The best book of the series so far, which means it's an average read. While about a Royal Wizard, these books are more mystery than fantasy. In this one Daimbert and friends do the equivalent of a Holy Land pilgrimage while trying to find a lost treasure, one other figures are trying to find -- and trying to stop Daimbert from finding. So the mystery involves not only where is the treasure but who is behind the plots against his group. Written from first person perspective, there is alot of "maybe it's this guy. No, maybe it's that guy" space wastage. And "Here comes so-and-so, aha! He did it! On wait, surprise, he's here to help us, not to stop us, cross him off the list, must be someone else" The author did accomplish this better than he did the first two books, yet here the final ending seemed unsatisfactory and unneeded.

Magic here is really a code word for science, and I get the feeling author is going for a "science vs. religion" theme throughout the series. While he is not displaying bias for either side, which is refreshing, so far I have not seen any profound observations from the author. Two more books to go so maybe they are still to come ... ( )