Beyond Sundered Seas

Empire of Ruin #3

by David Green

BEYOND SUNDERED SEAS
EMPIRE OF RUIN BOOK THREE


The epic sequel to the award-winning ‘In Solitude’s Shadow’ and acclaimed ‘Path Of War’.

The Spark is no more.

Separated from her companions, Calene Alpenwood resolves to finish her task and bring an end to the bloodshed drowning Haltveldt. But violence breeds violence, and a corrupting darkness spreads where the Spark once lived in Calene’s soul.

Saved from death from a mind-spinning source, the elf Brina al’Loria is tasked with the ‘simple’ mission of uniting the warring factions of Haltveldt. Reeling from staggering truths, Brina must navigate a hostile world ruled by humans and succeed in her undertaking before disaster strikes and faith is lost.

Kade Besem faces a reality born from his nightmares. Alone with the Banished, the former politician pieces together the plans of a seemingly unknowable mind, and discovers plots and treachery millennia in the making.

Haltveldt edges closer to the brink of ruin. With events in motion that cannot be stopped, Calene, Brina and Kade find unlikely allies and face new enemies as they fight for a future they might never see. With the odds stacked against them from the beginning, but faint embers of hope still remain as an ancient threat shows its hand at last.

Genres: Fantasy

650 pages, Paperback

First published March 22, 2023

About the author

David Green is a neurodivergent internationally best-selling writer of the epic and the urban, the fantastical and the mysterious.

With his character-driven dark fantasy series Empire Of Ruin, or urban fantasy noir Hell In Haven starring Haven's only supernatural PI Nick Holleran, David takes readers on emotional, character-driven, action-packed thrill rides that leaves a reader needing their next fix.

Hailing from the north-west of England, David now lives in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland. When not writing, David can be found wondering why he chooses to live in, and write about, places where it constantly rains.

David represented by Laura Bennett at LLA.

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Reviews

[Julia Sarene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Sundered Seas by David Green is yet another step up.

While I had a few niggles with book one, and a few less with book two, despite really enjoying them, book three felt really smooth to me.

The characters have grown so much, and are now fully fleshed out, the dimensional people. There is no perfect one, they all have their flaws and strengths.

My favourite bit of the book is the back and forth in my own mind, about who I actually want to see win, or not. Because some of the "heroes" go the wrong way, while some of the villains might not be so bad after all. Or are they? They are written in a way to allow the reader to step into their shoes, and understand their motivations, even if they don't agree with them.

And then, we finally got to meet one of my favourite characters, who is also the main character in a so far unpublished novella.

Greton is autistic, and a joy to see striving and struggling in a big epic world. He can be quite a lot at times, but he's amazing exactly for who he is. We need more autistic representation, and this one is fine very well. Not surprising, as the author is autistic himself.

Outside of these fantastic characters, I also loved the unexpected direction the series has taken. So often books are way too predictable, if you read a lot in a genre. Here I was surprised a few times, which is always a big plus.

The world is still growing, and getting more epic by the book. I can't wait to learn more about it all! I find the cultures as fascinating as the magic.

The action scenes had me hooked, and I liked how fighting and war aren't made into something glorious and full of Honor. No, it's dirty and awful, and horrendous for those standing in mud and blood.

I can't wait to get to book 4 and see where this all ends!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I read a book from this series, I think they can't improve on the last, but each time it does. This third book is truly epic in every sense but keeps the characters and their journeys front and centre. Greton is an amazing addition and wonderful to see autistic representation done correctly in a fantasy book.

The twists and turns in this book are fantastic and make sense to the themes of the series. Some big answers are given in this entry, and each character is tested in a way unique to them before the author brings everything together for a rousing finale while setting everything up for the last installment.

Best one yet. When can I have book 4?

[James Harwood-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great great series!

A darkness stirs within one’s famished emptiness. Desperation pushes another toward Sundered Seas. Suffering a certainty under an Emperor gone mad.

Heart wrenching & action packed! Characters & magic so exceptionally written.

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so droking amazing! My adrenaline pumped from zero to a hundred in the prologue alone but I was able to still my pounding heart, for a while at least. Cults, secret organisations, Elves, humans, the Banished or First People and an emperor who most certainly is completely mad. And then the characters, OMG the characters are spectacular! Calene is probably one of the strongest characters I've encountered. Though she had erred in her judgement of her mother, and she did so big time, she fights with everything she has to correct her wrongs. But it's not only her inner demons she fights, the darkness threatening to overpower her, compelling her, she fights for love, she fights for life, she fights for unity.

With so many characters, with all the events unfolding around them, to them, it's hard to solidify who my favourite is. Is it Calene, who will do anything to keep the darkness at bay, is it Brina, who is desperately trying to forge a better existence for her people, is it Kade, who will fight with everything in him for his son Arlo, is it Arlo himself, trapped and trying to find a way back or is it Tilo, who is driven by his charge? Well, all of them are carved into me, and more besides. Even with as many vital characters as there are, they all are so meaty, fully fleshed out and I can feel, hear and smell their fears, heartache, persistence, their emotional turmoil and determination, every step of their way. The flow of the storyline is magnificent, going between one POV to the next, so seemlessly, so intoxicatingly, I find myself swaggering from the burden they bear. The scene when Kade accepts the grim truth with Tilo and Raas nearly completely undid me! And it kills me not being able to tell you what!!! But I can't, I really can't...

After what Greton endured, the sympathy I have for him is immense but my goodness, when he opens his mouth, he can't stop spewing words! It's almost comical, his need to express every thought he has, loved it. With him soundly exposing new truths, I was just as agog as Calene and when Zanna came with even more truths, well, blow me down with a feather! Vengeance, bias, retribution and atonement are intrinsically linked, one is never sure who will prevail, who will falter. The dramatic events are all encompassing, David is a master weaver at storytelling, he designs complex images that are so real and emotive, so simple to admire the beauty I'm deeply engaged in.

David has this almost otherworldly ability to get me so lost in his books that I hear nothing around me, I see nothing around me but the prose in front of me, calling me, compelling me to read, like I'm floating in a bubble no one can pierce. A bubble that only burst back to reality at the last page. By the end of the book the only thing left for me to do was a happy dance that there'll be more! I don't want this world to end.

[Madilynn Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Sundred Seas, by David Green, Empire of Ruin Series, Book 3

The third installment in David Greens Empire of Ruin is an invigorating read that lets readers escape into a world filled with dark magic, nature magic, light magic, and so much more. There is a wide range of races that interact, but they don’t get along. One race thinks they are superior to the others.

As we enter this story, a new character is introduced. He plays a vital role in how this story ends. The event that leads this introduction is touched on at the end of book two, but we’re given another look into the aftereffects of losing the spark. Greton is our new character. He’s more of a scholar than a fighter and is forced to act as the shadow sparkers' control breaks, and they begin tearing each other apart. He escapes with a goal in mind; find Calene Alpenwood.

As the story continues, we find our character struggling with life after the spark disappears. Some aren’t affected as they didn’t have it to begin with but with a new force utilizing the corrupted dark magic, the world as they know it is in even more danger.

I love how Green takes us into each character giving us their flaws and thoughts and moving us through the emotions they feel as they grow. Many times I found myself on the verge of tears as I read along, eagerly egging these characters on.

One character in particular, Nexus, has had me curious since the beginning of the series. I wondered how he played into the storyline, and Green did not disappoint with this one. After risking everything to get to the person who shattered him, he’s given another chance at his desire to dole out revenge on Emperor Locke.

Locke, who we meet at the start of the series, seemed like a somewhat normal person, but it turns out he is insane. He’s fallen further into madness in this third installment, and his sanity basically disappeared when the shadow sparkers control did. I mean literally this guy was insanely off his rocker.

Now my thoughts on Brina and Calene, these two, wow. I love the connection they have, and watching it grow from the earlier books to what it is at the end of this book was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read. These two faced death and impossible tasks but somehow found a way to overcome their fears and conquer them.

This book is a long one and may be intimidating to those who aren’t used to long stories, but I absolutely recommend this series to all high fantasy and adventure lovers. It has replaced my favorite series of all time. I look forward to the final book in this series.

[Shona Kinsella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review contains mild spoilers for the first two books in this series, so if you haven’t read them yet, you may wish to go and do that first.

If you’ve read my reviews of the first two books in the Empire of Ruin series, you won’t be surprised to learn that I loved this third instalment. It might even be the best in the series so far.

Beyond Sundered Seas picks up immediately after the end of Path of War and Green wastes no time in driving the tension up. Separated from Calene, Brina is given the next-to-impossible task of crossing the Sundered Seas to bring back help from Avastia. Resourceful as ever, she assembles an unlikely group of allies doing everything she can to recruit help and return to her love.

Calene, left behind to continue the resistance in Haltveldt, has been infected by the corruption which powers the shadow sparkers and it takes everything in her to fight it. She is aided in her fight by Greton, a character I completely adore. The preeminent scholar knows more about the spark than anyone else alive, despite not being particularly powerful in the spark himself. The two of them team up with the Shining Cross, seeking to unite the people of Haltveldt against an emperor gone mad.

Kade is deep in the Banished lands with Tilo, still fighting with everything he has to find a way to help and protect his son. Kade is reliant on his Banished companion for help in getting back to familiar lands, but Tilo is not acting like himself. When they finally find the Banished camp, Kade must decide where his loyalties lie.

As with the previous books in the series, the worldbuilding is excellent, with a nuanced and detailed magic system – which we learn a lot more about in this book. The characters are well-rounded and interesting, whether villain or hero, and the lines between the two are rarely clear-cut. Green handles the expansion of the world deftly, never forgetting to tie everything to the characters we’ve come to know and love. The stakes are huge and world-ending, but there are plenty of more personal stakes too as people grapple with their own consciences, fight with the darkness inherent within us all, and try to find another way in a society built on war and death.

This is a series filled with darkness – murder, addiction, madness, torture – but at its heart, its full of hope and a whole lot of love. Romantic love, yes, but not just that. Parental love runs throughout this series, driving characters to act beyond their own limitations in service to their children. The love between friends and siblings also plays a significant role throughout. Despite all the darkness, this series shines bright. My family teased me a little for my animation while reading Beyond Sundered Seas. I laughed, I gasped, I may even have teared up a little.

I find myself waiting impatiently for book four, even though I know with certainty that not all of my favourite characters will survive until the resolution. Sometimes, though, a good death in service of the ones we love, is its own form of happy ending. Or maybe that’s just the goth in me speaking… Either way, I cannot recommend this series strongly enough. If you haven’t started reading it yet, what are you waiting for?

[Nikki's Dragon Den · Rating 5 out of 5]

Separated and alone; Brina sent far away on a quest, Kade with the Banished/Children and Calene with a darkness blooming inside, each find new friends and unexpected allies to aid in restoring balance to the corrupted Haltveldt.

✨️ A true heavy epic read
✨️ The fight between good and evil and finding a balance
✨️ An empire forever on the brink of war
✨️ different types of magic
✨️Incredible world building, epic plot and fantastic character development

David hits it out of the park again with this brilliant read. It's the kind of book you don't want to put down and the kind that makes you want to immediately grab the next in the series. In other words... brilliant!

I loved the new characters, the perspectives of the many cogs spinning the wheel of fate in this story but mostly I adored how everything is starting to peice together. The world building and plot in Beyond Sundered Seas is incredible. I was instantly hooked and I loved learning more about the Widow, Corruption, Spark, Song and Darkness. And the chapters within the loadstone and Calene's dreams were so imaginative. Actually most of Green's writing is imaginative, and I thoroughly enjoy every second I spend reading his work.

I'm immediately diving into book 4, the conclusion to this epic saga, and cannot wait to find out if my theories hold true and how this all will end... wish me luck and empty days with lots of reading time!

[Bookish Satty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Loved this so much.
I really loved learning more about the magic of this world and it's true origin. The characters are more matured and possess a real emotional depth to them which was sorely missing in Book 1. I have fallen in love with all these characters so much. The action sequence especially at the end was so exciting to read. Overall plot of the story is phenomenal and is well executed on paper. Would definitely recommend this series to fantasy lovers.

[Runalong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea - not reviewing

[FionaH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we have a conventional fantasy epic – as in, it is set in a non-modern, fantasy world. The story explores the timeless themes of prejudice, warmongering, invasion, (im)balance of power; alongside more intimate relationships, including those between parent and child, student and mentor, old friends and new, lovers, and reluctant allies.

The main characters (it is multi-POV) are all well-drawn and realistic. The bad guys are brilliantly bad, and the good guys are multi-faceted and complex. After the dark events of Book 2, the Empire is falling apart, while invasion from the North continues to loom. Our protagonists each head off in a new direction, hoping to find a way to bring lasting peace to Haltveldt. Along the way, they make new connections and unexpected allies.

I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the concluding volume.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that the spark is gone Calene must fight the darkness that is trying to consume her. Halvedt is a city on the brink of ruin. Calene must fight more than darkness to save it. She will need help. Spellbinding read with delightful characters. Step into another world. I received a complimentary copy and left a voluntary review.

[Lorna Hanrahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

We get answers to some of the questions that have arisen in the earlier books but there are still more to be resolved. There is a lot of violence in the book but that is to be expected since a war is a central part of the story. Loved the book. The characters continue to develop.

[A Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

TL:DR - Beyond Sundered Seas is a wonderful continuation of a brilliant series. Following on from the dramatic conclusion of Path of War it handles some really interesting themes about character and motivation in a thoughtful and engaging . David's writing style will have you on the edge of your seat and like me you won't be able to wait for book 4.


The previous book in the Empire of Ruin series, Path of War was one of my favourite books of the last few years so I've been eagerly anticipating Beyond Sundered Seas. Without too many spoilers, Path of War ends with a glorious twist that shifts everything we and the characters know about the world of haltvedt.

BSS picks up with the world and it's characters reeling from that shock. No 2 people experience it in quite the same way but they're all changed by it. That broad spectrum of reaction to the same event is incredibly well written. It's a bold choice to introduce such massive changes mid-series but it's superbly written. Seeing characters having to battle new challenges, often direct consequences of their own actions is intriguing. The book itself is more introspective than a lot of Fantasy. After the events of PoW there are a huge number of questions. Some affecting the whole world but just as many focussing on individual characters, who they are and how do they handle love and loss. How do you balance that personal struggle with a world that needs saving, is the world even worth saving?

Some of those questions might sound like fantasy cliché but I guarantee you'll never have seen them presented like this. Characters in Empire of Ruin are deep and Rich, often deeply flawed but incredibly, achingly real. New characters added in this book stand out (hat tip to Greton) while still feeling natural and rooted in the story. By 200 pages in you'll have sworn they've been there forever.

My personal favourite is Kade. Continuing his journey from the first 2 books he's almost unrecognisable from when he was first introduced, but at the same time he's the same man. It's the mark of a great writer that you have to stop and take stock to realise how much he's grown and how natural it all felt. Seeing him now with what he's gone through and that he's still moving forward is incredible.

Alongside the introspection though there is more than enough action and world building. The set piece moments are as gritty and kinetic as you'd expect from David. You can almost feel the wind and splash of the sea at times! The world itself becomes much broader and deeper. New locations are introduced, they begin mysterious but as more is revelaed become more intriguing. I'm hoping to read more about all of them. Familiar locations reveal new layers to themselves, the world just like the characters has hidden depths that we're finally beginning to see.

There's so much to love here. It's a book that is often dark but the moments of hope shine through. The characters love despite the darkness and their own flaws The biggest compliment I can pay this book is that reading it felt as quick as the first book despite it being roughly 3 times the length. The writing draws you in so well that time just slips by without you noticing. Maybe set an alarm so unlike me you don't accidentally read until 1 in the morning!

Book 4 promises to be a must read.

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Rass's balls, David Green, has gone and done it again and left me in a droken blubbering mess. He continues to mesmerise with this fantastic world he has created for us to get lost in, even if it's very dark at the moment. With loss, death, and destruction, there is no place I'd rather be with these wonderful characters, sharing their trials, pain, suffering, friendships, love, and humanity as they face the evil and darkness that has descended on Haltveldt. Beyond Sundered Seas is the third book in the Empire of Ruin series, and it's a masterpiece, David Green continues to weave his magic with his brilliant prose and amazing storytelling, worldbuilding, plots and twists that leave you gobsmacked. The growth of his characters over the last three books is excellent, Calene, Brina, Kade, and Nexes would you believe, especially with what the author has put them through hell and back. In the words Janna Alpenwood, there's always another way. In the Beyond Sundered Seas, Calene and Brina find themselves on different paths to bring help to Haltveldt to fight two enemies. An Emperor who has destroyed and brought nothing but misery and death across the country and the Returned in the North, who brings a darkness that will devour everything in its path. Along the way, they'll fight battles, make new friendships, and alliances that will bring all races together to fight as one. If you love amazing fantasy, with great characterisation, an epic magic system that creates life and takes with devastatingly effect, then check out this beauty of a series, Empire of Ruin, you will not regret it. Now, the anticipation begins for book four At Eternity's Gates, I very highly recommend...😁💙💥⚡️

[Denise Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Empire of Ruin series which continues to get better with each book!

I recommend reading the first two books, In Solitude's Shadow and Path of War in order before this one. Beyond Sundered Seas picks up where Path of War left off and we are artfully reintroduced to familiar characters and the troubles they faced in the previous books.

This is a world where elves are treated as slaves and an enemy people and magic gets out of hand to the destruction of everything in its path. Humans who have magic are called Sparkers, but some have been twisted into Shadow Sparkers and to make it worse, the gods have abandoned the Sparkers, or were they ever gods at all?

Yet there are those who would bring the peoples together and places where they can live in harmony, if only the corruption that puts elf slaves in cages can be conquered. I found this story breathtaking in places, especially Brina's chase across the rooftops. I'm always amazed at the methods Fantasy writers find to get the upper hand in fights and wonder how many of them learned from other novels and how many have actually learned from experience, even from re-enactments.

Emotions run high in this one and many story strands come together into an exciting conclusion, yet some are left unresolved because there is going to be one more book in this series.

What really stands out for me in this apart from the great characters is the variety of magic systems used by different peoples. This is the book that ties them together and explains much about the origins and attributes of the various magics.

I've enjoyed this series very much and will certainly be reading the final book when it comes out.

[Nikki DeKeuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book ten stars I would. With each new tale Green weaves, his prose and worlds grow richer, deeper, and more illustrious, and this 3rd book in his Empire of Ruin series carries wave upon wave of poetic, horrific, hilarious, and heart-warming words to our souls.

Fans of the first two books will find this to be the best in the series. Burning questions are answered but never without an unexpected twist that invests us further into the stakes and drama of Haltveldt and beyond.

It's the beyond that I enjoyed most, a look behind the curtain at how magic is made and the uncomfortable truths Calene discovers woven into its essential fabric.

New readers considering picking up the series should rest assured they're in magnificent storyteller hands with Green. You're about to embark on an epic adventure that will take you places you didn't see coming with characters who will soon be as close, dear friends or embittered nemesi. It's worth every drokin' moment of your time and I envy those who are just now in the shadow of Solitude.

Flip those pages and when you're done return to this place and tell others of your experience in the world of Haltveldt.

Let's all do our part to make “drok” a new swear word in the wider lexicon. Shall we?

(Thank you, David Green, for crafting such a beautiful, terrible world with prose which both pays homage to and surpasses, “The Wheel of Time.” Merci for making me laugh, cry, and shudder all in one breath.)

Yours in mischief,

Nikki

[Liz Delton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another EPIC installment in the Empire of Ruin series! I simultaneously never want it to end yet want to know what happens immediately.
One mark of a great author is when the "villain" characters have such a complex POV, and that's how I feel about Master of War, Nexes Almor, quite possibly my favorite character in this series. (Not sure what that says about me, but he is a complicated guy, okay?!) Honestly, his arc from the beginning of this series is jaw-dropping, and even the scenes where we weren't in his POV yet he was 'on screen' were tense and fascinating.
Another favorite character was Greton, who is (I believe) mentioned in previous books but I don't think we met him until now. He is a great addition to the cast, and a really well-rounded character.
The fantastic magical world building is also epic, the gods and magical powers-that-be all wrapped up in this war-torn world is a puzzle that is unraveling fast (ish--we learned a lot in this book, but there are still secrets left for book 4 it seems!)
And the TWIST! No spoilers, but let's just say there is a fantastic twist that was both shocking and fitting at the same time, and Greton totally called it.
Highly recommend this series!

[Anya Josephs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third epic volume of Empire of Ruin takes readers beyond the borders of Haltveldt. Characters journey to new lands and into the darkest part of their own souls. Have y'all ever noticed it's hard to summarize a sequel without spoiling earlier books?

What I Loved: David Green has an unparalleled ability to make some of the most unsympathetic and unpleasant characters interesting, complex, and dynamic over time. I felt little sympathy for Kade in the first book, but by the second my hear tis breaking for him. Green repeats this feat with Nexes in the third book. Introduced as a violent bigot (a type of person I rarely have any sympathy for at all!), Nexes eventually becomes a complex and sympathetic character, without making excuses for his prior terrible acts. There's a lot to love about this series, but I think these complex characters--and the questions they ask readers about where their sympathies lie--is the most standout quality of this book.

What I Didn't: The final book doesn't come out until September, and that's objectively speaking just too far away!

[Charlotte Langtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been so excited to read this (after loving the other books in the series) and it was so worth the wait! I love diving into the world of Calene, Zanna, Greton, Brina, and all the other richly diverse characters throughout. And, oh, boy, do those characters go through the wringer! This book gripped me from start to finish - I constantly wished I had more time to read as I hated putting the book down at any point. Every time I thought I had an idea of where everything was going, I was surprised once again - in the best way. And the end!!! How on earth am I going to wait for the next book? I refuse to write any spoilers because everyone needs to experience this for themselves, but I will say that the writing is thrilling, the worldbuilding is among the best in the business, and the characters keep me coming back for more. If you haven't started this series yet, what are you waiting for???

[Doreen Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valor and Victory

The evil emperor is on a rampage and his kingdom is in chaos because of his  Shadow Sparkers who practice dark magic.  The Sparkers have lost their spark and Calene has to do all in her power to prevent becoming a Shadow Sparker. Will she finally succumb to the alluring evil? Meanwhile, Brina is separated from Calene as Jana, the Elf Goddess, has sent her on a quest to unite humans and elves against a looming evil. Kade is inconsolable. His son Arlo is dead and Tilo has changed. The Banished are divided by Tilo. Will evil triumph or is there hope? An epic fantasy full of action and adventure. Good world building. Well defined characters and a well crafted story, had me craving for more. David Green is one of the best fantasy writers.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Sundered(Empire of Ruin #3) By David Green is a great book and I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND it and the rest of the series thus far. In this book Calene resolves to finish her task and bring an end to the bloodshed in Haltveldt. Brina, an elf, is tasked with reuniting warring factions and must navigate a hostile world ruled by humans. Kade faces a reality born from his nightmares, alone with the Banished and discovers plots millennia in the making. With Haltveldt closer to the brink of ruin Calene, Brina and Kade find unlikely allies, fight new enemies as they fight for a future they may never see. Odds are stacked against them but faint embers of hope still remain as an ancient threat shows its hand at last.

[Trisha Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another epic installment in this fantastic series. If you like epic fantasy, this is a MUST read!
A world ending, heart stopping story of darkness and light, corruption and chaos and those willing to stand up and fight.
There's a special kind of closure with Zanna and Celene that really pulled at the heartstrings. For me that was such a massive part of this story.
The villain in this tale has such a gripping point of view that I don't think exists enough in other books.
Green is a master and this book is masterfully written, delving deep into characters driving force and making you want to stay in the worlds he has built for all your days.

[Lisa Papi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens, and what an intricate plot it is!! Magic, creation, life, death, darkness, light, and corruption....my head is reeling from this story, it is so superb!!

The story of Calene, Brina, Kade, Arlo, Raas, and Janna continues and wow, is it a page turner!! The battles, the magic, the depth of the plot, the characters....it's absolutely amazing!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this series, and can't wait for the next book, At Eternity's Gate, to be released!! A MUST READ for anyone who loves epic fantasy!!

[K.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does Green do it? This third instalment in the series is just as epic, mind-blowing, deep, and wonderous as its predecessors, with the magic, religion, and politics of the world as truly complex as any I've ever come across.

I feared that with such a broad range of characters, it would be easy to lose track of who is who, but that's not the case: the author masterfully introduces and subtly reminds the reader of each character's place without any clunky exposition dumps.

And as always, the writing is beautiful, free of errors and easy to follow.

A masterpiece, for sure.

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! The previous book in this series was a bit dark for me, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because this book brought a lot more happiness (though definitely still a dark fantasy). It's hard to express without spoilers, but I'm soooooo glad that certain things turned out the way they did! I'm already anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

[Neen Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this behemoth of awesomeness I feel like I should catch my breath. But I really don’t want to. Epic is a good way to describe this adventure … or at least a good start.

The writing is phenomenal and the tension of threat comes in and out like the tide; Crashing against the sand and then lulling back into a false calm as it builds back up again. The entire journey is beautifully balanced with action, description, and dynamic character developments.

Dark epic fantasy at its best with twists and turns and questions that make you keep turning the pages.

I cannot wait until the fourth and last instalment of Empire of Ruin.

[Wayne Turmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of magic, battles, and complicated characters, you will enjoy Beyond Sundered Seas. More importantly, it's a big, sprawling series that will satisfy those who crave epic fantasy in the truest sense of the word. It's the third book of the Empire of Ruin Series, and the hook is set for more.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it, I cried multiple times

David Green really knows how to make you love characters and hate characters. Raas and Janna have real Feanor and Galadriel vibes. I can't wait to see what happens in the last book.

[Brian O'Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

just utterly top class story and writing. cant wait for the last book.

[Rachelle Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

best one of the series yet cnat wait for the next book