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Arc of Radiance/Fall of Radiance #1–5
Fall of Radiance: The Complete Series: (An Epic Fantasy Boxed Set: Books 1-5)
Get the Fall of Radiance Boxset, featuring all five action-packed books in the bestselling Epic Fantasy series. Nearly 2,000+ pages of adventure, magic, war, and a bond between warriors that can't be broken. Magic has protected Tarsynium for a thousand years, shielding its people from being ravaged by bloodthirsty demons. When a young ranger's apprentice named Owyn Lund discovers that the Arc of Radiance has been breached, he tries to warn anybody who will listen. But legends aren't supposed to be real. When a village is mysteriously destroyed, rangers, mages, and rebels all point the finger, blaming each other for the demons' brutality. However, Zara Dennel, a mage's ward, has heard Owyn's tale—and she's inclined to believe him. Together, they must prove that friendship is greater than intolerance, unity is more important than division, and that even the most powerful magic can sometimes not be enough. Failure means the end of all things. A second—and lasting—Doom. Buy this Special Edition Omnibus to experience a saga with something for every fan of Epic Fantasy. Suitable for all ages, it's perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas, and Brandon Sanderson. Also available on Audible, narrated by the award-winning Michael Kramer & Kate Reading. Books Included in the Book 1: Ranger's Oath Book 2: Doom Bringers Book 3: War Echoes Book 4: Exiles Book 5: Prince of Darkness
1277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2021
300 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Blake Arthur Peel
21 books73 followersBlake Arthur Peel has been coming up with stories ever since he was a kid. He inflicted his scribblings on family members and friends throughout his youth, always drawing maps in the back of notebooks and daydreaming when he probably should have been paying attention. It wasn’t until he was out of college that he finally decided to get serious about pursuing his career as a fantasy author.
His favorite stories have always been about good conquering evil, about fantastic worlds and wondrous magic systems. The works that have most inspired him are The Lord of the Rings, The Dragonlance Chronicles, The Riftwar Saga, The Stormlight Archive, and The Wheel of Time, among many others.
Blake was born and raised in Hemet, California. He loves playing games, being outside, and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Follow him at facebook.com/blakearthurpeel
His favorite stories have always been about good conquering evil, about fantastic worlds and wondrous magic systems. The works that have most inspired him are The Lord of the Rings, The Dragonlance Chronicles, The Riftwar Saga, The Stormlight Archive, and The Wheel of Time, among many others.
Blake was born and raised in Hemet, California. He loves playing games, being outside, and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Follow him at facebook.com/blakearthurpeel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
April 24, 2021
Ranger’s Oath- Fall of Radiance #1:
I am more of a Sci-Fi fan than full Fantasy, but every now and then, I get captured by a good quality Fantasy story, and Ranger’s Oath definitely falls into that category. There is something different about the nature of this story, the feel of how it is written, that immediately captures you, and draws you in, and you find that a few hours later, you are half way through the book, and have lost a bunch of time.
The story is told from the point of view of two main characters, the younger apprentices of the two experienced masters in two very different fields, the first, Elias, a respected Ranger of the area of Tarsynium, and the other, a the Arch-Magister of the Realm, Elva Tyrande.
Owyn Lund is the apprentice Ranger, and whilst still learning, he is accomplished at what he does, fast learning to become a Ranger in his own right. Likewise, Zara Dennel is the star pupil of her Academy, and this is the reason that the Arch-Magister chose her to go with her as an apprentice on a mission.
At the start of this book, we learn a little about these characters, and there is some subtle world building, done in a clever way to provide us with sufficient background of both the Ranger and Mage classes, as well as the world that they live in, but also leaving us wanting more.
And this is where we are introduced to a savage and brutal attack on a village. An outlying Village of the settlements has been totally decimated, every man, woman and child in a horrific scene. (Note, there is some graphic violence here, so this book is probably not for really younger readers, but those in early/late teens will be ok)
It is from here that the story really gets its full plotlines – who did this? Why did they do it?
You find out there is rather a complicated network of Political intrigue in the area, and that there could have been several possible groups, and that this could be a pre-cursor to war.
But young Owyn is also worried that it might be something else, even though he is laughed at for his suggestion, for long ago, Demons walked the lands of Tarsynium, until a magical barrier was erected, and is now constantly powered by a special magical gem, that is always monitored, so no Demon can pass – or can they? Owyn is sure he saw something, and Zara is confused that what Owyn saw matches the description of a creature not seen since the Demon Wars, and there is no way Owyn could know what it is – so how did he describe it so well, just as the ancient texts describe it? Could this have been what destroyed the village?
And thus begins a mystery, a desperate hunt, and an area full of people who are al suspicious of each other, and were other people are in danger.
This is a brilliant, exciting adventure story, that is not only a lot of fun, but it is just one thrill to the next, with exceptional character work. You have a great feel for our two young apprentice characters, you get a great understanding for them, an in-depth feel for who they are as the story is told. At the same time, with both of their Mentors, there is more secrecy, and this adds to the intrigue of the story, it is very clever, and an outstanding bit of writing, The Author has done a remarkable job with both the characters and the story.
Doom Bringers – Fall of Radiance #2
Part 2 of this series picks up not long after the end of book 1, and finds our heroes cleaning up the mess left by the demon infestation. Owyn has been trusted with leading a band to take down a Gorgon, and Zara is dealing with the Mages, all of whom are quite proud of her efforts.
It is fascinating to see the comparison between Owyn and Zara from the start of Ranger’s Oath to Doom Bringers, how they have grown as Characters, and that shows a lot in the Authors ability as a Character writer, to allow us to take the trainees of the series, the Ranger in training and the Mage trying to pass her Magi test, and show the distinct difference, they have not just added experience in their skill sets, they have grown as actual people as well. Zara is no longer quite so shy (even though she was very courageous and bold), she is willing to take command now.
Owyn has come into his own, a true Ranger, even though he has not yet reached the rank, he is capable of leading strike forces to hunt down Demons, things that no one has heard of, let alone fought in a Millennia.
