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Expiation
Expiation is the explosive finale to Drew Wagar's Shadeward Saga. A world is pulled apart as past secrets collide with a cataclysmic present. This is science fiction firmly grounded in science fact as modern myth meets old technology. Expiation follows the fortunes of the players from the first three novels. The all-powerful priestesses are whipped to a white heat of vengeance in defence of their god, Lacaille, the star that blazes in the skies above. Coran and the Mobilis crew battle to unravel the keys to survival, but tradition, myth and the vengeful priestesses stand in their way. Lacaille burns ever more fiercely, ever more deadly, above their world of eternal day, everlasting night, burning deserts and frozen wastes. Meru, Kiri and Zoella are now tied by bonds of both hatred and devotion and somewhere from within the emotional maelstrom, they have to find the strength to act, though they still have no idea how to turn the tide of fate. All they know is that the Obelisk continues to call them. The answer when they find it is shockingly unexpected and horribly inevitable.
- GenresScience Fiction Fantasy
498 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2020
5 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Drew Wagar
40 books62 followersDrew Wagar is a science fiction and fantasy author, living in the UK. He is the author of the Hegira Series, the Shadeward Saga, The Midnight Chronicles, the Elect Saga and the official Elite Dangerous novelisations.
You can join a mailing list and discover more about Drew's books at his website.
www.drewwagar.com
You can join a mailing list and discover more about Drew's books at his website.
www.drewwagar.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 28, 2022
The story concludes. And what a conclusion! Drew Wagar has created a masterpiece with this quartet of fantasy/sci-fi books set on a distant world in a not-too-distant future.
In keeping with the social structure and history of the people starring in this series, he has kept the technological aspects as brief as possible, including only those aspects that have a true bearing on the story. That, however, does not mean he’s stinted on the research he’s done to make such technology credible. It plays a part and is essential to the tale without being its raison d’ȇtre.
The people are the essence of these books; their characters, personalities, relationships, dreams, hopes, ambitions, their goodness and their evil, their compassion and their indifference. The author has created a world credibly peopled by a great variety of individuals; you’ll find no stereotypes here, though you may identify a few archetypes.
The climax of the story that develops through the first three books is reached here, and it is dramatic, moving, and comprehensive. No loose ends. We know what happens to all the main movers, there is joy, sadness, anger, exhilaration, wonder and relief here. I was moved to tears in places.
Drew’s skill with description is such that the reader is no mere witness but an actual part of the action, feeling with the players, hearing the noises, smelling the scents, tasting the blood, living in this invented world as if it is home.
There’s a good deal of action in this final part. But there’s also romance, developing relationships, political intrigue, companionship, exploration, wonder, and discovery. I found I was taking every possible opportunity to read, even when other matters deserved my full attention. Yes, definitely a page-turner. Cliff-hangers, as well as subtle hints of what’s to come, drive the story forward and persuade the reader to read just one more chapter.
Drew has invented several terms to fit his created society and has very helpfully included an appendix describing the various terms in each of the books. I advise new readers to look over these before starting, as they will allow a deeper understanding and involvement.
There is also a well-scripted epilogue, describing the genesis of the civilisation, how they came to be and what type of world they left behind them to reach their new home. It’s a relevant and timely warning of what we risk here in our world unless we change our ways, and do so soon.
A really great read in a well-constructed and realised fictional world. A series worthy of Asimov and Bradbury.
In keeping with the social structure and history of the people starring in this series, he has kept the technological aspects as brief as possible, including only those aspects that have a true bearing on the story. That, however, does not mean he’s stinted on the research he’s done to make such technology credible. It plays a part and is essential to the tale without being its raison d’ȇtre.
The people are the essence of these books; their characters, personalities, relationships, dreams, hopes, ambitions, their goodness and their evil, their compassion and their indifference. The author has created a world credibly peopled by a great variety of individuals; you’ll find no stereotypes here, though you may identify a few archetypes.
The climax of the story that develops through the first three books is reached here, and it is dramatic, moving, and comprehensive. No loose ends. We know what happens to all the main movers, there is joy, sadness, anger, exhilaration, wonder and relief here. I was moved to tears in places.
Drew’s skill with description is such that the reader is no mere witness but an actual part of the action, feeling with the players, hearing the noises, smelling the scents, tasting the blood, living in this invented world as if it is home.
There’s a good deal of action in this final part. But there’s also romance, developing relationships, political intrigue, companionship, exploration, wonder, and discovery. I found I was taking every possible opportunity to read, even when other matters deserved my full attention. Yes, definitely a page-turner. Cliff-hangers, as well as subtle hints of what’s to come, drive the story forward and persuade the reader to read just one more chapter.
Drew has invented several terms to fit his created society and has very helpfully included an appendix describing the various terms in each of the books. I advise new readers to look over these before starting, as they will allow a deeper understanding and involvement.
There is also a well-scripted epilogue, describing the genesis of the civilisation, how they came to be and what type of world they left behind them to reach their new home. It’s a relevant and timely warning of what we risk here in our world unless we change our ways, and do so soon.
A really great read in a well-constructed and realised fictional world. A series worthy of Asimov and Bradbury.
September 3, 2020
Dramatic conclusion of the Shadeward saga... Emotions and action runs high in this one. The characters the reader has learned to love, hate, mistrust and forgive find themselves in the final struggle to bring peace to their alien world and reveal the truth of their civilization's past. While I was sad to see this series end I was very satisfied how author Drew Wagar wrapped everything up. Great ending to an amazing series.
June 29, 2022
Entertaining and Thought-Provoking from Start to Finish!
This is the final book of the exciting and ambitious Shadeward saga. Although it's more fun to read all four in order, each does stand on its own. And what a story! No need to reiterate the intriguing story lines described in the blurbs. Suffice to say it takes a special kind of genius to conceive of, and then write, a saga of this magnitude and complexity and do it this well. Expiation (#4) is a masterful and engaging story all by itself but also neatly, but not without surprises, ties up the threads that were woven throughout the first three books. The Shadeward series is science fiction and fantasy at its best because the “fantasy” is actually grounded in science and isn't fantasy at all. Unfortunately for the characters, in the early books the scientific basis for their experiences and their powers is largely unknown to them, having been lost to the ages, and they are left to speculate or assume, or worse, ascribe them to a sun-worshipping religion. However, some do embark on a quest to learn the truth of their history, and the slowly impending collision of their still-developing worldviews is the overarching driver of the larger story. Through it all, the main characters are vivid and easy to relate to and empathize with, so much so that I found myself rooting for many of them in turn even though some are sworn enemies. The “good guys” in this chapter may be the “bad guys” in the next. Their stories are arresting and easy to follow, and the saga is well-written and fun to read. I especially liked the device of what amounts to thought balloons in italics at key points as characters silently express their questions, observations, and epiphanies. It’s a nice touch and keeps the action going without the narrator interrupting with “He thought” or “She mused” every time. The ending resolution is very satisfying. Get the series!
This is the final book of the exciting and ambitious Shadeward saga. Although it's more fun to read all four in order, each does stand on its own. And what a story! No need to reiterate the intriguing story lines described in the blurbs. Suffice to say it takes a special kind of genius to conceive of, and then write, a saga of this magnitude and complexity and do it this well. Expiation (#4) is a masterful and engaging story all by itself but also neatly, but not without surprises, ties up the threads that were woven throughout the first three books. The Shadeward series is science fiction and fantasy at its best because the “fantasy” is actually grounded in science and isn't fantasy at all. Unfortunately for the characters, in the early books the scientific basis for their experiences and their powers is largely unknown to them, having been lost to the ages, and they are left to speculate or assume, or worse, ascribe them to a sun-worshipping religion. However, some do embark on a quest to learn the truth of their history, and the slowly impending collision of their still-developing worldviews is the overarching driver of the larger story. Through it all, the main characters are vivid and easy to relate to and empathize with, so much so that I found myself rooting for many of them in turn even though some are sworn enemies. The “good guys” in this chapter may be the “bad guys” in the next. Their stories are arresting and easy to follow, and the saga is well-written and fun to read. I especially liked the device of what amounts to thought balloons in italics at key points as characters silently express their questions, observations, and epiphanies. It’s a nice touch and keeps the action going without the narrator interrupting with “He thought” or “She mused” every time. The ending resolution is very satisfying. Get the series!
October 14, 2020
This is an amazing, emotion-packed, and satisfying conclusion to the Shadeward series. Incredible settings and challenges face all the characters that have been introduced in the first three books. The dangers and peril of their concluding journeys was felt deeply as I read the final challenges of this strange world. After all the main and side characters have been through, the tension was high. This concluding book has excellent writing, excellent characters and in the end you feel the emotions of the characters like you have known them all your life. All the plot lines are wrapped up with satisfaction, if not with a hint of sorrow and nostalgia.
If you have not read this series I urge you to give it a try. Whether you love fantasy or sci-fi... or just love a good character adventure, this has something wonderful for everyone. I love sci-fi and enjoy fantasy adventure but even my wife who is not so big on sci-fi loved these books for the characters and story.
If you have not read this series I urge you to give it a try. Whether you love fantasy or sci-fi... or just love a good character adventure, this has something wonderful for everyone. I love sci-fi and enjoy fantasy adventure but even my wife who is not so big on sci-fi loved these books for the characters and story.
June 28, 2021
A strong last book to the series, with satisfying wrap up of the various arcs to the story.
December 15, 2022
I haven't read many books that have brought me to tears, but this did on more than one occasion.
Powerfully written right up to the end, I will miss the many characters that I grew to love and loathe over this series.
Story writing at its very finest.
Cant wait for the arena of Shadeward to grow, and continue on this amazing journey that Drew pulls you into.
Read it, share amongst your family & friends, tell the world this series is going to be huge.
Thank you Drew
Powerfully written right up to the end, I will miss the many characters that I grew to love and loathe over this series.
Story writing at its very finest.
Cant wait for the arena of Shadeward to grow, and continue on this amazing journey that Drew pulls you into.
Read it, share amongst your family & friends, tell the world this series is going to be huge.
Thank you Drew
October 6, 2020
A good if bittersweet end to the series, which nicely concludes the story of Meru, Kiri, Zoella, Coran, Mel, Fitch and the others.
A possibly slightly over-generous 5*s (I thought it got a bit overly-sentimental towards the end), but I enjoyed the series, so there.
(It might have been nice to know what ultimately happened to Miss AMS - by the epliogue there should have been more flares which presumeably she would have had to deal with?)
A possibly slightly over-generous 5*s (I thought it got a bit overly-sentimental towards the end), but I enjoyed the series, so there.
(It might have been nice to know what ultimately happened to Miss AMS - by the epliogue there should have been more flares which presumeably she would have had to deal with?)
August 11, 2021
Fabulous ending to the series, and got me choked up a few times. Great work Drew.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews