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The Bards and Dragons Saga #2
The Sound of Change
An action-packed flintlock fantasy book about guns, mages, bards and dragons!
Ulric’s quiet life of exile has been turned upside down. Dellioph is unable to play his music or keep his secrets. Gali, having lost everything, teeters on the brink of despair. And they’re all being chased by dragons, which are nothing like the old stories.
Aari, Col, and Devo continue to pursue the evil sorcerer responsible for the dragons. But as Aari’s memories start to return, doubts come with them. What can she do next to Col, the Spirit of the Earth, and Devo, a hulking, strong fighter? She’s just a girl.
And back in the city of Quinport, Lyrrun of Dwy— who should be retired by now— is left to manage the fallout from the heist and to try to keep the Mastus family out of jail. But this forces him into the middle of a dangerous rivalry between chancellors.
If you listen closely, perhaps you will hear it… Change is coming.
Ulric’s quiet life of exile has been turned upside down. Dellioph is unable to play his music or keep his secrets. Gali, having lost everything, teeters on the brink of despair. And they’re all being chased by dragons, which are nothing like the old stories.
Aari, Col, and Devo continue to pursue the evil sorcerer responsible for the dragons. But as Aari’s memories start to return, doubts come with them. What can she do next to Col, the Spirit of the Earth, and Devo, a hulking, strong fighter? She’s just a girl.
And back in the city of Quinport, Lyrrun of Dwy— who should be retired by now— is left to manage the fallout from the heist and to try to keep the Mastus family out of jail. But this forces him into the middle of a dangerous rivalry between chancellors.
If you listen closely, perhaps you will hear it… Change is coming.
674 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
About the author
Steve D. Wall
2 books41 followersI am the author of The Way of Renegades, book 1 of the Bards and Dragons Saga. I was born and raised in a tiny town in the Texas countryside where it was imperative I developed a powerful imagination. From a young age, I loved to read and I loved to create. It started with drawings of my own versions of superheroes, monsters, and pokemon, and as I grew older, I started writing and creating my own kingdoms and governments. During these formative years, some of my favorite books were the Redwall series, the Animorphs, the Wheel of Time, and Harry Potter. And it's always been the Fantasy genre above all others for me.
After a few directionless semesters in college, I decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, and it was there I met my wife and and where I really discovered a passion for writing and storytelling. But it was still just a hobby at that point. It wasn't until COVID hit and I lost my job that I dedicated myself to creating a full story. It took almost three years for me to finally complete The Way of Renegades— because writing is hard, you guys— but it was during that time I truly found myself as a storyteller.
After a few directionless semesters in college, I decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, and it was there I met my wife and and where I really discovered a passion for writing and storytelling. But it was still just a hobby at that point. It wasn't until COVID hit and I lost my job that I dedicated myself to creating a full story. It took almost three years for me to finally complete The Way of Renegades— because writing is hard, you guys— but it was during that time I truly found myself as a storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 25, 2025
It is known in the bookish community that the middle book in the trilogy is the hardest to write. But all I can say about The sound of change is that it is better. Almost all the stuff that I wished I had in the first book were delivered in the second. From local/native story to strong, very strong characters (and, if I would compare Steve with Joe, as some other do – he had meaningful death), to little element of worldbuilding. And it had a nice wrap up, with just enough opened stuff to be concluded in the last book.
And if this didn’t incourage you to get the book, you can always listen to it. Mr. Steven Pacey does an incredible job.
And if this didn’t incourage you to get the book, you can always listen to it. Mr. Steven Pacey does an incredible job.
August 18, 2025
Follow me on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wolfmantula?si=w...
Follow me on X: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
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MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.75/5
FORMAT: Kindle Whispersync
I’m thrilled this sequel lived up to the high expectations I set for it. Mr. Wall has delivered an incredible sequel that not only dials up the epicness, but tugs at the heart strings and even made me giggle, all without giving middle book syndrome energy. I had an absolute blast reading this, with the story being elevated further by Steven Pacey’s outstanding narration. Knowing Wall’s influences, you can spot them on the page, yet he crafts a tale that’s uniquely his own, with gritty stakes, deep mysteries and a world that feels even more alive.
I’m grateful I did a re-read of The Way of Renegades before I jumped into The Sound of Change, mainly because this had no “story so far” recap. The re-read gave me an opportunity to experience the story again, it also gave me a chance to hear it from Pacey himself, and ensured I was able to dive in without missing a beat. As I mentioned, this story made me giggle, and it happened many times, but there was one moment with Dellioph that got me good (that’s all I’ll say to avoid spoilers). One thing I didn’t catch until late, and I might be reaching, is how some of the gods and places names had an indigenous feel to them, adding an extra layer of depth. The clash of the industrial frontier and the cultural traditions of the Teo tribes create a fascinating tension. The magic system is something I love, I love that it has consequences, which grounds it in a bit of realism.
I love the multiple POVs, giving views of battles from different fronts, the inner dialogue as well as character interactions. Ulric has become my clear favorite of the bunch, while each character brings a little something of their own, he’s the glue that holds it all together, with his leadership that shines through tense moments. Learning of Dellioph’s backstory, which opens the gate to more things to come in book 3. Gali’s grief, Aari’s spiritual connection and Devo’s relentless pursuit of Malvaiur, while Lyrrun deals with the political intrigue and espionage that balances out and deepens the story.
“You can only choose what you do with what you have, and it is those choices which define us most.”
The action ramps up beautifully on their journey to face Malvaiur, with multi-front battles with dragons, a head to head clash with Malvaiur, epic sorcery clashes with Dellioph and other users while also having Lyrrun in the thick of it as well. Wall did a great job of spacing them perfectly, building from tense pursuits to all-out epics without overwhelming the character focus. But the emotional toll was something I wasn’t expecting, it tugs harder than the first book, Wall digs deep, exploring themes of exile, family, and change through important moments that truly made me pause and reflect, like rituals honoring the fallen, which was incredibly beautiful, or quiet conversations revealing hidden pains. The flintlock elements blend even better with magic here, evolving the world from the frontier boom in book one to a continent on the brink, full of gods, dragons and escalating threats.
With that said, I do feel like there was a missed opportunity to see a point of view from Malvaiur’s perspective, just to delve deeper into his motivations and more on his backstory, to better understand his intentions. Some information is given through Devo, but I like to see both sides to fully understand everyone. Right now, he just comes across as a straightforward villain creating dragons, but his motivations and everything else is left to the imagination. Still though, the payoff in the finale is satisfying, raising the stakes and more questions for what’s next while delivering something closure.
Overall, The Sound of Change builds perfectly on The Way of Renegades, expanding the scope without losing its heart. This a solid 4.75 stars, matching my bump for the first after the audiobook—Pacey’s voices bring the Teo accents, bardic flair, and battle cries to life in a way that immerses you completely. Wall’s growth as a storyteller is evident, and I’m already itching for book three. If you’re into flintlock fantasy with emotional depth and diverse casts, this is a must-read! Grab it and join the renegades!
Follow me on X: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.75/5
FORMAT: Kindle Whispersync
I’m thrilled this sequel lived up to the high expectations I set for it. Mr. Wall has delivered an incredible sequel that not only dials up the epicness, but tugs at the heart strings and even made me giggle, all without giving middle book syndrome energy. I had an absolute blast reading this, with the story being elevated further by Steven Pacey’s outstanding narration. Knowing Wall’s influences, you can spot them on the page, yet he crafts a tale that’s uniquely his own, with gritty stakes, deep mysteries and a world that feels even more alive.
I’m grateful I did a re-read of The Way of Renegades before I jumped into The Sound of Change, mainly because this had no “story so far” recap. The re-read gave me an opportunity to experience the story again, it also gave me a chance to hear it from Pacey himself, and ensured I was able to dive in without missing a beat. As I mentioned, this story made me giggle, and it happened many times, but there was one moment with Dellioph that got me good (that’s all I’ll say to avoid spoilers). One thing I didn’t catch until late, and I might be reaching, is how some of the gods and places names had an indigenous feel to them, adding an extra layer of depth. The clash of the industrial frontier and the cultural traditions of the Teo tribes create a fascinating tension. The magic system is something I love, I love that it has consequences, which grounds it in a bit of realism.
I love the multiple POVs, giving views of battles from different fronts, the inner dialogue as well as character interactions. Ulric has become my clear favorite of the bunch, while each character brings a little something of their own, he’s the glue that holds it all together, with his leadership that shines through tense moments. Learning of Dellioph’s backstory, which opens the gate to more things to come in book 3. Gali’s grief, Aari’s spiritual connection and Devo’s relentless pursuit of Malvaiur, while Lyrrun deals with the political intrigue and espionage that balances out and deepens the story.
“You can only choose what you do with what you have, and it is those choices which define us most.”
The action ramps up beautifully on their journey to face Malvaiur, with multi-front battles with dragons, a head to head clash with Malvaiur, epic sorcery clashes with Dellioph and other users while also having Lyrrun in the thick of it as well. Wall did a great job of spacing them perfectly, building from tense pursuits to all-out epics without overwhelming the character focus. But the emotional toll was something I wasn’t expecting, it tugs harder than the first book, Wall digs deep, exploring themes of exile, family, and change through important moments that truly made me pause and reflect, like rituals honoring the fallen, which was incredibly beautiful, or quiet conversations revealing hidden pains. The flintlock elements blend even better with magic here, evolving the world from the frontier boom in book one to a continent on the brink, full of gods, dragons and escalating threats.
With that said, I do feel like there was a missed opportunity to see a point of view from Malvaiur’s perspective, just to delve deeper into his motivations and more on his backstory, to better understand his intentions. Some information is given through Devo, but I like to see both sides to fully understand everyone. Right now, he just comes across as a straightforward villain creating dragons, but his motivations and everything else is left to the imagination. Still though, the payoff in the finale is satisfying, raising the stakes and more questions for what’s next while delivering something closure.
Overall, The Sound of Change builds perfectly on The Way of Renegades, expanding the scope without losing its heart. This a solid 4.75 stars, matching my bump for the first after the audiobook—Pacey’s voices bring the Teo accents, bardic flair, and battle cries to life in a way that immerses you completely. Wall’s growth as a storyteller is evident, and I’m already itching for book three. If you’re into flintlock fantasy with emotional depth and diverse casts, this is a must-read! Grab it and join the renegades!
March 21, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐️
Having adored The Way of Renegades, I was deeply excited to jump back into Steve D Wall's sequel, The Sound of Change, returning to the world of Dellioph, Ulric Lyrrun and Aari amongst a host of other chracters. The first book had captivated me with its politicking and deep magical lore, where creation deities and usurper hegemony fought for the rights to the world, so I expected more of the same from the sequel.
Which it delivered, albeit with more caveats than its predecessor. Overall, the story of the Teo tribes, the aftermath of the first book and the characters' fractious place in that narrative made for a well-developed story of interlocking parts. Lyrrun's storyline was intriguing and toe-clenching in places; Dellioph remains a devious rascal; Devo and Gali show a unique interchange of loyalty, language and culture; and Ulric, bless him, is forever thrown into life or death situations with few options but to fight. The stakes are high, and the climax of the book is as fulfilling as it was epic.
But there are caveats, the main one being the pacing. The book sits at 650 pages, and at least 75% of the book is travel or preparation sequences, while also learning about the secrets and mysteries of magical powers and the fate of the world. And while interesting to learn about, I struggled to remain engaged, as the moments of action interspersing these sequences were few and far between. Equally, the last 25% was only action, and although incredibly epic it did only highlight the pacing issue.
There are other small caveats alongside this - including a lot of narrative monologuing about characters feelings and thoughts - but I don't want to focus on these as much, as that would take away from how much fun this book was at times. Witty, punchy dialogue and tender moments of grief gave such heart to the book, and the ending provided so much potential for the third book in the series.
I loved the first book, and although this one didn’t hit the mark for me, I will still absolutely read the finale to the trilogy. It is a great series with unique features that I recommend people try out!
Having adored The Way of Renegades, I was deeply excited to jump back into Steve D Wall's sequel, The Sound of Change, returning to the world of Dellioph, Ulric Lyrrun and Aari amongst a host of other chracters. The first book had captivated me with its politicking and deep magical lore, where creation deities and usurper hegemony fought for the rights to the world, so I expected more of the same from the sequel.
Which it delivered, albeit with more caveats than its predecessor. Overall, the story of the Teo tribes, the aftermath of the first book and the characters' fractious place in that narrative made for a well-developed story of interlocking parts. Lyrrun's storyline was intriguing and toe-clenching in places; Dellioph remains a devious rascal; Devo and Gali show a unique interchange of loyalty, language and culture; and Ulric, bless him, is forever thrown into life or death situations with few options but to fight. The stakes are high, and the climax of the book is as fulfilling as it was epic.
But there are caveats, the main one being the pacing. The book sits at 650 pages, and at least 75% of the book is travel or preparation sequences, while also learning about the secrets and mysteries of magical powers and the fate of the world. And while interesting to learn about, I struggled to remain engaged, as the moments of action interspersing these sequences were few and far between. Equally, the last 25% was only action, and although incredibly epic it did only highlight the pacing issue.
There are other small caveats alongside this - including a lot of narrative monologuing about characters feelings and thoughts - but I don't want to focus on these as much, as that would take away from how much fun this book was at times. Witty, punchy dialogue and tender moments of grief gave such heart to the book, and the ending provided so much potential for the third book in the series.
I loved the first book, and although this one didn’t hit the mark for me, I will still absolutely read the finale to the trilogy. It is a great series with unique features that I recommend people try out!
March 15, 2026
Decent but not as good as Book 1.
Full disclosure, the god tier narrator Steven Pacey bought me to this series and he was excellent as always. Not enough happened for my liking in this one. Pace was slow. Also, the challenge for all but 1 of the POV characters was vague and did not capture my interest. I also found several of the characters uninspired and similar. I really like the Ulric and Dellioph, and Lyrrun is well realized, but underutilized. I wish these characters were even more prominent and placed in more intriguing settings.
Full disclosure, the god tier narrator Steven Pacey bought me to this series and he was excellent as always. Not enough happened for my liking in this one. Pace was slow. Also, the challenge for all but 1 of the POV characters was vague and did not capture my interest. I also found several of the characters uninspired and similar. I really like the Ulric and Dellioph, and Lyrrun is well realized, but underutilized. I wish these characters were even more prominent and placed in more intriguing settings.
August 6, 2025
Fantastic fantasy tale (Audible)
Amazing continuation from the first! I was evermore immersed into the characters’ individual stories and decisions made. The development of the characters and story was great. The writing style and pacing felt very consistent from the first book, even when introducing new characters and new areas. Thank you again Steve for a great book and I cannot wait for the next title!
Amazing continuation from the first! I was evermore immersed into the characters’ individual stories and decisions made. The development of the characters and story was great. The writing style and pacing felt very consistent from the first book, even when introducing new characters and new areas. Thank you again Steve for a great book and I cannot wait for the next title!
August 17, 2025
This book is even better than the first and I LOVED the first one. It's got heart, character, pain, loss, action, excitement, and of course plenty of humor. It can be silly and fun one moment and deadly serious the next. You can be crying from laughter and a few pages later full on weeping out of sadness. This book made me cry a legit 7 times. New record for me.
This is a book I'd easily put up on the shelf next to the greats like Abercrombie and Pratchett.
This is a book I'd easily put up on the shelf next to the greats like Abercrombie and Pratchett.
November 6, 2025
I absolutely loved the first book of this series, and this one didn’t disappoint either!
The authors writing style reminds me much of Joe Abercrombie but it might just be because the audiobook is narrated by the same Steven Pacey. Either way, these books continue to keep me entertained.
If you’re looking for a flintlock Fantasy with a bard who can do magic, and dragons that aren’t your typical dragons—then this one is for you. I love the characters, the fast moving plot, and every page keeps you entertained. Highly recommend.
The authors writing style reminds me much of Joe Abercrombie but it might just be because the audiobook is narrated by the same Steven Pacey. Either way, these books continue to keep me entertained.
If you’re looking for a flintlock Fantasy with a bard who can do magic, and dragons that aren’t your typical dragons—then this one is for you. I love the characters, the fast moving plot, and every page keeps you entertained. Highly recommend.
December 14, 2025
actually just so good literally scratches the itch for a fantasy ensemble group that slowly has to learn to trust and work together 🥹 i wish it was longer and went more into certain characters backstory! i hope we get a book 3
February 17, 2026
Contrary to the first novel this is an actual story and not an intro.
Two good storylines that are completely seperated but both are very interesting to read. Plenty of tension and new elements during the book and very well written.
Cool ending that makes me look forward to a sequel.
Two good storylines that are completely seperated but both are very interesting to read. Plenty of tension and new elements during the book and very well written.
Cool ending that makes me look forward to a sequel.
March 10, 2026
4.0 audiobook version.
May 16, 2026
Loved both Book 1 and Book 2. Feels like a spiritual successor to Abercrombie (not just bc Stephen Pacey narrates both). Loved the world and characters
February 11, 2026
Moved away from the bard as the main character. It was still good, but there was so much build up for the war for it to be soooo short
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews