Sadly, all good things must come to an end - and all great book series must seemingly come to a world-shattering conclusion, or at least that's how it felt as we reached the end of "Maresi: Red Mantle", the final book in Maria Turtschaninoff's masterly Red Abbey Chronicles series.

The story picks up once again with Maresi finally reaching the end of her time at the Red Abbey.

Her world, her life, her home - and more importantly a safe haven in a despicable world ruled by brutal men, Maresi must return to her childhood home to hopefully preach the findings gleaned from her life at the Abbey to other like minded souls who can perhaps help turn the tide of opression in her village.

Maresi's teachings can't reach her people, ground down and despicably trodden on by the overbearing rule of the local Earl.

Finally Maresi realises that she must use all the terrible force of the Crone's magic, dark magic taught to her in the twinkling of candle-light at the Red Abbey to protect her people, but can she find the strength to do so when she's distracted by something unexpected, the emergence of her first real love for another?

We've loved the previous two books in the series, and really didn't want this final book to end. Maria's world building, atmospheric storytelling, and amazing ability to confront issues that many women and girls will nod in recognition of as they're alluded to in this amazing book really will strike a chord, and if there's absolutely any justice in the book world, the Red Abbey Chronicles deserve to be up there amongst the literary fantasy greats such as Tolkein, C.S Lewis and Margaret Atwood.

Make no mistake, this has been an epic trilogy that deserves wider recognition - and this wrap-up demonstrates just how to write a scintillating story arc that takes both the characters - and you - on a heck of an amazing journey as your lives unfold.

Utterly, utterly brilliant.

"Maresi: Red Mantle" (Red Abbey Chronicles Book 3) by Maria Turtschaninoff is out now, published by Pushkin Children's Books (very kindly supplied for review). 

We were left on the edge of our seats by Maresi and our Chapter Book of the Week this week picks up the tale in Book 2 of the Red Abbey Chronicles. Here's "Naondel"

This year we're trialing nominating a book of the week from both the picture book and chapter book side of things so our very first Chapter Book of the Week for 2017 is the fantastic "Maresi" by Maria Turtschaninoff...