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Delver Magic #3
Balance of Fate
Ryson Acumen finds that his time of service to the people of Uton is not yet complete. Together with Holli Brances and Lief Woodson, they must work together once more to end a growing threat and to meet their own undeniable destinies. Their cause is not without loss or sacrifice as they struggle to battle grotesque forces of malevolence. Under the conniving guidance of the serp Sazar, legions of dark creatures rise out of Dark Spruce Forest and the serp turns his lustful eyes eastward. Targeting the outposts and farmlands surrounding Connel, Sazar forms a dark army to conquer the human city.Even as Ryson and his elf friends struggle against such foes, they look to the powerful wizard Enin for aid, but the spell caster remains withdrawn from nearly every clash. It is within him to decimate the entire horde, but the consequences of such intended actions trouble Enin's very soul. An understanding of balance has taught the wizard more than caution; it has led him to the presence of a being of equal power, but a creature with intentions of malice. Enin's unwillingness to interfere in the choices of individuals is born of the belief that he must allow all those around him to seek their own path as well as their own ultimate fate.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2009
28 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Inlo
23 books46 followersJeff Inlo spent several years in NJ with his wife, Joan, and their dogs. He wrote over twenty novels, focusing on fantasy and science fiction. Recently, he retired and moved to Pennsylvania. His last novel was the 15th book in the Delver Magic Series featuring the purebred delver Ryson Acumen. If you wish to contact him regarding his work, please send an email to jeffinlo@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 14, 2019
I enjoyed this book, but like with the previous two entry's in the series I'm not really certain I like the series. I mentioned in my review of the second book that elements of the books are perhaps not handled masterfully, but still manages to twist some tropes around and has a few surprises... but the conversations between characters are *so* stilted, and whenever Evin is around I just want to skip his pages and pages and pages and pages of ramblings...
I knew from reading another persons' review that so that element wasn't necessarily surprising, nor who was involved though for a small amount of time I was torn as to who it could be. Personally I disliked the way this was handled but it potentially has some ramifications that gets covered in the later books.
I also disliked some of the character development - Leif was an interesting character and as the series went on he just became more one dimensional and angry. Maybe this is reflective of how some people react to traumatic events, but I felt it didn't work here. The relationship, if one can call it that, between Evin or Enin or whatever his name is and Holli was somewhat more surprising given their interactions in the previous book and should I chose to read on (see below) I admit I'd be interested to see if she can balance him out more.
Ryson hasn't really had any development either and given he's fulfilling the 'chosen one' role in all of this that's... an interesting choice? That said his relationship with... Lynda? was done well, even if her role in this was SHOUTED FROM PRETTY MUCH FROM THE START.
I liked the way the dwarfs were brought back into the storyline. Slowly but surely you can kind of see the re-alliance of the races forming up. When I first got these books they were a trilogy but there's now 9 of them - I'd hope that it would only be in the latter books that an alliance is really made again, else it would make this slow build up feel very out of place.
Another dislike, this time around reintroducing people - the vampire from the first book. I can't decide if Inlo is clever for taking someone who could easily be a 'big bad' and getting rid of them quickly and earlier than you'd think, or whether it is a lot of missed opportunities... .
So - I've said multiple times I only own the first three books. Would I purchase the rest? The answer is maybe. Certainly not at the moment as I have other books and series I want to read. But what Jeff Inlo has done well is built a world that has some questions remaining but NOT left me on a cliffhanger. Arguably I could have stopped reading at any point so far and it wouldn't have been an annoying place to stop - I read on because there were little intrigues left not major ones. So even if the dialogue is stilted, and some things are too easily telegraphed Inlo has earned my interest by keeping the plot mostly self-contained and because of that I would be willing to return to the series in the future.
I knew from reading another persons' review that so that element wasn't necessarily surprising, nor who was involved though for a small amount of time I was torn as to who it could be. Personally I disliked the way this was handled but it potentially has some ramifications that gets covered in the later books.
I also disliked some of the character development - Leif was an interesting character and as the series went on he just became more one dimensional and angry. Maybe this is reflective of how some people react to traumatic events, but I felt it didn't work here. The relationship, if one can call it that, between Evin or Enin or whatever his name is and Holli was somewhat more surprising given their interactions in the previous book and should I chose to read on (see below) I admit I'd be interested to see if she can balance him out more.
Ryson hasn't really had any development either and given he's fulfilling the 'chosen one' role in all of this that's... an interesting choice? That said his relationship with... Lynda? was done well, even if her role in this was SHOUTED FROM PRETTY MUCH FROM THE START.
I liked the way the dwarfs were brought back into the storyline. Slowly but surely you can kind of see the re-alliance of the races forming up. When I first got these books they were a trilogy but there's now 9 of them - I'd hope that it would only be in the latter books that an alliance is really made again, else it would make this slow build up feel very out of place.
Another dislike, this time around reintroducing people - the vampire from the first book. I can't decide if Inlo is clever for taking someone who could easily be a 'big bad' and getting rid of them quickly and earlier than you'd think, or whether it is a lot of missed opportunities... .
So - I've said multiple times I only own the first three books. Would I purchase the rest? The answer is maybe. Certainly not at the moment as I have other books and series I want to read. But what Jeff Inlo has done well is built a world that has some questions remaining but NOT left me on a cliffhanger. Arguably I could have stopped reading at any point so far and it wouldn't have been an annoying place to stop - I read on because there were little intrigues left not major ones. So even if the dialogue is stilted, and some things are too easily telegraphed Inlo has earned my interest by keeping the plot mostly self-contained and because of that I would be willing to return to the series in the future.
June 30, 2023
Sazar the serp, the man lizard-like thing with a tail that could control lesser evil beings, had plans, big plans, and those plans included a base of operations. So he used his forces to attack the village of Pinesway to make it his base of operations. Ryson the delver was having none of it. He attacked the invading forces, the goblins, and while his beliefs were still in the range that all creatures had the right to live, that did not stop him from using his sword to cause cuts and gashes upon the goblins. Between his speed, the glowing sword, and the injuries he caused, it drove the goblins into a panic, and they ran from the village. Sazar was a power-hungry serp, as they all were, and he was furious at Ryson for disrupting his plans and vowed revenge.
More new creatures! Hook hawks, rock beetles, tree rakers, bloat spiders, hobsprites, snow ogres, gremplings, and razer crows. You will have to read to figure out some of these creatures. The world-building is done very well but can be vague in places. The ethereal world-building is very well explained, and character interaction is as expected since this is the third book in the series. Most all the characters have had some of their backgrounds described in previous installations of this series.
The series is epic in scope in that it deals with multiple races and how they interact with each other, their problems, and their solutions. I give this fantasy four stars out of five stars.
More new creatures! Hook hawks, rock beetles, tree rakers, bloat spiders, hobsprites, snow ogres, gremplings, and razer crows. You will have to read to figure out some of these creatures. The world-building is done very well but can be vague in places. The ethereal world-building is very well explained, and character interaction is as expected since this is the third book in the series. Most all the characters have had some of their backgrounds described in previous installations of this series.
The series is epic in scope in that it deals with multiple races and how they interact with each other, their problems, and their solutions. I give this fantasy four stars out of five stars.
September 16, 2021
I love this author and his books
The books are fabulous, entertaining and also manage to teach at the same time. I do wish I could get these in audio book form though so I could listen to them while I work.
The books are fabulous, entertaining and also manage to teach at the same time. I do wish I could get these in audio book form though so I could listen to them while I work.
April 15, 2012
This is the third book in this series. Once again the friends are called to defend. To defeat the dark magic that is pervading the whole land. The Serp that was introduced earlier in the series has once more reared his ugly and greedy head. This time he seeks yet more power and approaches a talented sorcerous to help him. Whilst everyone is preoccupied in defending against this new threat, an even greater one lurks ready to pounce!
Enin frustrated me a lot in this book. It wasn’t so much his inaction but his way of talking and thinking. I felt like screaming at him to “get to the point”. Whilst I appreciate this was a way of showing the Wizards character and personality, it did get very frustrating as he over-explained so many things. It did make me begin to dread some of the passages that he was featured in.
There was a shock when one of the friends, one of my favourite characters, is killed. I sat staring at the page in disbelief, waiting for this person to leap out and explain how they had escaped … but they did die.
I keep waiting for Hollie and Sy to become romantically involved … I know that she is an Elf and he is a human … so I don’t know if they’d even be allowed to have a relationship but I keep thinking how well suited they are!
I enjoyed this book … my only criticism is one that I have already mentioned (Enin). I believe that anyone that enjoys the Lord of The Rings books would enjoy this series too. The plot continues to be well thought out and explained. The characters are likeable and hateful (depending on who they are). The story is thought provoking as it encourages the reader to think about good and evil, balance, action and inaction, consequences and repercussions. I am now reading book 4 in this series.
Enin frustrated me a lot in this book. It wasn’t so much his inaction but his way of talking and thinking. I felt like screaming at him to “get to the point”. Whilst I appreciate this was a way of showing the Wizards character and personality, it did get very frustrating as he over-explained so many things. It did make me begin to dread some of the passages that he was featured in.
There was a shock when one of the friends, one of my favourite characters, is killed. I sat staring at the page in disbelief, waiting for this person to leap out and explain how they had escaped … but they did die.
I keep waiting for Hollie and Sy to become romantically involved … I know that she is an Elf and he is a human … so I don’t know if they’d even be allowed to have a relationship but I keep thinking how well suited they are!
I enjoyed this book … my only criticism is one that I have already mentioned (Enin). I believe that anyone that enjoys the Lord of The Rings books would enjoy this series too. The plot continues to be well thought out and explained. The characters are likeable and hateful (depending on who they are). The story is thought provoking as it encourages the reader to think about good and evil, balance, action and inaction, consequences and repercussions. I am now reading book 4 in this series.
October 24, 2012
WOW!!
This is the 3rd book in the Delver series that follows the story of Ryson Acumen, a pure-bred Delver in the land of Uton.
In this part, we see the world get ripped apart in terms of friendships between the races and we see the rise of several dark and powerful creatures. Plus an enemy that was long forgotten returns to new heights....
The story grips you right from the start as you are sucked straight in to the throws of battles and struggles!!
And just when you think things can't get any worse, the return of magic creates a being of immense power that threatens the very existence of all...!!
Can Ryson, his friends and comrades defeat the dark powers and save the land???
You will just have to read it and find out yourself!!
This is the 3rd book in the Delver series that follows the story of Ryson Acumen, a pure-bred Delver in the land of Uton.
In this part, we see the world get ripped apart in terms of friendships between the races and we see the rise of several dark and powerful creatures. Plus an enemy that was long forgotten returns to new heights....
The story grips you right from the start as you are sucked straight in to the throws of battles and struggles!!
And just when you think things can't get any worse, the return of magic creates a being of immense power that threatens the very existence of all...!!
Can Ryson, his friends and comrades defeat the dark powers and save the land???
You will just have to read it and find out yourself!!
May 11, 2011
A great finish to a great trilogy, free from ManyBooks.net it starts with a quest, a battle in the middle and the final battle to restore the balance of things. Magic, elves, goblins, humans, dwarves and many strange creatures are intrduced as the story unfolds.
April 29, 2014
Another good continuation of the series. I've enjoyed them all so far. Decent plot and writing and a nice easy read. I did find the final climax a slight let down, seemed rather quick and easy. I do plan to go onward into the series though, no one and no book is perfect.
October 17, 2016
This is the third book in the series and once again, it did not disappoint. There were several challenges to overcome with some very surprising results, some loose ends that were taken care of, and hints of some great things to come. Still a great series to read.
Want to read
June 21, 2011Free on Amazon and Nook
November 26, 2011
Still a horrible waste of time!
January 25, 2012
Came across a little preachy at times but over all an excellent story.
February 17, 2012
Love the series! I just happened to stumble upon book 4 that I didn't even know was out! Will be an excellent read I'm sure.
February 11, 2015
Didn't think the "flying" start was all that interesting.
Having read the previous two books I didn't let it discourage me that much.
All books have some dull moments!!!
Having read the previous two books I didn't let it discourage me that much.
All books have some dull moments!!!
May 17, 2012
Enjoyed the series and it was cheap!
September 8, 2012
Another enjoyable book in this series, although it did feel a little rushed at the end.
September 23, 2013
I fell in love with Ryson the first time I read this book. I'll never get tired of his story.
December 27, 2016
Found it to be a very interesting read. Have read it quite a while ago.
Want to read
October 4, 2011Also in Nook Archive.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews