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The Three Worlds Cycle #6
Tetrarch
Santhenar is on its knees. War with the forces from beyond the Void shows no sign of ending. And there is worse to come. The Aachim have invaded with a fleet of formidable battle constructs and the price for their withdrawal is half the globe.
The future of the world now rests in the hands of just three flawed individuals: Tiaan, whose knowledge holds the key to a power that can yet destroy all foes; Nish who has sworn to bring the renegade geomancer to justice; and Irisis, whose great talents are hidden even from herself.
Now Tiaan is leading her people in a last desperate stand against the Lyrinx... but if they are to survive she must master her new powers or be destroyed...
The future of the world now rests in the hands of just three flawed individuals: Tiaan, whose knowledge holds the key to a power that can yet destroy all foes; Nish who has sworn to bring the renegade geomancer to justice; and Irisis, whose great talents are hidden even from herself.
Now Tiaan is leading her people in a last desperate stand against the Lyrinx... but if they are to survive she must master her new powers or be destroyed...
690 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
42 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Ian Irvine
74books657followersI'm an Australian author of 34 novels, mainly fantasy. They include the bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy sequence, which has sold over a million print copies. It comprises The View from the Mirror quartet, The Well of Echoes quartet and The Song of the Tears trilogy. I’ve just finished The Gates of Good and Evil quartet, the long-awaited sequel to The View from the Mirror. Book 3, The Perilous Tower, was published recently and the final book, The Sapphire Portal, will be published on November 1, 2020.
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LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week � talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer � to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons � never ‘just because they’re evil�.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage � they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Facebook,
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff.
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week � talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer � to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons � never ‘just because they’re evil�.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage � they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 18, 2008
Great indepth story, and has very believable characters and it feels as though you are part of his world.
May 12, 2018
A continuing and exhausting read in a series of 4 books. The plot thickens the characters are truly in depth and interesting
March 3, 2013
Looking forward to the next installment. Well done Ian
May 9, 2023
7/10
A decent second book in this quartet.
What I liked: The main characters have a lot of depth. They exhibit a full range of emotions, strengths, and weaknesses, demonstrating tremendous courage, appalling selfishness, and understandable self-preservation. The world is fully realized and is described in sometimes overwhelming detail. The plot continues to evolve in complexity with themes of loyalty, friendship, love, trust, and duty playing out against as backdrop of politics, military matters, science, and magic. And everyone from every race (“old� human, Aachim, and Lyrinx) is just trying to survive.
What I disliked: It felt like there was a lot of wandering around without advancing the plot as much as I would have liked. Yes, in 600+ pages, the story did move forward in important ways, but it still felt like it meandered and dragged. In addition, the timeline was hard to follow, especially in the second half of the book when the main characters were scattered across the continent and each had their own POV chapters, so it was difficult to tell which events were happening at the same time and which were moving forward in time.
A decent second book in this quartet.
What I liked: The main characters have a lot of depth. They exhibit a full range of emotions, strengths, and weaknesses, demonstrating tremendous courage, appalling selfishness, and understandable self-preservation. The world is fully realized and is described in sometimes overwhelming detail. The plot continues to evolve in complexity with themes of loyalty, friendship, love, trust, and duty playing out against as backdrop of politics, military matters, science, and magic. And everyone from every race (“old� human, Aachim, and Lyrinx) is just trying to survive.
What I disliked: It felt like there was a lot of wandering around without advancing the plot as much as I would have liked. Yes, in 600+ pages, the story did move forward in important ways, but it still felt like it meandered and dragged. In addition, the timeline was hard to follow, especially in the second half of the book when the main characters were scattered across the continent and each had their own POV chapters, so it was difficult to tell which events were happening at the same time and which were moving forward in time.
March 8, 2009
This book introduces more new characters and a selfish lot they are too. Tiaan’s abilities have increased and, for all sides, the race is on to capture her. This book is again full of surprises and the plot twists and turns, bringing each character to the fore before dismissing them to some cliff hanger fate. The lyrinx are gaining the upper hand and the fate of the world seems to be in the balance. A third alien species invades, the legendary Aachim who Tiaan inadvertently helped to come to the world. Suddenly the balance of power seems to be uncertain and no one knows whose side the Aachim will take. A love/hate triangle starts to form between Nish, Tiaan and Irisis. This novel really brings to the fore individual bravery of everyday folk in fighting the lyrinx who seem impossible foes. This is a cracking read and he new characters are masterful, especially the old Flydd. Irvine is a master in creating characters who draw you in, but have hidden depths. I highly recommend this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2013
I read the first 70 pages of this a long time ago, and put it aside for reasons I now forget. I finally picked it up again, and enjoyed it far more than I expected to! Plot, characters, worldbuilding are all awesome. Everyone whose viewpoint you read from has flaws, yet they all become likable at some point; they are not completely black and white. It's packed nearly cover-to-cover with action and suspense. I really have nothing bad to say about it. What I loved best was the world itself--a unique mix of fantasy and sci-fi, magic and machines. I've never read anything like it, and found it immensely refreshing. I remember enjoying the book that comes before this one, when I read it a long time ago, and the one that follows this will definitely be on my to-read list.
June 17, 2018
Μου άρεσε περισσότερο από το πρώτο. Οι χαρακτήρες εξελίσσονται και γίνονται συμπαθείς, ο κόσμος αποκτά επιπλέον ενδιαφέρον, χτίζονται πολλά πράγματα για παρακάτω.
Δύσκολα βέβαια θα συνεχίσω τη σειρά, εκτός κι αν βρω τα επόμενα βιβλία σε πολύ καλές τιμές.
Δύσκολα βέβαια θα συνεχίσω τη σειρά, εκτός κι αν βρω τα επόμενα βιβλία σε πολύ καλές τιμές.
February 10, 2017
Book 2 on the battles over the crystal-powered world of Santhenar. I'm really enjoying this series, it's an epic saga following four main characters who have various powers with a backdrop of war between 2 human races and an insectoid race. The main characters are compelling, they have strengths and weaknesses, and they have grown and redeemed early missteps over the novels.
May 13, 2018
as per the previous book, thoroughly enjoyed it and kept me interested throughout
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
Read
June 28, 2021Read half-way. Might get back to it.
December 27, 2023
Inconsistency of character still annoying.
Progressed the story and so will continue
Progressed the story and so will continue
June 23, 2012
### Review
'A page-turner of the highest order ... formidable' SFX on GEOMANCER 'Readers of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan will lap this one up' STARLOG
### Product Description
Santhenar is on its knees. War with the forces from beyond the Void shows no sign of ending. And there is worse to come. The Aachim have invaded with a fleet of formidable battle constructs and the price for their withdrawal is half the globe. The future of the world now rests in the hands of just three flawed individuals: Tiaan, whose knowledge holds the key to a power that can yet destroy all foes; Nish who has sworn to bring the renegade geomancer to justice; and Irisis, whose great talents are hidden even from herself. Now Tiaan is leading her people in a last desperate stand against the Lyrinx...but if they are to survive she must master her new powers or be destroyed...
SUMMARY:
Santhenar is on its knees. The war with the alien lyrinx drags on, and humanity is losing it, but there is worse to come. The Aachim have invaded with an irresistible force: a fleet of battle constructs. Cursing humanity for the loss of Aachan and his own clan, the embittered Aachim leader, Vithis, demands half the world in reparation. The council is in no position to resist. But even if they agree to his demands, can anything satisfy his thirst for vengeance?Tiaan is in despair. Her life lies in ruins, and now she is being hunted through the abandoned city of Tirthrax by an implacable Nish, who blames her for the attack.The future of the world rests in the hands of three flawed people: Tiaan, whose geomancy holds the key to the power that can save or destroy them; Nish, who has sworn to bring her to justice; and Irisis, whose great talents are hidden even from herself.
September 9, 2013
I started out with this a year after reading the first one and expecting another 3 star book. The world building and a few characters in the first was enough for me to want to read this. And after finishing it, I am impressed. This was a big, big step up from the first one. I really enjoyed it, thoroughly gripping. A few writing style irritants of course. If I have to read "he, Nish, ..." again in the next one I won't be pleased. Tiaan still doesn't keep my attention as a character but Ullii is wonderful enough to counterbalance it. And the world is gloriously dark. I'm looking forward to the next one, big cliffhanger ending that means I won't allow another year to pass before I continue with the series.
August 10, 2012
I didn't enjoy this as much as , maybe because I got read it at super speed at any spare minute I had. Also I was expecting a few more characters to die. Ha. Irvine's Sadism is contagious. I'm going straight onto now though as I've been told it's the best of the 4 and inexplicably horrible things are going to happen. Good good.
July 31, 2011
This was better than the first, couldn't put this down. I didn't mind the jumping from one person to another, the gaps were long enough to make me wonder what was happening somewhere else but too long so I would lose track of the story. Very very good. Can't wait to read the next one.
July 28, 2016
i am LOVING this series. every time you turn the page you are met with a fun interesting twist that was not obvious or repetitive. Ian Irvine spins an intricate story and manages to avoid all over used plot tricks, or implements them in such a way that they carry the story rather than interrupt it.
December 26, 2008
Not a favourite, but still really good. Interesting is really the only word that properly describes it for me.
April 2, 2011
This is the second installment of the series and while it's not as good as the first part, it still held my interest and I enjoyed a more indepth look at the characters.
July 31, 2011
some awesome twists, some boring patches, and some weird leaps in the plot, but still looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 8, 2012
Great read
June 28, 2015
Have to re-read this again xD
February 14, 2013
really setting up great last two books, almost Empire Strikes Back level setup
September 3, 2013
Excellent book am enjoying the whole series its amazing!
July 30, 2013
it took me much longer to read this one than the first one in the series. hopefully, the third one will be better :)
August 25, 2013
Little bit more exciting than the first.
Read
November 21, 2013cant remember too long ago, but i kept reading the series!
November 19, 2020
This world is amazing.
November 12, 2015
War of the worlds meets game of thrones.
Take a look at both of these and throw in a bit of Terry Good kind as well then you will find this book. Well worth reading.
Take a look at both of these and throw in a bit of Terry Good kind as well then you will find this book. Well worth reading.
Read
January 6, 2019Read as part of the Geomancer series. Excellent read if you like this genre.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
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