The Restorer's Journey by Sharon Hinck Published by: Navpress (2008) 375 pages Rating: 8/10 Buy it Now:    Also by Sharon Hinck: The Secret Life of Becky Miller Renovating Becky Miller The Restorer The Restorer's Son

Sharon Hinck left things hanging at the end of The Restorer's Son, always a good traditional thing to do in the second book of a trilogy. In the case of The Sword of Lyric series, the unresolved issue had two creepy villains from the world of Lyric loose on Earth itself. It was easy to feel a bit giddy with the possibilities.

It isn't long in The Restorer's Journey before the villains have decided to return to their own world, armed with select bits of technology from Earth - just what they need to dominate things back home.

Susan Mitchell, the one-time Restorer, is dragged back to the world of Lyric. Her son, Jake, now a Restorer himself, comes after her, intent on rescue. Neither of them end up where they think they'll be. As always, God has plans that no one has foreseen. Both will be called to do something unexpected and quite probably not what you'd expect from a typical fantasy adventure.

In fact, Sharon Hinck seems to take great delight in doing the unexpected. Where you'd expect a hero to battle or conquer, she has something entirely different happen (or else the hero realizes that the battle/conquer thing was wrong after it happens). It's interesting most of the time, but every once in a while, it does ring a just a little false. There's just a bit too much forgiveness and understanding being acted out. That seems an odd thing to say, I realize, but it's the only minor flaw in an otherwise great series.

As in the second book, Hinck also spends a good deal of time exploring another of Lyric's cultures. This time it's the mind-violating Rhusicans. It's an intriguing twist on another speculative fiction staple - telepathy. What kind of society would be built where everyone had that power? The results are chilling.

While this is apparently the final book in this trilogy, things are left open enough for a return to the world of Lyric at some point in the future. Whether we ever get to go back is entirely up to Sharon Hinck. Personally, I hope we do. Recommended.