpose, seemed a little dull and island-ish in the whole of the text, yet Neff hints at further significance from characters met at these point in the series. Speaking of which, the characters are intriguing, with some minor annoyances with some unbelievable or under-explained relationships, but aren't always well-developed. I suppose this may be where Neff struggles, developing his characters. He creates a brilliant character, creature, and world, but there is something left to be desired from characters such as David, who seems to be so matured beyond his years that he has no more room for growth. Characters like Max, who would naturally require development, and even Cooper do receive such attention. In fact, Ronin is also developed in this book. To be honest, I have a hard time understanding why the three girls gravitate toward Max, David, and Connor. The girls in the series are greatly underdeveloped--in terms of their characters.There's definitely some violence to these books, but I'd say there's nothing too gory or grotesque for a children of the targeted age group. Any six grader should be ready to read this kind of violence.I definitely recommend this book strongly, as it is the best of the series yet, and it promises much more interesting things to come.

(No spoilers) so that part where bram was alive and they tricked astoroth at the end was good also max wear color red. I like red

Hound of Rowan is entertaining, and The Second Siege is intriguing, but The Fiend and the Forge can absolutely enthrall. Here, Neff embarks into an entirely new world, and he explores its implications fully. Prusias presents a new antagonist that crackles with both humor and menace. Neff begins to probe the concepts of power and responsibility in compelling depth, with several variations on a theme that sees the revelation of new sides to Max McDaniels and familiar favorites such as David Menlo and Gabrielle Richter. Action scenes like Max's battle with the creature of the well, fights in the colosseum, and the climactic cathedral riot are full of energy and import. The death of one character made me cry--and I don't cry easily.With Red Winter, my favorite of the series, and an arresting middle installment.

I read the first book of the Tapestry series, and quite honestly I didn't really think that the book found its footing until it was nearly finished. Book 2 definitely raised the bar and really made me look forward to reading book 3. The Fiend and The Forge definitely establishes the Tapestry series as one that I will continue to follow. Where the first book felt much of the time like a spin-off of Harry Potter, by Fiend and the Forge we are clearly in new territory. Henry Neff does a fantastic job of bringing the world of Rowan and beyond to life, and filling it with interesting characters and adding more and more depth to both the world and the character of Max as the book progresses. It has become an increasingly dark and violent series - I won't be reading it to my young children any time soon - but it definitely is a page-turner. The ending left me wanting more, and the realization that the next book would not be out for at least another two years is painful. I'd highly recommend the Tapestry series by Henry Neff to anyone looking for a new fantasy series to delve into.

I love these books. I love that after the last book I was afraid this one would be terrible - where do you go after a demon has conquered the earth? I love that it's got magic and mystery and characters that you don't always like. I like that Max learns so much about people and demons and that sort of thing. I love that it makes me cry a little bit when certain things happen in the book. I love that there are revelations that are not predictable at all, but when you look back you see the thread of that coming together. Like you know and hope a character is up to something and just when you think you're wrong, it turns out that he was up to something.I also love that although the books ends with a big sort of where are we going now feeling, it's not a total cliffhanger (hah) but a satisfying ending that leaves you still wanting more :)

A while back, a friend recommended the first book in this series (The Hound of Rowan) so I bought it for my nephew, who is a big Harry Potter fan. He couldn't stop talking about it so I read it for myself and was surprised how much I enjoyed it! It led to some good bonding with my nephew as we raced each other to the finish of book #2. Then we were a little disappointed when this one (book #3) was delayed, but we now see why -- it was definitely worth the wait. I won't give too much away, but my nephew and I agreed that this was Max's best adventure yet as he struggles with the new world order, and of course with a host of crazy characters. It's definitely a great holiday or birthday gift for any kids in your life, although I think probably best for those 8 and up.

I don't know if I was having an off day or something but I totally did not see the end of this book coming and usually I'm so good at it! But Neff does seem to be quite good at keeping you guessing throughout the books. You think you know where you're headed with a particular plot and them it turns out differently and I love that about this series. I have such a soft spot for these books, if you're at a loss of what to read next give the Tapestry Series a go, I'm hooked!

The storyline is mire centred about what Max does and his learning of independence! I can't wait to hear what happens next!

The book does not come up to the standard of previous books i think this book has lost its way.

Interesting how the characters develop, David becomes somewhat of an Anarchist and Max well he experiences some of these "lonesome rider" Qualities. I really liked the book for a number of things, (i) the demons were really diverse and not only bad but showed a lot of character traits. Especially Prusias has become one of my favourites. (ii) the humans are showns to adapt to this new "world" and (iii) the introduction of the Formorian is really a great character.

Beautiful but, why is only the first book translated in Italian?