An Echo of Things to Come (The Licanius Trilogy, 2)

*Spolier Free* Book 1: Good Book 2: Great The first book was a well built story for what became the foundation to an interesting world, but where the first book lacked (that hard to explain feeling- where you simply must know what happens next), the second book excelled. I could not put the story down, each chapter hurls you into the next as the plot unravels for each of the main characters. Very little, if any, dull parts that usually burden epic fantasies of this stature. Even the slower chapters were terse and interesting, kept the plot rolling, rather than dragging. The world pulls you in and keeps you engrossed in what's going on. The action is spurred by the well defined characters as they struggle to not only survive the inevitable, but somehow change the outcome of what's to come which seems to have been already sealed by destiny. And the theme of destiny vs freewill keeps your mind in a state of constant wonderment throughout the book. Can they change the fate of the world with seemingly all the odds stacked against them? Can they change fate itself? Islington has built a complex world that's become the consequence of the powerful Venerate from the past. That's what I really found to be the best part of the book. Where book 1 is the surface of a well, book two becomes it's depth as we learn more about the past and how Caeden, Davian, Wirr and Asha's fates have all become intertwined. Echo is enjoyable and well written stepping stone towards the last installment, and exceeds book 1 with its smoothly paced plot, character growth and development, and well rounded story arcs coming to fruition, while setting up the final installment with a shocking cliffhanger and leaving us wondering what is to become of each of the heroes. Echo checks all the boxes a great sequel should, keeping you hungry for the next book while leaving you satisfied and pondering over what you've just read. If you enjoy fantasy, this series is a must.

The second book of a trilogy. Each book so far as been very long with numerous plots going on at the same time. The story focuses on the Gifted, a group that can perform magical feats and the Administration, a group that controls and more or less enslaves the Gifted. At some point in the past the Gifted ruled but a group of them were taking advantage and causing harm to the non-gifted. A war was waged and the non-gifted won and enslaved the Gifted and through a magical device bound then to a set of Tenants that prohibit them from using their gift outside of their few schools. Now Augurs, a form of the Gifted that caused the war and have been put to death since the war, manage to escape being killed and later are allowed to live under close watch by the Administration. The main characters are Davian, once a Gifted student who realized he is a Augur in Book one. Wirr, a Gifted who is also the lead Administration's son and nephew to the king. Ash, also a Gifted who was friends with Davian and Wirr at the school who has been turned into a Shadow, which is a Gifted who has had their power taken from them. Finally, Caeden, a mysterious powerful Gifted that has no memory of who he is but has a large hand in what has happened in the past and the future. Now this group is trying to save the Boundary, a magical wall that keeps evil creatures on the other side from gaining access to the civilized lands. It all sounds terribly complicated but if you read book one first it will all make sense. This is a great fantasy series with great world creation and characters that you will find yourself rooting for. I highly recommend it.

As someone who enjoyed The Shadow of What Was Lost (The Licanius Trilogy) , I had high hopes and expectations for this sequel - and I feel that they were blown away. "An Echo of Things to Come" follows the same main four characters of its predecessor: Davian, Caeden, Asha, and Wirr. Islington chooses not to add new perspectives, but continues to tell his story entirely from their viewpoints. While in the first novel the characters were largely together on a journey and took part in the same events, in "Echo" they have spread across Andarra. The characters do interact, but on a smaller scale. Each one has their own plot and character arc to engage in. Islington provides a detailed synopsis/summary of "Shadow" at the beginning of the novel, which helps set up and keep track of the characters. That being said, I'd recommend re-reading the first book before jumping into the sequel (and not reading this as a stand-alone at all). With the threads of the story becoming more and more spread out, the demand on the reader grows. Helpfully, there's also a glossary of characters and terms in the back of the novel this time around. The plot is good, but not incredible. I found it to be appropriately predictable (the type of predictable where you have a hint at what will happen next, and when you're surprised previous hints become obvious), and very well paced. The weight of the story falls on Caeden's shoulders - an amnesiac who discovers that he is in fact a legendary figure at the end of "Shadow" - and felt very much like the other story threads were interspersed with his. This isn't explicit in the structure, but just as Davian had a great deal of "screentime" in the first novel, so Caeden does in the second. Caeden's sections and characterization are why I loved "An Echo of What Was Lost." We get to watch in the backseat as an immortal of immense power re-discovers his tragic and bloodsoaked past. Caeden and his fellow Venerate (the other 8 legendary immortals he has known for millennia) are the centerpiece and shining star of "Echo." Their ancient history together is well-conveyed, and crafts an emotionally compelling tale. The great question of this novel is if El (God) is who he claims to be, and what actions are correct to do in service to the divine, or to the greater good, and so on. It might not be a novel for all tastes (I find these moral questions fascinating), but for me it was wonderful. Even though I'm fairly certain what Islington's answer is regarding the identity of El (as known to the Venerate), I finished the novel still not-quite-certain that Caeden et al were on the correct side. I'm not sure I've ever read a fantasy with such delicious, fitting ambiguity. Caeden's plot was easily my favorite (is it obvious?), but the others weren't lacking. All in all, "Echo" answers most of the many questions left in the air at the end of "Shadow." Each character arc gets a conclusion, and the cast is brought back together for the final climax. The biggest complaint I have is that the climax felt weak. The largest portion takes place from Asha and Davian's perspectives. Islington does a good job with following his themes of self-sacrifice and moral choice; however, just before the final choices are made a battle occurs in Asha's perspective which feels very out of place. That battle feels like it's just a 'battle for final battle's sake,' and seemed a bit formulaic and disappointing. On the upside, the epilogue was spectacular. Throughout the story we receive Caeden's memories through a sequence of triggered visions, and a good portion of the epilogue is one final, astonishing recollection. I look forward eagerly to "The Light of All that Falls."

Second book of the trilogy didn’t disappoint, it was brilliant, love the plot twists at the end again. I love how these books are straightforward, no unnecessary side stories just to fill the story or make the book longer. Really enjoying this series.

Well written as the 1st book, likable characters and clever plot. Some may argue that the main characters are too good-guys/girls but i like it, positivity being in short supply lately.

Part 2 of the Licanius trilogy is not as dark or brutal as book 1 or 3. The mood is lighter and the story involves multiple timelines and characters. There's a lot going on throughout the book particularly for the augurs and Caeden as he has more and more visions of his past. For the first time in this book we get a glimpse of the extent of the boundary. Fantasy with time travel is not recommended for anyone who's reading Fantasy novel for the first time but I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Character development was not the best but again this is James iIslington's first novel he will only get better. Book 2 of Licanius trilogy is perfect stage set for final chapter The light of all that falls.

Fantastic book, lots of new fantasy out there and only a few books are written like a talented old school writer, this is one, simply awesome. Well done can't wait for the follow ups. To the author ignore the whiners, if this series is 13 books the more the merrier. This generation wants quick satisfaction and don't know how to invest or appreciate the long term or intricate twists that span many books. Their attention span is limited and their lack of appreciation is embarrassing. One day they will appreciate that every book is a gift that takes you away to another world, and the more gifts that come the more time we can spend in that other world enjoying the magic of it. So keep them coming and congrats on the start of a great series.

Suite très efficace au Shadow of What was Lost. On y retrouve les mêmes 4 personnages, directement à la suite des évènements du premier volume. Encore une fois, ça ressemble à du Robert Jordan en plus péchu : l'action ne s’arrête jamais. Aussi, les personnages ont une petite part d'ombre qui n'est pas désagréable dans ce genre d'ouvrage. Plus qu'à la hauteur des promesses du premier tome, cette suite met la barre un peu plus haut. J'ai hâte de lire la suite.