Michelle L. Levigne continues her Zygradon saga in Three Drops of Blood, the third book in the series. When this series began, I was under the assumption that it would be a trilogy. That would mean that Three Drops of Blood would put a capstone on this world and its heroic—and not so heroic—characters. Fans of Zygradon, take heart. The tale is not done yet.

Three Drops of Blood begins with a prophesy, not all of which unfolds in this volume, but the roots of more intrigue are planted deeply here. This book details the lives of Meghianna and Megassa, daughters of Efin, the Warhawk, the supreme leader over this world—or at least the part of the world that isn't in conflict with him and those like him who can wield imbrose, an in-born magical ability.

Meghianna, Efrin's legal heir, is also the new Queen of Snows, the most powerful imbrose user in the land. She and Mrillis, an ancient enchanter, stand on either side of Efin, aiding him as he tries to bring peace to the land, while ridding it of star metal that has fallen from the sky and can poison not only the ground but living things as well unless it is transmuted or tamed.

Megassa, Efin's illegitimate daughter born of a woman with links to dark magic, has her imbrose bound just enough so that she can become one of the Warhawk's Valors, something like knights or royal guards. Readers watch these young children grow into powerful women who wait for the prophesy to unfold that tells of their brother, the third drop of blood, who is yet to be born. But the Warhawk has enemies as well as a court deep in jealousies that strain Efin's rule but also hit too close to home.

I felt that Three Drops of Blood was the best book in the series so far. Braenlicach, the second book (also reviewed on Myshelf), was a necessary book in the Zygradon Chronicles, as it tried to document a very long history of key characters. Three Drops of Blood, in contrast, concentrated on a piece of the story, a piece of the prophesy, and allowed the author to tell a tale, rather than relate a history.

Three Drops of Blood has intrigue, magic, duty, romance, and insights into the personal lives of this royal family.

And, rest assured, the Zygradon story is not finished yet.