What do you think?
Rate this book
After the Tereskan massacre and the death of her son, Faela Durante thought she had nothing left to lose. Then she nearly died at her husband’s hands because of her need for vengeance. She survived, but at what cost? Battered and bruised, Faela, along with Kade Hawthorn and Jair Rafferty, must now do the impossible. They must resurrect light magic, destroyed millennia ago in the Shattering, while the consequences of Faela’s mistake ripple across the world. Will they learn to work together in time? Or will Faela lose everything she’s gained?
- GenresFantasy
621 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2019
23 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth C. Mock
6 books247 followersElizabeth C. Mock and her spouse live in Cincinnati, Ohio where they watch too many international shows and plot their next culinary adventure. She is currently a graduate student and continues writing The Children of Man series and other projects. Elizabeth is a speculative fiction author repped by Barry Goldblatt Literary. FORGE is out now! RESOLVE coming 2023!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 8, 2019
I wrote it, so I'm a little biased.
June 9, 2020
Though it moved at a slow pace this volume answered many questions and tied up a lot of loose ends. There are at least two really nice surprises that happen to Faela and that’s about as much as I can say without giving anything away. If you are new to this series do not try to read them as standalone books and they do need to be read in order.
August 13, 2019
Wow
Elizabeth hit a home run with this. I'm happy she decided to break this last book into two separate parts. All of the detail and plot lines coming to fruition have made this an excellent adventure.
I loved the first two books, but Forged stands above them. I'll write a more in depth review when I can get to a computer, but this book is definitely worth the wait to read. I cannot wait for the 4th and final entry to the story.
Elizabeth hit a home run with this. I'm happy she decided to break this last book into two separate parts. All of the detail and plot lines coming to fruition have made this an excellent adventure.
I loved the first two books, but Forged stands above them. I'll write a more in depth review when I can get to a computer, but this book is definitely worth the wait to read. I cannot wait for the 4th and final entry to the story.
November 26, 2019
I'm so thrilled to be back in this world again and seeing what has become of the various characters that I grew so invested in from books 1 & 2. And boy does Elizabeth Mock just jump right in full steam ahead, no filler or random bits, and barely enough exposition to remind us all what had happened in the previous book.
I don't mind that at all, but I do wish that it had been organized differently. Chopping up the stories and piecing them together into each chapter meant that it was hard to ease into any character's story before being yanked away and thrust into someone else's story. I would have preferred that each chapter stay with a character or arc and then switch between chapters. I think it would have let some of the intense emotional moments (of which there were so many!) breathe a bit more, and also let Mock's detailed descriptions feel less rushed and densely-packed. I loved the fascinating details and flourishes, I just wish I'd had time to "look around" a bit more before being whisked off to check in with someone else. Mock's very natural use of various names and nicknames for characters is very realistic but meant that it was hard sometimes to realize who's story I was reading about for a while.
I am glad that Eve finally had her eyes opened, and that Faela and Kade finally declared their feelings for each other and managed to get together. I also like that Faela's finally had a chance to process some of the terrible things that have happened to her.
I wish that Jair got to do a bit more than be a giant solar panel for Faela and Kade, but hopefully he'll have more of his story now that Faela isn't such an open wound anymore.
Looking forward to the next one!
I don't mind that at all, but I do wish that it had been organized differently. Chopping up the stories and piecing them together into each chapter meant that it was hard to ease into any character's story before being yanked away and thrust into someone else's story. I would have preferred that each chapter stay with a character or arc and then switch between chapters. I think it would have let some of the intense emotional moments (of which there were so many!) breathe a bit more, and also let Mock's detailed descriptions feel less rushed and densely-packed. I loved the fascinating details and flourishes, I just wish I'd had time to "look around" a bit more before being whisked off to check in with someone else. Mock's very natural use of various names and nicknames for characters is very realistic but meant that it was hard sometimes to realize who's story I was reading about for a while.
I am glad that Eve finally had her eyes opened, and that Faela and Kade finally declared their feelings for each other and managed to get together. I also like that Faela's finally had a chance to process some of the terrible things that have happened to her.
I wish that Jair got to do a bit more than be a giant solar panel for Faela and Kade, but hopefully he'll have more of his story now that Faela isn't such an open wound anymore.
Looking forward to the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2019
Worth the wait. I've never been so in love with a series in my life, and I read a lot.
I adore this book. The characters are dearer to me than fictional people should be, but I can't help it. I was so happy to see them again. Not that I hadn't been rereading Shatter and Render nonstop for the past few years.
I will always be rereading the works of Elizabeth C. Mock, but Forge is extra special to me because it's extra brilliant. It has every element of a storyteller's magic. Poetry. Clarity. Chemistry. Outstandingly adorable characters to fall in love with. Details descriptions of fabulous outfits (very important to me). Wit. Humour. Deviously delightful plot twists.
And yes, I've already read it twice. Because the first time I read it I was freaking out over how much I loved this damn series too much to absorb how brilliantly Elizabeth writes.
And I'm going to read it roughly ten thousand more times before I get over and/or die.
P.S. can I just live in Indolbergan? It's so much fabulouser there.
I adore this book. The characters are dearer to me than fictional people should be, but I can't help it. I was so happy to see them again. Not that I hadn't been rereading Shatter and Render nonstop for the past few years.
I will always be rereading the works of Elizabeth C. Mock, but Forge is extra special to me because it's extra brilliant. It has every element of a storyteller's magic. Poetry. Clarity. Chemistry. Outstandingly adorable characters to fall in love with. Details descriptions of fabulous outfits (very important to me). Wit. Humour. Deviously delightful plot twists.
And yes, I've already read it twice. Because the first time I read it I was freaking out over how much I loved this damn series too much to absorb how brilliantly Elizabeth writes.
And I'm going to read it roughly ten thousand more times before I get over and/or die.
P.S. can I just live in Indolbergan? It's so much fabulouser there.
June 3, 2020
The first book I ever read on my Kindle was Shatter (book one) and I've been anxiously awaiting book 3 for years. I re-read the other two books a year ago, but still had a little trouble getting back into this book. Once I did, the wait was worth it. Very well written and the story moved along nicely.
I knew Sammi wasn't dead, and can't believe that Faela hasn't found out yet - I can't wait to see how this plays out in the next book. Faela, Kade and Jair make tremendous strides in understanding their role in ending all the madness in their world, including how to use light magic again. They gain allies which was nice, and I was so glad to see Eve finally saw things clearly.
I knew Sammi wasn't dead, and can't believe that Faela hasn't found out yet - I can't wait to see how this plays out in the next book. Faela, Kade and Jair make tremendous strides in understanding their role in ending all the madness in their world, including how to use light magic again. They gain allies which was nice, and I was so glad to see Eve finally saw things clearly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2023
Children of Man 3
This was very good. This author knows how to tell a story.
I recommend reading this series but, wait until book 4 comes out. There was a 7 year gap between the second book and this one.
Resolve, the final book, was supposed to be out in 2020 (according to the blurb in this book). According to the author's blog it was supposed to be out in 2023 and it's not out yet.
This was very good. This author knows how to tell a story.
I recommend reading this series but, wait until book 4 comes out. There was a 7 year gap between the second book and this one.
Resolve, the final book, was supposed to be out in 2020 (according to the blurb in this book). According to the author's blog it was supposed to be out in 2023 and it's not out yet.
August 17, 2019
Absolutely worth the wait. There are so many subtle and realistic human emotions the reader can relate to. The story is unique and thought provoking while still creating a connection between the reader and the characters. I couldn’t put it down and read it all in two days! I definitely plan on another reread before the final book!
August 21, 2019
Another Excellent Book in the Series
I was wrapped up in the world that Elizabeth Mock created that it took me a second to realize why the page I was on said "Acknowledgements".
Her character and location development is superb. It's easy to fall in love with the world shes creating on each page. I can't wait for the conclusion of this series.
I was wrapped up in the world that Elizabeth Mock created that it took me a second to realize why the page I was on said "Acknowledgements".
Her character and location development is superb. It's easy to fall in love with the world shes creating on each page. I can't wait for the conclusion of this series.
August 13, 2019
There is *a lot* of story in here! You never get bogged down in plot because the drawing of the characters is so sensitive and thoughtful. Very excited for the finale!
August 15, 2019
Great continuation of the story (worth the wait), building depth to the characters and developing their storylines and the overall plot.
Really looking forward to the Conclusion now.
Really looking forward to the Conclusion now.
August 22, 2019
What a wonderful talent
I have been waiting so long for this one and was not disappointed! Now I can wait again for the next one!
I have been waiting so long for this one and was not disappointed! Now I can wait again for the next one!
August 31, 2019
Love this
Well worth the slightly longer than anticipated wait. I love the adventures of all the characters and can't wait for book 4!
Well worth the slightly longer than anticipated wait. I love the adventures of all the characters and can't wait for book 4!
September 11, 2019
Worth the wait!
I have waited a long time for this book!! I’m so glad it’s finally here and I got to read it. I can’t wait for book four!
I have waited a long time for this book!! I’m so glad it’s finally here and I got to read it. I can’t wait for book four!
September 14, 2019
I just love this story. The world, the characters, the magic... all worth the wait. Look forward to cozying up with resolve this winter! 🤞📖
September 1, 2019
Fabulous World Building
I strongly recommend the Children of Man books to any one who seeks solid characters, conflicts, trials, triumphs, struggles in a world with rules different to our own. Ms. Mock's descriptions of color and light and magic, her world of pain and love, of people struggling for right, is amazing. I cannot praise the series enough. read it; you won't regret it.
I strongly recommend the Children of Man books to any one who seeks solid characters, conflicts, trials, triumphs, struggles in a world with rules different to our own. Ms. Mock's descriptions of color and light and magic, her world of pain and love, of people struggling for right, is amazing. I cannot praise the series enough. read it; you won't regret it.
June 9, 2025
When I read the first and then the second book in this series years ago, I waited anxiously for the third and am excited to say it met all my expectations and was well worth the wait! The characters and the world they live in are beautifully written and dynamic. I've enjoyed watching the characters evolve and come to personal realizations, especially in this last book. Faela, Jair, and Kade are wonderfully complementary, yet stand distinct as their connection to one another becomes stronger. In this book it's interesting how their relationships have developed. If I had any complaint, which I really don't, it would be that I would love to see more Jair. He's such a great character who has such potential. I'm looking forward to the fourth in the series and recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy and fiction!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews