Review by Gayla Uslu on Tarot Channel

The Tarot is often talked about as being a tool for creative writing.  It certainly has inspired many writers in many ways, but I must start by saying I have never been so enlightened by a novel inspired by Tarot as The Last Troubadour - Song of the Montsegur by Derek Armstrong.

The Last Troubadour is set in 13th century Europe with the Inquisition is full swing.  The southern city of Carcassone has fallen under the control of the crusading Christians and it is a dangerous time for anyone who does not subscribe to the doctrine of the Catholic Church.  The cast of characters are based on the Major Arcana, which doesn't seem extraordinary at first, but it is the way Derek Armstrong builds the characters persona's around the archetypes which makes it unique.

I have a personal technique for reading books.  I read a chapter or two so I can savor and contemplate the character and story line for a couple of days before moving forward.  The primary characters of this book had me enchanted immediately and my imagination soaring between chapters.  However, as I got closer to the end, I had grown so attached to some of the characters, I couldn't put it down.

The Fool, Ramon, is a jester by day and hero by night.  He and his motley crew of talented friends, most of which he brings to Carcassone with him and a few he picks up along the way, set out to rescue The Priestess of the story, know as the Dame, during the annual Mayday festival.  He uses his charm, whit, courage, and skills to weave a network of relationships and craft a plan to accomplish the impossible....steal back the most priced possession of the Cathar Christians.

This story is filled with passion, adeptness, intent, struggle, relationships challenges and pure, unconditional love.  It draws on the basic meaning of the archetypes, but delves deeper to encourage the reader to view their attributes from different perspectives.  Derek Armstrong finds a way to focus on the strengths, weakness, and sui generis of their personalities.

My favorite character of the book is Nevara, the albino pagan sorceress of the Baug Balar Circus.  She is the Magician of the story who consults her self made Tarot cards for guidance and performs many tricks and spells to help Ramon carry out his heroic rescue. 

The victorious, but turbulent and unsettling end to the story left me anxious to read the next books of the trilogy, The Last Quest and The Last Stand which is set to be published in 2008 and 2009.   I am anxious to learn the fate of each character and see how they find their way out of the Phanton Wood. Will Nevara and Ramon become lovers?  Will Perce remain loyal to Seigneur?  Will Adelais find the adventure to be more than she is able to handle and return home to her father, the Viscount?  What will become of Magba and the children of the Baug Balar?  Will Ramon avenge his mother by putting a end to the existence of the cruel Diableteur?  Will Nevara's magic stand up to the Diableteur again or was the first time pure luck? So many questions...too long to wait for the next installment of the story. :)  AND, I simply cannot wait to see the Troubadour Tarot scheduled for release next year.

I recommend this book to all, especially anyone who seeks a unique way to understand the infrastructure of the Major Arcana.  It's a excellent example of how the archetypes interface with each other.  There is a limited amount of sexuality, but in my opinion not enough to keep it from being suitable for teen readers.  However, parental discretion is advised.  This story is classic struggle between good and evil, but untypical because the author has consciously and methodically used all 22 archetypes in a meaningful, viable role.  Derek Armstrong has managed to weave the characters of the Major Arcana into an adventure for the mind, heart and soul.  I loved it!