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The Risen Kingdoms #3
The Last Uncharted Sky
The Three Musketeers meets Jules Verne in Curtis Craddock's concluding novel in this critically-acclaimed high fantasy Risen Kingdoms series, an engrossing tale of courtly intrigue and breathtaking magic.
Isabelle and Jean-Claude undertake an airship expedition to recover a fabled treasure and claim a hitherto undiscovered craton for l'Empire Celeste. But Isabelle, as a result from a previous attack that tried to subsume her body and soul, suffers from increasingly disturbing and disruptive hallucinations. Disasters are compounded when the ship is sabotaged by an enemy agent, and Jean-Claude is seperated from the expedition.
In a race against time, Isabelle must figure out how to ward off her ailment before it destroys her and reunite with Jean-Claude to seek the fabled treasure as ancient secrets and a royal conspiracry threaten to undo the entire realm.
“A gripping tale of a woman who refuses to be defined by her physical and magical limitations, thwarting both assassins and all who see her as a pawn. A great read!”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, on An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors
The Risen Kingdom series
#1 An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors
#2 A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2020
36 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 5, 2020
4.5/5
The Last Uncharted Sky opens with a bang. Jean-Claude burns down a temple, loses a reliquary, and lets a dangerous lunatic escape. Meanwhile, Isabelle and Bitterlich face unexpected dangers on their expedition to the highest point of the world.
When last we left our heroes, things have turned (or, rather, seemed to have turned) out well for them. Isabelle and Bitterlich prepared to explore unknown parts of their world, together. Jean-Claude proved there was a method to his madness and gained an apprentice. Even Marie found a vocation. Rather lethal, but who am I to judge?
Before starting the book, I expected plenty of thrills and surprises, and I got them. Craddock surprised me with how dark, daring, and nerve-wracking the story was. All key players had to prove themselves not only to survive but to save their relationships and the kingdom. Craddock has done his best to break them, physically and emotionally. Especially Bitterlich’s past hides painful secrets that explain his work ethics, focus on work, and a level of distrust toward others.
Isabelle suffers from increasingly disturbing and disruptive hallucinations, a consequence of the events portrayed in The Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery. If she won't figure out how to ward off her ailment before it destroys her, her mission will fail. And failure is not an option since it would mean undoing the entire realm.
Craddock introduces new characters. I’m sure readers will find Rebecca, a young and fierce pick-pocket, endearing and likable. Without spoiling things to you, I can tell her role in the story is much bigger than anyone could expect. Let’s leave it at that.
Craddock wraps up all dangling plot points, he throws a ton of surprises into the mix, and gifts readers with a surprisingly complicated romantic arc. He also develops, deeply, all of his characters, from the main to the supporting ones. Not only do Isabelle and Bitterlich become even more intriguing (both separately and as a couple), but so do their friends and enemies. Speaking of which, I need a novella about Marie. Or, better yet, a series focusing on her. An enormous part of the trilogy’s success and readability comes from how interesting everyone in this world is.
The Last Uncharted Sky is intense, dramatic, and thoroughly satisfying. It has it all - the tightly written plot, first-class worldbuilding, and absolutely stellar character development. A glorious conclusion to The Risen Kingdom trilogy.
ARC through NetGalley
The Last Uncharted Sky opens with a bang. Jean-Claude burns down a temple, loses a reliquary, and lets a dangerous lunatic escape. Meanwhile, Isabelle and Bitterlich face unexpected dangers on their expedition to the highest point of the world.
When last we left our heroes, things have turned (or, rather, seemed to have turned) out well for them. Isabelle and Bitterlich prepared to explore unknown parts of their world, together. Jean-Claude proved there was a method to his madness and gained an apprentice. Even Marie found a vocation. Rather lethal, but who am I to judge?
Before starting the book, I expected plenty of thrills and surprises, and I got them. Craddock surprised me with how dark, daring, and nerve-wracking the story was. All key players had to prove themselves not only to survive but to save their relationships and the kingdom. Craddock has done his best to break them, physically and emotionally. Especially Bitterlich’s past hides painful secrets that explain his work ethics, focus on work, and a level of distrust toward others.
Isabelle suffers from increasingly disturbing and disruptive hallucinations, a consequence of the events portrayed in The Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery. If she won't figure out how to ward off her ailment before it destroys her, her mission will fail. And failure is not an option since it would mean undoing the entire realm.
Craddock introduces new characters. I’m sure readers will find Rebecca, a young and fierce pick-pocket, endearing and likable. Without spoiling things to you, I can tell her role in the story is much bigger than anyone could expect. Let’s leave it at that.
Craddock wraps up all dangling plot points, he throws a ton of surprises into the mix, and gifts readers with a surprisingly complicated romantic arc. He also develops, deeply, all of his characters, from the main to the supporting ones. Not only do Isabelle and Bitterlich become even more intriguing (both separately and as a couple), but so do their friends and enemies. Speaking of which, I need a novella about Marie. Or, better yet, a series focusing on her. An enormous part of the trilogy’s success and readability comes from how interesting everyone in this world is.
The Last Uncharted Sky is intense, dramatic, and thoroughly satisfying. It has it all - the tightly written plot, first-class worldbuilding, and absolutely stellar character development. A glorious conclusion to The Risen Kingdom trilogy.
ARC through NetGalley
October 4, 2024
Set sail with Isabelle's much-anticipated expedition to recover the Conquest's lost treasure in a race against the Tyrant of Skaladin.
We have trustworthy Jean-Claude, dapper Bitterlich who takes on a much larger role with more pov chapters, fighting and loyal Marie, and a new stray - a plucky street orphan.
Whilst having to face pirates, cultists, and being a woman Captine, Isabella must also hide her affliction from the ghostly stain of her ancestor's life; a gibbering mob of other people's memories whispered in her ears, uninvited guests demanding to be seen and heard.
‘If you want to find your path, you finds the thing you'd rather fail than quit.'
This book was my least favourite of rhetorical trilogy which is a shame as a finale. The characters just made a lot of frustrating decisions which didn’t fit into how they had reacted and grown in the previous two books.
This sounds the most exciting premise of the books - sky ships, pirates, a secret land? However, it plodded on slowly and I kept wanting something to happen.
This series is the epitome of found family - of making an identity based on your choosing rather than that forced on you due to your place or blood.
"I've changed," she said, "a cocoon, a chrysalis choosing new challenges and a choir of churlish characters over catatonia and cognitive calamity…
Despite this being a slight let-down of a final instalment, I would still recommend this trilogy!
Bookstagram
We have trustworthy Jean-Claude, dapper Bitterlich who takes on a much larger role with more pov chapters, fighting and loyal Marie, and a new stray - a plucky street orphan.
Whilst having to face pirates, cultists, and being a woman Captine, Isabella must also hide her affliction from the ghostly stain of her ancestor's life; a gibbering mob of other people's memories whispered in her ears, uninvited guests demanding to be seen and heard.
‘If you want to find your path, you finds the thing you'd rather fail than quit.'
This book was my least favourite of rhetorical trilogy which is a shame as a finale. The characters just made a lot of frustrating decisions which didn’t fit into how they had reacted and grown in the previous two books.
This sounds the most exciting premise of the books - sky ships, pirates, a secret land? However, it plodded on slowly and I kept wanting something to happen.
This series is the epitome of found family - of making an identity based on your choosing rather than that forced on you due to your place or blood.
"I've changed," she said, "a cocoon, a chrysalis choosing new challenges and a choir of churlish characters over catatonia and cognitive calamity…
Despite this being a slight let-down of a final instalment, I would still recommend this trilogy!
Bookstagram
December 2, 2020
Ahoy there me mateys! Book two was so much fun and I was thrilled to see how the story would end. It was time for a treasure hunt! Arrr! This book ended up being me least favorite of the series but it comes down to personal preferences. I expected that the author would throw in some plot hitches that I wasn't expecting. I just wanted something different. I wanted more treasure hunt and less politics. I wanted more Marie and didn't get enough. I didn't love the direction that Isabelle took in this. I surprisingly didn't love how the romance played out. I didn't really love the ultimate conclusion thought it really does makes perfect sense for the book. I did continue to adore Jean-Claude and Capitaine Bitterlich. I really enjoyed the new character, Rebecca. Objectively there is nothing wrong with the book. Subjectively every time I was excited about a plot point, it didn't happen even close to what I wanted. Not the author's fault. None of the crew seems to have read this one. I wonder what they will think of it. Read it ye stragglers and tell me what ye think!
Me thoughts of book three aside, I am very happy to have picked up this series and will be reading whatever Craddock writes next. Arrr!
Me thoughts of book three aside, I am very happy to have picked up this series and will be reading whatever Craddock writes next. Arrr!
October 31, 2025
OK let's talk about this trilogy. The setting seems to be a very steampunk version of the French court of the 1700s with all the intrigue and plotting by nobles that entails. You have a old worn out paladin/knight, a mathematical genius woman working against society's norms and in the background a vague nebulas religion that dives the storyline along. OH and there are AIRSHIPS! Did i mention them before now? This is an absolute fabulous read in all areas. My highest recommendation. Highly recommended
Read
July 20, 2023DNF at 35%. I realized all the plot threads I was interested in were wrapped up in previous books. I still 100% recommend the first one!
August 9, 2020
This has been my favorite book of the series so far!
The Last Uncharted Sky continues our swashbuckling tale of adventure, romance, and intrigue, this time with a new setting: the open sky. The newly minted Capitaine Isabelle has been given command of her own ship and a missive by Impreratrice Sireen to investigate a strange new land beyond the whirling Bittergale that is rumored to contain the legendary Vault of Ages. Along with her wily adoptive father Jean-Claude, the dashing, shape-shifting Bitterlich, Fellhand Marie and the scrappy orphan Rebecca, she embarks on her latest quest.
The flying ships have always a fascinating aspect of the world-building to me, so I was thrilled that our crew finally got to take to the sky! The whole novel was well-paced, and felt like "Three Musketeers" met an 'Age of Discovery' tale of the high seas. Maybe it is because I'm partial to pirate stories, but I felt like Craddock was at home in creating a story that flashed and flowed within this particular genre. Not once did the action flag, and I enjoyed getting to explore strange new lands and learn more about the air-balloon dwelling Gyrine. There were some cool new additions to the index of sorcery in this one---I thought the magic of the Windcallers was fascinating, as were the shifty fortune telling powers of the villanous pirate Ivar.
Though I enjoyed the escapades of all the characters, I have to say my favorite by far was Isabelle. I found her struggle to remain an individual while meeting and healing the wounds of her ancestral choir to be extraordinarily compelling. It was an interesting meditation on inherited trauma and the lengths that we do and should go to fulfill the vendettas of our progenitors. Our newest addition to the crew, Rebecca, was also delightful and clever, and her addition felt refreshing rather than forced. Jean-Claude was as sly and funny as always, though I admit to being on the edge of my seat with anxiety for most of his chapters. Bitterlich was the perfect leading man, at once debonair and sympathetic. And Marie--for lack of a better word--remains a total badass. Fingers crossed she and that one other Gyrrine Fellhand girl start to date.
My one complaint with this story was that the ending felt FAR too rushed compared to the events of the rest of the novel. Loose ends were hurriedly swept up without really being meditated on. I thought the last 10% of the book could easily have been three times as long. This also led to the final confrontation feeling very anticlimactic. Even so, that feeling didn't negate the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It's rare that the last book in a trilogy manages to claim my favoritism, but I could not be happier labeling this one the best of the group.
The Last Uncharted Sky continues our swashbuckling tale of adventure, romance, and intrigue, this time with a new setting: the open sky. The newly minted Capitaine Isabelle has been given command of her own ship and a missive by Impreratrice Sireen to investigate a strange new land beyond the whirling Bittergale that is rumored to contain the legendary Vault of Ages. Along with her wily adoptive father Jean-Claude, the dashing, shape-shifting Bitterlich, Fellhand Marie and the scrappy orphan Rebecca, she embarks on her latest quest.
The flying ships have always a fascinating aspect of the world-building to me, so I was thrilled that our crew finally got to take to the sky! The whole novel was well-paced, and felt like "Three Musketeers" met an 'Age of Discovery' tale of the high seas. Maybe it is because I'm partial to pirate stories, but I felt like Craddock was at home in creating a story that flashed and flowed within this particular genre. Not once did the action flag, and I enjoyed getting to explore strange new lands and learn more about the air-balloon dwelling Gyrine. There were some cool new additions to the index of sorcery in this one---I thought the magic of the Windcallers was fascinating, as were the shifty fortune telling powers of the villanous pirate Ivar.
Though I enjoyed the escapades of all the characters, I have to say my favorite by far was Isabelle. I found her struggle to remain an individual while meeting and healing the wounds of her ancestral choir to be extraordinarily compelling. It was an interesting meditation on inherited trauma and the lengths that we do and should go to fulfill the vendettas of our progenitors. Our newest addition to the crew, Rebecca, was also delightful and clever, and her addition felt refreshing rather than forced. Jean-Claude was as sly and funny as always, though I admit to being on the edge of my seat with anxiety for most of his chapters. Bitterlich was the perfect leading man, at once debonair and sympathetic. And Marie--for lack of a better word--remains a total badass. Fingers crossed she and that one other Gyrrine Fellhand girl start to date.
My one complaint with this story was that the ending felt FAR too rushed compared to the events of the rest of the novel. Loose ends were hurriedly swept up without really being meditated on. I thought the last 10% of the book could easily have been three times as long. This also led to the final confrontation feeling very anticlimactic. Even so, that feeling didn't negate the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It's rare that the last book in a trilogy manages to claim my favoritism, but I could not be happier labeling this one the best of the group.
August 11, 2020
This saddest thing about The Risen Kingdom series is the lack of love it gets.
I love Isabelle throughout the series. She's kind, smart and fiercely loyal to her loved ones. Her world isn't nice which makes her a beautiful contrast. People with powers think having abilities means that they have a soul while people without powers are beneath them. Each book looks deeper into the different powers and different floating countries.
As nice as this ending is, I do wish that there will more about this world. I could already see the political problems that could arise at the ending. I'm just sad it's over.
This review is based on an advanced copy provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
I love Isabelle throughout the series. She's kind, smart and fiercely loyal to her loved ones. Her world isn't nice which makes her a beautiful contrast. People with powers think having abilities means that they have a soul while people without powers are beneath them. Each book looks deeper into the different powers and different floating countries.
As nice as this ending is, I do wish that there will more about this world. I could already see the political problems that could arise at the ending. I'm just sad it's over.
This review is based on an advanced copy provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
October 12, 2020
In the running for my favourite book of the year because I love it when smart characters are actually clever and many of my plot predictions turn out to be entirely wrong.
October 19, 2020
Mon avis en français
My English review
I had had a very good time with the first two volumes and I was curious to discover this third part!
We find here with great pleasure Isabelle and Jean-Claude, two characters we love! Our two heroes embark on a new mission, and our dear Isabelle is the captain. But she also has to deal with the incessant voices in her head, which is far from simple. Facing new problems, she will meet Rebecca, a young girl who hides many secrets and who could be much more than she seems to be.
It was again a very good novel and as I said, I loved finding the characters and the universe again. Jean-Claude and Isabelle will be separated in the course of the story, but they will do everything they can to find each other again.
The author had a lot of original ideas with this novel and it’s really a series that I recommend!
My English review
I had had a very good time with the first two volumes and I was curious to discover this third part!
We find here with great pleasure Isabelle and Jean-Claude, two characters we love! Our two heroes embark on a new mission, and our dear Isabelle is the captain. But she also has to deal with the incessant voices in her head, which is far from simple. Facing new problems, she will meet Rebecca, a young girl who hides many secrets and who could be much more than she seems to be.
It was again a very good novel and as I said, I loved finding the characters and the universe again. Jean-Claude and Isabelle will be separated in the course of the story, but they will do everything they can to find each other again.
The author had a lot of original ideas with this novel and it’s really a series that I recommend!
December 9, 2022
I will never regret reading books/series with strong female characters. And hooray - Craddock threw some PG romance in here too.
I will be curious what he writes next.
I will be curious what he writes next.
December 5, 2021
The Last Uncharted Sky was an entertaining book. But it honestly, would have been the perfect series finale if one part of it was lessened to a major degree.
I have my own blog now, so please do pay it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)
──────────────────
I don't believe that there is any shadow of a doubt of how much I enjoyed this series. From the brilliant world-building, to its interesting characters, its phenomenal magic systems, all the way to its politicking. However, there was something about it this time along, that more or less, lessened the great experience for me.
Before I get to that though, I'd like to focus on the greater things to be found in the last book of The Risen Kingdoms trilogy. The book starts out with the establishment of a mystery of sorts with interesting new players coming to join the fray. Either through their unfortunate circumstances, their political rank or a hidden agenda that's only alluded to at the start. Despite this being a constant thing in the previous two books of the trilogy, it continues being one of the strengths of the series without issues.
The more interesting thing here though, or what helps it be different in a bigger way, is the setting. To expand on that, I mean the setting being on an airship instead of the ground. There has been brief trips on these while the cast are moving from one spot to the next, but it's the first time I've seen the inner workings of these vessels. Curtis Craddock created an incredible world, filled with incredible things and this was one that I wanted to see up close.
Isabelle's new designation puts her right on top of one, which in turn, gave me that view I wanted. How it works with the currents in the sky, what could happen, ports, Gyrine and wind-calling. There were so many things to discuss while being with the cast and I enjoyed every single second of it. Moreover, the fact that they were on a tight schedule with many threats all around made that race (so to speak), much more enjoyable.
The author used the opportunity to expand on the Builder's role in the world, the Saviour's, legends as a whole and how that affects their temples or their fanatics. This in itself is not new in fantasy, but it was still brilliant to read about. The one thing that pulls all of this together to make this series, the really awesome one it is, is its characters.
Isabelle's mental health, her new duties and the aftermath of what happened last time are difficult to handle on their own. Having all in need of a focus, is too much. Therefore, watching her try to work around all of these with her brilliant mind and compassion was fantastic. However, I also have to say that it wasn't as expanded as I would have hoped. For the mental health portion of it in particular. The beginning parts of the novel (amongst the added element that I didn't enjoy) took a little too long for it to establish the rest of it, which made it seem that much more interesting parts of it were either sacrificed or severely shortened.
This was one of them, the other was related to Marie.
To me, Marie is one of the more interesting characters in the series thanks to her unique existence. This book only increases that when it starts discussing her future prospects, her role and her training on a much grander scale. Like Isabelle's biggest struggles, Marie's time to shine is minuscule. It irked me to no end that there is that annoying thing in the narrative taking that much page space, while there are more interesting things taking the back seat for honestly, no good reasons. Marie finally had the chance to have a full full arc to herself, and having it end in a chapter was saddening.
Jean-Claude is probably the one who's got the most consistent amount of page time out of the lot in the trilogy. This time was the same with his witty self, his quick thinking and his more than enjoyable close calls with danger. He's always putting himself in a tight spot, but I will say that this time was the closest and in turn was incredibly neat to see how he works around the current situations.
Speaking of the danger, this book is without a doubt, the most dangerous one in the trilogy. The stakes are the highest they could be, no one is getting any breaks and the cast are fighting themselves before they have to fight their enemies. It was fast paced in the second half, full of brilliant action sequences, reveals and I definitely wouldn't say no to more of it.
After all of this, what exactly makes it a lesser enjoyable book than its predecessors? The Last Uncharted Sky is the perfect example of a book ruined by the romance in it. In my humble opinion, of course.
Everyone who read A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery will know how this aspect is going to be tagging along in the finale, but I for one didn't expect it to be the focus for a big part of it. The addition of a point of view character who thinks about "nothing else" for the bigger majority of their narrative, and to be specific until chapter 20 of a 33 chapter book for it to have a form of a conclusion, is not a fun thing to read for me.
I don't care about romantic relationships, and having this be brought up multiple times in any chapter when it just got fun enough to be immersive, killed said immersion.
I understand that, given they're technically the newest addition to the team, they would need more focus. But, enough focus for it to feel like it overtake the book? I don't think so, and I definitely didn't enjoy it. Especially since, that 20 chapter mark doesn't end this once and for all, or makes it any less. It's constantly there, and it just never stops.
To some, this might be interesting and fun. To me, it was boring, unneeded in this amount and definitely ruined a big portion of my experience. The thing that kills me here is that this book is phenomenal on all fronts, and it could have easily been included in my top 5 series of all time, if it ended up being as enjoyable as the first two. But that wasn't the case this time around.
Again, that's just me.
I still have endless praise for many parts of this trilogy. I'll also be keeping the author on my radar moving forward, because this was really great until this unfortunate part of it. Before that though, or rather, aside from that? Simply amazing.
In the end, I am saddened to be leaving this world. It was one incredible journey with really likeable characters, impressive world-building and one of my favourite magic systems ever. Which makes me hope that it will not be the only journey through the Risen Kingdoms, but if it was, then I'll also be "content" in a way as well.
Final rating: 3.5/5
I have my own blog now, so please do pay it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)
──────────────────
I don't believe that there is any shadow of a doubt of how much I enjoyed this series. From the brilliant world-building, to its interesting characters, its phenomenal magic systems, all the way to its politicking. However, there was something about it this time along, that more or less, lessened the great experience for me.
Before I get to that though, I'd like to focus on the greater things to be found in the last book of The Risen Kingdoms trilogy. The book starts out with the establishment of a mystery of sorts with interesting new players coming to join the fray. Either through their unfortunate circumstances, their political rank or a hidden agenda that's only alluded to at the start. Despite this being a constant thing in the previous two books of the trilogy, it continues being one of the strengths of the series without issues.
The more interesting thing here though, or what helps it be different in a bigger way, is the setting. To expand on that, I mean the setting being on an airship instead of the ground. There has been brief trips on these while the cast are moving from one spot to the next, but it's the first time I've seen the inner workings of these vessels. Curtis Craddock created an incredible world, filled with incredible things and this was one that I wanted to see up close.
Isabelle's new designation puts her right on top of one, which in turn, gave me that view I wanted. How it works with the currents in the sky, what could happen, ports, Gyrine and wind-calling. There were so many things to discuss while being with the cast and I enjoyed every single second of it. Moreover, the fact that they were on a tight schedule with many threats all around made that race (so to speak), much more enjoyable.
The author used the opportunity to expand on the Builder's role in the world, the Saviour's, legends as a whole and how that affects their temples or their fanatics. This in itself is not new in fantasy, but it was still brilliant to read about. The one thing that pulls all of this together to make this series, the really awesome one it is, is its characters.
Isabelle's mental health, her new duties and the aftermath of what happened last time are difficult to handle on their own. Having all in need of a focus, is too much. Therefore, watching her try to work around all of these with her brilliant mind and compassion was fantastic. However, I also have to say that it wasn't as expanded as I would have hoped. For the mental health portion of it in particular. The beginning parts of the novel (amongst the added element that I didn't enjoy) took a little too long for it to establish the rest of it, which made it seem that much more interesting parts of it were either sacrificed or severely shortened.
This was one of them, the other was related to Marie.
To me, Marie is one of the more interesting characters in the series thanks to her unique existence. This book only increases that when it starts discussing her future prospects, her role and her training on a much grander scale. Like Isabelle's biggest struggles, Marie's time to shine is minuscule. It irked me to no end that there is that annoying thing in the narrative taking that much page space, while there are more interesting things taking the back seat for honestly, no good reasons. Marie finally had the chance to have a full full arc to herself, and having it end in a chapter was saddening.
Jean-Claude is probably the one who's got the most consistent amount of page time out of the lot in the trilogy. This time was the same with his witty self, his quick thinking and his more than enjoyable close calls with danger. He's always putting himself in a tight spot, but I will say that this time was the closest and in turn was incredibly neat to see how he works around the current situations.
Speaking of the danger, this book is without a doubt, the most dangerous one in the trilogy. The stakes are the highest they could be, no one is getting any breaks and the cast are fighting themselves before they have to fight their enemies. It was fast paced in the second half, full of brilliant action sequences, reveals and I definitely wouldn't say no to more of it.
After all of this, what exactly makes it a lesser enjoyable book than its predecessors? The Last Uncharted Sky is the perfect example of a book ruined by the romance in it. In my humble opinion, of course.
Everyone who read A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery will know how this aspect is going to be tagging along in the finale, but I for one didn't expect it to be the focus for a big part of it. The addition of a point of view character who thinks about "nothing else" for the bigger majority of their narrative, and to be specific until chapter 20 of a 33 chapter book for it to have a form of a conclusion, is not a fun thing to read for me.
I don't care about romantic relationships, and having this be brought up multiple times in any chapter when it just got fun enough to be immersive, killed said immersion.
I understand that, given they're technically the newest addition to the team, they would need more focus. But, enough focus for it to feel like it overtake the book? I don't think so, and I definitely didn't enjoy it. Especially since, that 20 chapter mark doesn't end this once and for all, or makes it any less. It's constantly there, and it just never stops.
To some, this might be interesting and fun. To me, it was boring, unneeded in this amount and definitely ruined a big portion of my experience. The thing that kills me here is that this book is phenomenal on all fronts, and it could have easily been included in my top 5 series of all time, if it ended up being as enjoyable as the first two. But that wasn't the case this time around.
Again, that's just me.
I still have endless praise for many parts of this trilogy. I'll also be keeping the author on my radar moving forward, because this was really great until this unfortunate part of it. Before that though, or rather, aside from that? Simply amazing.
In the end, I am saddened to be leaving this world. It was one incredible journey with really likeable characters, impressive world-building and one of my favourite magic systems ever. Which makes me hope that it will not be the only journey through the Risen Kingdoms, but if it was, then I'll also be "content" in a way as well.
Final rating: 3.5/5
August 15, 2020
"Poslednje neucrtano nebo" Kertisa Kradoka je finale njegove trilogije "Alhemija obrazina i ogledala" i bogami je pravo veliko finale.
Roman je napisan odlično i leksički i stilski, karakterizacija je sjajna (po običaju) i vidi se napredak u autorovom umeću. Svet se širi, "sistem magije" dodatno pojašnjava - a i odgonetaju se neki elementi mizanscena koji su u prve dve knjige bili tek napomenuti. Pisac prilično vešto upliče u potku sve konce koji su u prva dva romana ostali da vise i na prilično zadovoljavajući način rešava sudbinu glavnih likova.
Ovo bi inače bilo za 5*, ali u nekoliko navrata u radnji ima previše slučajnosti koje eto tako lepo idu na ruku kako priči tako i protagonistima. Tih 3-4 prevrtanja očima koja su me zadesila bila su dovoljna da smanjim ocenu za *. Međutim, ovo je i dalje trilogija koja vanredno dobro premošćava jaz između YA fantastike i fantastike za odrasle, sasvim je lep melanž žanrova da predstavlja vanredno osveženje u vremenu kada fantazijom dominira ili YA ili grimdark, a da istovremeno zadržava elemente i jednog i drugog - i svakako bih ovu trilogiju preporučio za objavljivanje bilo kojoj našoj izdavačkoj kući koja ima izgrađenu komunikaciju sa svojom publikom kada su po sredi ovakva izdanja.
4*
Roman je napisan odlično i leksički i stilski, karakterizacija je sjajna (po običaju) i vidi se napredak u autorovom umeću. Svet se širi, "sistem magije" dodatno pojašnjava - a i odgonetaju se neki elementi mizanscena koji su u prve dve knjige bili tek napomenuti. Pisac prilično vešto upliče u potku sve konce koji su u prva dva romana ostali da vise i na prilično zadovoljavajući način rešava sudbinu glavnih likova.
Ovo bi inače bilo za 5*, ali u nekoliko navrata u radnji ima previše slučajnosti koje eto tako lepo idu na ruku kako priči tako i protagonistima. Tih 3-4 prevrtanja očima koja su me zadesila bila su dovoljna da smanjim ocenu za *. Međutim, ovo je i dalje trilogija koja vanredno dobro premošćava jaz između YA fantastike i fantastike za odrasle, sasvim je lep melanž žanrova da predstavlja vanredno osveženje u vremenu kada fantazijom dominira ili YA ili grimdark, a da istovremeno zadržava elemente i jednog i drugog - i svakako bih ovu trilogiju preporučio za objavljivanje bilo kojoj našoj izdavačkoj kući koja ima izgrađenu komunikaciju sa svojom publikom kada su po sredi ovakva izdanja.
4*
October 7, 2020
It’s not as good as the first two. The romantic bit is over done, the inclusion of a third character for narrative focus doesn’t help, and the ending is a bit too quick. However, a chance to further follow Isabella (still amazingly unique in her approach to the world) and Jean Claude (still surprising readers and his opponents) is well worth your time.
July 13, 2023
I liked it less than the first two books in the series. I liked the ending but I wasn't invested in the conflict in this book. I am not a big fan of "only solution is annihilation" trope. So I was little frustrated with antagonists in the book.
However, characters, friendships and the themes explored made this worthwhile.
However, characters, friendships and the themes explored made this worthwhile.
May 1, 2021
I wish more people read this series (and that the book wasn't so overpriced). It's so fantastic. Solid wrap up.
July 15, 2023
3.5 maybe 3.75
Want to read
January 8, 2020I haven't even read the second book yet, but I'm so keen for this!
November 3, 2020
This book tells us that sometimes everyone does their best and…that’s enough. They haven’t solved every single problem, cured all sicknesses and disposed of all bad people but…the world is a considerably better place than if they’d done nothing. And that is a nice conclusion, especially in times when one might feel a bit hopeless.
But even if it wasn’t for *gestures broadly et everything in the real world* it is great to have a book that finds such a great balance. It builds a realistic world; there are selfish and evil people, poverty, sickness, corruption but it’s not so dark and gritty that you wonder why anyone bothers trying to save this world at all – because there are also good and selfless people, there’s beauty (and people who perhaps aren’t totally good and selfless but who still have a sense of right and wrong). But, as already said, the heroes “winning” doesn’t solve everything. There are still bad guys…but good ones as well. Of course, that’s not a completely unique approach, but I do find that (fantasy) books often still tend either in the dark and gritty or in the fairy-tale ending direction. The Risen Kingdoms books just found the perfect balance for me.
And of course, all the characters I loved in book one and two were still as lovable. And the developing romance was delightfuland I’ve read enough romance novels to know what I’m talking about. And – just as importantly – the non-romantic relationships were also amazing. For many of characters friendship was an important motivator…and if they aren’t saving each other they make sarcastic comments at each other which are the best kind of friendships.
But even if it wasn’t for *gestures broadly et everything in the real world* it is great to have a book that finds such a great balance. It builds a realistic world; there are selfish and evil people, poverty, sickness, corruption but it’s not so dark and gritty that you wonder why anyone bothers trying to save this world at all – because there are also good and selfless people, there’s beauty (and people who perhaps aren’t totally good and selfless but who still have a sense of right and wrong). But, as already said, the heroes “winning” doesn’t solve everything. There are still bad guys…but good ones as well. Of course, that’s not a completely unique approach, but I do find that (fantasy) books often still tend either in the dark and gritty or in the fairy-tale ending direction. The Risen Kingdoms books just found the perfect balance for me.
And of course, all the characters I loved in book one and two were still as lovable. And the developing romance was delightful
August 6, 2021
Unfortunately, this was my least favourite book in Craddock's trilogy. My favourite things about the first two books were the political maneuverings and the exploration of science in a world with a continental European Renaissance flavour that also has magic. Both of those things were still in this book, but far less important. Instead, Craddock focused more on treasure hunting and romance, and I don't think the construction was as skillful as the first three books.
I'd still recommend the series without reservation. Craddock does wrap each book up satisfactorily, so if you try the first one, you're not committing to three books. I still love the inventiveness of Craddocks world, and the Three Musketeers meets Jules Verne tagline is pretty accurate.
I'd still recommend the series without reservation. Craddock does wrap each book up satisfactorily, so if you try the first one, you're not committing to three books. I still love the inventiveness of Craddocks world, and the Three Musketeers meets Jules Verne tagline is pretty accurate.
September 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this little known series. (However, the 2nd book was my favorite). A solid world and characters. I very much recommend.
December 12, 2020
Book 1: 4*
Book 2: 4*
Book 2: 3*
A lot really weak series enders lately. I expected this to be much more epic of an ending but it just fizzled out.
Book 2: 4*
Book 2: 3*
A lot really weak series enders lately. I expected this to be much more epic of an ending but it just fizzled out.
December 5, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC of book 3, The Last Uncharted Sky, even though it came out back in August so this advanced review isn’t all that advanced. Mea culpa. This is going to be a review of the trilogy more than just the last book, but I’ll say a bit about the last book for those who have read the first two (An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors and A Labyrinth of Sorcerers and Scions, respectively). There will be no spoilers.
So with this book Curtis Craddock wraps up the Risen Kingdoms trilogy, and I’m happy to say the whole thing is great fun. For those who have never read any of it, this has almost a steampunk Alexandre Dumas vibe. The principal characters are Isabelle, a princess of l’Empire Celeste, and Jean-Claude, a king’s musketeer sent to be Isabelle’s bodyguard from the moment of her birth. Because Isabelle’s biological father is an asshole, Jean-Claude is Isabelle’s father in every way that matters.
l’Empire Celeste is one of several kingdoms in this world, and is fairly obviously France. (Other kingdoms are stand-ins for other late middle ages/early Renaissance powers like Spain, England, the Italian city-states, the Ottomans, etc.) The world itself seems to be mostly gas; the continents drift about on the ether, and they use airships to get from place to place. Each kingdom is ruled by nobles with their own particular flavor of sorcery. In France l’Empire Celeste is ruled by Bloodshadows, who can use their shadows as deadly weapons. Other kingdoms it’s different. The Spanish Aragothan nobility can travel between mirrors; the Italians Fenice can share ancestral memories, etc. They’re all engaged in the kind of cloak-and-dagger intrigues you would expect in a kingdom where the king is based off of Louis XIV.
Isabelle and Jean-Claude are both great characters. Isabelle was born to a noble family, but without any sorcery of her own she’s kind of an outcast. She’s also got a birth defect, an improperly formed arm, and between those and her father’s lovely personality she’s been kept on the family’s remote estate for her entire life. Because l’Empire has rather strict gender roles, Isabelle is unable to pursue her love of scholarship and mathematics in particular, but she gets around this by adopting a male nom de plume and publishing her work that way.
Jean-Claude is, by the time Isabelle is grown up and the story proper begins, is an old soldier. Still quite capable, but not as young as he used to be, but he makes up for that by being a canny old fox. He is absolutely devoted to Isabelle.
The other character that deserves to be mentioned is Marie. Marie is Isabelle’s friend and companion, until one day, Isabelle’s father decides to punish Isabelle by using his sorcery to drain away Marie’s soul, leaving her as a mindless automaton that Isabelle’s father can use as an avatar of himself. Usually these Bloodhollows (as they are known) don’t last very long, as they don’t possess survival instincts and nobles can always make new ones, but Isabelle devotes herself to taking care of her friend’s empty body in the hope that one day she might be able to restore her. This says a lot about Isabelle as a character.
The next three books are full of delightful intrigue and swashbuckling adventure of the very best kind. They are an utter delight, and (I suspect) would be even better read in one go than spread out like I read them. And the ending of the trilogy (I said I’d say something for those who have read books 1 and 2) left me with a big grin of pure happiness.
There’s lots of room for further adventures in this world, and I would love to read them. Or whatever other product Curtis Craddock has going. This was as fun a read as any I’ve ever had, and a worthy spiritual successor to the adventures of Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d’Artagnan.
So with this book Curtis Craddock wraps up the Risen Kingdoms trilogy, and I’m happy to say the whole thing is great fun. For those who have never read any of it, this has almost a steampunk Alexandre Dumas vibe. The principal characters are Isabelle, a princess of l’Empire Celeste, and Jean-Claude, a king’s musketeer sent to be Isabelle’s bodyguard from the moment of her birth. Because Isabelle’s biological father is an asshole, Jean-Claude is Isabelle’s father in every way that matters.
l’Empire Celeste is one of several kingdoms in this world, and is fairly obviously France. (Other kingdoms are stand-ins for other late middle ages/early Renaissance powers like Spain, England, the Italian city-states, the Ottomans, etc.) The world itself seems to be mostly gas; the continents drift about on the ether, and they use airships to get from place to place. Each kingdom is ruled by nobles with their own particular flavor of sorcery. In France l’Empire Celeste is ruled by Bloodshadows, who can use their shadows as deadly weapons. Other kingdoms it’s different. The Spanish Aragothan nobility can travel between mirrors; the Italians Fenice can share ancestral memories, etc. They’re all engaged in the kind of cloak-and-dagger intrigues you would expect in a kingdom where the king is based off of Louis XIV.
Isabelle and Jean-Claude are both great characters. Isabelle was born to a noble family, but without any sorcery of her own she’s kind of an outcast. She’s also got a birth defect, an improperly formed arm, and between those and her father’s lovely personality she’s been kept on the family’s remote estate for her entire life. Because l’Empire has rather strict gender roles, Isabelle is unable to pursue her love of scholarship and mathematics in particular, but she gets around this by adopting a male nom de plume and publishing her work that way.
Jean-Claude is, by the time Isabelle is grown up and the story proper begins, is an old soldier. Still quite capable, but not as young as he used to be, but he makes up for that by being a canny old fox. He is absolutely devoted to Isabelle.
The other character that deserves to be mentioned is Marie. Marie is Isabelle’s friend and companion, until one day, Isabelle’s father decides to punish Isabelle by using his sorcery to drain away Marie’s soul, leaving her as a mindless automaton that Isabelle’s father can use as an avatar of himself. Usually these Bloodhollows (as they are known) don’t last very long, as they don’t possess survival instincts and nobles can always make new ones, but Isabelle devotes herself to taking care of her friend’s empty body in the hope that one day she might be able to restore her. This says a lot about Isabelle as a character.
The next three books are full of delightful intrigue and swashbuckling adventure of the very best kind. They are an utter delight, and (I suspect) would be even better read in one go than spread out like I read them. And the ending of the trilogy (I said I’d say something for those who have read books 1 and 2) left me with a big grin of pure happiness.
There’s lots of room for further adventures in this world, and I would love to read them. Or whatever other product Curtis Craddock has going. This was as fun a read as any I’ve ever had, and a worthy spiritual successor to the adventures of Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d’Artagnan.
November 11, 2020
Hovers between a 4 and a 5 -- An excellent book, and Craddock is simply Good at a certain kind of swashbuckling intrigue/thriller, though there were a couple of eyebrow-raising plot choices. But overall, absolute blast to read.
November 8, 2022
i love everything about this series but especially the characters 🥰😭
September 4, 2022
Well, don't mind me screaming from the rooftops about this series until the end of my days, because I adore it and seriously need more people to read this... IT'S SO GOOD!!
This final instalment is another extremely entertaining, gripping and complex adventure, but this time... we're going up into the sky!
While I have to admit that it was probably my least favourite book in the series (completely because of personal preferences), I am still extremely satisfied with this conclusion and the overall series is now one of my all-time favourites.
There's more cool steampunk worldbuilding, a whole heck of a lot of airships, some of the coolest magic ever, political/court intrigue, complex schemes, endearing and SUCH clever characters, slow-burn romance and ALL the found family vibes.
If you love fantasy, but are in the mood for something a little more unique, then please pick this series up. It's one of the most enjoyable, clever, complex, intriguing and fun series I have ever read. What an absolute delight <3
This final instalment is another extremely entertaining, gripping and complex adventure, but this time... we're going up into the sky!
While I have to admit that it was probably my least favourite book in the series (completely because of personal preferences), I am still extremely satisfied with this conclusion and the overall series is now one of my all-time favourites.
There's more cool steampunk worldbuilding, a whole heck of a lot of airships, some of the coolest magic ever, political/court intrigue, complex schemes, endearing and SUCH clever characters, slow-burn romance and ALL the found family vibes.
If you love fantasy, but are in the mood for something a little more unique, then please pick this series up. It's one of the most enjoyable, clever, complex, intriguing and fun series I have ever read. What an absolute delight <3
February 3, 2022
So, the stakes and drama continue, but by book three we’ve misplaced the witty writing, humor, and delicious Spanish-French courtly setting of the first book. It was replaced with uglier swears, generic airships, more creepy tortures, and an intensified evil-corrupt-insane-church plot. It was not a fabulous trade. There was a point about a third of the way in where I very nearly walked away.
After that, we had some improvement, as our princess set about redeeming and converting the bonkers voices in her head (it’s a long story) and repairing cracked relationships with the people around her. The ensemble cast did brave and hard and adventurous things. People made and kept allies. There was a certain amount of saving the world. Would I have liked book three better if I hadn’t enjoyed book one so much? Hard to say.
After that, we had some improvement, as our princess set about redeeming and converting the bonkers voices in her head (it’s a long story) and repairing cracked relationships with the people around her. The ensemble cast did brave and hard and adventurous things. People made and kept allies. There was a certain amount of saving the world. Would I have liked book three better if I hadn’t enjoyed book one so much? Hard to say.
November 10, 2020
Loved this series. First of all I'll say that it has what certain "fantasy" series do not: a system of magic that does not solve everybody's problems. That's big for me. And it's female characters exhibit strength without having been sexually violated, which is not something I'd initially considered but I know is a turnoff for some people about other books. You'll need to take your time with this series: you're not going to get a complete rehash of what each character's deal is every time you meet them again. As such it may seem short for fantasy, but it's all quality with no filler. All three books are great, but this final one is nonstop. You'll tear through it.
December 18, 2020
Fabulous finish to a trilogy of adventure, magic, and mad science where a musketeer's plumed hat provides the perfect clue. Fans of Isabelle, Jean-Claude, and their extended adopted family can go aloft on this final quest without any regrets. Well, maybe just one. Craddock ties off his story so satisfying well that we must, for now, bid adieu to his charming characters.
April 4, 2024
Excellent finish to a very good series.
May 31, 2024
Sadly, I can see why this series overall didn't make much of a splash on the fantasy scene these last few years, despite the glowing recommendations in the blurbs from the likes of Brandon Sanderson. As interesting as this series always has been, and as unique, it's a classic example of diminishing returns - even this book, with its biggest plot shake ups yet, just falls kinda flat. Honestly, having gone through the whole trilogy, I really think it would've worked a hell of a lot better with Isabelle as the sole protagonist. Jean-Claude, unfortunately, manages to be quite boring in comparison, probably because he just doesn't have such a strong conflict in universe the way Isabelle always does. But it's worth it to get to the end of this one because of how well woven the in universe religious aspects get, especially in the last few pages. To this series, I now declare ave atque vale.
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