The Sealord has brought the world to its knees. His empire stretches across continents, his might unmatched. Yet all is not lost for those who yearn for freedom.
After stealing the wealth of an empire, Kettle seeks the edge of the map to start a new life. But what she finds there will thrust her from the shadows into blinding light…
Driven from his home, Jace heads east into untamed forest with only a cryptic refrain to guide him. His hope lies in a hidden rebellion led by the legendary Vengeance himself…
Broken, bereft, Iliana sits an unsteady throne over the Khalintari. Plagued by headaches and fragmented memories, she searches for answers in riddles, rogues, and her own mind…
Bastian leads a desperate rebellion against the encroaching Empire of the Sea. When his brother disappears, he must race to rescue Lav from the grasp of a madman…
From the depths of ruin, the world must rise, or fall forever.
oh. oh this book. this is genuinely one of the most beautifully and heart wrenchingly written books i’ve read in a while. from the very first chapter all the way through the epilogue, i found myself watching the events of the book unfolding like a movie on a screen. these characters, both main and supporting, are so so easy to fall in love with and will tear your heart out at their every downfall (which good GOD did this installment have plenty of). this book sparked just about every emotion in me, and left me with my jaw dropped at the end. this was a fantastic next part of the eternal dream, and i truly cant wait for the fourth to come out. the wait will be agonizing, but will surely leave plenty of time for a reread or two (which this series is highly deserving of, something i don’t claim often).
Seriously, these books need more attention. The connection I feel to both the main and supporting characters proves the dedication and skill of the author. (And the tabbed copies I have on my desk prove the ability of rereading to find hidden lore and witty banter!) I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in magic, family, friends, love, sorrow, action, humor, and generally anyone who likes handcrafted stories. It’s worth a read, and know I’ll be reading this series again too!
It continues to amaze me how involved this tale is. I get so drawn in that I become physically distressed when the characters are in trouble. Anxious about how they are going to pull through - thinking I know how it will end and then getting surprised when the story takes a twist. The characters’ story lines start to join back together in this third book, but not always how you expect. This series grabs your attention and emotions. The storytelling paints a vivid scene that makes you invested in every character. It feels as though you are experiencing the drama yourself with a depth that I don’t find is evoked in other novels I read. I would liken these books to Wheel of Time or Lord of the Rings - a serious fantasy series with a strong storyline, an ability to set the scene to a degree you are living it and characters that have their flaws and are relatable despite their powers.
Oh, man. I waited so dutifully for this book, and boy was it worth it. I had my doubts about it living up to the second installment of the series, simply because Empire of the Sea seemed so hard to top at the time. The Depths of Ruin took things so far beyond my expectations that I don’t think I could’ve been capable of expecting any of what I just read. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it yet, only that I feel very positive about its merit and very strongly about the emotions it has elicited—which, in my opinion, is what marks an exceptional narrative. I cried, I laughed, I felt very strong warm fuzzy feelings, and I cried some more. I cried a lot, actually. It’s an intense, mind-blowing addition to the series and one of the best third acts I’ve read in a long time. I’m not sure what’s going to ruin me more: the eventual fourth installment, or the wait leading up to it.
So, so, so good. So many questions I had about the world, its history, and its magic were answered in satisfying ways. Excellent ending. Can’t wait for the next one.
ANY FANTASY READER SHOULD READ, the magic system is so unique and interesting that it stands out. The way the four characters’ stories are laid out and intertwine create a unique setting that will make you want to continue reading a character’s story after finishing their chapter. love love love