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Empire of Resonance #3
Apostate's Pilgrimage
A god is dead.
In her place, a thousand petty gods spring up, seizing the power Tai refused. Now he must join a centuries-old shaman, a bawdy tribesman, and a teenager who hates him in a desperate race to reclaim that god's power, before the new gods and the old destroy everything they love.
In her place, a thousand petty gods spring up, seizing the power Tai refused. Now he must join a centuries-old shaman, a bawdy tribesman, and a teenager who hates him in a desperate race to reclaim that god's power, before the new gods and the old destroy everything they love.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2021
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
L.W. Jacobs
10 books4 followersI've been a teacher, a cook, an orphanage adminitrator, a grad student, and a farmer, but never happier than when I'm writing stories. Thanks for checking them out--click FOLLOW up above to get notified when the next book is out. I'll make sure to keep them coming.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 25, 2021
Part three of this epic saga continues on from the second and again improves in many ways... Though it's still got a fair smattering of inconsistencies and a rather meh slightly uncomfortable boy's idea of romance focus that doesn't quite gel with the rest of the series (before or after - yes, I still liked it enough to read book 4).
We pick up a month of so after the battle against the Broken, Tai and friends trying to pick up the pieces of Aguyen as well as sort out what all these new powers and discoveries about resonances mean for them all. The strange man Nauro seems to have answers, but only wants to share them with Tai. Not having any of it, Ella insists on joining their quest to protect their world from the hidden powers of the resonant "gods" and the ninspears conspiracy. Plus Tai's her man now, so y'know. Joined by Feynrick and an unfortunately snooty lighthair girl named Marae, they head off into the unknown to battle the powers that be... And maybe gain some of that power for themselves.
If I'm honest, the romance angle almost put me off reading the book completely. Ella and new girl Marae have a horrible habit of flipping between goody-two-shoes scholar and jealous harpy. The jealous harpy thing was actually the most upsetting to read (why do female characters have to be all "get your hands off my man!" yet guys are like "yup, my girl, whatever"? Tai never seemed quite as bothered...) Sorry, I just don't see how these characters have chemistry beyond just stating that they do. I didn't think this sudden change in Ella's character matched her previous level-headedness and it reminded me a lot of male authored fantasies that could go a bit... Too far. This does not however stray into male gaze or describe any on screen sexual activity despite characters' sudden, um, "urges", so it's clean with just a few euphemisms. Again, reading this as a YA book, some of this seemed out of place.
Marae could also act frustratingly irrationally, and while I know she's a teenage character in a YA book, it came across as one of those "everything is SO uNfAiR!!1!" tropes that didn't quite do it for me in how it was presented . Previously Aelya could act a little like this, but not quite as in your face as here (I actually missed Aelya's POV, though we got still got Feynrick to balance out seriousness and comic relief). Tai is still, well, Tai; a bit guileless, but trying to do the right thing between thinking about his lover.
I did read the book however because the lore again is fascinating, and we get a deeper delve into what resonances and revenants are, plus learning more about the mysterious ninespears who have been teased this whole time. The magic system gets increasingly complicated and I'm not sure I always got it, but hopefully the last of the lessons will turn up in book 4. There were a couple of things that came across as revisionist though, not least when knowledgable characters like Nauro had said something in one book then went back on it in this The inconsistencies could get confusing, as could some of the battles, but everything in between flowed nicely into each other and once I was past the halfway point I was again pretty much hooked on the story.
There are twists and turns, big battles and revelations to keep the pace of the story up, and barring a few odd turns of phrase ("par for the course" again - maybe they play golf in Worldsmouth? - and a couple of real swears with the fake ones), the writing in engaging as ever for a bit of boyish YA.
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of this series because it's clear so much has gone into creating the complex fantasy world. I could wish it had better foundations and fewer inconsistencies, but it's still a fun yarn.
We pick up a month of so after the battle against the Broken, Tai and friends trying to pick up the pieces of Aguyen as well as sort out what all these new powers and discoveries about resonances mean for them all. The strange man Nauro seems to have answers, but only wants to share them with Tai. Not having any of it, Ella insists on joining their quest to protect their world from the hidden powers of the resonant "gods" and the ninspears conspiracy. Plus Tai's her man now, so y'know. Joined by Feynrick and an unfortunately snooty lighthair girl named Marae, they head off into the unknown to battle the powers that be... And maybe gain some of that power for themselves.
If I'm honest, the romance angle almost put me off reading the book completely. Ella and new girl Marae have a horrible habit of flipping between goody-two-shoes scholar and jealous harpy. The jealous harpy thing was actually the most upsetting to read (why do female characters have to be all "get your hands off my man!" yet guys are like "yup, my girl, whatever"? Tai never seemed quite as bothered...) Sorry, I just don't see how these characters have chemistry beyond just stating that they do. I didn't think this sudden change in Ella's character matched her previous level-headedness and it reminded me a lot of male authored fantasies that could go a bit... Too far. This does not however stray into male gaze or describe any on screen sexual activity despite characters' sudden, um, "urges", so it's clean with just a few euphemisms. Again, reading this as a YA book, some of this seemed out of place.
Marae could also act frustratingly irrationally, and while I know she's a teenage character in a YA book, it came across as one of those "everything is SO uNfAiR!!1!" tropes that didn't quite do it for me in how it was presented . Previously Aelya could act a little like this, but not quite as in your face as here (I actually missed Aelya's POV, though we got still got Feynrick to balance out seriousness and comic relief). Tai is still, well, Tai; a bit guileless, but trying to do the right thing between thinking about his lover.
I did read the book however because the lore again is fascinating, and we get a deeper delve into what resonances and revenants are, plus learning more about the mysterious ninespears who have been teased this whole time. The magic system gets increasingly complicated and I'm not sure I always got it, but hopefully the last of the lessons will turn up in book 4. There were a couple of things that came across as revisionist though, not least when knowledgable characters like Nauro had said something in one book then went back on it in this The inconsistencies could get confusing, as could some of the battles, but everything in between flowed nicely into each other and once I was past the halfway point I was again pretty much hooked on the story.
There are twists and turns, big battles and revelations to keep the pace of the story up, and barring a few odd turns of phrase ("par for the course" again - maybe they play golf in Worldsmouth? - and a couple of real swears with the fake ones), the writing in engaging as ever for a bit of boyish YA.
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of this series because it's clear so much has gone into creating the complex fantasy world. I could wish it had better foundations and fewer inconsistencies, but it's still a fun yarn.
September 14, 2022
What It's About: This third book takes the Empire of Resonance Saga on a new, darker path. Ella and Tai have to move beyond the city they've rescued and into the world--and beyond--lest they lose everything they've fought for.
What I Thought: Another strong installment in this fun series. I don't usually like romance when it pops up mid-series, but Ella and Tai have had such a strong and dynamic friendship throughout that it feels like a really natural evolution. The magic system, already an interesting one, is increasingly well-developed here.
Who I'd Recommend it To: I would comp this third book in the series with Mistborn, and if you liked that you'll probably like this!
What I Thought: Another strong installment in this fun series. I don't usually like romance when it pops up mid-series, but Ella and Tai have had such a strong and dynamic friendship throughout that it feels like a really natural evolution. The magic system, already an interesting one, is increasingly well-developed here.
Who I'd Recommend it To: I would comp this third book in the series with Mistborn, and if you liked that you'll probably like this!
June 15, 2025
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible)
A trek across countries in the worst of winter on foot and with shaman out to kill them.
Then they have to find the right stone, which means more shamans.
Then a river boat voyage on stinking barge, eating little other than porridge.
To a town full of pilgrims and more shamans.
Yes, none stop anarchy, with a mild case of humour thrown in.
A trek across countries in the worst of winter on foot and with shaman out to kill them.
Then they have to find the right stone, which means more shamans.
Then a river boat voyage on stinking barge, eating little other than porridge.
To a town full of pilgrims and more shamans.
Yes, none stop anarchy, with a mild case of humour thrown in.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews