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Eve of Redemption #11
The Light from Without: Eve of Redemption, Book 11
The war for Mehr’Durillia has begun.
With the Council of Anthraxis shattered, only four kings remain to counter the collective armies of Mehr’Durillia’s six sister worlds. But three of these are by far the worst of the the eldest, most destructive kings, the very architects of the destruction of a deity and the enslavement of multiple worlds. There is little doubt that they will fight to the bitter end and cast every life they can into the maw of war before they admit defeat.
For nearly twenty years, Karian Vanador has fought against everything these demon kings stand for, but now, she must face them directly. With armies coming from six allied worlds, she has the force to take the fight to her enemies, but while assured the odds are in her favor, Kari has never been one to fight wars without considering the personal costs. With most of her friends and family in the vanguard, she knows this fight will carry a much higher price than win or lose. And all this is to say nothing of yet more time away from her children and home.
Things have come full circle. Those who were once Kari’s enemies are now counted among her staunchest allies. She has helped to bring together six countless peoples of varying races, faiths, strengths, and weaknesses. The time has come for Salvation’s Dawn to cast the reflected light of the gods into the darkness, and to take the fight to the hellish denizens that dwell there. For the only other alternative is to accept the yoke of eternal slavery at the hands of the demons and their true king.
In all of it, Kari must cling to the battle cry of the gods and what it truly means in this 11th and final installment of the epic Eve of Redemption Series.
With the Council of Anthraxis shattered, only four kings remain to counter the collective armies of Mehr’Durillia’s six sister worlds. But three of these are by far the worst of the the eldest, most destructive kings, the very architects of the destruction of a deity and the enslavement of multiple worlds. There is little doubt that they will fight to the bitter end and cast every life they can into the maw of war before they admit defeat.
For nearly twenty years, Karian Vanador has fought against everything these demon kings stand for, but now, she must face them directly. With armies coming from six allied worlds, she has the force to take the fight to her enemies, but while assured the odds are in her favor, Kari has never been one to fight wars without considering the personal costs. With most of her friends and family in the vanguard, she knows this fight will carry a much higher price than win or lose. And all this is to say nothing of yet more time away from her children and home.
Things have come full circle. Those who were once Kari’s enemies are now counted among her staunchest allies. She has helped to bring together six countless peoples of varying races, faiths, strengths, and weaknesses. The time has come for Salvation’s Dawn to cast the reflected light of the gods into the darkness, and to take the fight to the hellish denizens that dwell there. For the only other alternative is to accept the yoke of eternal slavery at the hands of the demons and their true king.
In all of it, Kari must cling to the battle cry of the gods and what it truly means in this 11th and final installment of the epic Eve of Redemption Series.
Audible Audio
Published August 29, 2024
6 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Joe Jackson
22 books181 followersAs an avid fan of fantasy, I try to combine shades of some of my favorite authors' writing - Tad Williams, Raymond E. Feist, and RA Salvatore, among others - into my own world. The result is a world of rich descriptions, complex politics, and heart-racing combat.
I started writing Sci-Fi short stories in fifth grade after seeing the movie "Aliens" in the theater. After getting into Dungeons & Dragons with friends as a teenager, my interests moved to Epic Fantasy, but still rooted in a Sci-Fi alien world. The Eve of Redemption series represents the culmination of years of world-building and back-story development, much of it through epic AD&D campaigns, that takes familiar epic fantasy and brings it to an alien world.
I live in Rhode Island with my wife and two daughters. When I'm not chasing the rascals around the yard or counting beans for the boss, I'm usually imagining the next turn on the long road that the Eve of Redemption series brings.
I started writing Sci-Fi short stories in fifth grade after seeing the movie "Aliens" in the theater. After getting into Dungeons & Dragons with friends as a teenager, my interests moved to Epic Fantasy, but still rooted in a Sci-Fi alien world. The Eve of Redemption series represents the culmination of years of world-building and back-story development, much of it through epic AD&D campaigns, that takes familiar epic fantasy and brings it to an alien world.
I live in Rhode Island with my wife and two daughters. When I'm not chasing the rascals around the yard or counting beans for the boss, I'm usually imagining the next turn on the long road that the Eve of Redemption series brings.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 9, 2021
I absolutely adored this series from start to finish!
I only wish there was more 😅
I only wish there was more 😅
November 27, 2020
The final battles are at hand. With only three major enemies to go, Kari and her companions seem to be close to the end---but the three that remain are the most powerful, and stand far above any mortal strength. But with everything riding on this gambit, they have no choice but to try . . .
If you've been reading the series up until this point, this book is the culmination of everything the story has been doing to date. The battles are huge, clever, and each sport a unique aspect that makes them feel distinct and not repetitive. I especially liked how Kari and Abaddon were contrasted at the end---and how there was a lot more in play here than just good versus evil. The things that defined both sides were important. I also liked the emphasis on how "chosen one" is also "one who chooses," and that the book points out she could have made different choices at any step along the way.
By this point, there are a LOT of characters. The story does a good job in general of juggling everyone, but it would still be useful to have read the previous books somewhat recently to refresh some of the minor characters. For the most part, everyone who has had a significant role in any of the previous books (and is still alive) has SOME role here, and some decent closure.
It was interesting how the war, despite being ongoing, had definite phases, with furloughs for Kari in between. As odd as it seems to have a vacation in the middle of all the killing, the timeframe is long enough that those breaks make a lot of sense. And of course various people needing to retire due to injury or loss is a reality of war too.
I really liked what Gil was doing. Gil is not only getting a chance to prove her worth, but decide her future. There's also a bit of sci-fi mixed in with the werewolf's story, too, which has always been fun in this mostly-fantasy setting.
Overall, this has been an amazing journey. The series feels just the right length to tackle everything (though I wouldn't mind seeing a spinoff about some of the other worlds). I rate this book Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
If you've been reading the series up until this point, this book is the culmination of everything the story has been doing to date. The battles are huge, clever, and each sport a unique aspect that makes them feel distinct and not repetitive. I especially liked how Kari and Abaddon were contrasted at the end---and how there was a lot more in play here than just good versus evil. The things that defined both sides were important. I also liked the emphasis on how "chosen one" is also "one who chooses," and that the book points out she could have made different choices at any step along the way.
By this point, there are a LOT of characters. The story does a good job in general of juggling everyone, but it would still be useful to have read the previous books somewhat recently to refresh some of the minor characters. For the most part, everyone who has had a significant role in any of the previous books (and is still alive) has SOME role here, and some decent closure.
It was interesting how the war, despite being ongoing, had definite phases, with furloughs for Kari in between. As odd as it seems to have a vacation in the middle of all the killing, the timeframe is long enough that those breaks make a lot of sense. And of course various people needing to retire due to injury or loss is a reality of war too.
I really liked what Gil was doing. Gil is not only getting a chance to prove her worth, but decide her future. There's also a bit of sci-fi mixed in with the werewolf's story, too, which has always been fun in this mostly-fantasy setting.
Overall, this has been an amazing journey. The series feels just the right length to tackle everything (though I wouldn't mind seeing a spinoff about some of the other worlds). I rate this book Highly Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
January 7, 2023
the light from without
All these books have been marvellous and this final one in the series did not disappoint. I really enjoyed it and although glad to see the happy ending sorry it has ended.
All these books have been marvellous and this final one in the series did not disappoint. I really enjoyed it and although glad to see the happy ending sorry it has ended.
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September 22, 2020Book 11 is now live and the series is complete! Enjoy!
September 25, 2020
Over the last few years and 10 novels we have watched Karian (Kari) Vanador grow from being a fighter (albeit an accomplished fighter) to the Avatar of Vengeance and now an instrument of the gods. In this final chapter we are taken through the war for Mehr’Durillia and by extension the “final” battle between good and evil for all of her sister worlds.
The story opens with Kari and Kris on an enforced vacation at her home in Darkwind. It has been rebuilt and construction has begun on the temple to Sakkrass. However, it is not long before they head to Mehr’Durillia to join the fight. We see many of our favorite characters from the previous novels play key roles in the war. And there are surprising revelations about Mehr’Durillia’s past and how it came to be ruled by the Overking.
Jackson keeps you entertained with clever plot twits and rich character development. With this final installment of the Eve of Redemption series Joe Jackson has firmly established himself as a master storyteller.
The story opens with Kari and Kris on an enforced vacation at her home in Darkwind. It has been rebuilt and construction has begun on the temple to Sakkrass. However, it is not long before they head to Mehr’Durillia to join the fight. We see many of our favorite characters from the previous novels play key roles in the war. And there are surprising revelations about Mehr’Durillia’s past and how it came to be ruled by the Overking.
Jackson keeps you entertained with clever plot twits and rich character development. With this final installment of the Eve of Redemption series Joe Jackson has firmly established himself as a master storyteller.
September 24, 2020
DEFINITIVE ENDING, DEFINITELY
And here we are. The Light from Without is the last installment in the Eve of Redemption series.
It's one hefty book, but in a good way - tying up all the plot threads piled on for ten novels straight and concluding the personal story arcs of its several dozen or so characters. While it doesn't quite manage to do all of it as neatly as I'd prefer, considering the sheer amount of scope and world-changing developments that the series tries to portray in general, I think this last volume does a very adequate, if straightforward, job of giving the EoR saga a long-awaited coda.
The main drive of the narrative is centered around the liberation war on Mehr'Durillia, an event that was hinted at as early as the third book. The Overking has finally fallen, the forces of good have been gathered, and all that now remains for our heroes and their stalwart allies is to banish the remaining evil from the land, and bring balance to the Force. Well, not the Force per se, but rather its metaphysical counterpart, Be'Shatha, one of the setting's seven supreme deities. Along the way we get to see the horrors of war, valiant stands in the face of sheer odds, medieval warfare strategizing, some very large-scale magics, and heroic fights with the remaining BBEGs.
The above description may sound on the dry side, and, to be honest, the book did read somewhat slow at times. There were many points where the story entered some prime territory which simply screamed "plot twist!" yet it never paused in its steady, measured pace toward the final showdown. Yes, there were unexpected developments and complications, but those felt like they were meant to be surprising for the characters, not the readers.
That said, the series' trademark character dynamics are here in full swing. Unfortunately, since this book is about a continent-wide war, not everybody survives to have a happy ending. Still, the body count remained relatively low, which was relieving, if surprising. What made me strangely wistful, though, was how many of the characters seemed to have blended into the background; individuals who previously held center stage in earlier books now scarcely had a few lines of page time or were altogether absent, mentioned only in passing. I guess with so many stuff going on all at once that was inevitable, but that is both the blessing and curse of this series: it makes you care so much for its characters that once they aren't around anymore, you're left wondering what they're up to - even if it's just to learn how their day went.
The finale is pretty much close-ended, and there is a whole chapter dedicated to giving a "happily ever after" ending. Old-fashioned as it might seem, it is nevertheless a rare sight in today's fantasy literature overflowing with gritty and dark narratives.
There is also an epilogue which serves as a hook for a sequel series, although with an entirely different protagonist. Time will tell whether or not that teasing promise comes to pass. Personally, I like such methods of "passing the torch" in a metaphorical and meta-narrative sense. And it reminds the reader that the story they just finished is but a small segment of a much larger, universal narrative. :)
Bottom line - a solid read. Dry in places, and the pacing isn't as great as in some previous entries, but it gets the job done. The saga ends, good triumphs, and the heroes all gather to have a grand celebration. The end.
Now we wait to see what comes next!
And here we are. The Light from Without is the last installment in the Eve of Redemption series.
It's one hefty book, but in a good way - tying up all the plot threads piled on for ten novels straight and concluding the personal story arcs of its several dozen or so characters. While it doesn't quite manage to do all of it as neatly as I'd prefer, considering the sheer amount of scope and world-changing developments that the series tries to portray in general, I think this last volume does a very adequate, if straightforward, job of giving the EoR saga a long-awaited coda.
The main drive of the narrative is centered around the liberation war on Mehr'Durillia, an event that was hinted at as early as the third book. The Overking has finally fallen, the forces of good have been gathered, and all that now remains for our heroes and their stalwart allies is to banish the remaining evil from the land, and bring balance to the Force. Well, not the Force per se, but rather its metaphysical counterpart, Be'Shatha, one of the setting's seven supreme deities. Along the way we get to see the horrors of war, valiant stands in the face of sheer odds, medieval warfare strategizing, some very large-scale magics, and heroic fights with the remaining BBEGs.
The above description may sound on the dry side, and, to be honest, the book did read somewhat slow at times. There were many points where the story entered some prime territory which simply screamed "plot twist!" yet it never paused in its steady, measured pace toward the final showdown. Yes, there were unexpected developments and complications, but those felt like they were meant to be surprising for the characters, not the readers.
That said, the series' trademark character dynamics are here in full swing. Unfortunately, since this book is about a continent-wide war, not everybody survives to have a happy ending. Still, the body count remained relatively low, which was relieving, if surprising. What made me strangely wistful, though, was how many of the characters seemed to have blended into the background; individuals who previously held center stage in earlier books now scarcely had a few lines of page time or were altogether absent, mentioned only in passing. I guess with so many stuff going on all at once that was inevitable, but that is both the blessing and curse of this series: it makes you care so much for its characters that once they aren't around anymore, you're left wondering what they're up to - even if it's just to learn how their day went.
The finale is pretty much close-ended, and there is a whole chapter dedicated to giving a "happily ever after" ending. Old-fashioned as it might seem, it is nevertheless a rare sight in today's fantasy literature overflowing with gritty and dark narratives.
There is also an epilogue which serves as a hook for a sequel series, although with an entirely different protagonist. Time will tell whether or not that teasing promise comes to pass. Personally, I like such methods of "passing the torch" in a metaphorical and meta-narrative sense. And it reminds the reader that the story they just finished is but a small segment of a much larger, universal narrative. :)
Bottom line - a solid read. Dry in places, and the pacing isn't as great as in some previous entries, but it gets the job done. The saga ends, good triumphs, and the heroes all gather to have a grand celebration. The end.
Now we wait to see what comes next!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews