The City of Inventions, Pallass, is a fascinating place. Filled with all kinds of oddballs from the Named-rank [Alchemist], Saliss of Lights, to Grimalkin the [Sinew Magus], a drunken Dwarven master [Blacksmith], to Chaldion, to...Wyverns?
Erin Solstice is on a break from her inn. Not for long; she's returning with more Skills, but she has changed. She will return with her usual chaos and wonder, but always differently. Now, there are flames and...a garden?
There will always be more to find, from the quirks of the City of Inventions, to strange, wondrous places in The Wandering Inn, to the depths of Chandrar's darkest nations.
Fascinating places across the world. Pallass, The Wandering Inn, Riverfarm, Reim, and...
RTC, this is the strongest beginning to a volume since the next best, Volume 5. This really has everything you want in TWI, It's fitting that Andrea Parsneau's final performance would be focusing on Erin and the King of Destruction. Both are similar and yet radically different. People you want to follow or be carried by their flow. The final speech in particular in this book is particularly fantastic. Now I'm fully caught up with the audiobooks and ebooks, and it's sad but exciting. I will write a proper review later, but man, Andrea Parsneau did such a brilliant job narrating these 5 million words, and I'm hopeful that Erin Bennett is able to carry that legacy. Finally, Pirateaba whose the writer of this brilliant series. Is there inconsistencies, sure, flaws absolutely, is it the most beautifully written, nope, but it is fantastic storytelling, absolutely. I'm excited for the future of the series and see how Volume 7 proceeds from here.
My FAVORITE book of the year! Maybe even the series! (Not kidding) I just gave my mom a 15 minute earful about the Wandering Inn LORE, just so she could nod her head along at why I had chills running down my back during the last chapter of this book! And she didn’t completely lose interest! The pacing and plotting of both halves of this book makes it work so well on its own. And now I’m just utterly HYPE for the rest of Volume 7! Keep them coming, Pirate! I’m not sure you can satiate my appetite, but don’t stop trying!
Garden of Sanctuary is yet another masterwork in The Wandering Inn series, and it was absolutely worth the wait. From the very first pages, I was giddy to be back in this world—returning felt like coming home after too long away.
As always, Pirateaba’s pacing is near flawless, pulling you gently through the slower openings and then suddenly accelerating you toward the breathtaking crescendos. And the final chapters? I went over them three times. That should tell you everything.
Flos absolutely stole this volume for me. We've always known he’s powerful—legendary, even—but what struck me most this time around was his deep compassion. His choices toward the end of the book are not just strategic or dramatic—they’re rooted in love. For his people, for the world, and for what he believes in. It brought me to tears.
Erin continues her phenomenal growth arc. I really appreciated how much soul-searching she does in this book—asking herself the tough questions, challenging her own views. She’s maturing in a way that feels both heartbreaking and hopeful.
The city that Tray and Gazzi visit was one of the most disturbing and evocative settings I’ve encountered in the series. The atmosphere built up so masterfully—creeping dread, then full-on horror, but never overwrought. Just deeply, deeply unsettling in the best way.
What sets Pirateaba apart—still—is how real their characters feel. Everyone operates within their own morality, and the gray areas are handled with such nuance that I often didn’t know who to root for. That kind of emotional honesty, paired with a world so vibrant and vast, is what keeps me hooked.
No spoilers here, but there were lines and moments I won’t soon forget.
Highly, highly recommended. This series continues to surprise me, challenge me, and move me in ways few stories ever have.
I can't imagine anyone reading a review for book 15 in a series; be that as it may, let me start with something that may be unorthodox: the narrator. When we read novels, and fantasy or sci-fi in particular, we readers fill in a lot of gaps for the lack of visual acuity. We visualize the world, we imagine the voices in our own way, we put emphasis on words and lines and add emotion to the voices in our heads. When a narrator injects her voice and take, it inescapably becomes intertwined within our own visualization of this world. Some narrators can do more harm than good. That is not the case here. Andrea Parsneau deserves an award for the way that she has brought these characters to life. Of course it helps to have amazing source material with which to work; but her delivery, voice control, and emotion is perhaps the best dramatic reading for a single narrator I have ever experienced - and I have hundreds and hundreds of audible books in my library.
