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The Three Worlds Cycle #7
Scrutator
The Node has failed, rendering humanity's battle clankers and the Aachim's constructs useless. Hordes of alien lyrinx are swarming from the tar pits of Snizort. The fate of humanity is dependent on one wily old man, the Scrutator Xervish Flydd. But he has been condemned to die a brutish death.
691 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2003
39 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Ian Irvine
74 books661 followersI'm an Australian author of 34 novels, mainly fantasy. They include the bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy sequence, which has sold over a million print copies. It comprises The View from the Mirror quartet, The Well of Echoes quartet and The Song of the Tears trilogy. I’ve just finished The Gates of Good and Evil quartet, the long-awaited sequel to The View from the Mirror. Book 3, The Perilous Tower, was published recently and the final book, The Sapphire Portal, will be published on November 1, 2020.
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
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LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff. https://www.ian-irvine.com/join-my-ne...
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 24, 2023
8/10
This is one convoluted story, especially considering it’s book 3 in a tetralogy (The Well of Echoes) and is part of an over-arching series of 13 books, the Tale of Three Worlds. I did find it hard at times to keep the tangled plot threads from just forming a knot in my brain. There are a few cardboard characters (the Council of Scrutators, for example) and some stereotypes, but overall the characters from all the races are both flawed and noble, and many of the continuing characters grow and change throughout the book. The author has a lot to wrap up in this 4 book series and only one more book in which to do it. I hope he pulls it off.
This is one convoluted story, especially considering it’s book 3 in a tetralogy (The Well of Echoes) and is part of an over-arching series of 13 books, the Tale of Three Worlds. I did find it hard at times to keep the tangled plot threads from just forming a knot in my brain. There are a few cardboard characters (the Council of Scrutators, for example) and some stereotypes, but overall the characters from all the races are both flawed and noble, and many of the continuing characters grow and change throughout the book. The author has a lot to wrap up in this 4 book series and only one more book in which to do it. I hope he pulls it off.
March 15, 2013
You leave me hanging Ian. Can't wait to get into the last one of this series.
June 23, 2012
The Node has failed, rendering humanity's battle clankers and the Aachim's constructs useless. Hordes of alien Lyrinx are swarming from the tar pits of Snizort. The fate of humanity is dependent on one wily old man, the Scrutator Xervish Flydd. But he has been condemned to die a brutish death.
### Review
Praise for the Well of Echoes series: 'A page-turner of the highest order ... Irvine can now consider himself comfortably ranked next to the works of Robert Jordan and David Eddings. Formidable' SFX on GEOMANCER, 'The complex cultures, detailed geography, and the palpable weight of history provide a solid background to an intense story ... this stands out as a worldbuilding labour of love with some truly original touches' LOCUS on GEOMANCER
### Product Description
The Node has failed, rendering humanity's battle clankers and the Aachim's constructs useless. With the battle lost, hordes of alien Lyrinx are swarming from the tar pits of Snizort, intending to fall upon the survivors and destroy them to the last man. Tiaan, crippled and unable to walk, is held prisoner by the vengeful Vithis, who is determined to extract her geomantic secrets at any cost. For his failings, Nish has been cast out and branded a traitor, while Irisis, accused of high treason, is forced to flee for her life. The fate of humanity is dependent on the survival of one wily old man, the Scrutator Xervish Flydd. But Flydd has been blamed for the defeat at Snizort and is condemned to die a brutish death as a slave - hauling ironclad clankers out of the battlefield mire until his heart bursts under the strain.
January 28, 2010
3rd book of the this amazing trilogy. A world where the war is constant with an alien race that came from the Void has been unbalanced by the arrival of the Aachim after Tiian has opened a dimensial door. More misteries are unfolding in this third part in which more mancers (those capable to manipulate the power of the nodes) are appearing and will play an essential part depending the side they take on. Tiian and her flying construct could be the key to end the war, but is this what all the humans want?
It is amazing the way the author describes the landscapes that while reading it you feel inmerse in this new world. Easy to read and with a lot of twists that make you to continue reading chapter after chapter.
Really recommended for those who like sci fi and also are fans of The wheel of Time books.
It is amazing the way the author describes the landscapes that while reading it you feel inmerse in this new world. Easy to read and with a lot of twists that make you to continue reading chapter after chapter.
Really recommended for those who like sci fi and also are fans of The wheel of Time books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2009
The tale has grown to epic proportions. Each side seems ready to betray the others. Weapons of mass destruction are being developed and the race is on to be the first. Nish is betrayed by his father and finally finds his courage, becoming the hero that everyone needs. He also finds love in an unlikely source, Irisis. A band of renegades form who learn that the source of the war is far different from simply being the lyrinx or the Aacham. Deep in the heart of their own organisation is a sinister hierarchy that controls the fate of mankind. War rages and the world seems set to burn. The ending is spell binding and brutal. This is a fantastic tale and full of inventive ideas. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2008
Great story! Wish I'd read the first three parts first. An intricately woven picture of another world (set of worlds) in which magic abounds, but intelligence is required--otherwise the Scrutators will take over all the worlds, not just this one! Not quite up on the level of the Lord of the Rings in terms of literariness, the plot is certainly as thick, though, and complex. An engaging series. I'm looking for the first two and the last one.
March 3, 2014
I don't think a single cheerful thing happens in this book, it's dark, haunting and suited to its setting in a war-torn world. The ending is particularly harrowing and I am looking forward to the concluding volume. It dropped a star only for the few narrative failings I've mentioned in other reviews in the series but really those are finicky, I enjoyed this book very much.
July 25, 2013
This series is continually surprising me with its ability to keep me interested and on the edge of my seat! Can't wait to read the next one. Glad it's the last, though, since cliffhangers annoy me, and Ian Irvine seems very good at writing them.
July 29, 2011
This is an author who takes no pity on his characters, part of what makes his work so gripping!
March 16, 2014
Loved this installment can't wait for the next
November 21, 2013
cant remember too long ago, but i kept reading the series!
November 24, 2015
Excellent
The characters are portrayed in a way that you could be there with them. Extremely well written with plenty of surprises as well as a cliffhanger ending.
The characters are portrayed in a way that you could be there with them. Extremely well written with plenty of surprises as well as a cliffhanger ending.
May 13, 2018
as per the previous two books, thoroughly enjoyed it and kept me interested throughout
July 7, 2018
thebook is amazing for a starters as i myself am one it is amazing
October 12, 2025
Really wish I had gotten on to this author a long time ago amazing writer and makes you like you are not reading a book like a fantasy but is
February 13, 2017
Such an epic tale! Everyone is after Tiaan since she holds the secret power to make vehicles fly; Nish, Irises, and Ullii cross the globe righting wrongs and trying to evade capture; and the three races continue to battle for control of the crystal-powered world of Santhenar. Lots of battle scenes in this book make it a little harder to love than the previous ones, but they are well-described with pathos and emotion. The main characters are believable and richly described. Very enjoyable!
April 25, 2012
Follows the trials and tribulations of the various characters and gradually draws their paths together. Gilhaelith, Irisis Stirm, Yggur, Cryl Nish, Malien, Tiaan Liise-Mar, Ullii, Xervish Flydd the Scrutator and their opponents, the Chief of which is the evil Ghorr chief Scrutator, come to a climax position at the end of the book making you want to read the next book to see what happens.
A wide range of characters and situations through this book gives you plenty to think about. A solid effort by Ian Irvine this third volume about the well of echoes which touches many situations and gradually build towards a full understanding of the problem throughout the three volumes and must complete in the next volume the Chimaera.
A wide range of characters and situations through this book gives you plenty to think about. A solid effort by Ian Irvine this third volume about the well of echoes which touches many situations and gradually build towards a full understanding of the problem throughout the three volumes and must complete in the next volume the Chimaera.
August 10, 2010
Very lengthy but good read. I like outside-this-world kinda stories and this one sure has a lot of that!
July 31, 2011
This was way more of an exciting read than the previous book. However, I thought plot developments around Ullii happened way too fast in this book, which is a pity.
February 8, 2012
It's not picking up, the characters are just really growing on me.
Familiarity forces me to give it three stars.
Familiarity forces me to give it three stars.
September 10, 2012
Irving lost the plot here. He had too many things going on and not enough story Harding them together. I found this volume boring.
July 8, 2012
Great read
February 19, 2013
ready for the conclusion to the series now
Read
January 6, 2019Read as part of the Geomancer series. An excellent read if you like this genre.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews