The Word That Prevails: The Pearlsong Refounding Book Four

by Michael D. Warden, Amie Norris (Editor), Alejandro Colucci (Illustrator)

In a Battle
for the Soul of the Age,
Who Will Have the Final Word?

THE Remnant forces are nearly gone. What’s left of them are on the run, desperate to find refuge beyond the reach of Avaddon’s Horde. But there is no place like that left within the Inherited Lands.

Only Gideon Dawning, Waymaker for the Pearl, offers any hope of deliverance now. But he is slow to come to their aid. He travels distant paths on an obscure mission that no one understands. He seems content to let the Remnant suffer. Seems not even to care whether they live or die.

What good is a savior who fails to save?

Even if he comes, will it be too late?

510 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2025

About the author

Hi! I'm Michael. I'm the author of The Pearlsong Refounding, an epic fantasy tetralogy that’s taken me a truly epic amount of time to write. :)

In the midst of that decades-long work, I’ve also written several other books and essays—on spirituality, leadership, and personal development. I’ve also written a fair bit of curriculum for both young people and adults, dabbled in poetry, built a successful career as a coach for leaders and teams (PCC, baby!), and even created a training community for men that I’m really proud of (www.thebraveheartmen.com).

These days I divide my time between writing, coaching, and telling stories from the road, where I currently live in my van named Van Gogh.

That’s super eclectic, I know. But, hey, I’ve never been one to live a normal life.

Follow me on instagram (@the.sojournist) and substack (The Sojournist) if you want to follow along on my latest writings and travel adventures.

Reviews

[Ann M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking journey with characters i loved. I was sad to see it come to a close, From one sojourn to another... this is a trail you'll not want to miss!

[Alyssa Audet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Power Word Thrill! From wizard battles to stirring swordfights, betrayal to redemption, internal conflict to divine intervention, the epic conclusion to a journey I began a good two decades ago with the first edition of Gideon's Dawn is everything I could have wished for, dragons and mystical creatures included. While the ending may not come as a particular surprise those familiar with allegorical fantasy, it delivers plenty of drama along the way. I was groaning and cheering aloud on multiple occasions.

I'm so glad I was able to join the ARC squad and be among the first to see how Gideon's take ends, and as a tabletop role player, I can't help imagine what other stories could be told in the world of the Inherited Lands.

Also, the two characters with almost identical names who had me paranoid about a traitor among the remnant finally met on the page, and thanks to a dexterous trick of POV, it worked perfectly, in a way that I felt was quite poetic.

[Nicholas Sowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all leads to this! The signature series line "Speak true and you will not fail" - from the beginning of the series I was asking myself, what is this about? What does it mean!? The swell of this story culminates in the most epic and creative of conclusions. What an experience! What a journey! Now my favorite fantasy series I've ever read - and I mean that sincerely. I feel grateful to have had this experience of this entire story from beginning to end and will continue to find new ways to engage with it. For me personally, it provided so many deep moments of emotion and vulnerability that endeared me to the story, but I also found moments that inspired, encouraged, emboldened, and strengthened me to face things present in my own life. Such a deeply intricate world and story fit for the finest of reads. Such a gift! Introspective and grateful!

[Rachelle Sperling · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a brilliant conclusion to the series. I particularly loved the change in Gideon. There is a moment when he reflects that he feels like he won the lottery. That really struck me, because despite all the hardship he has faced and the hardship he knows is coming, he is focusing on the gift – the life that has come to him – as so much more valuable than any of his sacrifices. And I could deeply relate to that.

[Tim Grade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very glad this final book was written. After getting to know the characters in the first three books of the series, this fouth book takes each character to new depths. I am left with a satisfied feeling at the close of the last chapter.

[Robert Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to the Pearlsong series. Some interesting twists and turns as well.