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The Edan Trilogy
While Darkness Gathers
Gorsarhad, eldest of dragons, lays waste to the north. Even as King Orvandil
Dragonbane seeks to shield his people from the creature’s wrath, foes from the
Wildlands assault the kingdom of Grimrik, leaving the Thjoths between the
hammer and the anvil.
In faraway Asdralad, Riall holds the power to save Orvandil’s people from the
ancient beast. Knowing the danger of unleashing the young sorceress on
Eormenlond, Queen Sequara stands in the way of her pupil. All the while, the vast
presence in Riall’s dreams looms nearer, overshadowing all in its path.
Sixteen years after the War of the Way, the legacy of the Prophet of Edan lies upon
the land, and each must find their light while darkness gathers.
Dragonbane seeks to shield his people from the creature’s wrath, foes from the
Wildlands assault the kingdom of Grimrik, leaving the Thjoths between the
hammer and the anvil.
In faraway Asdralad, Riall holds the power to save Orvandil’s people from the
ancient beast. Knowing the danger of unleashing the young sorceress on
Eormenlond, Queen Sequara stands in the way of her pupil. All the while, the vast
presence in Riall’s dreams looms nearer, overshadowing all in its path.
Sixteen years after the War of the Way, the legacy of the Prophet of Edan lies upon
the land, and each must find their light while darkness gathers.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2025
14 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 15, 2025
My review of While Darkness Gathers is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Philip Chase welcomes us back to Eormenlond in While Darkness Gathers, the sequel to his Edan Trilogy set sixteen years after the conclusion of Return to Edan. For fans of the Edan Trilogy, While Darkness Gathers feels like coming home after a long journey, with quiet nostalgia for a past that has slowly faded away.
While Darkness Gathers introduces us to Riall, a young sorceress with the compassion and altruistic instinct of a healer. Riall is only beginning to discover her powers, which may be key in saving the world from the return of an ancient evil. Although While Darkness Gathers employs a chosen one trope, Chase takes it in a very different and more subdued direction compared to the main Edan Trilogy.
Philip Chase draws inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien with his intricately detailed fantasy world and its complex lore and history. One of the most fascinating features of Eormenlond is its elvish race. Chase diverges dramatically from the noble elvish race of Tolkien’s Middle-earth: the elves of Eormenlond are utterly elusive and in possession of terrifying power. The origin of the elvish race and their supreme power play a pivotal role in Chase’s sequel.
While Darkness Gathers is a slimmer volume and less ambitious in scope compared to the three main novels of the Edan Trilogy. Although it doesn’t have the philosophical depth of The Prophet of Edan or Return to Edan, Chase’s writing is every bit as nuanced and beautiful. While Darkness Gathers shines most brightly in its well-drawn characters and their familial relationships, as Chase explores themes of found family and martyrdom.
Although readers new to Philip Chase’s work could, in principle, begin with While Darkness Gathers, I recommend starting with the first book of the Edan Trilogy, The Way of Edan. One of my favorite characters from the Edan Trilogy, Sequara, features prominently in While Darkness Gathers. My enjoyment of this sequel was greatly enhanced for having already read the main trilogy.
In the end, While Darkness Gathers resonates with a gentle melancholy of lamentation overlaid with an optimism for a brighter future.
Philip Chase welcomes us back to Eormenlond in While Darkness Gathers, the sequel to his Edan Trilogy set sixteen years after the conclusion of Return to Edan. For fans of the Edan Trilogy, While Darkness Gathers feels like coming home after a long journey, with quiet nostalgia for a past that has slowly faded away.
While Darkness Gathers introduces us to Riall, a young sorceress with the compassion and altruistic instinct of a healer. Riall is only beginning to discover her powers, which may be key in saving the world from the return of an ancient evil. Although While Darkness Gathers employs a chosen one trope, Chase takes it in a very different and more subdued direction compared to the main Edan Trilogy.
Philip Chase draws inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien with his intricately detailed fantasy world and its complex lore and history. One of the most fascinating features of Eormenlond is its elvish race. Chase diverges dramatically from the noble elvish race of Tolkien’s Middle-earth: the elves of Eormenlond are utterly elusive and in possession of terrifying power. The origin of the elvish race and their supreme power play a pivotal role in Chase’s sequel.
While Darkness Gathers is a slimmer volume and less ambitious in scope compared to the three main novels of the Edan Trilogy. Although it doesn’t have the philosophical depth of The Prophet of Edan or Return to Edan, Chase’s writing is every bit as nuanced and beautiful. While Darkness Gathers shines most brightly in its well-drawn characters and their familial relationships, as Chase explores themes of found family and martyrdom.
Although readers new to Philip Chase’s work could, in principle, begin with While Darkness Gathers, I recommend starting with the first book of the Edan Trilogy, The Way of Edan. One of my favorite characters from the Edan Trilogy, Sequara, features prominently in While Darkness Gathers. My enjoyment of this sequel was greatly enhanced for having already read the main trilogy.
In the end, While Darkness Gathers resonates with a gentle melancholy of lamentation overlaid with an optimism for a brighter future.
Read
July 12, 2025A sharply drawn story centering on the next generation after the war and the prophet of Edan, this concise standalone follows the themes of coming of age and venturing out into a world reshaped by the conflict that came before them. Told in a straightforward style, the pacing takes us on a journey across several countries, with a young woman struggling to come to terms with the immensity of her gifts, and another, taken captive, must grow up fast and make choices that will impact two cultures.
All the while a vengeful dragon is making her fury felt, at high cost to human lives and livelihoods.
While there are edges here, in many ways, this is a gentler tale than the prequel, Edan Trilogy. The young make their way into a world that is fresh and exciting, while their parents wrestle with their memories of what has passed before them.
For an adult reader, I'd recommend starting with the Edan trilogy, with all of its brute horrors of war impacting nations and rulers come before. For teens, ready for an adventurous story - what has passed before is made known, but with much of the horror of past battle at distance, since the tale centers on the young, and follows a narrower cast of characters, and an evolving grasp that deepens the magical elements present in this fantasy world.
This is a compact read, which brings some of the gentler themes uncommon to the genre, and a centered view of the strength of parenthood, mentorship, and guidance as the adults in the story come to terms with their relationships with budding adults. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy John Gwynne, with a lively flavor of Norse and Old English blended with kingdoms with varied cultural roots.
It is a joy and a delight to watch Philip Chase develop his individual style and voice in the world he has most meticulously created in this, and the prequel trilogy.
All the while a vengeful dragon is making her fury felt, at high cost to human lives and livelihoods.
While there are edges here, in many ways, this is a gentler tale than the prequel, Edan Trilogy. The young make their way into a world that is fresh and exciting, while their parents wrestle with their memories of what has passed before them.
For an adult reader, I'd recommend starting with the Edan trilogy, with all of its brute horrors of war impacting nations and rulers come before. For teens, ready for an adventurous story - what has passed before is made known, but with much of the horror of past battle at distance, since the tale centers on the young, and follows a narrower cast of characters, and an evolving grasp that deepens the magical elements present in this fantasy world.
This is a compact read, which brings some of the gentler themes uncommon to the genre, and a centered view of the strength of parenthood, mentorship, and guidance as the adults in the story come to terms with their relationships with budding adults. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy John Gwynne, with a lively flavor of Norse and Old English blended with kingdoms with varied cultural roots.
It is a joy and a delight to watch Philip Chase develop his individual style and voice in the world he has most meticulously created in this, and the prequel trilogy.
August 1, 2025
Philip Chase is back with a banger. WDG is a cinematic, fast-paced dragon hunt with a handful of familiar characters from the previous trilogy, beautiful world-building and a fantastic exploration of the aftermath of world-shattering events. It's short, it's intense, it has found-family tropes and animal companions, dangerous magic and an author who understands what makes a good story. Please give us more!
July 2, 2025
A decade and a half after the epic War of the Way chronicled in the Edan Trilogy, what has become of Dayraven’s friends? While Darkness Gathers has many brand new characters, but we also get to see how things are going for Sequara, Seren, Orvandil etc
Orvandil has his hands full, because a dragon is plaguing his lands, and Sequara the sorceress-queen is training the next generation of sorcerers and sorceresses, one of whom, Riall, is frighteningly strong in the gift and ready to uncover some secrets about herself. Riall is a cool new character, I liked her.
The characters are all lovable, and that’s my main criticism of While Darkness Gathers. In the Edan Trilogy, we were spoiled for terrifying villains. Less so in this book. The darkness that is gathering is not very dark, and not very scary.
The prose is straightforward and accessible as one has come to expect from Chase. It’s so easily digestible, one might almost call it a palate cleanser. But not quite. It still has epic, world-ending stakes, and a multitude of character perspectives keeping readers on their toes.
The themes of faith from the Edan Trilogy are still present, but religion is not what the people of Eormenlond are fighting over this time. This conflict is more tropey, there’s a dragon, there’s vengeance, young people finding their place in the world, themes of family and sacrifice.
Overall, a pleasant read.
Orvandil has his hands full, because a dragon is plaguing his lands, and Sequara the sorceress-queen is training the next generation of sorcerers and sorceresses, one of whom, Riall, is frighteningly strong in the gift and ready to uncover some secrets about herself. Riall is a cool new character, I liked her.
The characters are all lovable, and that’s my main criticism of While Darkness Gathers. In the Edan Trilogy, we were spoiled for terrifying villains. Less so in this book. The darkness that is gathering is not very dark, and not very scary.
The prose is straightforward and accessible as one has come to expect from Chase. It’s so easily digestible, one might almost call it a palate cleanser. But not quite. It still has epic, world-ending stakes, and a multitude of character perspectives keeping readers on their toes.
The themes of faith from the Edan Trilogy are still present, but religion is not what the people of Eormenlond are fighting over this time. This conflict is more tropey, there’s a dragon, there’s vengeance, young people finding their place in the world, themes of family and sacrifice.
Overall, a pleasant read.
June 23, 2025
Following on from the sprawling epic fantasy that is The Edan trilogy, While Darkness Gathers plays in the same world but is a very different style of story.
Dealing with the aftermath and legacy of the main trilogy we are introduced to a brand-new cast that is a very literal found family. The stakes are high, the cast is charming and cute (looking at you Belu), and we get to spend time with old friends. But unlike the political, religious, and philosophical underpinnings of the original trilogy, this is more of a rambunctious YA adventure.
The Darkness Gathers is a fast-paced, fun read with great heart and emotional depth that I devoured in just over a day and I enjoyed every minute. Well done Dr. Chase.
Dealing with the aftermath and legacy of the main trilogy we are introduced to a brand-new cast that is a very literal found family. The stakes are high, the cast is charming and cute (looking at you Belu), and we get to spend time with old friends. But unlike the political, religious, and philosophical underpinnings of the original trilogy, this is more of a rambunctious YA adventure.
The Darkness Gathers is a fast-paced, fun read with great heart and emotional depth that I devoured in just over a day and I enjoyed every minute. Well done Dr. Chase.
July 17, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. Big Recommend.
I'm so glad Philip Chase returned us back to Eormendlond relatively quickly after his Edan trilogy. This book feels very different than the trilogy, but in a fantastic way. The chapters are short and snappy, giving this story a very "page-turner" element often not found in epic fantasy. The novel itself is much shorter than the original trilogy, coming in at under 300 pages - but don't let that fool you. He told the story in the exact amount of words required without endless exposition or side-quest adventures just to build page count. If you liked The Edan Trilogy, you will like While Darkness Gathers. It just isn't often we get shorter epic fantasy books, and I'm very glad I read this book just a month or so after it's release.
I'll be discussing it more on my YouTube channel, BellTube. Feel free to check out the channel and see if you like some of the content. To steal the author's words from his bio at the end, "Until next time..."
I'm so glad Philip Chase returned us back to Eormendlond relatively quickly after his Edan trilogy. This book feels very different than the trilogy, but in a fantastic way. The chapters are short and snappy, giving this story a very "page-turner" element often not found in epic fantasy. The novel itself is much shorter than the original trilogy, coming in at under 300 pages - but don't let that fool you. He told the story in the exact amount of words required without endless exposition or side-quest adventures just to build page count. If you liked The Edan Trilogy, you will like While Darkness Gathers. It just isn't often we get shorter epic fantasy books, and I'm very glad I read this book just a month or so after it's release.
I'll be discussing it more on my YouTube channel, BellTube. Feel free to check out the channel and see if you like some of the content. To steal the author's words from his bio at the end, "Until next time..."
December 9, 2025
Philip Chase has returned to the publishing world this year with the release of “While Darkness Gathers”, a sequel to the Edan Trilogy that released periodically throughout 2023. “While Darkness Gathers” is a short tale that follows some familiar characters and unfamiliar both in the world we came to know in the Edan Trilogy, and manages to tell a whole and complete story in spite of runtime. Given that the book is much shorter than even the shortest Edan book, I confess I worried a little bit about this, but my fears were rather effectively assuaged.
To begin, I want to address the readability of “While Darkness Gathers” if you have not read the trilogy already: it *is* indeed possible to read this volume without the former trilogy, as Philip gives ample enough explanation to past events to make it perfectly and understandable if you are coming at it from that angle. However, I do not believe I would recommend approaching “While Darkness Gathers” this way! This is purely because I was such a big fan of the Edan Trilogy and found the emotional payoff of the end to be too much to be worth having entirely spoiled by “While Darkness Gathers”. Because, really, that is what happens. In providing ample explanation for important plot stuff to make “While Darkness Gathers” work on its own - and it IS satisfying enough on its own, don’t get me wrong - I just think it is completely worth experiencing the entire Edan Trilogy unspoiled first.
That said, on its own merits, this sequel is also highly enjoyable. I think Philip did a great job of utilizing things we already knew from the trilogy to help expand on a couple of aspects of the world that we previously hadn’t really seen a ton of. I appreciate that we got to see some of the tropes and plot ideas from the trilogy return in both predictable fashion while also further closing the loop that was created. If you’ve read the trilogy already, you may find some aspects of the new book a tad bit too derivative of that, I suppose, but given the conceit, I think this was both to be expected and satisfyingly delivered on anyway. I personally wouldn’t call it derivative (after all, it took me like 5 minutes of sitting here trying to think of the word to use in the review in the first place), but I could see that being a potential criticism.
Anyway, a lot of what I liked about the book was just being able to be back in Eormenlond again. That and the way the familiar characters were utilized was so tasteful and well thought-out. Rather than being fan-service in nature or otherwise like “hey look, you remember that character you liked?”, Dr. Chase put work in to make all the character dynamics - and changes, given the approximate decade and a half that passes in-between the tales. The addling of age and movement of characters that occurs and the meaning behind the relationships is surprisingly deep for a book that doesn’t even hit 300 pages - and 300 pages with generous formatting on Chase’s part. This book is not long. It’s like . . . not much more than 50% as long as the shortest Edan book, well under half as long as the other two Edan books. So yeah, it’s quick. It only took me a million years because I was struggling with balancing a lot of video work and an intensive copy edit project at the time. This is the kind of book I very well could have read in just a few days, even at my slow speed and only-a-couple-hours-per-day allotment.
Now for a slightly different angle: how might you feel about “While Darkness Gathers” if you weren’t super into Edan? I know some folk who enjoyed the first but not enough to continue or otherwise kinda stalled in the second entry for some reason, so perhaps one or two of those specific people were wondering if this is a way to try to try Philip Chase again.
Yes and no. If your issue was in the more technical side of things - writing, structure, execution, etc. - I don’t think you need to worry about giving this book a chance. It’s not likely to change much about how you already felt about Dr. Chase. However, if your issue was more just not being *super* into the plot or wondering how successfully he actually used the tropes he began the Edan trilogy exploring, I think that “While Darkness Gathers” is a pretty good way to see that from an offhand perspective. Given that certain elements of this story are so familiar to the trilogy before it, you’ll get to experience them here in a more concise and straightforward way, which can only be a good thing in my view! Furthermore, because this book’s own existence and plot necessitate knowing how Edan goes and ends in particular, and because Chase does a great job of telling you all that you need to know. So if you decide that you want to actually go back and finish Edan because of what you read here, that’d be neat!
But overall, if you enjoyed Edan, you will enjoy this. And if you’re into epic fantasy but want something relatively standalone and - more importantly - VERY short, this makes a solid breath of fresh air in the space right now. Even if just for that reason I kinda recommend “While Darkness Gathers”. Hell, that was something that made me really excited to read it when Philip asked me if I’d like him to send me a copy. And for the record, yes, I did get my copy directly from him - so thank you, Philip, for that. My acquaintance with Philip does not influence my opinion on the book to any serious degree. I’d like to think I have enough integrity as a reviewer to say that.
If you read the book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
To begin, I want to address the readability of “While Darkness Gathers” if you have not read the trilogy already: it *is* indeed possible to read this volume without the former trilogy, as Philip gives ample enough explanation to past events to make it perfectly and understandable if you are coming at it from that angle. However, I do not believe I would recommend approaching “While Darkness Gathers” this way! This is purely because I was such a big fan of the Edan Trilogy and found the emotional payoff of the end to be too much to be worth having entirely spoiled by “While Darkness Gathers”. Because, really, that is what happens. In providing ample explanation for important plot stuff to make “While Darkness Gathers” work on its own - and it IS satisfying enough on its own, don’t get me wrong - I just think it is completely worth experiencing the entire Edan Trilogy unspoiled first.
That said, on its own merits, this sequel is also highly enjoyable. I think Philip did a great job of utilizing things we already knew from the trilogy to help expand on a couple of aspects of the world that we previously hadn’t really seen a ton of. I appreciate that we got to see some of the tropes and plot ideas from the trilogy return in both predictable fashion while also further closing the loop that was created. If you’ve read the trilogy already, you may find some aspects of the new book a tad bit too derivative of that, I suppose, but given the conceit, I think this was both to be expected and satisfyingly delivered on anyway. I personally wouldn’t call it derivative (after all, it took me like 5 minutes of sitting here trying to think of the word to use in the review in the first place), but I could see that being a potential criticism.
Anyway, a lot of what I liked about the book was just being able to be back in Eormenlond again. That and the way the familiar characters were utilized was so tasteful and well thought-out. Rather than being fan-service in nature or otherwise like “hey look, you remember that character you liked?”, Dr. Chase put work in to make all the character dynamics - and changes, given the approximate decade and a half that passes in-between the tales. The addling of age and movement of characters that occurs and the meaning behind the relationships is surprisingly deep for a book that doesn’t even hit 300 pages - and 300 pages with generous formatting on Chase’s part. This book is not long. It’s like . . . not much more than 50% as long as the shortest Edan book, well under half as long as the other two Edan books. So yeah, it’s quick. It only took me a million years because I was struggling with balancing a lot of video work and an intensive copy edit project at the time. This is the kind of book I very well could have read in just a few days, even at my slow speed and only-a-couple-hours-per-day allotment.
Now for a slightly different angle: how might you feel about “While Darkness Gathers” if you weren’t super into Edan? I know some folk who enjoyed the first but not enough to continue or otherwise kinda stalled in the second entry for some reason, so perhaps one or two of those specific people were wondering if this is a way to try to try Philip Chase again.
Yes and no. If your issue was in the more technical side of things - writing, structure, execution, etc. - I don’t think you need to worry about giving this book a chance. It’s not likely to change much about how you already felt about Dr. Chase. However, if your issue was more just not being *super* into the plot or wondering how successfully he actually used the tropes he began the Edan trilogy exploring, I think that “While Darkness Gathers” is a pretty good way to see that from an offhand perspective. Given that certain elements of this story are so familiar to the trilogy before it, you’ll get to experience them here in a more concise and straightforward way, which can only be a good thing in my view! Furthermore, because this book’s own existence and plot necessitate knowing how Edan goes and ends in particular, and because Chase does a great job of telling you all that you need to know. So if you decide that you want to actually go back and finish Edan because of what you read here, that’d be neat!
But overall, if you enjoyed Edan, you will enjoy this. And if you’re into epic fantasy but want something relatively standalone and - more importantly - VERY short, this makes a solid breath of fresh air in the space right now. Even if just for that reason I kinda recommend “While Darkness Gathers”. Hell, that was something that made me really excited to read it when Philip asked me if I’d like him to send me a copy. And for the record, yes, I did get my copy directly from him - so thank you, Philip, for that. My acquaintance with Philip does not influence my opinion on the book to any serious degree. I’d like to think I have enough integrity as a reviewer to say that.
If you read the book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Want to read
June 19, 2025Very excited to check this one out!
July 24, 2025
while Darkness Gathers is a great expansion of this series. Every ingredient that made the original trilogy so wonderful, can be found in this and the new characters are on parr with those who we read about before them. Of course, it does help that some old familiar faces can be found as well.
Philip's books are definitely among the best of fantasy.
Philip's books are definitely among the best of fantasy.
July 1, 2025
‘While Darkness Gathers’ is a short novel that reads like a coda to the Edan trilogy while also feeling like a beginning of something new. Taking place some 15+ years after the conclusion of ‘Return to Edan’, the narrative is fairly straightforward, we are introduced to a new, young cast of characters, but also meet some familiar faces from the original trilogy, feel how the events we witnessed changed them, what burdens they still carry and how the world moved on.
The book adds more layers to the magic system, but, instead of overexplaining, acknowledges that there are things beyond our understanding, which feels very real and natural. As in the previous books, themes of humanity, friendship, compassion, cooperation and responsibility are explored. Most characters have two distinct personas: one presented to the world and connected to their role in society, and another, more authentic one that emerges in the presence of close friends. It’s interesting to observe the cracks in the former, while the latter tries to break free.
Even though I expected a different kind of story - one more political and focused on rebuilding Eormenlond/Andumedan - it was nice to have this brief adventure in Philip Chase’s world. I only wish the author had given his characters more distinct voices and more complex personalities. Nearly every main character is portrayed as almost perfect and virtuous, and we hardly see any flaws. If there are any, they’re usually just mentioned (and often tied to some past event and not the present), rather than shown through action or behavior. Most of the time, the characters are very serious and speak in a similar, impersonal, formal manner. I couldn’t help imagining all of them wearing the same gentle, sad smile, looking down at the floor while talking, careful not to display any impropriety. I would have appreciated a bit more individuality and “spice” to help me relate to the characters better.
The book adds more layers to the magic system, but, instead of overexplaining, acknowledges that there are things beyond our understanding, which feels very real and natural. As in the previous books, themes of humanity, friendship, compassion, cooperation and responsibility are explored. Most characters have two distinct personas: one presented to the world and connected to their role in society, and another, more authentic one that emerges in the presence of close friends. It’s interesting to observe the cracks in the former, while the latter tries to break free.
Even though I expected a different kind of story - one more political and focused on rebuilding Eormenlond/Andumedan - it was nice to have this brief adventure in Philip Chase’s world. I only wish the author had given his characters more distinct voices and more complex personalities. Nearly every main character is portrayed as almost perfect and virtuous, and we hardly see any flaws. If there are any, they’re usually just mentioned (and often tied to some past event and not the present), rather than shown through action or behavior. Most of the time, the characters are very serious and speak in a similar, impersonal, formal manner. I couldn’t help imagining all of them wearing the same gentle, sad smile, looking down at the floor while talking, careful not to display any impropriety. I would have appreciated a bit more individuality and “spice” to help me relate to the characters better.
July 31, 2025
A good sequel to the Edan Trilogy!
16 years after the war, its shadow still hangs over the world. A very angry dragon is raging about and a young sorceress is going on a journey. We do meet quite a few people we met in the trilogy, which is nice.
While on the shorter side, at least for epic fantasy, it still has some really epic moments. When things start to converge towards the end, it became impossible for me to put the book down.
16 years after the war, its shadow still hangs over the world. A very angry dragon is raging about and a young sorceress is going on a journey. We do meet quite a few people we met in the trilogy, which is nice.
While on the shorter side, at least for epic fantasy, it still has some really epic moments. When things start to converge towards the end, it became impossible for me to put the book down.
July 9, 2025
A bit faster paced than the Edan trilogy and maybe lost a little something because of it but over all an enjoyable read, excellently written with moments of joy and pathos and a very satisfying conclusion.
August 13, 2025
Really enjoyed this. Philip's writing just gets even better.
I'm not the first to say this, but if the Edan Trilogy was Philip's "Lord of the Rings", then While Darkness Gathers would be his "Hobbit". Except that WDG follows his epic trilogy instead of preceding it.
Philip's character work is so very strong here. Riall is a main character that is easy to root for and easy to care about. She's a fierce friend that inspires fierce friendship in those close to her. Every chapter with her, Khel, Volund, and Belu are in every meaning of the word, sweet. Along with these new characters, we see quite a bit of the original trilogy characters and where the last 16 years have led them. And their interaction with our new heroes is pretty seamless. In fact, age is a big theme in this story. The boldness of youth versus the wisdom of previous generations. And yet at no point does that feel jaded. There is respect all throughout, mostly. The adults allow the young to make their choices with full faith and trust, mostly. All while still being there to fight by their side and shoulder those burdens that may need shouldered.
Parenthood is very much at the heart of this as well and is very much the central theme. In fact, it feels as if this was Philip's love letter to parenthood. Watching your children grow and become adults themselves. It was absolutely beautiful. Bravo Philip!
I'm not the first to say this, but if the Edan Trilogy was Philip's "Lord of the Rings", then While Darkness Gathers would be his "Hobbit". Except that WDG follows his epic trilogy instead of preceding it.
Philip's character work is so very strong here. Riall is a main character that is easy to root for and easy to care about. She's a fierce friend that inspires fierce friendship in those close to her. Every chapter with her, Khel, Volund, and Belu are in every meaning of the word, sweet. Along with these new characters, we see quite a bit of the original trilogy characters and where the last 16 years have led them. And their interaction with our new heroes is pretty seamless. In fact, age is a big theme in this story. The boldness of youth versus the wisdom of previous generations. And yet at no point does that feel jaded. There is respect all throughout, mostly. The adults allow the young to make their choices with full faith and trust, mostly. All while still being there to fight by their side and shoulder those burdens that may need shouldered.
Parenthood is very much at the heart of this as well and is very much the central theme. In fact, it feels as if this was Philip's love letter to parenthood. Watching your children grow and become adults themselves. It was absolutely beautiful. Bravo Philip!
July 4, 2025
Another excellent example of top-tier fantasy. A fun little book that showcased all the best of Chase's writing style and worldbuilding, all in record time. Enjoyed every second of it.
I definitely recommend reading the Edan trilogy first.
I definitely recommend reading the Edan trilogy first.
July 17, 2025
First, an anecdote: I was reading George R.R. Martin’s novel Armageddon Rag before getting into this, and Martin’s book had in it the sentence “Edan will fix it all”, which I took that as a sign that maybe it’s time to read the new Edan book soon, and I’m glad I did. Though large parts of While Darkness Gathers feel more like a competently written three-star read, there is ultimately enough in it that reaches toward greatness to earn that fourth star.
Many spoilers to follow as I explain why.
While Darkness Gathers is a much smaller book than any of the books in the original Edan trilogy, and its story exists on a slightly smaller scale, though kingdom-threatening dragons and horrific and inhuman magic powers still remain central to it. The dragon Gorsharhad is not happy with people, the elf still lurks out there somewhere, possessing people and discarding their corpses with no regard for them. There is war between humans, and there is a quest to end it all. Pretty standard stuff as far as fantasy goes.
That applies to the questers themselves, as well. Volund, the son of King Orvandil, Riall, a child of uncanny magical abilities and mysterious pedigree, and Khel, a small-time rogue revealed to also hold an important lineage. Everyone seems to be related to somebody important, as is often the way with fantasy stories. Riall is also accompanied by her dog Belu, with whom she can converse, thereby finally rectifying the lapsus of not having a talking animal companion in the Edan trilogy.
Were not these people engaged on such a noble quest, they’d have the makings of the cast of a picaresque novel, especially early on as Khel pickpockets Volund and steals them a boat to begin their journey. As much promise as the trio of Volund, Riall and Khel – and Belu – have for hijinks, the length of the story and the shifting perspective ultimately leaves too little time for their bonds to develop on page, and I wasn’t fully convinced that they really would care for each other in the way they are intended to by the end of that journey, though when, for example, Volund jumps off a boat to go bring the dog aboard after Belu was left on the beach, this I did believe. Who could abandon a dog?
For a such a short book, WDG does manage to be multiple things at once: the trio (or quartet) on their quest is experiencing much of the world for the first time, and learning of events from the original Edan trilogy from the safe distance of 16 years. If a new reader were to start reading here, they would be given an almost mythical, or at the very least soon to be mythical, recounting of these previous events. Dayraven is rarely named, even by those who counted among his friends, his name most often replaced by a title, “the prophet of Edan”, showing how his actions and his transcendence of human limitations have made even the memory of him something beyond human.
This is a little melancholy for someone who has read the trilogy and followed his journey from beginning to end. It’s not how you’d want him to be remembered, as something more and yet less than the man he was. And this is the other perspective from which the book can be read, that of the Edan veteran, and for them to relate to there are the POVs of Sequara or Orvandil, who lived through the events that to the questing youngsters are distant and foreign.
There’s a some “where are they now” type of revisiting characters from the trilogy, Seren, Edgelaf and Bagsac for example, and Gnorn is of course always present. If you already know them, you’re glad to see them, and if you don’t, you’ll likely grow curious of their previous exploits. Seeing familiar characters who have grown older is always a little bittersweet. These are people living with the consequences of the trilogy (while the questing youngsters are some of those consequences), but in some ways it feels like too little here is new, that dealing with the dragon and the elf again is showing diminishing returns, as impressive as Chase’s interpretation of the “elf” is. In the Edan trilogy it felt fresh, but here its just doing what we’ve seen before, but again. These are the things that would make WDG a three-star read.
Luckily, the book has more to it, a third major storyline, and this third major piece is all original to the book, and the part of it I found to be most interesting. The Raven Eyes tribe of Ilarchae, led by the visionary Bolverk, have taken as hostage King Orvandil’s daughter Sigra, taking advantage of the chaos wrought by the dragon’s attack. She is left in a situation where her choices are limited. Should she be a good princess and wait for rescue? Try to escape, impossible as such heroics appear? Or make harder, more mature, more unexpected choices? You can probably guess from how I phrased the question that the last one is ultimately the correct answer.
She is under threat from many directions, not least of which being Bolverk’s desire to marry her and bring peace between their two peoples. Peaceweaver, this is the word they use. Maybe it’s presumptuous of me, but Peaceweaver might have been a better title for this book than While Darkness Gathers, less like a Wheel of Time title, and more descriptive of the truly important contents. Sadly, the part I loved best was given the least time on the page. Bolverk and Sigra are still the standout characters, despite their lesser focus in relation to the other plotlines, and they are who will stick with me the longest.
One memorable section for Bolverk involved a power struggle with his son Unnar, who tries to have him poisoned by a servant. Bolverk has Unnar summoned, offers him the poisoned drink to show he knows that his son knows it’s poisoned, then kills the servant responsible to show he is the one with command over life and death. That’s pretty metal. And yet, Bolverk is more than just a clever killer.
For example, there is his attempt to build bridges. Bolverk is teaching Sigra how to speak the Ilarchae language once the ice between them starts to break, and though the magical songs of origin are written in a different language throughout this series, we are never privy to how the Ilarchae language sounds even as she’s learning it. Still, maybe language should be explored a little here. Since Dr. Chase has made mention of and even dedicated a video to Ursula K. Le Guin’s essay “From Elfland to Poughkeepsie” - which you ought to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lDA8...
- he clearly has fantasy prose on the brain, and knows how to write it, too. The more often used “more often”, for example, might be rendered as “oftener” here, and you’ll find characters using the Irish spelling “feck” for the common expletive. Such uncommon choices create an idiosyncrasy in the language that differentiate it from our common, daily usage of English and help sell the illusion of a different time, different place and different tongues being spoken. I wish there was more of this type of thing in the book. Also consider this description of sunset found at the beginning of chapter 34:
“The gloaming was gilding the green landscape with its aura and setting the clouds afire with pinks and oranges when they halted to make camp.”
Language, or words, rather, are at the core of what lifts WDG from three to four stars. Not the words of the songs of origin, but the words spoken between two people, Bolverk and Sigra. A contrast could be made between the big confrontations in the book: Riall and Gorsarhad, Seqara and the elf, Sigra and Bolverk. Riall deals with the dragon as Dayraven did, through compulsion. Seqara likewise deals with the elf as Dayraven did, through sacrifice. Sigra and Bolverk alone differ, Sigra and Bolverk alone do not retread old ground.
Sigra does attempt the path of compulsion herself earlier on, when she makes an escape attempt, and is almost raped by Bolverk’s son for her trouble. This is an important sequence, because just as Unnar is trying to force himself on her as a show of power, so too is she trying to shift the balance of power in the conflict between her father and Bolverk by removing herself as a hostage. Not weaving peace quite yet, but seeking victory for one side over the other. This will change.
Consider this: Riall compels Gorsarhad, violating the dragon’s will, just as anyone using the elf’s power always violates those they possess, all to advance their own agenda. What is the difference between what Riall or the elf does, and what Unnar attempts to do? Sure, Riall boasts to the dragon of being one with nature, but it all sounds like so much bravado rather than the truly transcendent oneness with the world that is key to the faith of Edan.
By contrast, Sigra finds a path forward that doesn’t entail compulsion, she speaks with Bolverk, makes him an offer in exchange for his offer. Both find the other’s demands difficult, yet both desire the positive outcome that would come for the fulfilment of their negotiation. There is no magic here, no songs of origin, no otherworldly power, not even force of arms, just two people trying to reach an agreement for the greater good.
Sigra is not suffering from Stockholm syndrome here, and she could hardly be said to harbour any romantic feelings toward Bolverk. And yet, she views him as something more than he seems to be on the surface, as seen when he asks if she finds him ugly with his missing eye:
“Something beyond her desire to keep him pleased seized her, a feyness that welled up in her and took over her body. She felt Edan’s presence in all things, even in this brutal and rigid man whose harsh life had formed him. Before she understood what she was doing, her hand was reaching toward his scar. With the gentlest of caresses, she brushed it with her fingertips, and it seemed to her that a strange and intense blend of feelings – pity, sorrow, pain, and empathy – leaped out between them. In that moment, her fear died.”
There is no compassion, no oneness, in the dealings between Riall and Gorsarhad, just one will compelling another, overriding it. Riall understands the despair the dragon feels, but forces it to do as she wills anyway, to become a weapon. Sigra is not a wielder of such power, her relationship to the way of Edan is less fantastic and in a sense far deeper than Riall’s, for rather than wielding power she wields faith; faith in both the oneness that the Way of Edan teaches, and in her fellow man, in Bolverk’s words.
Sigra is a woman of conviction and faith, of principles. Bolverk is likewise someone with strong convictions and principles, and he makes this clear throughout his all-too brief scenes: when his son attempts to rape Sigra, he is given the choice between castration and exile, a harsh ruling to make against one’s own flesh and blood, yet Bolverk is willing to do so. He is beholden to something greater than himself, to the Raven Eyes, and this makes him reliable, this is how Sigra can trust in him, just as he trusts in her, on faith. They can weave a peace not born of compulsion or the threat of superior capacity for violence, but out of mutual understanding, which in turn is born from the recognition of their mutual humanity.
Bolverk and Sigra are a truer expression of what Edan teaches than likely any other character (or characters) in the series, and Sigra is one of the rarest things in fantasy: a positive depiction of religious faith. All they accomplish is possible to accomplish only because of the belief that all are one, and this belief came to Sigra only through her faith in Edan, a faith she wishes to share with the Ilarchae, and which brings us back to the wildly out of context George R.R. Martin quote from 1983 I quoted at the beginning, which could here be said to represent the element that elevated this book to its full four stars:
Edan will fix it all.
Many spoilers to follow as I explain why.
While Darkness Gathers is a much smaller book than any of the books in the original Edan trilogy, and its story exists on a slightly smaller scale, though kingdom-threatening dragons and horrific and inhuman magic powers still remain central to it. The dragon Gorsharhad is not happy with people, the elf still lurks out there somewhere, possessing people and discarding their corpses with no regard for them. There is war between humans, and there is a quest to end it all. Pretty standard stuff as far as fantasy goes.
That applies to the questers themselves, as well. Volund, the son of King Orvandil, Riall, a child of uncanny magical abilities and mysterious pedigree, and Khel, a small-time rogue revealed to also hold an important lineage. Everyone seems to be related to somebody important, as is often the way with fantasy stories. Riall is also accompanied by her dog Belu, with whom she can converse, thereby finally rectifying the lapsus of not having a talking animal companion in the Edan trilogy.
Were not these people engaged on such a noble quest, they’d have the makings of the cast of a picaresque novel, especially early on as Khel pickpockets Volund and steals them a boat to begin their journey. As much promise as the trio of Volund, Riall and Khel – and Belu – have for hijinks, the length of the story and the shifting perspective ultimately leaves too little time for their bonds to develop on page, and I wasn’t fully convinced that they really would care for each other in the way they are intended to by the end of that journey, though when, for example, Volund jumps off a boat to go bring the dog aboard after Belu was left on the beach, this I did believe. Who could abandon a dog?
For a such a short book, WDG does manage to be multiple things at once: the trio (or quartet) on their quest is experiencing much of the world for the first time, and learning of events from the original Edan trilogy from the safe distance of 16 years. If a new reader were to start reading here, they would be given an almost mythical, or at the very least soon to be mythical, recounting of these previous events. Dayraven is rarely named, even by those who counted among his friends, his name most often replaced by a title, “the prophet of Edan”, showing how his actions and his transcendence of human limitations have made even the memory of him something beyond human.
This is a little melancholy for someone who has read the trilogy and followed his journey from beginning to end. It’s not how you’d want him to be remembered, as something more and yet less than the man he was. And this is the other perspective from which the book can be read, that of the Edan veteran, and for them to relate to there are the POVs of Sequara or Orvandil, who lived through the events that to the questing youngsters are distant and foreign.
There’s a some “where are they now” type of revisiting characters from the trilogy, Seren, Edgelaf and Bagsac for example, and Gnorn is of course always present. If you already know them, you’re glad to see them, and if you don’t, you’ll likely grow curious of their previous exploits. Seeing familiar characters who have grown older is always a little bittersweet. These are people living with the consequences of the trilogy (while the questing youngsters are some of those consequences), but in some ways it feels like too little here is new, that dealing with the dragon and the elf again is showing diminishing returns, as impressive as Chase’s interpretation of the “elf” is. In the Edan trilogy it felt fresh, but here its just doing what we’ve seen before, but again. These are the things that would make WDG a three-star read.
Luckily, the book has more to it, a third major storyline, and this third major piece is all original to the book, and the part of it I found to be most interesting. The Raven Eyes tribe of Ilarchae, led by the visionary Bolverk, have taken as hostage King Orvandil’s daughter Sigra, taking advantage of the chaos wrought by the dragon’s attack. She is left in a situation where her choices are limited. Should she be a good princess and wait for rescue? Try to escape, impossible as such heroics appear? Or make harder, more mature, more unexpected choices? You can probably guess from how I phrased the question that the last one is ultimately the correct answer.
She is under threat from many directions, not least of which being Bolverk’s desire to marry her and bring peace between their two peoples. Peaceweaver, this is the word they use. Maybe it’s presumptuous of me, but Peaceweaver might have been a better title for this book than While Darkness Gathers, less like a Wheel of Time title, and more descriptive of the truly important contents. Sadly, the part I loved best was given the least time on the page. Bolverk and Sigra are still the standout characters, despite their lesser focus in relation to the other plotlines, and they are who will stick with me the longest.
One memorable section for Bolverk involved a power struggle with his son Unnar, who tries to have him poisoned by a servant. Bolverk has Unnar summoned, offers him the poisoned drink to show he knows that his son knows it’s poisoned, then kills the servant responsible to show he is the one with command over life and death. That’s pretty metal. And yet, Bolverk is more than just a clever killer.
For example, there is his attempt to build bridges. Bolverk is teaching Sigra how to speak the Ilarchae language once the ice between them starts to break, and though the magical songs of origin are written in a different language throughout this series, we are never privy to how the Ilarchae language sounds even as she’s learning it. Still, maybe language should be explored a little here. Since Dr. Chase has made mention of and even dedicated a video to Ursula K. Le Guin’s essay “From Elfland to Poughkeepsie” - which you ought to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lDA8...
- he clearly has fantasy prose on the brain, and knows how to write it, too. The more often used “more often”, for example, might be rendered as “oftener” here, and you’ll find characters using the Irish spelling “feck” for the common expletive. Such uncommon choices create an idiosyncrasy in the language that differentiate it from our common, daily usage of English and help sell the illusion of a different time, different place and different tongues being spoken. I wish there was more of this type of thing in the book. Also consider this description of sunset found at the beginning of chapter 34:
“The gloaming was gilding the green landscape with its aura and setting the clouds afire with pinks and oranges when they halted to make camp.”
Language, or words, rather, are at the core of what lifts WDG from three to four stars. Not the words of the songs of origin, but the words spoken between two people, Bolverk and Sigra. A contrast could be made between the big confrontations in the book: Riall and Gorsarhad, Seqara and the elf, Sigra and Bolverk. Riall deals with the dragon as Dayraven did, through compulsion. Seqara likewise deals with the elf as Dayraven did, through sacrifice. Sigra and Bolverk alone differ, Sigra and Bolverk alone do not retread old ground.
Sigra does attempt the path of compulsion herself earlier on, when she makes an escape attempt, and is almost raped by Bolverk’s son for her trouble. This is an important sequence, because just as Unnar is trying to force himself on her as a show of power, so too is she trying to shift the balance of power in the conflict between her father and Bolverk by removing herself as a hostage. Not weaving peace quite yet, but seeking victory for one side over the other. This will change.
Consider this: Riall compels Gorsarhad, violating the dragon’s will, just as anyone using the elf’s power always violates those they possess, all to advance their own agenda. What is the difference between what Riall or the elf does, and what Unnar attempts to do? Sure, Riall boasts to the dragon of being one with nature, but it all sounds like so much bravado rather than the truly transcendent oneness with the world that is key to the faith of Edan.
By contrast, Sigra finds a path forward that doesn’t entail compulsion, she speaks with Bolverk, makes him an offer in exchange for his offer. Both find the other’s demands difficult, yet both desire the positive outcome that would come for the fulfilment of their negotiation. There is no magic here, no songs of origin, no otherworldly power, not even force of arms, just two people trying to reach an agreement for the greater good.
Sigra is not suffering from Stockholm syndrome here, and she could hardly be said to harbour any romantic feelings toward Bolverk. And yet, she views him as something more than he seems to be on the surface, as seen when he asks if she finds him ugly with his missing eye:
“Something beyond her desire to keep him pleased seized her, a feyness that welled up in her and took over her body. She felt Edan’s presence in all things, even in this brutal and rigid man whose harsh life had formed him. Before she understood what she was doing, her hand was reaching toward his scar. With the gentlest of caresses, she brushed it with her fingertips, and it seemed to her that a strange and intense blend of feelings – pity, sorrow, pain, and empathy – leaped out between them. In that moment, her fear died.”
There is no compassion, no oneness, in the dealings between Riall and Gorsarhad, just one will compelling another, overriding it. Riall understands the despair the dragon feels, but forces it to do as she wills anyway, to become a weapon. Sigra is not a wielder of such power, her relationship to the way of Edan is less fantastic and in a sense far deeper than Riall’s, for rather than wielding power she wields faith; faith in both the oneness that the Way of Edan teaches, and in her fellow man, in Bolverk’s words.
Sigra is a woman of conviction and faith, of principles. Bolverk is likewise someone with strong convictions and principles, and he makes this clear throughout his all-too brief scenes: when his son attempts to rape Sigra, he is given the choice between castration and exile, a harsh ruling to make against one’s own flesh and blood, yet Bolverk is willing to do so. He is beholden to something greater than himself, to the Raven Eyes, and this makes him reliable, this is how Sigra can trust in him, just as he trusts in her, on faith. They can weave a peace not born of compulsion or the threat of superior capacity for violence, but out of mutual understanding, which in turn is born from the recognition of their mutual humanity.
Bolverk and Sigra are a truer expression of what Edan teaches than likely any other character (or characters) in the series, and Sigra is one of the rarest things in fantasy: a positive depiction of religious faith. All they accomplish is possible to accomplish only because of the belief that all are one, and this belief came to Sigra only through her faith in Edan, a faith she wishes to share with the Ilarchae, and which brings us back to the wildly out of context George R.R. Martin quote from 1983 I quoted at the beginning, which could here be said to represent the element that elevated this book to its full four stars:
Edan will fix it all.
December 24, 2025
This is a well done sequel. While we do get to follow a new set of characters and a new plot, some of the previous characters get to play a role. We get to see how a few beloved characters are doing now, as the are mentioned.
I liked the main character Riall. Her teenage rebellion was so relatable. She had a nice deapth to her youthful character and such a good heart. I don't agree with all the desicions made, especially those by Sequara, but can understand why they were made.
The prose of the book is beautiful and I did enjoy the adventure. I was procrastinating reading this book, because I didn't want the story to end.
I liked the main character Riall. Her teenage rebellion was so relatable. She had a nice deapth to her youthful character and such a good heart. I don't agree with all the desicions made, especially those by Sequara, but can understand why they were made.
The prose of the book is beautiful and I did enjoy the adventure. I was procrastinating reading this book, because I didn't want the story to end.
July 29, 2025
After the brilliant trilogy that was the Way of Edan, Philip Chase follows up with a stand-alone detailing the events 16 years after. The peace brought by the Prophets action has been widely successful, the wounds between the nations are healing and all would be well, if not for an ancient dragon laying waste to the lands and especially to the northern nation of Grimrik where King Orvandil rules, who also has to face his daughter’s abduction by one of the remnant tribes of his old Illarchan foes. Knowing that he is in over his head he sends his dweorgen friend Gnorn and his two other children, Yrsa and Volund, to the kingdom of Asdralad, to find help with the Sorceress-Queen Sequara. Sequara has her own problems though, mentoring young Riall, a promising but stubborn young woman whose powers surpass those of every other living gifted person.
It’s hard to tell more without spoiling anything, and most readers that have read the Way of Edan will grasp immediately what’s behind some of the mystery at the start of that novel. So those are certainly more for newcomers to the story who have no previous knowledge about the world. Still, even for those who have, the author holds one or two surprises in store, and at least to this reader, while the return to Torrlund kinda felt like coming home into a beloved and well-known world, it’s those new things and people that make the book as appealing as it is.
Being a standalone, the scope of this book is obviously way smaller than that of the trilogy, and the author withstood the temptation to blow everything up he had established before, so even while there are high stakes in the story, it still feels calmer, and a bit more meditative than Edan had. There’s a lot of reflection on what the Prophet brought to Eormenland and in this feels like the requiem we didn’t get within the original trilogy. It also deals with the consequences of the events in Edan, both in the action and in the personal lifes of the people left behind. and as much as it is a story about dealing with the phyical threats of both the dragon and the Illarchae, it is also a hugely personal journey for our new protagonists. I am hesitating to call it a YA novel, but the way Philip Chase puts three young people together who all are still finding their role and place in this world has certainly elements of this, and while the author still doesn’t shy away from describing violent events in all their cruelness, the book is a bit more lighthearted and thereby feels a bit like the Hobbit felt to the Lord of the rings. Pretty much every teenager will be able to relate to young Khel feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere, and everyone who has the luck to have a good friend like Volund is to Khel will appreciate the relation between those two even more.
So once again, friendship is one of the main themes in the story, both between the old and the new cast. The other thing that appealed to me was how the villains of the story aren’t quite as villaneous as those of the Edan trilogy. Both dragon and Illarchae have reasons for their actions you can empathize with, and I loved how the author developed the relationship between Orvandil’s abducted daughter Sigra and Illarchan tribe chief Bolverk. Philip Chase still hints at the human tendency to put zealotry and personal ambition over ratio and decency, and if there’s one thing I didn’t like about the whole book is how one-sided he describes Yrsa as a brainless, hateful butcher (really, even Bolverk’s son Unnar who is pretty much the only totally evil person in the book has more character shown); I’m not even sure if that is intentional because in the end she is more of a story tool than an actual person in that book, but that’s how she comes across because of that. And while she isn’t the focus of the story, a little bit more space and character could have easily prevented that in a book that tries to show the human side of basically everyone else.
So, with that slight caveat at the end, While Darkness Gathers is a really good sequel to the Way of Edan trilogy. It’s wonderful to meet old and new friends on the way, and Philip Chase has that beautiful writing style harking back to some of the more classic fantasy authors out there without just rehashing what those have done before him. There’s this underlying melancholy as well as the love for art to his writing that you’ll also find with Guy Gavriel Kay. Grimdark certainly has its place in modern fantasy, but I feel like I crave for that spark of hope in those stories; that is what drew me to Tolkien a long time ago, and I’m glad that there are still writers out there who offer that experience to me.
It’s hard to tell more without spoiling anything, and most readers that have read the Way of Edan will grasp immediately what’s behind some of the mystery at the start of that novel. So those are certainly more for newcomers to the story who have no previous knowledge about the world. Still, even for those who have, the author holds one or two surprises in store, and at least to this reader, while the return to Torrlund kinda felt like coming home into a beloved and well-known world, it’s those new things and people that make the book as appealing as it is.
Being a standalone, the scope of this book is obviously way smaller than that of the trilogy, and the author withstood the temptation to blow everything up he had established before, so even while there are high stakes in the story, it still feels calmer, and a bit more meditative than Edan had. There’s a lot of reflection on what the Prophet brought to Eormenland and in this feels like the requiem we didn’t get within the original trilogy. It also deals with the consequences of the events in Edan, both in the action and in the personal lifes of the people left behind. and as much as it is a story about dealing with the phyical threats of both the dragon and the Illarchae, it is also a hugely personal journey for our new protagonists. I am hesitating to call it a YA novel, but the way Philip Chase puts three young people together who all are still finding their role and place in this world has certainly elements of this, and while the author still doesn’t shy away from describing violent events in all their cruelness, the book is a bit more lighthearted and thereby feels a bit like the Hobbit felt to the Lord of the rings. Pretty much every teenager will be able to relate to young Khel feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere, and everyone who has the luck to have a good friend like Volund is to Khel will appreciate the relation between those two even more.
So once again, friendship is one of the main themes in the story, both between the old and the new cast. The other thing that appealed to me was how the villains of the story aren’t quite as villaneous as those of the Edan trilogy. Both dragon and Illarchae have reasons for their actions you can empathize with, and I loved how the author developed the relationship between Orvandil’s abducted daughter Sigra and Illarchan tribe chief Bolverk. Philip Chase still hints at the human tendency to put zealotry and personal ambition over ratio and decency, and if there’s one thing I didn’t like about the whole book is how one-sided he describes Yrsa as a brainless, hateful butcher (really, even Bolverk’s son Unnar who is pretty much the only totally evil person in the book has more character shown); I’m not even sure if that is intentional because in the end she is more of a story tool than an actual person in that book, but that’s how she comes across because of that. And while she isn’t the focus of the story, a little bit more space and character could have easily prevented that in a book that tries to show the human side of basically everyone else.
So, with that slight caveat at the end, While Darkness Gathers is a really good sequel to the Way of Edan trilogy. It’s wonderful to meet old and new friends on the way, and Philip Chase has that beautiful writing style harking back to some of the more classic fantasy authors out there without just rehashing what those have done before him. There’s this underlying melancholy as well as the love for art to his writing that you’ll also find with Guy Gavriel Kay. Grimdark certainly has its place in modern fantasy, but I feel like I crave for that spark of hope in those stories; that is what drew me to Tolkien a long time ago, and I’m glad that there are still writers out there who offer that experience to me.
July 21, 2025
This book confused me.
First of all, what is it? With a title like "While Darkness Gathers" sounds like it should be the beginning of something....this just read like an epilogue to the Edan Trilogy. And that isn't bad, it's just, confusing to me. The elf showing up at the end seemed like a last gasp of the original trilogy than setting up anything new here. Same thing with the dragon, seemed like leftover Edan Trilogy stuff.
While the set up to the plot was really interesting, I didn't really find where it went that interesting at all. Of course Riall was the daughter of Dayraven and Sequara. Of course her and one of the sons of Orvandil fall in love. Of course she tries to sacrifice herself, but gets stopped by selfsame love interest. Of course kidnapped girl decides to stay with the Ilarchae... I could go on, but so many plot beats just seemed so predictable.
So I would say, as a big fan of the Edan Trilogy, I am glad I read this. It was a nice followup to the original story featuring some of the children of the original characters and dealing with some of the fallout from that series. Also it was nice to see some of that fallout and some of what "happened next"
However, this was really just okay. If you weren't a big fan of the original story then I would say there is nothing here for you.
I will say I love watching Philip's videos on Youtube, and I liked the Edan Trilogy. This was okay and if we are going to have more stories set in this world, cool, I'll buy them. But I do hope they are a little better then this as this really just felt like a last gasp of the original series and didn't really set up anything I want to see continue.
And seriously....what darkness gathered? Great title, but I don't see anything in here that was applicable to that title. Even the surprise return of the elf at the end described it as being all full of light. And I am at a point I really hope the elf is done with. I really don't understand its motivations. I have no clue why it suddenly decided to return here. And worse, I felt it cheapened Dayravens sacrifice in the Trilogy that it could so easily return here. What's the point then, it's going to win in the end if it can just keep coming back.
First of all, what is it? With a title like "While Darkness Gathers" sounds like it should be the beginning of something....this just read like an epilogue to the Edan Trilogy. And that isn't bad, it's just, confusing to me. The elf showing up at the end seemed like a last gasp of the original trilogy than setting up anything new here. Same thing with the dragon, seemed like leftover Edan Trilogy stuff.
While the set up to the plot was really interesting, I didn't really find where it went that interesting at all. Of course Riall was the daughter of Dayraven and Sequara. Of course her and one of the sons of Orvandil fall in love. Of course she tries to sacrifice herself, but gets stopped by selfsame love interest. Of course kidnapped girl decides to stay with the Ilarchae... I could go on, but so many plot beats just seemed so predictable.
So I would say, as a big fan of the Edan Trilogy, I am glad I read this. It was a nice followup to the original story featuring some of the children of the original characters and dealing with some of the fallout from that series. Also it was nice to see some of that fallout and some of what "happened next"
However, this was really just okay. If you weren't a big fan of the original story then I would say there is nothing here for you.
I will say I love watching Philip's videos on Youtube, and I liked the Edan Trilogy. This was okay and if we are going to have more stories set in this world, cool, I'll buy them. But I do hope they are a little better then this as this really just felt like a last gasp of the original series and didn't really set up anything I want to see continue.
And seriously....what darkness gathered? Great title, but I don't see anything in here that was applicable to that title. Even the surprise return of the elf at the end described it as being all full of light. And I am at a point I really hope the elf is done with. I really don't understand its motivations. I have no clue why it suddenly decided to return here. And worse, I felt it cheapened Dayravens sacrifice in the Trilogy that it could so easily return here. What's the point then, it's going to win in the end if it can just keep coming back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
The author wisely opens with a note that's worth mentioning here: Although this book could be enjoyed as a standalone to those new to the world of The Edan Trilogy, having read those books makes it immeasurably more enjoyable... And meaningful.
The story is centered on three young protagonists, and opens very smoothly, providing excellent immersion as Chase seamlessly puts the three of them together and on a quest. Riall, the primary protagonist, is immediately likeable because of her deep empathy. The quest is undertaken in the interest of helping others. The entire story is a wonderful tribute to the trope of found family with the added element of an animal companion at the heart of the family. The connections that bind the trio run much deeper than they could've ever realized, and the reveals of those deeper connections--sprinkled throughout the tale--create impactful and memorable moments. The thematic explorations that flow so naturally from the unfolding, including legacy, the power of love, and sacrifice, combine to make this book all the more special.
Although many of the events portrayed could never be considered cozy, there is a deep and abiding comfort in the reading of the tale; as I said at the onset--particularly for fans of The Edan Trilogy. The characters are so darn goodhearted, but never in a sappy way. There's an authenticity to their goodness, and I feel like the world could use a lot more of this sort of storytelling right now.
I found the ending to be both difficult and rewarding in equal measure, and I was powerfully moved by it. Highly recommend!
The story is centered on three young protagonists, and opens very smoothly, providing excellent immersion as Chase seamlessly puts the three of them together and on a quest. Riall, the primary protagonist, is immediately likeable because of her deep empathy. The quest is undertaken in the interest of helping others. The entire story is a wonderful tribute to the trope of found family with the added element of an animal companion at the heart of the family. The connections that bind the trio run much deeper than they could've ever realized, and the reveals of those deeper connections--sprinkled throughout the tale--create impactful and memorable moments. The thematic explorations that flow so naturally from the unfolding, including legacy, the power of love, and sacrifice, combine to make this book all the more special.
Although many of the events portrayed could never be considered cozy, there is a deep and abiding comfort in the reading of the tale; as I said at the onset--particularly for fans of The Edan Trilogy. The characters are so darn goodhearted, but never in a sappy way. There's an authenticity to their goodness, and I feel like the world could use a lot more of this sort of storytelling right now.
I found the ending to be both difficult and rewarding in equal measure, and I was powerfully moved by it. Highly recommend!
June 23, 2025
4.25 ⭐ A wonderful return to Eormenlond!
This was a wonderful read. I loved the Edan trilogy and this sequel is no different.
There is something so special about returning to a familiar world and characters you've grown to love, especially after a significant time-jump such at there is in this book.
While Darkness Gathers is set sixteen years after the events of Return to Edan. Things have seemed to settle in the world and come back to normal... until a dragon starts to wreak havoc.
Coming back to some familiar characters was very special for me. Obviously, I won't say who they are since I don't want to spoil who makes it through the first trilogy. We also meet some new main characters in Riall, Khel and Volund, who are all welcome additions to the cast. Oh, and Belu! Don't you dare forget about Belu!
As for the story in itself, it is much more self-contained that the first trilogy, and it's much shorter. This is just the kind of fantasy I love reading: compelling characters, character growth, found family and a ton of heart, all capped with a world I can get lost in. I look forward to whatever Chase puts out next, whether it be in Eormenlond or not.
If you haven't read any of Chase's books yet, do yourself a favor. You will not regret it.
This was a wonderful read. I loved the Edan trilogy and this sequel is no different.
There is something so special about returning to a familiar world and characters you've grown to love, especially after a significant time-jump such at there is in this book.
While Darkness Gathers is set sixteen years after the events of Return to Edan. Things have seemed to settle in the world and come back to normal... until a dragon starts to wreak havoc.
Coming back to some familiar characters was very special for me. Obviously, I won't say who they are since I don't want to spoil who makes it through the first trilogy. We also meet some new main characters in Riall, Khel and Volund, who are all welcome additions to the cast. Oh, and Belu! Don't you dare forget about Belu!
As for the story in itself, it is much more self-contained that the first trilogy, and it's much shorter. This is just the kind of fantasy I love reading: compelling characters, character growth, found family and a ton of heart, all capped with a world I can get lost in. I look forward to whatever Chase puts out next, whether it be in Eormenlond or not.
If you haven't read any of Chase's books yet, do yourself a favor. You will not regret it.
July 22, 2025
While Darkness Gathers - Philip Chase (fantasy, 2025) – 4,25 ⭐ sur 5
Cet auteur est devenu un peu mon “auteur de vacances” puisque j’ai lu chacun de ses livres à cette occasion !
Réflexions détaillées sans divulgâcher le récit
- J’ai beaucoup apprécié cette suite (qui se lit bien indépendamment) de la trilogie d’Edan. 16 ans plus tard, on retrouve des personnages et on en découvre des nouveaux tout aussi plaisants.
- Je suis impressionné par le talent de cet auteur de créer des personnages réalistes et pour lesquels on s’attache très rapidement.
- Ce livre est beaucoup moins “épique” que la trilogie d’Edan (on a l’impression de suivre une histoire moins “importante”), mais pour ma part j’ai vraiment aimé et c’était le parfait type de livre en vacances.
- Même si ce livre se lit indépendamment de la trilogie d’Edan, je recommande (comme l’auteur) de lire cette trilogie en premier car vous apprécierez alors bien plus ce 4e livre.
Une belle manière de commencer mes vacances. J’ai commencé à lire ce livre samedi soir dans l’avion de départ et je l’ai fini en me levant ce mardi matin. Vous comprendrez ainsi aisément que j’ai dévoré cette oeuvre !
Cet auteur est devenu un peu mon “auteur de vacances” puisque j’ai lu chacun de ses livres à cette occasion !
Réflexions détaillées sans divulgâcher le récit
- J’ai beaucoup apprécié cette suite (qui se lit bien indépendamment) de la trilogie d’Edan. 16 ans plus tard, on retrouve des personnages et on en découvre des nouveaux tout aussi plaisants.
- Je suis impressionné par le talent de cet auteur de créer des personnages réalistes et pour lesquels on s’attache très rapidement.
- Ce livre est beaucoup moins “épique” que la trilogie d’Edan (on a l’impression de suivre une histoire moins “importante”), mais pour ma part j’ai vraiment aimé et c’était le parfait type de livre en vacances.
- Même si ce livre se lit indépendamment de la trilogie d’Edan, je recommande (comme l’auteur) de lire cette trilogie en premier car vous apprécierez alors bien plus ce 4e livre.
Une belle manière de commencer mes vacances. J’ai commencé à lire ce livre samedi soir dans l’avion de départ et je l’ai fini en me levant ce mardi matin. Vous comprendrez ainsi aisément que j’ai dévoré cette oeuvre !
November 14, 2025
This book was one of five finalists for my Indie SFF Book of The Year for 2025.
See the full list at the link below:
https://beforewegoblog.com/p-ls-top-i...
Watch my YouTube video as I review a contender for my top book of 2025 - the sequel to Philip's brilliant EDAN TRILOGY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El-Pf...
An extremely poignant, and fantastic sequel to the “Edan Trilogy”, which is my top SFF Indie Series of all-time, Chase’s writing only becomes crisper, cleaner, sharper, without losing any of its flair and evocative power, which is no small feat, considering how brilliantly-written his previous books were.
A horrifying dragon imperils the realm of a beleaguered ruler, and the next generation of warriors and magic-users after the time of the Prophet of Edan must rise to the occasion, prove their worth, and come into their own.
Marvellous, and I continue to crave for much more of the world of Eormenlond.
See the full list at the link below:
https://beforewegoblog.com/p-ls-top-i...
Watch my YouTube video as I review a contender for my top book of 2025 - the sequel to Philip's brilliant EDAN TRILOGY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El-Pf...
An extremely poignant, and fantastic sequel to the “Edan Trilogy”, which is my top SFF Indie Series of all-time, Chase’s writing only becomes crisper, cleaner, sharper, without losing any of its flair and evocative power, which is no small feat, considering how brilliantly-written his previous books were.
A horrifying dragon imperils the realm of a beleaguered ruler, and the next generation of warriors and magic-users after the time of the Prophet of Edan must rise to the occasion, prove their worth, and come into their own.
Marvellous, and I continue to crave for much more of the world of Eormenlond.
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