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The Ring-Sworn Trilogy #3
When the Goddess Wakes
In When the Goddess Wakes, the final book of the Ring-Sworn trilogy, Howard Andrew Jones returns to the five realms of the Dendressi to conclude his heroic, adventure-filled epic fantasy trilogy.
The Naor hordes have been driven from the walls, but the Dendressi forces are scattered and fragmented, and their gravest threat lies before them. For their queen has slain the ruling council and fled with the magical artifacts known as the hearthstones, and she is only a few days from turning them to her mad ends.
The Altenerai corps has suffered grievous casualties, and Elenai's hearthstone and her source of sorcerous power has been shattered. She and her friends have no choice but to join with the most unlikely of allies.
Their goal: to find the queen's hiding place and somehow stop her before she wakes the goddess who will destroy them all...
Praised for his ability to write modern epic fantasy that engrosses and entertains, Howard Andrews Jones delivers a finale to his trilogy that reveals the dark secrets and resolves the mysteries and conflicts introduced in the first two books of this series.
The Naor hordes have been driven from the walls, but the Dendressi forces are scattered and fragmented, and their gravest threat lies before them. For their queen has slain the ruling council and fled with the magical artifacts known as the hearthstones, and she is only a few days from turning them to her mad ends.
The Altenerai corps has suffered grievous casualties, and Elenai's hearthstone and her source of sorcerous power has been shattered. She and her friends have no choice but to join with the most unlikely of allies.
Their goal: to find the queen's hiding place and somehow stop her before she wakes the goddess who will destroy them all...
Praised for his ability to write modern epic fantasy that engrosses and entertains, Howard Andrews Jones delivers a finale to his trilogy that reveals the dark secrets and resolves the mysteries and conflicts introduced in the first two books of this series.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 13, 2021
About the author
Howard Andrew Jones
69 books374 followersHoward Andrew Jones was an American speculative fiction and fantasy author and editor, known for The Chronicles of Hanuvar series, The Chronicles of Sword and Sand series and The Ring-Sworn trilogy. He had also written Pathfinder Tales, tie-in fiction novels in the world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, published by Paizo. He was the editor of Tales from the Magician's Skull and had served as a Managing Editor at Black Gate since 2004. He assembled and edited a series of eight volumes of the short fiction of Harold Lamb for publication by Bison Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 18, 2025
An enthralling finale to one of the best fantasy trilogies l've read. Wrapping up all of the hanging chads.
August 13, 2021
This final book in this trilogy keeps things moving along well, with the heroes trying desperately to find a way to stop the wakened goddess from destroying everything. Nothing they throw at her seems to work, and it's rumours, as told by a compatriot with dubious motives, of long lost weapons that could work that sends Elenai and Kyrkenall off together into the Wastes to locate them. They snipe at each other companionably, each respectful and confident in the other's abilities, and frustrated by the mounting problems.
Varama and Vannek have to work together, separated from everyone else, and that goes about as well as expected -- one brilliant and poor at social skills, the other quick to anger and poor at social skills.
Rylin is doing everything he can to rebuild damaged relationships while scoping out possible ways to counteract the compatriot's defences and powers.
N'lahr proves he's really great at planning and at being devious.
This trilogy has been a blast. There has been great action, characters I could care about, and an interesting world with some really amazing beings and creatures.
I liked the evolution of two of the characters in particular over the series: Elenai and Rylin. I found it interesting to contemplate how far Elenai has come from that eager, young squire at the beginning of book one. Her dedication and integrity remained unchanged over the trilogy, but it's the way she grew in confidence in her dealings with the other characters and the decisions she was able to make in the increasingly terrible situations facing everyone that impressed me. Meanwhile, Rylin matured enormously from his first appearance early in book one, and I liked how considerate and adult he was in his interactions with the others.
One of the standout supporting characters was Ortok -- unintentionally hilarious at times, and deeply insightful and caring for a terrifying guy great with an axe.
I will say that I was a both a little disappointed and happy with the resolution to the goddess threat. After all the setup to the huge showdown, I felt like the wrap-up to the order-chaos debate was a little too quick, and I felt like I had missed something. But that's a minor complaint.
I enjoyed this book and its closing epilogue a lot.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for a review.
Varama and Vannek have to work together, separated from everyone else, and that goes about as well as expected -- one brilliant and poor at social skills, the other quick to anger and poor at social skills.
Rylin is doing everything he can to rebuild damaged relationships while scoping out possible ways to counteract the compatriot's defences and powers.
N'lahr proves he's really great at planning and at being devious.
This trilogy has been a blast. There has been great action, characters I could care about, and an interesting world with some really amazing beings and creatures.
I liked the evolution of two of the characters in particular over the series: Elenai and Rylin. I found it interesting to contemplate how far Elenai has come from that eager, young squire at the beginning of book one. Her dedication and integrity remained unchanged over the trilogy, but it's the way she grew in confidence in her dealings with the other characters and the decisions she was able to make in the increasingly terrible situations facing everyone that impressed me. Meanwhile, Rylin matured enormously from his first appearance early in book one, and I liked how considerate and adult he was in his interactions with the others.
One of the standout supporting characters was Ortok -- unintentionally hilarious at times, and deeply insightful and caring for a terrifying guy great with an axe.
I will say that I was a both a little disappointed and happy with the resolution to the goddess threat. After all the setup to the huge showdown, I felt like the wrap-up to the order-chaos debate was a little too quick, and I felt like I had missed something. But that's a minor complaint.
I enjoyed this book and its closing epilogue a lot.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for a review.
September 12, 2021
When the Goddess Wakes (The Ring-Sworn Trilogy, #3) opens hours after Upon the Flight of the Queen ends, with our heroes having driven the mad Leonara off, defeated (and claimed the allegiance of) the Naor invaders and saved Darassus, but realizing none of that matters if the queen successfully awakens her sleeping Goddess…a being of Order and Structure who will perfect their world -- but not as Leonara thinks. This leads us to a plot device that anyone who’s ever read a Lovecraft story and/or played a roleplaying game should know well: contrive a spur of the moment plan to stop a cult from succeeding in its nefarious plan.
Fortunately, our heroes number among them N’lahr, the greatest tactician of their age.
Unfortunately for them, them, the novel is called WHEN the Goddess Wakes, not SHOULD or IF, and wake, She does, and that is only the start of the novel, and our heroes’ problems…
A lot happens in a short time and considering the size of the cast Jones has created, it is impressive how well he resolves their various storylines. The fate of Kalandra – a driving force through the trilogy, despite having only appeared briefly as magical “memory” in volume two – is at last revealed, and in a series already full of strong female characters, Jones is tasked with having to make her distinct and interesting, with far fewer pages. He establishes this in a “flashback” prologue – a device I am often not fond of, but here the prologue arguably serves as mirrored reference to the story’s denouement in the same way that epilogue harkens back the prologue that began volume one. None of this is padding and when one remembers that a third volume in a trilogy is both a novel in its own right and the final act of a larger tale, the choices he makes here hit just the right note.
As the scope of the threat becomes clear to the heroes, they are forced to make alliance with Cerai, who has prepared for the goddess’s waking but for purposes dark and terrible of her own. The story hits a frenetic pace in which enemies are without and within, but ironically the existential threat of the Goddess Herself bares no one enmity…but also not a whit of compassion. She is a transcendent force that reminds us of how many ancient cultures viewed the gods – they cannot be bargained with, only propitiated. Sadly, in this case the Goddess has no interest in being propitiated either, and thus the novel’s final arc begins.
Jones undeniably sticks the landing. There is love and loss – a lot of loss – the latter not necessarily whom I was expecting, and a number of the deaths are handled with a sudden, brutal finality. The story is resolved, decisively, and the epilogue – not as long and thorough as the multiple endings of Return of the King, but serves a similar purpose – to show us those who survived finding a place in the world they helped bring about.
My complaints overall are small: a few minor villains are introduced, but there just isn’t enough space to really develop them or their plots – indeed most are resolved offstage. There is a … wrinkle … with N’lahr that appears to have caught the great general with his pants down, only to show it was yet another contingency for which he had prepared, but I didn’t quite follow how that had been set in motion, nor exactly the significance that his ability to communicate with Varama via a hearthstone was meant to play – or not play – in all of that. These little omissions or vagaries are a product of the novel’s relatively short size (314 pp) and quick pacing, but they are also quibbles – the major characters all receive their due as do the core plots. Perhaps a few things might have been explored more with an additional 20 pages, but let me put it this way – it is a welcome change to finish an epic story wishing for more than wondering why some editor didn’t slice away a third of the novel.
The fast-pacing of sword & sorcery, the sweep of heroic fantasy and the concision and tight writing that does not require a book that can also work as an anvil informs The Ring-Sworn Trilogy, which, in its it’s approximately 1000 page totality that would run at least twice that in the hands of a number of popular BFF writers today, yet leaves the readers with just as many scenes beautiful and terrible, inspiring and haunting. More importantly, despite its quick pace, the trilogy provides a memorable cast of characters and rogues whose company I will deeply miss.
At its heart, the Ring-Sworn Trilogy is a swashbuckler that is attempting to unite the crisp and breathy elements of old-school adventure and sword & sorcery literature with the wondrous world-building and epic scope of high fantasy, all through a lens of modern sensibility. Refreshingly, he does this while writing a positive tale, rather than yet another “grimdark” assertion that all is darkness. Instead, this trilogy hearkens back to the words of a favorite philosopher, Sam Gamgee: “there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.” Coming after the disaster of 2020, a bleak UN climate report, and while a pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our world, that is a very timely message, indeed.
Howard Andrew Jones has succeeded in leaving me with a collection of characters I genuinely liked, eagerly enjoyed visiting and will now miss. But they have earned their rest. Hail Altenerai!
Fortunately, our heroes number among them N’lahr, the greatest tactician of their age.
Unfortunately for them, them, the novel is called WHEN the Goddess Wakes, not SHOULD or IF, and wake, She does, and that is only the start of the novel, and our heroes’ problems…
A lot happens in a short time and considering the size of the cast Jones has created, it is impressive how well he resolves their various storylines. The fate of Kalandra – a driving force through the trilogy, despite having only appeared briefly as magical “memory” in volume two – is at last revealed, and in a series already full of strong female characters, Jones is tasked with having to make her distinct and interesting, with far fewer pages. He establishes this in a “flashback” prologue – a device I am often not fond of, but here the prologue arguably serves as mirrored reference to the story’s denouement in the same way that epilogue harkens back the prologue that began volume one. None of this is padding and when one remembers that a third volume in a trilogy is both a novel in its own right and the final act of a larger tale, the choices he makes here hit just the right note.
As the scope of the threat becomes clear to the heroes, they are forced to make alliance with Cerai, who has prepared for the goddess’s waking but for purposes dark and terrible of her own. The story hits a frenetic pace in which enemies are without and within, but ironically the existential threat of the Goddess Herself bares no one enmity…but also not a whit of compassion. She is a transcendent force that reminds us of how many ancient cultures viewed the gods – they cannot be bargained with, only propitiated. Sadly, in this case the Goddess has no interest in being propitiated either, and thus the novel’s final arc begins.
Jones undeniably sticks the landing. There is love and loss – a lot of loss – the latter not necessarily whom I was expecting, and a number of the deaths are handled with a sudden, brutal finality. The story is resolved, decisively, and the epilogue – not as long and thorough as the multiple endings of Return of the King, but serves a similar purpose – to show us those who survived finding a place in the world they helped bring about.
My complaints overall are small: a few minor villains are introduced, but there just isn’t enough space to really develop them or their plots – indeed most are resolved offstage. There is a … wrinkle … with N’lahr that appears to have caught the great general with his pants down, only to show it was yet another contingency for which he had prepared, but I didn’t quite follow how that had been set in motion, nor exactly the significance that his ability to communicate with Varama via a hearthstone was meant to play – or not play – in all of that. These little omissions or vagaries are a product of the novel’s relatively short size (314 pp) and quick pacing, but they are also quibbles – the major characters all receive their due as do the core plots. Perhaps a few things might have been explored more with an additional 20 pages, but let me put it this way – it is a welcome change to finish an epic story wishing for more than wondering why some editor didn’t slice away a third of the novel.
The fast-pacing of sword & sorcery, the sweep of heroic fantasy and the concision and tight writing that does not require a book that can also work as an anvil informs The Ring-Sworn Trilogy, which, in its it’s approximately 1000 page totality that would run at least twice that in the hands of a number of popular BFF writers today, yet leaves the readers with just as many scenes beautiful and terrible, inspiring and haunting. More importantly, despite its quick pace, the trilogy provides a memorable cast of characters and rogues whose company I will deeply miss.
At its heart, the Ring-Sworn Trilogy is a swashbuckler that is attempting to unite the crisp and breathy elements of old-school adventure and sword & sorcery literature with the wondrous world-building and epic scope of high fantasy, all through a lens of modern sensibility. Refreshingly, he does this while writing a positive tale, rather than yet another “grimdark” assertion that all is darkness. Instead, this trilogy hearkens back to the words of a favorite philosopher, Sam Gamgee: “there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.” Coming after the disaster of 2020, a bleak UN climate report, and while a pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our world, that is a very timely message, indeed.
Howard Andrew Jones has succeeded in leaving me with a collection of characters I genuinely liked, eagerly enjoyed visiting and will now miss. But they have earned their rest. Hail Altenerai!
October 3, 2021
Summary:
The third and final book of “The Ring-Sworn” trilogy.
Positives:
+ Those freaking collaborations. I enjoy when different cultures/species can have a meeting of the minds and come up with ideas and understandings together. When they can understand failings on both their parts, and accept and understand the hurt they have imparted on each other. Can I say this so hopeful? I like that hope. I like thinking that with a lot of work, past wrongs can be remembered and be slowly mended. I like that the series ended with hope.
+ I really enjoyed the epilogue at the very end, letting us know what the characters got up to after a fair bit of time had passed. While the story was already wrapped up nicely it was comforting to have some peace of mind about the fate of the remaining characters. Really having a hard time here not shouting out to my favorites… read the book so we can discuss it >.>;
Negatives:
- I found the prologue very confusing, I tried reading it again after i had finished the book but for some reason it just doesn't really make too much sense to me. More than likely, I'm completely misremembering how the events at the end of the second book took place and it's tarnishing my understanding.
Final Thoughts:
*Wails* my favorite character. Ok, now that I got that out of the way… this is the final book in a (highly) under-read fantasy series that I wish a lot more people would get their paws on. I liked the ending. I liked that lots of the things I was worried about tied up nicely and were wrapped up with a bow (that epilogue). I enjoyed seeing all the less ‘main’ characters in the series that I really liked had their arcs finish in the end as well. It's always comforting to know that not just the main characters are settled for the end. This book absolutely punched me in the feels but i don’t think it was done for dramatic flair; the feel-pummeling was very much story progressing. Since i can’t say that i am now anxiously awaiting the next installment and will absolutely be preordering it (it's donnneeee. nooooooo), i CAN say i will be throwing this series in every suggestion to all my mates and to complete random book platforms.
The third and final book of “The Ring-Sworn” trilogy.
Positives:
+ Those freaking collaborations. I enjoy when different cultures/species can have a meeting of the minds and come up with ideas and understandings together. When they can understand failings on both their parts, and accept and understand the hurt they have imparted on each other. Can I say this so hopeful? I like that hope. I like thinking that with a lot of work, past wrongs can be remembered and be slowly mended. I like that the series ended with hope.
+ I really enjoyed the epilogue at the very end, letting us know what the characters got up to after a fair bit of time had passed. While the story was already wrapped up nicely it was comforting to have some peace of mind about the fate of the remaining characters. Really having a hard time here not shouting out to my favorites… read the book so we can discuss it >.>;
Negatives:
- I found the prologue very confusing, I tried reading it again after i had finished the book but for some reason it just doesn't really make too much sense to me. More than likely, I'm completely misremembering how the events at the end of the second book took place and it's tarnishing my understanding.
Final Thoughts:
*Wails* my favorite character. Ok, now that I got that out of the way… this is the final book in a (highly) under-read fantasy series that I wish a lot more people would get their paws on. I liked the ending. I liked that lots of the things I was worried about tied up nicely and were wrapped up with a bow (that epilogue). I enjoyed seeing all the less ‘main’ characters in the series that I really liked had their arcs finish in the end as well. It's always comforting to know that not just the main characters are settled for the end. This book absolutely punched me in the feels but i don’t think it was done for dramatic flair; the feel-pummeling was very much story progressing. Since i can’t say that i am now anxiously awaiting the next installment and will absolutely be preordering it (it's donnneeee. nooooooo), i CAN say i will be throwing this series in every suggestion to all my mates and to complete random book platforms.
May 27, 2022
This series is not read enough. It is a cut above most of the crap raised upon a pedestal by the trained to want chosen-one, savior with a bow crowd.
You want diversity in your fantasy? You get it here. You want fast-paced action, epic fantasy style? You get that here. You will also get a fantasy epic told with old-school sensibility.
No, the above sentence does not mean lack of diversity (see the first two sentences in the second paragraph); it does mean you get a complete epic in about 1000 pages over three volumes. It is epic fantasy without epic bloat.
Seek this series out. It is worth your time.
You want diversity in your fantasy? You get it here. You want fast-paced action, epic fantasy style? You get that here. You will also get a fantasy epic told with old-school sensibility.
No, the above sentence does not mean lack of diversity (see the first two sentences in the second paragraph); it does mean you get a complete epic in about 1000 pages over three volumes. It is epic fantasy without epic bloat.
Seek this series out. It is worth your time.
November 18, 2024
I wasn’t thrilled with the plot in this story. Some of the magic was cool like the threading, but not the hearthstones. It was weird that they could encapsulate a human being. If it could just hold memories, then that’s fine, but contain a person? That gave me more science fiction vibes.
Our heroes do come through but the great battle wasn’t great.
So much time spent on worldbuilding that the characters were lost here. I wanted more from Ortok but he didn’t have many pages. The endings of a few characters made sense, but I didn’t care for one. I expected big things to happen to one of them but alas not. Overall the events happened too quickly and could’ve had more depth. Each book I liked a little less, but it’s a good series in total.
Our heroes do come through but the great battle wasn’t great.
So much time spent on worldbuilding that the characters were lost here. I wanted more from Ortok but he didn’t have many pages. The endings of a few characters made sense, but I didn’t care for one. I expected big things to happen to one of them but alas not. Overall the events happened too quickly and could’ve had more depth. Each book I liked a little less, but it’s a good series in total.
April 3, 2022
When the Goddess Wakes
by Howard Andrew Jones
Epic Fantasy
Scribd Audio
4 Stars
The final book in The Ring-Sworn Trilogy drops the reader right back into the story. Even though the Naor were defeated, there's still the Queen and her quest to release the Goddess so as to cleanse and remake the realms. But it's not just the Queen who wants power, another one of their own wants to become the Goddess in flesh.
The vivid descriptions and wonderful characters bring the five realms and their battles to life. Three of the many characters will stick with me for a long time. They were created as if the author was them. A rare feat for many authors, but to have three in the same story. WOW.
I highly recommend this series, it is about what it means to be human, to want to live, and what one might have to sacrifice to make it so. There are violent battles, and they are described in vivid detail, so there is blood, guts, and gore galore. But it is the personalities of the characters, and how they live their lives that make their stories truly amazing.
4 Stars
by Howard Andrew Jones
Epic Fantasy
Scribd Audio
4 Stars
The final book in The Ring-Sworn Trilogy drops the reader right back into the story. Even though the Naor were defeated, there's still the Queen and her quest to release the Goddess so as to cleanse and remake the realms. But it's not just the Queen who wants power, another one of their own wants to become the Goddess in flesh.
The vivid descriptions and wonderful characters bring the five realms and their battles to life. Three of the many characters will stick with me for a long time. They were created as if the author was them. A rare feat for many authors, but to have three in the same story. WOW.
I highly recommend this series, it is about what it means to be human, to want to live, and what one might have to sacrifice to make it so. There are violent battles, and they are described in vivid detail, so there is blood, guts, and gore galore. But it is the personalities of the characters, and how they live their lives that make their stories truly amazing.
4 Stars
February 21, 2022
They say if you try to please everyone you end up pleasing no one. However, I think HAJ has done the near impossible with this trilogy. He tried to bridge the gap between contemporary character arc driven epic fantasy and the brevity and simplicity of the sword and sorcery of yesteryear. I think for the most part he succeeded. Though I found each volume a bit uneven, on the whole they were good, and I think a good way to get S&S fans into something more sprawling and character driven, and contemporary readers into exploring the best of yesteryear.
Since this is a conclusion and character arc driven I’ll start there. I think every character’s arc was fulfilling. A lot of why I’m drawn to older fiction is I dislike modern character growth driven story telling because I often find said growth frustrating, or said characters unlikable. Most everyone in this series felt like a genuine person and not an archetype, but still felt fundamentally good and heroic. I found that deeply satisfying. Elenai was great from the start and its wonderful watching her grow from earnest squire to thoughtful leader. Rylin started out obnoxious, but he grew to such a compelling hero I couldn’t help but love him. The moments with him were truly touching. Especially, when Tesra was filled with cynicism and he gave her an earnest speech and apology in response. The other Alternai were likable as well.
I really liked Vannek as a character. I found him deeply compelling. He also served as a nice juxtaposition to the Atenerai. It was interesting watching him grow in this volume, taking the strength of his own culture and melding it with practical wisdom he learned from his adversaries. That being said, I think some of the other characters interactions with him felt a bit “after-school special” and maybe could have done in a less heavy handed way? But it takes tremendous courage attempting a character like this and I think Vannek was well done. I still wish we had seen more of the Naor lands, and that we could have gotten a more well rounded view of them, or maybe a better understanding of their homeland and how that drove their cultural beliefs and motivations.
The writing is brisk as ever. I think HAJ found a balance between his galloping pace, digestible prose, and letting descriptions breathe in volume two. It continues in this one as well. This book is the shortest of the three, but strangely the middle feels too long, and the end too rushed. I’m not sure the pacing entirely worked for me, but I think it twists and turns in so many unexpected ways its hard to complain all that much.
Let’s talk about inspiration. The most notable influence on this series is Amber. Amber I always found more creative than good, and both series end very abruptly. This fortunately does not. Like Amber it throws a lot of red herrings at you, some of which you’ll have wished had been resolved differently, but I think everything comes together fairly well, and better than its main inspiration did.
I did have some issues with the conclusion, because a lot of the truth of the nature of their world conflicts with characters preset beliefs, and they seem barely phased by it. If I have any larger criticism of this book it is that. Pious Elenai barely reacts to some of her beliefs being incorrect, etc. But the ultimate ending I think was deeply romantic and touching on multiple levels, not just with the nature of the world but the bond between the surviving heroes.
I really love how wholesome the Alternai were. It feels like everything in fiction now is cyclical, ironic, snarky, and reductive. HAJ bucks the trends, and in my opinion for the better. These people are so wholesome. I mean the Alternai don’t even want to lie to their enemies they’re so well intent. It’s charming, instead of dunking on chivalric codes, like many contemporary series, HAJ takes those values and applies them in a more inclusive fashion. I really appreciate him not throwing the baby out with the bath water the way cynics often do.
I was introduced to fantasy as a young kid, being read stuff like LOTR by my mother. For me the appeal of the genre was its sense of wonder, heroes to follow in the shadows of, and the escape from the banality of everyday life. This book delivers on that in spades, unlike most novels I’ve seen elevated by genre fans the last couple decades. It’s just very positive and earnest, taking the best of old heroic fantasy and applying it to the contemporary landscape. I hope more authors follow in this pattern because its what I enjoy and so much of what is out there does not speak to me.
I don’t think this series is perfect, but it genuinely made me happy, and I’m glad I read it.
Also, the cover is great. Much of contemporary fantasy cover art feel sterile to me, but this cover was very arresting. I hope this artist’s work gets elevated. It felt like a power metal album cover, and really fits the vibe of book. I dug it a lot.
Since this is a conclusion and character arc driven I’ll start there. I think every character’s arc was fulfilling. A lot of why I’m drawn to older fiction is I dislike modern character growth driven story telling because I often find said growth frustrating, or said characters unlikable. Most everyone in this series felt like a genuine person and not an archetype, but still felt fundamentally good and heroic. I found that deeply satisfying. Elenai was great from the start and its wonderful watching her grow from earnest squire to thoughtful leader. Rylin started out obnoxious, but he grew to such a compelling hero I couldn’t help but love him. The moments with him were truly touching. Especially, when Tesra was filled with cynicism and he gave her an earnest speech and apology in response. The other Alternai were likable as well.
I really liked Vannek as a character. I found him deeply compelling. He also served as a nice juxtaposition to the Atenerai. It was interesting watching him grow in this volume, taking the strength of his own culture and melding it with practical wisdom he learned from his adversaries. That being said, I think some of the other characters interactions with him felt a bit “after-school special” and maybe could have done in a less heavy handed way? But it takes tremendous courage attempting a character like this and I think Vannek was well done. I still wish we had seen more of the Naor lands, and that we could have gotten a more well rounded view of them, or maybe a better understanding of their homeland and how that drove their cultural beliefs and motivations.
The writing is brisk as ever. I think HAJ found a balance between his galloping pace, digestible prose, and letting descriptions breathe in volume two. It continues in this one as well. This book is the shortest of the three, but strangely the middle feels too long, and the end too rushed. I’m not sure the pacing entirely worked for me, but I think it twists and turns in so many unexpected ways its hard to complain all that much.
Let’s talk about inspiration. The most notable influence on this series is Amber. Amber I always found more creative than good, and both series end very abruptly. This fortunately does not. Like Amber it throws a lot of red herrings at you, some of which you’ll have wished had been resolved differently, but I think everything comes together fairly well, and better than its main inspiration did.
I did have some issues with the conclusion, because a lot of the truth of the nature of their world conflicts with characters preset beliefs, and they seem barely phased by it. If I have any larger criticism of this book it is that. Pious Elenai barely reacts to some of her beliefs being incorrect, etc. But the ultimate ending I think was deeply romantic and touching on multiple levels, not just with the nature of the world but the bond between the surviving heroes.
I really love how wholesome the Alternai were. It feels like everything in fiction now is cyclical, ironic, snarky, and reductive. HAJ bucks the trends, and in my opinion for the better. These people are so wholesome. I mean the Alternai don’t even want to lie to their enemies they’re so well intent. It’s charming, instead of dunking on chivalric codes, like many contemporary series, HAJ takes those values and applies them in a more inclusive fashion. I really appreciate him not throwing the baby out with the bath water the way cynics often do.
I was introduced to fantasy as a young kid, being read stuff like LOTR by my mother. For me the appeal of the genre was its sense of wonder, heroes to follow in the shadows of, and the escape from the banality of everyday life. This book delivers on that in spades, unlike most novels I’ve seen elevated by genre fans the last couple decades. It’s just very positive and earnest, taking the best of old heroic fantasy and applying it to the contemporary landscape. I hope more authors follow in this pattern because its what I enjoy and so much of what is out there does not speak to me.
I don’t think this series is perfect, but it genuinely made me happy, and I’m glad I read it.
Also, the cover is great. Much of contemporary fantasy cover art feel sterile to me, but this cover was very arresting. I hope this artist’s work gets elevated. It felt like a power metal album cover, and really fits the vibe of book. I dug it a lot.
August 16, 2021
I was lucky enough to win an early release of this book through Goodreads.
I started this series from an audiobook deal with fairly low expectations, and found myself completely pulled into the story and characters. For fairly short books, especially for the fantasy genre, Howard Andrew Jones masterfully created a world, a magic system, and characters who never stopped growing. The characters were people you cared about, none of them too good or too insecure. The story arc of each book was important and interesting all fitting well into 3 tidy books.
This book specifically really tied things up well. It was hard because you knew you were going to lose favorite characters. However, the ending was fitting. The epilogue was a treat. Characters overcame all odds but not in a way that you'd expect.
It may not be the most complicated book series, with the most complicated characters, and a very intricate magic system, but it'll suck you in. It'll make you think what it means to be a hero, what it means to be in charge, and make you think a lot about character. You'll enjoy the fast pace of the story and find yourself routing for the "good guys". You'll also feel character's resistance to enemies becoming allies, and how deep betrayal hurts.
Is it the best fantasy series I've ever read?! No. But did I enjoy every minute of this series? Yes.
I started this series from an audiobook deal with fairly low expectations, and found myself completely pulled into the story and characters. For fairly short books, especially for the fantasy genre, Howard Andrew Jones masterfully created a world, a magic system, and characters who never stopped growing. The characters were people you cared about, none of them too good or too insecure. The story arc of each book was important and interesting all fitting well into 3 tidy books.
This book specifically really tied things up well. It was hard because you knew you were going to lose favorite characters. However, the ending was fitting. The epilogue was a treat. Characters overcame all odds but not in a way that you'd expect.
It may not be the most complicated book series, with the most complicated characters, and a very intricate magic system, but it'll suck you in. It'll make you think what it means to be a hero, what it means to be in charge, and make you think a lot about character. You'll enjoy the fast pace of the story and find yourself routing for the "good guys". You'll also feel character's resistance to enemies becoming allies, and how deep betrayal hurts.
Is it the best fantasy series I've ever read?! No. But did I enjoy every minute of this series? Yes.
September 16, 2021
Good series
October 16, 2021
This book ends the story of the Altenerei and the Ringsworn series. As a closing book in a series, it ties everything up quite nicely (without giving any spoilers), which I always appreciate at the conclusion of a series. Overall, it was entertaining and engaging but really, just kind of fine and forgettable.
December 17, 2021
Originally published at Reading Reality
“When last we left our heroes…” Seriously. When we last left the heroes of the Ring-Sworn Trilogy at the end of Upon the Flight of the Queen it was in the pause, stock taking and toting up of the butcher’s bill after the end of another epic battle to retake another city of the Realms by the remaining loyal corps of the legendary Altenerai.
In other words, the ending of Upon the Flight of the Queen is not all that different from the ending of the first book in the series, For the Killing of Kings, as it also ends in that same pause at the end of an epic battle after retaking a different city of the Realms.
In other words, if you enjoy really meaty epic fantasy, the place to start this series is with the first book, For the Killing of Kings. Which itself begins a bit in the middle of a story that has already been rotting the Realms from within. But by starting there, you have the opportunity to discover what’s gone wrong and who the real enemies are along with our heroes.
The titles of this series are surprisingly relevant to the story – if just a bit long-winded. For the Killing of Kings is all about the discovery that the legendary sword of the same name is NOT hanging safely on the walls of the Altenerai compound. That a fake has been mounted in its place. It’s the first signal that something is rotten, not in the state of Denmark, but in the state of the Five Realms of which Darassus is the seat of power.
The action in Upon the Flight of the Queen takes place, quite literally, as the result of the flight of Queen Leonara from Darassus to a formerly mythical paradise world where she plans to resurrect a goddess. In fact “THE Goddess” whose awakening is the key event in this final book in the series.
The Queen plans to wake the goddess believing that she has promised them a paradise. Our heroes hope to stop her, because any paradise that’s been built on as many lies as Queen Leonara has been telling is bound to be anything but.
But this has been, from the very beginning, a story of unlikely allies and unexpected betrayals.
The enemy of my enemy may not exactly be my friend, but when my enemy plans to destroy the entire world including both the enemy of my enemy and myself – and every other person, animal, place and thing in that entire world, the enemy of my enemy and I – or in this case the Altenerai, and the Naor, are more or less united in the face of the alternative.
But there is someone waiting in the wings, hoping to take advantage of the chaos that will ensue when the goddess wakes. And there’s a literal God of Chaos, waiting to have a few words with the Goddess who betrayed him at the beginning of the world – before she makes an end of it.
Escape Rating A: At the beginning, this series reminded me more than a bit of A Chorus of Dragons. That both series began with books named for swords prophesied to kill kings (The Ruin of Kings for A Chorus of Dragons) did kind of hit that resemblance on the nose a bit. That both series are ultimately about the neverending battle between order and chaos, and that the gods in both series are not exactly what anyone thought they were does keep that resemblance going.
And even though A Chorus of Dragons hits heights that the Ring-Sworn Trilogy never quite reaches, if you like this you’ll love that and vice versa. Particularly if you’re looking for an epic fantasy that isn’t quite as epically long and is already complete.
This story has a huge cast, but the many main characters have become distinct enough that it’s relatively easy to follow along and stay in touch with each of them as they move the action towards the conclusion. After a bit of a rocky start the audio narrator managed to get past her earlier mispronunciations and malapropisms to deliver a solid performance that does a good job of differentiating between the voices of the main characters. It also helps that by the point of this third volume, the story’s focus has shifted so that many of the points of view are female, and that the former squire Elenai has become a leader of the Altenerai and possibly the future Queen.
It works better for me if the reader’s voice matches the main character’s voice no matter how many other characters there are. This just was not true in the first book but became true in the second and is very clear and well done in this one.
The entire trilogy has been an “out of the frying pan into the fire” “things are always darkest just before they turn completely black” kind of story, and that’s still true in this book up until the nearly bitter end. And I did tear up a bit at some of the darkest and bitterest points. This is a story of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, only to have that victory stolen in its turn by the epic betrayals that fuel so much of the action.
But it’s also a tense, gripping tale about unlikely heroes banding together in spite of all their differences and prior enmities. And it’s a story of companionship and found family found in the most unexpected of places.
In the end, the Ring-Sworn Trilogy’s epic conclusion is one of the rare occasions when what appears to be a deus ex machina ending not only involves very real dei, but that their involvement turns out to be the right way to bring the whole thing home, with an ending that manages to mix just the right touch of bitter into the sweet hurrah.
“When last we left our heroes…” Seriously. When we last left the heroes of the Ring-Sworn Trilogy at the end of Upon the Flight of the Queen it was in the pause, stock taking and toting up of the butcher’s bill after the end of another epic battle to retake another city of the Realms by the remaining loyal corps of the legendary Altenerai.
In other words, the ending of Upon the Flight of the Queen is not all that different from the ending of the first book in the series, For the Killing of Kings, as it also ends in that same pause at the end of an epic battle after retaking a different city of the Realms.
In other words, if you enjoy really meaty epic fantasy, the place to start this series is with the first book, For the Killing of Kings. Which itself begins a bit in the middle of a story that has already been rotting the Realms from within. But by starting there, you have the opportunity to discover what’s gone wrong and who the real enemies are along with our heroes.
The titles of this series are surprisingly relevant to the story – if just a bit long-winded. For the Killing of Kings is all about the discovery that the legendary sword of the same name is NOT hanging safely on the walls of the Altenerai compound. That a fake has been mounted in its place. It’s the first signal that something is rotten, not in the state of Denmark, but in the state of the Five Realms of which Darassus is the seat of power.
The action in Upon the Flight of the Queen takes place, quite literally, as the result of the flight of Queen Leonara from Darassus to a formerly mythical paradise world where she plans to resurrect a goddess. In fact “THE Goddess” whose awakening is the key event in this final book in the series.
The Queen plans to wake the goddess believing that she has promised them a paradise. Our heroes hope to stop her, because any paradise that’s been built on as many lies as Queen Leonara has been telling is bound to be anything but.
But this has been, from the very beginning, a story of unlikely allies and unexpected betrayals.
The enemy of my enemy may not exactly be my friend, but when my enemy plans to destroy the entire world including both the enemy of my enemy and myself – and every other person, animal, place and thing in that entire world, the enemy of my enemy and I – or in this case the Altenerai, and the Naor, are more or less united in the face of the alternative.
But there is someone waiting in the wings, hoping to take advantage of the chaos that will ensue when the goddess wakes. And there’s a literal God of Chaos, waiting to have a few words with the Goddess who betrayed him at the beginning of the world – before she makes an end of it.
Escape Rating A: At the beginning, this series reminded me more than a bit of A Chorus of Dragons. That both series began with books named for swords prophesied to kill kings (The Ruin of Kings for A Chorus of Dragons) did kind of hit that resemblance on the nose a bit. That both series are ultimately about the neverending battle between order and chaos, and that the gods in both series are not exactly what anyone thought they were does keep that resemblance going.
And even though A Chorus of Dragons hits heights that the Ring-Sworn Trilogy never quite reaches, if you like this you’ll love that and vice versa. Particularly if you’re looking for an epic fantasy that isn’t quite as epically long and is already complete.
This story has a huge cast, but the many main characters have become distinct enough that it’s relatively easy to follow along and stay in touch with each of them as they move the action towards the conclusion. After a bit of a rocky start the audio narrator managed to get past her earlier mispronunciations and malapropisms to deliver a solid performance that does a good job of differentiating between the voices of the main characters. It also helps that by the point of this third volume, the story’s focus has shifted so that many of the points of view are female, and that the former squire Elenai has become a leader of the Altenerai and possibly the future Queen.
It works better for me if the reader’s voice matches the main character’s voice no matter how many other characters there are. This just was not true in the first book but became true in the second and is very clear and well done in this one.
The entire trilogy has been an “out of the frying pan into the fire” “things are always darkest just before they turn completely black” kind of story, and that’s still true in this book up until the nearly bitter end. And I did tear up a bit at some of the darkest and bitterest points. This is a story of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, only to have that victory stolen in its turn by the epic betrayals that fuel so much of the action.
But it’s also a tense, gripping tale about unlikely heroes banding together in spite of all their differences and prior enmities. And it’s a story of companionship and found family found in the most unexpected of places.
In the end, the Ring-Sworn Trilogy’s epic conclusion is one of the rare occasions when what appears to be a deus ex machina ending not only involves very real dei, but that their involvement turns out to be the right way to bring the whole thing home, with an ending that manages to mix just the right touch of bitter into the sweet hurrah.
September 8, 2021
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This in no way influences my opinion of the book.
I have a lot of thoughts about this book, and this underrated series as a whole, but let me just start off by saying this has become a new favourite series. I'm incredibly excited to look into more of Jones' past and future work.
First and foremost, I absolutely could not put this book down! When I had to do so in order to tend to adult responsibilities, I did so begrudgingly. I needed to know what was going to happen next, what puzzle was going to finally be solved, what thread the characters would stumble upon next.
What I found most from this series, is that Jones is incredibly capable of pulling you in to his vision, and making you care for his characters. Following through the series over the past year and a half, it has been such an enjoyable journey (though infuriating after that cliffhanger at the end of the second book!). The final installment in the series, I have to say, does a great job of bringing the series to a satisfying close.
I'm incredibly sad to see that it's over, to finally know what happens to these characters. I truly wish I had more time with each of them. They are written in a profound and thoughtful way to make them stand out from one another, each given time in the spotlight to highlight their difference in personalities, struggles, strengths, ideas, motivations, and so on.
What's impressive to me is that, upon finishing the final book, I realized I had unknowingly grown the most attached to the character I truly despised in the first book. It felt like a full circle moment, for myself and said character, like it wasn't just that character growing and maturing, but through them, I was too in a way.
The stakes were raised higher and higher in this final book, and watching the characters grow and change through their chaotic journey, witnessing all the threads finally came together, was such an emotional thrill. I think Jones did a fantastic job at both keeping the suspense and momentum moving forward through each thread, and then tying them and connecting them together into something wonderful.
I found that the ending was wrapped up just a little too neatly and a little too quickly for my liking, but I was still left feeling satisfied and emotional. It didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, this cast of characters has become one of my very favourites, and I'm sad that I won't be able to visit them like this again. I'm happy and touched by the experience, and I highly recommend giving this underrated trilogy a try.
I have a lot of thoughts about this book, and this underrated series as a whole, but let me just start off by saying this has become a new favourite series. I'm incredibly excited to look into more of Jones' past and future work.
First and foremost, I absolutely could not put this book down! When I had to do so in order to tend to adult responsibilities, I did so begrudgingly. I needed to know what was going to happen next, what puzzle was going to finally be solved, what thread the characters would stumble upon next.
What I found most from this series, is that Jones is incredibly capable of pulling you in to his vision, and making you care for his characters. Following through the series over the past year and a half, it has been such an enjoyable journey (though infuriating after that cliffhanger at the end of the second book!). The final installment in the series, I have to say, does a great job of bringing the series to a satisfying close.
I'm incredibly sad to see that it's over, to finally know what happens to these characters. I truly wish I had more time with each of them. They are written in a profound and thoughtful way to make them stand out from one another, each given time in the spotlight to highlight their difference in personalities, struggles, strengths, ideas, motivations, and so on.
What's impressive to me is that, upon finishing the final book, I realized I had unknowingly grown the most attached to the character I truly despised in the first book. It felt like a full circle moment, for myself and said character, like it wasn't just that character growing and maturing, but through them, I was too in a way.
The stakes were raised higher and higher in this final book, and watching the characters grow and change through their chaotic journey, witnessing all the threads finally came together, was such an emotional thrill. I think Jones did a fantastic job at both keeping the suspense and momentum moving forward through each thread, and then tying them and connecting them together into something wonderful.
I found that the ending was wrapped up just a little too neatly and a little too quickly for my liking, but I was still left feeling satisfied and emotional. It didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, this cast of characters has become one of my very favourites, and I'm sad that I won't be able to visit them like this again. I'm happy and touched by the experience, and I highly recommend giving this underrated trilogy a try.
September 12, 2021
I loved the first two books and easily gave them 5 stars.
This one started off strong and maintained a steady pace. I can't pinpoint where it went wrong, but towards the last 3rd of the book, I felt it veered off.
I was disappointed by a few charter arcs, as I felt they weren't consistent with what had happened in the first and second books--one being Kyrkenall's disregard for Elanai once Kalandra comes back. I wish there was a moment after Kalandra's reveal that expressed his friendship and fondness for her (outside if the Chaos' ramblings), especially Elanai was the one who opened Kalandra's stone. The second, and one that really, really upset me, was the height of Varama's character arch where she broke down and mourned Rylin, showing the reader and the other characters that she had human feelings. And in many, many ways, I felt that was unfair. Of all the incredible things that she accomplished, during the first portion of the climax of the trilogy, Varama's most memorable moment was her showing emotion-- not her skills or her intelligence that made the whole thing possible. Varama was a bit of a social outcast, and often "othered" by her peers. It felt as though the conclusion of her character was "and then Varama proved she was human", and that felt so so wrong as it seemed the responsibility was always on Varama to prove her emotional ability, when maybe the burden should have been on the readers and other characters to learn to see the emotion and humanness as she was.
This one started off strong and maintained a steady pace. I can't pinpoint where it went wrong, but towards the last 3rd of the book, I felt it veered off.
I was disappointed by a few charter arcs, as I felt they weren't consistent with what had happened in the first and second books--one being Kyrkenall's disregard for Elanai once Kalandra comes back. I wish there was a moment after Kalandra's reveal that expressed his friendship and fondness for her (outside if the Chaos' ramblings), especially Elanai was the one who opened Kalandra's stone. The second, and one that really, really upset me, was the height of Varama's character arch where she broke down and mourned Rylin, showing the reader and the other characters that she had human feelings. And in many, many ways, I felt that was unfair. Of all the incredible things that she accomplished, during the first portion of the climax of the trilogy, Varama's most memorable moment was her showing emotion-- not her skills or her intelligence that made the whole thing possible. Varama was a bit of a social outcast, and often "othered" by her peers. It felt as though the conclusion of her character was "and then Varama proved she was human", and that felt so so wrong as it seemed the responsibility was always on Varama to prove her emotional ability, when maybe the burden should have been on the readers and other characters to learn to see the emotion and humanness as she was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2021
The Altenerai have been fighting a war for some time. First against the Naor, many of whom have now sworn Allegiance after their leader was defeated by the altenerai. But they have also been fighting many of their own after having been betrayed by the queen who has convinced many that they must reassemble the magical hearthstones into a destroyed statue of a goddess. This goddess will then restore the realms to a kind of paradise, returning those whose lives had been lost to their loved ones.
Because of this belief, the queen had stolen most of the hearthstones and abandoned many of her people in her quest to restore the goddess. However, those left behind believe that the goddess is actually going to destroy the realms and all within, and thus must stop the queen and her followers before it is too late for everyone. For if the queen succeeds, is there any way they can actually manage to stop an all powerful goddess?
This was the 3rd book in the Ring-Sworn Trilogy, and I found it to be a powerful ending to the series. It was filled with action, heroics, sacrifice, and surprises throughout. I enjoyed this book a great deal, and honestly, I didn't see the path the ending took coming. But as it happened, it made perfect sense and I was almost surprised that the possibility hadn't even occurred to me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy series as well as anyone who has read the first two books in this series. I very much enjoyed reading it.
Because of this belief, the queen had stolen most of the hearthstones and abandoned many of her people in her quest to restore the goddess. However, those left behind believe that the goddess is actually going to destroy the realms and all within, and thus must stop the queen and her followers before it is too late for everyone. For if the queen succeeds, is there any way they can actually manage to stop an all powerful goddess?
This was the 3rd book in the Ring-Sworn Trilogy, and I found it to be a powerful ending to the series. It was filled with action, heroics, sacrifice, and surprises throughout. I enjoyed this book a great deal, and honestly, I didn't see the path the ending took coming. But as it happened, it made perfect sense and I was almost surprised that the possibility hadn't even occurred to me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy series as well as anyone who has read the first two books in this series. I very much enjoyed reading it.
May 27, 2023
A good conclusion to the story, I think, for a series I'm mildly conflicted about.
I've grown weary of the uber-epic series where the books are enormous doorstops and have such deconstructed plots that they end up being fairly dull affairs, more a travelogue to show off their world-crafting than telling a compelling story. So I've enjoyed the strong focus on plot going on here and how propulsive the entire thing is. But Jones has created an interesting enough world, with compelling characters, differing cultures, strange geography, and intriguing magic that I find myself wanting to spend a little more time digging in on some of these things and spending more time with several of the characters to get to know them all better.
So very odd to be knocking a series on moving too quickly along these days, but I think it's probably the biggest fault here. There's a big enough cast that giving them all a little more room to breathe would do well, especially with the shifting allegiances and motivations.
Good series overall, and I'll be interested to read Jones' other works.
I've grown weary of the uber-epic series where the books are enormous doorstops and have such deconstructed plots that they end up being fairly dull affairs, more a travelogue to show off their world-crafting than telling a compelling story. So I've enjoyed the strong focus on plot going on here and how propulsive the entire thing is. But Jones has created an interesting enough world, with compelling characters, differing cultures, strange geography, and intriguing magic that I find myself wanting to spend a little more time digging in on some of these things and spending more time with several of the characters to get to know them all better.
So very odd to be knocking a series on moving too quickly along these days, but I think it's probably the biggest fault here. There's a big enough cast that giving them all a little more room to breathe would do well, especially with the shifting allegiances and motivations.
Good series overall, and I'll be interested to read Jones' other works.
August 25, 2024
It's probably more like 3.5 stars. I really, really enjoyed this trilogy, but the last book let me down a little. I felt like the ending was rushed (I was a little surprised at the thinness of the book when it arrived.) The book was moving along nicely, and then the last third felt like it was in a hurry to get everything wrapped up. Explanations were rushed and not quite as detailed as I would have liked. And while I did love the revisit of the characters at the end, I was devastated by the death of one character that I felt was unnecessary to the story. I could have understood the death of almost any other character, but this one made no sense to me, and I felt like it was a "I really should kill off one of the best characters so people FEEL it" twist. The death kind of ruined the last book for me.
September 13, 2021
Howard Andrew Jones concludes his fun tale of a fractured world of shifting realms. The world fractured when the Goddess that created it was fractured into magical hearthstones. The Queen of the Altenerai fled with a huge collection of these stones Elenai want to stop her. Unfortunately When the Goddess Wakes (hard from St. Martin's Press), she intends to destroy the world so she can build a better one. One of the Altenerai, Cerai, plans to capture the magic when the goddess. Our heroes, in this exciting conclusion, not only have find the ancient weapons to destroy the Goddess to save their world, but also stop Cerai from becoming a new goddess. This is a fun conclusion to an exciting fantasy tale.
March 14, 2022
I am so disappointed with the ending! I finished it this morning and the whole day I'm seething at the dumbass conclusion to what was gonna be a really good book otherwise.
The chaos god just meets his Goddess and boom, Kalandra and Kyrkenall turn into new chaos/order gods by virtue of their love? What. The fuck lol.
Everyone gearing up for a big fight against the Goddess and it's so anticlimactic.
I did really enjoy Vannek's (Lord General of the Nior) character. He had a lot of growing to do and did so wonderfully, if a little rushed. I was gearing up for a little bit of romance between him and Rylin, but jfc that didn't even get to really take off, did it. But I suppose what's more tragic than Rylan saving Vannek at the cost of his life? What a sacrifice.
The chaos god just meets his Goddess and boom, Kalandra and Kyrkenall turn into new chaos/order gods by virtue of their love? What. The fuck lol.
Everyone gearing up for a big fight against the Goddess and it's so anticlimactic.
I did really enjoy Vannek's (Lord General of the Nior) character. He had a lot of growing to do and did so wonderfully, if a little rushed. I was gearing up for a little bit of romance between him and Rylin, but jfc that didn't even get to really take off, did it. But I suppose what's more tragic than Rylan saving Vannek at the cost of his life? What a sacrifice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
The Naor have surrendered, but that does not mean the Altenerai can rest.
The Queen has stolen all the hearthstones and left with the intention to wake the Goddess. They must find her before that happens. If the Goddess wakes, all life will perish.
I loved this, but was sad for the series to end. I love these characters so much! The whole book was great, but I especially loved the ending.
I have to thank Net Galley. I had never heard of this fabulous author until I saw his books on there. Now I own them all. If you like fantasy, you should definitely check him out.
The Queen has stolen all the hearthstones and left with the intention to wake the Goddess. They must find her before that happens. If the Goddess wakes, all life will perish.
I loved this, but was sad for the series to end. I love these characters so much! The whole book was great, but I especially loved the ending.
I have to thank Net Galley. I had never heard of this fabulous author until I saw his books on there. Now I own them all. If you like fantasy, you should definitely check him out.
November 30, 2021
I really did not enjoy this conclusion to what has been an otherwise very enjoyable series.
Perhaps it was the almost frenetic energy of the events described within the narrative that made the story feel as though the author was trying too hard to please too many people with vastly different personal philosophies, but the overall feel was that of disharmony with the pattern of the story as presented in the first two novels.
Perhaps that is why it took me so long to finish this book
Perhaps it was the almost frenetic energy of the events described within the narrative that made the story feel as though the author was trying too hard to please too many people with vastly different personal philosophies, but the overall feel was that of disharmony with the pattern of the story as presented in the first two novels.
Perhaps that is why it took me so long to finish this book
December 18, 2022
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobooks of this title. (Goodfm)
So, a super large statue that is alive and rampaging throughout the realmsvlooking for the heart stones.
A handful of mages and warriors, all prepared to put their lives on the line to win this final battle.
Three tools that can make the difference between life or complete elimination.
It's one dramatic episode, hope you can stand the suspense!
So, a super large statue that is alive and rampaging throughout the realmsvlooking for the heart stones.
A handful of mages and warriors, all prepared to put their lives on the line to win this final battle.
Three tools that can make the difference between life or complete elimination.
It's one dramatic episode, hope you can stand the suspense!
Read
June 24, 2025This third volume was a solid end to an excellent fantasy trilogy. In it, our heroes find themselves suddenly overmatched having to face down and stop a wandering goddess bent on the complete annihilation of their world, all while facing other threats from without and within. Just like the previous two novels, one of the strongest part of this book is the character interactions, and the men and women the reader had followed through such hardship grow and change over time.
October 4, 2021
A hurtling, thrilling, glorious finish
The third book in the Ring-Sworn Trilogy is fantastic. Full of action and verve, Jones brings forward the expected ending to provide an even more fantastic conclusion. Smart, action packed, and full of rich characters, this is a great conclusion.
The third book in the Ring-Sworn Trilogy is fantastic. Full of action and verve, Jones brings forward the expected ending to provide an even more fantastic conclusion. Smart, action packed, and full of rich characters, this is a great conclusion.
March 22, 2026
Spends a tremendous amount of time trying to detail and develop personal relationships between characters and he’s just not very good at it, it becomes confusing. Has a message of tolerance that he is highlighting, but this does nothing to move the story forward.
If asked, I would recommend his series, The Chronicles of Hanuvar.
If asked, I would recommend his series, The Chronicles of Hanuvar.
September 3, 2021
Pacing a bit slow, I was losing interest by the end. World ended up feeling small, which is a sad outcome for what was a big, interesting setting. Not a great ending, but I'm keen to see what this author comes up with next.
November 27, 2021
Full disclosure: ARC copy supplied for a review.
Loved the book, a whole lot of plot threads woven together to a not quite predictable ending. Can be read as a stand alone as quick explanations of previous books given as the story unfolds.
Loved the book, a whole lot of plot threads woven together to a not quite predictable ending. Can be read as a stand alone as quick explanations of previous books given as the story unfolds.
July 20, 2022
A fine but flat conclusion to the trilogy: the characters get split up for a couple days' adventuring (which limits their development) leading up to a climax that, while different from the usual fantasy conclusions, wasn't particularly satisfying.
November 24, 2023
Reminds me of what I really liked about fantasy when I first became a fan through Terry Brooks' original Sword of Shannara trilogy. Interesting ensemble casts with all parts of the ensemble having good adventures.
August 29, 2021
A fun read, but his Arabian fantasy is a must!
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