Dominion

The Chronicles of the Invaders #3

by John Connolly, Jennifer Ridyard

The third thrilling Chronicles of the Invaders adventure from New York Times bestselling author John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard mixes classic sci-fi with rich, character-driven plot, as Paul and Syl fight to save Earth from an enemy who is closer than ever.

Syl Hellais and Paul Kerr have traveled through Derith, the mysterious wormhole from which no traveler has ever returned. Yet Derith’s secrets are darker than they imagined, and trapped in a dimension beyond their own, they finally emerge to discover a universe that has moved on without them.

Years have passed, and Civil War rages among the Illyri. It is whispered that the Earth is lost, prey to the alien parasites known as the Others, and other worlds will soon follow. Most shocking of all, the sinister Archmage Syrene of the Nairene Sisterhood has disappeared into the bowels of the Sisterhood’s lair.

But before she cloistered herself, Archmage Syrene chose her replacement. The Sisterhood has a new leader, with her own plans for the future of her race. Now Syl and Paul, teenagers in a deadly adult world, must find a way to change the course of history and save the lives of billions. They have but one hope.

For Syl Hellais is changing…

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Audiobook, Fantasy, Suspense

449 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2016

About the author

John Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.

He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.

This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really loved this series and now it has drawn to a close with ” Dominion” I am actually quite distraught. It has been entirely brilliant start to finish, engaging, intense, amazing characters and a gorgeously imagined mythology. I can only hope that these two writers do more together. Oh if wishing made it so…

I’m not going to talk too much about plot because I’m sure that there are readers out there still to discover this series – but in basic terms we have an Earth run by alien conquerers, a rebellion, a trip around a few other planets, a bit of a love story, a LOT of adventure and some magical writing that just makes the whole thing beautifully addictive.

One thing that struck me about The Chronicles of the Invaders as a whole was the way John Connolly and Jennie Ridyard layered the plot, adding new levels and intrigue with every book, building the story in a quite superb way towards a tense, bang on satisfying conclusion. Dominion was pretty godarn perfect, even though things happened that made me want to throw shoes at the authors (its ok they have a suitable amount of distance and my aim is terrible) – this is also a series that I will return to and read again, because it is one of those where you will find added joy in seeing things unfold whilst knowing what is coming.

Overall it has been a fantastic reading experience. A very adult young adult series with thought provoking themes running throughout, some truly incredible world building and some unforgettable characters.

Highly Recommended.

[Shaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book Chapter

Once I had devoured Empire (book 2) I was in need of the third and final book immediately. I needed to see how it would all end for Syl, Paul, Ani, Steven and even the Archmage Syrene. A couple weeks ago I emailed the lovely Elizabeth to find out a release day. Sometime later I, alongside all the other Chronicles Champions, received a review copy and I had devoured straight away it and literally could not come up with a single coherent sentence but now I am, so bare with me guys.

Dominion follows on from the great escape from Erebos. Syl and Paul alongside his Nomad crew take the most dangerous wormhole where no living person has returned. And Ani remains in the midst of all the bloodshed, with a single promise; to bring the sisterhood back to its rightful name. Looking back at Conquest and the naivety of the main characters really breaks my heart. To see how quickly they had to grow, evolve and adapt was shown and written amazingly. The changes Ani and Syl went through, becoming something no human or Illyr would even consider played a huge role. Steven was a much more active member, I mean having his own ship, crew and doing a helluva lot more *claps hands* job well done. Paul adapted well, becoming more determined and strong, but will that be enough?

We get a lot on supporting characters; Vena, Trask, Fremd, Meia - my favourite mech - and so many others. One thing that truly disappointed me was the less chapters from the point of view of Syl and Paul. From gaining so much through them in Conquest and Empire to not much at all in Dominion was a let down. That's not to say it's not understandable, we're getting insight from the Marque, Earth, Erebos, to different ships; it was insightful and just what was needed to make up for the loss of their POVs. After all war was everywhere, not on just one planet. not just between two entities for there is a third hidden in the midst, and much more powerful.

John and Jennifer have a done a great job bringing this trilogy to an end. Though I expected certain characters to play a much bigger role in the end and not have what happened to said characters. The ending was promising, which left enough for the imagination. Syl and Ani's relationship was something that kept this book together and Syrene, well that is something worth reading on your own. I love the concept of the future with the chapters showing what lead to 'so and so's' actions. It took on a different attempt with this, though it was a tad dangerous to do with the final book, they both took caution and created something unique and incredible. Though the descriptive aspect did go slightly overboard at time, the action, fights and decisions that were made, made up for it. The build up was amazing, took some unexpected turns. Nevertheless an amazing ending to the Chronicles of the Invaders trilogy. I will truly miss this world.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! I love this series so much. YA SF doesn't get any better.

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 4 out of 5]

The CHRONICLES OF THE INVADERS by John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard comes to a satisfying conclusion with Dominion, the final book of the trilogy. We get a post-apocalyptic survival story on earth, an off-planet prison break, space battles, and political skullduggery and espionage in the halls of the Nairene Sisterhood. Each character faces multiple layers of jeopardy as the story comes to a close, and it’s not certain that everyone we like will live.

In the past, the Illyri invaded and conquered Earth. The conquest was uneasy because the human resistance movement kept fighting. Illyri girls Syl Hellais and her friend Ani Cienda met Paul and Steven, human members of that resistance. Syl and Paul fell in love, and soon discovered... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the series and follows on from the events of book 2, in which Syl revealed the full extent of powers to the Nairene Sisterhood, not only killing Grandmage Oriel, but showing her power to the Others. As her Father and Syrene are about to wed, Syrene’s ‘Gifted’, those few students of the Sisterhood with unique psychic abilities, move through the guests and systematically murder every guest that is opposed to the Diplomatic Corp or the Sisterhood, in incredibly brutal fashion. Syl comes across this, and stops them, unleashing raw power that no one has ever seen before, taking out all of the Gifted, with the exception of Ani, who of course wasn’t a part of it.
Paul Kerr had come to the wedding to rescue her, and together, with a small band, they escape, but they are pursued, and with no hope of escape from the pursuing ships, they take the only route available to them, jumping into the Derith Wormhole from which no one has ever been seen again. At the end of book 2, Paul, Syl, Steven, as well as the two Mechs, Alis and Meia, and Paul’s Brigade crew, Thula and Rizzo have disappeared through the wormhole, and Ani is now alone with the Sisterhood.
At the start of Book 3, multiple events have taken place, and the galaxy is now a different place. Earth has been given to the Others, with all but a few of the Illyri (those deemed unworthy), having been taken from the planet, and the spores of the Others unleashed on the population for them to feed on. A small group of rebels on Earth has been lucky enough to find an Illyri bunker, thanks to some help from Meia, and are hidden away, but otherwise, Earth is lost.
We also learn that the crew of the Nomad, Paul, Steven, Syl, Thula, Rizzo, Alis and Meia, are not dead, but in fact in the presence of a massive alien ship, and without giving too much away, they come across a new species, the Cayth, who have been hiding in this wormhole for a long time from the Others, destroying any ship that comes through that has an Other on board. Whilst they do get some assistance from the Cayth, they also learn that the wormhole has a time distortion affect due to the presence of a blackhole, meaning time passes a lot faster on the other side of the wormhole that on their side. Although they make it back through the wormhole, this time dilation has some significant impacts for the crew and the story (I am not going to give away spoilers)
Ani in the meantime, is left at the Sisterhood, alone, with no allies, or friends. However, she is aware that there are bad things going on within the Sisterhood, and so she continues her plan to rise through the ranks, attain power, and clean house, as she promised she would to Syl when they first joined.
This book also looks at the impact of the Illyri civil war between the Diplomatic Core and the Military (and to a large extent, the Sisterhood). We get to see the stories of Captain Peris and Lord Danis, who are now prisoners, having been taken off of Earth at the last minute as prisoners of war.
This is a fascinating third book in the series, with a multi-faceted storyline, covering not just the main characters, but also covering the various aspects of the Illyri inner workings, the political conflict between the Diplomatic Corp and the Military, as well as the intrigue of the Sisterhood and how they influence the constant power struggles. Earth is not forgotten either, and we follow the plight of the few who remain on a world that is now infested by the Others and their harvesting process.
The world building is brilliant, covering multiple different planets (what becomes of Earth is both apocalyptic, but so incredibly terrifying, so well done), Avila Minor, the home world of the Nairene Sisterhood is just fascinating. The descriptive work of the Cayth, the Others, and so much more I won’t mention, is all exceptional.
The character growth in this book is also brilliant. We see Syl continuing to mature, and develop these incredible powers, that even she is not sure of how to control, let alone anyone else. The Kerr boys have grown into capable leaders, and the relationships they have, Steven with the Mech Alis, and Paul with Syl, are beautifully written.
The development of the Mechs in this story, their personalities, their story and their history has been such an outstanding part of this series, touching on so many moral and ethical points – the rights of sentient machines, and their right to a belief system.
Overall, this third and final book in the series is just epic, and if you have read either of the first, you have to read this last one. If you haven’t read this series, it is absolutely worth the effort, as it develops into such an intriguing politically motivated story, that has all these exceptional storylines and just extraordinary characters wrapped in the utterly outstanding (and at times, terrifying) world-building. Best of all, this is a final book that leaves you satisfied with the conclusion of the series, which is always something that is so important with a series like this.

[Pattyh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgallery for the opportunity to sample John Connolly's third book in the Chronicles of the Invaders - Dominion.
John Connolly is one of the finest authors of suspense today with his Charlie Parker series.
This series, written with Jennifer Ridyard, is a combination of science fiction and fantasy that followers of these novels will definitely enjoy.
This is well written with developed characters that help the reader visualize a "unreal" reality.
Defintely don't miss this one! very good.

[Richard Gartee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is apparently the second book in a series, but was well written enough that I was able to follow everything without having read the preceding book. A little too similar to Dune i.e. galactic space opera, egotistical rulers, secretive sisterhood society.

[Conal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good conclusion to an entertaining series though this one had less action than I was expecting. I did like that all the story lines converged and their was a satisfying ending.

4 stars for a fun read and recommended for all reading this series.

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT BUT AH, MY HEART.

[Adrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid YA SciFi series. This finale is jam packed with action and tying up loose ends. The ending is fitting but a little rushed. 3.5 stars.

[Miranda Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you wrap up a series that spans thousands of pages, dozens of worlds, and hundreds of characters? How do you take a story so large and life-spanning, so that it encompasses the entirety of existence itself, and ground it in a single character, reflecting how the universe could change in how this character grows?

They're questions I as a writer have often troubled myself with, but it's clear after reading Dominion--and the entire Chronicles of the Invaders series--that it can be done.

Dominion, for anyone new to the series, is the final in the Chronicle of the Invaders trilogy, the culmination of the journey of diplomat's daughter Syl and Earth resistance warrior Paul. Yet calling it that feels so microscopic when in reality, it's the story of the intersection of four races: humans, Illyri, mechs, and Others. The final chapter in the saga answers an endless slew of questions about how these races originated in a format that's nearly 20 parts long, jumping between worlds and characters like a season of Game of Thrones. (Speaking of, take note, Hollywood directors: this saga is begging to be adapted for television.)

There's much to praise in this book, but perhaps nothing is as stunning as the progression of Syl. Once the first Illyri born on Earth, Syl has been a Nairene, a fugitive, a friend, and is now seen as an enemy of her own people. But she is determined to protect those who remain against the Others, the parasitic alien race that has consumed a faction of her people and cost her father his life. In this final chapter, we see how far she's grown both in her telepathic abilities and in her strength. Though she is still, in certain terms, a teenager, she has matured beyond her years, and become every bit the defender of the universe she needs to be.

In Syl becoming an adult, alongside Paul, and across the universe from Ani and Steven, we finally see the series reach where it has always belonged: an adult space opera that just happens to have children involved. Classifying this story as young adult made sense in CONQUEST, and wavered in EMPIRE, but in DOMINION, it firmly finds its feet in the adult category. The ethical dilemmas they face and the wars they wage have aged alongside them. It's a beautiful example few series are able to accomplish: characters that grow up and reach adulthood with the readers. Though I'm reading this series as an adult, and years after it came out, I can imagine having read this as it released in my late teens, and how the journeys these characters face mimicked my own emotional progression.

That's a lot of words to say something simple: this series is remarkable, Dominion is a pleasure, and though it breaks my heart to know this is the end of their story, I look forward to reading these books again and again.

[TheCloudRunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of the trilogy, I will admit that this one is my least favorite. By the last third of the book it felt like the authors had given up on meaningful dialogue altogether; almost like they didn't know what to say for many conversations between characters so many things were just straight up weird for me and didn't really flow together. There were many slow moments in the book and the "final battle" was too abstract for my liking. I felt a disconnect from all the characters in this book when I didn't feel that way while reading the first two books. And the amount of mistakes in this book should make whomever the editor is feel very ashamed. If I tabbed every grammar mistake, misspelled word, double word usage (i.e. "he felt really bad for for her"), and usage of the wrong character name - my book would overflow with colorful tabs. The usage of the wrong character name both baffled and confused me. There is a moment in the book where people have to split up and divide into their own ship crews. Steven and his crew are one group, Paul and his crew are another. We are in a dialogue with Steven and one of his crew mates and by the next time we get back to Steven speaking, he has turned into Paul then goes back to being Steven. I was confused because Paul and his crew were supposed to be in a whole different galaxy, and baffled because I don't know how such a mistake was not caught. VERY poor editing in this book which can take away some of the enjoyment of the story.
Overall the book wasn't so bad. I enjoyed it enough to finish it but it was definitely my least favorite out of the trilogy.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I realize I'm not really the audience for YA books at all so I almost don't want to rate them anymore because of this. I'm rarely compelled to do more than a numerical rating for any book but felt like I would for this one.

I'd probably give this a 3.5. My biggest issues with it were that

1. There were just too many characters, way too many side plots, way too many things going on. The whole plot with Ani becoming Archmage was practically summarized, as was Meia . And then at the end "oh yeah. Lord Andrus. He totally died off screen. Sucks." I don't know. Everything seemed so crammed. So much didn't get the time and breathing room it seemed to need.

2. It was just way too bleak for me

I get that a lot of people enjoy books were everything is a shit fest, but after the earth pretty much got obliterated I stopped caring what happened to anyone. There was no saving it. There were only a few survivors. I just felt like this was a big let down for a three book series to happen in the final book. I guess after the first two I just wanted an adventure where the world got saved. Instead it was like, oh, endless death and torment. Crap. Man. This is why I DON'T read or watch Game of Thrones.

I feel like this book alone could have been expanded and been the entire series. I may have felt differently about what happened if it was shown through character interaction instead of kind of quickly gone over in this final book. Ani's little subterfuge could have been a whole book.

In the end I enjoyed listening to this and it was entertaining, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I guess.

[Estauromai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not as good as the two before it. The authors seem to give up on character interaction for long stretches of the book. This makes it read like a history book, not a piece of fiction. The authors gloss over significant events in the story, expecting the reader to either already know what happened or to accept that understanding how it happened is irrelevant.

That being said, it is readable and I did finish the book. But I finished more because I wanted to know how the authors finished the story than because I enjoyed the read. First two were excellent. This one: average at best.

[William Walter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was completed, but in retrospect, it was far too front-weighted, with a slog through slow parts in both books #1 and #2, and tons of action and story line wasted--reduced to mere paragraphs and very short chapters at the end of book #3. Sort of unexpected in a three volume set by older authors.

[Ernest Spoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable, though derivative, bit of space opera and coming of age book. Somehow I missed the middle volume but there was enough exposition on that book to that there were no plot holes...at least for me.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

great Sci/Fi read. This is the 3 in a trilogy and I have not read the first two but this book stands alone. Has all the correct sci fi elements...aliens, catastrophic loss of life, planet busting, space ships....excellent. I shall now find the first two and read them.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This shaped up to be a darn good series. I’m actually sorry it ended. I was drawn into its rather brutal and chilling storyline and bonded with many of the ancillary characters. Very action packed but the pacing was never monotonous nor tedious. Sci-fi lovers will really enjoy this one.

[melvia mccann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronicles

Been an avid reader of all the Charlie Parker stories ( which if you haven’t read ,you should ,it’s one very good ride),and found this yarn,Mr Connolly and MsR. Have honed a sharp instrument,well done!

[Fernanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this amazing book made me cry like tree times, The characters grew too fast, matured and grew up as we read the book, now they must make important decisions, but we can talk about the plot twist, turn my head and that end still doesn't beat it, I'm obsessed

[Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reader´s bliss. A thrilling ride through the distant worlds.
I enjoyed this trilogy a damn lot.
I can only recommend, even to those who usually do not read sci-fi.
*
"Home?" he said without thinking it through. "My home is wherever you are." ♥

[Michael Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done. A great face paced read when you just want to enjoy a good story without having to think too much.

[Amber (Allgood) Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not as engaged as I would have liked. Even at the end of the book, I basically knew what was going to happen and the details of it did not catch my interest.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good faster-paced wrap up to the story. The characters are Disney-deep but the interactions with the alien benefactors are well-done. The best of the three

[Jimmacc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable conclusion to this trilogy.

[Matt Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, reminded me of red rising trilogy

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointed on how this series went down hill after the first book. Bloated and dragged a lot of the time. All the aliens encountered ended up predictable and un original.

[Amloid Mesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story line. Definitely in my top 20 Favorite Trilogies of all time.

[Arkrayder · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good ending to the series. A little sad.

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant