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Pillars of Peace #3
Where Heroes Were Born
Ten years have passed since the Battle of Highcastle.
As Peacehaven's new king takes the country from strength to strength, Fran strikes out on her own in neighbouring Cornesse, where she is the chosen shield to the venerated queen, Mathilde.
It seems Mathilde has everything under control—except her own future. Concerns for Cornesse's royal succession send Fran on a journey she never expected to undertake and certainly didn't know she needed.
Meanwhile in Highcastle, an inexperienced prison master is given responsibility over a notorious brigand. As the son of a decorated war hero, Locke must learn the job quickly, setting aside his demons in order to establish a name of his own in a place where no one knows who he is.
Will Fran’s journey on behalf of a queen teach her something about herself instead?
Will Locke falter under the weight of his father’s expectations?
Will the king and queen of Peacehaven find their happily ever after?
Peace is a romantic notion, but someone has to fight for it.
As Peacehaven's new king takes the country from strength to strength, Fran strikes out on her own in neighbouring Cornesse, where she is the chosen shield to the venerated queen, Mathilde.
It seems Mathilde has everything under control—except her own future. Concerns for Cornesse's royal succession send Fran on a journey she never expected to undertake and certainly didn't know she needed.
Meanwhile in Highcastle, an inexperienced prison master is given responsibility over a notorious brigand. As the son of a decorated war hero, Locke must learn the job quickly, setting aside his demons in order to establish a name of his own in a place where no one knows who he is.
Will Fran’s journey on behalf of a queen teach her something about herself instead?
Will Locke falter under the weight of his father’s expectations?
Will the king and queen of Peacehaven find their happily ever after?
Peace is a romantic notion, but someone has to fight for it.
Unknown Binding
Published June 13, 2022
3 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Tom Dumbrell
7 books105 followersTom was born in 1987 in Chelmsford, Essex. As a boy, he fell in love with the fantasy worlds of video games and those written by the likes of J.R.R Tolkien and Philip Pullman.
Despite an early passion for storytelling, Tom obtained a BA in Tourism Management before a varied career in the travel industry, bringing to life another of his passions. When he is not working, Tom is an avid fan of his beloved Ipswich Town. He also writes and performs music and enjoys long walks with his wife and dogs.
Tom currently lives near Colchester, Essex, and The Pillars of Peace trilogy was written during the coronavirus pandemic with huge influence and editing support from his wife, Breana.
Contact Tom: tomdumbrell@aol.com
Despite an early passion for storytelling, Tom obtained a BA in Tourism Management before a varied career in the travel industry, bringing to life another of his passions. When he is not working, Tom is an avid fan of his beloved Ipswich Town. He also writes and performs music and enjoys long walks with his wife and dogs.
Tom currently lives near Colchester, Essex, and The Pillars of Peace trilogy was written during the coronavirus pandemic with huge influence and editing support from his wife, Breana.
Contact Tom: tomdumbrell@aol.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 17, 2023
Undoubtedly, Tom Dumbrell’s best work to date!
Writing this review fills me with a sense of joy and sadness. I am elated that the final book in The Pillars of Peace trilogy is, without a doubt, the best book in the series. However, I also feel a sense of sorrow since Tom Dumbrell has repeatedly stated that this will be his final book and that he will be retiring from “author life” with the release of WHWB. However, many authors have previously stated that they are retiring and have later come back, so I am hopeful that Dumbrell will make a return someday – especially now that he is mastering the craft of writing. But enough talking – let’s talk about Where Heroes Were Born.
As stated earlier in this review, Where Heroes Were Born is definitely Dumbrell’s best work to date. While the previous two books followed Cyrus’ journey, this book takes place ten years after the events in No Place for Peace and follows primarily Fran and a new character called Locke. While the first two books in this series were fast-paced and full of twists, this book is much slower-paced, which is arguably the best thing about the story. By slowing the pace down, the reader is given more time to understand and fall in love with all the characters. Consequently, Dumbrell’s prose is much stronger in this book. I never found myself rereading any sentences in the first two books. However, I often reread sentences in Where Heroes Were Born since they were either beautifully written or thought-provoking. Dumbrell’s characterisations and prose is a considerable step from the first two books!
Consequently, this book doesn’t rely as much on “plot twists” to leave an emotional punch. On the contrary, I was quite surprised how “few” plot twists this book had since the first two books in this series were full of them. However, this again just goes to show how Dumbrell has matured as an author. I felt much more invested and compelled by the story due to the compelling characters and plot in the story – not the plot twists. In many ways, WHWB almost feels like it was written by someone else since the quality of storytelling is so much higher.
However, some readers might not appreciate the direction Dumbrell takes the story in this last book. This book is not about Cyrus! While Cyrus is still around in this series, the readers barely get any insights about him. While this might bother some readers, I found it incredibly refreshing to learn more about Fran and some of the other characters in this world.
So should you read The Pillars of Peace series? Well, if you are looking for a fast-paced, character-driven fantasy story that is relatively short – then YES! I read each book in between bigger series, and that worked really well!
A special thanks to Tom Dumbrell for sending me a physical copy of Where Heroes Were Born. Fingers crossed that this will not be the last time I will write a review for a Dumbrell book.
4.5 / 5 stars
Thanks to my Patreon's Erin, Peturious, Blake, Áron Sofus, Mark, Mel and Melissa!
Writing this review fills me with a sense of joy and sadness. I am elated that the final book in The Pillars of Peace trilogy is, without a doubt, the best book in the series. However, I also feel a sense of sorrow since Tom Dumbrell has repeatedly stated that this will be his final book and that he will be retiring from “author life” with the release of WHWB. However, many authors have previously stated that they are retiring and have later come back, so I am hopeful that Dumbrell will make a return someday – especially now that he is mastering the craft of writing. But enough talking – let’s talk about Where Heroes Were Born.
As stated earlier in this review, Where Heroes Were Born is definitely Dumbrell’s best work to date. While the previous two books followed Cyrus’ journey, this book takes place ten years after the events in No Place for Peace and follows primarily Fran and a new character called Locke. While the first two books in this series were fast-paced and full of twists, this book is much slower-paced, which is arguably the best thing about the story. By slowing the pace down, the reader is given more time to understand and fall in love with all the characters. Consequently, Dumbrell’s prose is much stronger in this book. I never found myself rereading any sentences in the first two books. However, I often reread sentences in Where Heroes Were Born since they were either beautifully written or thought-provoking. Dumbrell’s characterisations and prose is a considerable step from the first two books!
Consequently, this book doesn’t rely as much on “plot twists” to leave an emotional punch. On the contrary, I was quite surprised how “few” plot twists this book had since the first two books in this series were full of them. However, this again just goes to show how Dumbrell has matured as an author. I felt much more invested and compelled by the story due to the compelling characters and plot in the story – not the plot twists. In many ways, WHWB almost feels like it was written by someone else since the quality of storytelling is so much higher.
However, some readers might not appreciate the direction Dumbrell takes the story in this last book. This book is not about Cyrus! While Cyrus is still around in this series, the readers barely get any insights about him. While this might bother some readers, I found it incredibly refreshing to learn more about Fran and some of the other characters in this world.
So should you read The Pillars of Peace series? Well, if you are looking for a fast-paced, character-driven fantasy story that is relatively short – then YES! I read each book in between bigger series, and that worked really well!
A special thanks to Tom Dumbrell for sending me a physical copy of Where Heroes Were Born. Fingers crossed that this will not be the last time I will write a review for a Dumbrell book.
4.5 / 5 stars
Thanks to my Patreon's Erin, Peturious, Blake, Áron Sofus, Mark, Mel and Melissa!
December 28, 2022
Couldn’t have written it better myself.
November 2, 2023
This is the third and final installment in the Pillars of Peace trilogy. As many of you know I’ve been following along (quite loudly) since book one, and I still firmly believe every person on earth should give these a read!
In this third installment we get a new group of perspectives. As ten years have passed, it’s not that Tom is doing away with the original main characters, he’s simply telling others’ stories now. For starters we get a heavy dose of Francine. 10 years older, she’s now a young adult and the chosen shield to Queen Mathilde. We also get a heavy dose of a new character named Locke (who we technically briefly meet in No Place For Peace). Locke is a very troubled and tormented individual. Not necessarily a good or bad man, but perhaps cornered into bad decision making, the author does a great job of giving us an entirely different feel with him.
The author is another writer that simply gets his characters. Even the characters that aren’t given the fully fledged attention of being a perspective are fleshed out and have depth to them. He’s able to take the characters we know and love and age them 10 years, with experiences and hopes and desires we may never know about, and yet their character development still shows a believable change. I’m looking at you King Cyrus!
The action is big, the emotion is better. There’s such a fine line while weaving the two of those things together and the author just hits it perfectly time and time again. We need the action for the harder hitting emotions, and emotions are what drives these characters to action.
Considering the three novels as a whole, the author’s writing has progressed and matured in every single one. There are some sentences and pages that I don’t believe could have been written without the first and second novel existing first. Both in terms of literal content of course, and the growth as a writer. I’ve often likened the author’s ability to weave perspectives to George R.R. Martin, and I’ve seen his character building likened to Joe Abercrombie as well. I’d personally put these three novels by Tom up there with any of them!
I know many of you won’t have read this yet, but I will be bombarding you about it regardless. This book is perfect, a flawless close to a fantastic trilogy.
“Battle was where Heroes were born.”
In this third installment we get a new group of perspectives. As ten years have passed, it’s not that Tom is doing away with the original main characters, he’s simply telling others’ stories now. For starters we get a heavy dose of Francine. 10 years older, she’s now a young adult and the chosen shield to Queen Mathilde. We also get a heavy dose of a new character named Locke (who we technically briefly meet in No Place For Peace). Locke is a very troubled and tormented individual. Not necessarily a good or bad man, but perhaps cornered into bad decision making, the author does a great job of giving us an entirely different feel with him.
The author is another writer that simply gets his characters. Even the characters that aren’t given the fully fledged attention of being a perspective are fleshed out and have depth to them. He’s able to take the characters we know and love and age them 10 years, with experiences and hopes and desires we may never know about, and yet their character development still shows a believable change. I’m looking at you King Cyrus!
The action is big, the emotion is better. There’s such a fine line while weaving the two of those things together and the author just hits it perfectly time and time again. We need the action for the harder hitting emotions, and emotions are what drives these characters to action.
Considering the three novels as a whole, the author’s writing has progressed and matured in every single one. There are some sentences and pages that I don’t believe could have been written without the first and second novel existing first. Both in terms of literal content of course, and the growth as a writer. I’ve often likened the author’s ability to weave perspectives to George R.R. Martin, and I’ve seen his character building likened to Joe Abercrombie as well. I’d personally put these three novels by Tom up there with any of them!
I know many of you won’t have read this yet, but I will be bombarding you about it regardless. This book is perfect, a flawless close to a fantastic trilogy.
“Battle was where Heroes were born.”
June 13, 2022
How good was this book? Well it’s 378 pages and I read it in one day. It’s THAT good.
I don’t think we could have asked for a better ending to this series, Where Heroes Were Born has everything you expect from a Dumbrell book and then so much more. Tom’s writing has gotten stronger with each instalment leaving us with a masterpiece to close out this series.
The highlight of this book without any shadow of a doubt are the female characters. I’ve said before that to me Tom is the standard for men writing strong female characters, his work with Fran, Adeline and Marcia in the first two books is phenomenal, here he adds a few more women to the mix and every single one of them is a glowing example of female characters can and should be written.
Much like the previous two the plot is gripping from the get go. We’ve shifted the POV and we are now seeing things from Fran’s POV and also a newer character Locke’ We also get a sprinkling of POVs from some of the side characters, a brilliant addition that let’s some of the fan favourites have their spotlight and finish out their story.
The main POVs of Fran & Locke and paced and intertwined perfectly, leading us the climatic ending of the series. The last third of this book is unputdownable, I was not dropping this book for love nor money. We are talking life and death situations to make me put this book down. It’s action packed, dramatic, heart warming and heart breaking all at the same time.
For the first time in a very long time I was broken by a book, the epilogue had me sobbing to the point I couldn’t read the words though my tears and had to pull myself together to get it finished, and while the ending wasn’t what I wasn’t what I wanted it couldn’t have been more perfect.
While this may seen like a short review for a book I’m recommending so highly I’m finding myself incapable of telling you all the reasons I love it without spoiling it. I cannot give the book and the series as a whole any higher praise. I adore it. I will re-read it again and again… and you should to.
I don’t think we could have asked for a better ending to this series, Where Heroes Were Born has everything you expect from a Dumbrell book and then so much more. Tom’s writing has gotten stronger with each instalment leaving us with a masterpiece to close out this series.
The highlight of this book without any shadow of a doubt are the female characters. I’ve said before that to me Tom is the standard for men writing strong female characters, his work with Fran, Adeline and Marcia in the first two books is phenomenal, here he adds a few more women to the mix and every single one of them is a glowing example of female characters can and should be written.
Much like the previous two the plot is gripping from the get go. We’ve shifted the POV and we are now seeing things from Fran’s POV and also a newer character Locke’ We also get a sprinkling of POVs from some of the side characters, a brilliant addition that let’s some of the fan favourites have their spotlight and finish out their story.
The main POVs of Fran & Locke and paced and intertwined perfectly, leading us the climatic ending of the series. The last third of this book is unputdownable, I was not dropping this book for love nor money. We are talking life and death situations to make me put this book down. It’s action packed, dramatic, heart warming and heart breaking all at the same time.
For the first time in a very long time I was broken by a book, the epilogue had me sobbing to the point I couldn’t read the words though my tears and had to pull myself together to get it finished, and while the ending wasn’t what I wasn’t what I wanted it couldn’t have been more perfect.
While this may seen like a short review for a book I’m recommending so highly I’m finding myself incapable of telling you all the reasons I love it without spoiling it. I cannot give the book and the series as a whole any higher praise. I adore it. I will re-read it again and again… and you should to.
December 28, 2023
This is the biggest book in the series, and is also a bit of a departure from the previous two books because you're focusing on a different main character. Here, one of the secondary characters from the series is promoted to main cast. We focus primarily on Francine but we also have another new point of view character, Locke, who's given a lot of room as well.
I wasn't really as attached to these characters as I wanted to be. I didn't really get on with Locke's storyline, and while Francine was good as a character, I thought that the story she had, the actual adventure that she went on, didn't really work for me and so I wasn't really invested in it.
So although I enjoyed this series overall, I don't think any of the books were massive standouts for me. They were all enjoyable in their own right and I will definitely recommend them as they are lighter reads, they are light on the fantasy, and they are quite short, but I just wanted a little bit more from them.
I wasn't really as attached to these characters as I wanted to be. I didn't really get on with Locke's storyline, and while Francine was good as a character, I thought that the story she had, the actual adventure that she went on, didn't really work for me and so I wasn't really invested in it.
So although I enjoyed this series overall, I don't think any of the books were massive standouts for me. They were all enjoyable in their own right and I will definitely recommend them as they are lighter reads, they are light on the fantasy, and they are quite short, but I just wanted a little bit more from them.
September 15, 2022
5 ⭐️
The finale to the Pillars of Peace series, is undoubtedly the best of what has been a fantastic series. Where Heroes Were Born is both a thrilling and emotionally raw conclusion to the series.
No Place for Peace feels very different to its predecessors. The narrative is centred around two different characters, as opposed to previously following Cyrus. Set 10 years the last book, we follow the previously established Francine as well as a character introduced in the previous books epilogue - Locke. These two characters are wildly different from each other, with Francine representing an extremely badass female character, being the chosen shield to the Queen Mathilde; with Locke suffering an abusive childhood at the hand of his highly renowned father, as well as constantly living in the shadow of his older brother and father. Both characters undergo an incredible journey - constantly battling their inner demons, traumatic past as well as the expectations for their future. Locke’s arc in particular was my favourite, ending with a beautiful symbolism when compared to his abusive childhood.
The pacing of Where Heroes Were Born slows down considerably in relation to the series two earlier instalments. Whilst I was a fan of the rapid pacing from the books prior, this is a welcome change here as it gives us more time spent with the characters as we learn more about them and see their journey unfold before us. Everything felt more personal due to the change of pace, with it leading to some expert character development as well as some beautiful character moments.
Tom’s writing and prose is a lot more lyrical here, adding so much more depth and emotional gravitas to the events purely because of how beauty the writing is. As well as all of this, we get one off specialised POV chapters dedicated to several known characters we’ve come to know over the course of the series. This is an excellent addition because we come to learn so much more about characters that we previously knew little about.
Tom has consistently gotten better over the course of this series and he deserves all of the praise and success in the world.
The finale to the Pillars of Peace series, is undoubtedly the best of what has been a fantastic series. Where Heroes Were Born is both a thrilling and emotionally raw conclusion to the series.
No Place for Peace feels very different to its predecessors. The narrative is centred around two different characters, as opposed to previously following Cyrus. Set 10 years the last book, we follow the previously established Francine as well as a character introduced in the previous books epilogue - Locke. These two characters are wildly different from each other, with Francine representing an extremely badass female character, being the chosen shield to the Queen Mathilde; with Locke suffering an abusive childhood at the hand of his highly renowned father, as well as constantly living in the shadow of his older brother and father. Both characters undergo an incredible journey - constantly battling their inner demons, traumatic past as well as the expectations for their future. Locke’s arc in particular was my favourite, ending with a beautiful symbolism when compared to his abusive childhood.
The pacing of Where Heroes Were Born slows down considerably in relation to the series two earlier instalments. Whilst I was a fan of the rapid pacing from the books prior, this is a welcome change here as it gives us more time spent with the characters as we learn more about them and see their journey unfold before us. Everything felt more personal due to the change of pace, with it leading to some expert character development as well as some beautiful character moments.
Tom’s writing and prose is a lot more lyrical here, adding so much more depth and emotional gravitas to the events purely because of how beauty the writing is. As well as all of this, we get one off specialised POV chapters dedicated to several known characters we’ve come to know over the course of the series. This is an excellent addition because we come to learn so much more about characters that we previously knew little about.
Tom has consistently gotten better over the course of this series and he deserves all of the praise and success in the world.
June 14, 2022
This is going to be a different review from normal. I have been honoured to have been with Tom Dumbrell since the first book and it’s been a journey that cannot be captured here. Where Heroes Were Born is the final instalment in the Pillars of Peace series and I can’t even begin to sum up these emotions.
Ten years have passed since the Battle of Highcastle. As Peacehaven’s new king has taken the country to strength, Fran is chosen shield to Queen Mathilde who sets her on a journey that she never expected to take. Locke is a prison master and son of a war hero who sets aside his demons to make a name of his own in a place where no one knows who he is. Will Fran’s journey teach her more about herself? Will Locke falter under his father’s expectations? Will there be happiness ever after? Peace is a romantic notion, but someone has to fight for it.
Tom has bravely taken on new points of view in the ten years that have passed. We still see Cyrus but our new King is just part of a larger story. Francine and Locke were welcome additions. Tom truly opened up the world even after two previous stories and gave us a feel for the environment and landscapes that remain hidden in these words. From our young chosen shield to Queen Mathilde to the tormented and insecure Locke, Tom has grown in his ability to portray different character emotions that made me wish for more in this world and the inclusion of more female characters that were just badass was handled incredibly well. Even characters who have a single point of view can have depth and hope but Tom has developed along with his characters and his ability to nurture an effectiveness for change and growth is perfect.
I can honestly say that this was the perfect send off to these characters. A flawless finish that had me all teared up that I actually messaged Tom straight away. I won’t spoil this series any more but if there’s anyone deserving of high praise for the sheer emotional rollercoaster and brilliantly crafted story filled with lyrical content that tug at the heartstrings but also gets the blood pounding then it’s Tom Dumbrell. This was beautifully wrapped in a nice little bow but I hope Tom pulls that string open again soon.
Tom sums it up with his own journey well over the past few years. He has shown us that heroes are not always knights in shining armour or chosen ones from a prophecy. He has shown us that life goes on but the story continues. With the struggles that 2020 came with and the idea that he had a heroic story to tell, Tom got to writing his Pillars of Peace series. With the release of book three, Tom has stated that this was not built on any sole ideal or message but it is evident in the ending that Tom Dumbrell has made heroes for all of us.
Ten years have passed since the Battle of Highcastle. As Peacehaven’s new king has taken the country to strength, Fran is chosen shield to Queen Mathilde who sets her on a journey that she never expected to take. Locke is a prison master and son of a war hero who sets aside his demons to make a name of his own in a place where no one knows who he is. Will Fran’s journey teach her more about herself? Will Locke falter under his father’s expectations? Will there be happiness ever after? Peace is a romantic notion, but someone has to fight for it.
Tom has bravely taken on new points of view in the ten years that have passed. We still see Cyrus but our new King is just part of a larger story. Francine and Locke were welcome additions. Tom truly opened up the world even after two previous stories and gave us a feel for the environment and landscapes that remain hidden in these words. From our young chosen shield to Queen Mathilde to the tormented and insecure Locke, Tom has grown in his ability to portray different character emotions that made me wish for more in this world and the inclusion of more female characters that were just badass was handled incredibly well. Even characters who have a single point of view can have depth and hope but Tom has developed along with his characters and his ability to nurture an effectiveness for change and growth is perfect.
I can honestly say that this was the perfect send off to these characters. A flawless finish that had me all teared up that I actually messaged Tom straight away. I won’t spoil this series any more but if there’s anyone deserving of high praise for the sheer emotional rollercoaster and brilliantly crafted story filled with lyrical content that tug at the heartstrings but also gets the blood pounding then it’s Tom Dumbrell. This was beautifully wrapped in a nice little bow but I hope Tom pulls that string open again soon.
Tom sums it up with his own journey well over the past few years. He has shown us that heroes are not always knights in shining armour or chosen ones from a prophecy. He has shown us that life goes on but the story continues. With the struggles that 2020 came with and the idea that he had a heroic story to tell, Tom got to writing his Pillars of Peace series. With the release of book three, Tom has stated that this was not built on any sole ideal or message but it is evident in the ending that Tom Dumbrell has made heroes for all of us.
June 15, 2022
Okay, I literally finished this book in 48 hours so my review cannot wait another day!
The Pillars Of Peace trilogy by Tom Dumbrell concludes fantastically with Where Heroes Were Born. In this novel we get to follow characters who we haven’t seen much from before, including some new ones, whilst also getting to see our favourite characters from the previous 2 books.
There really is something for everyone in this book. There are many strong female characters, with one of them being the lead, conversations surrounding sexism, lots of great romance, tension, violence and a strong emphasis on the importance of family and friendships.
When I tell you that this book made me cry… it broke me. I put it down and thought to myself ‘what book will ever make me feel like that again?’ because I’m not certain I’ve ever cried like that before at a piece of literature (minus the Earthsea Cycle, because Sparrowhawk has my heart). The way that Tom was able to portray the raw emotions of all of these fantastic characters was brilliant, and really solidified this book as one of my top 5 favourite books of the year so far.
Please, if you are remotely interested in fantasy or historical fiction, or just great books in general, please pick up this series and give it a try. It’s so accessible, but not simple in any way. The characters are so genuinely believable, so realistic, that you can’t help but feel a punch in the gut every time something bad happens to them, or elated whenever something good comes about. 5⭐️s.
The Pillars Of Peace trilogy by Tom Dumbrell concludes fantastically with Where Heroes Were Born. In this novel we get to follow characters who we haven’t seen much from before, including some new ones, whilst also getting to see our favourite characters from the previous 2 books.
There really is something for everyone in this book. There are many strong female characters, with one of them being the lead, conversations surrounding sexism, lots of great romance, tension, violence and a strong emphasis on the importance of family and friendships.
When I tell you that this book made me cry… it broke me. I put it down and thought to myself ‘what book will ever make me feel like that again?’ because I’m not certain I’ve ever cried like that before at a piece of literature (minus the Earthsea Cycle, because Sparrowhawk has my heart). The way that Tom was able to portray the raw emotions of all of these fantastic characters was brilliant, and really solidified this book as one of my top 5 favourite books of the year so far.
Please, if you are remotely interested in fantasy or historical fiction, or just great books in general, please pick up this series and give it a try. It’s so accessible, but not simple in any way. The characters are so genuinely believable, so realistic, that you can’t help but feel a punch in the gut every time something bad happens to them, or elated whenever something good comes about. 5⭐️s.
December 24, 2023
It was so exiting to go from a simple story with big potential in book one to a better book two and an amazing book three. I love that the author created such fleshed out characters that the final installment became unputdownable for me. Can't wait to see what Tom Dumbrell does next.
July 13, 2022
Wow.
Where do I even begin?
There's nothing I love more than watching a new author grow into their work. Tom has done it yet again with Where Heroes Were Born. This is the finale to the Pillars of Peace trilogy and what a doozy it is!! I could not be happier to see Fran get her story. The writing is impeccable. The plot is perfect. The ending is.... well... like I said... a doozy. No spoilers from me though. You'll just have to go read them yourself! He did such a wonderful job of bringing in old characters back and giving them all their respective moments. At no point did I feel the story drag and the last few chapters brought everything together flawlessly. I'm not ready for this series to be over, but here we are.....
Consider me emotionally damaged.
Tom has graciously offered to pay for my therapist, thankfully, so all is forgiven. (Joking!!)
Where do I even begin?
There's nothing I love more than watching a new author grow into their work. Tom has done it yet again with Where Heroes Were Born. This is the finale to the Pillars of Peace trilogy and what a doozy it is!! I could not be happier to see Fran get her story. The writing is impeccable. The plot is perfect. The ending is.... well... like I said... a doozy. No spoilers from me though. You'll just have to go read them yourself! He did such a wonderful job of bringing in old characters back and giving them all their respective moments. At no point did I feel the story drag and the last few chapters brought everything together flawlessly. I'm not ready for this series to be over, but here we are.....
Consider me emotionally damaged.
Tom has graciously offered to pay for my therapist, thankfully, so all is forgiven. (Joking!!)
July 1, 2022
This book was the perfect ending to the Pillars of Peace trilogy. From the beautifully described details, to the action packed, page turning storyline. This book and trilogy will always deserve 5 stars!
July 29, 2022
4.5/5 stars!
What an ending to an amazing series! I loved the entirety of Pillars of Peace, and Where Heroes Were Born did not disappoint.
Just like the other installments in this series, this book was fast paced and consistently entertaining. I think one of Tom's strengths that presents instead within this book extremely well is his character development. Ten years has passed since book two, and within that time it seems like a lot has happened with the characters. It was great to see what had changed in those ten years and how many of the characters grew.
My favourite was of course Fran, who I felt had a fantastic character arc and was very well developed throughout all three books. Cyrus took a backseat in this book which I quite liked as we got to focus on others who may have been seen as minor or smaller characters in the previous books. I think that Cyrus not being the focus was a good thing. The first two books were his and I felt like his arc had been completed so it was very refreshing to be taken down a different route. I also felt like following different characters also added to the worldbuilding.
This book had me feeling a lot of unexpected emotions. I think Tom hits this just right with a few unexpected turns that really played with my feelings. I find this is something very rare in books now and I felt this really increased my attachment to some of the characters.
Overall I really recommend this book and the entire series. Tom's writing is easily digestible and every book within this series is fast paced making me really not want to put them down! I am sad the journey is over but I think it was ended very well.
What an ending to an amazing series! I loved the entirety of Pillars of Peace, and Where Heroes Were Born did not disappoint.
Just like the other installments in this series, this book was fast paced and consistently entertaining. I think one of Tom's strengths that presents instead within this book extremely well is his character development. Ten years has passed since book two, and within that time it seems like a lot has happened with the characters. It was great to see what had changed in those ten years and how many of the characters grew.
My favourite was of course Fran, who I felt had a fantastic character arc and was very well developed throughout all three books. Cyrus took a backseat in this book which I quite liked as we got to focus on others who may have been seen as minor or smaller characters in the previous books. I think that Cyrus not being the focus was a good thing. The first two books were his and I felt like his arc had been completed so it was very refreshing to be taken down a different route. I also felt like following different characters also added to the worldbuilding.
This book had me feeling a lot of unexpected emotions. I think Tom hits this just right with a few unexpected turns that really played with my feelings. I find this is something very rare in books now and I felt this really increased my attachment to some of the characters.
Overall I really recommend this book and the entire series. Tom's writing is easily digestible and every book within this series is fast paced making me really not want to put them down! I am sad the journey is over but I think it was ended very well.
September 16, 2022
To say that this book - and this Trilogy - is only the third in my 20 years to make me shed a tear, is to give a sort of recognition to how fantastic this journey has been.
Where Heroes Were Born took a completely different direction than I thought it would, with entirely new perspectives. At first I was a bit upset to leave Cyrus' story, but the thing about Dumbrell is that regardless of the character in play, you still manage to route for them and fall in love with their tale. Francine was every bit the to-be hero looking to find her place in the world; Locke was every inch the regretful nobody breaking out of his family's shadow. Theirs were both stories of growth, and duty, and finding ways to do what was right - intricately woven with the other characters too, who had become such staples of the series. The book is a marvel and a joy. The ending broke my heart and stuck a six-foot plaster over it a chapter later.
Read this book. Read this Trilogy. It is fun, it is fast, and it is beautiful.
An applause, Mr Dumbrell: what a story you have told.
Where Heroes Were Born took a completely different direction than I thought it would, with entirely new perspectives. At first I was a bit upset to leave Cyrus' story, but the thing about Dumbrell is that regardless of the character in play, you still manage to route for them and fall in love with their tale. Francine was every bit the to-be hero looking to find her place in the world; Locke was every inch the regretful nobody breaking out of his family's shadow. Theirs were both stories of growth, and duty, and finding ways to do what was right - intricately woven with the other characters too, who had become such staples of the series. The book is a marvel and a joy. The ending broke my heart and stuck a six-foot plaster over it a chapter later.
Read this book. Read this Trilogy. It is fun, it is fast, and it is beautiful.
An applause, Mr Dumbrell: what a story you have told.
June 15, 2022
Where Heroes Were Born is a brilliant ending to the Pillars of Peace series, and for me it is the best book in the series.
Tom Dumbrell has finished his debut series with a captivating piece of storytelling, following the tales of Fran (a warrior princess who yearns for adventure) and Locke (a downtrodden noble with a dark childhood). Dumbrell builds the stories of these two characters around a sinister plot taking place. The story is interesting in the first half, but really takes off in the second half of the book after the plot is revealed, with Dumbrell's finest writing in the thrilling (and poignant) last 100 or so pages. The character-work in the book is strong throughout.
If you are someone who enjoyed The Look of a King and No Place for Peace, you will love this exciting adventure. Highly recommend.
Tom Dumbrell has finished his debut series with a captivating piece of storytelling, following the tales of Fran (a warrior princess who yearns for adventure) and Locke (a downtrodden noble with a dark childhood). Dumbrell builds the stories of these two characters around a sinister plot taking place. The story is interesting in the first half, but really takes off in the second half of the book after the plot is revealed, with Dumbrell's finest writing in the thrilling (and poignant) last 100 or so pages. The character-work in the book is strong throughout.
If you are someone who enjoyed The Look of a King and No Place for Peace, you will love this exciting adventure. Highly recommend.
August 1, 2022
4.5 stars. Absolutely loved it!!
June 30, 2022
I am a puddle of emotions as the trilogy comes to a conclusion. Peace. Satisfaction. Sadness. Oddly nostalgic. I don’t want to leave this world or these characters behind. A fitting end to a series with a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish. The third book is unlike the first two in that, even though it is still filled with plenty of action, it takes beats to pause and reflect. It focuses on character emotions more than the first two books and it is something I think is done very well. The third book is also different in that different characters take center stage after a ten year time jump and at first I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Having Cyrus take a largely backseat roll for most the novel made me tense at the beginning. But by the end I had fallen for Locke and Francine just as hard as a fell for Cyrus in the last two. This is a series that will not be forgotten and it is even a series I can see myself reading to any future children I have as they get a bit older. Here’s to hoping Dumbrell’s writing journey is not done and that he has other fantastic stories up in his head somewhere.
June 20, 2022
What a way to end the series. To take the story of Fran and bring the characters forward 10 years was a clever and unpredictable way to bring this trilogy to a close. The writing and plot was so much more than the first book, as I agree, Tom Dumbrell has developed so much as a writer in each book of this series. He says that this book didn't come as easily as the others, but it just proves that it is the hard-fought for parts of life that prove to be most worth the effort.
One of the things I loved (there were sooooo many more), was how it looked back to the beginning and acknowledged the past, the events and the beloved characters that began this story. I just want to read these 3 books again.
I feel that I am rambling, but it is difficult to put into words how reading this book has made me feel. It was brilliant, I loved every word, every twist, turn and surprise. I do believe I said it in a review for The Look Of A King, this was a Majestic story, full of humility and humanity. Congratulations to Tom Dumbrell on a fantastic book and series.
One of the things I loved (there were sooooo many more), was how it looked back to the beginning and acknowledged the past, the events and the beloved characters that began this story. I just want to read these 3 books again.
I feel that I am rambling, but it is difficult to put into words how reading this book has made me feel. It was brilliant, I loved every word, every twist, turn and surprise. I do believe I said it in a review for The Look Of A King, this was a Majestic story, full of humility and humanity. Congratulations to Tom Dumbrell on a fantastic book and series.
March 31, 2023
3.5 stars
Headlines:
Family, love and loss
Loyalty and betrayal
Pirates, jungles and castles
Where Heroes Were Born picked up the Pillars of Peace world ten years on. It was satisfying to see some status quo in Cyrus' and Francine's life. Now okay, this status did not last but at least we know they had some.
There were a number of POVs in this story and as the book progressed a few more were added. I favoured the world of Fran and her character was written so well. Locke had me less interested even though that story eventually linked up the threads of his POV. The sweetest spot for me in this tale was life on the ship travelling to an African-inspired land, I liked how that plot direction rolled out, the good and the bad.
If you're a Cyrus fan, he was a little less in the fore for this installment but I found Francine a worthy substitute. As Francine journeyed back and forth to and from lands unknown, I got a sense of foreboding. I really didn't see that coming and it was a tough pill to swallow.
Overall, this was a good culmination to the series and while this wasn't my favourite in the series (book one was for me), I'll think of Pillars of Peace as a world that brings great characterisation and found family elements.
Headlines:
Family, love and loss
Loyalty and betrayal
Pirates, jungles and castles
Where Heroes Were Born picked up the Pillars of Peace world ten years on. It was satisfying to see some status quo in Cyrus' and Francine's life. Now okay, this status did not last but at least we know they had some.
There were a number of POVs in this story and as the book progressed a few more were added. I favoured the world of Fran and her character was written so well. Locke had me less interested even though that story eventually linked up the threads of his POV. The sweetest spot for me in this tale was life on the ship travelling to an African-inspired land, I liked how that plot direction rolled out, the good and the bad.
If you're a Cyrus fan, he was a little less in the fore for this installment but I found Francine a worthy substitute. As Francine journeyed back and forth to and from lands unknown, I got a sense of foreboding. I really didn't see that coming and it was a tough pill to swallow.
Overall, this was a good culmination to the series and while this wasn't my favourite in the series (book one was for me), I'll think of Pillars of Peace as a world that brings great characterisation and found family elements.
July 29, 2022
Well gosh, Tom you just hit me square in the feels with this final installment of the Pillars of Peace series. I was so fortunate to find this series at the start and have loved every minute reading it!! Each book was terrific and better than the one before and WHWB is no exception. I loved Fran right from the beginning and to get her story here is wonderful and full of adventure plus some badass fights. We get introduced to new characters plus cameos from some old favorites. Everything is wrapped up for all our main characters and it's both heartwarming and heartbreaking, but still filled with hope. The end of a series is always sad, especially one as enjoyable as this, but it's all so well done that I am looking forward to rereads in the future!! Bravo Tom!!
October 11, 2023
I was promised the best book in the trilogy and that's what I was given.
The slower pace and fewer twists really helps to ground this installment. Giving the prose and sentiments room to breath.
I really liked the expanded world. New characters and location, but also getting to know some lesser used character who had already had their stories started in the earlier books.
The trilogy as a whole is fantastic, this is a both the icing and the cherry on top.
The slower pace and fewer twists really helps to ground this installment. Giving the prose and sentiments room to breath.
I really liked the expanded world. New characters and location, but also getting to know some lesser used character who had already had their stories started in the earlier books.
The trilogy as a whole is fantastic, this is a both the icing and the cherry on top.
June 16, 2022
The chosen shield is set off on a mission from her queen. A young man struggles to gain his fathers approval. Discovering uncomfortable truths…and heroism within themselves. Non stop adventure and schemes. What a conclusion! My favourite of the series.
August 7, 2022
Damn this book made me cry.
so much love for the final book in a fantastic trilogy.
so much love for the final book in a fantastic trilogy.
September 10, 2024
Another author to add to my favourites list!
This was one of the best conclusions I have read in a long time. I recently saw that Dumbrell has a new standalone book that he released recently and I just bought a kindle copy. I can’t wait to get to that one soon!
This was one of the best conclusions I have read in a long time. I recently saw that Dumbrell has a new standalone book that he released recently and I just bought a kindle copy. I can’t wait to get to that one soon!
September 9, 2022
Tom Dumbrell does it again. Potential spoilers ahead!!!
Where Heroes Were Born is the third and final installment in the Pillars of Peace trilogy, and it CERTAINLY didn't disappoint! Our favourite King Cyrus takes a backseat for this story, instead giving the spotlight to his endearing sister Francine, as she embarks on a quest to find a suitor for her Queen. On the way she encounters new (and old) friends and enemies as we explore a completely new land and culture, The Kanthu Islands. In the previous books, I sometimes felt as if I didn't really know Fran, but she really has a great arc in this book as she struggles between her duty as chosen shield for Mathilde and her desire to forge her own path in life, and after finishing she's DEFINITELY one of my favourite characters.
Locke returns in our secondary plot, as he struggles to live up to the expectations of his father Lord Ramsey, who is really an AWFUL person in this book. This really helped me empathise with Locke, as he gets caught up in a conspiracy against the crown and has to choose between his own blood and what's right.
Throughout the book, Dumbrell also gives some perspective to other characters such as Broderick. I really appreciated this expansion of the side characters of this world, no one got left behind.
Altogether, Where Heroes Were Born is an incredible finale to the series, and I really enjoyed my time reading it. Once again it a fast paced story with lots of twists, and several gut wrenching moments that had me genuinely tear up (if you've read you know what I'm talking about). I cannot recommend enough. The Pillars of Peace trilogy has been such a fun ride, I would really love to see more from the Quadrapartite and the lands beyond, and I can't wait to see what Dumbrell has next for us!
Where Heroes Were Born is the third and final installment in the Pillars of Peace trilogy, and it CERTAINLY didn't disappoint! Our favourite King Cyrus takes a backseat for this story, instead giving the spotlight to his endearing sister Francine, as she embarks on a quest to find a suitor for her Queen. On the way she encounters new (and old) friends and enemies as we explore a completely new land and culture, The Kanthu Islands. In the previous books, I sometimes felt as if I didn't really know Fran, but she really has a great arc in this book as she struggles between her duty as chosen shield for Mathilde and her desire to forge her own path in life, and after finishing she's DEFINITELY one of my favourite characters.
Locke returns in our secondary plot, as he struggles to live up to the expectations of his father Lord Ramsey, who is really an AWFUL person in this book. This really helped me empathise with Locke, as he gets caught up in a conspiracy against the crown and has to choose between his own blood and what's right.
Throughout the book, Dumbrell also gives some perspective to other characters such as Broderick. I really appreciated this expansion of the side characters of this world, no one got left behind.
Altogether, Where Heroes Were Born is an incredible finale to the series, and I really enjoyed my time reading it. Once again it a fast paced story with lots of twists, and several gut wrenching moments that had me genuinely tear up (if you've read you know what I'm talking about). I cannot recommend enough. The Pillars of Peace trilogy has been such a fun ride, I would really love to see more from the Quadrapartite and the lands beyond, and I can't wait to see what Dumbrell has next for us!
October 16, 2023
Tom Dumbrell has improved so much as a writer, and this is book was the perfect example of it.
The prose, dialogue and pacing were all a level-up in skill and I applaud him for that. These were some of my major gripes from the previous books and it was nice to see how he evolved as a writer.
The plot for this series was a lot different from the previous entries. 10 years following the events of No Place for Peace, we don't follow Cyrus much at all. Instead, we follow Francine and a newi-ish character, Locke. At first I was more interested in Locke's story than Francine. However, towards the end when their paths merge, I was enjoying Fran's PoV chapters.
The only real complaint I had was how this felt a little out of place for the end of a trilogy. It was a massive shift in characters, which I don't usually mind but I thought there might have been more of Cyrus' adventures. On the whole though, the story itself was mostly enjoyable. The only part I was a little bored was with Fran at the beginning.
I am glad I have read this series as I want to read more Indie authors in the future, and this was a promising start. 7/10
The prose, dialogue and pacing were all a level-up in skill and I applaud him for that. These were some of my major gripes from the previous books and it was nice to see how he evolved as a writer.
The plot for this series was a lot different from the previous entries. 10 years following the events of No Place for Peace, we don't follow Cyrus much at all. Instead, we follow Francine and a newi-ish character, Locke. At first I was more interested in Locke's story than Francine. However, towards the end when their paths merge, I was enjoying Fran's PoV chapters.
The only real complaint I had was how this felt a little out of place for the end of a trilogy. It was a massive shift in characters, which I don't usually mind but I thought there might have been more of Cyrus' adventures. On the whole though, the story itself was mostly enjoyable. The only part I was a little bored was with Fran at the beginning.
I am glad I have read this series as I want to read more Indie authors in the future, and this was a promising start. 7/10
January 27, 2023
It was a good ending to the series. I just wish it had more of the main characters from the previous two books in it. I felt like the whole matchmaker plot was pointless as it didn’t tie in to the end result of the series. The first two books seemed like they had a lot more twists and turns, where this one was pretty straight forward. 3 ⭐️.
July 17, 2022
4.5* Rounded up.
First and foremost, I am sad that my time with this series has come to an end. But what an ending. This historical fantasy has concluded in its true form, with a whole lot of heart, face paced prose and a set of characters you cannot help but root for.
Where Heroes Were Born takes place roughly 10 years after the events of book two. Our characters have grown up and are well established in their roles within the world.
Changing pace a little from the first two books, we are following Francine, chosen shield to Queen Mathilde. She longs for more, wanting to see the world but is also fiercely loyal to her queen. When it comes time to find the queen a husband in an attempt to secure an heir to the realm, Francine jumps at the chance to sail the seas and fetch the lad in question, perhaps finding a romance of her own along the way.
We also follow Locke, once a Prince now a prison master struggling to find his own identity and purpose away from his unpleasant father. When he is tasked with something that will put the political standing of the whole world at risk, he needs to determine the man he really wants to be after all.
It was a facinating creative choice to follow two characters which had previously been side characters (enjoyable sure but not main protagonists) in the earlier books. But somehow this worked exceptionally well in building the feel and heart of the world.
There are two things the author has done masterfully, 1. I care about all of these characters and their romances. That DOES NOT happen to me. The character work here is so effective that I was on the edge of my seat with any actions they made, good or bad, along the way. The second thing is pacing, this book flows seamlessly, continually inviting readers to just one more chapter. In fact, the entire series has been paced wonderfully.
I had a great time with the series. It is very clearly a passion project. One that has paid off. I encourage anyone who likes historical fiction or historical fantasy to give this one a go.
Full Review on Specifics to be added at Epicindie.net in the coming weeks.
First and foremost, I am sad that my time with this series has come to an end. But what an ending. This historical fantasy has concluded in its true form, with a whole lot of heart, face paced prose and a set of characters you cannot help but root for.
Where Heroes Were Born takes place roughly 10 years after the events of book two. Our characters have grown up and are well established in their roles within the world.
Changing pace a little from the first two books, we are following Francine, chosen shield to Queen Mathilde. She longs for more, wanting to see the world but is also fiercely loyal to her queen. When it comes time to find the queen a husband in an attempt to secure an heir to the realm, Francine jumps at the chance to sail the seas and fetch the lad in question, perhaps finding a romance of her own along the way.
We also follow Locke, once a Prince now a prison master struggling to find his own identity and purpose away from his unpleasant father. When he is tasked with something that will put the political standing of the whole world at risk, he needs to determine the man he really wants to be after all.
It was a facinating creative choice to follow two characters which had previously been side characters (enjoyable sure but not main protagonists) in the earlier books. But somehow this worked exceptionally well in building the feel and heart of the world.
There are two things the author has done masterfully, 1. I care about all of these characters and their romances. That DOES NOT happen to me. The character work here is so effective that I was on the edge of my seat with any actions they made, good or bad, along the way. The second thing is pacing, this book flows seamlessly, continually inviting readers to just one more chapter. In fact, the entire series has been paced wonderfully.
I had a great time with the series. It is very clearly a passion project. One that has paid off. I encourage anyone who likes historical fiction or historical fantasy to give this one a go.
Full Review on Specifics to be added at Epicindie.net in the coming weeks.
July 28, 2022
***may contain spoilers***
Set 10 years after the conclusion of No Place For Peace, Where Heroes Were Born is a great book and a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy.
We follow Fran and a new character named Locke, but old favorites are still very present in this one. Where the first two books had a relentless pace, this one slows down, and expands the world. I loved seeing the world grow, and we are introduced to different people and cultures. This book felt much more refined than the first two, which says a lot, considering how much I enjoyed them.
Despite the newer cast of characters, I had no problem developing emotional attachment to them. Between their storylines, their struggles, and their romances, Dumbrell manages to develop them very well in this thrilling conclusion. You never feel safe, and the author doesn't hesistate to take away some of your favorites. This is a ballsy choice, and one I like, as I am tired of authors strictly killing off side characters making their deaths feel inconsequential.
The story is as exciting as the first two books, and despite this book having a standalone feel, I love how it tied back to the previous two books. Both characters have this internalized battle in which they are fighting for their place in the world. Francine feels she is living in the shadow of all these other impressive people, while Locke has to deal with being a constant disappointment to his family. Following these two characters and seeing how their storylines interconnect was a lot of fun.
The writing has improved quite a lot from the first book, showing the author's growth. It still reads easy, but is a lot more refined and outright beautiful at times. Seeing this makes me very excited for what Dumbrell has coming next.
Really my only complaint is that I wasn't as engaged in the start of the story, simply due to this being set 10 years later. Finding the queen a husband was something I really didn't care much about, but eventually, I became completely engrossed in the story.
All in all, this is a fantastic book to a fantastic series!
Set 10 years after the conclusion of No Place For Peace, Where Heroes Were Born is a great book and a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy.
We follow Fran and a new character named Locke, but old favorites are still very present in this one. Where the first two books had a relentless pace, this one slows down, and expands the world. I loved seeing the world grow, and we are introduced to different people and cultures. This book felt much more refined than the first two, which says a lot, considering how much I enjoyed them.
Despite the newer cast of characters, I had no problem developing emotional attachment to them. Between their storylines, their struggles, and their romances, Dumbrell manages to develop them very well in this thrilling conclusion. You never feel safe, and the author doesn't hesistate to take away some of your favorites. This is a ballsy choice, and one I like, as I am tired of authors strictly killing off side characters making their deaths feel inconsequential.
The story is as exciting as the first two books, and despite this book having a standalone feel, I love how it tied back to the previous two books. Both characters have this internalized battle in which they are fighting for their place in the world. Francine feels she is living in the shadow of all these other impressive people, while Locke has to deal with being a constant disappointment to his family. Following these two characters and seeing how their storylines interconnect was a lot of fun.
The writing has improved quite a lot from the first book, showing the author's growth. It still reads easy, but is a lot more refined and outright beautiful at times. Seeing this makes me very excited for what Dumbrell has coming next.
Really my only complaint is that I wasn't as engaged in the start of the story, simply due to this being set 10 years later. Finding the queen a husband was something I really didn't care much about, but eventually, I became completely engrossed in the story.
All in all, this is a fantastic book to a fantastic series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2022
This was one of my highest anticipated reads of the year. So much so, I re-read books 1 & 2 in anticipation. I am not one to re-read books, my TBR is too large for that, but I had to make sure I had every single detail fresh in my mind. I've been enthralled with the series since book one and my love for the series and these characters just grew with book 2---especially during my re-read. Those books remained 5 star, out of this world reads for me. And what does Tom do to close out this series? Blows my expectations out of the water. Seriously, there aren't enough stars.
In the final installment of the series, we fast forward 10 years, and switch the main POVs. We follow the brilliant Francine as she makes her way in the world. We also get a dose of Locke, an inexperienced prison master who is shadowed by his war hero father's achievements and expectations.
Tom did not throw us 10 years into the future and ignore all the things that have happened since the Battle of Highcastle. He weaves the history throughout the story, acknowledging how far we've come on this journey, what was gained, and what was lost to get there. I particularly enjoyed getting the chance to see things and characters through a fresh set of eyes (even if I did miss reading more about my favorite cinnamon roll, Cyrus).
Speaking of characters, Tom knows his characters and writes them so thoroughly and beautifully. You experience full scales of their feelings and strength. You are allowed to see their shortcomings, faults, and growth.--Special shout out on how well Tom writes his female characters. Women in fantasy can be difficult. I get it, we are complex creatures--but they normally only fall into a one dimensional trap, be it the emotional helpless damsel or the unyielding badass. Tom gave such life to Fran, Mathilde, Adaline, Marcia...you get the picture. I mean, he does this for the gentlemen too but when a man manages to paint the complexities of women and highlight how strong it makes them, I can't help but applaud it. Plus Fran and Mathilde's relationship is absolutely goals. That was a phenomenal portrayal of how a friendship, even with a power imbalance of their roles, should look.
His way of storytelling leaves enough room for you to take a breath. It was so perfectly balanced between action and emotion--you get to see what drives the characters and feel their motivations. Make no mistake, Tom still doesn't allow you to get comfortable in the story. He takes no qualms about absolutely gutting you. Yeah, this book hurts. It hurts brilliantly. I was crushed (again) by where we ended up. Now I can't think of a better way for him to end the series because it was perfectly done...doesn't mean I didn't want to call him many choice things (again).
In the final installment of the series, we fast forward 10 years, and switch the main POVs. We follow the brilliant Francine as she makes her way in the world. We also get a dose of Locke, an inexperienced prison master who is shadowed by his war hero father's achievements and expectations.
Tom did not throw us 10 years into the future and ignore all the things that have happened since the Battle of Highcastle. He weaves the history throughout the story, acknowledging how far we've come on this journey, what was gained, and what was lost to get there. I particularly enjoyed getting the chance to see things and characters through a fresh set of eyes (even if I did miss reading more about my favorite cinnamon roll, Cyrus).
Speaking of characters, Tom knows his characters and writes them so thoroughly and beautifully. You experience full scales of their feelings and strength. You are allowed to see their shortcomings, faults, and growth.--Special shout out on how well Tom writes his female characters. Women in fantasy can be difficult. I get it, we are complex creatures--but they normally only fall into a one dimensional trap, be it the emotional helpless damsel or the unyielding badass. Tom gave such life to Fran, Mathilde, Adaline, Marcia...you get the picture. I mean, he does this for the gentlemen too but when a man manages to paint the complexities of women and highlight how strong it makes them, I can't help but applaud it. Plus Fran and Mathilde's relationship is absolutely goals. That was a phenomenal portrayal of how a friendship, even with a power imbalance of their roles, should look.
His way of storytelling leaves enough room for you to take a breath. It was so perfectly balanced between action and emotion--you get to see what drives the characters and feel their motivations. Make no mistake, Tom still doesn't allow you to get comfortable in the story. He takes no qualms about absolutely gutting you. Yeah, this book hurts. It hurts brilliantly. I was crushed (again) by where we ended up. Now I can't think of a better way for him to end the series because it was perfectly done...doesn't mean I didn't want to call him many choice things (again).
March 7, 2023
𝑩𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏.
Where Heroes Were Born is the conclusion to the Pillars of Peace trilogy, and continues the story of Peacehaven. This time, it’s mostly from Fran’s perspective while she makes her own way in the world as the chosen shield of the Queen of Cornesse. We also have an interesting new character in Locke, who is the son of one of Peacehaven’s powerful lords.
I was really excited to read this book as a lot of people have told me they consider it to be the best of the trilogy, including the author himself. I have to say, I agree! I’ve enjoyed the whole series, but it’s been great to see Dumbrell’s writing become more and more refined with each book. This was a very satisfying conclusion, and wrapped up the various plot threads nicely.
There were a few aspects I particularly enjoyed. Though I loved Cyrus as a protagonist, after two books of him it was great to see Fran and Mathilde come into their own and break out of the female roles assigned to them. Not only that, but it was a nice flip to see a not-so-good side of Cyrus to establish a bit more depth. We also explore some of the fallout from the glorious battles of the previous books, delving into the generational trauma passed down to Locke from his father.
Finally, I really liked the non-European setting of the Kanthu Islands. As an avid fantasy reader, it’s easy to get sick of the endless variations of medieval towns we see, and so I relish any opportunity to read about some different cultures.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Pillars of Peace series to any fantasy fans, particularly those like me who miss the classic fantasy series they grew up with. This is a series I could see my non-existent future children growing up with, it made me smile and laugh and cry, and it will continue to live in my heart.
Thanks, Tom.
Where Heroes Were Born is the conclusion to the Pillars of Peace trilogy, and continues the story of Peacehaven. This time, it’s mostly from Fran’s perspective while she makes her own way in the world as the chosen shield of the Queen of Cornesse. We also have an interesting new character in Locke, who is the son of one of Peacehaven’s powerful lords.
I was really excited to read this book as a lot of people have told me they consider it to be the best of the trilogy, including the author himself. I have to say, I agree! I’ve enjoyed the whole series, but it’s been great to see Dumbrell’s writing become more and more refined with each book. This was a very satisfying conclusion, and wrapped up the various plot threads nicely.
There were a few aspects I particularly enjoyed. Though I loved Cyrus as a protagonist, after two books of him it was great to see Fran and Mathilde come into their own and break out of the female roles assigned to them. Not only that, but it was a nice flip to see a not-so-good side of Cyrus to establish a bit more depth. We also explore some of the fallout from the glorious battles of the previous books, delving into the generational trauma passed down to Locke from his father.
Finally, I really liked the non-European setting of the Kanthu Islands. As an avid fantasy reader, it’s easy to get sick of the endless variations of medieval towns we see, and so I relish any opportunity to read about some different cultures.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Pillars of Peace series to any fantasy fans, particularly those like me who miss the classic fantasy series they grew up with. This is a series I could see my non-existent future children growing up with, it made me smile and laugh and cry, and it will continue to live in my heart.
Thanks, Tom.
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