In The Wanderer’s Last Journey, the fourth volume in the Orpheus saga for young adults, Murray Lee Eiland, Jr., delivers an exciting, fast-paced historical fantasy that is sure to please devoted fans of the series.
The Wanderer’s Last Journey begins with an explosion of action. Traders from a foreign land have come to the kingdom of Linnaeus, where Orpheus and Clarice currently reside. Soon a fight ensues, during which Orpheus is taken captive. To get Orpheus back, Clarice has no choice but to send for Daryush, the Kassite. She and Semria, Daryush’s wife, join Daryush in the search when he arrives at court. Soon, Zurga also joins the search. He first looks for clues at home and then travels to Egypt. There, he learns that some foreigners from across the sea have kidnapped Orpheus; he soon recruits a crew to go rescue Orpheus.
Meanwhile, on the ship, Orpheus is treated with respect, but he still has no idea why he has been kidnapped. After thirty-four days at sea, he arrives in what appears to be the New World and is treated like a god; however, that does not prevent him from planning his escape. But that quickly turns into a ruse: Orfeo has been taken over by the king of Ixtlán.
The ships seeking to find Orpheus – Zurga and Daryush – endure rough seas, little information, and unruly crews to find the much-loved and longed-for Orpheus. They are in the kingdom of Nastase and immediately set out to search for Orpheus. However, upon reaching the temple where Orpheus is kept, they turn around and discover that someone has set their ship on fire.
With Orpheus reunited with his beloved Clarice, as well as his companions, the group begins planning their escape. The alternating chapters reveal that the kings of Nastase and Ixtlan are working together to recover Orpheus. But their infighting turns into a civil war, thereby allowing Orpheus, Clarice, and their companions to escape the confines of the castle and board nearby ships. Unfortunately, Zurga, fighting bravely and heroically, dies in the process.
After a somewhat hostile journey, the group returns home safely and is greeted by King Linneaus and Orpheus’ elderly mother, Hermia. Zurga is buried with great solemnity and honor.
With Orpheus and Clarice safely home, Daryush and Semira travel back to their homeland, where they find their own adventures. After overthrowing a mad king, the pair assume their rightful positions of power.
The scene then returns to Orpheus and Clarice in Pylos. As in all adventure stories, the peace and quiet have been short-lived, and soon a minor war breaks out with neighboring Sparta. But the heroes defend Pylos with strength and courage, and the Spartans are forced to retreat. But while everything seems fine, a sinister suspense leaves the reader eagerly awaiting the next volume in the series.
While The Wanderer’s Last Journey is sometimes confusing in its transitions between characters and various adventures, it provides an enjoyable read for devoted fans of the series and young adult historical fantasy readers.
