An entry in the author's guestbook:

Hi, just want to say how much I love your books. I very nearly failed my dissertation because of the Black Magician Trilogy, (my housemate had to hide the High Lord from me, so that I'd actually do some work - we're only just back on speaking terms - chuckle). I'm about to tuck into the Last of the Wilds, and so far this trilogy is every bit as exciting as the BMT. You rock x p.s. my friends all think i'm a big geek for being so obsessed with your books, but honestly - how can you not throw yourself completely into these new worlds?!?! I defy anybody to read your books and still manage to keep themselves grounded. It's impossible. I've been living in Kyralia for some time now....

I think I would not be so miserable if I didn't like the characters who died in the story. Finishing the book did sort of eased the obsession but not in the way I expected. Boo! People died... I realise why they had to die in retrospect. Wish I had seen it earlier. I realise...the main character is king. Hai... Like Harry Potter. Sirius Black can die, Dumbledore can die, Cho Chang can die (I have no idea who actually dies), but Ron and Hermione won't die. Same with the Black Magician trilogy. So sad. Oh the author wrote her books in 1996 and the first Harry Potter book was published in 1997 so there is no link between the two. I think I would be more excited about the sequels if I weren't so upset with the deaths. =( But the first book won't be out till at least late next year. So many adoring fans' excited comments in her guestbook. I wonder if I'm the only one depressed by this last book..

I really love your books they are absolutly great. Yesterday I finished your Black Magician Triology and I will read it in the hollidays for a second time because that are so great books. But I musst say that I`ve cryed at the end of the story you certainly know why. I`ve still the hope that maybe that character will come back in one of your later books because I really really like him, he`s just so cool (I can`t think about Black Magician books without him). I can`t say names because of spoilers but I think you know wich character I mean. Best Wishes and a lot of respect from Germany (and sorry about my bad english)

Oh I'm not the only one. =) I guess I know I couldn't possibly be the only one lah. Oh she also wants dead characters to come back alive, like me. Ha.. But I think the deaths were painful but necessary. Otherwise the story can't go anywhere. Must subtract then can add.. Oh that day I watched 881 I saw a boy at Yoshinoya carrying the book. Heh. It looked new but wasn't in a bag so must have just bought it and reading it.

I know, indeed, that any type of spoiler is fobidden, so I shall try and be quite ambiguous with the message of emotional distraught. Firstly, however, I would like mention you are an amazing and involving writer (and my great attachemnet and upset to one of the ehem..endings.. to one book is proof of that). I just wanted to mention that I am so very deeply saddened and in shock to one of your books I just finished (I hope that you will guess which one...) that I felt you should just know (and perhaps consider not having similar tragic endings in any other of your books (again not mentioning which one..) as I fear I shall be unable to deal with another quite as distressing. I know there is an aftermath of books to this saga - but I'm not sure it shall ever be the same. Even so, I wouldn't have minded if anything happened to all of the other characters, non exclusive, but to that one .....ahhh that really struck a cord. Also I felt that what occured in the eplilogue to this was no replacement :-(. I may perhaps now pic up the following saga - but fear that nothing will compare or fill the emptiness left by this book. Overall, I feel I may have come very close to the boundaries (or ruless) set for this guesbook, but hope I haven't breached them :-) I wish you well ^_^ Sabina


I am sorry if my previous comment seemed at all accusing. I really am in love with your books - I just feel a little depressed now is all *sobs* - (this is after 'The High Lord') - but again this just shows how involving your writing is and how great your character builing is that I am so attached. I would indeed not want to depreive myself of your great work and therfore shall see if I can get hold of ' The age of Five Trilogy' while I am abroad on my year out (as I currently am). I would eventually like to perhaps carry on with more Kyralia books, but currently the wounds are still fresh and the pains too raw. (I didn't expect to take this so hard - but I suppose then again, it just displays your skills as a writer). If you could perhaps, in some way, reassure me that nothing too similar shall happen in which ever other saga I shall feel much better while reading it (and may also pick it up a little sooner - without any nagging accompanied worry :-S) Wish you all the best - you perpetuating writer, you. (You do indeed have a way with words ^_^)