The Librain……retired

This week’s Reading post seems to have come around very quickly. Today I am writing about the second book in James Islington’s Licanius trilogy: An Echo of Things to Come.

The book title is An Echo of Things to Come and here is the blurb…

“Darkness spreads across a land in need of heroes.

In the wake of the devastating attack on Ilin Illan, an amnesty has been declared for all Augurs – finally allowing them to emerge from hiding and openly oppose the dark forces massing against Andarra. However, as Davian and his new allies hurry north towards the ever-weakening Boundary, fresh horrors along their path suggest that their reprieve may have come far too late.

In the capital, Wirr is forced to contend with assassins and an increasingly hostile Administration as he controversially assumes the mantle of Northwarden, uncovering a mystery which draws into question everything commonly believed about the rebellion his father led twenty years ago. Meanwhile, Asha begins a secret investigation into the disappearance of the Shadows, determined to discover not only where they went but the origin of the Vessels that created them – and, ultimately, a cure.

And with time against him as he races to fulfil the treacherous bargain with the Lyth, Caeden continues to wrestle with the impossibly heavy burdens of his past. Yet as more and more of his memories return, he begins to realise that the motivations of the two sides in this ancient war may not be as clear-cut as they first seemed . . .”

And this was my response on the Goodreads website…

An Echo of Things to Come by James Islington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

James Islington’s writing is incredible. The way he handles the plot strands with the four main characters is brilliant, in my opinion. I really loved this book and have continued the tale by reading the final part of the trilogy. The only quibble that I have is with the multiple characters and places. I must admit that I found it all quite confusing at some points. At the beginning of the third book there is a synopsis of the story so far and this helped me to sort it all out in my head before plunging in to the final part! I can’t wait to find out how he rounds this all up, especially because of the surprises in the final sections of this central book in the trilogy.

View all my reviews

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As this second book was so long, as is the third, I had better get back to my reading. Is that a good enough excuse for spending so much time with my ebooks?

Happy Reading everyone.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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It’s Wednesday, so time to update about my reading journey! The last couple of Reading Roundup posts have been about my discovery of James Islington’s Hierarchy series. Now that I have finished the published books I have turned to the trilogy that he wrote first: The Licanius Trilogy…

Here is the blurb for The Shadow of What Was Lost…

“It has been twenty years since the god-like Augurs were overthrown and killed. Now, those who once served them – the Gifted – are spared only because they have accepted the rebellion’s Four Tenets, vastly limiting their own powers.

As a young Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war lost before he was even born. He and his friends are despised beyond their school walls for the magical power they wield: a power that Davian, despite his best efforts, cannot seem to control. Worse, with his final test approaching and the consequences of failure severe, time to overcome his struggles is fast running out.

But when Davian discovers he wields the forbidden power of the Augurs, he unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will change his life – and shake the entire world.”

And here is my quick review on Goodreads…

 

The Shadow Of What Was Lost by James Islington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read the first two books in Islington’s Hierarchy series, I was looking forward to reading his debut. I was not disappointed! It is clear that his writing skills have developed since this book was published, but even in the early days his ability to handle multiple characters, detailed scene setting and very complex plots is exceptional. He uses some familiar themes: a school, a journey, the development of magical abilities, but in a refreshing way. His plots give the reader many surprises and are often ingenious. I would love to know who are his own favourite authors and which books!

I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy. What a treat!

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In fact, I am about half way through the second book in the series, An Echo of Things to Come, so should be ready to write about it next week. Mind you, it is an extremely long book! Over 800 pages!

Happy Reading everyone!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Hello fellow readers and welcome to my blog. I try to post about the books I am reading every Wednesday and this week I have more good news! Last week I wrote about a book that I really enjoyed. Since then I have finished the sequel and found it fabulous! Hooray!

The downside is that I will now have to wait for the final part of the trilogy to be published next year. Anyway, here’s the book…

Yes, the book was the second in James Islington’s Hierarchy series: The Strength of the Few. Here is the blurb…

“The highly anticipated follow-up to The Will of the Many—one of 2023’s most lauded and bestselling fantasy novels.

The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am.

But with all that has happened—with what I fear is coming—I am not sure it matters anymore.

I am no longer one. I won the Iudicium, and lost everything—and now, impossibly, the ancient device beyond the Labyrinth has replicated me across three separate worlds. A different version of myself in each of Obiteum, Luceum, and Res. Three different bodies, three different lives. I have to hide; fight; play politics. I have to train; trust; lie. I have to kill; heal; prove myself again, and again, and again.

I am loved, and hated, and entirely alone.

Above all, though, I need to find answers before it’s too late. To understand the nature of what has happened to me, and why.

I need to find a way to stop the coming Cataclysm, because if all I have learned is true, I may be the only one who can”

This is my response on the Goodreads site…

The Strength of the Few by James Islington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In my six decades of reading I don’t think I have often found two books in a series that have engaged me as much as the first two parts of James Islington’s Hierarchy series. I have been suffering from a kind of reading desert in recent months, but these books had me getting up in the middle of the night just to read a few more chapters!

The world building is amazing, based on Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt and a kind of Celtic setting. The characters are beautifully drawn and the plot twists are incredibly powerful, amazing and unexpected. In this book the author handles his main character splitting into three versions of himself, living in each of the three worlds. I am not sure how he managed to do this, but the effect was quite brilliant. I am really desperate to know how he will handle all of the different plot threads in the sequel.

Islington is definitely an author that I will continue to follow. I am now reading his debut book and will be intrigued to find out what he comes up with after he finishes the Hierarchy trilogy! Definitely a writer to keep an eye on! Thank you James.

View all my reviews

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I am so happy to have my reading mojo back!

Happy Reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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I’m welcoming you to this week’s post with some good news: I have just finished a fabulous book! For the first time in ages I have been so engaged with a book that I could hardly put it down!

Anyway, here it is…

The book was The Will of the Many by James Islington, #01 Hierarchy series. This is the blurb…

“At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.

AUDI. VIDE. TACE.

The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.

I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.

And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.

To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.

And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.”

And this is my review on the Goodreads website…

The Will of the Many by James Islington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! What an amazing read! OK, we have seen many of the themes in this book before: teens in a school setting, teens competing in highly dangerous games, and so on. But this book takes these tropes to quite another level. The author’s imagination and writing ability, his ingenious plotting and use of an Ancient Roman style setting is quite incredible.

I haven’t got up in the night to read another chapter for years! And, of course, I am now reading the sequel. I have also purchased other books by James Islington and am so excited to try them all. I have recently been in a kind of reading desert, but am feeling so happy that I have found these books.

Fantastic!

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Now I am going to finish writing and upload this post and then I can go back to my next book!

Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Welcome to this week’s post about my reading. I have finished one book, which I enjoyed and had two false starts before settling on a third book, which seems to be going well so far.

My read of the week was a standalone book by Patricia A McKillip called Alphabet of Thorn. Here is the blurb…

”Deep inside a palace on the edge of the world, the orphan Nepenthe pores over books in the royal library, translating their languages and learning their secrets. At sixteen, she knows little of the outside world. But when a young mage gives Nepenthe a book that has defied translation – a book written in a language of thorns – it speaks to Nepenthe’s soul, and becomes her secret obsession. As the words escape the brambles they reveal themselves – and begin to reveal Nepenthe’s destiny…”

And this was my response on Goodreads…

Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book had a slow start but built up into a very interesting and enjoyable read. It was great to have a book that was able to develop a story and characters on its own without 1000s of pages and numerous sequels. And, of course, how could I put down a book with librarians at the centre? Although the main character is more of a translater than a librarian really.

View all my reviews

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When I had finished this book I tried to read two others. The first was The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I managed to read about a hundred pages, but the plot was so bleak that it began to affect my mood, bringing it right down into the depths. So I put that aside. Next I began The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. To be honest, I have started this book three times already! So many people seem to have rated it very highly, but I just couldn’t get into it at all. That has also been crossed off my list.

After all of this, I posted on a Facebook Fantasy and Science Fiction book group asking for recommendations that would suit my present circumstances. Hundreds of really kind people answered and I have compiled a list of books to try. I am currently reading another recommendation from the group, so we will see how that goes. Next week’s post will reveal the book!

Anyway, I think that is all for now. I hope that you are having great success with your own book choices.

Happy Reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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