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Arcane Ascension #6
A Brief History of Chronomancy
Corin Cadence is on the run.
After meeting with the Emerald Council, Corin has made himself some new enemies — most notably the Dalenos Six, a group of the most powerful representatives of the nation of Dalenos.
He’s also made dangerous deal.
A place of safety, if he can reach it. One where he can finally have one of the resources he needs time.
But while that strange place may hold the key for Corin to make his final preparations for a long-awaited rescue mission, it also holds hidden dangers. And one final secret tied to the Cadence household. One that could shake the very foundations of everything Corin has been raised to believe.
After meeting with the Emerald Council, Corin has made himself some new enemies — most notably the Dalenos Six, a group of the most powerful representatives of the nation of Dalenos.
He’s also made dangerous deal.
A place of safety, if he can reach it. One where he can finally have one of the resources he needs time.
But while that strange place may hold the key for Corin to make his final preparations for a long-awaited rescue mission, it also holds hidden dangers. And one final secret tied to the Cadence household. One that could shake the very foundations of everything Corin has been raised to believe.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2025
911 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 24, 2025
4.0 Stars
This was a solid entry in the Arcane Ascension series. I was a bit let down by the past two books but this one completely pulled me back into the story. I enjoyed spending time with the characters but I particularly loved the use of Chronomancy. I am now looking forward to the next novel.
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves progression fantasy but you do want to start back at the beginning with Sufficiently Advanced Magic.
This was a solid entry in the Arcane Ascension series. I was a bit let down by the past two books but this one completely pulled me back into the story. I enjoyed spending time with the characters but I particularly loved the use of Chronomancy. I am now looking forward to the next novel.
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves progression fantasy but you do want to start back at the beginning with Sufficiently Advanced Magic.
August 10, 2025
The progression and action scenes are solid, as always, but this time, character growth feels abrupt like power-ups were handed out just to speed things along. The clever, strategic problem solving that defined earlier books takes a backseat, making victories feel less earned.
The plot moves efficiently, sure, but at the expense of depth. The witty, methodical pacing that made the series so engaging? Mostly missing here. It’s still a decent read, but compared to the highs of previous installments, this one falls short.
Final verdict? Functional, but forgettable. The series could do way better
The plot moves efficiently, sure, but at the expense of depth. The witty, methodical pacing that made the series so engaging? Mostly missing here. It’s still a decent read, but compared to the highs of previous installments, this one falls short.
Final verdict? Functional, but forgettable. The series could do way better
April 3, 2025
(Review copied from my Amazon review of the book)
As I've come to expect from Andrew Rowe, Arcane Ascension 6 is a solid read. I never know what exactly I am expecting going into an installment, but I've yet to be disappointed. The interludes giving other characters' perspectives were a treat, and the dual-climactic-set-pieces have me excited for the 7th outing. (Shout-out to a character I wasn't expecting to see, but was EXTREMELY pleased to nonetheless!)
I recommend this series to literally everyone I talk to who likes fantasy stories with well thought out and intricate magic systems, sharp-as-the-author's-weapon-of-choice dialogue, and a cast of characters as diverse and widely representative as they come. I'll be coming back for more as long as the books keep coming.
As I've come to expect from Andrew Rowe, Arcane Ascension 6 is a solid read. I never know what exactly I am expecting going into an installment, but I've yet to be disappointed. The interludes giving other characters' perspectives were a treat, and the dual-climactic-set-pieces have me excited for the 7th outing. (Shout-out to a character I wasn't expecting to see, but was EXTREMELY pleased to nonetheless!)
I recommend this series to literally everyone I talk to who likes fantasy stories with well thought out and intricate magic systems, sharp-as-the-author's-weapon-of-choice dialogue, and a cast of characters as diverse and widely representative as they come. I'll be coming back for more as long as the books keep coming.
May 18, 2025
The best entry to the series so far that benefits from wildly creative magic and problem-solving (even for Rowe), tightened pacing, satisfying payoffs (Rowe is exceptional at writing both dramatic wins and humbling losses for our heroes, balancing their power progression with a continued need for wit and improvisation.), and improved character development. I eagerly anticipate the series finale. 8.5/10, rounded up to 5 stars to emphasize that Arcane Ascension is an indie gem well worth the commitment, especially after stumbling in books 3-4.
*more detailed thoughts delve into minor spoilers*
*more detailed thoughts delve into minor spoilers*
January 16, 2026
4.5! Much better than book 5, mostly because of the interludes! I LOVED hearing from Jin’s perspective and I really hope he’s a major part of the next book. He’s by far my favorite character of the series. 🥰
I also really liked the interludes for the other characters. Corin was mostly training at the beginning of this one so the interludes were much needed reprieves from his brain talk 😂
So excited for this series to reach its climax next book (??). It’s been a fun ride!
I also really liked the interludes for the other characters. Corin was mostly training at the beginning of this one so the interludes were much needed reprieves from his brain talk 😂
So excited for this series to reach its climax next book (??). It’s been a fun ride!
August 2, 2025
3.75 stars. I can’t tell you what the overall plot to this series is anymore. So many different plots are set up and I’m not sure what’s important and what’s not. I don’t even know what the point of this book was or why they were doing the things they were doing. I don’t remember an explanation or reasoning. However, the last 5-7 hours of this book were pretty good. Really action heavy and fun. As I mentioned in the last book of this series, Rowe is good at action scenes. All the mechanics and magic system is really cool. I just struggle with where this story is going and these characters don’t grow personality wise except for our lead guy this time around. He actually did grow a bit. Things were just happening in this one and I don’t think they explained some stuff so it got confusing sometimes. I have lots of complaints but I’m 6 books into this series as well as 3 books in a side series in this same world. So I’m invested and for the most part, they’re fun reads.
April 8, 2025
When roughly 40% of the story is interludes and about half of those are about characters I don't like or where I don't see relevance it's hard for me to keep reading.
For me this is telling, because I usually enjoy characters being expanded upon, and reading alternate PoVs.
A lot of the world building and setting feels really odd too and I think the entire effect of Isolation is not properly explored here (probably for good reason in terms of enjoyability for the reader yet it leaves me disappointed).
Spoiler paragraph:
Corins running progression felt really weird and sort of inconsistent in terms of World building and comparison to others. And the powerscaling of people not with Corin in the Labyrinth felt vastly exaggerated and left a bunch of stuff to explain.
Also, Corn's obsession with Jin who betrayed him at least once is kinda really annoying and unhealthy.
There were cool and fun scenes here, don't get me wrong, but I think this might be the weakest entry in the series for me just yet. Especially the last part of the Labyrinth was well executed.
I am however looking forward to the next entry of the series, eagerly anticipating what comes next.
For me this is telling, because I usually enjoy characters being expanded upon, and reading alternate PoVs.
A lot of the world building and setting feels really odd too and I think the entire effect of Isolation is not properly explored here (probably for good reason in terms of enjoyability for the reader yet it leaves me disappointed).
Spoiler paragraph:
Corins running progression felt really weird and sort of inconsistent in terms of World building and comparison to others. And the powerscaling of people not with Corin in the Labyrinth felt vastly exaggerated and left a bunch of stuff to explain.
Also, Corn's obsession with Jin who betrayed him at least once is kinda really annoying and unhealthy.
There were cool and fun scenes here, don't get me wrong, but I think this might be the weakest entry in the series for me just yet. Especially the last part of the Labyrinth was well executed.
I am however looking forward to the next entry of the series, eagerly anticipating what comes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
This book was quite fun, time shenanigans and all. I enjoyed reading it, mostly the end was quite stellar and I am anticipating the end of the series.
But in some sense it just grows more and more complicated. Everybody has a secret plan and agency. There is so many different factions and plot lines and persons. And on top of that there are copies and simulacrums and echos and what not to the point that it starts to be messy.
The series does a good job to make it clear what is important and it is not hard to track main stuff but to make some connections to other work starting to sound a bit tedious.
But in some sense it just grows more and more complicated. Everybody has a secret plan and agency. There is so many different factions and plot lines and persons. And on top of that there are copies and simulacrums and echos and what not to the point that it starts to be messy.
The series does a good job to make it clear what is important and it is not hard to track main stuff but to make some connections to other work starting to sound a bit tedious.
August 20, 2025
Loved the chronomancy aspects! The interludes felt a bit jarring but the story was great. The plot leaves us at the perfect spot for the next book.
November 13, 2025
2 stars for “it was okay”. The interludes tanked what otherwise would’ve been a serviceable book. You can’t just take characters we know and split them off into their own side adventures and rely on name recognition to carry a directionless subplot with no forewarning. The Corin sections were fun enough, and the last 20% was head and shoulders above any other section.
May 4, 2025
Moving Along… Too Fast?
One thing that I have really enjoyed about this series more than any other in the genre is that Rowe maintains amazing patience with pace. Some would argue too much. But I have liked that he has avoided quick unearned power ups for these characters in favor of creative solutions. This book however changes that.
I think given that his aim is to conclude this specific series in the next book, he chose to abandon some of his slow burn progression style in this book. Our characters jump in power level very fast with much of it happening “off screen” so to speak. That took this from a 5 star to a 4 star for me. I am excited to see how this series raps up in book seven though. It is rare that an author seems to ever complete a series. Although with Rowe’d epic world building multi-series style it does make sense that he can afford to.
I hope that Corin receives similar treatment to Keras in some future series. After the investment we have all have made in watching this character grow into a powerhouse, it would be a real shame not to get to see him as a mentor who has fully developed.
One thing that I have really enjoyed about this series more than any other in the genre is that Rowe maintains amazing patience with pace. Some would argue too much. But I have liked that he has avoided quick unearned power ups for these characters in favor of creative solutions. This book however changes that.
I think given that his aim is to conclude this specific series in the next book, he chose to abandon some of his slow burn progression style in this book. Our characters jump in power level very fast with much of it happening “off screen” so to speak. That took this from a 5 star to a 4 star for me. I am excited to see how this series raps up in book seven though. It is rare that an author seems to ever complete a series. Although with Rowe’d epic world building multi-series style it does make sense that he can afford to.
I hope that Corin receives similar treatment to Keras in some future series. After the investment we have all have made in watching this character grow into a powerhouse, it would be a real shame not to get to see him as a mentor who has fully developed.
December 7, 2025
4 stars. A strong, satisfying continuation, despite some struggles with the series’ core challenges
Arcane Ascension Book 6 delivers many of the positives I’ve enjoyed: intricate magic systems, clever problem-solving, and character arcs that continue to mature in rewarding ways. The worldbuilding is as deep and meticulous as ever, and several major reveals finally push the overarching plot in meaningful directions. The stakes feel more tangible this time, and the emotional beats land with more consistency than in some earlier installments.
However, I still struggle with one recurring element of the series: the spires, shrines, and “escape-room-style” challenges. While imaginative, they continue to feel disconnected from the emotional core of the story—more like extended puzzles than plot-driving events. It’s hard to stay invested when these sequences don’t feel consequential, and whilst Book 6 limits them, the entire series is brought down by them unfortunately.
Even so, the character development, the larger mysteries, and the sense of progression ultimately make this a strong entry. When the story steps outside the contrived-feeling challenge rooms, it shines—delivering interesting conflicts, good humor, and moments of real heart. I enjoyed the chronomancy and time based themes.
Arcane Ascension Book 6 delivers many of the positives I’ve enjoyed: intricate magic systems, clever problem-solving, and character arcs that continue to mature in rewarding ways. The worldbuilding is as deep and meticulous as ever, and several major reveals finally push the overarching plot in meaningful directions. The stakes feel more tangible this time, and the emotional beats land with more consistency than in some earlier installments.
However, I still struggle with one recurring element of the series: the spires, shrines, and “escape-room-style” challenges. While imaginative, they continue to feel disconnected from the emotional core of the story—more like extended puzzles than plot-driving events. It’s hard to stay invested when these sequences don’t feel consequential, and whilst Book 6 limits them, the entire series is brought down by them unfortunately.
Even so, the character development, the larger mysteries, and the sense of progression ultimately make this a strong entry. When the story steps outside the contrived-feeling challenge rooms, it shines—delivering interesting conflicts, good humor, and moments of real heart. I enjoyed the chronomancy and time based themes.
April 9, 2025
Very entertaining but honestly a little disappointing.
I thought the mechanics and premises were interesting but at the same time this series has clearly strayed a lot from the foundation that made me love it.
I think there might be a few too many cheat powers and the way that it interacts with the existing powerful characters is a bit sad for me.
There’s a fight against Mizuchi where I really don’t feel that the team should be able to win- but they beat her in a way she can’t even escape. Additionally, they do it through a lot of last minute power ups and just getting up after being hit, which doesn’t feel really believable to me.
I also found the fight against the Dalenos six to be frustrating- it felt so trivial and three of them ran through an instant kill door. I understand the desire to let characters that are finally powerful showboat a little but this was a bit too extreme.
Finally, I thought that the chronomancy usage was frustrating to me- too many solutions from people from the future, which while a really interesting premise was just not something I enjoyed in practice.
Excellent prose, but not my favorite book in the series.
I thought the mechanics and premises were interesting but at the same time this series has clearly strayed a lot from the foundation that made me love it.
I think there might be a few too many cheat powers and the way that it interacts with the existing powerful characters is a bit sad for me.
There’s a fight against Mizuchi where I really don’t feel that the team should be able to win- but they beat her in a way she can’t even escape. Additionally, they do it through a lot of last minute power ups and just getting up after being hit, which doesn’t feel really believable to me.
I also found the fight against the Dalenos six to be frustrating- it felt so trivial and three of them ran through an instant kill door. I understand the desire to let characters that are finally powerful showboat a little but this was a bit too extreme.
Finally, I thought that the chronomancy usage was frustrating to me- too many solutions from people from the future, which while a really interesting premise was just not something I enjoyed in practice.
Excellent prose, but not my favorite book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2025
I enjoyed this book significantly more than the prior couple entries. Despite this book consisting heavily of the cast undergoing a training arc, it felt like more plot was advanced compared to all the other books except possibly the first. I think that might not actually be the case, but it was just such a satisfying feeling getting some of the long unanswered questions of the series at least somewhat resolved.
The writing quality also felt like it improved. The setting and events were much more interesting to me this time around which likely helps my perception there. However, I think the best change for me was that this book had much less exposition about how the magic system worked. All of the other books spend a large amount of time explaining in depth how the magic system works; to the point that it feels less like worldbuilding and more like a research paper. This time around, much more time was spent having the characters actually improve their much-explained skills and doing interesting things.
Overall, a book that got me reinterested in the series. I'm excited to see what happens in book 7!
The writing quality also felt like it improved. The setting and events were much more interesting to me this time around which likely helps my perception there. However, I think the best change for me was that this book had much less exposition about how the magic system worked. All of the other books spend a large amount of time explaining in depth how the magic system works; to the point that it feels less like worldbuilding and more like a research paper. This time around, much more time was spent having the characters actually improve their much-explained skills and doing interesting things.
Overall, a book that got me reinterested in the series. I'm excited to see what happens in book 7!
July 28, 2025
I honestly had a great time with this even if the progression-path was wonky. But, hell, timey-wimey stuff is ALWAYS rather wonky. What can you expect with chronomancy, even with a dude whose core is all about enchanting?
Here's what I loved most: Training montages. Endless training montages. Power-ups with training montages. Quests related to training montages nested within training montages that are really recursive grand-training montages hosted by future selves who are, themselves, in training montages.
*wicked glee*
Yeah, perhaps it's fairly predictable, but THIS is what I keep coming back to the series for. Climbing spires and the grand war and the otherwise dire stakes for friends and family are almost a secondary concern, but also fun. I only wish I could get THESE particular books more often. :)
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.
Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
Here's what I loved most: Training montages. Endless training montages. Power-ups with training montages. Quests related to training montages nested within training montages that are really recursive grand-training montages hosted by future selves who are, themselves, in training montages.
*wicked glee*
Yeah, perhaps it's fairly predictable, but THIS is what I keep coming back to the series for. Climbing spires and the grand war and the otherwise dire stakes for friends and family are almost a secondary concern, but also fun. I only wish I could get THESE particular books more often. :)
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.
Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
May 3, 2025
Too Messy
The series started out interesting enough, and I was mostly fine with having both of the TWO tie-in series to understand things. That ended with this book.
The author is clearly over-eager to loop in every character from his other series (including a third series?) into this one. Nevermind that this endless stream of "new" characters each has at least one alias, if not more, that it's honestly become a chore to remember who's who and who knows which secrets and which dozen other characters don't and can't know.
Topping it off, book six of seven is definitely a time to start wrapping up plot threads, not adding more. Stop adding more secrets that you'll inevitably not answer because "subtlety." It's not good writing.
Hopefully, the 7th book saves the series because after this entry, I am doubtful the ending will be worth slogging through the absolute disaster that is the OG series and then this book itself.
The series started out interesting enough, and I was mostly fine with having both of the TWO tie-in series to understand things. That ended with this book.
The author is clearly over-eager to loop in every character from his other series (including a third series?) into this one. Nevermind that this endless stream of "new" characters each has at least one alias, if not more, that it's honestly become a chore to remember who's who and who knows which secrets and which dozen other characters don't and can't know.
Topping it off, book six of seven is definitely a time to start wrapping up plot threads, not adding more. Stop adding more secrets that you'll inevitably not answer because "subtlety." It's not good writing.
Hopefully, the 7th book saves the series because after this entry, I am doubtful the ending will be worth slogging through the absolute disaster that is the OG series and then this book itself.
July 25, 2025
I don't know what I just read. I love this series and was looking forward to an expansion of the last and in the same style, but this made my head hurt. I don't even know what happened or what was going on. I hated the multi perspective hops that were like game of thrones but I can't even say that because I don't even know if things were happening in the same time sequence. Do I think maybe that was the point? Yes, but I still don't feel like this book helped the story which is sad. Plus it gave use so many possible spoilers for the next book which I guess now is the last one of the series. If things change wonderful but I just feel like this didn't help or progress the series this was like a filler book but not in the best way. Definitely will re-read to try and figure things out again and will read the next one but I feel like Rowe wrote this one in a hurry and opted for an this will do kinda model which didn't work.
November 28, 2025
listened to the audiobook. 5 stars for Nick Podehl.
I'll be talking about my experience with this book on my YouTube channel, BellTube. Suffice it to say for now, this is in the running for my most disappointing book of the year. I recommend Sufficiently Advanced Magic all the time. I really enjoyed books 1-4. I love Weapons and Wielders. This book, though, went the way of book 5 with the author's insistence on what I call, "mana minutia" It adds absolutely nothing to the story, in my subjective opinion. And it went on for hours. The second half of the book, I found a clumsy mess. This happens pretty often with time-travel / time-magic books. If not done expertly, it becomes just confusing. (and I'm on book 9 in Malazan and this is more confusing...) Didn't like book 5. Was hoping book 6 reverted back to what I loved about the prior books. It didn't. It got worse. Might be done with this series. TBD.
I'll be talking about my experience with this book on my YouTube channel, BellTube. Suffice it to say for now, this is in the running for my most disappointing book of the year. I recommend Sufficiently Advanced Magic all the time. I really enjoyed books 1-4. I love Weapons and Wielders. This book, though, went the way of book 5 with the author's insistence on what I call, "mana minutia" It adds absolutely nothing to the story, in my subjective opinion. And it went on for hours. The second half of the book, I found a clumsy mess. This happens pretty often with time-travel / time-magic books. If not done expertly, it becomes just confusing. (and I'm on book 9 in Malazan and this is more confusing...) Didn't like book 5. Was hoping book 6 reverted back to what I loved about the prior books. It didn't. It got worse. Might be done with this series. TBD.
September 26, 2025
With a book with this name, one can expect time hijinks. These expectations are not disappointed.
This leans heavily into magic system discussions; if you aren't interested in that side of this series, I suspect this book will not work well for you. Fortunately for me, I enjoy this kind of system geekery. Unfortunately, the system seems to be getting away from Rowe a bit. Both sides of the conflict have left the quaint events of the first few volumes far behind.
The story flips back and forth between Corin and his friends, and the time shenanigans make it difficult to follow the plot details at times.
The plot is consequential and the ending works fairly well.
I enjoyed this volume more than book 5 of the series, but it's not up to the level of the first couple of books. Recommended, but only for an audience that likes very hard magic systems.
This leans heavily into magic system discussions; if you aren't interested in that side of this series, I suspect this book will not work well for you. Fortunately for me, I enjoy this kind of system geekery. Unfortunately, the system seems to be getting away from Rowe a bit. Both sides of the conflict have left the quaint events of the first few volumes far behind.
The story flips back and forth between Corin and his friends, and the time shenanigans make it difficult to follow the plot details at times.
The plot is consequential and the ending works fairly well.
I enjoyed this volume more than book 5 of the series, but it's not up to the level of the first couple of books. Recommended, but only for an audience that likes very hard magic systems.
April 6, 2025
I liked this book less than the previous books in the series. It feels like the characters got huge power-ups too fast. I could understand Corin becoming stronger due to spending a lot of time under time-speedup. But I don't understand how other characters could become strong enough to face the most dangerous enemies on the continent.
It was spoken many times that spending too much time alone was bad for mental health and spending months on the trials should have had a negative effect... but there was none.
The talk with Adric was weird. At the beginning (and in the previous book) it felt that he was a very driven character, but now he lost all his agency after one talk with his descendant. It was weird.a
It was spoken many times that spending too much time alone was bad for mental health and spending months on the trials should have had a negative effect... but there was none.
The talk with Adric was weird. At the beginning (and in the previous book) it felt that he was a very driven character, but now he lost all his agency after one talk with his descendant. It was weird.a
April 6, 2025
Ties up a lot of little loose ends!
First, this is a great balance of Corin's over-preparing enchanter paranoia in the first half, and intense action and high stakes in the second half. So if you like other books in the series, this has the same elements that made those books work.
Second, so many loose ends and mysteries get straight-up resolved in this book that you can clearly tell the series is winding down. With only one more book to go, I think we'll have a pretty satisfying conclusion to the series.
Overall, I was very pleased with this book and had trouble putting it down. Thank you Andrew Rowe for another great entry in your most popular series. I'll continue to buy and read everything you publish.
First, this is a great balance of Corin's over-preparing enchanter paranoia in the first half, and intense action and high stakes in the second half. So if you like other books in the series, this has the same elements that made those books work.
Second, so many loose ends and mysteries get straight-up resolved in this book that you can clearly tell the series is winding down. With only one more book to go, I think we'll have a pretty satisfying conclusion to the series.
Overall, I was very pleased with this book and had trouble putting it down. Thank you Andrew Rowe for another great entry in your most popular series. I'll continue to buy and read everything you publish.
May 5, 2025
Much more focused, a stronger entry than the series has had in a while. All of the kids have really come into their own, both in terms of newfound agency and more mature reflection on how they've coped with what they've all gone through.
Keeping it to one major ordeal per subgroup of characters helped a lot; these seem to consistently work best when kept to a somewhat constrained setting instead of needing to redo exposition every few chapters.
A couple newer side characters get a bigger role but having trouble getting into them, despite cool concepts. Maybe some missing world context from side novels would help (?) but doesn't feel worth the investment right now.
The found family (or just family family?) banter and clumsy clueless flirtation remain so damn endearing.
Keeping it to one major ordeal per subgroup of characters helped a lot; these seem to consistently work best when kept to a somewhat constrained setting instead of needing to redo exposition every few chapters.
A couple newer side characters get a bigger role but having trouble getting into them, despite cool concepts. Maybe some missing world context from side novels would help (?) but doesn't feel worth the investment right now.
The found family (or just family family?) banter and clumsy clueless flirtation remain so damn endearing.
July 22, 2025
This book was interesting in that, due to the plot point it's based around, there was a lot of character progression but not much story progression. It feels necessary, in order to get the characters into a position where they can reasonably compete with the challenges the larger story has established and it is satisfying that they've got there but there's a disconnect. The nature of the plot also means that character interactions are limited in this one.
I had a good time and am looking forward to the finale, although I did get the idea from somewhere that this book was that finale... That confusion might have accounted for some of why I felt the main story didn't progress as much as I would have liked.
I had a good time and am looking forward to the finale, although I did get the idea from somewhere that this book was that finale... That confusion might have accounted for some of why I felt the main story didn't progress as much as I would have liked.
December 10, 2025
This series is so complicated at this point. There are at least three factions of unrelated bad guys and several other organisations that we don’t know whether to trust. Lots of characters are a copy of another character with a different name and powers and there are many, many types of magic and mana.
I was super confused through a lot of this book with the recap at the beginning not helping much because it was written in a tongue in cheek style addressing an un-named character and making inside jokes.
I powered through and think I grasped like 80% of it.
I liked the time-bending facility and shrine. I barely remember Jin at this point because he’s been absent for a while and I miss Derek and Keras. I like Annabelle Farren as a character. She’s fun.
I was super confused through a lot of this book with the recap at the beginning not helping much because it was written in a tongue in cheek style addressing an un-named character and making inside jokes.
I powered through and think I grasped like 80% of it.
I liked the time-bending facility and shrine. I barely remember Jin at this point because he’s been absent for a while and I miss Derek and Keras. I like Annabelle Farren as a character. She’s fun.
July 26, 2025
This was a leveling book. Almost completely focused on training, crafting, along with some questions finally answered. The new interludes did not really work for me, they just didn't flow very well. This series rests heavily on the party, so having a book where one is alone didn't really work for me either. Still, setting up for a big finale, high stakes, and some good combat in this book made it worth it.
I should say time travel in fantasy rarely works for me, and it didn't here. The author clouds it in mystery "Is it multiverse? Is it just possible futures? Who knows!" Still, not my favorite trope and it didn't land for me here either.
I should say time travel in fantasy rarely works for me, and it didn't here. The author clouds it in mystery "Is it multiverse? Is it just possible futures? Who knows!" Still, not my favorite trope and it didn't land for me here either.
September 19, 2025
Diese ganze Serie ist einfach eine coole, (für mich) neue Art von Fantasybuch. Der Plot ist richtig gut gemacht und man hat die ganze Zeit das Gefühl, dass die Charaktere sich toll entwickeln. Irgendwie fühlt sich das toller an als gedacht, wenn man das Gefühl hat, dass die Charaktere "hochleveln".
In diesem sechsten Teil gibt es auch passagen aus anderen Blickwinkeln als Corins. Diese Teile sind aber auch spannend, denn bei den anderen Charakteren geht es auch richtig ab. Im Vorfeld war ich ein wenig skeptisch wegen der Chronomancy. Zeitreisen finde ich in plots immer schwierig, weil das selten gut konsistent hinzubekommen ist. Hier ist es (wahrscheinlich? ;) ) aber kein wirkliches Zeitreisen und mir daher auch nicht negativ aufgestoßen.
Der einzige Wermutstropfen ist, dass ich nicht wusste, dass die Serie wohl (mindestens) noch einen siebten Teil bekommt und der noch nicht veröffentlicht ist. Also ist dies NOCH EINE Serie, bei der ich auf eine Fortsetzung warten muss...
In diesem sechsten Teil gibt es auch passagen aus anderen Blickwinkeln als Corins. Diese Teile sind aber auch spannend, denn bei den anderen Charakteren geht es auch richtig ab. Im Vorfeld war ich ein wenig skeptisch wegen der Chronomancy. Zeitreisen finde ich in plots immer schwierig, weil das selten gut konsistent hinzubekommen ist. Hier ist es (wahrscheinlich? ;) ) aber kein wirkliches Zeitreisen und mir daher auch nicht negativ aufgestoßen.
Der einzige Wermutstropfen ist, dass ich nicht wusste, dass die Serie wohl (mindestens) noch einen siebten Teil bekommt und der noch nicht veröffentlicht ist. Also ist dies NOCH EINE Serie, bei der ich auf eine Fortsetzung warten muss...
April 9, 2025
A
This book pretty much consists of the main cast's training arc. And for what, the culmination of this
story? Hopefully we see more of the cast in a future series. Because, if not, then this book is pretty much just "hot air".
Though I am a sucker for training arcs and this one was a good one at that.
Also, about 3 quarters in the book, there's quite a ham-fisted thing that occurs that honestly felt very contrived. It was something quite big, but it felt like the author just wanted something to happen to make the moment feel... different. I guess.
This book pretty much consists of the main cast's training arc. And for what, the culmination of this
story? Hopefully we see more of the cast in a future series. Because, if not, then this book is pretty much just "hot air".
Though I am a sucker for training arcs and this one was a good one at that.
Also, about 3 quarters in the book, there's quite a ham-fisted thing that occurs that honestly felt very contrived. It was something quite big, but it felt like the author just wanted something to happen to make the moment feel... different. I guess.
April 17, 2025
4 1/2 stars. I was up all night reading this. It is great to see Corin getting to do some crafting and continue to develop his friendships with his core group. Some of this was a training montage but the interlude with other people's POV was very interesting and we got to catch up with some people we have not seen in a very long time. And of course there was a dungeon dive that revealed some secrets.
Lots of things were answered in this book but there is much to be still be revealed I'm sure. Thanks Andrew for another great installment.
Lots of things were answered in this book but there is much to be still be revealed I'm sure. Thanks Andrew for another great installment.
September 7, 2025
This might be my favourite book in the series. I dont know! I loved it though.
The application of time magic and its place in this story was spooky and fascinating. I found the terminal door trials to be almost tragic at times.
I love how the characters have evolved. It feels so satisfying to see how powerful everyone has become. I do still very much miss keras and I hope we get answers from weapons & wielders.
It feels crazy to have run out of arcane ascension for now. I can't say I'll wait patiently but I will be extremely excited when the 7th book comes out.
The application of time magic and its place in this story was spooky and fascinating. I found the terminal door trials to be almost tragic at times.
I love how the characters have evolved. It feels so satisfying to see how powerful everyone has become. I do still very much miss keras and I hope we get answers from weapons & wielders.
It feels crazy to have run out of arcane ascension for now. I can't say I'll wait patiently but I will be extremely excited when the 7th book comes out.
November 10, 2025
This series was my all time favorite series until book 4 and 5. I felt like the author had lost what it is that readers liked most about the first 3 books and the subject matter became too topical. This book was a large course correction in the right direction and I largely enjoyed getting back to listening to Corin solving puzzles and getting stronger with his friends. This book would have been 5 stars if it weren't for the Jin Interludes, BORING. I do not care about Jin enough to listen to 10 chapters focused on his espionage.
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