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John Bonello: Is-Sitt Aħwa, Merlin Publishers Ltd., 2012, 334pp.

The realms of science of fiction and fantasy literature are well populated. It is rare to come across a book written in these genres that does not echo others.

Bonello weaves a rich fantastic tapestry in the book’s world inspired by the local geography and at times history- Charles Sammut

John Bonello with his trilogy, Il-Logħba Tal-Allat, rides the wave of contemporary fantasy and science fiction literature written in Maltese which tries to fill a lacuna in local fiction.

Certain elements in Bonello’s plot might remind readers, familiar with these narrative styles, of other books like Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time and H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine, or a TV series like Stargate, with its space-gateway travelling and the Pharaoh and Anubia references, and even science fiction films like Star Wars, with some characters having a Yoda-like mode of speaking.

The possible similarities in this trilogy stop there as Bonello weaves a rich fantastic tapestry in the book’s world inspiredby the local geography and at times history.

Bonello has fabricated a narrative about time and space travel with Ħaġar Qim temples acting as a central doorway between parallel universes which allhave the Maltese islands astheir prototype.

These are not the Maltese islands as we know them since the landscape differs according to each planet. The trilogy centres round a group of youngpeople who decide to travel through these doorways and each time encounter different beings and adventures.

As is the case with these genres there are other layers of meaning to the story telling. The trilogy follows also the path of Baàl, the dark lord, who has been imprisoned in the duskiest planet by his six siblings.

His evil presence gives this narrative a religious overtone with the eternal forces of evil, represented here by Baàl and his demented Sii followers, fighting against the benevolent side made up of the young ones together with others who help them in the final epic battle in the third book, Is-Sitt Aħwa.

The main quest for all is to possess the keys which open the doorways to all the planets since the one who has them will wield immense power.

This review is based only on my impression of It-Tliet Aħwa, which can be read without having prior knowledge of the other books as the author makes sure that any allusions to previous events are well explained. This background reference is not overdone and therefore does not get in the way of the story’s flow.

In fact, one of the book’s strong points is its clear story line. The book is well focused and although it does havesome sub-plots, these do not confuse the reader from the main narrative.

Readers familiar with the fantasy genre would agree that at times these books have a tendency to be bogged down with descriptions especially at crucial moments.

In fact the story in Is-Sitt Aħwa moves at such a rapid pace that at instances the reader would think that certain minor but salient details mentioned earlier in the book might have later been forgotten by the author.

On further reading one realises that Bonello not only does not forget such facts but keeps them at bay to spring a further twist, an example of this, without spoiling the story for anyone, is whentwo of the characters’ hairturns white.

At times, what I found lacking is depth in the personal interactions between some characters. The young males have a strong friendship and it is evident in their constant jokes andjibes played on and aimed at each other.

This relationship is very well depicted and comes to life but unfortunately one cannot say the same for other personal bonds in the book. As a reader I did find myself wanting to believe more in other characters, but to be fair it could be that some of these and their relationships were more developed in theprevious books and becamean unnecessary focus in thethird instalment.

Moreover, there could have been more references to local lore and maybe history entwined in the storyline as the author did with the Siege. As it is, the story has references to local places and landmarks, although the names are purposely corrupted, but does not have that Maltese feel like, for example, Trevor Zahra’s Meta Jaqa’ ċ-Ċpar, a less complex but still appealing book of the same genre.

Albeit, Bonello has created such a creatively intricate environment that readers will definitely be immersed in it. Young adults and adults alike, especially those who love the fantasy genre, will definitely enjoy reading this trilogy.

I would recommend it also to all those who love reading in the Maltese language as it makes for a good read. Now please let me turn to It-Tielet Qamar and begin this story where I should have, with the first book in this trilogy.