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Wielders of Arantha #3
Endgame
Get the Stones. Go to Mount Calabur. Stand on the Nexus. Win the game.
Eons ago, a game to determine galactic dominance began. Now, on the distant world of Elystra, that game is reaching its conclusion.
Two mighty armies are set to clash. On one side, Elzaria the Lightning-Wielder, backed by her brother’s army, is poised to claim the third Stone and final victory. On the other, Earth pilot Maeve and her allies are all that stands in her way.
With the fate of the entire galaxy at stake, who will emerge victorious? And who will have to make the ultimate sacrifice?
Eons ago, a game to determine galactic dominance began. Now, on the distant world of Elystra, that game is reaching its conclusion.
Two mighty armies are set to clash. On one side, Elzaria the Lightning-Wielder, backed by her brother’s army, is poised to claim the third Stone and final victory. On the other, Earth pilot Maeve and her allies are all that stands in her way.
With the fate of the entire galaxy at stake, who will emerge victorious? And who will have to make the ultimate sacrifice?
498 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2018
About the author
Patrick Hodges
48 books122 followersI guess I am the classic "late bloomer." I had to sit in the front row of the class picture every year in elementary school; I didn't reach my present, permanent height until the year I got my driver's license. It took me a long time to "grow up" mentally, too; I was probably the least goal-oriented person you could ever meet.
I always enjoyed reading books, though I was convinced that I was not, and never would be, creative enough to come up with an original idea or story without cobbling it together from things I'd already seen.
And so, in my mid-forties, imagine my surprise when a story was born inside my head, and nine months later had grown so large that I couldn't hold it in any more. I'm sure many writers tell similar origin stories, but I sure wouldn't wish a three-decade gap between high school Creative Writing class and, you know, writing something actually creative.
Better a "late bloomer" than a "never bloomer," I guess.
What else? Oh, yeah, I live in Arizona with my amazing wife Vaneza, and our kids, June, Benji, and Sunshine (two are dogs and one is a cat, I'll let you figure out which is which).
I always enjoyed reading books, though I was convinced that I was not, and never would be, creative enough to come up with an original idea or story without cobbling it together from things I'd already seen.
And so, in my mid-forties, imagine my surprise when a story was born inside my head, and nine months later had grown so large that I couldn't hold it in any more. I'm sure many writers tell similar origin stories, but I sure wouldn't wish a three-decade gap between high school Creative Writing class and, you know, writing something actually creative.
Better a "late bloomer" than a "never bloomer," I guess.
What else? Oh, yeah, I live in Arizona with my amazing wife Vaneza, and our kids, June, Benji, and Sunshine (two are dogs and one is a cat, I'll let you figure out which is which).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 28, 2020
Endgame is the third book in the Wielders of Arantha trilogy written by Patrick Hodges. I read the first two book in late 2018 and had to finish the conclusion while every little detail was fresh in my mind, as these books pack in a tremendous amount of story, characters, and settings. Each is a fantastic component, but when woven together, the series is a definite stand-out with the makings of potential major fandom. And that comes from a non-frequent fantasy reader who's mostly familiar with works like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings -- I got the same feels reading Hodges' work as I did the others!
Think of it as a cosmic chess game. Two unknown players (until the end, of course) battling for control over millennia, tossing curveballs and misery at one another, until the game concludes. But it's much more than that... Hodges has created a bevy of memorable characters and intense passions for survival that will keep you glued to the book for hours at end. While the focus is on epic battles to conquer other lands or obtain your freedom, within each major conflict exists the fundamental emotions and goals we all experience in life -- love, pain, embarrassment, lust, anger, revenge, friendship, shock, judgment...
At times, I wasn't sure who would end up winning the war. It could be the good or the bad guys. Then again, I had moments where I was no longer sure which side was good or bad. There is a middle ground where Hodges forces readers to question our loyalty and our connection to certain characters. People make mistakes, can they be forgiven? Others betray you for a necessary reason, can it be forgotten? Power is thrust upon those not ready, should they be punished for inexperience or immaturity? Mothers are forced to abandon, but what if they had the best interests at heart? These are only the basic level of questions readers will evaluate while reading this trilogy. It gets deeper from there.
As a conclusion, it's strong. There were a few characters I wish had different endings, but that's only because I feel different things than other readers will. The entire story is wrapped up, but it is not perfect and happy. Just like life. There are losses in war. The bad guys / girls sometimes win a few battles. People will die. Sin will persist. Hodges covers all the remnants of a long-lasting war that will never be forgotten. I found happy endings for some couples and families, but it was a wonderful balance of humility, acceptance, and tolerance.
If you're a fantasy fan, you'll undoubtedly enjoy this trilogy. While you could just read this last book, as Hodges does an excellent job of briefly summarizing pertinent history, you'd lose out on all the beautiful emotions and relationships that lead us to this final epic ending. It's a quick read despite being either 400 or 500 pages for each book, which makes it highly worth it, and then even a little sad when it ends! With over 20 key characters, all easily identifiable and visualized, I couldn't possibly describe everyone here... but I'll definitely share my favorite: Maeve is a the strongest, the type of person you'd want to be on your side in any battle. She has the nurturing and loving side to make her appeal even more, but it's her honesty that is the best.
Definitely give this one a chance if you love complex and multi-generational tales that have surprise connections between characters and history you learn as the story unfolds. Congrats on a superb finish, Hodges!
Think of it as a cosmic chess game. Two unknown players (until the end, of course) battling for control over millennia, tossing curveballs and misery at one another, until the game concludes. But it's much more than that... Hodges has created a bevy of memorable characters and intense passions for survival that will keep you glued to the book for hours at end. While the focus is on epic battles to conquer other lands or obtain your freedom, within each major conflict exists the fundamental emotions and goals we all experience in life -- love, pain, embarrassment, lust, anger, revenge, friendship, shock, judgment...
At times, I wasn't sure who would end up winning the war. It could be the good or the bad guys. Then again, I had moments where I was no longer sure which side was good or bad. There is a middle ground where Hodges forces readers to question our loyalty and our connection to certain characters. People make mistakes, can they be forgiven? Others betray you for a necessary reason, can it be forgotten? Power is thrust upon those not ready, should they be punished for inexperience or immaturity? Mothers are forced to abandon, but what if they had the best interests at heart? These are only the basic level of questions readers will evaluate while reading this trilogy. It gets deeper from there.
As a conclusion, it's strong. There were a few characters I wish had different endings, but that's only because I feel different things than other readers will. The entire story is wrapped up, but it is not perfect and happy. Just like life. There are losses in war. The bad guys / girls sometimes win a few battles. People will die. Sin will persist. Hodges covers all the remnants of a long-lasting war that will never be forgotten. I found happy endings for some couples and families, but it was a wonderful balance of humility, acceptance, and tolerance.
If you're a fantasy fan, you'll undoubtedly enjoy this trilogy. While you could just read this last book, as Hodges does an excellent job of briefly summarizing pertinent history, you'd lose out on all the beautiful emotions and relationships that lead us to this final epic ending. It's a quick read despite being either 400 or 500 pages for each book, which makes it highly worth it, and then even a little sad when it ends! With over 20 key characters, all easily identifiable and visualized, I couldn't possibly describe everyone here... but I'll definitely share my favorite: Maeve is a the strongest, the type of person you'd want to be on your side in any battle. She has the nurturing and loving side to make her appeal even more, but it's her honesty that is the best.
Definitely give this one a chance if you love complex and multi-generational tales that have surprise connections between characters and history you learn as the story unfolds. Congrats on a superb finish, Hodges!
September 28, 2018
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy from the author and the final chapter did not disappoint! It was non-stop action packed with battles, battles, and more battles. Maeve, Kelia and the rest of the kick-butt warrior women pulled out all the stops to take down the evil siblings. I don't like to give away spoilers so if you loved the first two books, this has more of everything - daring rescues, head spinning twists and even a touch of romance. Don't miss this epic conclusion!
November 13, 2018
Best book in the series.
Cried a bit because of this one, all the lies, the twists and turns. I pitied Elzaria, she was just a puppet. But still had feelings. Maeve was still the same badass from the previous books. This was really an endgame.
Cried a bit because of this one, all the lies, the twists and turns. I pitied Elzaria, she was just a puppet. But still had feelings. Maeve was still the same badass from the previous books. This was really an endgame.
October 9, 2018
ENDGAME is the epic conclusion to the Wielders of Arantha series. After falling in love with the depth of Patrick Hodges's characters, we finally see who will win the ultimate battle. In ENDGAME, we see the dark players a little more and learn what using too much power can lead to.
The battle scenes in ENDGAME are amazing and the Wielding aspect of it is jaw-dropping. Even though there's a lot of fighting, we also get to see relationships continue to blossom. Like Maeve and Keila and then Sen and Vaxi. I looked forward to those parts and wasn't disappointed.
There are so many amazing characters, but Vaxi is still my favorite along with Nyla. I'm so happy none of them died, but others do. I really enjoyed the twists and turns Patrick Hodges continues to give us even though he's wrapping up the series. It's sad to see the series come to an end, but it was nice to see every path tie together.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Wielding Elements, Action, and Romance. There's so much packed into this book and it left me satisfied once I was finished. All questions are answered.
The battle scenes in ENDGAME are amazing and the Wielding aspect of it is jaw-dropping. Even though there's a lot of fighting, we also get to see relationships continue to blossom. Like Maeve and Keila and then Sen and Vaxi. I looked forward to those parts and wasn't disappointed.
There are so many amazing characters, but Vaxi is still my favorite along with Nyla. I'm so happy none of them died, but others do. I really enjoyed the twists and turns Patrick Hodges continues to give us even though he's wrapping up the series. It's sad to see the series come to an end, but it was nice to see every path tie together.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Wielding Elements, Action, and Romance. There's so much packed into this book and it left me satisfied once I was finished. All questions are answered.
October 4, 2018
Patrick Hodges has done it again! Endgame is the perfect finale to the Wielders of Arantha Triology. Ripe with action, plot twists, and fantastic character and world building, I was immersed in the battles unfolding in Elystra from the first page!
While Elzaria is fighting a dangerous internal battle to maintain her power and claim the third stone, Maeva, Kelia, and their allies are preparing for war. A delicate dance of alliances, a tense time of shifting priorities, the characters in the book struggle for victory while also experiencing loss, friendship, love, and growth. The attention to detail couple with the emotional development of the characters pulled me into the world of Elystra and had me glued to the pages. I love Hodges' portrayal of strong females in positions of power as well as the supportive and equal relationships between many of the couples in the book. Endgame is more than just a conclusion to an epic battle, it’s also a celebration of love, relationships, and life.
Well done Mr. Hodges! I look forward to reading whatever comes next!
While Elzaria is fighting a dangerous internal battle to maintain her power and claim the third stone, Maeva, Kelia, and their allies are preparing for war. A delicate dance of alliances, a tense time of shifting priorities, the characters in the book struggle for victory while also experiencing loss, friendship, love, and growth. The attention to detail couple with the emotional development of the characters pulled me into the world of Elystra and had me glued to the pages. I love Hodges' portrayal of strong females in positions of power as well as the supportive and equal relationships between many of the couples in the book. Endgame is more than just a conclusion to an epic battle, it’s also a celebration of love, relationships, and life.
Well done Mr. Hodges! I look forward to reading whatever comes next!
October 4, 2018
Wow! This book was the perfect conclusion to the series! The author manages to tie up every storyline in a satisfying way (which can't have been an easy task, given how many characters and perspectives are weaved into these books), and every chapter just pulls you deeper and deeper into the story. Since the first book, I've been amazed at the incredible world building in these books, and it shines in this installment, as well. It's all so well done that I can't say enough good things. I don't want to give anything away with the plot, so suffice it to say that there were many things I did NOT see coming, and I found myself completely sucked into the story. Every character feels real enough to get me emotionally invested in their struggles, and this book gave me all the feels from beginning to end. Highly recommended!
September 28, 2018
The best book I've ever written (so far). I hope you all agree!
October 13, 2018
The problem with any series is that eventually it must come to an end. It is true no matter who you are. Eventually, the story needs to finish. “Endgame”, the third installment of the “Wielders of Arantha” trilogy brings us to the end of this epic adventure.
I always read the end of a series with trepidation. I never know how satisfying the ending will be before I jump in the water with both feet and that makes me nervous. I have to say I was very satisfied when I turned the final page.
The plan sounds simple enough. Collect all the stones, stand on the Nexus, and win. Sure, simple enough. With the possible exception of the massive armies moving against one another, it is a simple enough proposition.
Patrick masterfully builds the story to a point where it feels like hell is about to explode on the surface of the planet and he does not disappoint. The battle is intense and smaller conflicts are nail biting to be sure.
While it is possible to read endgame and understand the story without an issue, I would recommend picking up all the books in the series and read them from the beginning to the end. Trust this reader when I tell you that you are going to want to read them anyway.
And for those of you who have read the other books in the series, I will tell you that things don’t turn out any way you could possibly imagine. I was genuinely surprised at the twists and turns.
For me “Endgame” is a fitting end to a series destined to put the name Patrick Hodges along the legends of fiction.
-Bryan
I always read the end of a series with trepidation. I never know how satisfying the ending will be before I jump in the water with both feet and that makes me nervous. I have to say I was very satisfied when I turned the final page.
The plan sounds simple enough. Collect all the stones, stand on the Nexus, and win. Sure, simple enough. With the possible exception of the massive armies moving against one another, it is a simple enough proposition.
Patrick masterfully builds the story to a point where it feels like hell is about to explode on the surface of the planet and he does not disappoint. The battle is intense and smaller conflicts are nail biting to be sure.
While it is possible to read endgame and understand the story without an issue, I would recommend picking up all the books in the series and read them from the beginning to the end. Trust this reader when I tell you that you are going to want to read them anyway.
And for those of you who have read the other books in the series, I will tell you that things don’t turn out any way you could possibly imagine. I was genuinely surprised at the twists and turns.
For me “Endgame” is a fitting end to a series destined to put the name Patrick Hodges along the legends of fiction.
-Bryan
September 30, 2018
Endgame is the final installment of the Wielders of Arantha series, and it does a wonderful job of wrapping up the story. As is usual for author Patrick Hodges, the characters are brought to life from the pages directly into your mind, and I feel as if I've seen a blockbuster movie, rather than having read a trilogy. Endgame brings an epic conclusion to it all with powerful imagery and exciting action.
I have read every book by this author, and I'm very impressed with his talents. I especially enjoy how he shifts the point of view when the scene changes, and we sometimes (not too much) see the same events through different eyes. It really adds to the enjoyment of this awesome science-fiction tale.
In all honesty, this is Science Fantasy. While it is a scifi story, the fantasy elements that predominate throughout really satisfy the fantasy lover in me. The climactic battle is just that, "Climactic"! And the author wraps things up for the final ending very well. This has been a fantastic ride, and I'm somewhat sorry that it is over, but it was indeed worth the journey.
I highly recommend this book to both scifi and fantasy fans. 5 Stars for a great book by a wonderful author I will continue to follow.
I have read every book by this author, and I'm very impressed with his talents. I especially enjoy how he shifts the point of view when the scene changes, and we sometimes (not too much) see the same events through different eyes. It really adds to the enjoyment of this awesome science-fiction tale.
In all honesty, this is Science Fantasy. While it is a scifi story, the fantasy elements that predominate throughout really satisfy the fantasy lover in me. The climactic battle is just that, "Climactic"! And the author wraps things up for the final ending very well. This has been a fantastic ride, and I'm somewhat sorry that it is over, but it was indeed worth the journey.
I highly recommend this book to both scifi and fantasy fans. 5 Stars for a great book by a wonderful author I will continue to follow.
September 29, 2018
I waited a long time for the conclusion to this epic trilogy, and the wait was soooo worth it!
I am a huge fan of Patrick's work, his writing is filled with vibrant characters and plots with depth and substance. The Wielder's of Arantha has been his best work to date IMHO.
We follow the story where it left off with war threatening the realm, a war that stretches across the universe, unbeknownst to those who have been caught in the game of gods.
At the end of book two Kelia had been captured after a battle with the Ixtrayu, in book three Maeve is determined to rescue her, but is torn between her loyalty to the Ixtrayu Protectress and the need to lend her strength and skill to new allies.
We follow the varied plots as they all come together for an epic battle, with twists and turns, betrayals and surprises. I was on the edge of my seat!
Though the book is long it is a page turner,I almost wished it was longer, but loved the conclusion, the stories all wrapping up in a final conclusion that had me in awe of Patrick's writing skill.
I highly recommend this set for lovers of fantasy and sci fi, it's one that sticks with you!
I am a huge fan of Patrick's work, his writing is filled with vibrant characters and plots with depth and substance. The Wielder's of Arantha has been his best work to date IMHO.
We follow the story where it left off with war threatening the realm, a war that stretches across the universe, unbeknownst to those who have been caught in the game of gods.
At the end of book two Kelia had been captured after a battle with the Ixtrayu, in book three Maeve is determined to rescue her, but is torn between her loyalty to the Ixtrayu Protectress and the need to lend her strength and skill to new allies.
We follow the varied plots as they all come together for an epic battle, with twists and turns, betrayals and surprises. I was on the edge of my seat!
Though the book is long it is a page turner,I almost wished it was longer, but loved the conclusion, the stories all wrapping up in a final conclusion that had me in awe of Patrick's writing skill.
I highly recommend this set for lovers of fantasy and sci fi, it's one that sticks with you!
September 28, 2018
Endgame is the third book in Patrick Hodges’ Wielders of Arantha trilogy, and was the perfect conclusion to the story. The writing was superb, flowing flawlessly across the pages, keeping me reading well into the night. I can so envision this whole series as an epic sci-fi fantasy movie.
Maeve, Davin, Kelia, and the Ixtrayu have all been through so much together and in this final book things come to a head. Alliances are made and betrayals cut deep, but through all the twists and turns and the inevitable heartbreaks the good guys never waver. And that final battle…WOW…I did not see that coming, or what came after it.
If you loved the first two books in this amazing series, you will definitely love Endgame. Well done, Mr. Hodges’.
Maeve, Davin, Kelia, and the Ixtrayu have all been through so much together and in this final book things come to a head. Alliances are made and betrayals cut deep, but through all the twists and turns and the inevitable heartbreaks the good guys never waver. And that final battle…WOW…I did not see that coming, or what came after it.
If you loved the first two books in this amazing series, you will definitely love Endgame. Well done, Mr. Hodges’.
September 28, 2018
Such a great conclusion to the series. I was simply blown away. Nothing should surprise me about Patrick Hodges anymore. The immense detail and world building is incredible. You can tell every little piece was thoroughly thought out.
The big battle with Elzaria is coming and they're prepared. Maeve is ready to take on her roll as savior and the others will follow her without question. Or at least, without too many questions. They still don't understand where this spaceship came from but its importance has been foretold.
Exciting action sequences. Fantastic character building. A creative world. This isn't a series I'll forget any time soon.
The big battle with Elzaria is coming and they're prepared. Maeve is ready to take on her roll as savior and the others will follow her without question. Or at least, without too many questions. They still don't understand where this spaceship came from but its importance has been foretold.
Exciting action sequences. Fantastic character building. A creative world. This isn't a series I'll forget any time soon.
September 28, 2018
Wow, what a conclusion! With all the players in play and the stakes raised, Patrick Hodges takes you on a wild ride that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved this entire series, but Endgame is by far my favorite! If you haven't started yet, this series is a MUST READ for any fantasy fan!
May 16, 2020
People may think that this is not a serious review, but I really can't say enough good things about this story. The conclusion is not what I expected, but it is definitely satisfying and kept me guessing a bit right down to the very end.
There really is something for everyone in this series. Don't be turned away because of the idea that it's 'sci-fi', 'futuristic', or 'fantasy' - that's just a backdrop to what happens, this is really a story about people, and that's something everyone can enjoy. The characters make the story, and not the other way around where they just fill in holes. I would consider this series a must-read for those who appreciate great storytelling.
There really is something for everyone in this series. Don't be turned away because of the idea that it's 'sci-fi', 'futuristic', or 'fantasy' - that's just a backdrop to what happens, this is really a story about people, and that's something everyone can enjoy. The characters make the story, and not the other way around where they just fill in holes. I would consider this series a must-read for those who appreciate great storytelling.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews