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The Collected Histories of Neoevolution Earth #4
Mirror's Brink
Toil. Transform. Triumph. In the wake of destiny, fate begins to shatter.
Aliana, Aurelia, and the Lord of Limbs must contend with the god-like powers lurking in Downver. With her newfound abilities, Aliana wants to protect her sister, who appears to have totally changed after the events of the third book. However, the Lord of Limbs seems to have their own agenda, which may or may not include the safety of the girls.
Samuel races against time alongside Leif Mainstone, tunneling through the very bowels of the Earth to reach Downver. As Samuel grapples with the potential power of his mirror-body and the weight of Fana Tsehay's prophecies, he must decide whether to use the twins for his own ends or to genuinely aid them in their monumental task.
Thompson, haunted by visions of Andre Madeira's life and torn between his love for Anna and the looming shadow of Mendel's plan, faces a heart-wrenching decision. With MaxxEl by his side, he approaches Downver and wrestles with his own purpose in to either aid the twins in their quest or to end their lives and thwart Mendel's grand design.
Lain, driven by vengeance, continues her relentless hunt for Nichole Adamich, guided by the enigmatic King BigBilly, whose own ambitions and plans for the Rovers begin to unfurl.
Amidst this intricate dance of fate, the orbiting city of Astrea faces its own dire challenges as otherworldly monsters released by the Queen threaten the lives of Astrea's inhabitants.
Mirror's Brink is a mix of grimdark fantasy and gritty scifi, blending heart-stopping action, intricate world-building, and deep character exploration. As paths converge and destinies intertwine, each character must confront their deepest fears and make unthinkable sacrifices. Prepare for a whirlwind journey through a dystopian future Earth, where every choice echoes in the corridors of time, and evolution remains the foremost tool of survival
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Inspired by such works as Dune, Berserk, Hyperion, Warhammer 40k, Attack on Titan, and other epic, action-packed adventures teeming with unforgettable characters, epic world building, and complex lore.
Samuel races against time alongside Leif Mainstone, tunneling through the very bowels of the Earth to reach Downver. As Samuel grapples with the potential power of his mirror-body and the weight of Fana Tsehay's prophecies, he must decide whether to use the twins for his own ends or to genuinely aid them in their monumental task.
Thompson, haunted by visions of Andre Madeira's life and torn between his love for Anna and the looming shadow of Mendel's plan, faces a heart-wrenching decision. With MaxxEl by his side, he approaches Downver and wrestles with his own purpose in to either aid the twins in their quest or to end their lives and thwart Mendel's grand design.
Lain, driven by vengeance, continues her relentless hunt for Nichole Adamich, guided by the enigmatic King BigBilly, whose own ambitions and plans for the Rovers begin to unfurl.
Amidst this intricate dance of fate, the orbiting city of Astrea faces its own dire challenges as otherworldly monsters released by the Queen threaten the lives of Astrea's inhabitants.
Mirror's Brink is a mix of grimdark fantasy and gritty scifi, blending heart-stopping action, intricate world-building, and deep character exploration. As paths converge and destinies intertwine, each character must confront their deepest fears and make unthinkable sacrifices. Prepare for a whirlwind journey through a dystopian future Earth, where every choice echoes in the corridors of time, and evolution remains the foremost tool of survival
---------
Inspired by such works as Dune, Berserk, Hyperion, Warhammer 40k, Attack on Titan, and other epic, action-packed adventures teeming with unforgettable characters, epic world building, and complex lore.
- GenresFantasy
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2025
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
E.S. Fein
11 books48 followersE. S. Fein is the author of the Neoevolution Earth Series, two standalone novels (A Dream of Waking Life and Points of Origin), and two short story collections (Ascendescenscion and The Process is Love). More than anything, he enjoys writing strange stories about strange characters in strange situations. Some people refer to him as a lucid dreaming expert. Others know him as a rapper. But E. S. Fein just thinks of himself as a dude who likes to think about what it means to be a dude thinking about being a dude. When he isn't hanging out with his partner and son, you can usually find him reading, playing DnD and video games with his friends, going for walks while writing stories in his head before putting them on paper, or practicing yoga. Check out some free short stories on his site, Officialesfein.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 21, 2025
**First: The author asked me to make a note that he provided me an early release copy of the story, and I am so grateful! Thank you Fein! And please don't stop writing this masterpiece of a series!**
I’m still reeling. Every time I think E. S. Fein can’t possibly raise the stakes any higher, he proves me wrong, and Mirror’s Brink is the wildest, most awe inspiring installment yet. Everything he’s been teasing since Mendel’s Ladder (and continued expanding on in Winter's Remains and Hunter's Dirge) finally explodes into view, revealing layers of his mythos I never thought possible. The scale, the intensity, the sheer audacity of the narrative...let’s just say it left my jaw on the floor.
With each successive book, Fein peels back another layer of his universe, and so much that was hinted at in the early installments finds beautiful, sometimes brutal...fruition here. Mirror’s Brink is literally off the rails, as Fein's narrative takes fate itself and hurls it into chaos with new players who have been lurking in the background, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I’m honestly amazed at how he keeps everything so cohesive. There are more characters, more agendas, and bigger consequences than ever, yet not a single thread feels overlooked.
We once again get to return to some of my favorite characters, including Aliana, the 13-year-old savage warrior who can speed up her mind so much that everything around her slows to a crawl. Watching her navigate the madness of this installment was spine tingling, and you sense that her abilities are evolving in tandem with the vastness of the universe expanding around her. Then there’s Aurelia, who undergoes a transformation so mind bending, Fein litreally catapults us beyond Earth, beyond the solar system, beyond the galaxy, beyond the entire local cluster. We’re grappling with an all-new cosmic perspective that redefines the Fermi Paradox and frames Mendel’s Ladder not just as an evolutionary blueprint but as a full-blown cosmological theory for universal life itself. Thompson has all new power-ups and some serious "mental weight," and Samuel, oh my boy Samuel. Oh my! That's all I can say. We get the best view yet into Andre's life, and we get the perspective of all new characters too, and also the return of characters we've been just waiting to see again! There is just so much!!!
Fein’s signature blend of sci-fi and fantasy has never felt more seamless, or more epic. We’ve got futuristic technology colliding with metaphysical realms, philosophical musings intersecting with raw, survivalist brutality, and it’s all dialed up to eleven. This installment also leans harder into the grimdark elements: some of the twists are genuinely horrific, reminding you just how savage this universe can be. And it’s not shock value for the sake of shock value, either. Every dark turn shows how the stakes and forces these characters to confront impossible choices.
The tension is relentless, whether in breakneck action sequences or quieter (but equally charged) moments of introspection, you’re constantly bracing for the next seismic shift. Fein’s dialogue feels more refined than ever, balancing emotional resonance with cosmic-level intrigue. And that ending? Holy. Freaking. Hell. My heart is still racing. It’s the kind of cliffhanger that makes you want to shake the author and beg for the next book right this second. Seriously, Fein, if you’re reading this, I need Book 5 immediately.
Fein, I don't know how you keep a sprawling, multi-genre saga fresh, surprising, and profoundly moving all at once. If you’ve already read book 3, get ready, because the train is about to derail in the most spectacular way possible. And if you haven’t started yet, trust me: now is the time to catch up, because this is one universe you’ll want to experience at full throttle. Just be prepared to have your mind and your expectations blown to bits.
I’m still reeling. Every time I think E. S. Fein can’t possibly raise the stakes any higher, he proves me wrong, and Mirror’s Brink is the wildest, most awe inspiring installment yet. Everything he’s been teasing since Mendel’s Ladder (and continued expanding on in Winter's Remains and Hunter's Dirge) finally explodes into view, revealing layers of his mythos I never thought possible. The scale, the intensity, the sheer audacity of the narrative...let’s just say it left my jaw on the floor.
With each successive book, Fein peels back another layer of his universe, and so much that was hinted at in the early installments finds beautiful, sometimes brutal...fruition here. Mirror’s Brink is literally off the rails, as Fein's narrative takes fate itself and hurls it into chaos with new players who have been lurking in the background, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I’m honestly amazed at how he keeps everything so cohesive. There are more characters, more agendas, and bigger consequences than ever, yet not a single thread feels overlooked.
We once again get to return to some of my favorite characters, including Aliana, the 13-year-old savage warrior who can speed up her mind so much that everything around her slows to a crawl. Watching her navigate the madness of this installment was spine tingling, and you sense that her abilities are evolving in tandem with the vastness of the universe expanding around her. Then there’s Aurelia, who undergoes a transformation so mind bending, Fein litreally catapults us beyond Earth, beyond the solar system, beyond the galaxy, beyond the entire local cluster. We’re grappling with an all-new cosmic perspective that redefines the Fermi Paradox and frames Mendel’s Ladder not just as an evolutionary blueprint but as a full-blown cosmological theory for universal life itself. Thompson has all new power-ups and some serious "mental weight," and Samuel, oh my boy Samuel. Oh my! That's all I can say. We get the best view yet into Andre's life, and we get the perspective of all new characters too, and also the return of characters we've been just waiting to see again! There is just so much!!!
Fein’s signature blend of sci-fi and fantasy has never felt more seamless, or more epic. We’ve got futuristic technology colliding with metaphysical realms, philosophical musings intersecting with raw, survivalist brutality, and it’s all dialed up to eleven. This installment also leans harder into the grimdark elements: some of the twists are genuinely horrific, reminding you just how savage this universe can be. And it’s not shock value for the sake of shock value, either. Every dark turn shows how the stakes and forces these characters to confront impossible choices.
The tension is relentless, whether in breakneck action sequences or quieter (but equally charged) moments of introspection, you’re constantly bracing for the next seismic shift. Fein’s dialogue feels more refined than ever, balancing emotional resonance with cosmic-level intrigue. And that ending? Holy. Freaking. Hell. My heart is still racing. It’s the kind of cliffhanger that makes you want to shake the author and beg for the next book right this second. Seriously, Fein, if you’re reading this, I need Book 5 immediately.
Fein, I don't know how you keep a sprawling, multi-genre saga fresh, surprising, and profoundly moving all at once. If you’ve already read book 3, get ready, because the train is about to derail in the most spectacular way possible. And if you haven’t started yet, trust me: now is the time to catch up, because this is one universe you’ll want to experience at full throttle. Just be prepared to have your mind and your expectations blown to bits.
July 17, 2025
This book was a ride—equal parts cerebral, disorienting, and oddly beautiful. Mirror’s Brink doesn't care about hand-holding; it throws you straight into the fragmented corridors of Neoevolution Earth, where every page feels like a glimpse through shattered glass. The world-building is dense and layered—at times borderline cryptic—but that's part of its allure. You're not just reading history; you're deciphering myth, memory, data, and metaphysics all at once.
That said, this volume feels less cohesive than the earlier entries. There's a deliberate brokenness to it, a sense that the narrative is intentionally frayed. Depending on your mood, that can either feel immersive or frustrating. I found myself flipping back to previous volumes more than once to ground myself. Characters drift in and out like ghosts—some familiar, some possibly imagined. And while some arcs hit hard emotionally, others left me more puzzled than moved.
The prose is as sharp and challenging as ever. Philosophical, poetic, and sometimes maddeningly obscure—but if you’ve come this far in the series, you know that’s part of the Neoevolution Earth DNA. Mirror’s Brink is less about resolution and more about reflection—both in the metaphorical and literal sense. It stares back at you and dares you to understand yourself through its madness.
Not my favorite in the series, but definitely the most experimental. If you're into nonlinear storytelling, multiversal weirdness, and speculative history layered with existential dread—this one will sit with you long after the last page.
That said, this volume feels less cohesive than the earlier entries. There's a deliberate brokenness to it, a sense that the narrative is intentionally frayed. Depending on your mood, that can either feel immersive or frustrating. I found myself flipping back to previous volumes more than once to ground myself. Characters drift in and out like ghosts—some familiar, some possibly imagined. And while some arcs hit hard emotionally, others left me more puzzled than moved.
The prose is as sharp and challenging as ever. Philosophical, poetic, and sometimes maddeningly obscure—but if you’ve come this far in the series, you know that’s part of the Neoevolution Earth DNA. Mirror’s Brink is less about resolution and more about reflection—both in the metaphorical and literal sense. It stares back at you and dares you to understand yourself through its madness.
Not my favorite in the series, but definitely the most experimental. If you're into nonlinear storytelling, multiversal weirdness, and speculative history layered with existential dread—this one will sit with you long after the last page.
July 11, 2025
E.S Fein has done it once again. There’s no other words for it. This series had me gripped from book one and now four books in we’re still going strong. This is undoubtedly a banger sci-fi series, one that I think is criminally underrated. E.S Fein has created this universe and it is still as enthralling as it was in book one. There have only been improvements since the start of the series and it continues to move through the narrative at a breakneck speed.
Mirror’s Brink puts the pedal to the floor this time around with plenty more concepts and plenty more new and exciting drama to keep readers of the series enticed.
If you’re already reading this review, I don’t need to convince you to buy the book. You’re either loving the series like me or are a chronic hater that has nothing better to do with your time lol.
Mirror’s Brink puts the pedal to the floor this time around with plenty more concepts and plenty more new and exciting drama to keep readers of the series enticed.
If you’re already reading this review, I don’t need to convince you to buy the book. You’re either loving the series like me or are a chronic hater that has nothing better to do with your time lol.
June 11, 2025
Overall Analysis:
Mirror’s Brink, the fourth volume of E. S. Fein’s The Collected Histories of Neoevolution Earth series, is a continuation of the sci-fi epic that induces crippling dread. In this installment, Fein ups the ante as he explores the implications of one’s choices—literally—on a universal scale (when you read the chapter, you’ll know what I mean). New godlike and fearsome players are introduced, the concept of fate and free will is brought into question, and the unraveling of reality is understood as the consequence of selfish ambition or ascension.
This series thrives off its multiple viewpoint characters, giving fresh perspectives on the chaotic events unfolding in this rich and complicated setting. For example, it’s amusing to see Samuel—The Mirror Man—floundering about in an attempt to save his family while characters like the naive Thompson view him as a confident master strategist. Also, it’s interesting to see that despite the cataclysmic power and strength of the characters, it always seems they’re slaves to something greater.
One of the more interesting aspects of this series, and something I hadn’t really thought about until mentioned in this book, is that the books released so far all take place within the course of 24 hours or so. Despite the passing of such a short time, the evolution and psychological development of the characters are brilliantly executed by Fein, especially when it comes to Aurelia and Aliana.
A warning to those who cannot stomach gore but have somehow made it this far into the series: The gruesomeness does not let up. The ending of Mirror’s Brink hits you like a bullet train, vaporizing your psyche, the remnants of which are carried off by the tailwinds of despair. However, I surprisingly found catharsis in the brutality of this story. We face horrors each day as current events unfold. In a way, The Collected Histories of Neoevolution Earth serves as a reminder that no matter how bad it gets, it can always get worse.
Final Thoughts:
I’ve said it before, E. S. Fein is a tragically unsung author. I have yet to read anything quite like this series, so it is difficult to compare him to other authors, but if I had a gun to my head, I would put him in league with Philip K. Dick. His writing is rich with philosophical musings while not deviating from the setting. It’s a grisly parable about greed and misguided altruism. The subtext of Fein’s writings should be a college course all on its own. Also, the book is recommended for anyone who likes cybernetic arachnid-women, mom-buildings, and wired zombie-marionettes. I’m hoping one day E. S. Fein donates his brain to science.
Mirror’s Brink, the fourth volume of E. S. Fein’s The Collected Histories of Neoevolution Earth series, is a continuation of the sci-fi epic that induces crippling dread. In this installment, Fein ups the ante as he explores the implications of one’s choices—literally—on a universal scale (when you read the chapter, you’ll know what I mean). New godlike and fearsome players are introduced, the concept of fate and free will is brought into question, and the unraveling of reality is understood as the consequence of selfish ambition or ascension.
This series thrives off its multiple viewpoint characters, giving fresh perspectives on the chaotic events unfolding in this rich and complicated setting. For example, it’s amusing to see Samuel—The Mirror Man—floundering about in an attempt to save his family while characters like the naive Thompson view him as a confident master strategist. Also, it’s interesting to see that despite the cataclysmic power and strength of the characters, it always seems they’re slaves to something greater.
One of the more interesting aspects of this series, and something I hadn’t really thought about until mentioned in this book, is that the books released so far all take place within the course of 24 hours or so. Despite the passing of such a short time, the evolution and psychological development of the characters are brilliantly executed by Fein, especially when it comes to Aurelia and Aliana.
A warning to those who cannot stomach gore but have somehow made it this far into the series: The gruesomeness does not let up. The ending of Mirror’s Brink hits you like a bullet train, vaporizing your psyche, the remnants of which are carried off by the tailwinds of despair. However, I surprisingly found catharsis in the brutality of this story. We face horrors each day as current events unfold. In a way, The Collected Histories of Neoevolution Earth serves as a reminder that no matter how bad it gets, it can always get worse.
Final Thoughts:
I’ve said it before, E. S. Fein is a tragically unsung author. I have yet to read anything quite like this series, so it is difficult to compare him to other authors, but if I had a gun to my head, I would put him in league with Philip K. Dick. His writing is rich with philosophical musings while not deviating from the setting. It’s a grisly parable about greed and misguided altruism. The subtext of Fein’s writings should be a college course all on its own. Also, the book is recommended for anyone who likes cybernetic arachnid-women, mom-buildings, and wired zombie-marionettes. I’m hoping one day E. S. Fein donates his brain to science.
June 2, 2025
I just finished the book called ‘Mirror’s Brink’ written by ES Fein. It is a wild and emotional ride that had me crying, gasping and cheering. Samuel is still trying to get back to his family, but it’s not easy, he has to fight enemies, face betrayal and make hard choices. Thompson is brave and strong, but still young and the danger around him is growing. Volya returns and stronger than ever, ready to fight back. The twin sisters, Aliana and Aurelia, are separated, each facing scary and powerful enemies. There are monsters, mystery and big surprises. The story moves fast and is full of action, but still gives you time to care about the characters. I liked getting to see more of Samuel’s family and the new twists made my heart race. This book is dark, exciting and full of feeling and I think readers are going to enjoy it.
May 6, 2025
Book 4 continues the wild ride!
What a fantastic story, I can't recommend it enough! I sincerely think this story is shaping up to be a sci-fi masterwork of our time. We finally get to meet some characters that were hinted on in the previous books and man their reveals were worth the wait. I won't spoil anything but this book adds way more mystery, resolves some major parts from the previous books, and adds so so much to the overarching story. Oh Mirror Man. Oh Astrea. Oh Siblings. Oh Thompson and Volya. Where will this story take you???? Very excited for the next entry!!!
What a fantastic story, I can't recommend it enough! I sincerely think this story is shaping up to be a sci-fi masterwork of our time. We finally get to meet some characters that were hinted on in the previous books and man their reveals were worth the wait. I won't spoil anything but this book adds way more mystery, resolves some major parts from the previous books, and adds so so much to the overarching story. Oh Mirror Man. Oh Astrea. Oh Siblings. Oh Thompson and Volya. Where will this story take you???? Very excited for the next entry!!!
May 9, 2025
I just finished Mirror’s Brink and I’m full-blown crying. How does E.S. Fein keep doing this? How does he create such an intricate universe, weave a complex and suspenseful plot, and bring to life these characters who make me laugh and scream and sob?
We finally meet Samuel’s family, and they are everything I hoped for, but my heart is breaking for them as they battle the vultures and the sinister forces pulling the strings. (No spoilers here, but I highly recommend having a box of tissues ready for chapter 15, and I really hope Fein is writing a violent, horrifying end for the individual responsible.)
Samuel continues to fight to return to his family, and we definitely want him to get there after reading what’s going on in Astrea. However, he is forced to make impossible choices along the way. Not only has he physically changed, but he is also understandably more distrustful of everyone as they try to deceive him and drag him further away from his family.
Thompson’s body is stronger and his commitment to Anna is unwavering, but his childish innocence puts him at a disadvantage. I worry how he’ll get out of the situation he’s now in, especially since Julian, the Third Prodigal Son, is proving to be a major adversary.
Surprisingly, Volya may be the unexpected help Thompson needs. I was thrilled to see her return, especially now that she realizes the truth and she is fighting back against the forces trying to control her. While she’s evolved, I love that her fiery personality hasn’t disappeared. She’s just redirected it, and I love it.
Unlike the previous books, various forces keep the twins apart in Mirror’s Brink. Both are caught in a web of shifting loyalties and hidden agendas, trying to figure out who’s truly on their side. Aliana is forging her own path, while Aurelia must remain strong against all the competing forces trying to manipulate her. The weight on Aurelia’s shoulders is enormous, and I’m hoping she is strong enough to hold her own against all the major players in this game.
Mirror’s Brink is everything I wanted and more. I am so emotionally invested in these characters, and the stakes have never been higher. The board is set and every piece seems to be in play now, but then again, E.S. Fein amazes and surprises me in the best way with his plot, so who knows? All paths are converging in Lord’s Lament, and I need Book 5 right now!
We finally meet Samuel’s family, and they are everything I hoped for, but my heart is breaking for them as they battle the vultures and the sinister forces pulling the strings. (No spoilers here, but I highly recommend having a box of tissues ready for chapter 15, and I really hope Fein is writing a violent, horrifying end for the individual responsible.)
Samuel continues to fight to return to his family, and we definitely want him to get there after reading what’s going on in Astrea. However, he is forced to make impossible choices along the way. Not only has he physically changed, but he is also understandably more distrustful of everyone as they try to deceive him and drag him further away from his family.
