The Flood

Heaven's Vault #3

by Jon Ingold

A new chapter in the Heaven's Vault story begins.

Heaven's Vault has opened. The waters of the Nebula have risen and Aliya's home moon of Elboreth is flooded.

Her ship, the Nightingale, has been destroyed, and it seems her days of exploration are over. But the parting clouds have revealed long-lost places that will put Aliya on a whole new path - one that will lead to the edge of the Nebula itself...

300 pages, ebook

Published May 5, 2025

Reviews

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the Heaven's Vault story. My mind is running around in circles like the Loop trying to piece everything together.

[Lilifane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting the book series that is based on my favorite game of all time to get another sequel?! And what a sequel it was! Words cannot describe the perfection of this story. I love it with all my heart. The characters, the writing, the atmosphere, the lore! I devoured the book, couldn't put it down. My brain was working overtime trying to piece everything together, I had to know the ending and conclusion. Which is the worst (said lovingly). What do you mean the book ends like this?! At least I have high hopes for book four. Surely, there will be a book four because... because I need it. I have so many questions, in the best way.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Hooked from the first page. This is the first book that expands beyond the Heaven's Vault game universe, and it is a marvellous depiction of what happens to Aliya and Six (and others) after the Nebula's rivers have flooded. I did not know where it was going and was surprised several times. I presume that Book IV is in the works as there are a lot of loose ends to tie up...! Looking forward to that.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and unexpected surprise to have the plot of Heaven's Vault continued (and, appropriately for its themes, backfilled). Ingold is that rare writer of video game prose who can turn a phrase which sings on the page as well as the screen. Well written, engaging, melancholic and elegiac without being hopeless, it lives up to the first part of the story and leaves me eager for its conclusion in the forthcoming fourth book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! One of the really few books based on a game that I like. I wish the game itself got a sequel (the translation gameplay is extremely fun), but I'm glad I could learn more about what's going on and what happens next in some form. This book goes into some of the weirder aspects of the loop, is beautifully written, and continues to uncover the interesting culture of the Nebula and the mysteries beneath it.

[Lourd Mithi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely unexpected when I first saw a third book was available and completely shattered my expectations once I started reading. I adore the writing, where I feel as though I'm right next to Aliya as she discovers new truths about the Nebula. I was reading openmouthed in shock and excitement during the last few chapter.

With this book, the Loop is gone, and the future awaits. I'm very much looking forward to it!

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part one of a two part sequel to the original story/the game, the flood dives into the lore and background of the setting and the main character in a satisfying way, answering some questions while setting up another mystery for the final book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent addition to a great series. It did feel a little like a bridge to set up a sequel so there wasn't a real ending, but overall I really enjoyed it.