Day of the Scarab

By Catherine Fisher
Rating: 4 1/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

In the final installment of The Oracle Prophecies (see reviews), Mirany is living in hiding in the tombs of the City of the Dead, with the help of the albino Kreon. The general Argelin has gone seemingly insane after the death of Hermia, the only woman he ever loved. He has set himself up as Archon and King of the Two Lands and hired mercenaries from the north to run the Port city, where things are harsher every day. The Emperor remains out at sea, wanting to attack but afraid of harming Prince Jamil who is being held hostage. Then Seth, Alexos, the Jackal and Oblek return from their pilgrimage in the desert. They also go into hiding except for Seth. Seth reports to Argelin that the others are dead and takes a job with Argelin so he can spy on him. Argelin is busy destroying images of the Rain Queen and planning something even more audacious--going to the Garden of the Rain Queen (the afterlife) and bringing Hermia back. But more factions are at work in the Port, including an evil sorceress named Manto and the leader of the northmen. There will be a journey into the Underworld, magic and mayhem, bravery and betrayal, and things destroyed as well as rebuilt. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this well-plotted end to the tale, and only will wish it could have lasted longer.