Thompson’s body is stronger and his commitment to Anna is unwavering, but his childish innocence puts him at a disadvantage. I worry how he’ll get out of the situation he’s now in, especially since Julian, the Third Prodigal Son, is proving to be a major adversary.
Surprisingly, Volya may be the unexpected help Thompson needs. I was thrilled to see her return, especially now that she realizes the truth and she is fighting back against the forces trying to control her. While she’s evolved, I love that her fiery personality hasn’t disappeared. She’s just redirected it, and I love it.
Unlike the previous books, various forces keep the twins apart in Mirror’s Brink. Both are caught in a web of shifting loyalties and hidden agendas, trying to figure out who’s truly on their side. Aliana is forging her own path, while Aurelia must remain strong against all the competing forces trying to manipulate her. The weight on Aurelia’s shoulders is enormous, and I’m hoping she is strong enough to hold her own against all the major players in this game.
Mirror’s Brink is everything I wanted and more. I am so emotionally invested in these characters, and the stakes have never been higher. The board is set and every piece seems to be in play now, but then again, E.S. Fein amazes and surprises me in the best way with his plot, so who knows? All paths are converging in Lord’s Lament, and I need Book 5 right now!
May 24, 2025
E.S. Fein has done it again with the next installment, Mirror’s Brink. One subtle thing I noticed, before I get into the meat of it, is how the ending mirrored the beginning in many ways. I don’t know if this was intended or coincidental (though the author’s skill leads me to believe it was intentional), but it was a nice sendoff for the reader, especially given the events of the story.
The fourth installment of this series continues the stories of the usual protagonists, but the stakes continue to get larger, the struggle is harder, and the sacrifices are greater. There is everything a reader thirsty for a grimdark story could want: a post-apocalyptic world, scheming characters who sabotage others for their own gain, betrayal, hardship, and bleakness. Just thinking about what happened at the halfway point in the story still gives me goosebumps.
Speaking of goosebumps, let’s talk about the ending…I wouldn’t have predicted it, and it leaves readers on the edge of their seats with a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next installment to find out what happens.
If you love sci-fi and grimdark stories with a unique twist on worldbuilding, you’ve got to check out this series. Book four continues to pay off all its promises from previous books, raises the stakes, peels back more of the onion, and is a fantastic addition to the storyline.
The fourth installment of this series continues the stories of the usual protagonists, but the stakes continue to get larger, the struggle is harder, and the sacrifices are greater. There is everything a reader thirsty for a grimdark story could want: a post-apocalyptic world, scheming characters who sabotage others for their own gain, betrayal, hardship, and bleakness. Just thinking about what happened at the halfway point in the story still gives me goosebumps.
Speaking of goosebumps, let’s talk about the ending…I wouldn’t have predicted it, and it leaves readers on the edge of their seats with a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next installment to find out what happens.
If you love sci-fi and grimdark stories with a unique twist on worldbuilding, you’ve got to check out this series. Book four continues to pay off all its promises from previous books, raises the stakes, peels back more of the onion, and is a fantastic addition to the storyline.
November 30, 2025
Mirror's Brink is in someways a culmination of the last two books, with much of the set up in those two books finally exploding. And for the most part is it really cool with great visuals and epic/powerful characters engaging in landscape reshaping battles. That feeling of power is something the author succeeds in conveying, from the Prodigal Sons and Daughters, to the Mirror-Man, to the comic entities now entering the plot; these characters are described as being immensely powerful and feel as if they deserve it in a very tangible way. It just reads and feels nice.
Another plot point I found immensely satisfying is that we're finally given a grasp of Mendel's Ladder, what it's building toward, why it's needed, the stakes, and just the sheer scale of it all. A significant point of this book's plot is that the story is preparing to fracture, where the predetermination that guided many of the actions in the preceding book's is collapsing. The book succeeds in this, crafting a sense of building pressure and potential centered around a single moment only to cut it off midway. I spent the entire book waiting for the moment Samuel and Aurelia meet, for fate to break, only for them to occupy the same space for little more than a page before the before the book ends. It's a mark of quality, but also frustrating because I was engaged in that moment, I wanted to see it.
Another plot point I found immensely satisfying is that we're finally given a grasp of Mendel's Ladder, what it's building toward, why it's needed, the stakes, and just the sheer scale of it all. A significant point of this book's plot is that the story is preparing to fracture, where the predetermination that guided many of the actions in the preceding book's is collapsing. The book succeeds in this, crafting a sense of building pressure and potential centered around a single moment only to cut it off midway. I spent the entire book waiting for the moment Samuel and Aurelia meet, for fate to break, only for them to occupy the same space for little more than a page before the before the book ends. It's a mark of quality, but also frustrating because I was engaged in that moment, I wanted to see it.
September 1, 2025
The Pros:
+The pacing seems way better in this installment than previous ones. It says its 351 pages, which does not seem right at all. Time just flew by. At the very least, I don't recall having to stop and reread any passages. Or feeling the story dragged. If anything, there were a few points I would have liked the novel to slow down just a tad. Dive deeper into the characters and setting of certain scenes.
+The characters, minus Volya (the Huntress), were all equally intriguing this time around. In previous entries, I mostly got through thanks to Samuel's chapters. This time I actually cared for most everyone.
+Revisiting past events: Not going into detail here (spoilers) but I liked how certain past events were covered.
Cons:
- Having to endure every other chapter being journal entries concerning Mendel and his bro. I understand wanting to let the reader know why the world is the way it is, but personally feel fewer chapters would have worked. After a while, as a reader I just got sick of hearing their justifications. Mendel being a more mysterious figure that Samuel or other characters learn about over time in their chapters might have been a better storytelling stance.
+The pacing seems way better in this installment than previous ones. It says its 351 pages, which does not seem right at all. Time just flew by. At the very least, I don't recall having to stop and reread any passages. Or feeling the story dragged. If anything, there were a few points I would have liked the novel to slow down just a tad. Dive deeper into the characters and setting of certain scenes.
+The characters, minus Volya (the Huntress), were all equally intriguing this time around. In previous entries, I mostly got through thanks to Samuel's chapters. This time I actually cared for most everyone.
+Revisiting past events: Not going into detail here (spoilers) but I liked how certain past events were covered.
Cons:
- Having to endure every other chapter being journal entries concerning Mendel and his bro. I understand wanting to let the reader know why the world is the way it is, but personally feel fewer chapters would have worked. After a while, as a reader I just got sick of hearing their justifications. Mendel being a more mysterious figure that Samuel or other characters learn about over time in their chapters might have been a better storytelling stance.
August 25, 2025
Excitedly, I started with Mendel’s Ladder, anticipating some grand science fiction tale, and I wasn’t disappointed. The worldbuilding has been fantastic. Not just some amazing tech, which there is plenty of, but the biotech has been incredible. The nomads and flesh trees are an amazing concept.
Mirror’s Brink took a turn from some of the worldbuilding as we get further up Mendel’s Ladder into some concepts that were more cerebral. Discussions about what is beyond the ladder, playing out all the possible outcomes in their head to an almost infinite degree. That got too deep for me, or rather, too abstract.
The action and adventure still continue at a relentless pace. Downver becomes another source of wonder and amazement as the various areas of Downver are explored. New characters and a different society are introduced.
Besides the cast of characters who have been introduced, more powerful players step forward and begin to take control of the board. By the end, I wasn’t sure which side I should take. They all had their own agenda.
If you’ve been a fan of the other books, you won’t want to miss this.
Mirror’s Brink took a turn from some of the worldbuilding as we get further up Mendel’s Ladder into some concepts that were more cerebral. Discussions about what is beyond the ladder, playing out all the possible outcomes in their head to an almost infinite degree. That got too deep for me, or rather, too abstract.
The action and adventure still continue at a relentless pace. Downver becomes another source of wonder and amazement as the various areas of Downver are explored. New characters and a different society are introduced.
Besides the cast of characters who have been introduced, more powerful players step forward and begin to take control of the board. By the end, I wasn’t sure which side I should take. They all had their own agenda.
If you’ve been a fan of the other books, you won’t want to miss this.
September 11, 2025
Mirror’s Brink is the kind of story that doesn’t just entertain—it consumes you. From the first page, E. S. Fein plunges you into a world where the line between survival and surrender is razor-thin, and every choice carries a weight that could crush even the strongest.
This is not a gentle read. It’s grim, raw, and often unsettling, yet that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. You feel the desperation in Aliana’s fight to protect her sister, the disorientation of Aurelia as she stares down eldritch horrors, and the torment of Samuel as his own body and sanity betray him. Each character is flawed, fragile, and achingly human, even while facing cosmic, god-like forces that feel utterly unstoppable.
What stayed with me most wasn’t just the monsters or the battles, but the quieter moments—the sacrifices made in silence, the loyalty that endures in ruin, the fragile threads of love holding people together in the dark.
This finale doesn’t just close a series—it carves itself into you. Fans of Dune, Berserk, or Hyperion will feel right at home in this brutal, magnificent chaos.
This is not a gentle read. It’s grim, raw, and often unsettling, yet that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. You feel the desperation in Aliana’s fight to protect her sister, the disorientation of Aurelia as she stares down eldritch horrors, and the torment of Samuel as his own body and sanity betray him. Each character is flawed, fragile, and achingly human, even while facing cosmic, god-like forces that feel utterly unstoppable.
What stayed with me most wasn’t just the monsters or the battles, but the quieter moments—the sacrifices made in silence, the loyalty that endures in ruin, the fragile threads of love holding people together in the dark.
This finale doesn’t just close a series—it carves itself into you. Fans of Dune, Berserk, or Hyperion will feel right at home in this brutal, magnificent chaos.
Read
January 3, 2026i’ve read every book in this series and wow, Mirror’s Brink definitely kicks things up. There are monsters from voids, mirror bodies, fungal gods, and eldritch madness all over the place :-) But tbh, it almost felt like too many things crammed together. Sometimes less is more as they say... I mean, maybe it's me becoming 'tired' of the series, but tbh Thompson’s arc didn’t hit me like before.
Don’t get me wrong: the author's world-building is top-tier, no question. Everything feels massive and dangerous and alive. I had no trouble with the writing style, it’s smooth, really nice. What could be better? Maybe just give more time for some moments to breathe. The new characters, like the Titans and Julian, show up fast and kinda overwhelm things. I still admire the ambition, though, the scale keeps growing, and the stakes are undeniably intense. You can feel the pressure in every scene.
Don’t get me wrong: the author's world-building is top-tier, no question. Everything feels massive and dangerous and alive. I had no trouble with the writing style, it’s smooth, really nice. What could be better? Maybe just give more time for some moments to breathe. The new characters, like the Titans and Julian, show up fast and kinda overwhelm things. I still admire the ambition, though, the scale keeps growing, and the stakes are undeniably intense. You can feel the pressure in every scene.
September 25, 2025
I thought this was the last book in the series but it's clearly not, this was the best book by far and that is saying a lot because i really loved the first 3 books in the series, hoping the next book will come out soon, cant think of another series like the neoevolution earth series!
December 31, 2025
I got to the end of Mirror’s Brink and uttered the words “You can’t end it there!”
I’ve been eagerly devouring ES Fein’s Mendel’s Ladder series, but now I’ve caught him up and I’ll have to join his other readers, waiting to find out what happens next. This series is one of those where the reader doesn’t know if the character will survive or not. At every turn, any of them could exit stage left, chased by a nomad. This lack of plot armour adds a danger to an extraordinary plot.
Without giving anything away, because this is book four, all I’ll say about the plot is it builds on the previous three, it dives deeper into the world and its origins, it explorers the fantastic location of Downver, which is at once Blade Runner in its breadth and at the same time totally Fein. The imagination to create this world is astonishing. On the one hand there is the Salvador Dali-esque surrealism of Nomads, flesh trees and genetic engineering, and in the other, the Mondrian of cyborg enhancements for those humans who remain. And I’m here for it. This book introduces a few new characters who slide into the story line as though greased, the Titans, the Prodigal Children, they’re all vital and executed with precision.
And we still don’t know if humanity will ascend along Mendel’s path or not. More HAS to come, and when it does. I’m queuing up in a tent if necessary, to get a copy.
I’ve been eagerly devouring ES Fein’s Mendel’s Ladder series, but now I’ve caught him up and I’ll have to join his other readers, waiting to find out what happens next. This series is one of those where the reader doesn’t know if the character will survive or not. At every turn, any of them could exit stage left, chased by a nomad. This lack of plot armour adds a danger to an extraordinary plot.
Without giving anything away, because this is book four, all I’ll say about the plot is it builds on the previous three, it dives deeper into the world and its origins, it explorers the fantastic location of Downver, which is at once Blade Runner in its breadth and at the same time totally Fein. The imagination to create this world is astonishing. On the one hand there is the Salvador Dali-esque surrealism of Nomads, flesh trees and genetic engineering, and in the other, the Mondrian of cyborg enhancements for those humans who remain. And I’m here for it. This book introduces a few new characters who slide into the story line as though greased, the Titans, the Prodigal Children, they’re all vital and executed with precision.
And we still don’t know if humanity will ascend along Mendel’s path or not. More HAS to come, and when it does. I’m queuing up in a tent if necessary, to get a copy.
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