Why have I started my review of this novel with a fanboy rendition for Ms. Parsneau? Because when I was queuing up the next book, I noticed that the next book stated that it started the new era of a different narrator. While I have not begun the next book, it is going to be difficult for anyone to replace Parsneau. Regardless, she has joined Tim G. Reynolds as my two top narrators of all time - based solely on this series and the talent she demonstrated.
Of course, I also rated this novel 5 stars. This is one of those rare few where we spent a considerable amount of time away from our main cast of characters in Liscor that I greatly enjoyed. It started with our star, Erin, finding ways to be the center of trouble - and the title of the book is named after a skill she received at the end of the last. Pirateaba seems to enjoy using titles to misdirect, never knowing when or how it will reflect the actual story. Here, by book's end, we got to where we knew we would eventually in at least one area of the world. And it will send shockwaves throughout the rest of the books to come.
If you happen upon this review:
For those who are currently reading - this is another great installment. Keep on going because it stays consistently good.
For those considering reading - this is obviously not the place to start but by this review I hope you can see why it is worth starting this series. Here I am at book 15 still gushing about how good it is. And we are talking about tomes of novels, usually in excess of 1,000 pages. And I rarely get bored or wanted the narrative to move quicker.
4.7* Pirateaba fa el que millor sap fer:agafar els fils de mil històries trencades i teixir-los en un tapís on el trauma es converteix en arrel i l'esperança, en fruit. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑦 no és només un lloc físic; és la metàfora perfecta del que passa quan els marginats, els perduts i els danyats troben un espai per creixer junts malgrat el fang i la sang. Les batalles són èpiques, però el veritable camp de batalla és l'interior de cada personatge.
La màgia d'aquest volum es troba en com les escenes més tranquil·les et colpegen amb més força que les guerres. Un àpat compartit després de tanta pèrdua, una cançó entonada en una llengua oblidada, un record que torna com una benedicció i una malecció alhora... Pirateaba no té por de portar els seus personatges al límit perquè sap que allà on es trenca l'ànima és per on entra la llum.
The story is becoming very scattered at this point. There was a very touching scene at the Inn. A few startling moments with Flos and the twins. A battle in Pallas that leads to a potential bad moment. I am reminded of an artist keeping many plates spinning at the same time I keep thinking of other plates and wondering what is happening. I want to give this a four BUT doggone it, if Pirate can keep the plates spinning then I will keep saying “five stars.”
RTC? - All thanks to Andrea Parsenau, who not only did the best job anyone could do in performing this incredible story this long, but also converted me into an audiobook-enjoyer. What an incredible point in the story to drop out, how fitting to end this journey with these chapters... And what chapters they were, holy shit Volume 7 has potential!!
Will be on a short break with TWI probably to listen to some other stuff that has piled up and adjust to the change in narrator - also to make time for the next audiobook to be finalized so the end is not too near :') But only some weeks I suppose, I'm just addicted to this world...
4.5 out of 5. Another great addition to the Wandering Inn series. Usually the King of Destruction chapters are my least favorite, but in this book, they are some of the best. The Garden of Sanctuary chapters were a cool aspect, but in my opinion, they were the weakest part of the story. It’s hard to outdo Hells Warden (previous book), but it comes quite close. Can’t wait to continue on this Wandering Inn 🏨 journey 🪄
I was kicking my feet and squealing with Bird in the beginning, picturing him like the Chimera Ants in Solo leveling to the people who dont know him. End of the book I'm sitting stunned, torn between needing to buy the next book now, and to just sit with that heaviness a little longer.
As much as I love great big climactic scenes or fights where plot lines conclude, I find myself enthralled by the slower quieter moments. When characters relax or just grieve. Garden of Sanctuary for that reason I really love, after all the chaos of this series Erin just gets a break. That’s not to say nothing happens but it’s relaxed, or at least relaxed for this series. I truly loved the quiet moments throughout, where people gathered and mourned and reflected. It’s the second Wandering Inn book to make me cry and probably a personal favorite of the whole series. I really hope that as the plot continues to expand and grow more intense characters can still get these moments.
Like ripples in a pond. That’s how it feels—this slow, almost imperceptible shift in the way people see the world. Goblins aren’t just monsters anymore. The Antinium aren’t just a hive of unknowable threats. Slowly, because of the presence of offworlders—people who see things differently, who bring new perspectives—the world is reconsidering what it thought it knew. The offworlders are no longer anomalies dropped into the world—they’re catalysts now. The world doesn’t revolve around them, but it shifts, reacts, evolves because they’re here. It’s not always obvious. It’s not earth-shattering. But it’s there.
There’s so much grey here. The kind that makes you double-take when a so-called villain does something unexpectedly noble—or when a hero fails to live up to their name. Flos remains iconic because no one else gets a word like foresworn attached to them. With anyone else, a broken promise would be politics. With him, it’s a tectonic shift in how the world works. The writing is, as always, phenomenal. Lush, sprawling, and emotionally precise. And the story? Still one of the most compelling, layered narratives out there.
It’s a long road, this story. And it can go on for a long time still. I’ll happily keep walking it.
P.S. If you’re listening to the audiobook—Andrea Parsneau continues to absolutely crush it. She is the voice of this world.
Still addicted but that might change. I have listened to these 15 books (about 40 hours each) so far with the same narrator, the next book has a new narrator— I’m scared
My only complaint is that this series can't already be written and waiting for me to read it forever.
I'm very invested in ALL of these wide-ranging places and peoples. Even the King of Destruction has got me chomping at the bit--such a charismatic leader, feeding on loyalty and justice and perception--and I'm even feeling jingoistic. This is, despite how generally anti-war I am, I'm cautiously gracious about him even as every warning bell in my heart goes off.
As for Erin, I'm rocking to her changes. It's going in a very interesting direction.
As for Pallass, the huge battle against the wyverns was epic. And Riverfarm is continuing to get extremely interesting. I cannot WAIT for a particular door to be opened.
All told, I loved every second. I'm hooked.
My synesthesia is almost always eating cake while forever being able to have it--at least while I could still be reading it. So delicious. So decadent.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be 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.
Wow! Stunning! There isn't really anything that I can say about this book, that pirateaba hasn't said better. It's such a good book! There's so many story threads left dangling that I absodamnlutely Need the next book!!! The sooner the better... Now that I've stepped back from the book, I've had time to get some of my thoughts in order... 1) I'm seriously agog by PebbleSnatch's determination and by her extreme bravery! I have always loved PebbleSnatch and secretly hoped she had it in her... 2) Now the Garden, it's a secret place, a place of peace and contemplation... 3) I've never embraced the King of Destruction, never sure of his motivates. Or what he's doing with the two earthlings. Are they captives? allies? But now I’m firmly in his camp, no reservations! 4) I generally blather on and on about Erin Solstice and yeah she's there, I mean it's her Garden after all, but in this book she's not the star. Her friends take that reward! That and of course the King of Destruction, Floss... So yeah go grab the audiobook because pirateaba and Andrea Parsneau have a story to tell you!!!
Pirateaba is a superb storyteller and Andrea Parsneau is equally superb at reading the story. I absolutely loved the opening and the many chapters that followed, focused on Erin and the Inn. I am not part of the demographic that most loves The Wandering Inn (the author said it was younger males, based on a survey at one point), so perhaps that is why, when it suddenly turned to a group of characters I am not invested in...well, I dislike the King of Destruction, Trey and his sister, Gaza, the Quarass and Floss's minions. I wish they would disappear. It was painfully hard to listen to Floss screaming and read his answer to all, brutal violence. A complete dichotomy in an artificially cut book. But I can recognize the author's plotting and other skills in play, and stick with it (have read this before, of course). Based on the Izril sections...A+ overall.
In this book we get a bit of Erin, Mrsha, pebble snatch, and the king of destruction. Yes there is more characters but I would say this book centered around them and plot development. what chaos is going on around Erin? Will Mrsha become a master sorceress or will she just be in trouble? Goblins... friend or for? can they have peace? where can they just live and breath? King of destruction. Is he a good guy, bad guy, or morale gray character? This is not giving anything away just thoughts I have been having and thoughts most have if you ask them what they think of these characters. In this book we see some different places. I believe this is about the half way point of this story. we are bound to see plot progress. can I get some Tom time??? so many great characters I just hope none get forgotten and disappear.
Amazing, as always. If you've read this far you are reading till the end, or so I think.
Despite the title being about Erin, her new skill [Garden of Sanctuary], the book truly shines torwards the end, with the "K" chapters.
If you didn't know, K chapters refer the chapters featuring Trey, Teres and revolve entirely around Flos Reimarch, the Kingg of Destruction. And they area little divisive in the community. I enjoy them as any POV change within this series. The frequent changes of character's POVs is what makes The Wandering Inn shine in my opinion. Yet these K chapters can feel a little underwhelming if you are expecting something that will affect our main characters.
5/5. Temptedto stop waiting for the single book releases and jump into the webnovel to get caught up.
This is a tough one for me to review. I know it’s a massive web novel in both length and scope, so there are going to be some awkward cutoffs for the audiobook. The first 60% of this one was fantastic. The beginning gave us some great development between Erin and Pelt, the battle with the wyverns was well-written, and Erin’s new skill really got me emotional. Then, the king chapters brought the momentum to a screeching halt. I think these will eventually be good, but they’re so dry and exposition heavy. They feel like excuses built in for pirateaba to exposition dump about the rest of the world for us. The end is a good cliffhanger, and there was some good stuff with Trey, but overall they brought the quality of this volume down.
The middle third or so of this book keeps this from being a 4.
I'm not a fan of short stories and after the wyverns but before the King this just seemed to be a series of short stories. They kinda stemmed from the battle with the wyverns but only tangentially. They didn't really lead into the King at all. Just some interesting but not at gripping or even needed stories. Yes, it fed into the title of the book but that seemed a bit like the title was chosen and a story was shoved in.
Still, that aside, it was great seeing the feel and style of the inn change as the cast of characters that haunt the inn change. The King and the trip to Cthulhuville was great as well.
How does Pirateaba keep creating such amazing stories. The lore alone is mind-boggling. It is rich and deep. The characters are believable. I miss Rags, but knowing this author, she will be back soon 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼! Of course, Andrea Parseneau takes this engrossing series and brings the characters to life. There have been times I’ve almost expected that if I turned around, The King of Destruction will be walking up behind me. Or that Witch of Webs. I had nightmares about her, so I was relieved to have a break from her. Now, on to Ghostsong…I am over the moon about this storyline taking on a life of its own.
Another good quality entry in the ongoing series. One of the things that most impressed me in pirateaba’s writing is the ability to make so many characters compelling that you don’t mind when the story shifts away from one for long periods. It was the story of Erin that got me into the series but now that’s only a small part of the appeal. This one doesn’t have the ‘edge of your seat’ build as the previous book but sets in place many things that promise to make the next book epic. And, as always, Andrea Parsneau’s reading is first-rate and adds enormously to my enjoyment of the tale:
Oh man where to begin. The wandering sucked me in again. Sat and read it in two days and couldn’t focus on much else. I see a lot of comments about how the king of destructions chapters slowed the story down but I was so invested and to see the king unleashed was worth it. Pirateaba does one of the best jobs I’ve ever read of making multiple interesting storylines and characters with the barest interaction between them that I’m dying to see come together eventually. I can’t wait for the next one!
I found myself laughing, smiling, and crying during this book. It’s not a stellar entry into the series but I rate it as highly as I do because I enjoyed the plot lines and the feelings they inspired. The Wyvern fight is excellently paced and full of action, the stuff with Pebble-Snatch working her cooking skills and the introduction to Erin’s special garden. The book does feel like it’s more setup especially towards the middle and end with strains in the relationship with the Antinnium and the King of Destructions looming aura. Looking forward to the next entry soon.
Solid read as always though much more calmer and slower then previous volume. Battle for Pallas was interesting, I did enjoyed few new characters....especially named adventurer Sallis-naked drake is great addon to exceptional pool of interesting characters. Bird´s "Is this war?" gave me a goosebumps and I finally liked quite a lot Flos chapters. Awesome as always and it seems like this book was a harbinger of epic things to come.