Over the course of the previous four books, Mr. Brett has introduced a cast of dozens of characters. Some have come and gone, their role in the greater story seemingly done. In The Core, they all come back. While it's good to get caught up and see them back in action, I feel that with the cast so dramatically increased, the detail that marked the previous books was lost in The Core. There are at least seven plot lines going on here, and bouncing back and forth between them left me wondering exactly what was happening when.

Still, I don't want to say this book didn't bring the saga to a satisfying conclusion. It was great seeing mighty heroes rise from humble beginnings. A farmer's son. A daughter living in the shadow of her imposing, abusive mother. The daughter of a basket weaver. An orphan raised by a drunken bard. These are superb characters lovingly crafted over several books, and overall, the saga is excellent. Just be prepared for the viscera and genitalia.