Heart of Black Ice is the fourth and final book in The Nicci Chronicles series, and picks up directly where Siege of Stone left off, with Nicci separated from her friends and multiple armies threatening the world. Where the previous book was all set up, this final volume is action packed. Nicci, Nathan, and Bannon each have their own adventures, their own villains, and their own personal struggles to overcome. Like any good series finale, we get the return of many familiar faces and places that had previously been introduced. I was particularly excited to see the return of a certain “character” from the original series.

When everything finally comes to a head in the final battle, this book does not disappoint. The stakes are high, and Nicci finally steps up to be the hero I always knew she could be. My one complaint with this final volume is that I was really hoping Nicci would find someone to love her, the way that she loves Richard. She says she’s happy being his number two, but I want her to be someone’s number one. This book is a great ending to a fun fantasy adventure. Fans of the original Sword of Truth series will not be disappointed to take this journey with Nicci and her friends.