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The Chaos Born #3
Chaos Unleashed
The Demon Cycle meets The Wheel of Time in this action-packed adventure! From New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed videogame writer Drew Karpyshyn comes the third and final novel in an original epic fantasy trilogy for fans of Terry Goodkind, Peter V. Brett, and Brandon Sanderson.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2015
7 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Drew Karpyshyn
29 books2,039 followersDrew Karpyshyn is a Canadian author and game designer. After working at a credit union for some time, he eventually became a game developer. He joined BioWare towards the end of the Baldur's Gate series, and wrote the tie-in novel for Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. He stayed with BioWare, where he worked on Neverwinter Nights, and became the Senior Writer on the critically acclaimed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
This Star Wars connection gave him the opportunity to write Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, his first hardcover. Karpyshyn still works for BioWare where he is the lead writer for the Mass Effect series.
This Star Wars connection gave him the opportunity to write Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, his first hardcover. Karpyshyn still works for BioWare where he is the lead writer for the Mass Effect series.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this story. Good character development, it kept my interest piqued, and managed to surprise me in some areas. AND the story is complete, I don't expect to see any more out of it, which is something that plagues me in other series. As much as I enjoy a world, there is something to be said for "happily ever after", meaning, everything is completely resolved, and no loose ends are left hanging, just waiting for the next sequel. I don't see that happening with this one. Unless there's a prequel.. Which is kind of a shame, based on the character development and the lineage and history that was laid out. Ok, Ok, I'll read another one, you twisted my arm!
October 13, 2015
The end has come for The Chaos Born and Chaos Unleashed does a good job of wrapping up this fantastic series. It’s a rich fantasy tale dripping with dark elements of horror and driven by a character focused plot. The result is emotional investment in the characters that will have you flipping pages deep into the night to see what happens next. With this final book in the trilogy, Drew Karpyshyn draws up a satisfying conclusion to the series. For those who have already begun the journey, this is a must buy, but for those who haven’t jumped in yet, it’s worth checking out.
"But somehow she knew this already tragic quest wouldn’t end without more bloodshed. And she was willing, even eager, to watch the crimson rivers flow." -Chaos Unleashed
In Chaos Unleashed, readers will get to see the final step of the journey for the children born under the blood moon. Keegan, Jerrod and Scythe must venture across the Southlands to make their way to Callastan. Along the way, they’ll have to deal with roving bands of mercenaries and zealous inquisitors trying to purge the world of magic users. Elsewhere, Vaaler the Danaan prince and his barbarian companion Shalana travel across the perilous plains of the Frozen East as they, too, venture toward Callastan. Already there, Cassandra holds up in Callastan, recovering from her injuries, protecting the crown, and waiting for the inevitable attack from the Order who is poised to assault the city. Yet the battle for Callastan is not the climax of the story. Instead, it is yet another obstacle for what must be the final battle: the standoff between the Chaos Born and Daemron the Slayer and his army of chaos spawn.
The adventure leading up to the final battle holds some interesting and fun surprises. Within the 392 pages of this final leg of the series, readers will get to go on a few more action packed trips with their favorite characters. There are battles both large and small, growth for the characters as they deal with their scars and flaws in preparation for the final conflict, and emotional moments as the elements of story come together. I have to admit, when I got to page 325, the tears were welling up. Anytime a story can garner that kind of reaction from me is a high note. I love it when I can get so lost in the story and the characters that the mere act of reading can become a transcendent experience. There’s no higher accomplishment than that when it comes to storytelling. So whether you enjoy seeing an exiled elf prince roaming the countryside with his honor guard of barbarian warriors freeing towns from the brutality of roving mercenaries, the horrific acts of a hell spawn bat creature serving his monstrous master through blood magic and subterfuge, or the simple and more down to earth transformation of an ex-priest who battles with his faith and what his purpose in life is, Chaos Unleashed has a little bit of everything for the discerning reader.
