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The Worlds Behind #5
No Man Left Behind
Revenge. Restoration. Romance. A few deadly wishes.
The Glass Elder wants wishes. Three, to be exact. Athelas wants a way in, and those wishes may well be that way—but giving the Elder what he wants means putting Camellia in harm’s way. It also means that YeoWoo will have to choose between trusting Athelas one last time, and taking a bite at suddenly hot revenge that could swiftly go cold if she misses her chance.
Now that revenge is within reach of her teeth, will YeoWoo manage to tear out one last, bloody heart? Can Athelas put aside his own ends for long enough to protect all those dearest to him from threats outside—and from himself?
Can a family that began in blood survive one too many wishes and a far-too-wily Elder, or will the world as they know it fall apart into the chaos of wishes-gone-wrong?
The Glass Elder wants wishes. Three, to be exact. Athelas wants a way in, and those wishes may well be that way—but giving the Elder what he wants means putting Camellia in harm’s way. It also means that YeoWoo will have to choose between trusting Athelas one last time, and taking a bite at suddenly hot revenge that could swiftly go cold if she misses her chance.
Now that revenge is within reach of her teeth, will YeoWoo manage to tear out one last, bloody heart? Can Athelas put aside his own ends for long enough to protect all those dearest to him from threats outside—and from himself?
Can a family that began in blood survive one too many wishes and a far-too-wily Elder, or will the world as they know it fall apart into the chaos of wishes-gone-wrong?
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2024
30 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
46 books1,080 followersW.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
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March 9, 2024athelas and yeowoo are back for one final book, and they're dealing with wishes, revenge, and inconvenient suitors
you blokes, i romanced REALLY HARD for this one and there are MANY KISSES (at least, like, THREE) so i HOPE YOU'RE ALL HAPPY
you blokes, i romanced REALLY HARD for this one and there are MANY KISSES (at least, like, THREE) so i HOPE YOU'RE ALL HAPPY
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March 24, 2024There were SO many things I loved about this book — the twists and turns, the soft found family moments, the gentleness of Camellia and Athelas’ interactions, THE WEDDING!!!! ZERO AND ATHELAS!!!! YeoWoo’s Moment with the Glass Elder! Ruth and Athelas’ reunion!!!! Five stars for those aspects, 100%.
The following is very much a personal, “me” thing. I personally can appreciate YeoWoo’s resolve, but I do feel frustrated by the anti-love-triangle and felt as though some of the characters seemed left in a worse light than before—characters I’d been hoping would find their own repentance and restoration in this series. The ending is rather open in regards to that, so maybe they will pop up in a future series and there will be resolution there? Maybe? Crossing my fingers.
The following is very much a personal, “me” thing. I personally can appreciate YeoWoo’s resolve, but I do feel frustrated by the anti-love-triangle and felt as though some of the characters seemed left in a worse light than before—characters I’d been hoping would find their own repentance and restoration in this series. The ending is rather open in regards to that, so maybe they will pop up in a future series and there will be resolution there? Maybe? Crossing my fingers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
My heart 💜🥹 I will miss these characters so much
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March 23, 2024Happy release day to NO MAN LEFT BEHIND, the final book in the Worlds Behind series!!!
I just finished reading my ARC of this book, and I can't tell you what a thoroughly satisfying ending this was to a character arc fifteen books in the making. It's not just that Athelas winds up precisely where I could wish to see him - it's also that he winds up even better off than I hoped. When was the last time I read a series closer this happy and this comforting? The whole of the WORLDS BEHIND series has been about taking broken pieces of the past and mending them again - and I'm so happy with how it ended for our favourite twisty-enough-to-hide-at-will-behind-a-spiral-staircase fae assassin.
I'm also totally happy with how ended. Yah boo to him. I fully support YeoWoo's life choices and I only think she should probably have got to bite a few more people at the end of this book than she did.
I'm going to need to go back and reread the whole series sometime now that it's done, and when I do that I'm sure I'll have deeper thoughts and an actual star rating. Until then, however, this book is the healing capstone to a series that's all about healing and repentance, and the ideal chaser to the magnificent CITY BETWEEN saga.
I just finished reading my ARC of this book, and I can't tell you what a thoroughly satisfying ending this was to a character arc fifteen books in the making. It's not just that Athelas winds up precisely where I could wish to see him - it's also that he winds up even better off than I hoped. When was the last time I read a series closer this happy and this comforting? The whole of the WORLDS BEHIND series has been about taking broken pieces of the past and mending them again - and I'm so happy with how it ended for our favourite twisty-enough-to-hide-at-will-behind-a-spiral-staircase fae assassin.
I'm also totally happy with how ended. Yah boo to him. I fully support YeoWoo's life choices and I only think she should probably have got to bite a few more people at the end of this book than she did.
I'm going to need to go back and reread the whole series sometime now that it's done, and when I do that I'm sure I'll have deeper thoughts and an actual star rating. Until then, however, this book is the healing capstone to a series that's all about healing and repentance, and the ideal chaser to the magnificent CITY BETWEEN saga.
January 8, 2025
guys 😭 I'm not ready to say goodbye 😭
March 24, 2024
COMFY COZY COMFY COZY and yes I did tear up
May 3, 2024
I can't quite put this book and how amazing it is into words. As the finale of this series (and the culmination of two-series-worth of character growth for Athelas), this book had a lot riding on its shoulders! And it did NOT disappoint! We have redemption! We have romance! We have a touching reconciliation scene that was not what I was expecting and yet so perfect! It is all so good!
May 17, 2024
lovely resolution
A gentle resolution for a bunch of fabulous characters. Gingell has done so many cool things with this series. The resolution feels SO different to the one in the City Between series, and I liked that about it.
A gentle resolution for a bunch of fabulous characters. Gingell has done so many cool things with this series. The resolution feels SO different to the one in the City Between series, and I liked that about it.
December 15, 2025
I knew I'd cry by the end. Some things that I desperately wanted to happen, happened and now the series is over and I'm sad and happy and greatful.
These books are very weird in the best ways and full of adventure and fun and imagination. They are also deeply full of heart and good themes. My heart feels warm.
These books are very weird in the best ways and full of adventure and fun and imagination. They are also deeply full of heart and good themes. My heart feels warm.
March 23, 2024
RESTORATION YEAH BABY
i so appreciate that the last 15% or so of this book was calm and filled to the brim with reconciliation and forgiveness.
also, I suspect that there were many slight hints as to the next spin off, which I am positively THRILLED about.
thus i am filled with delight and anticipation 👀
i so appreciate that the last 15% or so of this book was calm and filled to the brim with reconciliation and forgiveness.
also, I suspect that there were many slight hints as to the next spin off, which I am positively THRILLED about.
thus i am filled with delight and anticipation 👀
July 28, 2025
It didn't break my heart, so...that's good. Needed closure and all that.
(Am I...am I supposed to like Athelas this much? Like presumably yes because there was a whole sequel series written about him that I was going to Actually Perish of a Broken Heart without ((or without the hope of)), but like........idk. It's strange how much I cared about a character that is the type of character I usually want to pitch off a cliff.)
(Am I...am I supposed to like Athelas this much? Like presumably yes because there was a whole sequel series written about him that I was going to Actually Perish of a Broken Heart without ((or without the hope of)), but like........idk. It's strange how much I cared about a character that is the type of character I usually want to pitch off a cliff.)
April 1, 2024
This was a full fabulous five stars. The whole series is a redemption arc, picking up from the end of The City Between series' ending. You see it coming and anticipate it. But getting to see it all finally coming together with everyone who needs closure, revenge, forgiveness, or acceptance receiving it is wonderful. The character growth! The found family! The banter! All of it, *Chef's Kiss* I will legitimately miss these characters now that the series is over. Gingell has quickly become a favorite auto-buy author. I cannot wait to see what she does next.
April 4, 2024
Well, I finally stopped crying long enough to write this review. No Man Left Behind was the perfect ending to The Worlds Behind! I absolutely loved the theme of repentance and redemption in this entire series, but it came to a beautiful climax in this final book. I can not express how much I loved this series and the characters that will forever be engraved on my heart!
If anyone needs me, I’ll just be rereading The City Between and The Worlds Behind and crying. I'll probably be crying! 😭🥹❤️
Clean fantasy (with a lot of violence)!
If anyone needs me, I’ll just be rereading The City Between and The Worlds Behind and crying. I'll probably be crying! 😭🥹❤️
Clean fantasy (with a lot of violence)!
November 2, 2025
“I didn’t know that things need to get untidy before they can be fixed. I want things to be tidy and easy to understand and in their correct places."
My heart.
With sharp-edged grace, satisfying poetic justice, and plentiful evidence of gradual repentance, No Man Left Behind is a worthy conclusion to this series.
And that ending?
Beautiful.
🪔 heads-up for violence, gore, allusions to abuse and intense trauma, and a few nondescriptive kisses 🪔
April 6, 2024
Satisfyingly clever end to a very good series. Had to use Google to look up locations having never been to Seoul. I'm still not sure I understand how the villain's plan worked, exactly, but it became clear enough to get by. I'm not much of a Manga reader but this series is very visual and could work very well as a series of graphic novels.
March 24, 2024
An ACTUAL REDEMPTION ARC SEEN TO COMPLETION AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Not a “oh he’s misunderstood” cop out. Actual bad man with bad choices has to claw his way into goodness. I’m gonna have to take some time to recover. 😭❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2024
This is a review for the entire series.
When I first started this series I doubted it would be as good as Ruth’s.
It is definitely very different from Ruth’s series. Where hers was filled with laughter and new discovery, Atheless’s was far more somber. There is of course funny bits, but Atheless is a broken man in this series. He at first struggles to figure out right and wrong. He wants forgiveness but at his methods. Athelas grows by inches not leaps.
I am a huge fan of slow burn romance because the completion of the romance is so much sweeter when faught for. So to is this series. Atheless’s change and care is beautiful.
I love this series. Madam Author, you are a gem.
When I first started this series I doubted it would be as good as Ruth’s.
It is definitely very different from Ruth’s series. Where hers was filled with laughter and new discovery, Atheless’s was far more somber. There is of course funny bits, but Atheless is a broken man in this series. He at first struggles to figure out right and wrong. He wants forgiveness but at his methods. Athelas grows by inches not leaps.
I am a huge fan of slow burn romance because the completion of the romance is so much sweeter when faught for. So to is this series. Atheless’s change and care is beautiful.
I love this series. Madam Author, you are a gem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
A very stratifying end of a series... though I still hope there might be more books of this found family solving fantastical mysteries and crime.
Want to read
March 4, 2024Coming out March 23, 2024.
November 3, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up for craft, for quotes, for character growth, for redemption, for family, for futures, for sneakiness
April 14, 2024
It was good to see how the series ended, especially with the character growth for a few important characters along the way. As with some of the other books in this series, there was FAR too much talk/introspection and not nearly enough action to keep my attention for much of the story. That was frustrating, since the story itself is a really good one. The book could have been tightened down to half the length and would've been much stronger for it. Still, I enjoyed it, especially with a couple of unexpected twists. The resolution of events left me satisfied.
April 1, 2024
I had to hold myself back and savor this final installment a bit at a time, but I stayed up late and read the final third without stopping. I laughed; I cried (thrice!); this was everything I wanted it to be.
As an overarching comment/ review of both this series and the City Between series, this is exactly the kind of fantasy writing that I am constantly searching out for my family. I don't think of this as YA--maybe the City Between series could be thought of that way because Pet was a teenager--but here Athelas and YeoWoo are both well over a century old and act like adults, not angsty adolescents. But because there is nothing raunchy or any foul language, I could happily hand these books off to my teens. My 7th grader and her two besties have apparently been seriously debating during lunch whether a child of a gumiho would have to devour all the requisite livers to be a gumiho herself or if she would be born magical. It is surely only a matter of time before someone asks what bloodthirsty literature am I passing around our little classical Christian school, especially since the 7th grader is getting all the physical books for her birthday in a couple weeks, in order to more easily pass them around to friends! My answer to concerned fellow parents will be that though the urban fantasy setting, with fae, a vampire, a zombie, merman, lycanthropes, and now, in this series, these delightful (new-to-me) Korean mythical creatures, sounds fantastically gruesome, it's not actually more so than the big name fantasy worlds like Harry Potter, and what it's actually saying about human nature, love, forgiveness, redemption, and grace is all very much Truth with a capital T. I've now read 17 or 18 books by this author, and not once have I worried that reading them would corrupt my children's souls.
Beyond pushing against the negative, these books are objectively well-written. I have never been to Tasmania or South Korea, but Gingell makes Hobart and Seoul come alive, along with the magical settings of Between and Behind. The magical world feels so new, rich, and coherent . Her characters sing in their originality. Pet was the most delightfully insouciant, relatable heroine--my daughter's best friend, a quirky, autistic, brilliant, loud, nerdy, loveable 13 year old, shouts when we talk books, "I love Pet! I love her SO much!" But Athelas in his twisty, manipulative brilliance and YeoWoo in her impatient quest to avenge her murdered family are so different from Pet and from each other that it's a pleasure to be in their heads for this series. When Athelas realizes--finally--in this last book that he doesn't deserve to even ask Pet for forgiveness for murdering her parents, that his greatest gift of love on her wedding day is to walk away so that she doesn't have to see him, I wept both at his heartbreak and at the total redemption of his shriveled soul. Experiencing the grace he receives after that had me crying again, because the littlest details of the scene are exquisite. YeoWoo is so delightfully flawed and fierce, and I'm not ready to be done with her. The host of supporting characters are unique and well-developed. The dialogue often has my daughter and me cracking up. Throughout this series, the light imagery, particularly in Camellia's sunroom, is just lovely. And while I have praised the themes, there's no ham-handed hitting you over the head with a message. I can't wait to read what else the author has in store for us in this world!
As an overarching comment/ review of both this series and the City Between series, this is exactly the kind of fantasy writing that I am constantly searching out for my family. I don't think of this as YA--maybe the City Between series could be thought of that way because Pet was a teenager--but here Athelas and YeoWoo are both well over a century old and act like adults, not angsty adolescents. But because there is nothing raunchy or any foul language, I could happily hand these books off to my teens. My 7th grader and her two besties have apparently been seriously debating during lunch whether a child of a gumiho would have to devour all the requisite livers to be a gumiho herself or if she would be born magical. It is surely only a matter of time before someone asks what bloodthirsty literature am I passing around our little classical Christian school, especially since the 7th grader is getting all the physical books for her birthday in a couple weeks, in order to more easily pass them around to friends! My answer to concerned fellow parents will be that though the urban fantasy setting, with fae, a vampire, a zombie, merman, lycanthropes, and now, in this series, these delightful (new-to-me) Korean mythical creatures, sounds fantastically gruesome, it's not actually more so than the big name fantasy worlds like Harry Potter, and what it's actually saying about human nature, love, forgiveness, redemption, and grace is all very much Truth with a capital T. I've now read 17 or 18 books by this author, and not once have I worried that reading them would corrupt my children's souls.
Beyond pushing against the negative, these books are objectively well-written. I have never been to Tasmania or South Korea, but Gingell makes Hobart and Seoul come alive, along with the magical settings of Between and Behind. The magical world feels so new, rich, and coherent . Her characters sing in their originality. Pet was the most delightfully insouciant, relatable heroine--my daughter's best friend, a quirky, autistic, brilliant, loud, nerdy, loveable 13 year old, shouts when we talk books, "I love Pet! I love her SO much!" But Athelas in his twisty, manipulative brilliance and YeoWoo in her impatient quest to avenge her murdered family are so different from Pet and from each other that it's a pleasure to be in their heads for this series. When Athelas realizes--finally--in this last book that he doesn't deserve to even ask Pet for forgiveness for murdering her parents, that his greatest gift of love on her wedding day is to walk away so that she doesn't have to see him, I wept both at his heartbreak and at the total redemption of his shriveled soul. Experiencing the grace he receives after that had me crying again, because the littlest details of the scene are exquisite. YeoWoo is so delightfully flawed and fierce, and I'm not ready to be done with her. The host of supporting characters are unique and well-developed. The dialogue often has my daughter and me cracking up. Throughout this series, the light imagery, particularly in Camellia's sunroom, is just lovely. And while I have praised the themes, there's no ham-handed hitting you over the head with a message. I can't wait to read what else the author has in store for us in this world!
March 30, 2024
Now this was SUCH a good wrap up to YeoWoo and Athelas' story.
To me, this has been one of the best written works about redemption, forgiveness, repentance and the difference yet connections between them all. You actually believe in the realness of the characters according to what's been set up, not to mention that all the arcs that have cropped up in this book have neatly been closed....at least for now. ;) Also, really loved the wordlbuilding on the setting of Korea....the author did such a great job in giving it the same Between/Behind vibe but a different flavor and culture. Just...thematically and story-wise, and the way she balances the relationships (my favorite one was YeoWoo and Athelas' friendship; so petty and yet so stubborn in keeping the other alive, most of the time XD) - was amazing.
Opinion wise, I love how she balanced the romances here and am rather...surprised how she managed to form deep bonds of all kinds without negating/undermining the importance of another. I honestly also love how this story bleeds with biblical ethics despite the Bible not being mentioned at any point. So that's always a plus for me. (Also, my heart....)
Overall, this was a story that knew itself, and I think that's the best thing that could happen to a series and world like this.
Content warnings: blood and murder and general gore, no swearing or language, some romantic things but nothing beyond kissing
To me, this has been one of the best written works about redemption, forgiveness, repentance and the difference yet connections between them all. You actually believe in the realness of the characters according to what's been set up, not to mention that all the arcs that have cropped up in this book have neatly been closed....at least for now. ;) Also, really loved the wordlbuilding on the setting of Korea....the author did such a great job in giving it the same Between/Behind vibe but a different flavor and culture. Just...thematically and story-wise, and the way she balances the relationships (my favorite one was YeoWoo and Athelas' friendship; so petty and yet so stubborn in keeping the other alive, most of the time XD) - was amazing.
Opinion wise, I love how she balanced the romances here and am rather...surprised how she managed to form deep bonds of all kinds without negating/undermining the importance of another. I honestly also love how this story bleeds with biblical ethics despite the Bible not being mentioned at any point. So that's always a plus for me. (Also, my heart....)
Overall, this was a story that knew itself, and I think that's the best thing that could happen to a series and world like this.
Content warnings: blood and murder and general gore, no swearing or language, some romantic things but nothing beyond kissing
April 9, 2024
All the stars and hearts!
This was such a lovely and satisfying conclusion to the Worlds Behind series. Such beautiful, healing closure for both Athelas and YeoWoo. The last quarter of the book just made my heart so happy. There's just so much I loved! I loved seeing the progression/healing of various relationships: Athelas and YeoWoo, Athelas and Camellia, Athelas and Zero, YeoWoo and her hopeful suitors, and of course, Athelas and Pet. So lovely and beautiful. I love how the regret and pain of past wrongdoing aren't just swept under the rug, but Athelas is still able to truly repent and receive pure forgiveness. Gah, I absolutely adore the characters and the themes and the plot. I love how Athelas and YeoWoo's strengths are both highlighted and play off each other so brilliantly. As someone who tends to think more like YeoWoo than Athelas--i.e. straightforward--I love how her blunt nature was able to shine and be just what the situation needed (trying not to give too many spoilers). Such a great moment!
Definitely recommend this book/series if you enjoy twisty fae, redemption stories, bloodthirsty gumihos, revenge stories, strong found family themes (I seriously loved this), and tricky jinn.
This was such a lovely and satisfying conclusion to the Worlds Behind series. Such beautiful, healing closure for both Athelas and YeoWoo. The last quarter of the book just made my heart so happy. There's just so much I loved! I loved seeing the progression/healing of various relationships: Athelas and YeoWoo, Athelas and Camellia, Athelas and Zero, YeoWoo and her hopeful suitors, and of course, Athelas and Pet. So lovely and beautiful. I love how the regret and pain of past wrongdoing aren't just swept under the rug, but Athelas is still able to truly repent and receive pure forgiveness. Gah, I absolutely adore the characters and the themes and the plot. I love how Athelas and YeoWoo's strengths are both highlighted and play off each other so brilliantly. As someone who tends to think more like YeoWoo than Athelas--i.e. straightforward--I love how her blunt nature was able to shine and be just what the situation needed (trying not to give too many spoilers). Such a great moment!
Definitely recommend this book/series if you enjoy twisty fae, redemption stories, bloodthirsty gumihos, revenge stories, strong found family themes (I seriously loved this), and tricky jinn.
March 24, 2024
Managed to bring my "currently reading" (actively reading, I mean, because occasionally something sits on this shelf even though I'm not actively reading it) list down to one audiobook in anticipation of this book releasing and then savored it over two dates, three "days" since I did sleep twice in between sections of this book and the rest of my life.
Absolutely lived up to my expectations. I think a good redemption story can be difficult to do, but based on her plot and mostly character and relationship arcs in other books and series, I had real faith that Gingell would be able to do it. And there's probably never been another character I wanted redeemed so badly.
Pet's amazing and clever and a survivor and deeply kind. But in the end, it's actually Athelas who rips the reader's heart out in the City Between series. Pet shines a light down a dark cave showing that we possibly don't have to consign Athelas to the darkest realms of literary villains. And in this series, she brings him through his darkness into a new light. She also creates a new family. This was lovely. And I'm happy to know how it all turned out and I'm sorry the journey is over.
Absolutely lived up to my expectations. I think a good redemption story can be difficult to do, but based on her plot and mostly character and relationship arcs in other books and series, I had real faith that Gingell would be able to do it. And there's probably never been another character I wanted redeemed so badly.
Pet's amazing and clever and a survivor and deeply kind. But in the end, it's actually Athelas who rips the reader's heart out in the City Between series. Pet shines a light down a dark cave showing that we possibly don't have to consign Athelas to the darkest realms of literary villains. And in this series, she brings him through his darkness into a new light. She also creates a new family. This was lovely. And I'm happy to know how it all turned out and I'm sorry the journey is over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
Fun and cathartic, a perfect ending to the series
Such a perfect way to draw this series to a close! I loved seeing Athelas finally reaching the painful internal conclusions his road to forgiveness was leading him to, and the way those around him responded to the person he’s slowly become. It was especially sweet seeing his relationship with Camellia gain more trust when in the past she’s had her trust so terribly abused and he’s been so terribly untrustworthy. To see them come to an understanding, as quiet and subtle as they both are, was honestly heart warming.
While I would have loved to see more of YeoWoo being courted (future short stories, maybe?), it felt perhaps more meaningful to see the friendship and trust that developed between her and Athelas, two people who historically—infamously—only ever work alone.
I’m very sad to leave this bunch behind, but I know there are other spinoff works in progress and I suppose I’ll have to content myself with that knowledge for now.
Five of five stars.
Would 100% recommend both this book and this series, especially to anyone who loved the City Behind series that precedes it.
Such a perfect way to draw this series to a close! I loved seeing Athelas finally reaching the painful internal conclusions his road to forgiveness was leading him to, and the way those around him responded to the person he’s slowly become. It was especially sweet seeing his relationship with Camellia gain more trust when in the past she’s had her trust so terribly abused and he’s been so terribly untrustworthy. To see them come to an understanding, as quiet and subtle as they both are, was honestly heart warming.
While I would have loved to see more of YeoWoo being courted (future short stories, maybe?), it felt perhaps more meaningful to see the friendship and trust that developed between her and Athelas, two people who historically—infamously—only ever work alone.
I’m very sad to leave this bunch behind, but I know there are other spinoff works in progress and I suppose I’ll have to content myself with that knowledge for now.
Five of five stars.
Would 100% recommend both this book and this series, especially to anyone who loved the City Behind series that precedes it.
April 7, 2024
No Man Left Behind is the 5th and final book in The Worlds Behind series, which is a sequel to the excellent 10ish book City Behind series. The urban fantasy is set in Seoul and it was fun to learn a little bit about that city.
The sequel series is a redemption arc for one of the main characters in the first series. At first, I wasn’t sure that I’d enjoy it - I had been so invested and heartbroken by the character that I wasn’t sure I would like him as a main character, but I have loved everything Gingell has written so I gave it a try. I ended up really enjoying the series. All of the characters had believable growth. There were plenty of twists and surprises in the story. The romance was understated, but sweet and I very much enjoyed both the new characters and seeing old friends.
I highly recommend anything (everything!l by Gingell, but don’t start reading here. Start with Between Jobs - you’ll thank me later!
The sequel series is a redemption arc for one of the main characters in the first series. At first, I wasn’t sure that I’d enjoy it - I had been so invested and heartbroken by the character that I wasn’t sure I would like him as a main character, but I have loved everything Gingell has written so I gave it a try. I ended up really enjoying the series. All of the characters had believable growth. There were plenty of twists and surprises in the story. The romance was understated, but sweet and I very much enjoyed both the new characters and seeing old friends.
I highly recommend anything (everything!l by Gingell, but don’t start reading here. Start with Between Jobs - you’ll thank me later!
March 22, 2024
No Man Left Behind wraps up a believable and hard earned redemption arc. Athelas has a past of murder, deceit, using others to achieve his means, and more. He's comfortable distrusting everyone and using twisty, convoluted logic to achieve any goal (or even to gain any bit of information). But bit by bit (over the course of 5 books), through painful experience, he grows to trust others, to set aside his plans to help others, and to truly learn what it means to repent. His choices especially in the last four chapters show how much he's changed.
The character arc of YeeWoo is equally satisfying.
If you love a redemption arc and also love a good mystery where there are surprises all the way to the end, then you'll love The Worlds Behind series.
The character arc of YeeWoo is equally satisfying.
If you love a redemption arc and also love a good mystery where there are surprises all the way to the end, then you'll love The Worlds Behind series.
March 23, 2024
The perfect ending to an amazing series!
In No Man Left Behind, our group will have to trust each other as they finally get to go up against the Glass Elder. But can they trust each other when all of them are more accustomed to going it alone than working as a team?
While Athelas and YeoWoo have both experienced character growth over the course of this series, they each grow even more in this book. Also, Harrow becomes more sure of himself and we get to learn more and Camellia and jinn.
No Man Left Behind has romance, wishes, fighting, revenge, friendship, family, and of course tea drinking and twisty thinking.
In No Man Left Behind, our group will have to trust each other as they finally get to go up against the Glass Elder. But can they trust each other when all of them are more accustomed to going it alone than working as a team?
While Athelas and YeoWoo have both experienced character growth over the course of this series, they each grow even more in this book. Also, Harrow becomes more sure of himself and we get to learn more and Camellia and jinn.
No Man Left Behind has romance, wishes, fighting, revenge, friendship, family, and of course tea drinking and twisty thinking.
May 22, 2024
I'm sad to see this series end, but what a perfect conclusion! I’ve loved getting to know Athelas better and seeing different sides to him. And I’ve especially loved seeing the growth he's experienced. His road to redemption has been rocky at times, but what a remarkable journey it’s been!
This is one of the best “endings” I’ve ever read. Goodness, it was so emotional, but absolute perfection. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it again. Needless to say, I loved it!
This is not a standalone. I’d recommend starting with the City Between series since they’re so interconnected. If you’re a fan of twisty urban fantasy, you’ll be hooked!
This is one of the best “endings” I’ve ever read. Goodness, it was so emotional, but absolute perfection. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it again. Needless to say, I loved it!
This is not a standalone. I’d recommend starting with the City Between series since they’re so interconnected. If you’re a fan of twisty urban fantasy, you’ll be hooked!
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