My Five Word TL:DR Review: A ‘must’ read fantasy series

I’m loving The Echo Archives.  The Last Hour Between Worlds was really good, packed with fantastic imagination and great characters and I wondered what the author would come up with next.  The Last Soul Among Wolves is an absolutely solid instalment that I thoroughly enjoyed.  What has become apparent is that this is a series that could have some legs, each book is a standalone and the mysteries involved in the two books so far are completely different in nature and scope and yet still managing to have an underlying plot that is running the show – even if in an ‘out of sight’ manner.

The first instalment really gives a great grounding into this world and more to the point the echo levels that lie beneath.  It has a Groundhog Day feel which I really enjoyed and was a great introduction to Kembral Thorne and Rika Nonesuch.  This second instalment is completely different.  Yes, it’s the same world and the same characters, and at the heart of the story is a mystery.  But, if I was going to give this one a similar styled comparison I’d go for Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None because the mystery here involves cursed relics and takes place on an island only reachable by a causeway at low tide.  It has a locked room feel and it soon becomes apparent that one of the inhabitants of the island is prepared to go to any length to succeed, namely murder.

So, the story starts a few months after The Last Hour Between Worlds.  Kem is still on maternity leave but is accompanying some friends to a Will reading.  Basically, as children, her friends snuck into the house and unwittingly placed their names into a book – a relic more to the point – by dint of which they are now in line to inherit, they are also aware that this could go horribly wrong – hence inviting Kem along.  Unfortunately, it soon becomes apparent that things could indeed become very ugly very fast.  Eight people are named in the will (and indeed within the cursed relic), only one can inherit, the other seven will die in fairly rapid succession and it isn’t clear how, who or why the first victim will be chosen.  Definitely a good call to bring in Kem, one of the party also thought to engage the services of a rather skilled cat – Rika Nonesuch, so it seems that Rika and Kem will be working together once again.

I don’t want to go further into the plot.  The first death happens rather quickly which gives the professionals (a dog, a cat and a bird) the chance to discover a little bit more of what is really at work here and try to come up with a way to break the chain of events and save the lives involved.  One problem, somebody on the island is determined to inherit the ‘wish’ promised as part of the legacy and fairly soon another dead body is discovered.

So, this is a race against the clock kind of story.  Once again there is plenty of imagination.  I particularly enjoyed meeting up with Kem’s childhood friends and having the opportunity to discover who she really is.  I also thought the plot gave us a much better chance to look into Rika’s character and get a real feel for exactly who/what she is.  Both aspects of the story that I really enjoyed.

A couple of characters from the first book (I don’t want to say more in case of spoilers) make an appearance here.  This underlying narrative is essentially driving the story forward although that wasn’t obvious until the investigation really got underway.

I really enjoyed the mystery elements and seeing Kem and Rika in action.  Kem’s role was very hard on her because her friends were involved – and not everyone survived – so the fact she was able to remain professional whilst being in utter turmoil inside – was realistic to read about.  Similarly, Rika has a lot to learn about herself in this story and she also came across really believable, sometimes really scared, sometimes vulnerable, sometimes incredibly powerful and other times making mistakes – which people do after all.

The setting is really good too.  A creepy and run down mansion.  A deserted highland only reachable at low tide and a terrible storm approaching.  Yes, they sound like cliches but they’re good to read.

This was a fast paced and intriguing story, well written and quite absorbing.  If I had any little niggles they would probably relate to the Empyreans – yes, they’re all mighty and powerful but I feel like something is lacking in that respect.  I mean it didn’t prevent this from being a really good story, just a little thought pecking at the back of my head.

Overall, I’m loving this series and can’t get enough of it.

I received a copy from the publisher, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4.5 of 5 stars