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Wrayth (Book of the Order #3)

by Philippa Ballantine (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 269 ratings · 50 reviews

In the Empire of Arkaym, the Order of Deacons protects and shelters the citizens from the attacks of the unliving. All are sworn to fight the evil forces of the geists—and to keep the world safe from the power of the Otherside…

Although she is one of the most powerful Deacons in the Order, Sorcha Faris is still unable to move or speak after her last battle. Even her partn...more

Mass Market Paperback, 309 pages

Published August 28th 2012 by Ace

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Feb 23, 2013 Melissa Hayden rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

All the pieces we've stumbled across with Sorcha and Merrick (and Raed) are coming together in this gripping adventure with broken bonds of old and new.

***FULL REVIEW***
After the battle ending Spectyr two months ago Sorcha's old partner, Garil, lets her be taken by Aachon to find the Pretender, and the Rossin, to see if another can help heal her from her immortality that he believes is paralyzing her, stuck in her immobile body. The bond that's blocked as well, Sorcha is easily taken without ala...more All the pieces we've stumbled across with Sorcha and Merrick (and Raed) are coming together in this gripping adventure with broken bonds of old and new.

***FULL REVIEW***
After the battle ending Spectyr two months ago Sorcha's old partner, Garil, lets her be taken by Aachon to find the Pretender, and the Rossin, to see if another can help heal her from her immortality that he believes is paralyzing her, stuck in her immobile body. The bond that's blocked as well, Sorcha is easily taken without alarm, unknown to her partner Merrick and any others. Merrick is called upon by the Emperor's sister, Dutchess Zofiya, to look into the Emperor's new visitor who does not set well with her nerves, Lord Vancy del Rue, which Merrick recognizes and is alarmed to his presence. Raed's been fighting and dodging bounty hunters due to the raised bounty on his head trying to help while tracking his sister as her and Tanguyre Greene are stirring for a rebellion everywhere they go. To get to where he is, he's invited the Rossin to the front of his mind to help. Dangerous, but Raed feels it's a needed resource to save the Emperor and the land he rules.

Merrick will have to pick the strong bond and his partner or the Order where he's wanted to be while finding peace saving others from geists. Raed maybe in danger from the Rossin, who's a powerful resource with what the world is coming to. Sorcha will learn of her blank past before the Order, it might help with the turns in the world, or it might consume her.

We start with a pair of young Deacons go missing while on site of cracked earth from an earth quake at a temple of the ancients founding a deadly creature of water, not seen with the sight of a Deacon, and the dead. This comes up later in the book as it's important, you just don't know it until later. This drew me in with new (old) happenings and made me curious.

Ah, nice to visit each of our trio in person again. All the characters are finding themselves in complicated and compromising situations. As they slowly fall victim to things they don't see or know I hold my breath waiting, wondering, if they will find each other and help each other or not know they all are in trouble. Life and death trouble.

I'm taken with the further would building and defining of geistlords with Raed's mess and Sorcha's paralyzing predicament due to a gift received in Spectyr. But I'm caught with Merrick and the surfacing troubles with the Order of the Circle of Stars. This is interesting to watch it unfold and the connections to past and where Raed and Sorcha are at and dealing with.

There is so much with this series, world, and little repeat (which is a very good thing) that I'd like to read all these books closer together in time to remember it all. This made the beginning a touch tough remembering the troubles but once you are with Sorcha, Merrick, and Raed again working to protect the world, you can't stop reading and the hints of past are embedded in the story as you go. Philippa is great at reminding you as you go of the past you need. The depth of the world and situations come back as you go. Have faith in Philippa as you start and all will come to you.

All the pieces we've stumbled across with Sorcha and Merrick are coming together in this gripping adventure with broken bonds of old and new. This book brings all happenings in Geist and Spectyr together with an old Order looking to advance and take advantage, upping the stacks in the political world and safety of many. The history is surfacing and maybe a select special few can stop it from taking over. Once you are sucked into the dilemma's of our trio, you won't stop until you know how it ends. The best of the series thus far!(less)

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Oct 15, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Original Post at FANGS, WANDS and Fairy Dust 10-15-2012
WRAYTH is Philippa Ballantine at Her Best

WRAYTH
A Book of the Order (Book 3)
by Philippa Ballantine
ACE/Penguin
August 28, 2012
e-book and Mass Market Paperback
320 Pages
Copy of Paperback provided by publisher in expectation that a review, if written, would be fair. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions herein are my own unless otherwise noted.

In the Empire of Arkaym, the Order of Deacons protects and shelters the citizens from the atta

...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Patricia Eddy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the "Book of the Order" series and I loved it. It is primarily the story of Sorcha, Merrick, Raed, and the Rossin, who gets a lot more "page time" in this book than in any of the others. We're introduced to the thoughts and plans of the Rossin much more in this book and it ends with even more mystery than it begins with.

I find the three (or four depending on how you see Raed/Rossin) way relationship between these characters incredibly complex and interesting. While it...more

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Jun 13, 2013 Claudia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 3-5-stars

this book is a tough one to review because I really like the characters (I absolutely adore Sorcha and Merrick) but for me the first one was my favorite.

this story was very complex and told from different perspectives, which is good for the story because otherwise you would not comprehend the different strands. although I really appreciate the writing and the complexity of the story, I got over the three books the impression that Mrs. Ballantine slightly lost her way - but maybe the direction is...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Lisa King rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: enjoyed-it

Ah, Philippa Ballantine, what a book you have crafted. The Native Order of Stars that everyone thought was destroyed is making life difficult for our intrepid heroes. Our story starts out wit Deacon Sorcha Faris trapped in a state of paralysis, Deacon Merrick Chambers threatened with the very real possibility of a new partner and the Young Pretender Raed Rossin off trying to find his wayward and twisted sister. Sorcha is shipped out in the dead of night. Merrick is desperately trying to find her...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Natasha Chowdory rated it 5 of 5 stars

Brilliant. Any book that can make me keep turning the pages past midnight (having started at 730pm) is definitely an excellent book in my opinion. The best part was learning more about Sorcha and her past and probably what is likely to happen in the next book. The world of Delmaire and Vermillion do become more clear in this book, as the world becomes more richly drawn. One of things I like, is that Merrick never falls in love with Sorcha but loves her the way he might a sister. And the way the...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-of-the-order, fantasy

My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend(A)
Full Review: http://www.twimom227.com/2012/09/revi...

Welcome back to Ms. Ballantine’s amazing world of Arykham. It’s been two months since the explosive ending to Spectyr, the second Book of the Order. We discover that our heroine Sorcha has been in a catatonic state since those events, only able to move her eyes and push emotions through the bond with her Sensitive partner, Merrick. The opening of the story is full of immediate and i...more My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Full Review: http://www.twimom227.com/2012/09/revi...

Welcome back to Ms. Ballantine’s amazing world of Arykham. It’s been two months since the explosive ending to Spectyr, the second Book of the Order. We discover that our heroine Sorcha has been in a catatonic state since those events, only able to move her eyes and push emotions through the bond with her Sensitive partner, Merrick. The opening of the story is full of immediate and intense action. There is no learning curve in Wrayth, and because of this, I highly recommend reading the first two books before jumping into this one.

The primary storylines find our three heroes each fighting their own battles. In order to be revived from her comatose condition, Sorcha makes a deal with a geistlord that leaves her (and the reader) a bit uncomfortable (you know it's going to come back and bite her in the rear!). Raed has been captured by another geistlord, the Wrayth (think creepy version of Star Trek TNG Borg), and he has struck a bargain with the Rossin (the geistlord that shares his body) so that they can work together to survive. Finally, Merrick discovers that a very dangerous man has the ear of the Emperor, but before he can warn anyone is accused of kidnapping the Grand Duchess. I will tell you that for much of the book I felt hopeless. Yet, this is a good thing! I was so caught up in the storylines that I empathized with the character’s plights. I was extremely nervous almost the entire time, and couldn’t put the book down.

The continued character development is so satisfying, and probably the best thing about this series. Starting with the first Book of the Order, the characters and their relationships have always been the heart of these books, endearing themselves and this series to me. They have all gone through so much, with each step adding to the whole. In Wrayth we learn more about Sorcha’s mysterious past, which is exciting in its own right. However, it’s Sorcha’s fortitude and how she reacts to the situations that allow her character to shine. Similarly, observing Raed and the Rossin in action together as they make “deals with the devil,” allows both halves of this man to stretch and grow. Just when you think that maybe Raed has figured out how to live with the Rossin, Ms. Ballantine tosses in a twist that has me worried for Raed. Finally, Merrick, the novice Sensitive takes center stage in Wrayth as her learns he can stand on his own two feet without Sorcha to protect and guide him.

In conclusion, there is just so much to love about Wrayth, especially for fans of the series. The action is intense, with a step up in suspense and intrigue. The character development progresses by leaps and bounds. Finally, the overall story arc is peaking, and with only one book left in this series, let me assure you that you will be itching for its release the moment you finish reading Wrayth.(less)

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Nov 02, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book with Geist and Spectyr being the first and second books respectively. In this book it is a continuation from the second where we were left thirsting for more and wanting to know what will happen next. Yes, if you haven't figured out this series you must read in order.

You are not disappointed in learning what happens to our trio of Raed, Sorcha and Merrick. We also surprisingly get some background information on our main deacon and sensitive. I really enjoyed that and can s...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Raymond Just rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is a tough review for me to write. I've met Philippa, and she is one of the coolest, most engaging, and most interesting authors with whom I've had the pleasure of conversing. She has an amazingly rich imagination, a cool, cheeky style, and, usually, some well-crafted prose. But, sad to say, this is not the case with Wrayth, the third Book of the Order, following the much better Geist and Spectyr. The tale feels hurried, cobbled together and written far too quickly and carelessly, most like...more This is a tough review for me to write. I've met Philippa, and she is one of the coolest, most engaging, and most interesting authors with whom I've had the pleasure of conversing. She has an amazingly rich imagination, a cool, cheeky style, and, usually, some well-crafted prose. But, sad to say, this is not the case with Wrayth, the third Book of the Order, following the much better Geist and Spectyr. The tale feels hurried, cobbled together and written far too quickly and carelessly, most likely at the impatient insistence of one of Ace Fantasy's editors. I know that Philippa is actively writing more than one series right now, and perhaps her head is simply in another project.

Whatever the case, I really can't find a way to give Wrayth more than one star. The story is formulaic, for the most part predictable, and decidedly unfinished feeling. The characters are paper thin - each more one dimensionally heroic and martyr-like than the last, and the villains are too transparently evil to be engaging or interesting in the least.

That's not to say that the series doesn't have potential. It does. The magic system, the Order, the Geists, the airships, and so many other things are all great invention, but none of it is utilized effectively in Wrayth. The story spins out too quickly, with no chance for effective or atmospheric description, and no room for building on the mythos established in the earlier books. So to with the central characters - Sorcha, Merrick, and Raed are all potentially intriguing characters that one could really get behind. But it seems there is no time in Wrayth to delve into their natures or humanize them in a way that will make them truly come to life. The only real saving grace is the Rosin, the lionlike Geistlord whose motivations are as mysterious as his true nature (though a foreshadowing turn at the end of the novel unfortunately takes much of that mystery away).

I can't recommend Wrayth, as it really does fail to rise to the standard established by Philippa in Geist. But if you, like me, have already read Geist and Spectyr, I'd recommend you muscle through Wrayth and hope for the next installment to bring the series' depth and quality back on track. At least, that's what I plan on doing, all the while rooting for Philippa to knock the next Book of the Order out of the park. (less)

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Jan 02, 2013 Melliane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mon avis en Français

My English review

Before starting my review I would like to thank Melissa who was kind enough to give me a summary of the two first volumes. Because I think it is always a bit tricky to get into a fantasy series without knowing the premises. So a big thank you Melissa! With it, all became much clearer and it wasn’t difficult to identify the characters.

From the beginning we discover Sorcha, trapped in a body that does not work and she can see what happens without being able to...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vaginal-fantasy, steampunk

It's hard to put a category on this, it's kind of steampunk/high fantasy? At any rate, it was a PLEASURE to go into this hybrid-world again. I love the characters, and the author puts them through their paces for sure, but there are enough ups and downs to really be engrossed, I literally had to read this book in one night. Very interesting upheaval happens to set up for a next book, and a VERY interesting character twist leaves you really wondering how the main characters are gonna get through...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

An excellent third part of the Book of the Order series. Well written, action packed, and unpredictable. The story line is clever and original. The characters are well-developed and engaging.

The book starts off a bit slow with Sorcha still in a coma of sorts from a disastrous encounter with a geist lord in Spectyr. She is whisked away and separated from Merrick. Read is also on his own, searching for his sister Fran, with just the Rossin for a companion. The whispers of the bond are stretched a...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Hugh O'Donnell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I have met Ms. Ballantine several times, and we are acquainted through social media. She has appeared twice as a guest on the Way of the Buffalo podcast. A review copy of Wrayth was provided by the publisher.

Wraith is the third of four books in Phillipa Ballantine's “Books of the Order” series, and continues the spirit hunting adventures of Deacons Sorcha Farris and Merrick Chambers, along with the possessed prince-turned pirate Raed Rossin. The novel contains all of the fantasy acti...more Disclaimer: I have met Ms. Ballantine several times, and we are acquainted through social media. She has appeared twice as a guest on the Way of the Buffalo podcast. A review copy of Wrayth was provided by the publisher.

Wraith is the third of four books in Phillipa Ballantine's “Books of the Order” series, and continues the spirit hunting adventures of Deacons Sorcha Farris and Merrick Chambers, along with the possessed prince-turned pirate Raed Rossin. The novel contains all of the fantasy action, cool ghost-centric magic, and dark political rumblings that fans of the series have come to expect. It moves the plot along in some very cool ways, introducing the reader to new Geistlords, spirits with immense power and subtle plans. One is the titular Wrayth, a sort of vampiric hive mind with plans of conquest. Another is the Fensena, a Coyote spirit who seems just as much the trickster as his mythological counter-part.
The Books of the Order are a fun, high-concept series full of all kinds of twists and turns, and I can't wait for book four to bring everything to the suitably epic conclusion. Wrayth is an enjoyable entry that reveals lots of new details for our main characters, and arranges all the pieces on the board for the cataclysmic finale, but it suffers from the same problems that many penultimate series entries do: It saves a bit too much for the last book.
Overall, the novel feels a little too pared down. The pace is very fast, and rewards a careful read, but all the adventure passes by in a blur. The series focuses mainly on the three leads, with some major revelations about Sorcha's origins, and Raed's connection to the Rossin, the leonine geistlord that rides him. Aside from a few notable exceptions, the supporting characters feel more like extras. Raed's crew members and the other deacons don't really get much page space to shine. In a few places, I had to go back to the earlier entries to recall who some of the characters were. Some plot threads were snipped a bit too suddenly and cleanly, and the reader didn't nearly get as much of a chance to steep in the wonderfully Gothic atmosphere of Arkaym as in previous books. I would have loved to have seen this novel spread out over two books, or even given another hundred pages or so to breathe. Ms. Ballantine's tales are a fine vintage, well worth sipping and savoring. Even the quick shots offered in Wrayth are fine, but I hope that the final book gives us more time to enjoy the world and characters Ms. Ballantine has created.(less)

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Apr 24, 2013 Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Deacon Sorcha Faris is lying trapped in a coma able to hear everyone around her but not able to speak or share her feelings. Sorcha is frustrated by her situation only to be made worse by her former partner and husband Deacon Kolya Petav trying to reconnect the bond between them. Sorcha desperately hides the bond from Kolya's grasp and scheming Arch Abbot Rictun. Deacon Merrick Chambers is the only one who knows Sorcha's frustration and tries to help his partner cope with everything that is goin...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Joyce Ferrante rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wrayth is the final book in the trilogy by Phillipa Ballantine. This was a great finale of the continuing saga about Deacon Sorcha Faris and her partner Merrick Chamabers. I enjoyed reading of their action-packed adventures full of danger, romance, and mystery. I don't read many sci-fi books but this definitely kept me interested and turning the pages as they carried on their duties through all the challenges and obstacles in their way.

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Mar 13, 2013 Tam rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the third in the series that I have picked up. I felt the plot was better for the previous book and was better paced. More character development of the wrayth would have been appreciated, even like a queen of sorts, and the senseless death of the sister leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Nonetheless, the awakening of the Rossin is enough to make me wait for the next book :)

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Feb 15, 2013 Kaarina Nieminen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, steampunk

You know the books that have characters that fall in love and the ones that you despise so much you can't to see the main character kick their teeth in. Well this series has them in abundance. I am just so in love with it. Especially what we find out about Sorcha's past, it's brilliant. I just can't wait for the fourth book to be released.

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Dec 30, 2012 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 02, 2012 David Marshall rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was probably a serious mistake for me to read this without having read the first two in the series. As it stands, this is OK as darkish fantasy but nothing special.

http://opionator.wordpress.com/2012/1...

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Jan 27, 2013 Jill rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Don't bother unless you loved the series

Recommended to Jill by: Ben

Shelves: 2013-challenge, fantasy, gifted-to-me, quick-reads, refuse-to-pick-back-up

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 30, 2013 Matt Riley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Whizzed through this. It wasn't very long and nothing much happened. I enjoyed catching up with the charatcers, but it felt more like a filler episode of a tv series than a big budget movie.

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Sep 05, 2012 Mad Scientist marked it as to-read

I received this one in the mail today. Randomly. Hmm... I don't think I've gotten one from Penguin before. I'm excited but why did I get the third book in the series? Hmmm... again.

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Sep 24, 2012 Kathleen Dixon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, n-z-author

This is the third book in an excellent series, and I can't wait till the fourth is available for me to read. The development of the main characters is spot on, all within a storyline that is full of excitement and has fascinating magic.

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Oct 31, 2012 Eric0022 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, shape-shifting

I got this book for free from a first reads give away. I have to say that this is the best book out of the series by Philippa Ballantine. The only reason this does not get 5 stars is because of the numerous spelling and grammar mistakes throughout the book. Other than that however, it was awesome. I loved how this story involved the rossin more than the previous books and how we got to finally see what he thinks like. The ending to this book left me wanting to read the next one more than the oth...more

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Sep 14, 2012 Dr susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, read-again

Just as I was wondering how three people could get into so much trouble, I was clobbered by a plot twist I never expected! Philippa Ballantine is a wonderful author.

After dealing with a sick patient last night, I employed multiple delaying tactics to avoid reading the last 40 pages of Wrayth. All good things must come to an end; I finished Wrayth, and the plot twists kept clobbering. I knew this was not the final book of the Order, but I did not see any of this coming. A good series should be ab...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Liz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Ballantine does it again! Wrayth is another perfect blend of intrigue, magic and great imperfectly perfect characters like the first two books of the Order.

This go round we shed some light on Sorcha's shadowed past and also learn just what is at stake when an ancient schism threatens the empire from within. Another critical complication is the Rossin himself, who has been negotiating with infinite patience on his own behalf without Raed's knowledge, to restore himself to his former glory.

Slippin...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Vera rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a great adventure. It took me a bit to get into the different characters, but once I did I couldn't put down the book. The different settings were described so well, I felt as if I could reach out and touch them. The story line flowed perfectly from the last book in the series to this one. I can't wait to read the next one.

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Jan 29, 2013 Tehani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, nz

This is my favourite of the series so far - these books keep getting better! It's all about the characters for me, I love them!

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May 02, 2013 Helen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this hard on the heels of the previous one and I'm rather sorry I don't have the next lined p and waiting as it ends in a very interesting place. I find the nature of magic in this world endlessly fascinating and the characters as well.

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Jun 04, 2013 Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Philippa Ballantine

Born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand, Philippa is a writer and podcaster of fantasy fiction.
Immersed in books from an early age, she moved onto to become a librarian. She'd been dreaming of being a writer since a teenager, but in the last ten years she's devoted herself to it.
She's the author of the Books of the Order series from Ace Books. Geist, Spectyr, Wrayth (2012) and Harbinger (2013)...more

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Books by Philippa Ballantine

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Wrayth (Book of the Order #3)

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