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Dominion Trilogy #3
Merciless
As Grant's friends learn the truth behind the events that have shaped their lives, they gather for one last battle--a showdown between good and evil that will prove to everyone on earth that hope still lives.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2008
26 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Robin Parrish
28 books216 followersInfusions of Faith, a colorful, artful collection of Robin Parrish's finest nonfiction work, is available NOW exclusively at Barnes & Noble.
Robin Parrish is the author of more than a dozen novels across multiple genres, including Nightmare, Offworld, Vigilante, Corridor, the Dominion Trilogy, and his exciting new series The Riftwalkers. He lives in High Point, North Carolina with his wife and two teenagers.
Robin Parrish is the author of more than a dozen novels across multiple genres, including Nightmare, Offworld, Vigilante, Corridor, the Dominion Trilogy, and his exciting new series The Riftwalkers. He lives in High Point, North Carolina with his wife and two teenagers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 8, 2008
I started reading this morning and didn't do much of anything else but read this book. I finished it this evening.
I'm not going to say much, because I'm afraid I'd say too much and spoil the unexpected plot twists and turns that kept me reading most of the day. :-). Suffice it to say, "Merciless" ratchets up the pace and tension set in "Relentless" and "Fearless." The storytelling in "Merciless" also takes on a new format throughout the book, giving the reader a unique vantage point throughout the story. Very cool.
My only wish for the book--a list of characters and their particular power to refresh my memory. :-). With months between books, it's easy to forget and harder to remember the characters and the particular roles they inhabit.
The cover is also very, very cool.
A satisfying ending to the series. :-)
I'm not going to say much, because I'm afraid I'd say too much and spoil the unexpected plot twists and turns that kept me reading most of the day. :-). Suffice it to say, "Merciless" ratchets up the pace and tension set in "Relentless" and "Fearless." The storytelling in "Merciless" also takes on a new format throughout the book, giving the reader a unique vantage point throughout the story. Very cool.
My only wish for the book--a list of characters and their particular power to refresh my memory. :-). With months between books, it's easy to forget and harder to remember the characters and the particular roles they inhabit.
The cover is also very, very cool.
A satisfying ending to the series. :-)
May 3, 2013
Note: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK OR REVIEW IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST TWO BOOKS. Unless you just like having your stories spoiled. And kicking puppies.
Merciless truly seems to describe hell on earth. Grant/Oblivion is marching, somewhat oblivious to humanity's needs/desires, as witnessed by the control of the Ring Bearers. Alive but trapped within their bodies, unable to control anything, mercilessly forced to march unrelentingly through cramps, hunger, exhaustion, etc. And Grant is dead, but he sure is talking to ... who is he talking to, exactly?
Again, questions of destiny and free will overshadow the story, and ultimately, motive.
Some real spoilery stuff:
Merciless truly seems to describe hell on earth. Grant/Oblivion is marching, somewhat oblivious to humanity's needs/desires, as witnessed by the control of the Ring Bearers. Alive but trapped within their bodies, unable to control anything, mercilessly forced to march unrelentingly through cramps, hunger, exhaustion, etc. And Grant is dead, but he sure is talking to ... who is he talking to, exactly?
Again, questions of destiny and free will overshadow the story, and ultimately, motive.
Some real spoilery stuff:
March 20, 2014
The Dominion trilogy concludes with our heroes trying to find any way they can to stop Oblivion from unleashing his end game. While some elements made me roll my eyes, for the most part I was pulled into this fantasy story from page one. This one also finally includes some Christian themes.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 6, 2021
Engaging finish to the trilogy
A satisfying finish to the trilogy. Good page turner. As a whole I would give the three books 3 1/2 stars but this book rattles along like the first. The second was a bit of a lull. Not the world’s greatest literature nor am I a massive fan of superhero/fantasy genre but this book gets four stars on the basis I couldn’t put it down once I was on the home stretch.
A satisfying finish to the trilogy. Good page turner. As a whole I would give the three books 3 1/2 stars but this book rattles along like the first. The second was a bit of a lull. Not the world’s greatest literature nor am I a massive fan of superhero/fantasy genre but this book gets four stars on the basis I couldn’t put it down once I was on the home stretch.
February 25, 2012
Definitely a worthwhile ending to the series. As opposed to the 2nd book, I couldn't put this down. The action is fast and furious, the ending is what you would expect, the denouement comes logically, and it was a lot of fun to read!
August 17, 2012
This is the best book in the series! It ranks itself somewhere in my top 10.
July 12, 2023
The concluding chapter of this comic book style super hero three book series. Would make for a good streaming show - lots of action and a cool variety of super hero powers along with a straightforward plot that pushes forward to the final showdown. Some emotionally charged character interactions as well. I skimmed a lot of the fighting scenes and the writing itself seemed a bit padded (400 pages!). Maybe the whole trilogy could have been one book?
Anyway, if you like Christian-themed comic book style super heroes with apocalyptic and prophetic elements, this will likely deliver some mildly entertaining reading for you. (Note: I read books 1 & 2 about 10 years ago and I guess never felt compelled to finish the series until I saw recently that I'd never finished the series! So found the book on sale and checked that box!)
Anyway, if you like Christian-themed comic book style super heroes with apocalyptic and prophetic elements, this will likely deliver some mildly entertaining reading for you. (Note: I read books 1 & 2 about 10 years ago and I guess never felt compelled to finish the series until I saw recently that I'd never finished the series! So found the book on sale and checked that box!)
October 13, 2020
The first half of the book was pretty dark but there was really good action throughout. The premise of the progression of the world order seemed to be a little bit of a stretch to me and in some cases tying characters together seemed a little forced. As a whole enjoyed the book just was expecting a little more for the finale of the trilogy.
October 26, 2020
The end of the world. Or is it?
The final chapter of the Dominion Trilogy has been written. The final actions of Grant and Alex and the rest spiral downward in a chilling tale that echo the end time of Earth. Follow all the twists and turns they make in a attempt to foil the plans of the Secretum of Six. Will they succeed? Sorry, you're going to have to read it for yourself.
The final chapter of the Dominion Trilogy has been written. The final actions of Grant and Alex and the rest spiral downward in a chilling tale that echo the end time of Earth. Follow all the twists and turns they make in a attempt to foil the plans of the Secretum of Six. Will they succeed? Sorry, you're going to have to read it for yourself.
November 16, 2020
Mediocre wrap up to a decent trilogy. I’m always disappointed when the “unstoppable” villain is stopped by an uppercut to the jaw.... especially when an entire army with tanks and missiles couldn’t slow him. Enough unexpected twists to make some people happy (me) and some people sad. A few random typos throughout the trilogy irritated me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 29, 2023Unrated.... Not sure what to say of this series. It's published by Bethany House, a Christian publisher. Written by an author who professes Christianity. The books themselves are not Christian. They are "clean " in every way except graphic, sickening violence in some parts. The story was so gripping , I HAD to know what happens... But I don't plan to knowingly read any other books of this kind.
December 24, 2023
Glad that's over !
November 13, 2016
The final installment in the Dominion trilogy, Merciless picks up right where Fearless left off. Grant Borrows is dead, and in his place is a being later revealed to be the angel of death. With the rest of the Loci falling under the sway of Oblivion, the name given Grant’s form, Daniel, Lisa and Ethan are left to defend the world, which soon proves to be an impossible task. Oblivion systematically begins destroying the earth, corrupting the ground and draining away the oceans. But it turns out he may have a weakness, and it is up to the aforementioned individuals to attempt to exploit it and save the world.
As far as final installments go, Merciless could have been a better conclusion. It starts out a little slow, as the protagonist from the first two books does not appear until later. It also feels less personal, as we now get to read from Ethan’s perspective more (at least at the beginning), which detracts from other characters we have come to be attached to. Daniel and Lisa still have a voice, which helps, but because of Grant’s prominence in the first two novels, his absence grates.
[SPOILER ALERT] That being said, it turns out that Grant is not really dead, and the reader is able to see what is happening to him through occasional snippets spaced throughout the story. In the previous books there were parts called Interregnum, where the reader was privy to the thoughts of the Secretum of Six; in this book, those Interregnums are from Grant’s perspective, where he is a prisoner of his own consciousness. While there, he is confronted by God Himself, who helps Grant to understand why he was chosen for the appointed task.
Once more, Parrish seems to continually flip-flop perspective throughout the book without warning; however, by this point the reader should be used to the sudden shifts. And it is quite possible that he intentionally did this, seeing as a major plot point is people being shifted from their bodies into someone else’s. Why not then disorient the reader with a little bit of sudden shifting from one character to another? Or perhaps use it as another layer of meaning. If that was his point, it was brilliant.
There is more depth added in this book; we hear even more details on the Secretum’s past, which is quite interesting. Parrish’s ideas are quite original, something that is hard to come by in many stories these days. The Christian side of the story also becomes more apparent in this book; and yet, it seems as though the name of Jesus is never once mentioned (that is not a critique, merely an observation).
Despite the slow start, the story begins to pick up the pace as it progresses, and by the end, it has once more become a page-turner. Several more characters are killed off in this story, including one that comes as a bit of a surprise. The ending has a real twist, one that the writer of this review did not see coming. It leaves the reader with a mixed feeling; in some ways the ending is really very satisfying, and in some ways it leaves something to be wanted, and some ways it is disappointing. But such plagues are common to final installments in a series, and for a writer to overcome all of them would be remarkable indeed. All-in-all, Parrish did a good job with this book and this series.
As far as final installments go, Merciless could have been a better conclusion. It starts out a little slow, as the protagonist from the first two books does not appear until later. It also feels less personal, as we now get to read from Ethan’s perspective more (at least at the beginning), which detracts from other characters we have come to be attached to. Daniel and Lisa still have a voice, which helps, but because of Grant’s prominence in the first two novels, his absence grates.
[SPOILER ALERT] That being said, it turns out that Grant is not really dead, and the reader is able to see what is happening to him through occasional snippets spaced throughout the story. In the previous books there were parts called Interregnum, where the reader was privy to the thoughts of the Secretum of Six; in this book, those Interregnums are from Grant’s perspective, where he is a prisoner of his own consciousness. While there, he is confronted by God Himself, who helps Grant to understand why he was chosen for the appointed task.
Once more, Parrish seems to continually flip-flop perspective throughout the book without warning; however, by this point the reader should be used to the sudden shifts. And it is quite possible that he intentionally did this, seeing as a major plot point is people being shifted from their bodies into someone else’s. Why not then disorient the reader with a little bit of sudden shifting from one character to another? Or perhaps use it as another layer of meaning. If that was his point, it was brilliant.
There is more depth added in this book; we hear even more details on the Secretum’s past, which is quite interesting. Parrish’s ideas are quite original, something that is hard to come by in many stories these days. The Christian side of the story also becomes more apparent in this book; and yet, it seems as though the name of Jesus is never once mentioned (that is not a critique, merely an observation).
Despite the slow start, the story begins to pick up the pace as it progresses, and by the end, it has once more become a page-turner. Several more characters are killed off in this story, including one that comes as a bit of a surprise. The ending has a real twist, one that the writer of this review did not see coming. It leaves the reader with a mixed feeling; in some ways the ending is really very satisfying, and in some ways it leaves something to be wanted, and some ways it is disappointing. But such plagues are common to final installments in a series, and for a writer to overcome all of them would be remarkable indeed. All-in-all, Parrish did a good job with this book and this series.
November 10, 2013
Robin Parrish has created a blockbuster trilogy with Relentless, Fearless and now Merciless.
The story follows Grant Borrows, a man who steps off a bus and sees himself walking on the other side of the street. Something has shifted, and when he looks at his reflections, he doesn't recognize himself.
Grant notices a ring on his finger that doesn't seem to want to come off. Plus, he's able to do some strange things with his mind. It's almost as if he's got super powers...
But with these powers comes a secret organization devoted to usher in the ultimate evil. The only question seeking an answer: is Grant going to become this evil or will he be destined to battle it?
Relentless kicks off the story and, I think, is the best of the three. It feels like you're reading an episode of LOST. There are always questions needing to be answered with each chapter giving you more clues but not quite giving you the whole solution. Borrows meets up with others like him and call themselves the Loci. Borrows seems to have the ability to connect with the other Loci. He seems to be the most powerful one.
Fearless continues once Borrows (now known as Guardian) and the Loci take hold of their new identities as superheroes and attempt to make the world a better place. However, the Secretum of Six (the secret organization) are always there behind the scenes manipulating Borrows and his team toward something more sinister. While not as engaging as Relentless, Fearless has an ending that caused all of us to scream in anticipation for the final installment.
Merciless. The name alone evokes dread. Something arises from the depths with power to destroy the entire planet. Wherever this thing, Oblivion, walks; death and decay follow. He can wipe out an entire coalition of military forces with one thought - an energy wave of destructive power. Oblivion's mission is to travel to Israel and use this energy wave to consume the planet.
This finale is everything I hoped it would be: Superheroes going mano a mano with the ultimate evil, powers are used, people are killed who you wouldn't expect.
This was the book that Ted Dekker's Sinner should have been. Of course, since it isn't out yet, there is still the possibility of a change. But as of right now, Robin Parrish rules the realm of fiction writing!
May 10, 2016
First, I loved the writing style. The story was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well developed. I enjoyed the plot and would highly recommend the series.
The action was forefront of the book but the motivations were cleverly woven into the story. The thing that I was disappointed with was where the theology ended. There were numerous references to the Old Testament: Cain and Abel, Noah, Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord and the Angel of Death from Exodus. It seemed a very Old Testament only theology.
The discussion on free will was sound, but just stopped too soon. As Romans tells us we are all sinners and there is not even one who seeks God. We do not use our free will to seek God. The author also clearly showed how even our motivation to do good is grounded in selfish motives, for fame, money, power, appreciation, acceptance or even to gain love. The disappointing factor for me is that it was not once referred to that Messiah came and died to break those bonds that keep us enslaved to sin and set us free to choose righteousness, because of the transforming power of Christ in us. In fact, I thought the ending showed a very non-Christian, humanistic view. Mankind makes a sacrifice and love triumphs. The ending just wasn't enough for me.
Still, it was a well written, suspenseful read.
The action was forefront of the book but the motivations were cleverly woven into the story. The thing that I was disappointed with was where the theology ended. There were numerous references to the Old Testament: Cain and Abel, Noah, Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord and the Angel of Death from Exodus. It seemed a very Old Testament only theology.
The discussion on free will was sound, but just stopped too soon. As Romans tells us we are all sinners and there is not even one who seeks God. We do not use our free will to seek God. The author also clearly showed how even our motivation to do good is grounded in selfish motives, for fame, money, power, appreciation, acceptance or even to gain love. The disappointing factor for me is that it was not once referred to that Messiah came and died to break those bonds that keep us enslaved to sin and set us free to choose righteousness, because of the transforming power of Christ in us. In fact, I thought the ending showed a very non-Christian, humanistic view. Mankind makes a sacrifice and love triumphs. The ending just wasn't enough for me.
Still, it was a well written, suspenseful read.
January 27, 2012
The first book was great, the second book was awsome, and this the third book was simply explosive! Here we finally understad the why's behind all our questins. This third book shows how the 'Dominion Stones and Rings' goes back to the begining of creation. Yes it's a work of fiction but in the end Robin Parrish has found a wonderful way to weave the love and sacrifice of Christ into this redemptive book. We see in this book that Grant Borrows has died, or so they think, and Oblivion (The Angel of Death) takes his place in his body. Brought forth by the evil plans of the Secretum of Six, Oblivion is brought into the world to destroy it so that the Creator can start anew with a perfect creation that leaves no room for the freedom of choice. The Secretum of Six view humanity's power to choose as evil and only leading to more evil and thinks they are doing the Creator a favor by brining forth Oblivion to destroy all of creation... However the Ringwearers find a way to overcome this evil, and to escape the hold of Oblivion. Together they unite to save the world, wheather the world deserves it or not. As the first two books this one was also action packed, with moments where questions are answered in memorable dialogue. I loved it!!
January 31, 2012
This book started out a bit slow, frankly. I was just itching for excitment, and I wasn't getting it in the first 12-15 chapters; but don't condemn me yet! This book did, however, end up amazing, of course. 'Cause that's just like Robin Parrish. I was so glad when Robin added a bit more Christian base to this book and the dialog in it, and I was really touched when Grant "died" and Alex found out that Daniel was "Grant" and still loved him. It showed me that she couldn't care less if he was tall, handsome, and muscle-man like; she just loved him for who he was. But I could not believe it when Lisa died, and THEN Grant died, too! But in the end it all worked out and it really inspired me (as funny as that may sound). I want to be like Alex when it comes to love, really *smile*. I don't want to "love" a man just because he has big muscles and dimples in his cheeks when he grins. I want to love him for who he is, and not want to change him; but I know I will be like this and so will he, because "God delights in delighting us", and, therefore, he will bless me with that yearning, and my future husband with the same.
I highly recomend this book!
I highly recomend this book!
September 4, 2010
This is the last book of the Dominion Trilogy. I liked this trilogy, and plan to read it again. As I've said before, one of the things I appreciate is that although there is extreme violence, it doesn't seem to be as graphic as some Christian authors I've read. Others may disagree with me.
There were things I disagreed with in the plot, which I won't discuss so that I don't give anything away. Suffice it to say that the plot is clever and well-thought-out, though occasionally I thought the author was reaching a little bit to get himself out of a corner that he had written himself into. But I still thought it was a very good read.
There were things I disagreed with in the plot, which I won't discuss so that I don't give anything away. Suffice it to say that the plot is clever and well-thought-out, though occasionally I thought the author was reaching a little bit to get himself out of a corner that he had written himself into. But I still thought it was a very good read.
January 23, 2012
A decent end to the trilogy, although I feel it ended abruptly. New revelations are real game-changers to the plot and make it possibly the best of the trilogy. The action is consistent but the plot tends to lack the drive of "Relentless", but still keeps your from doing anything but read this book. Once i started reading this book, I was completely sucked in. Parrish is an excellent writer whose prose is similar to that of a male Emily Bronte. Heavily based on christian beliefs but they dont bombard the reader with what one would call "christian propaganda".
November 12, 2010
I didn't get to read books 1 & 2 (I won this book on a blog contest) so it took me a while to catch up with the story and I didn't connect as much with the characters as someone who had read the first two books. It still was a very fast-paced book with a gripping story and surprises around every page. Just when I thought I knew where it was headed... another twist would pop up. I liked it enough that I may go back and look for the first two.
January 2, 2014
In this, the third book of the Dominion Trilogy, the story of Grant Borrows comes to a violent, world-changing conclusion. It’s obvious Parrish had the endgame in mind from the beginning (at least conceptually) of the trilogy and he deserves kudos for allowing the story to resolve itself without tying up every single loose end. This trilogy of books, while not quite capturing the epic feel they strove for, still manages to tell an engrossing tale.
August 2, 2016
What an ending to the saga! Everything I liked about the first two books in the series, with a saturation of the God factor and a peek behind the heavenly veil.
This book tackles the concept of free will and the choices that make us human. I will not say more for fear of spoiling what I am telling you is a wonderful read, but if you have made it thus far in the series but wanted more God then you will not be disappointed.
This book tackles the concept of free will and the choices that make us human. I will not say more for fear of spoiling what I am telling you is a wonderful read, but if you have made it thus far in the series but wanted more God then you will not be disappointed.
March 17, 2011
I think that this was a good ending to the trilogy. I really liked all three of the books. The stories were fast paced and there was lots of action. The author did a good job of describing the scenes so that it was easy to picture the story. I am now going to check out the other books written by this author.
August 29, 2011
I picked up all 3 together and read them back to back. Even though this is a Christian publisher, the message is very subtle and would be a good read to recommend to non-Christian friends who like scifi & books with supernatural elements. If you like your books with a fast pace, reasonable character development, and a semi-believable plot about good vs evil, then this is a series for you.
February 2, 2016
Apocalyptic fiction is not my preferred genre, hence the two stars. As these types of stories go, this trilogy has a certain original creativity, but I found one major plot twist at the end quite unrealistic as to the two character's reactions to it. It's well-written and fast-paced but as I typed, I don't like such dark atmosphere's permeating 399 pages. YMMV.
December 9, 2010
Excellent trilogy! I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good vs evil read. The characters are well written and can be sympathized with. I like a character that you can become emotionally involved with and these characters you most definitely can.
August 12, 2013
it was the best one of yet!!! although I would of liked the ending to be a little harder to achieve. seemed to me that a being such as oblivion should of been harder to conquer. But it still was a great ending to he story
July 28, 2011
Great Ending. Satisfying. This is definately a trilogy that I recommend. Didn't think I'd like it BASED ON THE COVER so the the whole Don't judge a book.... yeah - don't. I would say definitely read the whole trilogy. It's really good :)
March 29, 2012
Turned out I was disappointed in this book, the last of the trilogy. Just seemed the whole book was slow on action and then when it did come to an end, it was abrupt. So many ways this trilogy could have ended, it could have been better.
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June 30, 2013The trilogy seems to be a mix of X-Men, Discovery of Heaven, The Hulk, some cheesy romance and Jason Stratham lines thrown in!! It is hard to read it without thinking the writer was hoping someone would just make a movie out of it!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews