Unleashing Echoes

Reconstructionist #3

by Meghan Ciana Doidge

For twelve years, I had managed to separate my personal life from my professional life, becoming one of the best reconstructionists in the world — and proving to myself that I could do so on my own merits. Then I’d been forced into contact with my family, reuniting with someone I thought I’d lost forever, and rescuing my best friend. Now I had to savor what little time I had left before the contract with the Conclave came due and my future was wrenched from my control. Except there was one last case to solve. One last set of puzzle pieces to collect, then assemble again. But this time, I would have to be the investigator and the executioner. Whether I wanted to be or not. Because it seemed as though the future wouldn’t be allowed to finally unfold until the past had its way. -------------------- This 77,000 word urban fantasy is the third and final book in the Reconstructionist Series by author Meghan Ciana Doidge. Author’s the ideal reading order of the Reconstructionist Series is after the first six books in the Dowser Series and the three books in the Oracle series, but it's not absolutely necessary to read the Dowser or the Oracle series before reading the Reconstructionist Series.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Vampires, Witches, Romance, Fantasy Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2017

About the author

Meghan Ciana Doidge writes tales of true love conquering all, even death. Though sometimes the love is elusive, the vampires and werewolves come out to play in the daylight, and bloody mayhem ensues.

Reviews

[Meghan Doidge]

Hmmm ... I can't rate it, because I wrote it! But I think it's good .... it tells the story I wanted to tell, at least.

[Jeanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book in the reconstructionist series. Sadly this is the conclusion to the story.
**spoilers ahead**

I don't think Jasmine's obsession with Kett would lead to anything but the eventual jealousy of her cousin. Knowing Kett's original pick & ideal child was Wisteria & how his only reason for making her into a vampire was Wisteria's wish & her untimely death. I'm not a fan of Declan, I Honestly think him an asshole. Wisteria deserves better as does Kett. Imo

[Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Review:
I enjoyed this whole series. Good mysteries and crimes to solve. Characters I grew to understand and care about more as it went on. Interesting magic. A fascinating love interest who is my favorite character in the entire Dowser world of all the books I've read so far (Kett). Unfortunately, the ending was very unsatisfying.

*SPOILER* I don't think every book needs a happy ending, but in this series, the way this ended just didn't feel right. The whole trilogy was building up to something (Kett turning Wisteria into a vampire and them being together), and then it was just ripped out from under us---both the characters and the readers---right at the end. I didn't even fully understand their new deal/promise. What does "the next lifetime" mean? I assumed maybe reincarnation, but then Kett told her to stay alive until he came for her.

And then for Wisteria to end up with Declan... It felt like a crappy consolation prize. "Sorry I didn't give you the ending I promised. Here, have this sudden, forced ending instead!" I might've shipped Wisteria and Declan if some chemistry and tension had been properly built, but it wasn't. It came solely from the feelings they had as teens, before they lost contact. But I, the reader, wasn't there for that. And 12 years apart without even speaking is a long time. Those feelings needed to be rekindled. The two times they kissed in the present, it wasn't even passionate or romantic. They were more like desperate attempts to reclaim some control or closeness in their tumultuous lives, but attempts that didn't even work. I felt like it was made clear that a romantic relationship wasn't right for them or what they wanted. And I'm supposed to be gung-ho about her being with Declan now instead of Kett? Kett, who truly appreciated her strength and fire and told her how magnificent she was? Who understood her? Who told her he was willing to fight for her affection if that's what it took? Who wanted to give her forever?

Not to mention my disappointment for Kett. He's been around for so long. He's been alone for so long. He was clearly set on turning Wisteria. He deserves to be with someone he truly wants to be with.

I would say the only way I can be ok with this ending is if there's more to the series in the future and Kett and Wisteria get to be together... But then what about Declan? He'll just be dumped and left to grow old alone? And what about whatever relationship Kett and Jasmine have? Them casually sleeping together a few times was one thing, but whatever develops now might be deeper. So I don't know. *END SPOILER*

This was an enjoyable series, right up until the disappointing ending that felt like the author broke an unspoken promise to the readers. Maybe there will be more books about these characters one day that will make me feel better about it. I'd still like to keep going with the Dowser series at least.

*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook via TTS*

Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Meghan Ciana Doidge's Reconstructionist Series. Anyone who likes witches, vampires, characters dealing with past trauma, and mystery / crime solving.

More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original Review from January 2019:
It was 4 stars for me until the end. Not a fan of how this one ended.....

I liked that throughout the last two books Wisteria had a choice. A forced choice, but she was always allowed to say no, even if she felt she couldn’t for all the various reasons. And then the relationship is built up and developed between her and Kett and it’s interesting because in all the other stories with humans and vampires the human always firmly wants to stay human. This was something different. Then the choice was ripped away and it went the safe conventional route with the boring ending. It jolted me out of the story and really did effect my enjoyment of the story as a whole. Actually, the more I think about it the more it annoys me....time spent reading 3 books for a let down of an ending.

Updated Review from April 2024:
I'm not overly positive up there, and I still agree with everything I said. And I think I might be more upset by this ending this time, knowing it was coming.
Some of my spoilery thoughts:
- Wisteria and Kett promising each other their next lifetime. While as a sentiment it's beautiful. They are good together. They work. They make sense. When is this next lifetime? How does this work. MCD spent 2 1/2 book slow building this relationship for it to end like this? With him off with Jasmine and her fucking Declan???? I've always liked Kett from the beginning of the Dowser series, and I grew to love Wisteria in this trilogy. They deserve better than what they got. It's not a happy ending for either of them.
- Plus! On top of all that, WISTERIA WAS DYING. The house collapsing and killing Jasmine was so contrived and silly.
-Some good writing in this one, though. "We had been in a place and an moment that was before whatever Jasmine was about to tell me. But I knew we were in the midst of the after now. There would be no going back from whatever she was about to say." was particularly beautiful. sigh...

I haven't finished the whole universe of books, hopefully in a future story, this comes back...

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a little disappointed/dissatisfied with the ending on this book, but it really just makes me want to hear more of Wisteria & Kett. I really believe all of them would mark "It's Complicated" on their Facebook relationship statuses. :) Hopefully we'll see more of Kett, Wisteria, Jasmine, and Declan in future books.

[Jennifer McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was, hands down, totally spectacular. I mourned the finishing of the third book in this trilogy for days afterward. When the book first landed in my Kindle (after awaiting it’s arrival for months), I went onto GoodReads to see what other reviewers were saying. BTW, LOVE GoodReads, what a terrific way to talk about books and keep your library ordered, I haven’t forgotten an author since joining. Anyway, the reviews were stellar, not surprising, Meghan is a great writer of fantasy thrillers. But what really jumped out at me was when one reviewer said “You’re Gonna Cry” at the ending. OMG, I AM??! NOOOOO. I don’t want to cry, that means there’s something sad, I want the main character to “get the guy, win the day, take names etc.”. Damn, I’m gonna cry?

Ok, I didn’t cry. But I know what that reviewer was getting at. After finishing said book I spent a whole week pouting. I don’t usually do that, even with tragic endings, which this wasn’t… really. It was just that I WANTED a certain outcome and when I didn’t exactly get that outcome, I pouted like a little child who’d lost their lollypop. Let me tell you about the series so you’ll become a fan of Doidge’s work like I am.

Meghan started this saga of world building with the Dowser Series. In the first six books (which I highly recommend), she created side characters who deserved their own platform. The Reconstructionist trilogy was born. “Unleashing Echoes” is the third and last installment of this series so I strongly demand suggest that you start at book one, “Catching Echoes“. If you really do think this series is right up your alley then you just might want to start at the beginning of the Dowser Series, though it’s not actually necessary. One of the two main characters in this trilogy is a major player in the Dowser series too. Start with “Cupcakes, Trinkets & Other Deadly Magic“, I know you won’t regret it (GoodReads Review).

Meghan’s ability to build a new and unseen world around this one comes off as so natural that the reader will have no problem suspending disbelief. “Unleashing Echoes” is about Wisteria Fairchild, a Reconstructionist witch. Wisteria can feel residual magic and she uses that skill to reconstruct potentially illegal use of spells so steps can be taken to punish the perpetrator. In this third book, she must face down her uncle who abused the Fairchild children under the guise of “teaching” them how to be successful spell casters. Wisteria was one of those abused children, she’s going to have to confront her past, overcome the pain and become a stronger person or her evil uncle will win. The stakes are high, Uncle Jasper wants to be remade as an all powerful vampire. Someone from the Fairchild line will have to give up their life, be remade and fulfill the archaic contract that was signed years ago with the conclave.

Yes, I find it unusual that I can easily accept that vampires, witches and magic are real. Believe me, Meghan Ciana Doidge’s prose are decidedly convincing. You’ll fall in love with the characters, they’re so well wrought that at the end of the book you just can’t forget them. I already miss reading about Wisteria. Like a good book should, the experience of reading “Unleashing Echoes” makes me continue to wonder what she’d be up to now. I hope you go out and buy the first of this series. What a lucky reader you are, you can ask Santa for the trilogy to appear under your Christmas tree!

[Strega Nona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book..the final in the series. I binged all three in three days and stayed up late into the night to finish Unleashing Echoes...and I’m bitterly disappointed. What the heck? She ends up with Declan? She waited 12 years with no involvements while he was running around screwing everything (apparently) and the minute a person enters her life who can see what she’s worth (Kett) and appreciate her power, Declan is the answer? Why? It’s like she had to fall back on the love of her youth...so trashy romance novel, imho. Her strength of character and magic and person should have led her out into a new world and life with a partner not a grumbling puppy.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unleashing Echoes is an excellent conclusion to the Reconstructionist series. Secrets are revealed and self-realizations are made as the Fairchild's come full circle and confront the demons of their past. Doidge does an amazing job tying up all plot lines by allowing the characters to bring about the only conclusion possible. Is the ending satisfying? I guess that depends on what camp you are in, Kett or Declan. Either way, this is a must read!

[Kbrazell · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILERS






Waddafaaaa was that?!
First off. I was always squeamish about the idea of Kett with either Jasmine or Wisteria. I mean what the hell. In the previous book we find out Kett and Jasmine spent like a week doing the deed in a hotel room in NY but then poof - he decides that Jasmine isn’t good enough to turn vamp but Wisteria is. So then he’s all Team Wisteria. Then he goes and tries to seduce (and they do get pretty handsy and have O moments) Wisteria to get her on board with being “his child” for eternity. Like Wisteria and Kett are in it for the long haul and you start to kind of look the past the fact he boinked her cousin repeatedly. You start to think okay maybe this will work. BUT THEN HE GOES AND CHANGES JASMINE AT THE END TO SAVE HER LIFE. WADDAAAFAAAAA. Like hey Jasmine no worries - you weren’t my first pick but eh you’ll do? What the hell. And what’s all this “Not in this lifetime but the next” bull? Ugh. So not happy with spin-off. Dear god please let Dowser 7 be better

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third book in the reconstructionist trilogy is well written, with great adventures, and I highly recommend all of Doidge's books in the Adept world. My lower rating than the previous books comes from a personal place...I just didn't like the ending. Honestly, if I was rating this book on personal feelings alone, I'd probably drop it to 1 but had to give some credit for the intricately woven story, the few parts of the ending I didn't hate, and resolved plot. But mostly, I hated the ending. I won't spoil it for anyone, but it wasn't so much hate as an inability to reconcile the events in the previous books with the choices made in this one. Good addition to the Adept world, and I hope we get more from these characters in future books. I just...*sigh*......

[Sunseeker☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has fast become one of my favorite authors, her plot and character building are amazing. I love the tone of her books...great story. Cant wait to see what she comes out with next!

2nd time around - still really enjoyed it. I really hope we see more happen between Kitt and Wisteria in the Amplifier series...which I am starting immediately! lol

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unleashing Echoes

I have read all the related books in this series. They are amazing and entertaining. I realize there will be heartbreak and cliffhangers in books like these. I even liked those parts with one glaring exception.

The end of this book. What. The. Hell?

[Donne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ooohhh!!! I SOOO did NOT like this ending. It was terrible. Whatever, I still love Doidge's writing and would still read anything else by her.

[Deserthomemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The second book in the reconstructionist series was the best, but this was better than the first. The ending is not what I wanted, or what the series was building to, so it came out of left field, and was utterly unsatisfying. I look forward to continuing with the stories in the Adept world though.

[Julia Welsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dislike the ending, but understand how it works as a story.

[Kmc · Rating 1 out of 5]

I absolutely hated the ending of this book with an almighty passion! I feel the exact same way as when how I met your mother ended or when Mc Dreamy was killed in Grey's Anatomy. Why get people invested in something happening and rip it away? Declan and Jasmine were barely likeable and I was reading purely for Kett and Wisteria. Poor Kett being landed with Jasmine just to keep Wisteria happy. Never reading another one of this authors books. I sat up all night to read that craptastic ending, fuming!

[Lisakmoody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meets and passes all expectations!!

This is the third and final installment in this cycle and it doesn't disappoint. One might think by the third book you have a solid understanding of where the plot will go, but Doidge is the master of the unexpected twist. Excellent story, pacing and fully developed characters. I know they are going on without me and it hurts!!! I hope to see these characters again in the Dowser world.

[Anita Chojnacka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointing ending :(

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me on an amazing and satisfying rollercoaster ride of emotion! Being the last in the trilogy, I knew things would go down, but I definitely did not predict how this ended.

We are still following the story of Wisteria, reconstructionist and part of the "power of 3" with Declan and Jasmine. She has essentially accepted her inevitable vampire turning by Kett and is now just working to make sure the world she leaves is the best one for her two friends. She's working a case with Jasmine that ends up being so much more.

It's really hard to summarize the plot without giving major things away, but we take a lot of twists and turns to get to the end. There were parts of utter despair, lots of loss, lots of love, and ultimately I am happy with where we ended up. We see some really nice resolution to all the family drama, we get to tie up some loose ends, we get magic, some super duper powerful showdown, and a shockingly happy ending. Who knew we would literally have to go through the fire to emerge with such a satisfying end to the trilogy?

I love how much we got to learn about Kett and Wisteria, who started the trilogy as robotic, unfeeling characters and grew to be so much more. The dark history of Jasmine, Declan, and Wisteria ends up serving them well for the future and earning them a much deserved break. Who knows how long that will last, though, because there are more Dowser books!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you can tell by fact i have read all the series, try to read in series order as the books are not stand alone stories.
Werewolves, Seers, Cupcakes, vampires, mages, Dragons and Chocolate

Below is the reading order though you can read this before but nice to read in order
1. Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic, Dowser 1
2. Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic, Dowser 2
3. Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic, Dowser 3
4. I See Me, Oracle 1
5. Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic, Dowser 4
6. Maps, Artifacts, and Other Arcane Magic, Dowser 5
7. I See You, Oracle 2
8. Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic, Dowser 6
9. I See Us, Oracle 3
10. Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1)
11. Tangled Echoes (Reconstructionist 2)
12. Unleashing Echoes (Reconstructionist 3)
13. Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (Dowser 7)
14. Misfits, Gemstones, and Other Shattered Magic (Dowser 8)
15. Graveyards, Visions, and Other Things That Byte (Dowser 8.5)
16. Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (Dowser 9)
17. The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0) – bundled with Close to Home (Amplifier 0.5)
18. Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1)
19. Bonds and Broken Dreams (Amplifier 2)
20. Mystics and Mental Blocks (Amplifier 3)
21. Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4)
22. Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1)
23. Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0)

[Athena Chates001 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series Rocks! As with the entire Dowser series! Kett is a character I look forward to in every scene. His path has been such an exciting part of all these books! All of the characters in Dowser, Oracle and Reconstructionst are what feels like friends at this point, the only person I don't know or understand well is Jasmine. I am hoping that's part of Doidge's master plan for future books. Moments with Kett have me holding my breath and clutching my Kindle, it's practically tantric how she gives us just enough to keep us parched for more. For that reason I hope the next spinoff set is about Jasmine and Kett. Even though I don't love Jasmine I trust that Doidge is a good enough writer to make me change my mind.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is much to love in this final chapter of the Reconstructionist series. I certainly hope we hear more from these characters in the Dowser series or revisit them in a set-later-in-time series (perhaps from Kett's perspective?) as I have a lot of unanswered questions and/or angst about the ending.

Very exciting journey and the mystery in this book kept me on my toes. I really struggled in the beginning to figure out where it was going.

Still, the ending... It's not that I didn't like it, as I did, but it opened up a lot of questions for me that I'm curious to see how Doidge answers them in upcoming books :-).

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing...

Ending or a new beginning!?

I love this book, even though I knew it is only supposed to be a trilogy, I still hope for more. Even if it's only a glimpse of life after Jasper for Wisteria and Declan.

I cried a little at the death and rebirth of whom I had a feeling it might happen too. A hope we may see her in the Adept world?

The trilogy had me enthralled from start to finish.

Showing all the different magic coming from Wisteria, Jasmine and Declan was a sight to read, it came from the page and twirled through my imagination.

Thank you Meghan for some brilliant writing and deep and wonderful characters.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Well that was unexpected! It starts off so simply and then it builds and builds and builds and pow! You get walloped. Big time. I love the story and I love the bond between Wisteria, Declan and Jasmine. You want the three to be together. But then there’s Kett. And the damned contract. One of them has to die and be remade.
Tackling there uncle was always going to be their destiny and they finally do that in this book and I’m so pleased they do. That man had everything that happened coming to him.
There’s so much more I want to say, but it��s so hard without letting slip all the juicey details!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reconstructionist #3
Unleashing Echoes by Meghan Ciana Doidge is the 3rd book in the author's Reconstructionist series & 15th in her Adept Universe. Enjoy!

Read:
June 25, 2019 – Kindle Edition

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisteria, Declan, and Jasmine come full circle in this spectacular conclusion to the story when once again they are forced to confront their uncle Jasper at his Fairchild manor. I couldn't believe the nefarious plot unfolding as they tirelessly worked through clues and situations in their investigation. This gripping narrative held my attention until the very end and, yes, I did not see that ending coming. After realizing Kett's feelings for Wisteria were romantic instead of platonic, I could visualize them happily sharing their future together for an eternity which I guess they'll get around to eventually. This was an outstanding tale with many fascinating characters. I Loved It!!!!!

[Jen Bridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine and Rainbows it Ain’t

This trilogy, the finale in particular resonates very differently than the author’s previous novels. Metaphorically, this reads like the memoirs of cancer ward kids: trapped, tortured, parents clinging to the belief that it’s for the best. Jasper is like the doctor, or maybe the illness. Kett is death, always close and often a welcome friend. Remission is temporary; enjoying the present is paramount; and prognosis is unpredictable. Beautiful navigation of very sad subject matter. The fates that takes. The ties that bind.And the small consolations we piece together to reconstruct ourselves and carry on.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstandingly woven tale by Meghan! It was so hard to put down and I got yet another satisfying end of a story that I didn't expect to happen. The ending of the conclusion to Wisteria's tale had me on edge and took me by surprise. I don't know how Meghan has these perfectly crafted endings that just wrap everything up so neatly and makes sense. This was not the ending I was expecting, and I fully wanted something else to happen entirely, BUT it makes sense for it to end the way it did and no other way would have. True artist!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story! A story with a twist but excellent! Wisteria, Jasmine, Declan and Kerr are together again to solve what is going on with missing kids. This story will keep you riveted until the end. It is not the ending I was hoping for but still it is great. I hope there is another book to follow because I feel like I a, hanging over a cliff. But I do recommend you read this book as it will answer many questions you have.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yeah. Can't wait for the next one!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Reconstructionist series. these are the first books I read by the author and I really enjoyed them. I understand she had a series released prior to this one, but apparently there was no need to read them to fully understand everything happening in the Reconstruction of series. I love vampire, witch, and FAE involvement in the stories. Fast moving. Great fun!