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The Secret World Chronicle #3
World Well Lost
Continuing the action and intrigue of the first two books, World Well Lost joins the ensemble cast of metahuman characters as they struggle against the growing powers of the Thule Society as well as Echo's own waning popularity. Famed fantasy and sci-fi author Mercedes Lackey and newcomers Dennis Lee and Cody Martin bring this superhero-themed braided novel podcast series to life with characters such as the Seraphym, Victoria Victrix, John Murdock, and Red Djinni, with stories read by Veronica Giguere.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2010
320 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
437 books9,633 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 11, 2019
Very well written and well produced superhero story. Nice overall main plot that is tied together by the many subplots and character story lines. Very recommended
March 14, 2019
I am finally starting to get the hang of this shared universe. Plenty of short tales that flesh out the past and provide insight into the ongoing conflict. Enjoying slowly listening my way through the series.
June 21, 2015
A continuation of stories in a world devastated from the Nazi's and in need of heroes no matter how small. Some survive, some don't make it. And we meet new heroes as we go. This is like watching a tv series with seasons ending. Good thing, the next season is out!
****FULL REVIEW****
The world is a mess. Things are not working out well for ECHO. There are those in trouble. Their Meta-hero numbers are dwindling. No help seems to be coming from ECHO to the humans in the damaged areas. And no help to ECHO either. Nazi's are still around and ECHO is at it's low.
The wreckage of the world has people taking advantage of the depleted protection forces. Through the new and old operatives ECHO is working to recruit. They need more Meta's and they are flipping old stones to find the ones hidden away, and retired. There is another group, the Black Snakes, out there doing the same. The Black Snakes are trying to get to all the META's and turn them to their side.
New authors have come into the fold, and along with them new characters join the cast. This brings a diversity to the world and fresh ideas. Something different for the current characters to battle. We get to see the new recruits and operatives in action. We see what the characters are made of in the moment of an attack or injury, giving us a look at their powers, actions, and glimpses of their past.
We get to see magic by Vicky! I love seeing her yield her ability. This is a great blend with the superheroes. Vicky is a superhero but...she's something else, something more. Magic is mysterious in this world. Kind of the element kept hidden as it it's feared or looked at as bad. We learn a bit more about it through Vicky.
The CCCP has received more "employees" from Russia. However we see through John Murdock's eyes that the CCCP, run by a Russian, is making a difference in the area. Any help at this time is a blessing. Right?
We learn that there is a special hero out there. John Murdock. He's an unknown anomaly in the large equation of what's happening in the world, as per the Seraphym who has visited him. The prophecies are gloom filled, but John might hold a flicker of hope. I enjoyed learning some of John's past. Yet, I want to know more! He's a bit different from all the others.
Things are getting deep and the characters are fully invested now. They are learning things that take them further than they ever imagined ~ more power, information and so much more. We learn more of Seraphym's rules and the infinite she speaks of.
Through each of these characters we are getting some answers. Or maybe more details that lead to deeper and narrower questions. I like this feel. The authors are leading me to conclusions.
This world has EVERYTHING! Science, superheroes, magic, mechanical's, ancient influences, creatures, and so much more. Epic world and story created here. One that keeps growing and shifting into place. This is a continuation of stories in a world in need of heroes, no matter how small. It's like watching a tv show each season. Some make it, others don't.
((I've learned that the podcasted books are divisions of the printed books as follows:
Printed book 1 is Invasion is podcasted seasons 1 & 2.
Printed book 2, World Divided, is podcasted seasons 3 & 4.
Season 5 podcast, Waiting On, is a bonus season - it's stories of characters between books 2 and 3.
Printed book 3, Revolutions, is podcasted seasons 6 & 7.
Printed book 4, Collision, is podcasted books 8 & 9 (season 8 in progress, season 9 yet to come).))
****FULL REVIEW****
The world is a mess. Things are not working out well for ECHO. There are those in trouble. Their Meta-hero numbers are dwindling. No help seems to be coming from ECHO to the humans in the damaged areas. And no help to ECHO either. Nazi's are still around and ECHO is at it's low.
The wreckage of the world has people taking advantage of the depleted protection forces. Through the new and old operatives ECHO is working to recruit. They need more Meta's and they are flipping old stones to find the ones hidden away, and retired. There is another group, the Black Snakes, out there doing the same. The Black Snakes are trying to get to all the META's and turn them to their side.
New authors have come into the fold, and along with them new characters join the cast. This brings a diversity to the world and fresh ideas. Something different for the current characters to battle. We get to see the new recruits and operatives in action. We see what the characters are made of in the moment of an attack or injury, giving us a look at their powers, actions, and glimpses of their past.
We get to see magic by Vicky! I love seeing her yield her ability. This is a great blend with the superheroes. Vicky is a superhero but...she's something else, something more. Magic is mysterious in this world. Kind of the element kept hidden as it it's feared or looked at as bad. We learn a bit more about it through Vicky.
The CCCP has received more "employees" from Russia. However we see through John Murdock's eyes that the CCCP, run by a Russian, is making a difference in the area. Any help at this time is a blessing. Right?
We learn that there is a special hero out there. John Murdock. He's an unknown anomaly in the large equation of what's happening in the world, as per the Seraphym who has visited him. The prophecies are gloom filled, but John might hold a flicker of hope. I enjoyed learning some of John's past. Yet, I want to know more! He's a bit different from all the others.
Things are getting deep and the characters are fully invested now. They are learning things that take them further than they ever imagined ~ more power, information and so much more. We learn more of Seraphym's rules and the infinite she speaks of.
Through each of these characters we are getting some answers. Or maybe more details that lead to deeper and narrower questions. I like this feel. The authors are leading me to conclusions.
This world has EVERYTHING! Science, superheroes, magic, mechanical's, ancient influences, creatures, and so much more. Epic world and story created here. One that keeps growing and shifting into place. This is a continuation of stories in a world in need of heroes, no matter how small. It's like watching a tv show each season. Some make it, others don't.
((I've learned that the podcasted books are divisions of the printed books as follows:
Printed book 1 is Invasion is podcasted seasons 1 & 2.
Printed book 2, World Divided, is podcasted seasons 3 & 4.
Season 5 podcast, Waiting On, is a bonus season - it's stories of characters between books 2 and 3.
Printed book 3, Revolutions, is podcasted seasons 6 & 7.
Printed book 4, Collision, is podcasted books 8 & 9 (season 8 in progress, season 9 yet to come).))
November 30, 2011
In this third part of the series, the author continues to unify her characters despite their inherent differences and reluctance to work together. She also introduces new villains to complicate the story and add more nuance to the story. Secrets begin to be unveiled as the characters learn what it means to rebuild their world, to work together (despite one another) and to overcome the challenges presented by their enemies. One of the lingering secrets of the series begins to be opened up here and promises to be developed in the future books.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews