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The Farian War #3
Out Past the Stars
An epic space opera trilogy featuring the gunrunner empress Hail Bristol, who must navigate alien politics and deadly plots to prevent an interspecies war.
The battle for the throne is over. The war for the galaxy is just beginning.
Hail Bristol, infamous galactic gunrunner and former runaway princess, never expected to inherit the throne of Indrana. But after avenging the murder of her family and cleansing the Empire of usurpers in a bloody civil war, the former outlaw must fulfill her duties to her people. Hail retires her gun and throws herself into the rebuilding of her Empire.
Her hard-won peace is short-lived. When Indrana's closest ally asks Hail to intervene in an interstellar military crisis, she embarks on the highest stakes diplomatic mission the Empire has ever faced. Caught between two alien civilizations at each other's throats, she must uncover each side's true intentions before all of humanity becomes collateral damage in a full-blown galactic war.
There Before the Chaos begins a fresh, pulse-pounding space opera series from an exciting new voice in science fiction.
For more from K. B. Wagers, check out:
The Indranan War trilogy Behind the Throne, After the Crown, Beyond the Empire
389 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2021
28 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
K.B. Wagers
11 books640 followersK.B. Wagers is the author of the Indranan & Farian War trilogies with Orbit Books and the new NeoG novels from Harper Voyager. They hold a bachelor's degree in Russian Studies and a second-degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu. A native of Colorado, K.B. lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with their partner and a crew of recalcitrant cats. In between books, they can be found attempting to learn Spanish, dying in video games, dancing to music, and scribbling new ideas in their bullet journal. They are represented by Andrew Zack of The Zack Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 25, 2021
As someone who was deeply disappointed with the author's choice to pair Hail up with one of her abusers, I almost didn't read this one. I guess I'm glad I decided to because the curiosity would have nagged at me otherwise, but it did nothing to repair the overall series for me.
The whole thing is just painfully slow, and I say this as someone who's often a fan of dense, political reads. The story drifts for a hundred plus pages at a time with little real tension, and when things do pick up a bit, the drama is too often centered around Mia, who's still Hail's love interest despite that whole "helping torture her for half a book" thing.
And completely aside from my distaste at their partnership, the romance reads like it's driven more by the story structure than by the characters. I'm tempted to chalk that up to my dislike of the abuser-becoming-partner trope, but unfortunately much of the rest of the book has a similar feel. The plot includes space battles, high-intensity fights, emotional conversations, and stunning reveals about various alien races, but somehow it's all kind of dry.
It's a real shame because Wagers' prose is still smooth and comfortable, and some of the scenes between Hail and her more established companions are as interesting as ever. But Down Among the Dead broke something that Out Past the Stars couldn't fix. The long torture/training stuff from the last book compressed the plot of this one, stacking developments fast enough on one another's heels to blunt their impact. And this sense of things being crunched too close together is pushed even further by piling a problematic relationship immediately on top of trauma.
The first trilogy in this series is easily the best sci-fi/adventure I've read in a long time, but I'm not sure I'll be able to reread or recommend it after knowing what comes next. I'd try something else by this author though, either a book in another setting or maybe The Adventures of Hao and Gita (if that could happen in a way that didn't subject me to more Hail and Mia).
The whole thing is just painfully slow, and I say this as someone who's often a fan of dense, political reads. The story drifts for a hundred plus pages at a time with little real tension, and when things do pick up a bit, the drama is too often centered around Mia, who's still Hail's love interest despite that whole "helping torture her for half a book" thing.
And completely aside from my distaste at their partnership, the romance reads like it's driven more by the story structure than by the characters. I'm tempted to chalk that up to my dislike of the abuser-becoming-partner trope, but unfortunately much of the rest of the book has a similar feel. The plot includes space battles, high-intensity fights, emotional conversations, and stunning reveals about various alien races, but somehow it's all kind of dry.
It's a real shame because Wagers' prose is still smooth and comfortable, and some of the scenes between Hail and her more established companions are as interesting as ever. But Down Among the Dead broke something that Out Past the Stars couldn't fix. The long torture/training stuff from the last book compressed the plot of this one, stacking developments fast enough on one another's heels to blunt their impact. And this sense of things being crunched too close together is pushed even further by piling a problematic relationship immediately on top of trauma.
The first trilogy in this series is easily the best sci-fi/adventure I've read in a long time, but I'm not sure I'll be able to reread or recommend it after knowing what comes next. I'd try something else by this author though, either a book in another setting or maybe The Adventures of Hao and Gita (if that could happen in a way that didn't subject me to more Hail and Mia).
July 20, 2021
What a fantastic end to a trilogy—really, two trilogies. The previous book was lighter on action, delving deeper into psychological manipulation and grief. Out Past the Stars ramps up the action, emotion, and sacrifice, and is the very epitome of what space opera should be.
May 12, 2022
I will miss Hailimi. This author is amazing. I especially appreciated the acknowledgments at the end. Thank you, you amazing human. And if you ever decide to quit the NeoG and go back to Haili, I won’t be mad.
I will now go sob uncontrollably because my second favorite series is over.
I will now go sob uncontrollably because my second favorite series is over.
March 2, 2021
I want more Hail! I don't want this to be the end (although she does deserve a bit of a break from saving the universe.)
February 8, 2021
The last of the Farian War Trilogy manages to tie up the loose ends of the previous two novels though feel considerably distanced from the previous trilogy. Wagers first pulpy run around in this universe was interested in galactic warfare, with the slightest hint of alien seasoning (the Farians). At this point in saga Hail Bristol has saved her part of the Universe once, developed alien powers, died on every other page in the previous novel and now has the potential fate of the galaxy in her hands as an alien invasion takes over the civil war she was trying to solve. So a lot to unpack, and whilst it does, I couldn't help but feel Wagers is happy to finish it off.
This trilogy started with a successful attempt to broaden the political scope of this universe. The second one took a sharp turn into trauma, perhaps too hard (though not without interest), but this one has nothing thematically going on beyond finishing the thing. The peril is there and there are some decent set pieces but there feels like there's two main competing principles, complete the book without repeating the previous trilogy beats. The Empress Hail (cos yes, still space monarchy), has recovered from her previous trauma but is in no mood to play nice with anyone, though she is more likeable here than she has been. But despite this book having the biggest revelations and the most lore to unpack, it doesn't really sing.
Whilst this isn't quite a by the dots contractual obligation ending, I do get the sense that Wagers has moved on from this character and this universe. It was always on the edge of YA and perhaps this is what happens when a story and a writer grows up. I mentioned I liked the complexity in the first of this trilogy, and was blindsided by the trauma in two, Well this is very much the aftermath of both, Wagers tried to broaden the world and the character and came up against the pulp limitations perhaps. There are some good ideas in the centre here around the warfare, and it works as an ending, but it feels the right time to end it.
[Netgalley ARC]
This trilogy started with a successful attempt to broaden the political scope of this universe. The second one took a sharp turn into trauma, perhaps too hard (though not without interest), but this one has nothing thematically going on beyond finishing the thing. The peril is there and there are some decent set pieces but there feels like there's two main competing principles, complete the book without repeating the previous trilogy beats. The Empress Hail (cos yes, still space monarchy), has recovered from her previous trauma but is in no mood to play nice with anyone, though she is more likeable here than she has been. But despite this book having the biggest revelations and the most lore to unpack, it doesn't really sing.
Whilst this isn't quite a by the dots contractual obligation ending, I do get the sense that Wagers has moved on from this character and this universe. It was always on the edge of YA and perhaps this is what happens when a story and a writer grows up. I mentioned I liked the complexity in the first of this trilogy, and was blindsided by the trauma in two, Well this is very much the aftermath of both, Wagers tried to broaden the world and the character and came up against the pulp limitations perhaps. There are some good ideas in the centre here around the warfare, and it works as an ending, but it feels the right time to end it.
[Netgalley ARC]
March 6, 2023
In the exciting conclusion to the Farian Wars trilogy, Hail Bristol must defeat the aliens that have been pulling the strings all along between two sides of a galactic war, figure out whether what she’s being told by seers is true or if the future can be changed, and deal with other assorted aliens along the way. She’s got a great team backing her up, but it’s still all on her shoulders to make the right decisions to end all of the conflict and find peace for the galaxy, and hopefully for herself as well. I really enjoyed this tough, always evolving and growing, infamous gunrunner/empress and her exploits. Hail really deserves a bit of quiet and I hope she finds it, although I wouldn’t mind some more adventures after a while. I have a feeling she might not mind a bit of action later, as peace might get a bit boring after the life she’s lived.
April 22, 2021
This is the third book in the "Farian War" trilogy by K.B. Wagers. This is a continuation of the story started in the "The Indranan War" trilogy. In this one Hail Bristol, Empress of Indrana and former gunrunner finally confronts the Farian gods. The last thing she expected was to discover that they were part of a race of aliens who'd attacked the galaxy long before humanity's ancestors had crawled out of the sludge of Earth's oceans. She also discovers that they are being hunted by the Hiervet, who are beings from the same race, who are looking to destroy them before they can enslave the entire galaxy. The Hiervet will destroy anyone one or any being that stand in their way unless Hail can unite the Farians, the Shen, and her own people to destroy them first.
This book is the conclusion of this series and wraps up our Hail's journey neatly. The story may end here but there is plenty of room left for a continuation if the author wishes to do so.
I stated in my reviews of the books in the "The Indranan War" trilogy that they were some of the best Space Opera that I had read in quite some time. The first two books of this trilogy and this book continue that trend. I will note that you should read the books in the "The Indranan War" trilogy before starting this trilogy because you need the background laid out for context in this book and the preceding two in this trilogy.
This book is the conclusion of this series and wraps up our Hail's journey neatly. The story may end here but there is plenty of room left for a continuation if the author wishes to do so.
I stated in my reviews of the books in the "The Indranan War" trilogy that they were some of the best Space Opera that I had read in quite some time. The first two books of this trilogy and this book continue that trend. I will note that you should read the books in the "The Indranan War" trilogy before starting this trilogy because you need the background laid out for context in this book and the preceding two in this trilogy.
March 20, 2021
I had no desire to reread the first two of the trilogy because I disliked book 2 quite a bit. Because of this, I forgot most details about minor characters and minor plot points. I think this lack of knowing 100 percent wtf was going on is why I gave this a 3 instead of a 4.
So basically this book gets a bit lower ranking because I thought book 2 was too bad to reread. :)
So basically this book gets a bit lower ranking because I thought book 2 was too bad to reread. :)
May 22, 2022
Thoroughly recommend this trilogy!
October 11, 2023
Finished the second trilogy and the third book was definitely better than the 2nd. More action, more settings less claustrophobic, and a return to form for Hail. However, the relationship with Mia continued and the abuser-turned-lover is just not my cup of tea. I am so cold towards that relationship that it's hard for me to rate the other aspects of the book. Not to mention that Mia is a selfish, manipulative, almost undeserving-of-love character. The irony, for me, is that Hail's perfect partner is part of the book, and I would have been so happy if she had found love with Johar. The things I loved about the first trilogy are here, but this one did not evoke the enjoyment I found in the first. It seems like Hail's story is at an end, and I wish, if that is so, she had ended up with someone who truly deserved this amazing woman.
February 28, 2021
Here we are at the grand finale of Hail Bristol’s story. After many twists and turns the final book in The Farian War trilogy, Out Past the Stars, has arrived. The good news is that Hail’s swansong is exactly what I had hoped it would be. She leaves us on a high, doing what she does best, protecting the innocent and dishing out justice.
For me, the end of any trilogy is always tinged with a certain amount of sadness. I’m hopelessly invested in the characters and caught up in the plot by that point. I wouldn’t have got to book three if I wasn’t. The thing I’ve enjoyed most about The Farian War, and the trilogy that proceeded it, is K B Wager’s skilled exploration of their protagonist. Hail’s evolution from cocky gunrunner to self-assured galactic leader is riveting. Turns out that spending time working with the criminal underbelly of the galaxy stands you in good stead for living as a royal personage. We’ve had the opportunity to see the good and the bad in Hail’s life, all the highs and the lows. Wager’s doesn’t pull any punches; this is warts and all storytelling and I love it. The physical and psychological toll of a life lived in the service of one’s subjects has left its mark. Watching Hail overcome trauma, conquer seemingly insurmountable obstacles and keep moving forward is a sight to behold. The steel in her veins that drives her to protect all those around has always felt palpable.
The other characters not only complement the novel’s charismatic lead, they also help to flesh out her journey. Every time I’ve picked up the next book I’ve felt like I am reconnecting with old friends. The narrative would be a far sadder place without the likes of Emmory, Zin, Hao, Aiz, Mia and everyone else besides. Each and every one of these characters gets an opportunity to shine and they have evolved into far more than the sum of their parts. I’ve thought about this long and hard and I think, at its heart, this is a story about family. I’m sure I mentioned this in my review of Down Among the Dead and it is still true here. The idea that the people you choose to let into your life are the ones who become the most important to you. The bonds you have with them are far more significant than something as arbitrary as biology. These people become your life and they become your home.
I waffle about reading a lot, you’ve probably noticed. Over the last decade, I’ve made a point of sharing my thoughts about the hundreds of books that I’ve read and enjoyed. K B Wager’s Hail Bristol novels have deservedly earned a spot towards the top end of that vast list. I love genre fiction but, if I’m honest, I’ve always struggled a bit with science fiction. It’s mostly the science part. I’m worried that I’ll drown in technobabble. These novels got me passed that. Wager’s flawless character-driven writing is so damned accessible and insightful it has reinvigorated my love of space operas.
For entirely selfish reasons, mostly that I didn’t want to let the characters go, I was hoping for a long meandering conclusion to the novel. Sadly, it was all over way too soon. The Farian War has been a great trilogy and Out Past the Stars is a perfect conclusion. I think I need to go and have a bit of a lie-down. What can I say? It’s been emotional. I’ll be honest I don’t know what I’m going to do for my next sci-fi fix now that I don’t have the next Hail Bristol novel to look forward to ☹
For me, the end of any trilogy is always tinged with a certain amount of sadness. I’m hopelessly invested in the characters and caught up in the plot by that point. I wouldn’t have got to book three if I wasn’t. The thing I’ve enjoyed most about The Farian War, and the trilogy that proceeded it, is K B Wager’s skilled exploration of their protagonist. Hail’s evolution from cocky gunrunner to self-assured galactic leader is riveting. Turns out that spending time working with the criminal underbelly of the galaxy stands you in good stead for living as a royal personage. We’ve had the opportunity to see the good and the bad in Hail’s life, all the highs and the lows. Wager’s doesn’t pull any punches; this is warts and all storytelling and I love it. The physical and psychological toll of a life lived in the service of one’s subjects has left its mark. Watching Hail overcome trauma, conquer seemingly insurmountable obstacles and keep moving forward is a sight to behold. The steel in her veins that drives her to protect all those around has always felt palpable.
The other characters not only complement the novel’s charismatic lead, they also help to flesh out her journey. Every time I’ve picked up the next book I’ve felt like I am reconnecting with old friends. The narrative would be a far sadder place without the likes of Emmory, Zin, Hao, Aiz, Mia and everyone else besides. Each and every one of these characters gets an opportunity to shine and they have evolved into far more than the sum of their parts. I’ve thought about this long and hard and I think, at its heart, this is a story about family. I’m sure I mentioned this in my review of Down Among the Dead and it is still true here. The idea that the people you choose to let into your life are the ones who become the most important to you. The bonds you have with them are far more significant than something as arbitrary as biology. These people become your life and they become your home.
I waffle about reading a lot, you’ve probably noticed. Over the last decade, I’ve made a point of sharing my thoughts about the hundreds of books that I’ve read and enjoyed. K B Wager’s Hail Bristol novels have deservedly earned a spot towards the top end of that vast list. I love genre fiction but, if I’m honest, I’ve always struggled a bit with science fiction. It’s mostly the science part. I’m worried that I’ll drown in technobabble. These novels got me passed that. Wager’s flawless character-driven writing is so damned accessible and insightful it has reinvigorated my love of space operas.
For entirely selfish reasons, mostly that I didn’t want to let the characters go, I was hoping for a long meandering conclusion to the novel. Sadly, it was all over way too soon. The Farian War has been a great trilogy and Out Past the Stars is a perfect conclusion. I think I need to go and have a bit of a lie-down. What can I say? It’s been emotional. I’ll be honest I don’t know what I’m going to do for my next sci-fi fix now that I don’t have the next Hail Bristol novel to look forward to ☹
February 24, 2021
I AM SO SAD THIS SERIES IS OVER.
I have been following this book series since behind the throne came out and I really enjoyed the premise, the writing, the characters and their developments. Personally, this is one of my favourite book series ever so I am a bit biased in this review. Let me be clear, I don't know if the series is officially over. I know it was said it was a trilogy but that is what they said about the Indranan war series so I still got a tiny bit of hope left. Now while I loved this book there were a few issues that need to be addressed. First and foremost while the ending was good, it was most definitely rushed and did not have the rich writing of the beginning and middle of the story.
I am left with a few questions I cannot really share because they might spoil the book for anyone bothering to read this review. That is not to say the ending is bad, it isn't! In fact, most of the storylines seemed finished albeit a bit rushed in parts and thin in others.
Another issue that comes up is repetition, I understand that Hail has insecurities regarding her role and she is faced with an immense amout of pressure but the never ending pep talks got a little old after a while. After six books you would kind of expect her to get the message, no matter how stubborn she is. Normally this would be a minor issue for me but in contrast to parts of the story that felt a little thin, it became a little bit more noticeable.
What was awesome about this story was that you were kept guessing and it had many legitamate surprises. The characters have grown so much and their dynamics are a great read. I wish we could have had a bit more time with some of the characters that were pushed to the side for the sake of the story but that is just the way of things I guess.
So finally, I gave this book five stars because issues or not I had a crazy fun time reading it and did not put it down till it was over. I will definitely be reading it again and recommending it to anybody who will listen.
Now if you will excuse me, I need to go mourn the fact my adventures with the gunrunner empress are over. Thanks for the ride Hail!
I have been following this book series since behind the throne came out and I really enjoyed the premise, the writing, the characters and their developments. Personally, this is one of my favourite book series ever so I am a bit biased in this review. Let me be clear, I don't know if the series is officially over. I know it was said it was a trilogy but that is what they said about the Indranan war series so I still got a tiny bit of hope left. Now while I loved this book there were a few issues that need to be addressed. First and foremost while the ending was good, it was most definitely rushed and did not have the rich writing of the beginning and middle of the story.
I am left with a few questions I cannot really share because they might spoil the book for anyone bothering to read this review. That is not to say the ending is bad, it isn't! In fact, most of the storylines seemed finished albeit a bit rushed in parts and thin in others.
Another issue that comes up is repetition, I understand that Hail has insecurities regarding her role and she is faced with an immense amout of pressure but the never ending pep talks got a little old after a while. After six books you would kind of expect her to get the message, no matter how stubborn she is. Normally this would be a minor issue for me but in contrast to parts of the story that felt a little thin, it became a little bit more noticeable.
What was awesome about this story was that you were kept guessing and it had many legitamate surprises. The characters have grown so much and their dynamics are a great read. I wish we could have had a bit more time with some of the characters that were pushed to the side for the sake of the story but that is just the way of things I guess.
So finally, I gave this book five stars because issues or not I had a crazy fun time reading it and did not put it down till it was over. I will definitely be reading it again and recommending it to anybody who will listen.
Now if you will excuse me, I need to go mourn the fact my adventures with the gunrunner empress are over. Thanks for the ride Hail!
March 19, 2021
I love the character of Hail Bristol and I love the breakneck pace of K.B. Wagers' writing. But I hate the way this series just screams so fast that there's never any time to slow down and catch up to what's happening. This the third installment of the second trilogy, so I guess I should get over it by now, but there's absolutely no easing you into it. Doesn't matter if it's been years since you read the last installment, you're catching up on your own. I hate that. At least help us remember who is who and what's going on. Oh well.
October 5, 2021
4.5 stars. I really liked this entire trilogy (and the whole six book series together) and I'm admittedly a bit devastated that it's over and I have no more books from this author to read. I would have loved an epilogue of what happened in all the worlds after this book ended, but maybe she left it open-ended to eventually do another trilogy? Because I'd love that too, tbh.
Anyway if you love sci-fi and gay characters and diverse casts and strong female leads, this is a GREAT series. I really didn't want to finish it in the best way, haha.
Anyway if you love sci-fi and gay characters and diverse casts and strong female leads, this is a GREAT series. I really didn't want to finish it in the best way, haha.
May 25, 2022
A satisfying end to the trilogy
A satisfying end to the trilogy.
The writing and pace were constant from the start of the first book until the end of this one.
Enjoyable, fun and emotional depending on the situation and having the previous trilogy as a background it makes the characters and their choices more complex than what they seem.
I was uncertain if i wanted to give 4 or 5 stars considering that 4,5 stars i believe was a fair rating but because of the reasons mentioned previously, 5 stars are not undeserving.
A satisfying end to the trilogy.
The writing and pace were constant from the start of the first book until the end of this one.
Enjoyable, fun and emotional depending on the situation and having the previous trilogy as a background it makes the characters and their choices more complex than what they seem.
I was uncertain if i wanted to give 4 or 5 stars considering that 4,5 stars i believe was a fair rating but because of the reasons mentioned previously, 5 stars are not undeserving.
October 9, 2021
I liked the Indranan trilogy better overall. The Farian trilogy is a bit too Stockholm syndrome for me. Liked the various aliens but kept coming back to Aiz and Mia and Hail being besties after the kidnapping and abuse. And Adora went from being a mysterious unknown to a caricature of a mad scientist. Not horrible, but I do think the first trilogy was much stronger. Sigh.
March 26, 2022
OK, I wasn't too keen on Farian 1 and I read this without realizing I hadn't read #2 (and from the descriptions here I don't mind that I missedd it), but this is five books of Hail now, and I had to see how it ended.
This sure isn't a standalone: in the first five pages Wagers brings 17 characters on stage. Gosh, my last time in this universe was four years and about 200 books ago. Eventually I caught up. Wouldn't it be cool if every series book had a little "Reminder" link with the characters and a superquick summary?
OK, so there's hard SF, and then there's space opera, and ... this is somewhere between space pulp fiction and a comic. Hail is now a super fighter, part-time future-seer, a teleporter, a healer, and a mind controller. Some of the characters can kill by touch, teleport, become invisible, heal, and bring back the dead. Travel is trivial, fleets just "warp in" and travel time is never mentioned. WAY over the top! What would NOT be possible if Wagers chose to deploy it?
Yet somehow there is a plot that more or less makes sense, and a problem that needs to be solved, and some quite adequate philosophical issues to discuss.
Take out all the "Hail, be careful" and "hah, try and stop me!" and this is a novella, but I learned to skim those.
I got lost at the end. Hail loses a fight and wakes up in a cell, fair enough, but there's Sibyl and friends, unexplained, and then we're back with Thyra. The raid team goes to the planet, bumbles around, kills some Farians, and takes off in a shuttle apparently unchallenged. Why did they go?
At the end we go full 1950s with the huge room full of glass tubes with bodies in them, Puh-leeze. And the bwah-hah-hah villain carefully explaining everything "before I kill you, Mister Bond."
Finally, after 100s of pages of "our relationship is doomed, it's so sad," we get the ending, which I won't spoil.
HOWEVER, I think the whole Hail series achieved what I think it was meant to do, and many people liked it. I don't like mushrooms either, doesn't mean you can't enjoy them.
This sure isn't a standalone: in the first five pages Wagers brings 17 characters on stage. Gosh, my last time in this universe was four years and about 200 books ago. Eventually I caught up. Wouldn't it be cool if every series book had a little "Reminder" link with the characters and a superquick summary?
OK, so there's hard SF, and then there's space opera, and ... this is somewhere between space pulp fiction and a comic. Hail is now a super fighter, part-time future-seer, a teleporter, a healer, and a mind controller. Some of the characters can kill by touch, teleport, become invisible, heal, and bring back the dead. Travel is trivial, fleets just "warp in" and travel time is never mentioned. WAY over the top! What would NOT be possible if Wagers chose to deploy it?
Yet somehow there is a plot that more or less makes sense, and a problem that needs to be solved, and some quite adequate philosophical issues to discuss.
Take out all the "Hail, be careful" and "hah, try and stop me!" and this is a novella, but I learned to skim those.
I got lost at the end. Hail loses a fight and wakes up in a cell, fair enough, but there's Sibyl and friends, unexplained, and then we're back with Thyra. The raid team goes to the planet, bumbles around, kills some Farians, and takes off in a shuttle apparently unchallenged. Why did they go?
At the end we go full 1950s with the huge room full of glass tubes with bodies in them, Puh-leeze. And the bwah-hah-hah villain carefully explaining everything "before I kill you, Mister Bond."
Finally, after 100s of pages of "our relationship is doomed, it's so sad," we get the ending, which I won't spoil.
HOWEVER, I think the whole Hail series achieved what I think it was meant to do, and many people liked it. I don't like mushrooms either, doesn't mean you can't enjoy them.
August 11, 2021
Six books in and a farewell to Hail Bristol, my first protagonist of Indian ancestry in a Science Fiction setting.
The series was exactly what I needed to keep me from the depression of Grimdark that seems to be more and more prevalent in my book circles. I understand morally grey is more interesting than snow white for many people, but .. Mx. Wagers has shown that you CAN create characters of tensions, intrigue, and contradiction without destroying optimism for a favourable outcome.
From first book to last, from the first characters we met, those we lost along the way, the changes that happened to those we loved and hated … all their stories rang true. I wonder what the diagram on Katy’s wall looked like for drawing out characters and relationships. How the strings led to one person and around to others, how they crossed over walls to meet up with other criminals, planetary leaders and species.
I hope Jamison got his, and I hope Adora was made to atone until she understood what an evil person she had become. I like that there were a couple of threads at the end for me to muse over.
I’m completely happy to have read this series and happy that I have still more Wagers books ahead of me to read.
She crushed this series. The five stars was for the book and the series … both trilogies.
The series was exactly what I needed to keep me from the depression of Grimdark that seems to be more and more prevalent in my book circles. I understand morally grey is more interesting than snow white for many people, but .. Mx. Wagers has shown that you CAN create characters of tensions, intrigue, and contradiction without destroying optimism for a favourable outcome.
From first book to last, from the first characters we met, those we lost along the way, the changes that happened to those we loved and hated … all their stories rang true. I wonder what the diagram on Katy’s wall looked like for drawing out characters and relationships. How the strings led to one person and around to others, how they crossed over walls to meet up with other criminals, planetary leaders and species.
I hope Jamison got his, and I hope Adora was made to atone until she understood what an evil person she had become. I like that there were a couple of threads at the end for me to muse over.
I’m completely happy to have read this series and happy that I have still more Wagers books ahead of me to read.
She crushed this series. The five stars was for the book and the series … both trilogies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2022
A good wrap up to what has been a generally fun series overall.
In the final analysis, I prefer the original trilogy over the second, mostly because of the shift towards space-wizardry that happened in the second triad. The writing remains sharp and the characters excellent, but despite the stakes getting raised considerably with the forced confrontations between Hail and several alien races with significant powers and abilities beyond human standard, the power-up that Hail receives as part of the process ratchets down the threat levels in many ways. There's a level of physical vulnerability that's lost and I don't think it's for the better.
On the other had, Wagers does a fine job in working through much of Hail's emotional vulnerability in ways that feel very real and often hit home like a hammer. The relationships between Hail and her crew (friends, BodyGuards, and others) are excellent: funny and sharp, they fit together very well and balance the deference to an Empress and need to tell her hard truths very nicely. Loyalty, friendship, and love are interwoven very nicely in there and comprise the best parts of the book.
In the final analysis, I prefer the original trilogy over the second, mostly because of the shift towards space-wizardry that happened in the second triad. The writing remains sharp and the characters excellent, but despite the stakes getting raised considerably with the forced confrontations between Hail and several alien races with significant powers and abilities beyond human standard, the power-up that Hail receives as part of the process ratchets down the threat levels in many ways. There's a level of physical vulnerability that's lost and I don't think it's for the better.
On the other had, Wagers does a fine job in working through much of Hail's emotional vulnerability in ways that feel very real and often hit home like a hammer. The relationships between Hail and her crew (friends, BodyGuards, and others) are excellent: funny and sharp, they fit together very well and balance the deference to an Empress and need to tell her hard truths very nicely. Loyalty, friendship, and love are interwoven very nicely in there and comprise the best parts of the book.
March 18, 2023
I enjoyed the first trilogy more than this one. I read this second trilogy, and this final book, to find out how it all ends. That being said, this book ignored a bit too much of what went before.
Too many plot holes, too many discrepancies, characters acting contrary to established personalities, major characters fading into the background, a significant character (not major, but significant) discarded with only a brief comment. The story in this book also felt forced.
I understand from the comments the author made at the end why all this might have happened, but I can only rate it as I read it. I was waffling between 2 and 3 stars, but decided to go with 3 in the end because I couldn't give 2 1/2.
Too many plot holes, too many discrepancies, characters acting contrary to established personalities, major characters fading into the background, a significant character (not major, but significant) discarded with only a brief comment. The story in this book also felt forced.
I understand from the comments the author made at the end why all this might have happened, but I can only rate it as I read it. I was waffling between 2 and 3 stars, but decided to go with 3 in the end because I couldn't give 2 1/2.
March 6, 2021
This is the final book in the Farian War trilogy and to fully understand the worldbuilding and characters I feel that the previous books should be read first .
This book brings together all the unresolved points from the previous books ......... Galatic warfare , Aliens and Civil wars .
Hail is now Empress , developed alien powers and despite having 'died' repeatedly in the previous book has saved her part of the Galaxy ............ !!!
Despite this book having the most revelations I was left feeling a little flat ........... I feel the Author was glad to put this series to rest .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book brings together all the unresolved points from the previous books ......... Galatic warfare , Aliens and Civil wars .
Hail is now Empress , developed alien powers and despite having 'died' repeatedly in the previous book has saved her part of the Galaxy ............ !!!
Despite this book having the most revelations I was left feeling a little flat ........... I feel the Author was glad to put this series to rest .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 25, 2021
Solid conclusion to the Farian War trilogy. The Indranan War trilogy is still a much better series in my opinion. I think the main issue with this trilogy was in the second book, which took the story down a really dark route that took a while to recover from. The third book did a good job introducing the trilogy's final villain, creating some new challenges, and resolving everything. Things wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly for me but that isn't a major issue. I don't know if there will be more of this series but I'd be interested to see more of these characters.
March 26, 2021
A cracking read!
I just finished this book at past midnight! This was an awesome book about Empress Hail and her band of loyal guards, one gunrunner adopted brother known as Hao , a lovely Johar , the paranoid Farians and the mysterious angry Shen who end up being more than they appear. I gotta admit the twists and turns had my head spinning! I’m so glad I got to read all six books. It has been an Awesome journey. It kept my mind off stress.Thanks so much for your great work!
I just finished this book at past midnight! This was an awesome book about Empress Hail and her band of loyal guards, one gunrunner adopted brother known as Hao , a lovely Johar , the paranoid Farians and the mysterious angry Shen who end up being more than they appear. I gotta admit the twists and turns had my head spinning! I’m so glad I got to read all six books. It has been an Awesome journey. It kept my mind off stress.Thanks so much for your great work!
May 24, 2021
This wraps up the series (sigh, trilogies. Still want to revivify Tolkein's publishers so I can kill them again…). All the disparate piece come together nicely. Hail works with her team, who almost disappear with nothing to do in this one, the Farians, the Shen, the Svatir and a few new folks to solve all the problems at once.
The two problem are too much repetitive angst used to fill out the page count and the core characters, as mentioned above, are given almost nothing to do.
The two problem are too much repetitive angst used to fill out the page count and the core characters, as mentioned above, are given almost nothing to do.
August 10, 2021
Disappointing end to a second trilogy that was worse than the first trilogy with these awesome characters. This entire book is every old and new character telling Hail what a wonderful and special person and leader she is, over and over and over, and her not believing them.
There were some fun moments and surprises, but the lack of growth in Hail was disappointing after the trauma she (and the reader) suffered in the second book.
There were some fun moments and surprises, but the lack of growth in Hail was disappointing after the trauma she (and the reader) suffered in the second book.
April 15, 2021
Even if it is an interesting final book in this series I think it drags a bit.
The character and the world building are as good as usual but the plot is a bit slow at times.
I think it can't be read as a standalone.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The character and the world building are as good as usual but the plot is a bit slow at times.
I think it can't be read as a standalone.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 3, 2021
Just Good Enough to Keep Reading
This pair of trilogies was just-ok enough to keep me interested. There was a weird balance of character actions vs motivations. The overall progress of the story was interesting but the individual characters were more caricature. Entirely too predictable.
This pair of trilogies was just-ok enough to keep me interested. There was a weird balance of character actions vs motivations. The overall progress of the story was interesting but the individual characters were more caricature. Entirely too predictable.
May 5, 2021
Wow. Hail and her followers came into my life with a bang about five years ago. The trilogy’s story lines are skillfully woven together in this tour de force finale. Run and get this one - it’s amazing.
Bang.
Ps I received my copy from the author via a raffle of sorts. One of the most valuable free item s I have ever received.
Bang.
Ps I received my copy from the author via a raffle of sorts. One of the most valuable free item s I have ever received.
July 25, 2023
It's a great ending to the Farian War trilogy, and it's a really good ending to the Hail Bristol series, encompassed in this and the Indranian War trilogy before it.
Wagers managed to write two trilogies that leaned on each other, and benefit a lot from each other, but also still manage to be separate distinct stories, even as they have the same cast of characters.
Wagers managed to write two trilogies that leaned on each other, and benefit a lot from each other, but also still manage to be separate distinct stories, even as they have the same cast of characters.
March 28, 2021
To quote another reviewer, the previous book broke something that couldn’t be repaired by this one. The main character became almost unrecognizable. And the Shen... I just couldn’t get on that train. I skim read this book to get a bit of closure. More bitter than sweet.
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