When it comes time to return to the Capital City of Tarsys and report what has happened, Elias decides that Owyn can go on without him, as he has an important deed that must be dealt with. This is very unusual, as an Apprentice Ranger is not meant to be separated from his Master under any circumstances as per the Ranger’s Oath.
And so Owyn and Zara head to Tarsys to make their report with the other Mages.
I don’t want to go into a huge amount of detail as it will give too much away.
This is a great second story though, as Owyn and Zara are separated from their Masters, and they have to fend for themselves to a large extent, and it is great to see (as I said before), how the characters have grown, and to see their Characters come into their own light, rather than under the shadow of others all the time.
There are a multitude of plots in this books that see it thrumming along at a furious pace.
Both Main Characters (as well as a lot of the secondary characters) are under threat from a group of assassins, trying to silence everyone from what they have seen in the first story.
Owyn, on reaching the city, is in stunned awe, never having seen anything like what he sees. However, he is quickly snatched up by a Senior Ranger, who has serious questions for him, not just about the incident, but about his loyalties as well. Suddenly Owyn finds that he has to defend himself as he doesn’t have Elias to speak for him, and he is not in his safe environment.
Without giving anything away, Owyn’s part in this story is utterly intriguing, and some of the best writing in the series so far. The Character work, dialogue, and interactions between Owyn and the other Characters is compelling, and leaves you wanting to skip chapters to find out what has happened. (the book alternates between Owyn and Zara, and you know you are reading a good book, when you just want to skip entire sections of a book to follow one characters story arc, but at the same time, you don’t want to miss out on the other main character as well. The Character writing is Inspired in this book)
Zara, having returned to the Mages, and having killed their High Mage, uncovering some other plots along the way, continues to investigate the Conclave. This allows us to learn a lot about the Conclave, and also allows the Author to really give some attention to the world building, not just for the Conclave, but for the city of Tarsys, as well as Tarsynium and Forest Hill as well.
War Echoes – Fall of Radiance #3:
The story picks up not long after the events of book 2, in which Zara thwarted the plans of the Harbingers through a series of very cunning, daring, and oft, just very lucky events. Not only did she stop the assassination of the High Magus, but she also worked out other aspects of their plans and stopped that as well, alerting members of the Conclave to what was happening. At the start of War Echoes, we find Zara being spoken to about her actions, and, as a result of them, being raised to the level of Seeker by the High Magus Sylvania. She also receives a summons to come before the King.
Meanwhile, Owyn is still coming to terms with the events from the previous book, in which he was pivotal in uncovering that the Master Warden was actually under the control of the Demons, and that Advisor Creed had been taking money to act against the Rangers Oath, and killing in cold blood, causing unrest in the North. If it were not for Owyn and First Warden Tamara, this would never have been uncovered, and as it was, many Rangers died, and, unfortunately, an entire village of unarmed women and children were slain by Creed before he could be stopped.
Tamara has now been named Master Warden in a vote of the Rangers, to replace Thorne now he is dead. Elias is still missing, and Owyn has been summoned before the King. Talon has said since he has no master, he will go with Owyn, and Master Warden Tamara, in her new position, gives them her approval, as well as a Ranger guard.
As with the other books, the story is told from the point of view of Owyn and Zara. The two of them meet to see the King, and from there, are told to go and meet with the Nightingales, to try and bring them into the fold, as the kingdom will need all the warriors it has to survive the Demon threat. To assist them, they are provided with someone who used to be a Nightingale to take them to Dunmar City and meet the Protector.
This is a fascinating book, one with a lot of treachery, deception, mystery, and some outstanding character interplay. The Political scheming that is going on, between the King, the Nightingales, the Rangers, and the Conclave is incredibly complex, as each is not only trying to vie for power, but also try to make sure that someone else does not wipe them out. It is a very strategic game, in that each of the major players is not strong enough to rule the Kingdom on its own, each of them needs at least 1 other Party, preferably two. What started out initially with the King having both the Rangers and the Conclave under his banner has quickly changed, and they have become separate entities on their own, each of them a powerful entity within their own right. And suddenly the entire Kingdom has become unstable at a time when it needs to be at its most stable, right when the threat from the R’laar is at its greatest.
Owyn and Zara head off to Dunmar city, with a small force, including a pompous knight who works for the King. It is here that the character work is really exceptional, as we get to learn (without giving too much away), more about Owyn’s past, and how the Nightingale’s have impacted on it, and how he really struggles between having such strong prejudice, but also his loyalties to not only the Rangers, but to Zara as well. For Zara is not just a powerful and clever Magus, she is also a skilled diplomat, her high intelligence allows her to see things others do not, and she uses these to her (and her friends) best advantage.
In Dunmar City, there are all sorts of fascinating things that happen that make this a really intriguing story, one that is not just great for the story arc, but it is really good for the development of the main characters as well.
Exiled – Fall of Radiance:
At the start of this book, Owyn and Zara have just survived the massive battle with King Aethelgar’s army, thanks mostly to the timely arrival of the Rangers.
Under a banner of truce, Owyn, Zara, and the Command team of the Nightingales are lured to a secret meeting with the High Magus, but, again, it is only a trap, and without going into detail (I’ll let you read that), Owyn and Zara are exiled. This makes for a fascinating twist to the story, (Yeh, obviously we kind of saw it coming from the title), but for the first time in the series, we really don’t know if our main characters are actually going to live, and even more exciting, we get to see what is on the other side of the Arc of Radiance, after having heard so much about it.
This book is different in a several ways, not only are our two Main Characters in dire peril on the other side of the Arc, in this book, we don’t just get to see their Points of View, this time around, we also get to hear the inner voice of Elias Keen. Having just learnt a lot about this character in book 3, this now makes for a really interesting facet of the story, as we get to better understand the Nightingale come Ranger, who is both mysterious and deadly, but at the same time, incredibly honourable.
Peel does a remarkable job with his character, not just opening him up and letting us peer into his head, but rather giving us glimpses of the incredible Ranger, Leader and Warrior he is, making the story even more engaging to read.
As with the other books, we get to see deep into the souls of Owyn and Zara, as they are stripped bare in this terrifying new environment, and it is extraordinary watching the characters develop in this fascinating place.
Prince of Radiance – Fall of Radiance #5
Peel has created an epic conclusion for the series, and at the start of it, Owyn and Zara are still trapped outside the Arc.
Peel holds nothing back in this final part of the series, as the last remnants of humanity fight desperately to hold their own against overwhelming odds of a R’Laar army that seems unstoppable.
Without giving too much away, Zara and Owyn make it back to Elias, and others, and come up with a desperate plan to stop the largest army that has ever marched on the face of the planet, one made up on R’Laar and Mindslaves, hundred of thousands strong, coming to crush humanity forever.
With their plan in motion the Heroes, Owyn, Zara, several Mages and a group of Wastelander’s go to save the last of humanity.
In this story, we also follow two other main characters, Elias and Talon. Again, I don’t want to give too much away from this brilliant ending, but it is fascinating learning what happens to Elias in the final stages of this saga. Elias has always been somewhat of a mystery in this series, but we get to learn a lot more about his character and his relationship with both Owyn, and Tamara, as well as some others. Peel really brings Elias to life in this final book, not just as the Nightingale/Ranger, but as the leader that he is within as well.
In this book, and throughout this entire series, Peel’s world building has been nothing short of exceptional, with so much detail, in each of the villages, to the Demons, the backgrounds of his characters, everything has so much depth and such quality to it.
Another aspect that has to be mentioned for the entire series are Peel’s Combat Sequences, which are just extraordinary, with so much complexity and intricate detail in how the combat plays out, from sword strikes, to Owyn’s Hatchet. Added to that was the spectacular Magic system, which was something unique to this story, and done remarkably well. Zara’s Magic (and the other Magi) was crafted very cleverly with the source crystals, the different spells, it added a wonderful edge to the story.
Peel has created a stunning universe in which to tell his story of two young people, thrust into the thick of things, and although they were at the top of their respective fields, they have had to push even harder to try and defeat Demons, Traitorous Kings, the Wastelands, and numerous other challenges, all whilst falling in love, and trying to save the world. This is a powerful and gritty piece of character driven storytelling and is a lot of fun to read, if you like a good fantasy story, you will love this!!!
I am more of a Sci-Fi fan than full Fantasy, but every now and then, I get captured by a good quality Fantasy story, and Ranger’s Oath definitely falls into that category. There is something different about the nature of this story, the feel of how it is written, that immediately captures you, and draws you in, and you find that a few hours later, you are half way through the book, and have lost a bunch of time.
The story is told from the point of view of two main characters, the younger apprentices of the two experienced masters in two very different fields, the first, Elias, a respected Ranger of the area of Tarsynium, and the other, a the Arch-Magister of the Realm, Elva Tyrande.
Owyn Lund is the apprentice Ranger, and whilst still learning, he is accomplished at what he does, fast learning to become a Ranger in his own right. Likewise, Zara Dennel is the star pupil of her Academy, and this is the reason that the Arch-Magister chose her to go with her as an apprentice on a mission.
At the start of this book, we learn a little about these characters, and there is some subtle world building, done in a clever way to provide us with sufficient background of both the Ranger and Mage classes, as well as the world that they live in, but also leaving us wanting more.
And this is where we are introduced to a savage and brutal attack on a village. An outlying Village of the settlements has been totally decimated, every man, woman and child in a horrific scene. (Note, there is some graphic violence here, so this book is probably not for really younger readers, but those in early/late teens will be ok)
It is from here that the story really gets its full plotlines – who did this? Why did they do it?
You find out there is rather a complicated network of Political intrigue in the area, and that there could have been several possible groups, and that this could be a pre-cursor to war.
But young Owyn is also worried that it might be something else, even though he is laughed at for his suggestion, for long ago, Demons walked the lands of Tarsynium, until a magical barrier was erected, and is now constantly powered by a special magical gem, that is always monitored, so no Demon can pass – or can they? Owyn is sure he saw something, and Zara is confused that what Owyn saw matches the description of a creature not seen since the Demon Wars, and there is no way Owyn could know what it is – so how did he describe it so well, just as the ancient texts describe it? Could this have been what destroyed the village?
And thus begins a mystery, a desperate hunt, and an area full of people who are al suspicious of each other, and were other people are in danger.
This is a brilliant, exciting adventure story, that is not only a lot of fun, but it is just one thrill to the next, with exceptional character work. You have a great feel for our two young apprentice characters, you get a great understanding for them, an in-depth feel for who they are as the story is told. At the same time, with both of their Mentors, there is more secrecy, and this adds to the intrigue of the story, it is very clever, and an outstanding bit of writing, The Author has done a remarkable job with both the characters and the story.
Doom Bringers – Fall of Radiance #2
Part 2 of this series picks up not long after the end of book 1, and finds our heroes cleaning up the mess left by the demon infestation. Owyn has been trusted with leading a band to take down a Gorgon, and Zara is dealing with the Mages, all of whom are quite proud of her efforts.
It is fascinating to see the comparison between Owyn and Zara from the start of Ranger’s Oath to Doom Bringers, how they have grown as Characters, and that shows a lot in the Authors ability as a Character writer, to allow us to take the trainees of the series, the Ranger in training and the Mage trying to pass her Magi test, and show the distinct difference, they have not just added experience in their skill sets, they have grown as actual people as well. Zara is no longer quite so shy (even though she was very courageous and bold), she is willing to take command now.
Owyn has come into his own, a true Ranger, even though he has not yet reached the rank, he is capable of leading strike forces to hunt down Demons, things that no one has heard of, let alone fought in a Millennia.
When it comes time to return to the Capital City of Tarsys and report what has happened, Elias decides that Owyn can go on without him, as he has an important deed that must be dealt with. This is very unusual, as an Apprentice Ranger is not meant to be separated from his Master under any circumstances as per the Ranger’s Oath.
And so Owyn and Zara head to Tarsys to make their report with the other Mages.
I don’t want to go into a huge amount of detail as it will give too much away.
This is a great second story though, as Owyn and Zara are separated from their Masters, and they have to fend for themselves to a large extent, and it is great to see (as I said before), how the characters have grown, and to see their Characters come into their own light, rather than under the shadow of others all the time.
There are a multitude of plots in this books that see it thrumming along at a furious pace.
Both Main Characters (as well as a lot of the secondary characters) are under threat from a group of assassins, trying to silence everyone from what they have seen in the first story.
Owyn, on reaching the city, is in stunned awe, never having seen anything like what he sees. However, he is quickly snatched up by a Senior Ranger, who has serious questions for him, not just about the incident, but about his loyalties as well. Suddenly Owyn finds that he has to defend himself as he doesn’t have Elias to speak for him, and he is not in his safe environment.
Without giving anything away, Owyn’s part in this story is utterly intriguing, and some of the best writing in the series so far. The Character work, dialogue, and interactions between Owyn and the other Characters is compelling, and leaves you wanting to skip chapters to find out what has happened. (the book alternates between Owyn and Zara, and you know you are reading a good book, when you just want to skip entire sections of a book to follow one characters story arc, but at the same time, you don’t want to miss out on the other main character as well. The Character writing is Inspired in this book)
Zara, having returned to the Mages, and having killed their High Mage, uncovering some other plots along the way, continues to investigate the Conclave. This allows us to learn a lot about the Conclave, and also allows the Author to really give some attention to the world building, not just for the Conclave, but for the city of Tarsys, as well as Tarsynium and Forest Hill as well.
War Echoes – Fall of Radiance #3:
The story picks up not long after the events of book 2, in which Zara thwarted the plans of the Harbingers through a series of very cunning, daring, and oft, just very lucky events. Not only did she stop the assassination of the High Magus, but she also worked out other aspects of their plans and stopped that as well, alerting members of the Conclave to what was happening. At the start of War Echoes, we find Zara being spoken to about her actions, and, as a result of them, being raised to the level of Seeker by the High Magus Sylvania. She also receives a summons to come before the King.
Meanwhile, Owyn is still coming to terms with the events from the previous book, in which he was pivotal in uncovering that the Master Warden was actually under the control of the Demons, and that Advisor Creed had been taking money to act against the Rangers Oath, and killing in cold blood, causing unrest in the North. If it were not for Owyn and First Warden Tamara, this would never have been uncovered, and as it was, many Rangers died, and, unfortunately, an entire village of unarmed women and children were slain by Creed before he could be stopped.
Tamara has now been named Master Warden in a vote of the Rangers, to replace Thorne now he is dead. Elias is still missing, and Owyn has been summoned before the King. Talon has said since he has no master, he will go with Owyn, and Master Warden Tamara, in her new position, gives them her approval, as well as a Ranger guard.
As with the other books, the story is told from the point of view of Owyn and Zara. The two of them meet to see the King, and from there, are told to go and meet with the Nightingales, to try and bring them into the fold, as the kingdom will need all the warriors it has to survive the Demon threat. To assist them, they are provided with someone who used to be a Nightingale to take them to Dunmar City and meet the Protector.
This is a fascinating book, one with a lot of treachery, deception, mystery, and some outstanding character interplay. The Political scheming that is going on, between the King, the Nightingales, the Rangers, and the Conclave is incredibly complex, as each is not only trying to vie for power, but also try to make sure that someone else does not wipe them out. It is a very strategic game, in that each of the major players is not strong enough to rule the Kingdom on its own, each of them needs at least 1 other Party, preferably two. What started out initially with the King having both the Rangers and the Conclave under his banner has quickly changed, and they have become separate entities on their own, each of them a powerful entity within their own right. And suddenly the entire Kingdom has become unstable at a time when it needs to be at its most stable, right when the threat from the R’laar is at its greatest.
Owyn and Zara head off to Dunmar city, with a small force, including a pompous knight who works for the King. It is here that the character work is really exceptional, as we get to learn (without giving too much away), more about Owyn’s past, and how the Nightingale’s have impacted on it, and how he really struggles between having such strong prejudice, but also his loyalties to not only the Rangers, but to Zara as well. For Zara is not just a powerful and clever Magus, she is also a skilled diplomat, her high intelligence allows her to see things others do not, and she uses these to her (and her friends) best advantage.
In Dunmar City, there are all sorts of fascinating things that happen that make this a really intriguing story, one that is not just great for the story arc, but it is really good for the development of the main characters as well.
Exiled – Fall of Radiance:
At the start of this book, Owyn and Zara have just survived the massive battle with King Aethelgar’s army, thanks mostly to the timely arrival of the Rangers.
Under a banner of truce, Owyn, Zara, and the Command team of the Nightingales are lured to a secret meeting with the High Magus, but, again, it is only a trap, and without going into detail (I’ll let you read that), Owyn and Zara are exiled. This makes for a fascinating twist to the story, (Yeh, obviously we kind of saw it coming from the title), but for the first time in the series, we really don’t know if our main characters are actually going to live, and even more exciting, we get to see what is on the other side of the Arc of Radiance, after having heard so much about it.
This book is different in a several ways, not only are our two Main Characters in dire peril on the other side of the Arc, in this book, we don’t just get to see their Points of View, this time around, we also get to hear the inner voice of Elias Keen. Having just learnt a lot about this character in book 3, this now makes for a really interesting facet of the story, as we get to better understand the Nightingale come Ranger, who is both mysterious and deadly, but at the same time, incredibly honourable.
Peel does a remarkable job with his character, not just opening him up and letting us peer into his head, but rather giving us glimpses of the incredible Ranger, Leader and Warrior he is, making the story even more engaging to read.
As with the other books, we get to see deep into the souls of Owyn and Zara, as they are stripped bare in this terrifying new environment, and it is extraordinary watching the characters develop in this fascinating place.
Prince of Radiance – Fall of Radiance #5
Peel has created an epic conclusion for the series, and at the start of it, Owyn and Zara are still trapped outside the Arc.
Peel holds nothing back in this final part of the series, as the last remnants of humanity fight desperately to hold their own against overwhelming odds of a R’Laar army that seems unstoppable.
Without giving too much away, Zara and Owyn make it back to Elias, and others, and come up with a desperate plan to stop the largest army that has ever marched on the face of the planet, one made up on R’Laar and Mindslaves, hundred of thousands strong, coming to crush humanity forever.
With their plan in motion the Heroes, Owyn, Zara, several Mages and a group of Wastelander’s go to save the last of humanity.
In this story, we also follow two other main characters, Elias and Talon. Again, I don’t want to give too much away from this brilliant ending, but it is fascinating learning what happens to Elias in the final stages of this saga. Elias has always been somewhat of a mystery in this series, but we get to learn a lot more about his character and his relationship with both Owyn, and Tamara, as well as some others. Peel really brings Elias to life in this final book, not just as the Nightingale/Ranger, but as the leader that he is within as well.
In this book, and throughout this entire series, Peel’s world building has been nothing short of exceptional, with so much detail, in each of the villages, to the Demons, the backgrounds of his characters, everything has so much depth and such quality to it.
Another aspect that has to be mentioned for the entire series are Peel’s Combat Sequences, which are just extraordinary, with so much complexity and intricate detail in how the combat plays out, from sword strikes, to Owyn’s Hatchet. Added to that was the spectacular Magic system, which was something unique to this story, and done remarkably well. Zara’s Magic (and the other Magi) was crafted very cleverly with the source crystals, the different spells, it added a wonderful edge to the story.
Peel has created a stunning universe in which to tell his story of two young people, thrust into the thick of things, and although they were at the top of their respective fields, they have had to push even harder to try and defeat Demons, Traitorous Kings, the Wastelands, and numerous other challenges, all whilst falling in love, and trying to save the world. This is a powerful and gritty piece of character driven storytelling and is a lot of fun to read, if you like a good fantasy story, you will love this!!!
March 26, 2021
Enjoyed this series. It doesn't have as in depth world building and I'm left with many questions but it is a character driven story. If you have read a lot of fantasy you might find many things familiar but for a new fantasy reader I believe this would be a great series.
August 14, 2021
Tears of joy and devastation!!
These books are ones, that even younger teens can read. There is nothing but the slightest and most subtle comments of any sexual dalliance, and absolutely no swearing whatsoever!! But the books are good for all ages, if you have the staying power of reading them all together in one, or preferring to read them as individual books making it look less daunting!! Personally if I can buy them as a bundle then that's what I'll do, just so as to read them all together and it cuts down the cost!! I also like to have Audible with my books and this book's narrator's have done excellent jobs!!
Usually I don't like to give a full five stars, as there's usually something quite silly and easily avoidable in some part of a book, (or especially so In a series of books,) that's completely missed. In some books I've read a recurring characters name suddenly changed, or even worse is appalling grammar!! These are things that, if missed by the author, should have been picked up on proof reading and editing. When it isn't, then no matter how much I liked the novels, I remove a star!! But these books are fantastic!! Grammar * Characters * Likeability * Villains * Plot ******* unfortunately they won't allow any body to give more than 5*'s but if ever a series should be given more it's this series!!! I laughed, I cried, I was aghast, I was shocked and then to top it all.....
I laughed, cried, was shocked, became enraged as i started crying, while being astounded at the end! I'd love to go into more detail and i probably ought to but, I won't!! The reason being, I want you to read the books and enjoy them without any coaxing from myself, about which character does what, where,and how!!! I don't read reviews as i refuse to be jaded by other people's points of view!! When I do reviews it's always done in a way so as to not to give anything away and ruin that person's enjoyment of the books!!
Please if nothing else, let my review tell you, everything you want in a good novel, this series has it in spades and then some.
These books are ones, that even younger teens can read. There is nothing but the slightest and most subtle comments of any sexual dalliance, and absolutely no swearing whatsoever!! But the books are good for all ages, if you have the staying power of reading them all together in one, or preferring to read them as individual books making it look less daunting!! Personally if I can buy them as a bundle then that's what I'll do, just so as to read them all together and it cuts down the cost!! I also like to have Audible with my books and this book's narrator's have done excellent jobs!!
Usually I don't like to give a full five stars, as there's usually something quite silly and easily avoidable in some part of a book, (or especially so In a series of books,) that's completely missed. In some books I've read a recurring characters name suddenly changed, or even worse is appalling grammar!! These are things that, if missed by the author, should have been picked up on proof reading and editing. When it isn't, then no matter how much I liked the novels, I remove a star!! But these books are fantastic!! Grammar * Characters * Likeability * Villains * Plot ******* unfortunately they won't allow any body to give more than 5*'s but if ever a series should be given more it's this series!!! I laughed, I cried, I was aghast, I was shocked and then to top it all.....
I laughed, cried, was shocked, became enraged as i started crying, while being astounded at the end! I'd love to go into more detail and i probably ought to but, I won't!! The reason being, I want you to read the books and enjoy them without any coaxing from myself, about which character does what, where,and how!!! I don't read reviews as i refuse to be jaded by other people's points of view!! When I do reviews it's always done in a way so as to not to give anything away and ruin that person's enjoyment of the books!!
Please if nothing else, let my review tell you, everything you want in a good novel, this series has it in spades and then some.
February 9, 2023
4.25. A solid read. One that borrowed UNCOMFORTABLY too much from Robert Jordan's Wheel Of Time. But this was well executed, if a little tropish-heavy. But, I'll tell you what, I didn't see that ending coming... and I liked it!
April 2, 2021
Wonderful!!!!!
I am enamored with this series. What does a young mage initiate, a ranger apprentice and a Prince of Darkness all have in common? The end of the world perhaps? Follow Zara Dennel on her journey of discovery. She'll find herself and that there is power in the Light. I highly recommend this series. The books have some few typos and editing errors but nothing that takes away from the books being well worth the read. Kudos to Blake Arthur Peel for a well written series.
I am enamored with this series. What does a young mage initiate, a ranger apprentice and a Prince of Darkness all have in common? The end of the world perhaps? Follow Zara Dennel on her journey of discovery. She'll find herself and that there is power in the Light. I highly recommend this series. The books have some few typos and editing errors but nothing that takes away from the books being well worth the read. Kudos to Blake Arthur Peel for a well written series.
March 28, 2021
A great epic fantasy
I enjoyed this Series of books although a little slow at times. The ending was totally tragic however l would have liked Zara and Owyn to have had more adventures. A fine read overall.
I enjoyed this Series of books although a little slow at times. The ending was totally tragic however l would have liked Zara and Owyn to have had more adventures. A fine read overall.
July 1, 2022
This review is mainly about the last book, which makes reading the previous ones kind of pointless. What is it with fantasy book writers and endings? Some writers never finish their series, some rush the ending and even the best leave a sense of discontent. Fall of Radiance is no exception. For 5 books you are taken through an epic though unoriginal quest where two young apprentices fight against overwhelming odds while evil invades the kingdom of Tarsynium. I'm fine with the cookie cutter characters of a stoic rugged hunky ranger boy and a pretty yet head strong mage girl who unavoidably fall in love but was it really necessary to kill them in the end? If you're going to be unoriginal, why not have a "spirit of the light" or some other higher being appear from the mega source crystal and protect them, instead of just letting the thing explode? And why would this crystal affect the demon army hundreds of miles away? And if source crystals can be used as anti demon grenades, why didn't they use a few to get rid of the demons in Tarsynium or the demons hunting Zara and her group in the wastelands? Kudos to the writer for making me care about Owyn and Zara enough to get upset about the quick and easy way the story ended for them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
Struggled to finish. Dialog is horrendous, with characters only saying exactly what moves the story along, with little regard to the type of character and how that character would speak or act. Each of the characters makes the dumbest decisions possible. ignoring the obvious decisions and solutions. The villains (Harbringers) are extremely flat with no real explanation of some fairly illogical motivations.
The author does not understand medieval times and weapons at all. Or hunting. bandaging, infections, horses, really any of it.
The whole story felt like an early draft. There is potential here. But it would need serious rewriting. Its a good setting and overall plot I think. I salute the author for the ending, it finished well overall.
It was another stunning performance by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer, who are the main reasons I listened to the book in the first place. Well done!
The author does not understand medieval times and weapons at all. Or hunting. bandaging, infections, horses, really any of it.
The whole story felt like an early draft. There is potential here. But it would need serious rewriting. Its a good setting and overall plot I think. I salute the author for the ending, it finished well overall.
It was another stunning performance by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer, who are the main reasons I listened to the book in the first place. Well done!
November 24, 2021
Finished all 5 in the last week or so. Really enjoyable. Rich story.
But two things weakened it. The first is the first person pov. I don't think it worked. And as i read through the books, i found myself converting everything to third person in my head. There are a few chapters in third person and every one of them read better than the first person perspective chapters. Also, the ending renders this choice meaningless.
Second, the flow of the story was a bit boring. It was essentially linear and i wonder if the pov shifts were meant to change up the action somewhat. But if so, it wasn't enough.
Minor point, I didn't like how certain major plot points were delivered. Largely unconvincing. Especially when characters disappear for stretches at a time. It's very hard to care for someone who only appears at the beginning and the end.
But again, the story itself is rich and wonderful. I see this as a sign of better things to come from the author.
But two things weakened it. The first is the first person pov. I don't think it worked. And as i read through the books, i found myself converting everything to third person in my head. There are a few chapters in third person and every one of them read better than the first person perspective chapters. Also, the ending renders this choice meaningless.
Second, the flow of the story was a bit boring. It was essentially linear and i wonder if the pov shifts were meant to change up the action somewhat. But if so, it wasn't enough.
Minor point, I didn't like how certain major plot points were delivered. Largely unconvincing. Especially when characters disappear for stretches at a time. It's very hard to care for someone who only appears at the beginning and the end.
But again, the story itself is rich and wonderful. I see this as a sign of better things to come from the author.
July 1, 2021
I wanted to like this I really did, but I couldn't get through the first few chapters of this. This series has the same problem as the Inheritance Cycle. I have read many fantasy stories and this one has all the tropes within the first few chapters, but what turns me off to this whole thing are the obvious info dumps. To be fair I would say this story is probably meant for readers that are newer to fantasy and I could see myself enjoying this had I not experienced all these tropes before.
January 4, 2024
I wanted to like these books I really did but they just have SO MUCH wrong with them I can't bring myself to give them a good review. I feel I could use these to teach a class on how not to write a book. From over use of the same phrase over and over, to plot holes, to just plain old stupid decisions. I don't know if the author wrote this as a joke but if everyone in the series is as dumb as he writes them they never would have gotten out of the stone age.
Super negative review. I apologize to the author I'm sure these are great for others and I'm definitely not who it was probably written for. I just couldn't look past it.
Super negative review. I apologize to the author I'm sure these are great for others and I'm definitely not who it was probably written for. I just couldn't look past it.
December 27, 2022
This was a good series until the end. There are too many ways to end it differently. It seemed like the author was forcing it to end it one way, but it just did not make sense. I would not recommend the series to anyone. I gave it a couple of months, but the weapon could have been used multiple times with the extra crystals from all the dead mages. Pursuit easily quashed and plenty of time to finish job. Sorry, it just seemed forced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2023
I cannot stand this milquetoast nothing of a series. If this wasn't published in 2018 I would assume it was made by an uncreative AI. I'm only in book two and I intend to finish it so I can properly hate it but in no way shape or form does this handjob nothing of a plot hole ridden pile of shitty fantasy tropes deserve anyone's attention.
August 8, 2023
I really wanted to like this book, but it's impossible to ignore its lack of depth, it's heavy reliance on tropes, and it's plodding and predictable plot.
April 16, 2024
I just finished these on Audible. Overall, I found myself wishing that I had saved my time and my credit, despite the series being a steal of a deal in terms of money per hour listened. My early -teen girls heard part of it on a road trip and seemed to like it, especially the romance aspect. I'm hopeful that they'll get better enjoyment from it.
As a fan of many of the author's stated inspirations, I can definitely see similarities, but Mr. Peel's use of tropes common to the epic fantasy genre seemed flat. I often found myself thinking that the series would have benefited from additional research on the various topics and historical periods used.
This was particularly the case when it came to human nature. Given the environment and environmental pressures that the characters would have faced, I found myself having a hard time believing that characters would act the way that they were described to have acted given their apparent motivations, or alternatively disagreeing with the stated motivations for their actions. This applied across all characters, but was especially egregious for the villains.
As an avid Sanderson fan, I don't need extreme grit, explicit descriptions of romantic encounters, or a jaded world view to but into a book, but I do need to be able to suspend belief. I couldn't consistently do that in this series. It didn't help that Mr. Peel borrowed so heavily from Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. The magic users "channel the source," the protector of the main magic user is a "warder" (an organization identifiable by their distinctive cloaks), they combat "Asmodeous" and "dark hounds," use "Light!" most commonly for cursing, etc.
I also found myself jolted out of the story too often due to questionable word choice. It seemed like the author would overreach his mastery of some of the words he used. They sometimes would almost fit, like when he used "look of consternation" to describe the look on the faces of mages as they struggled to deal with the power of a spell. "Concentration" would have worked better, or even "surprised concentration" if the author felt the need to convey that it was much worse than what they were expecting, but there wasn't anything else described in that passage that would have supported the idea that the magnitude caused any type of confusion. Ticky-tack complaint? Maybe, but I really wanted to like this story, and this kind of thing happened frequently enough that in the end, I didn't like it.
All in all, I wish that the author would have had a cantankerous and persnickety editor who would have demanded a lot of little changes. It might not have helped with how one-dimensional the characters seemed, but it might have been enough to have made me overall glad to have finished the series.
I am a firm believer in the idea that disliking something is not a virtue. I'm glad for the author, and for the readers, that so many people really liked this series. I think my early-teen girls might really like it. I just want to share my perspective for those who might end up having a similar experience to mine.
As a fan of many of the author's stated inspirations, I can definitely see similarities, but Mr. Peel's use of tropes common to the epic fantasy genre seemed flat. I often found myself thinking that the series would have benefited from additional research on the various topics and historical periods used.
This was particularly the case when it came to human nature. Given the environment and environmental pressures that the characters would have faced, I found myself having a hard time believing that characters would act the way that they were described to have acted given their apparent motivations, or alternatively disagreeing with the stated motivations for their actions. This applied across all characters, but was especially egregious for the villains.
As an avid Sanderson fan, I don't need extreme grit, explicit descriptions of romantic encounters, or a jaded world view to but into a book, but I do need to be able to suspend belief. I couldn't consistently do that in this series. It didn't help that Mr. Peel borrowed so heavily from Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. The magic users "channel the source," the protector of the main magic user is a "warder" (an organization identifiable by their distinctive cloaks), they combat "Asmodeous" and "dark hounds," use "Light!" most commonly for cursing, etc.
I also found myself jolted out of the story too often due to questionable word choice. It seemed like the author would overreach his mastery of some of the words he used. They sometimes would almost fit, like when he used "look of consternation" to describe the look on the faces of mages as they struggled to deal with the power of a spell. "Concentration" would have worked better, or even "surprised concentration" if the author felt the need to convey that it was much worse than what they were expecting, but there wasn't anything else described in that passage that would have supported the idea that the magnitude caused any type of confusion. Ticky-tack complaint? Maybe, but I really wanted to like this story, and this kind of thing happened frequently enough that in the end, I didn't like it.
All in all, I wish that the author would have had a cantankerous and persnickety editor who would have demanded a lot of little changes. It might not have helped with how one-dimensional the characters seemed, but it might have been enough to have made me overall glad to have finished the series.
I am a firm believer in the idea that disliking something is not a virtue. I'm glad for the author, and for the readers, that so many people really liked this series. I think my early-teen girls might really like it. I just want to share my perspective for those who might end up having a similar experience to mine.
June 16, 2025
Fall of Radiance is a gripping epic fantasy series that pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final chapter of Book 5. Blake Arthur Peel creates a richly imagined world filled with complex characters, political intrigue, ancient magic, and high-stakes battles. The pacing is strong throughout, with each book building tension and expanding the world in meaningful ways.
One of the things I appreciated most was the character development. The protagonists grow with every challenge they face, and their relationships feel authentic and well-written. The themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of power are woven in beautifully, giving the story depth beyond just action and adventure.
As someone who enjoys fantasy with both heart and worldbuilding, this series delivered on all fronts. The writing style is clean and engaging, and the story has a satisfying arc from beginning to end. Highly recommended for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Michael J. Sullivan, or readers who enjoy immersive, character-driven epic fantasy.
One of the things I appreciated most was the character development. The protagonists grow with every challenge they face, and their relationships feel authentic and well-written. The themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of power are woven in beautifully, giving the story depth beyond just action and adventure.
As someone who enjoys fantasy with both heart and worldbuilding, this series delivered on all fronts. The writing style is clean and engaging, and the story has a satisfying arc from beginning to end. Highly recommended for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Michael J. Sullivan, or readers who enjoy immersive, character-driven epic fantasy.
September 20, 2024
It was ok. I listened to it via the audiobook that has two of my favorites doing the narration. (Michael Kramer and Kate Reading).
The overall story is fairly simplistic, predictable and generic with a few key events feeling extremely forced. (In the sense of there’s no way certain precautions wouldn’t have been taken to prevent the events from happening in the first place).
The formulaic nature and predictability (aided by significant foreshadowing as well) are why I dropped it to 3 stars.
In general it’s well written and very much fits the YA fantasy category. The structure of the story with each chapter being from a different character viewpoint is a format that I personally enjoy. These qualities are why I gave it 3 stars.
In the end - it’s alright - not great, not awful. A fun read/listen on my work commute.
The overall story is fairly simplistic, predictable and generic with a few key events feeling extremely forced. (In the sense of there’s no way certain precautions wouldn’t have been taken to prevent the events from happening in the first place).
The formulaic nature and predictability (aided by significant foreshadowing as well) are why I dropped it to 3 stars.
In general it’s well written and very much fits the YA fantasy category. The structure of the story with each chapter being from a different character viewpoint is a format that I personally enjoy. These qualities are why I gave it 3 stars.
In the end - it’s alright - not great, not awful. A fun read/listen on my work commute.
December 1, 2021
enthralling breathtakingly good read
Have to say for a story that’s five books long your never bored,the story flows beautifully from one character to another.Never once jumping back over same story from a different perspective.The description of the daemon’s was perfect.Not the ending I would have wanted,but it’s realistic as to what would have been closer to the truth of the story.The magic was on the low side but it was never giving as a magic story more of a fight for humanity.Can just see this as a movie in my imagination thank you so much definitely looking for my next thriller from you
Have to say for a story that’s five books long your never bored,the story flows beautifully from one character to another.Never once jumping back over same story from a different perspective.The description of the daemon’s was perfect.Not the ending I would have wanted,but it’s realistic as to what would have been closer to the truth of the story.The magic was on the low side but it was never giving as a magic story more of a fight for humanity.Can just see this as a movie in my imagination thank you so much definitely looking for my next thriller from you
October 7, 2021
A Millennium Ends
A thousand years of peace and safety is about to end. The Arc of Radiance, the shield that has kept the demon hordes out of the remnants of humanity's lives is failing. An apprentice ranger and a student mage are thrown together as their world crumbles around them. The five book set reads as a single story. With each chapter the point of view switches from one character to another. The story is fast paced until Book Five. Then the story began to drag for me. However, the conclusion is worth the wait. I recommend this book set.
A thousand years of peace and safety is about to end. The Arc of Radiance, the shield that has kept the demon hordes out of the remnants of humanity's lives is failing. An apprentice ranger and a student mage are thrown together as their world crumbles around them. The five book set reads as a single story. With each chapter the point of view switches from one character to another. The story is fast paced until Book Five. Then the story began to drag for me. However, the conclusion is worth the wait. I recommend this book set.
April 6, 2021
OMG What a Ride
Character development is the key word for this story. I feel in love with the characters quickly. There is so much happening that you need to grab on go for a ride. Don't think you will know what's going to happen. When ever you think you know what's happening, low its something else. You will love through joy love hate and maybe a tear or two. A rollercoaster of emotions.
Character development is the key word for this story. I feel in love with the characters quickly. There is so much happening that you need to grab on go for a ride. Don't think you will know what's going to happen. When ever you think you know what's happening, low its something else. You will love through joy love hate and maybe a tear or two. A rollercoaster of emotions.
December 27, 2023
I finally completed this complete series collection, and it was an enjoyable read. The characters were likeable and their banter was amusing for the most part.
The overall concept was intriguing, though I was surprised and confused with some of the tactical decisions that were made towards the end of the series.
The way the series ended was poignant and cleanly wrapped things up, while still allowing for future works within this world.
The overall concept was intriguing, though I was surprised and confused with some of the tactical decisions that were made towards the end of the series.
The way the series ended was poignant and cleanly wrapped things up, while still allowing for future works within this world.
April 30, 2021
A wonderful read.
This is only my second foray into this genre since my youth and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's very simple to read and full of adventure and characters that we can empathise with.
The premise is simple without being cliche and is a real page-turner as we get swept along with our heroes as they meet their various obstacles.
I was sorry it had to end.
This is only my second foray into this genre since my youth and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's very simple to read and full of adventure and characters that we can empathise with.
The premise is simple without being cliche and is a real page-turner as we get swept along with our heroes as they meet their various obstacles.
I was sorry it had to end.
May 3, 2021
Good books
The story was good and I definitely enjoyed it. It did take me a while (about 300 pages) to engage and the story for me fell short at the end stuffing an entire book’s worth of information in about 100 pages. It was not my favorite but was well written until the last book.
The story was good and I definitely enjoyed it. It did take me a while (about 300 pages) to engage and the story for me fell short at the end stuffing an entire book’s worth of information in about 100 pages. It was not my favorite but was well written until the last book.
May 26, 2021
A good compelling read
Enjoyed the story line and character development. More time than I would have liked on the descriptions of planning and execution of battles, but I'm probably quite a bit older than targeted reader. Still the series was well written and engaging. Worth the time to read.
Enjoyed the story line and character development. More time than I would have liked on the descriptions of planning and execution of battles, but I'm probably quite a bit older than targeted reader. Still the series was well written and engaging. Worth the time to read.
May 29, 2021
I want more!!!
Great saga. Charactersrs well defined. I loved them all. So much sacrifice for the greater good. I will recommend this to others. I would like to see a prequel to better define the main characters. And a follow up to see how the kingdom comes together. Nothing else t o say.
Great saga. Charactersrs well defined. I loved them all. So much sacrifice for the greater good. I will recommend this to others. I would like to see a prequel to better define the main characters. And a follow up to see how the kingdom comes together. Nothing else t o say.
Read
May 30, 2021Excellent Epic
The story holds your attention through many twists and turns. The characters develop nicely as the tale unfolds. From simple beginnings the heros and heroines of the tale develops into strong characters but still retaining their flaws which they refuse to be defined by. No spoilers from me just read and hopefully enjoy as much as I did
The story holds your attention through many twists and turns. The characters develop nicely as the tale unfolds. From simple beginnings the heros and heroines of the tale develops into strong characters but still retaining their flaws which they refuse to be defined by. No spoilers from me just read and hopefully enjoy as much as I did
December 23, 2022
I listened to the complete series on audible. it was 50 hours long to get through all 5. The length was just right.
the characters were well developed and never boring. The story was well done. No character is safe, similar to a George RR Martin series. thankfully it lacks some of the gratuitous elements he likes to include.
A great series.
the characters were well developed and never boring. The story was well done. No character is safe, similar to a George RR Martin series. thankfully it lacks some of the gratuitous elements he likes to include.
A great series.
September 3, 2024
This book had a fairly unique world, if not the most original plot and characters. Still, though it was sometimes predictable. It was predictable in a way that was comforting as a reader. The plot grew in complexity around book four in a way I found more satisfying, and the end of the series left me feeling satisfied.
September 17, 2025
This series is set in a very interesting world with great characters and a good plot. Unfortunately, the writing quality itself was very choppy or chunky or not smooth. I got partway into the third book before it was too much to enjoy continuation. A bit of a shame given the aforementioned story elements.
November 19, 2025
Mediocre at best. Repetitive writing, tired cliches, more or less nothing original happened throughout the entire series (even one of the main characters was lifted directly from WoT), unsatisfying ending. I'm not sure there was a single twist or reveal that I hadn't predicted before it happened. Only finished this because of the comfort and familiarity of Kramer and Reading's narration.
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