The Execution of Rooker Flynn is a book about an enduring, life-affirming friendship made unshakeable by an unbelievably harsh environment at a time when survival seemed impossible. The friendship between Black Jack Swift and Rooker Flynn had its highs and lows in the second book of this trilogy, but now we are onto the final instalment, and their bonds are stronger than they have ever been. They have found their family and value each other above all else. This is not a romantic love, but an unbreakable blood brotherhood for the ages.
The Execution of Rooker Flynn helps to fill in many of the gaps in Rooker’s backstory, fleshing out the “whys” of his character further and making him even more lovable, if not without his flaws. The adventure begins with Rooker facing the noose not once, but thirteen times, this being possible due to the healing majik of the giant bell from which he is hanging, bringing him back to life each time, only for his neck to be snapped again and again. This horrible concept helps to remind the reader just how evil Rooker’s nemesis, monstrous “headmistress”/prison warden Gerba Whipmarples is.
Most of our favourite characters return in this novel, but so do the island’s monsters – the strigoi demons and the monstrous spiders, along with Xeusia the spider dragon. There is also a new bloodthirsty “big bad” for our heroes to face off against. The author never shies away from gore and horror, but revels in it with descriptions to send tingles up the spines of the faint-hearted:
“Its bony, corpselike body was thirty feet long, white as a murdered ghost. Each pale hand ended in eight clawed fingers. Eight fanged tentacles ringed its mouth, flickering like bladed limbs. Black smoke issued from its throat, fouling the air around her with toxins.”
This being the third book in the trilogy, Witham makes sure that all of the loose ends are tied up, all while having his characters undertake an impossible attempt to escape the prison camp and ensure that as many of their friends and found family can also survive its horrors. One of which, the enormous yellow spiders, the Shiq, who come out at dusk to eat any prisoners unable to protect themselves in satisfactory shelters, ensure that the clock is ticking for this exciting adventure by adding a literal deadline as the sun moves across the sky towards dusk.
These fast-paced, unputdownable adventures have been action-packed from beginning to end with unbelievable heists, inconceivable escapes, swashbuckling sword fights, and, as is inevitable when facing such impossible odds, some heartbreakingly sad losses. The saddest loss of all is that the series is at an end, but I think there are more stories to come from the majikal land of Keymark. I certainly hope so! These books may be described as young adult fantasies, but I am convinced that they would find a place in the hearts of any fantasy fan – whatever their age.
I received a complimentary advanced review copy of this young adult fantasy adventure, which is due out in September. Thank you, Andy! My review is honest, and my opinions are my own.