For my own part, Chaos Unleashed did several things extremely right in my eyes. First off, the relationship between Keegan and Scythe was handled very well. There’s an attraction, there’s a friendship, and there’s a deeper bond as they’re both meant to stop Daemron and save the world. Karpyshyn handles that relationship with care, showing both sides and the full range of emotions that are at war. To my great surprise, Jerrod goes through a transformation in this story that really elevated his character and made him someone I liked. I loved seeing the conflict develop for him as he struggled with his faith, his vision, and the reality crashing down around him. On top of that, seeing Methodis come back into the story was very cool. Early on in the series, he was a neat character, and I enjoyed how he was brought back in. Yet the true highlight for me was Vaaler. Throughout the series, Vaaler become my favorite character, and in this book he has some great moments. While his destiny leads him to be just outside of the limelight, Drew has some fun with his character and it was a treat to see him and Shalana going around and playing hero. If there was one character who really had their head together and got the best of all worlds, it was him.
The Chaos Born may not be the new Lord of the Rings or a replacement for the Drizzt books, but it’s a fun ride through a fantasy realm populated with rich characters and intriguing bits of horror and adventure. It’s a world where magic is chaotic and destructive. A place where the gods sacrificed themselves to hold back a legion of would be tyrants. Through this story, a group of heroes must work together with the ancient talismans imbued with the magic of the old world in order to save the current one. Chaos Unleashed brings that journey to an end. Along the way there are surprises and emotional transformations, but there’s also resolution and a completion to the tale. Having enjoyed this ride from beginning to end, I give Chaos Unleashed a five out of five.
"But somehow she knew this already tragic quest wouldn’t end without more bloodshed. And she was willing, even eager, to watch the crimson rivers flow." -Chaos Unleashed
In Chaos Unleashed, readers will get to see the final step of the journey for the children born under the blood moon. Keegan, Jerrod and Scythe must venture across the Southlands to make their way to Callastan. Along the way, they’ll have to deal with roving bands of mercenaries and zealous inquisitors trying to purge the world of magic users. Elsewhere, Vaaler the Danaan prince and his barbarian companion Shalana travel across the perilous plains of the Frozen East as they, too, venture toward Callastan. Already there, Cassandra holds up in Callastan, recovering from her injuries, protecting the crown, and waiting for the inevitable attack from the Order who is poised to assault the city. Yet the battle for Callastan is not the climax of the story. Instead, it is yet another obstacle for what must be the final battle: the standoff between the Chaos Born and Daemron the Slayer and his army of chaos spawn.
The adventure leading up to the final battle holds some interesting and fun surprises. Within the 392 pages of this final leg of the series, readers will get to go on a few more action packed trips with their favorite characters. There are battles both large and small, growth for the characters as they deal with their scars and flaws in preparation for the final conflict, and emotional moments as the elements of story come together. I have to admit, when I got to page 325, the tears were welling up. Anytime a story can garner that kind of reaction from me is a high note. I love it when I can get so lost in the story and the characters that the mere act of reading can become a transcendent experience. There’s no higher accomplishment than that when it comes to storytelling. So whether you enjoy seeing an exiled elf prince roaming the countryside with his honor guard of barbarian warriors freeing towns from the brutality of roving mercenaries, the horrific acts of a hell spawn bat creature serving his monstrous master through blood magic and subterfuge, or the simple and more down to earth transformation of an ex-priest who battles with his faith and what his purpose in life is, Chaos Unleashed has a little bit of everything for the discerning reader.
For my own part, Chaos Unleashed did several things extremely right in my eyes. First off, the relationship between Keegan and Scythe was handled very well. There’s an attraction, there’s a friendship, and there’s a deeper bond as they’re both meant to stop Daemron and save the world. Karpyshyn handles that relationship with care, showing both sides and the full range of emotions that are at war. To my great surprise, Jerrod goes through a transformation in this story that really elevated his character and made him someone I liked. I loved seeing the conflict develop for him as he struggled with his faith, his vision, and the reality crashing down around him. On top of that, seeing Methodis come back into the story was very cool. Early on in the series, he was a neat character, and I enjoyed how he was brought back in. Yet the true highlight for me was Vaaler. Throughout the series, Vaaler become my favorite character, and in this book he has some great moments. While his destiny leads him to be just outside of the limelight, Drew has some fun with his character and it was a treat to see him and Shalana going around and playing hero. If there was one character who really had their head together and got the best of all worlds, it was him.
The Chaos Born may not be the new Lord of the Rings or a replacement for the Drizzt books, but it’s a fun ride through a fantasy realm populated with rich characters and intriguing bits of horror and adventure. It’s a world where magic is chaotic and destructive. A place where the gods sacrificed themselves to hold back a legion of would be tyrants. Through this story, a group of heroes must work together with the ancient talismans imbued with the magic of the old world in order to save the current one. Chaos Unleashed brings that journey to an end. Along the way there are surprises and emotional transformations, but there’s also resolution and a completion to the tale. Having enjoyed this ride from beginning to end, I give Chaos Unleashed a five out of five.
November 20, 2015
Great conclusion to the trilogy. Great characters, unique world. Completely unpredictable.
December 27, 2015
Chaos Unleashed is the third and final installment in Drew Karpyshyn's dark fantasy trilogy, The Chaos Born. It picks up where the last book left off. The evil Daemron, banished behind a barrier called the Legacy generations ago, is on the cusp of return, and when he does, he will unleash hordes of monsters and horrors upon the mortal world. Most of the monstrous Minions he dispatched to help the Children of Fire, who are unknowingly part of his plan to bring the Legacy crashing down, have been defeated, but the most dangerous remains active.
Meanwhile, the four Children of Fire, born through a ritual Daemron enacted and touched by Chaos--the uncontrollable supernatural force from which magic is drawn--continue on their journey to stop Daemron's return. The prophet, Cassandra, has stolen the Crown, one of the three Talismans that Daemron once used to achieve immortality and flees an order of fanatical monks determined to take it back. The Order, hell-bent on catching her and destroying anyone who even dabbles in Chaos, has spread terror across the world in the form of a horrifying Inquisition. The wizard, Keegan, and the warrior, Scythe, have obtained the other two Talismans and seek Cassandra to fulfill their collective destiny (Scythe and Keegan are the ones depicted on this book's cover... huzzah for a woman of color in a high fantasy novel!). And the king, Vaaler, having protected Scythe and Keegan from the army seeking the Talismans, believes his part in this journey is over and travels with Shalana, the tribeswoman whose people helped the Children of Fire on their journey. But, it turns out, the forces of fate aren't done with him yet...
Like the previous two books, Chaos Unleashed depicts several intertwining plot lines all tied to the same overarching goals: either to stop Daemron's return or to facilitate it. I loved how every single event, no matter how small or insignificant-seeming at first, has a purpose. The book is told from multiple points of view, from the principle cast to bit characters who turn out to have an important role to play as well. It all ties into the themes of destiny and chaos... and how seemingly chaotic events fit into one overall fate for the world.
Each character has a distinct voice, and I liked that this book took the time to explore their inner conflicts and thought processes. While the plot centers around huge, end-of-the-world-type situations, it's still a story about people... their motives, strengths, flaws and vulnerabilities. The ones who stood out to me were Scythe (my personal favorite), who was left broken-hearted after the events of Book 2. Always so quick-tempered and tough, she's finally fighting a foe she can't strike down. And Keegan, who wrestles with how best to do the right thing in a world with no easy answers.
These character moments happen between some truly amazing action scenes -- battles and duels and more that culminate in stunning final battle full of vivid imagery. The descriptions throughout pull you in with visceral language while the character voices create an emotional connection that makes the book spring to life. By the time you're done reading, you feel like you've been there and seen it all yourself. Really, this is a trilogy that should be binge-read all in a row as one big book. Pieces set in motion in Book 1 come together in Book 3, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
I know I've loved a book when I find myself spending ages attempting to write a review that, no matter what, just never seems to say enough. There's just so much to enjoy in this whole trilogy, which has the grandeur and rich world-building of Tolkien and yet is written with a much darker tone... and with more relatable characters. And yes, that is me daring to say that Chaos Born might be better than Lord of the Rings...
Meanwhile, the four Children of Fire, born through a ritual Daemron enacted and touched by Chaos--the uncontrollable supernatural force from which magic is drawn--continue on their journey to stop Daemron's return. The prophet, Cassandra, has stolen the Crown, one of the three Talismans that Daemron once used to achieve immortality and flees an order of fanatical monks determined to take it back. The Order, hell-bent on catching her and destroying anyone who even dabbles in Chaos, has spread terror across the world in the form of a horrifying Inquisition. The wizard, Keegan, and the warrior, Scythe, have obtained the other two Talismans and seek Cassandra to fulfill their collective destiny (Scythe and Keegan are the ones depicted on this book's cover... huzzah for a woman of color in a high fantasy novel!). And the king, Vaaler, having protected Scythe and Keegan from the army seeking the Talismans, believes his part in this journey is over and travels with Shalana, the tribeswoman whose people helped the Children of Fire on their journey. But, it turns out, the forces of fate aren't done with him yet...
Like the previous two books, Chaos Unleashed depicts several intertwining plot lines all tied to the same overarching goals: either to stop Daemron's return or to facilitate it. I loved how every single event, no matter how small or insignificant-seeming at first, has a purpose. The book is told from multiple points of view, from the principle cast to bit characters who turn out to have an important role to play as well. It all ties into the themes of destiny and chaos... and how seemingly chaotic events fit into one overall fate for the world.
Each character has a distinct voice, and I liked that this book took the time to explore their inner conflicts and thought processes. While the plot centers around huge, end-of-the-world-type situations, it's still a story about people... their motives, strengths, flaws and vulnerabilities. The ones who stood out to me were Scythe (my personal favorite), who was left broken-hearted after the events of Book 2. Always so quick-tempered and tough, she's finally fighting a foe she can't strike down. And Keegan, who wrestles with how best to do the right thing in a world with no easy answers.
These character moments happen between some truly amazing action scenes -- battles and duels and more that culminate in stunning final battle full of vivid imagery. The descriptions throughout pull you in with visceral language while the character voices create an emotional connection that makes the book spring to life. By the time you're done reading, you feel like you've been there and seen it all yourself. Really, this is a trilogy that should be binge-read all in a row as one big book. Pieces set in motion in Book 1 come together in Book 3, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
I know I've loved a book when I find myself spending ages attempting to write a review that, no matter what, just never seems to say enough. There's just so much to enjoy in this whole trilogy, which has the grandeur and rich world-building of Tolkien and yet is written with a much darker tone... and with more relatable characters. And yes, that is me daring to say that Chaos Born might be better than Lord of the Rings...
January 13, 2016
I'm left with a bittersweet flavor in my mouth.
This final book is all about convergence, get the 3 main characters together, and stop "the end of the world" but the way it happened and how they all got there is not that awesome.
Characters:
I really liked Scythe and Vaaler. Keegan not that much, actually I really didn't care for him at all, and if he would've died, it would've been ok with me. Almost half the books he was too tired, or unconscious, or too weak to do anything.
Really hated the forced romantic relationship between Keegan and Scythe; it just didn't feel right. It would've been better if they continue as friends and that's it. But no, the plot dictated that they were both meant to each other because of the bond they shared and Norr had to be out of the way somehow.
Sure, this gave the author a lot to write about, but for me... it didn't work.
Really loved to see Methodis back :) and his reunion with Scythe. I love damned reunions.
Previous book I talked about Daemron falling into the most clicheist representation of evil (horns, wings, tail, hooves) aaaand it was confirmed here he was also red skinned. Good work on creating your demon sir. You almost run out of ideas with that.
Ending: SPOILERS HERE
So, Cassandra gets to the island. How do we get the other 2 guys there?
TELEPORTATION !! why not? old magicians did it and there are reports of it.
Yeah, how convenient they found the teleportation spell just when need it.
I was going to rant about the final fight between Cassandra and Daemron buuuut later I found out why it was so short. It was a good way to tie knots there.
Not the best fantasy story I have read, but also not the worst.
This final book is all about convergence, get the 3 main characters together, and stop "the end of the world" but the way it happened and how they all got there is not that awesome.
Characters:
I really liked Scythe and Vaaler. Keegan not that much, actually I really didn't care for him at all, and if he would've died, it would've been ok with me. Almost half the books he was too tired, or unconscious, or too weak to do anything.
Really hated the forced romantic relationship between Keegan and Scythe; it just didn't feel right. It would've been better if they continue as friends and that's it. But no, the plot dictated that they were both meant to each other because of the bond they shared and Norr had to be out of the way somehow.
Sure, this gave the author a lot to write about, but for me... it didn't work.
Really loved to see Methodis back :) and his reunion with Scythe. I love damned reunions.
Previous book I talked about Daemron falling into the most clicheist representation of evil (horns, wings, tail, hooves) aaaand it was confirmed here he was also red skinned. Good work on creating your demon sir. You almost run out of ideas with that.
Ending: SPOILERS HERE
So, Cassandra gets to the island. How do we get the other 2 guys there?
TELEPORTATION !! why not? old magicians did it and there are reports of it.
Yeah, how convenient they found the teleportation spell just when need it.
I was going to rant about the final fight between Cassandra and Daemron buuuut later I found out why it was so short. It was a good way to tie knots there.
Not the best fantasy story I have read, but also not the worst.
December 25, 2015
The end of the Chaos Born triology.
Was interesting to delve into a new world and new characters, by an author I really enjoy.
The book gives me, at least, a satisfying ending to the triology (I really could've read more about the aftermath of the events of this book though.).
The character development throughout the books was interesting, in a good way, and it tied together nicely.
The only thing I sort of dis-liked was that, towards the end of this book, it feels like it went from building up towards the ending, to getting there, in a very rapid manner.
Was interesting to delve into a new world and new characters, by an author I really enjoy.
The book gives me, at least, a satisfying ending to the triology (I really could've read more about the aftermath of the events of this book though.).
The character development throughout the books was interesting, in a good way, and it tied together nicely.
The only thing I sort of dis-liked was that, towards the end of this book, it feels like it went from building up towards the ending, to getting there, in a very rapid manner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2015
A few bits were really cringe worthy and cliched, but overall a great ending. I wish we saw a bit further than the epilogue though I would rather it have a little bit more info about everyone.
August 16, 2016
OMG, what was I thinking?
February 4, 2021
Well.... it's not awful. This whole series very much feels like the definition of "vanilla flavored." That's not necessarily bad, and for a reader who is new to the fantasy genre and doesn't mind incredibly predictable tropes, then I think it's a good read.
Karpyshyn establishes a nice world, a pretty basic magic system, and has some interesting stakes, but I ran out of fingers as I started to count the classic fantasy tropes: chosen one, orphan, wise wizard, love triangle, dark lord, reluctant hero, lucky novice, powerful artifact,
Karpyshyn establishes a nice world, a pretty basic magic system, and has some interesting stakes, but I ran out of fingers as I started to count the classic fantasy tropes: chosen one, orphan, wise wizard, love triangle, dark lord, reluctant hero, lucky novice, powerful artifact,
June 30, 2023
In this we see the culmination of all the machinations of the various players throughout this series.
We see the good and the bad uses (or abuses) of power. We see old hatreds clouding decisions and we see the risks of bigotry and hatred.
Our heroes grow in their power, and build towards a final confrontation with the various forces opposing them.
We see the power and strength of love, and we are treated to a deepening understanding of many of our characters.
The author does an amazing job of bringing this story to a powerful and fitting conclusion, tying up many of the threads he has woven throughout this tapestry. While the story as a whole is given closure, the world and characters we have met, remain available to the author to revisit if he chooses to.
I very much enjoyed this series.
We see the good and the bad uses (or abuses) of power. We see old hatreds clouding decisions and we see the risks of bigotry and hatred.
Our heroes grow in their power, and build towards a final confrontation with the various forces opposing them.
We see the power and strength of love, and we are treated to a deepening understanding of many of our characters.
The author does an amazing job of bringing this story to a powerful and fitting conclusion, tying up many of the threads he has woven throughout this tapestry. While the story as a whole is given closure, the world and characters we have met, remain available to the author to revisit if he chooses to.
I very much enjoyed this series.
February 2, 2020
Der dritte und letzte Band der Trilogie macht noch einmal das, was die Vorgänger schon taten: unterhalten von Anfang bis Ende.
Karpyshyn kann schreiben; er weiss einfach, was er tut. Ausserordentlich war für mich, dass er in seiner High Fantasy-Reihe den Helden von seinem Helden-Dasein "entthronte". Aber mehr will ich diesbezüglich wegen Spoiler-Gefahr nicht verraten.
Eigentlich bin ich fast schon traurig, dass ich die liebgewonnenen Figuren nun ins Regal stellen muss. Sie sind alle so real und greifbar geschildert, so unterschiedlich wie Menschen im echten Leben. Sie hadern und zögern, müssen ihre Dämonen bekämpfen und dabei auch noch ihr Ziel nicht aus den Augen verlieren.
Obwohl es über ein Jahr her war, seit ich Band zwei gelesen hatte, war mir dieser noch immer sehr präsent. Dies hat mich sehr überrascht, da ich gedacht habe, dass ich eh das meiste vergessen hätte. Aber wie gesagt - Karpyshyn kann schreiben und so bleiben auch die Geschichten haften.
Als ein Teil von uns selbst.
Karpyshyn kann schreiben; er weiss einfach, was er tut. Ausserordentlich war für mich, dass er in seiner High Fantasy-Reihe den Helden von seinem Helden-Dasein "entthronte". Aber mehr will ich diesbezüglich wegen Spoiler-Gefahr nicht verraten.
Eigentlich bin ich fast schon traurig, dass ich die liebgewonnenen Figuren nun ins Regal stellen muss. Sie sind alle so real und greifbar geschildert, so unterschiedlich wie Menschen im echten Leben. Sie hadern und zögern, müssen ihre Dämonen bekämpfen und dabei auch noch ihr Ziel nicht aus den Augen verlieren.
Obwohl es über ein Jahr her war, seit ich Band zwei gelesen hatte, war mir dieser noch immer sehr präsent. Dies hat mich sehr überrascht, da ich gedacht habe, dass ich eh das meiste vergessen hätte. Aber wie gesagt - Karpyshyn kann schreiben und so bleiben auch die Geschichten haften.
Als ein Teil von uns selbst.
June 24, 2025
not what I expected from Drew. Being a huge mass effect fan, maybe I set my expectations too high. over all the story was interesting but the pacing felt very inconsistent and there was a lot of unnecessary internal monologuing towards the end, it felt very anime-ish. I would still give it 3/5 stars overall since it held my attention long enough to get thru all three books
February 24, 2020
a very good book
you have to read the first two books or this doesn't make sense. its a great trilogy and really was a great journey. put simply i enjoyed the read and i didn't scan read much which is the biggest compliment i can give.
you have to read the first two books or this doesn't make sense. its a great trilogy and really was a great journey. put simply i enjoyed the read and i didn't scan read much which is the biggest compliment i can give.
Want to read
February 6, 2022Goodreads recommends because it is like the Assassin's Blade.
May 27, 2025
Great series, looking for more from the author.
March 21, 2017
A good conclusion to the story of our heroes and the supporting characters.
January 31, 2021
I’ve always been a huge fan of Drew’s since reading his Mass Effect trilogy - when I learned that he had written a fantasy series I just had to jump on it.
I finished reading this series about 8 months ago, and still think about it to this day. I had taken a long break from reading altogether until the pandemic hit, and I fell into a weird mental state. Long story short, I decided to give this series a go because I had to mentally get away from the real world, and Drew was an author that I previously greatly enjoyed.
It took me a while to get into it at first, not gonna lie, but later on I realized Drew was really laying the foundation for a world that is relatively simple to visualize, but yet unexpectedly deep and layered. Once things truly start picking up, the story flows exceptionally well.
This last book in particular was nonstop, but also very calculated. Drew’s ability to create tension through intertwining story arcs really shone, and the conclusion of it all left me very satisfied. It definitely rekindled my love for fantasy, and I’ve been reading steady ever since - and feeling a lot happier too. Hoping more and more people will give this series a chance and pick it up - I certainly didn’t regret it!
I finished reading this series about 8 months ago, and still think about it to this day. I had taken a long break from reading altogether until the pandemic hit, and I fell into a weird mental state. Long story short, I decided to give this series a go because I had to mentally get away from the real world, and Drew was an author that I previously greatly enjoyed.
It took me a while to get into it at first, not gonna lie, but later on I realized Drew was really laying the foundation for a world that is relatively simple to visualize, but yet unexpectedly deep and layered. Once things truly start picking up, the story flows exceptionally well.
This last book in particular was nonstop, but also very calculated. Drew’s ability to create tension through intertwining story arcs really shone, and the conclusion of it all left me very satisfied. It definitely rekindled my love for fantasy, and I’ve been reading steady ever since - and feeling a lot happier too. Hoping more and more people will give this series a chance and pick it up - I certainly didn’t regret it!
June 13, 2016
This book was never great enough for me to form a lasting attachment to any of the characters, but it wasn't bad enough to make me uninterested in the story either. I enjoyed this while I was reading it, but I don't think I will ever re-read it.
Perhaps I am being overly critical. It is a well done story with interesting characters. My main problem with it lies in the fact that events just happened too quickly. I stopped counting how many times a character motivation or powerful emotional force basically changed on a dime. This may sound odd but I think the books needed to be longer. Each one needed about an extra 200 pages with which to more gradually evolve the story instead of rushing forward in spurts. Across the entire series we see one character two times, and yet he almost plays a major role. The emotional impact of his character was nonexistent because of how little exposure the readers had to him.
In the end, I think Karpyshyn too often falls into describing a characters thoughts and observations with the narrators voice instead of allowing the characters to speak for themselves.
Perhaps I am being overly critical. It is a well done story with interesting characters. My main problem with it lies in the fact that events just happened too quickly. I stopped counting how many times a character motivation or powerful emotional force basically changed on a dime. This may sound odd but I think the books needed to be longer. Each one needed about an extra 200 pages with which to more gradually evolve the story instead of rushing forward in spurts. Across the entire series we see one character two times, and yet he almost plays a major role. The emotional impact of his character was nonexistent because of how little exposure the readers had to him.
In the end, I think Karpyshyn too often falls into describing a characters thoughts and observations with the narrators voice instead of allowing the characters to speak for themselves.
October 4, 2016
The Legacy, a magical barrier protecting humanity from Chaos, has crumbled.
Four unlikely champions, each touched with Chaos magic at birth, are all that can stop the return of Daemron the Slayer. Armed with the Talismans of power the four champions, the Children of Fire, must find the Keystone, a fabled place where, or so it is said, the Legacy can be restored.
But even the noblest heart can be twisted by the tainted magic of Chaos…
I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about the trilogy, and for this reason I was a bit hesitant to enjoy it. However, was pleasant surprised.
This book throws you straight into the story. Enough of previous books covered without directly stating this or that happened, as so many books seem to do now. The characters were believable and the story compelling. It was a great read and I believe it wrapped up the trilogy beautifully. There were a few twists I wasn't expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed all of them.
I recommend for fans of Stuart Hill's The Icemark Chronicles, Terry Brooks' Shannara Chronicles and Goodkind's The Sword of Truth series.
My overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars
Four unlikely champions, each touched with Chaos magic at birth, are all that can stop the return of Daemron the Slayer. Armed with the Talismans of power the four champions, the Children of Fire, must find the Keystone, a fabled place where, or so it is said, the Legacy can be restored.
But even the noblest heart can be twisted by the tainted magic of Chaos…
I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about the trilogy, and for this reason I was a bit hesitant to enjoy it. However, was pleasant surprised.
This book throws you straight into the story. Enough of previous books covered without directly stating this or that happened, as so many books seem to do now. The characters were believable and the story compelling. It was a great read and I believe it wrapped up the trilogy beautifully. There were a few twists I wasn't expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed all of them.
I recommend for fans of Stuart Hill's The Icemark Chronicles, Terry Brooks' Shannara Chronicles and Goodkind's The Sword of Truth series.
My overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars
March 5, 2017
The major positive thing about this final book in the trilogy is that it neatly wraps up the major story threads. Otherwise there's little to recommend here. The main characters are still uninteresting and the world is uninspired and full of fantasy tropes. The series is decent enough if you are dying for another mass-produced easy-to-read fantasy story, otherwise it is not really worth it.
January 31, 2016
The only thing I didn't like is that the story has now ended =D
September 8, 2016
Review to follw
January 1, 2017
Great story!!! Really enjoyed all 3 books and it ended well. Karpyshyn is one of my favorite authors and he does it again with this series.
January 20, 2017
Nothing unique or interesting about this series. Not saying it's bad, if you want a safe fantasy story where everything is essentially by the book, this will fit the bill.
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