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The Keeper Chronicles #3
Siege of Shadows
Can Sini keep her past from destroying everyone’s future?
Sini has finally found a family with the Keepers.
After escaping from a childhood on the street and years of slavery, Sini’s new life as a Keeper should be idyllic. But she can’t shake the feeling she just doesn’t belong.
Not only because she’s the first female Keeper in centuries. Her magic is too different to be useful. And Lukas, her foster brother who loved and protected her from the worst ravages of slavery, is now being accused of terrible things.
When the Keepers are called to the capitol to address this threat, she finds herself once again out of place. As much as Sini doesn’t want to believe it, the evidence is growing that Lukas is amassing an army along the southern border. He’s using his magic to poison the minds of Queensland’s people, and his dragon to spread death and destruction.
To save Queensland, Sini teams up with Will and Alaric to enlist the aid of the dwarves. Sini’s magical powers finally begin to stir, but with a frightening intensity.
Will Sini learn to control her magic, or will she lose everything to the brother she doesn’t want to fight?
Sini has finally found a family with the Keepers.
After escaping from a childhood on the street and years of slavery, Sini’s new life as a Keeper should be idyllic. But she can’t shake the feeling she just doesn’t belong.
Not only because she’s the first female Keeper in centuries. Her magic is too different to be useful. And Lukas, her foster brother who loved and protected her from the worst ravages of slavery, is now being accused of terrible things.
When the Keepers are called to the capitol to address this threat, she finds herself once again out of place. As much as Sini doesn’t want to believe it, the evidence is growing that Lukas is amassing an army along the southern border. He’s using his magic to poison the minds of Queensland’s people, and his dragon to spread death and destruction.
To save Queensland, Sini teams up with Will and Alaric to enlist the aid of the dwarves. Sini’s magical powers finally begin to stir, but with a frightening intensity.
Will Sini learn to control her magic, or will she lose everything to the brother she doesn’t want to fight?
510 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2019
138 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
June 29, 2022
If you haven't read The Keeper Chronicles yet, I highly recommend it. It's become one of my favorite series. Siege of Shadows is the perfect ending to a world of friendship, adventure and magic. I grew to love Sini from the previous book, so was thrilled to read her story.
Sini was a slave for years. Now that she has been freed and lives in the Keeper Stronghold, she struggles to find her place. In addition, the one who once protected her is now her enemy. But she refuses to believe he is not lost.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved that characters from the first two books played important roles, and new characters quickly endeared themselves to me. These books are full of adventure, magic, humor, friendships and a little romance.
The ending of this book is the perfect heartwarming conclusion I was hoping for. I absolutely loved it.
Sini was a slave for years. Now that she has been freed and lives in the Keeper Stronghold, she struggles to find her place. In addition, the one who once protected her is now her enemy. But she refuses to believe he is not lost.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved that characters from the first two books played important roles, and new characters quickly endeared themselves to me. These books are full of adventure, magic, humor, friendships and a little romance.
The ending of this book is the perfect heartwarming conclusion I was hoping for. I absolutely loved it.
April 15, 2019
“I am on the side of truth and right and goodness.”
“Everything is light. Everything that lives glows with it.It is the source of all vitae, life.”
There’s a layer of complexity to the story line that not only keeps readers guessing, but lends to a closer examination of the emotional and spiritual stakes in life choices. It’s about how far you might push yourself, and how much of your own humanity you might have to sacrifice to save those you love. This story is more like people in real life than typical fictional characters. As the story comes to it’s conclusion, we find ourselves questioning our earlier judgements. Are the good guys really that good? Are the bad guys really that bad? Or is everyone really more alike than different, separated only by matters of degree, on the same scale of good versus bad. I found myself wanting to slow down, almost saddened by the impending end. This is where everything comes to its final, spectacular conslusion. I couldn’t conciliate sleep after finishing the book! It left me with a warm feeling, albeit the loss and sacrifices. It has been an overwhelming experience of hope, resilience, determination, faith in oneself to overcome the fears residing deep within. A thoughtful, captivating and fascinating read! My congratulations to JA Andrews for a magnificent trilogy!
“Everything is light. Everything that lives glows with it.It is the source of all vitae, life.”
There’s a layer of complexity to the story line that not only keeps readers guessing, but lends to a closer examination of the emotional and spiritual stakes in life choices. It’s about how far you might push yourself, and how much of your own humanity you might have to sacrifice to save those you love. This story is more like people in real life than typical fictional characters. As the story comes to it’s conclusion, we find ourselves questioning our earlier judgements. Are the good guys really that good? Are the bad guys really that bad? Or is everyone really more alike than different, separated only by matters of degree, on the same scale of good versus bad. I found myself wanting to slow down, almost saddened by the impending end. This is where everything comes to its final, spectacular conslusion. I couldn’t conciliate sleep after finishing the book! It left me with a warm feeling, albeit the loss and sacrifices. It has been an overwhelming experience of hope, resilience, determination, faith in oneself to overcome the fears residing deep within. A thoughtful, captivating and fascinating read! My congratulations to JA Andrews for a magnificent trilogy!
June 29, 2022
Re-read: Audio; As has been the standard throughout this series, the audio is excellent. The characters truly come to life, with tone and character being perfectly captured.
And this series just keeps on getting better and better and I am left with a bitter sweet sort of mourning that it is over. This is beautifully written, with real detail and intricately layered world-building forming the backdrop to the wonderful characters and relationships throughout. It's difficult to say which is stronger; the world building or the characters as they are both simply excellent.
As I'd half expected, the novel perspective is once again different to the previous two, this time following Sini, a young new recruit to the Keepers. Unlike Will and Alaric, Sini didn't grow up educated by the Keepers but as a slave to the Roven, a nomadic tribe like people who loathe the Keepers and all they stand for. However much like Will and Alaric, Sini is both powerful and fragile, beset by her own doubts about her worth and whether she truly belongs to this new family she has found. I really appreciated how each of the three characters all have very different strengths and weaknesses that allow the world's magic system to be showcased in all its glory.
But it's not just Sini who is a draw here. All of the characters, whether they have a large part to play or not, are wonderfully drawn. I particularly loved the old twin Keepers, coming to the end of their lives and how their acceptance of death as a natural conclusion to their work is so difficult for Sini to comprehend. There's a huge cast of characters here, some old and some new, and they all come together into a cohesive whole. I loved the non-humans just as much as the humans though, all of them with weird and wonderful characteristics that made them fly off the page. We get an inkling at the beginning of the book of some of the newer characters, but I have to admit, I didn't expect it to move in quite the direction that it did.
And throughout all of this you have a strong narrative which is intricately linked to Sini's past, present and future. Her old loyalty to Lucas, who was all but a brother to her when they were slaves clashes and wars with the threat he poses to all that she now holds dear. His hatred of the Keepers is completely at odds with the life she has so painstakingly built for herself, and yet her ties to his motivations may well be the only thing that can save those she loves. What I particularly liked though, was how even small things often ended up linking into the larger narrative; a comment mentioned several chapters prior would come to mind and I'd suddenly realise what it was referring to. It's subtle and clever, and really added to my enjoyment of the novel.
In all, this is an excellent conclusion to the trilogy and I am only sad that it had to end. There are so many stories yet to be told and I want to read all of them!! That said, the conclusion wraps up all the loose ends well. You aren't left hanging. It's just that I got invested in so much of the world that I want it all drawn out for me. This is really a series that just gets better with each book and Siege of Shadows offers exceptional characters, intricate and detailed world-building, a strong narrative and some wonderful prose just as the icing on the cake.
And this series just keeps on getting better and better and I am left with a bitter sweet sort of mourning that it is over. This is beautifully written, with real detail and intricately layered world-building forming the backdrop to the wonderful characters and relationships throughout. It's difficult to say which is stronger; the world building or the characters as they are both simply excellent.
As I'd half expected, the novel perspective is once again different to the previous two, this time following Sini, a young new recruit to the Keepers. Unlike Will and Alaric, Sini didn't grow up educated by the Keepers but as a slave to the Roven, a nomadic tribe like people who loathe the Keepers and all they stand for. However much like Will and Alaric, Sini is both powerful and fragile, beset by her own doubts about her worth and whether she truly belongs to this new family she has found. I really appreciated how each of the three characters all have very different strengths and weaknesses that allow the world's magic system to be showcased in all its glory.
But it's not just Sini who is a draw here. All of the characters, whether they have a large part to play or not, are wonderfully drawn. I particularly loved the old twin Keepers, coming to the end of their lives and how their acceptance of death as a natural conclusion to their work is so difficult for Sini to comprehend. There's a huge cast of characters here, some old and some new, and they all come together into a cohesive whole. I loved the non-humans just as much as the humans though, all of them with weird and wonderful characteristics that made them fly off the page. We get an inkling at the beginning of the book of some of the newer characters, but I have to admit, I didn't expect it to move in quite the direction that it did.
And throughout all of this you have a strong narrative which is intricately linked to Sini's past, present and future. Her old loyalty to Lucas, who was all but a brother to her when they were slaves clashes and wars with the threat he poses to all that she now holds dear. His hatred of the Keepers is completely at odds with the life she has so painstakingly built for herself, and yet her ties to his motivations may well be the only thing that can save those she loves. What I particularly liked though, was how even small things often ended up linking into the larger narrative; a comment mentioned several chapters prior would come to mind and I'd suddenly realise what it was referring to. It's subtle and clever, and really added to my enjoyment of the novel.
In all, this is an excellent conclusion to the trilogy and I am only sad that it had to end. There are so many stories yet to be told and I want to read all of them!! That said, the conclusion wraps up all the loose ends well. You aren't left hanging. It's just that I got invested in so much of the world that I want it all drawn out for me. This is really a series that just gets better with each book and Siege of Shadows offers exceptional characters, intricate and detailed world-building, a strong narrative and some wonderful prose just as the icing on the cake.
May 28, 2021
What a worthy end to a great trilogy!
I spaced reading these out quite a bit, as I didn't want to run out of books in the series. However you can't stall forever, so on Wednesday I finally started Siege of Shadows, and finished it Thursday evening...
All three of these books were great fun, but you can really see Andrews grow and stretch as an author, and the books go from good, to great, to brilliant!
We meet a lot of old acquaintances in this one, and some new unexpected new faces. There's a lot of magic, dragons, and all sorts of actual fantasy, which felt like a warm ray of sunshine after quite some low fantasy books.
The prose and voice is smooth as expected, and let me just breeze through the story in one rollercoaster ride of a story.
The characters get even more depth, and path new ways for themselves. A personal favourite of mine is people not necessarily being all out villains (or heroes), and Andrews always shows you both sides of "the enemy".
This has a very classical feel to it, with a clear good side, and little gore. However it also has more depth and shades of grey than a lot of teh actual classics. It's also way less predictable. Which struck a good balance for me between feeling right at home, and yet a nice fresh breath of air.
The actual plot was intriguing and more than one mystery at the core. And some nice twists that put a very happy grin on my face!
I would highly recommend this obviously, but specially if you're looking for something epic and not flat, and also not too heavy or grimdark.
With hope and friendships and good people, and yet also with an engaging story and actual high stakes.
I spaced reading these out quite a bit, as I didn't want to run out of books in the series. However you can't stall forever, so on Wednesday I finally started Siege of Shadows, and finished it Thursday evening...
All three of these books were great fun, but you can really see Andrews grow and stretch as an author, and the books go from good, to great, to brilliant!
We meet a lot of old acquaintances in this one, and some new unexpected new faces. There's a lot of magic, dragons, and all sorts of actual fantasy, which felt like a warm ray of sunshine after quite some low fantasy books.
The prose and voice is smooth as expected, and let me just breeze through the story in one rollercoaster ride of a story.
The characters get even more depth, and path new ways for themselves. A personal favourite of mine is people not necessarily being all out villains (or heroes), and Andrews always shows you both sides of "the enemy".
This has a very classical feel to it, with a clear good side, and little gore. However it also has more depth and shades of grey than a lot of teh actual classics. It's also way less predictable. Which struck a good balance for me between feeling right at home, and yet a nice fresh breath of air.
The actual plot was intriguing and more than one mystery at the core. And some nice twists that put a very happy grin on my face!
I would highly recommend this obviously, but specially if you're looking for something epic and not flat, and also not too heavy or grimdark.
With hope and friendships and good people, and yet also with an engaging story and actual high stakes.
April 25, 2019
Siege of Shadows by J.A. Andrews is the final installment of The Keeper Chronicles. Sini came from the streets and is now with the Keepers, but she feels she doesn't fit in. Will she be able to find a place to call home?
J.A. Andrews' storytelling is delightful, her characters alive, and her world vivid. Andrews has a unique way of bringing her characters forth and bringing them to life, and making you care for these people as if they are your family and friends. I don't usually get so emotionally attached, but Andrews' characters had my emotions running all over the place. I laughed, cried, got angry, and hopeful. This story has everything a great fantasy novel should have.
I love this trilogy so much that it has a place right next to my Tolkien books on my shelves, and there is no higher honor that I could give Andrews' story than that. This is a clean fantasy and a must read. I highly recommend Andrews' works. You will not be disappointed.
J.A. Andrews' storytelling is delightful, her characters alive, and her world vivid. Andrews has a unique way of bringing her characters forth and bringing them to life, and making you care for these people as if they are your family and friends. I don't usually get so emotionally attached, but Andrews' characters had my emotions running all over the place. I laughed, cried, got angry, and hopeful. This story has everything a great fantasy novel should have.
I love this trilogy so much that it has a place right next to my Tolkien books on my shelves, and there is no higher honor that I could give Andrews' story than that. This is a clean fantasy and a must read. I highly recommend Andrews' works. You will not be disappointed.
May 28, 2024
I enjoyed this conclusion to the trilogy. However, I did find many of the twists predictable. 3.5/5
June 21, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this last book in The Keeper Chronicles
April 24, 2022
"Mend the torn." The words echoed again in Sini’s head, but she still refused to believe them about the object. She could see only dark purposes for it, ones that filled her with fear for those she had come to see as family. Yet if they had ever needed something to mend the torn, it was now. All around her, the outpouring of Lukas’ fury laid before her. She beheld a land slowly sickened and a people divided by a hatred they didn’t even understand as its tendrils coiled around their heart. Then she watched sadly as her own companions, had their own personal wounds ripped opened anew many times in this journey. The Keeper Alaric keeps being reminded of the dark and bittersweet path he chose to have his wife with him again. The dwarf Douglon can never forget the beautiful elf that he loved and lost, the only one that broke through his tough exterior. The Keeper Will still can’t help blaming himself for how things turned out, that those meant to be keepers found an existence of slavery rather than the protection of the stronghold of the Keepers. His own sister’s slavery is the hardest to swallow. The tracker and fighter Sora can’t help but remember an old woman’s words and fear they may hold truth after all. The future leader of the realm Roan finds a role forced upon him and the essence of who he is really is threatens to be swallowed up in it. Then there’s Lukas who is responsible for everything falling apart around them and his thirst for revenge appears unquenchable. Yet, it's all because Lukas is so broken. Not the limp that everyone can see. It’s what they can’t see. Sure they’ve been told his story, but Sini knows his story. It’s her story, her experience too. It’s that part of him that now strikes out against everyone around him, especially the Keepers. He was one of the lost ones, one of those the Keepers failed to protect. For that he endured a yoke of slavery and it changed him. His brokenness is reflected in her, that tear running through her spirit. Although when given the chance, she had seen through the lies for long enough to choose a different path and that’s where their story had parted. Yet she still couldn’t escape the whispers even now, that she didn’t belong with the Keepers, that she remained the worthless street rat sold by her parents. Each time she couldn’t do the simplest magic or that trip back home just reaffirmed those words. Those words were powerful too, cutting at her heart in a way she experienced like few did. Perhaps that’s why she’s the only one that has any chance of getting through to him. Because when all one sees is shadows laying siege and the darkness creeping into every corner, it takes courage to see beyond it. Yet even a ray of sunlight peeking through or a flicker of a flame can be enough to penetrate the abyss and shatter its hold. It can do what was once thought impossible, heal the broken or as one said, “mend the torn.”
“And if a piece of cold metal can hold onto hope, maybe the rest of us can too.” (Will from Siege of Shadows).
“And if a piece of cold metal can hold onto hope, maybe the rest of us can too.” (Will from Siege of Shadows).
March 15, 2020
It's taken awhile but I have finally finished The Keeper Chronicles trilogy and I don't know what to say besides the fact that I absolutely loved it. The one thing I regret is that it took me so long to actually discover it but hey that's the way it goes at times. On its face, this may seem like your bog standard and cliched high fantasy trilogy but it is so so much more than that. This series has a lot of depth to it in terms of themes, world, character depth, and naturally heart as cheesy as it sounds. I cannot recommend this series enough to any true fantasy lover or really anyone who's just looking for a great character driven story, it is just that good and completely worth it. There will probably be spoilers from the first two books but I'll try to keep those to a minimum.
What I Enjoyed:
Characters:
The characters have always been the high point of the series and that has held true across every single book with each being told from the point of view of a different character. In this story, that PoV is from Sini the former slave. After the prologue, we skip ahead four years for the main story to take place. When we next see her, she has managed to carve a place for herself among the Keepers, along with her friend Rett, and is a beloved member of them by befriending most of them especially the twins Nikolas and Steffan. However, all is not well in her life. Lukas is still at large and she's having trouble with her Keeper abilities, she is unable to channel vitalle to manipulate any kind of inanimate object whatsoever to the point she can't even light a simple candle without help. On the bright side though, she is one of only two known Keepers who is able to channel sunlight, the other being the legendary Keeper Chesavia, making it to where she can channel infinitely more vitalle than any other magic user at a given time without maiming herself. I would like to take a moment to talk about how 'well balanced' this ability is and how Andrews manages to avoid making it a gamebreaker by making it to where it has to be daytime to be fully utilized and is counterbalanced with Sini being unable to manipulate inanimate objects. A less skilled author would have just made Sini a total Mary Sue character who can do anything but Andrews manages to keep her a grounded character with both strengths and weaknesses.
Because of her magic limitations, Sini is haunted by feelings of inadequacy and feeling like she doesn't belong as a Keeper. This makes Sini a very relatable character given we've all been there at one point in our lives so we can sympathize. Luckily for her though, she's surrounded by very supportive people who are willing to help her master her skills. In addition to that drama though, she has angst about her past given how her parents sold her into slavery given their poverty and she's wanting to see what happened to them and her family as a whole after all those years. You can really feel the pain this causes her and she just wants closure despite being unsure if she wants to see them at all. This is a rather compelling character arc I must say. The driving aspect of the story though is her relationship with her adoptive brother Lukas and how she's torn remembering the man he was who protected her and reconciling how he has become a villain since then and accepting he is not the same man back then. It's rather heartbreaking to watch how her struggle with this. Overall, I find Sini to be a very compelling and well done character.
This is not a one woman show by any stretch of the imagination, she is supported by a great cast of characters including Alaric, Will, and Douglan. It's always interesting to see a character both from their own perspective and from the perspective of someone else. I'd love to talk about them more but I've always discussed them in reviews from the earlier books in the series.
Worldbuilding:
The setting may be a bit generic at times like I've mentioned in the past but yet very well done. I think the thing that was done best in this particular book is how everything from the past all seems to tie together. Mentions of characters like Flibbet the Peddler, Chevasia, and Killien's strange sword all come full circle and play their roles in the story. Nothing really feels like a throwaway in terms of the worldbuilding, everything becomes important eventually in story and that's always a nice touch. Too many times in stories, you hear about some legend or strange artifact and it never leads anywhere or a total dead end. I mean red herrings can be very well done to throw readers off the trail in a delightful way but other times it just feels like wasted potential.
Theme:
One of my favorite aspects about the entire trilogy is how each story in it features a deeper theme or lesson about life. The first book was about how the nature of our choices don't necessarily define us it's about how we change on a day to day basis, the second was about the nature of stories and how they tint the way we perceive the world. In Siege of Shadows, the message is about the inevitability of change in our lives and how the people we see as friends today we could become distant from or apathetic to in the future and how people we would never think we'd associate with become like family to us.
What I really like about Andrews' writing is how she doesn't bash you over the head with these themes like some kind of allegory but seamlessly integrates them into the narrative itself while being crystal clear. It's actually rather rare to find a more mature fantasy story with a deeper life lesson like that these days. Well that or I just haven't looked hard enough which is probably the case.
The Trilogy as a Whole:
I think each book worked very well on its own and ended in a satisfactory way and yet contributed to the larger story. The sense of continuity was very well done and I liked how each book was told from a different viewpoint. The PoV's made the story feel more personal in a way as opposed to like an epic fantasy where there's like a half dozen or more viewpoints throughout a book.
Issues:
The Sense of Generic:
I've talked about this every review in the series but given this is the last book figured it was worth discussing a bit more as a concern. I personally believe that The Keeper Chronicles does an amazing job of executing its world and making it feel fresh but I worry that if I were to try describing this series to someone who was unfamiliar with it they're just going to go meh and assume it's another dime a dozen high fantasy story that rips of Tolkien even though it is so much more than that.
Conclusion:
I cannot sing the praises of The Keeper Chronicles enough and will recommend it to everyone. The best part is that the author implies she's planning to write more books in the world featuring either the past or other characters. I'd personally love to read a book about say Douglan and how he's processing his grief for Ayda's death or his responsibilities. J. A. Andrews is a very skilled writer and I can't wait to see what she comes up with in the future.
What I Enjoyed:
Characters:
The characters have always been the high point of the series and that has held true across every single book with each being told from the point of view of a different character. In this story, that PoV is from Sini the former slave. After the prologue, we skip ahead four years for the main story to take place. When we next see her, she has managed to carve a place for herself among the Keepers, along with her friend Rett, and is a beloved member of them by befriending most of them especially the twins Nikolas and Steffan. However, all is not well in her life. Lukas is still at large and she's having trouble with her Keeper abilities, she is unable to channel vitalle to manipulate any kind of inanimate object whatsoever to the point she can't even light a simple candle without help. On the bright side though, she is one of only two known Keepers who is able to channel sunlight, the other being the legendary Keeper Chesavia, making it to where she can channel infinitely more vitalle than any other magic user at a given time without maiming herself. I would like to take a moment to talk about how 'well balanced' this ability is and how Andrews manages to avoid making it a gamebreaker by making it to where it has to be daytime to be fully utilized and is counterbalanced with Sini being unable to manipulate inanimate objects. A less skilled author would have just made Sini a total Mary Sue character who can do anything but Andrews manages to keep her a grounded character with both strengths and weaknesses.
Because of her magic limitations, Sini is haunted by feelings of inadequacy and feeling like she doesn't belong as a Keeper. This makes Sini a very relatable character given we've all been there at one point in our lives so we can sympathize. Luckily for her though, she's surrounded by very supportive people who are willing to help her master her skills. In addition to that drama though, she has angst about her past given how her parents sold her into slavery given their poverty and she's wanting to see what happened to them and her family as a whole after all those years. You can really feel the pain this causes her and she just wants closure despite being unsure if she wants to see them at all. This is a rather compelling character arc I must say. The driving aspect of the story though is her relationship with her adoptive brother Lukas and how she's torn remembering the man he was who protected her and reconciling how he has become a villain since then and accepting he is not the same man back then. It's rather heartbreaking to watch how her struggle with this. Overall, I find Sini to be a very compelling and well done character.
This is not a one woman show by any stretch of the imagination, she is supported by a great cast of characters including Alaric, Will, and Douglan. It's always interesting to see a character both from their own perspective and from the perspective of someone else. I'd love to talk about them more but I've always discussed them in reviews from the earlier books in the series.
Worldbuilding:
The setting may be a bit generic at times like I've mentioned in the past but yet very well done. I think the thing that was done best in this particular book is how everything from the past all seems to tie together. Mentions of characters like Flibbet the Peddler, Chevasia, and Killien's strange sword all come full circle and play their roles in the story. Nothing really feels like a throwaway in terms of the worldbuilding, everything becomes important eventually in story and that's always a nice touch. Too many times in stories, you hear about some legend or strange artifact and it never leads anywhere or a total dead end. I mean red herrings can be very well done to throw readers off the trail in a delightful way but other times it just feels like wasted potential.
Theme:
One of my favorite aspects about the entire trilogy is how each story in it features a deeper theme or lesson about life. The first book was about how the nature of our choices don't necessarily define us it's about how we change on a day to day basis, the second was about the nature of stories and how they tint the way we perceive the world. In Siege of Shadows, the message is about the inevitability of change in our lives and how the people we see as friends today we could become distant from or apathetic to in the future and how people we would never think we'd associate with become like family to us.
What I really like about Andrews' writing is how she doesn't bash you over the head with these themes like some kind of allegory but seamlessly integrates them into the narrative itself while being crystal clear. It's actually rather rare to find a more mature fantasy story with a deeper life lesson like that these days. Well that or I just haven't looked hard enough which is probably the case.
The Trilogy as a Whole:
I think each book worked very well on its own and ended in a satisfactory way and yet contributed to the larger story. The sense of continuity was very well done and I liked how each book was told from a different viewpoint. The PoV's made the story feel more personal in a way as opposed to like an epic fantasy where there's like a half dozen or more viewpoints throughout a book.
Issues:
The Sense of Generic:
I've talked about this every review in the series but given this is the last book figured it was worth discussing a bit more as a concern. I personally believe that The Keeper Chronicles does an amazing job of executing its world and making it feel fresh but I worry that if I were to try describing this series to someone who was unfamiliar with it they're just going to go meh and assume it's another dime a dozen high fantasy story that rips of Tolkien even though it is so much more than that.
Conclusion:
I cannot sing the praises of The Keeper Chronicles enough and will recommend it to everyone. The best part is that the author implies she's planning to write more books in the world featuring either the past or other characters. I'd personally love to read a book about say Douglan and how he's processing his grief for Ayda's death or his responsibilities. J. A. Andrews is a very skilled writer and I can't wait to see what she comes up with in the future.
Read
October 13, 2021JA Andrews writes classic epic fantasy revolving around the Keepers, a small sect of historians and magic-users in the kingdom of Queensland. Book 3 in the Keeper Chronicles is from the perspective of Sini, a former slave now become the first female Keeper in centuries as a sinister figure from her past slowly unfolds a plan to destroy her kingdom - and above all the Keepers.
There was a lot in this book that I liked - probably at the top of this list are the BABY ELVES. The feral, angry, bitey baby elves - I loved every last minute of them. Then there's the central conflict of the book: the villain, Lukas, was like a brother to Sini in the past and she is still holding onto hope - perhaps foolish - that he can be redeemed. In a genre often defined by the struggle to destroy irredeemable bad guys, I really loved what Andrews did with her own burgeoning dark lord.
In the end book 2 is still my favourite of this trilogy - it was just SO atmospheric and character-driven. But anyone who loves classic noblebright epic fantasy adventure with dragons, elves, dwarfs, and a tone that's hopeful and wholesome ought to love JA Andrews.
There was a lot in this book that I liked - probably at the top of this list are the BABY ELVES. The feral, angry, bitey baby elves - I loved every last minute of them. Then there's the central conflict of the book: the villain, Lukas, was like a brother to Sini in the past and she is still holding onto hope - perhaps foolish - that he can be redeemed. In a genre often defined by the struggle to destroy irredeemable bad guys, I really loved what Andrews did with her own burgeoning dark lord.
In the end book 2 is still my favourite of this trilogy - it was just SO atmospheric and character-driven. But anyone who loves classic noblebright epic fantasy adventure with dragons, elves, dwarfs, and a tone that's hopeful and wholesome ought to love JA Andrews.
September 6, 2021
Although I felt it took a little while to get going due to the backstory, I really loved this book which brings all 3 stories together to a final conclusion. Sadly, I wanted it to keep going although I don’t know where it would go from now, it’s definitely a sign of a great book though to leave you wanting more!
October 19, 2020
A deeply satisfying conclusion to what has been a highly enjoyable fantasy romp.
I smiled, I shouted for the good guys and shed a tear or two along the way. But mostly I was just very happy being immersed in the world of the Keepers. More Keeper tales please !!
I smiled, I shouted for the good guys and shed a tear or two along the way. But mostly I was just very happy being immersed in the world of the Keepers. More Keeper tales please !!
June 6, 2021
J.A. Andrews is one of my new favorite authors. Hopefully I can give a more in-depth review when I have time. For now, I'd just like to recommend this book to anyone who needs to take a break from the gritty grimdark scene (don't get me wrong, I LOVE my gritty grimdark) and enjoy a good old fantasy with dragons and elves and dwarves and magic. The characters are wonderful, and the ending was thoughtful and powerful.
It's been a long time since a book has given me goosebumps at the end and I'm so glad to have finally found another author I can really appreciate.
It's been a long time since a book has given me goosebumps at the end and I'm so glad to have finally found another author I can really appreciate.
February 24, 2021
Brilliant end to this series of books... had a few tears in my eyes at one point. The characters are complex and intertwined . There are multiple levels of emotions and motives going on and you are kept on the edge of your seat wondering if the light will triumph... and if so at what cost. As usual there is happiness but some sadness too... the door is definitely open to continue this theme and I hope the author picks this up in the future....
February 6, 2024
Loved this trilogy. Classic, heartwarming, fantasy done right.
May 2, 2025
Amazing, I enjoyed this trilogy so much!
September 23, 2021
The Keeper Chronicles has Become My Unexpected Find of This Year!
August 11, 2024
A great way to end this trilogy!
It kept a consistent tone and themes from the previous books. continued to build stakes and world. We got to spend more time with some characters we know, we got introduced to some more. We have the wonderful mixture of levity of tone and pace, juxtaposed by the tension and emotional beats to really bring it home.
A great conclusion to a fun and epic trilogy.
It kept a consistent tone and themes from the previous books. continued to build stakes and world. We got to spend more time with some characters we know, we got introduced to some more. We have the wonderful mixture of levity of tone and pace, juxtaposed by the tension and emotional beats to really bring it home.
A great conclusion to a fun and epic trilogy.
June 26, 2023
Time for the final book of the Keeper Chronicles, devoured mainly on the road to our summer vacation in the south of Sweden! Audiobooks FTW — and JA Andrews even more FTW (FTWW?). Loved this book. At book three, returning to the characters — even though we’re once more in a new character’s head — felt like wrapping myself with a favorite blanket. Will is there, Alaric is there, as are the rest of the characters from previous books.
This time, we follow Sini, who was a side-character in the previous book (though she had a little more screen time in book 2 than Will had in book 1). The first female Keeper in a century, and one with strange powers no one else understands. And of course, there is trouble brewing.
One of the few annoyances was that this was yet another Keeper who didn’t feel like a Keeper, which has been a running theme in the other books as well. At the same time, I suppose it’s a running theme in our lives, the fear of not fitting in, the fear of not being worth what others believe of us. We see others shine and think they fit in so naturally, unlike ourselves. Sini describes both Will and Alaric as great Keepers and they both struggled with their identities as such when we followed them.
The bad guy had a great motivation for his behavior, and as an author I can only applaud the way the author made each character have clear motivations and backstories and behave within the “boundaries” set by these. I had a bit of a hard time with the ending concerning the bad guy, even though I had expected it all along. It was just a bit too sudden.
I’m not one who is terribly interested in great battles, so I was happy when the story turned away from those to the much smaller, personal battle instead.
It was a great wrap to the trilogy. Now I have to leave these Keepers behind and *sniff* find new besties to play with (although it is possible the Keeper Origins will eat more of my credits on Audible).
This time, we follow Sini, who was a side-character in the previous book (though she had a little more screen time in book 2 than Will had in book 1). The first female Keeper in a century, and one with strange powers no one else understands. And of course, there is trouble brewing.
One of the few annoyances was that this was yet another Keeper who didn’t feel like a Keeper, which has been a running theme in the other books as well. At the same time, I suppose it’s a running theme in our lives, the fear of not fitting in, the fear of not being worth what others believe of us. We see others shine and think they fit in so naturally, unlike ourselves. Sini describes both Will and Alaric as great Keepers and they both struggled with their identities as such when we followed them.
The bad guy had a great motivation for his behavior, and as an author I can only applaud the way the author made each character have clear motivations and backstories and behave within the “boundaries” set by these. I had a bit of a hard time with the ending concerning the bad guy, even though I had expected it all along. It was just a bit too sudden.
I’m not one who is terribly interested in great battles, so I was happy when the story turned away from those to the much smaller, personal battle instead.
It was a great wrap to the trilogy. Now I have to leave these Keepers behind and *sniff* find new besties to play with (although it is possible the Keeper Origins will eat more of my credits on Audible).
June 6, 2025
J.A. Andrews delivers a spectacular finale in "Siege of Shadows," the third installment of The Keeper's Chronicles, weaving together threads of magic, loyalty, and sacrifice into an unforgettable tapestry of storytelling excellence.
The story's greatest strength lies in its masterfully crafted female characters. Sini and Shura stand out as compelling protagonists whose growth throughout the series reaches its zenith in this final chapter. Their determination, resilience, and complex relationships with both allies and adversaries showcase Andrews' talent for creating multidimensional characters that readers can't help but invest in emotionally.
The plot moves at a relentless pace, building upon the foundations laid in previous books while introducing fresh challenges and unexpected twists. The siege sequences are particularly well-executed, combining tactical warfare with magical elements in a way that feels both exciting and believable within the established world.
Andrews' prose continues to shine, painting vivid scenes that bring the fantasy world to life without getting bogged down in excessive description. The balance between action, character development, and world-building is perfectly maintained throughout the narrative.
What truly sets this conclusion apart is its ability to satisfy while still surprising. The epilogue, in particular, serves as a brilliant "post-credits scene" that leaves readers with just enough intrigue to keep the world alive in their imaginations long after the final page.
"Siege of Shadows" is more than just a satisfying conclusion - it's a testament to Andrews' growth as a storyteller and their ability to craft a fantasy series that honors genre traditions while carving its own unique path. For fans of the series, this finale will exceed expectations, and for those yet to start the journey, the complete trilogy promises an exceptional reading experience.
A truly outstanding conclusion to a remarkable series.
The story's greatest strength lies in its masterfully crafted female characters. Sini and Shura stand out as compelling protagonists whose growth throughout the series reaches its zenith in this final chapter. Their determination, resilience, and complex relationships with both allies and adversaries showcase Andrews' talent for creating multidimensional characters that readers can't help but invest in emotionally.
The plot moves at a relentless pace, building upon the foundations laid in previous books while introducing fresh challenges and unexpected twists. The siege sequences are particularly well-executed, combining tactical warfare with magical elements in a way that feels both exciting and believable within the established world.
Andrews' prose continues to shine, painting vivid scenes that bring the fantasy world to life without getting bogged down in excessive description. The balance between action, character development, and world-building is perfectly maintained throughout the narrative.
What truly sets this conclusion apart is its ability to satisfy while still surprising. The epilogue, in particular, serves as a brilliant "post-credits scene" that leaves readers with just enough intrigue to keep the world alive in their imaginations long after the final page.
"Siege of Shadows" is more than just a satisfying conclusion - it's a testament to Andrews' growth as a storyteller and their ability to craft a fantasy series that honors genre traditions while carving its own unique path. For fans of the series, this finale will exceed expectations, and for those yet to start the journey, the complete trilogy promises an exceptional reading experience.
A truly outstanding conclusion to a remarkable series.
April 17, 2019
J.A. Andrews has given us a magnificent series in The Keeper Chronicles but I do believe she outdid herself in this her grande finale to the trilogy. Sini is finally living in Stronghold with the rest of the keepers and she is becoming the first woman keeper the world has seen for quite some time, she is also becoming stronger in her powers in wielding sunfire. I particularly enjoyed this book because I love the sun and also believe that this gives life, so the fact that the sun gave Sini her power struck a good note in my heart. She had been born into poverty, enslaved on the sweep and trained by stonesteeps, yet even though she still at times felt inadequate and unwanted her past did not damage her as it did Lucas. Lucas, was like a brother to Sini and Rhett, who had always looked out for them so when rumours were heard that he was becoming evil, and out to hurt the keepers and Queenstown she kept trying to cover for him and make excuses until she saw the hatred on his own face and felt betrayed by his own hand! Lucas now controlled a dragon through his use of compulsion stones, and he had the two swords of Naj, both the blue and the black and these were evil in the wrong hands! The final battle brought together humans, dwarfs, elves, keepers who fought as one to protect their country against the hordes compelled by Lucas to do his dirty work. Sini vowed she would be the one to disarm him but she never thought she would lose to much in the process!! This book is such a compelling read from start to finish, it is quite a lengthy book so be prepared to read on day and night till the last line is read. Such a heart wrenching novel but one filled with hope and so much love and magic it gave us the satisfying ending we deserved! And I do hope we will still be reading more stories about the Keepers in the near future.
September 28, 2022
Siege of Shadows is one of those books that you stay up way later than you should, pick up while you walk to and from your car at work, and read with your tablet in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other just so you can see how it ends and whether or not everyone gets their happy endings…and then once it’s done you stare at the screan sad that there isn’t anymore and feeling like you have left some great friends and a wonderful world within the pages.
Of all three Keeper Chronicles books this one was my absolute favorite. There was laughter, joy, anger and tears but they culminated in one amazing conclusion.
Sini has found her place among the Keepers and most of the time she feels like she is where she belongs. Alaric is at court and he and his wife Angeline are expecting their first child, Will is wandering as he often likes to do, Sora is facing her clan, and Douglan and Rass are guarding the grove where the new elves may be born. Everyone is happy, for the most part. And then bad things start to happen…tainted water, sick and dying animals, and sightings of a red dragon…and before they know it Lukas has come to make war on the Keepers and Queensland. Will the Keepers preserver? Are their new and exciting changes stirring within the stronghold? You will have to read this amazing book to find (go on! You know you want to!)
My favorite character in this book was Roan, although I don’t want to spoil the story so I am just going to leave it at that. Just know he was extremely sweet and I enjoyed all that he brought to the story.
This was a wonderful book to finish out a wonderful series! I can’t wait to see what exciting and wonderful stories JA Andrews has next the read!
Of all three Keeper Chronicles books this one was my absolute favorite. There was laughter, joy, anger and tears but they culminated in one amazing conclusion.
Sini has found her place among the Keepers and most of the time she feels like she is where she belongs. Alaric is at court and he and his wife Angeline are expecting their first child, Will is wandering as he often likes to do, Sora is facing her clan, and Douglan and Rass are guarding the grove where the new elves may be born. Everyone is happy, for the most part. And then bad things start to happen…tainted water, sick and dying animals, and sightings of a red dragon…and before they know it Lukas has come to make war on the Keepers and Queensland. Will the Keepers preserver? Are their new and exciting changes stirring within the stronghold? You will have to read this amazing book to find (go on! You know you want to!)
My favorite character in this book was Roan, although I don’t want to spoil the story so I am just going to leave it at that. Just know he was extremely sweet and I enjoyed all that he brought to the story.
This was a wonderful book to finish out a wonderful series! I can’t wait to see what exciting and wonderful stories JA Andrews has next the read!
April 19, 2019
This last book in an epic fantasy saga is a definitely fulfilling tale, a fitting farewell to the kingdom and characters.
Sini is the first female Keeper in over a hundred years, but until the keepers found her, she had spent years as a slave, kept captive and used for her magical abilities. In her years of slavery, she had two foster brothers. They protected her, taught her, and showed her the only kindness she knew during that time.
Now Rett, one of those brothers, has become a keeper along with Sini. Lukas, the other of the trio, follows a very different path. He has turned his magic to evil. All along the border of the kingdom, Lukas has caused discord, wasting disease, fouled water supplies, ailing flocks. Each trial for the people occurs quickly, runs its cycle and clears. Why would Lukas spend his efforts troubling the citizens?
Rett and Sini want to find Lukas and convince him to join them in the Keeper stronghold. But his hatred and distrust for the Keepers is strong. Can the two people who love him turn him from a path of vengeance?
The queen and her advisors want Lukas found for very different reasons. Lukas’ attacks have become more than troubling incidents. He seems to be leading up to an all-out assault on the land with the dragon he has compelled to do his bidding. As for the Keepers, Lukas desire is clear. He wants them all dead.
Join this battle for Queensland and the soul of a man.
Kindle Unlimited edition
Sini is the first female Keeper in over a hundred years, but until the keepers found her, she had spent years as a slave, kept captive and used for her magical abilities. In her years of slavery, she had two foster brothers. They protected her, taught her, and showed her the only kindness she knew during that time.
Now Rett, one of those brothers, has become a keeper along with Sini. Lukas, the other of the trio, follows a very different path. He has turned his magic to evil. All along the border of the kingdom, Lukas has caused discord, wasting disease, fouled water supplies, ailing flocks. Each trial for the people occurs quickly, runs its cycle and clears. Why would Lukas spend his efforts troubling the citizens?
Rett and Sini want to find Lukas and convince him to join them in the Keeper stronghold. But his hatred and distrust for the Keepers is strong. Can the two people who love him turn him from a path of vengeance?
The queen and her advisors want Lukas found for very different reasons. Lukas’ attacks have become more than troubling incidents. He seems to be leading up to an all-out assault on the land with the dragon he has compelled to do his bidding. As for the Keepers, Lukas desire is clear. He wants them all dead.
Join this battle for Queensland and the soul of a man.
Kindle Unlimited edition
January 28, 2022
Great
"The day is shaped not by the violence of the storm, but by the fall of the light and the voice of the rain." JA
"Its just rude really. I just popped off UF where the feelings are shallow and the stabbings are deep. And you go right for the heart ❤" ME, complaining about feeling feelings not even 10% in.
There are many things to love about Janice, foremost being her incredible person, that naturally reflects in the deep, heart-wringing books she writes.
Her books are patient, and revealing but at a pace that you didn't realize you had learned the lesson until it is burned into your marrow with bitter sweet awareness.
This follows Sini, a former slave,now keeper (learner and wielder of magic) who is a true sunchild (not just a pretend Coloradan sunchild like me). Somehow the heart ache starts early with Sini, and the twins and the need for her to find herself after all she's been through and all the lies she believed about herself.
Is beautiful but not easy, joyful but not always happy. And somehow even though I ache I'm pleased for having read it and hope to be as good a person as her characters are.
True epic, with a dash of romantic tension. HEA but there are losses.
Good series. Good human.
"The day is shaped not by the violence of the storm, but by the fall of the light and the voice of the rain." JA
"Its just rude really. I just popped off UF where the feelings are shallow and the stabbings are deep. And you go right for the heart ❤" ME, complaining about feeling feelings not even 10% in.
There are many things to love about Janice, foremost being her incredible person, that naturally reflects in the deep, heart-wringing books she writes.
Her books are patient, and revealing but at a pace that you didn't realize you had learned the lesson until it is burned into your marrow with bitter sweet awareness.
This follows Sini, a former slave,now keeper (learner and wielder of magic) who is a true sunchild (not just a pretend Coloradan sunchild like me). Somehow the heart ache starts early with Sini, and the twins and the need for her to find herself after all she's been through and all the lies she believed about herself.
Is beautiful but not easy, joyful but not always happy. And somehow even though I ache I'm pleased for having read it and hope to be as good a person as her characters are.
True epic, with a dash of romantic tension. HEA but there are losses.
Good series. Good human.
June 28, 2022
I absolutely loved this book...the entire series really. Ms. Andrews is an incredible author. The world building, the character development, the intricacies of the plot are so compelling. I went on the journey with the characters. I felt as though I had as much to lose or gain as they did. I felt the betrayals like a gut punch, felt the sadness of other moments, including anytime Douglan thought about Ayda. The time spent with Sini and the twins was all touching. Any time an author can make me feel so much when reading a series, they've done an outstanding job.
This book was a great end to the series. This time we follow from the perspective of Sini and see her grow into her own as a Keeper. From her time at the Stronghold, to her reluctance to go to court, learning more of her powers and the history of Chesavia, which will play a pivotal role for Sini as the story progresses, to the final confrontation with Lukas and his armies. The story is everything you want in a fantasy. You've got magicians (Keepers), Dwarfs, Elves, Dragons, old wise men, brave soldiers, bad guys, love, loss, hope and redemption.
If I could give the book, really the whole series, 100 stars...I would. I recommend this as highly as possible.
This book was a great end to the series. This time we follow from the perspective of Sini and see her grow into her own as a Keeper. From her time at the Stronghold, to her reluctance to go to court, learning more of her powers and the history of Chesavia, which will play a pivotal role for Sini as the story progresses, to the final confrontation with Lukas and his armies. The story is everything you want in a fantasy. You've got magicians (Keepers), Dwarfs, Elves, Dragons, old wise men, brave soldiers, bad guys, love, loss, hope and redemption.
If I could give the book, really the whole series, 100 stars...I would. I recommend this as highly as possible.
November 22, 2022
Awesome. More detailed review to follow.
I probably could have left it at that and it would summarize the book very well. But I'll give a more detailed review a try anyway.
Unfortunately, The Keeper Chronicles are coming to an end with this third installment Siege of Shadows. I had such a great time reading this series, since more and more books I read recenctly tend towards the (grim)darker aspects of fantasy, these had a refreshingly positive vibe. I truly love this trilogy which rocketed JA Andrews immediately among my favorite authors.
New book, new main character: This time, the new female Keeper Sini - whom we met during Pursuit of Shadows - is the protagonist of the story, bringing another view to everything that happens. Sini has finally found a home and friends at the Keeper's stronghold. And these feelings of home, friendship and found family were a very strong theme throughout the whole book that resonated with me.
It's difficult to not simply repeat my reviews of the other two books, because writing, story, worldbuilding and character development were - again - masterfully done, the story had some nice twists, and just like in the last book there was no simple black-and-white-view of the world or the events taking place, you always at least get glimpses of the antagonists' reasoning. All put together a highly enjoyable and recommendable read for anyone who likes...no, just for anyone who loves to read or listen to great stories.
Oh, and JA Andrews already had me when she introduced the grass elves in the last book, but what she did with...
SPOILER ALERT
...the baby elves was simply outstanding.
I probably could have left it at that and it would summarize the book very well. But I'll give a more detailed review a try anyway.
Unfortunately, The Keeper Chronicles are coming to an end with this third installment Siege of Shadows. I had such a great time reading this series, since more and more books I read recenctly tend towards the (grim)darker aspects of fantasy, these had a refreshingly positive vibe. I truly love this trilogy which rocketed JA Andrews immediately among my favorite authors.
New book, new main character: This time, the new female Keeper Sini - whom we met during Pursuit of Shadows - is the protagonist of the story, bringing another view to everything that happens. Sini has finally found a home and friends at the Keeper's stronghold. And these feelings of home, friendship and found family were a very strong theme throughout the whole book that resonated with me.
It's difficult to not simply repeat my reviews of the other two books, because writing, story, worldbuilding and character development were - again - masterfully done, the story had some nice twists, and just like in the last book there was no simple black-and-white-view of the world or the events taking place, you always at least get glimpses of the antagonists' reasoning. All put together a highly enjoyable and recommendable read for anyone who likes...no, just for anyone who loves to read or listen to great stories.
Oh, and JA Andrews already had me when she introduced the grass elves in the last book, but what she did with...
SPOILER ALERT
...the baby elves was simply outstanding.
August 7, 2024
Siege of Shadows is the third and final instalment of The Keeper Chronicles and it features a fantastic ending!
This book, much like the first 2, works as a standalone, but together, they are most definitely best read in order to enjoy the full extent of this trilogy. The fantastic characters from the previous novels make another appearance and, even though Siege of Shadows has its own MC - Sini - they nonetheless play an important role in the story overall.
Much like Alaric and Will, Sini is a keeper, and she believes herself to be quite a bad one at that. She can't even light a candle with her magic. But deep inside her, she has great potential, able to control her magic like no other. She is the first female keeper in over a hundred years, so she has a bit of a hill to climb, especially when she is sent to Queensland due to looming war in the country.
Treachery, magic, elves, dwarves, war, and a hint of romance come through in Siege of Shadows, and it is a fabulous take on high fantasy. The characters are easy to root for, the magic system is interesting, and the intrigue is set to max in this most epic conclusion. This is a highly satisfying ending to a most brilliant trilogy.
This book, much like the first 2, works as a standalone, but together, they are most definitely best read in order to enjoy the full extent of this trilogy. The fantastic characters from the previous novels make another appearance and, even though Siege of Shadows has its own MC - Sini - they nonetheless play an important role in the story overall.
Much like Alaric and Will, Sini is a keeper, and she believes herself to be quite a bad one at that. She can't even light a candle with her magic. But deep inside her, she has great potential, able to control her magic like no other. She is the first female keeper in over a hundred years, so she has a bit of a hill to climb, especially when she is sent to Queensland due to looming war in the country.
Treachery, magic, elves, dwarves, war, and a hint of romance come through in Siege of Shadows, and it is a fabulous take on high fantasy. The characters are easy to root for, the magic system is interesting, and the intrigue is set to max in this most epic conclusion. This is a highly satisfying ending to a most brilliant trilogy.
December 15, 2023
"Sometimes life changes you, and the people you used to know aren't as comfortable of a fit as they used to be. And people you thought you'd never want to be near turn out to feel like family." - Siege of Shadows by J.A.Andrews
*****
OH MAN! This series was probably even greater than the last I read by J.A. Andrews. All of these books are wonderful picks. I'm so glad I was able to finish the year on such strong notes. These books are AMAZING and if you love fantasy, be sure to put them on your TBR and read them soon.
I could never have predicted the ending, and it's kinda' tragic for some of the characters which I kind of appreciated. J.A. Andrews does not safeguard all of her characters. Not everyone is going to live, each and every time. This is an author who will keep you on your feet...and yet it's not the same drama as say, Game of Thrones.
I loved Sini's character way more than I thought I would have and I related so much to her. Lukas was a pain...but I understood his character all too well and I was able to see him as a very believable character in the end.
Give this series a READ!
*****
OH MAN! This series was probably even greater than the last I read by J.A. Andrews. All of these books are wonderful picks. I'm so glad I was able to finish the year on such strong notes. These books are AMAZING and if you love fantasy, be sure to put them on your TBR and read them soon.
I could never have predicted the ending, and it's kinda' tragic for some of the characters which I kind of appreciated. J.A. Andrews does not safeguard all of her characters. Not everyone is going to live, each and every time. This is an author who will keep you on your feet...and yet it's not the same drama as say, Game of Thrones.
I loved Sini's character way more than I thought I would have and I related so much to her. Lukas was a pain...but I understood his character all too well and I was able to see him as a very believable character in the end.
Give this series a READ!
September 26, 2024
This series was absolutely charming. I loved every moment of this final book in the trilogy, and particularly enjoyed how each novel focused on a different character. Although I really enjoyed having Alaric and Will's points of view in the previous two volumes, Sini really made for a fascinating character and I'm so glad I got to experience her adventure. She's a very deep character and there was so much to unpack about friendship and goodness and doing what is right.
I also really love how this author puts limits on the magic so that when one miracle is achieved, it feels so much more powerful and meaningful because tragedies still happen.
The message in this book about good and evil being rooted in personal choices and what we are willing to hear/be open to is a powerful one, as is the message about seeing the good in people even when they do/have done bad things. This author explores the subtleties of human nature in beautiful and powerful ways, and it's definitely made this series unforgetable.
If you like high fantasy with personal journeys that run parallel to epic background plots and enjoy a sweet, slow romantic subplot, you'll definitely love this series.
I also really love how this author puts limits on the magic so that when one miracle is achieved, it feels so much more powerful and meaningful because tragedies still happen.
The message in this book about good and evil being rooted in personal choices and what we are willing to hear/be open to is a powerful one, as is the message about seeing the good in people even when they do/have done bad things. This author explores the subtleties of human nature in beautiful and powerful ways, and it's definitely made this series unforgetable.
If you like high fantasy with personal journeys that run parallel to epic background plots and enjoy a sweet, slow romantic subplot, you'll definitely love this series.
June 2, 2019
There's not much I can add to my review of the second book of this trilogy (Pursuit of Shadows), except to say that the story got even better in the final book of the series! The plot and actions were so well thought-out that little things from early on in the series were suddenly explained and made even more sense than previously. The links back and forth among the books were a pleasure--it was almost a dance! J.A. is an amazing writer (she's on my short list of favorites) and I will happily read any new books she writes. I would especially love to meet the 'friends' I made in this series in those future books! I won't go into specifics because I don't want to ruin the fun for those who haven't yet read this series...and I just KNOW I'll reveal some spoilers if I try to describe any of the storyline. Just know that you will NOT be disappointed...add this entire series to your TBR list and then sit back with a nice cup of tea and ENJOY!
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