Rebel of Riddle and Woe: An f/f Epic Fantasy Adventure

Tidecaller Chronicles #3

by Levi Jacobs

Things were finally looking up: escaped from the gladiator pits of Dahran, Aletheia not only has a new understanding of her enemies and a team of allies by her side, bur her old lover back, miraculously escaped from prison and bearing secrets from the inside.

Then bands of enemy monks begin to find them, despite being undercover and on the far side of the continent. It seems impossible--but so was her lover's escape. And as the attacks grow more deadly, Aletheia realizes her lover carries more secrets than the ones she's spoken.

Now she must choose: her lover of her mission. Her happiness of the world. The fate of hte world hangs in the balance, and no choice will leave rher unscarred.

Rebel of Riddle and Woe is the revelation-packed continuation of the award-winning Tidecaller Chronicles. If you like strong female leads, clever magic, and page-turning action, you'll love this epic fantasy adventure.

Genres: Audiobook

471 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Levi Jacobs was born in North Dakota and grew up in Japan and Uganda, so he was bound to have a speculative take on modern life. Currently marketing his epic fantasy series The Resonant Saga and at work on three more, he runs a small fruit company to pay the bills.

Reviews

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Rebel of Riddle and Woe by Levi Jacobs a bit more than the previous book again.
There's still not that much progress on the "main quest" but the (side) characters felt deeper and more developed, which just hooked me more to the story

I especially liked a non straight female main character, which I really enjoyed to see! I'm not sure yet if she is bi, or pan sexual, but I don't think she even ever wonders about things like that herself. She just likes who she likes, and I found this a refreshing "non dramatic" way of including LGBT in fantasy!

Overall this is still a fast paced coming if age fantasy, which I devoured quickly!

[elemsr · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

can't wait for the next book to come out. the author's improvement writing and plot-crafting wise is evident. i liked the first 2 books but this one was by far the best. i loved the characters and their internal and external conflicts, the magic system got even more impressive and the politics even more exciting.

100% recommend

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The Floods are coming’
Leaders set the tone on what it means to be a ‘servant of the people’ – ‘to relieve their suffering and give them the tools to live better.’ Good leaders know that they do not have all the answers, so they surround themselves with people who have varying skill sets, knowledge bases, and networks. Great leaders aren’t afraid to shift their paradigms, seek advice outside their comfort zones, and to cooperate with those who live differently – all for the betterment of humankind.
‘What good is the world if I don’t take care of the people in it?’

I beg to differ with the author on ‘dreams…don’t carry the same truth as waking thoughts’. I prefer to think dreams are unfiltered when they get unleashed into our semi-consciousnesss and that we can actively guide our brain flows (even intrusive ones).

The author brings up some seriously deep concepts:
Not everything is either / or.
Obtain for yourself a teacher.
How abandonment issues affect adult relationships.
Trust your gut. If you don’t feel safe, you might not be.
Learn how to read people before lowering your defenses.
Use your power ‘with finesse’ rather than ‘with a sledgehammer’.
Develop craftology wisely and safeguard it like your life depends on it.
The Feminine is a power all its own (no spoilers here) and is a common motif in folk lore, for a reason.
It’s a great responsibility to hold people’s lives in our hands, whether it be gladiatorial slaves or the bloodborn.


Will the ‘Queen of Blood and Blasphemy’ be able to stop the floods before summer 2023?

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this was basically all I expected it to be. All this building up to an "apocalyptic" and I just don't feel like there is any weight behind it, the author doesn't do a good job of making you feel like the stakes are high. Also none of the relationships between characters feel natural. Three books in and I still can't comprehend Thea's obsession with Gaxna. Esong on the other hand is the most natural feeling friend in the story but I still think it was forced. The world is still a mystery, so little history, basically no descriptions of the land/continent. Purely plot driven and as I said above, the plot has no weight behind it. I'm honestly bored of the magic as well, it could have been so much better I think. despite these things, I have enjoyed it well enough to finish. I don't know if ill read the 4th book or not...probably will.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

And yet again the author continues a saga that is pretty amazing. I found this one to be thought provoking in many ways, as was the one prior to this. Maybe it's the little things the author writes that seem to echo in the head long after the last page is read. Maybe it's because the reality of life and the rawness of the emotions that guide us are so evident in the story and characters. More affects who we are and who we become than just where we come from.

This book is rich and deep and fascinating. The reader will be swept away from reality and dive deep into the world Jacobs' creates and in that world they will grapple with everything the character's do.

Excellent work yet again. Can't wait for more.

Free copy from StoryOrigin in exchange for a review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3, it helps to read the previous books to understand Aletheia's character. Nonetheless, the adventure itself is a standalone. Alongside her new friends and lover, they are sought after by the monks. But Aletheia has a choice to make as secrets are revealed. This character-driven book is written in the present tense so readers read the narrative in real-time. A personal pleasant way to read since nothing in the future can be foreseen and readers learn what happens at the same time as the characters.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebel of Riddle and Woe: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (Tidecaller Chronicles Book 3) , my third read from author Levi Jacobs The third book in an excellent series with a kick-ass female lead. Enjoyable, well-written Coming of Age Fantasy. I was given a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll definitely be reading more from this author. Now I need to wait for Queen of Blood & Blasphemy: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (Tidecaller Chronicles Book 4) to be published(RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: Book 3 of the "Tidecaller Chronicles" was more exciting than the previous books. Aletheia and her cronies crossed the continent, but no matter how far they traveled, their enemies managed to find them. I liked the interactions of the characters and felt that Aletheia faced some momentous personal battles. I enjoyed the intense fight scenes. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Kelvin Myers' narration was good, and his performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Anthony Belden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong female protagonist who isn't a mary sue + fresh, interesting magic system + fun action scenes + good character development = The Tidecaller Chronicles

This third book in the Tidecaller Chronicles continues to build upon the world established in the previous installments, fleshing out the characters and the situation they found themselves in at the end of book two. While the pace in the first half of the book is perhaps slower than in previous installments, there are still action sequences throughout and the author continues to build on the magic systems in interesting ways. Once the book picks up steam, it drives towards a satisfying conclusion that sets up things nicely for the next book.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lull in the action, an unexpected reunion
and a sudden hot pursuit all combine to make
one wonder if our heroine and her crew have
jumped out of the frying - pan into the fire.
Enjoy !!

Phyllis S.

[Sharli Kaltenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I understand the need for book two now, and it makes more sense to me. This story talks about past civilizations and how the current ones can unite to keep the same thing from befalling them. I look forward to the fourth book and reading more from this author

[Trippentigger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps getting better

An exciting continuation of the story that just keeps pulling you in. On to the next in this reread of the series.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again the transition from one book to the next felt clunky, but book 3 really picked up and was much more exciting than book 2. There was a very predictable and annoying storyline that came to fruition at the end of the book, so I knocked off a star. Other than that, I liked the pace and direction of the book.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. This is a DNF and it's not because the author Levi Jacobs has lost any of his ability to write an immersive story; I just have come to no longer have a passion to want to keep reading. I still truly recommend this series for its well developed characters and fluid, visual writing.