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Broken Well #3
Soul's Reckoning
'One of the coolest fantasy series to come along in an age' aurealisXpress
Shadows and light, a sundered land, a champion forged anew? The stunning conclusion to The Broken Well Trilogy.
'Prophecy's Ruin may just be the start of the next big thing in Australian Fantasy .' Weekend Australian on Prophecy's Ruin
'two of the most intriguing protagonists I've encountered in a long time' Bookseller and Publisher on Prophecy's Ruin
'Sam Bowring's debut is the stuff of fantasy writers' fantasies. An epic, enthralling,towering triumph ' aurealisXpress on Prophecy's Ruin
An army of darkness marches on the Shining Mines, stronghold of the light for a thousand years. At their head is the shadowmander, an unstoppable monster created from the souls of the dead.
A forgotten race stirs in Whisperwood, led by Corlas, who has been granted ancient powers by a banished god . . . and Fahren journeys with his old enemy Battu to the Morningbridge Peaks, where he is given a task that shakes him to the bones.
Meanwhile Bel rides with all the might of Kainordas behind him. He carries the Stone of Evenings Mild, his only means of drawing his counterpart Losara back into himself, this making his soul complete. Prophecy says that a blue-haired man will end the war forever - and the time has come to look oneself in the eye.
The time has come for a reckoning.
Sam Bowring is a stand-up comedian and author living in Sydney, Australia. As well as the acclaimed Broken Well Trilogy and the Strange Threads Duology, he has also written children's books and for a number of television shows.
Shadows and light, a sundered land, a champion forged anew? The stunning conclusion to The Broken Well Trilogy.
'Prophecy's Ruin may just be the start of the next big thing in Australian Fantasy .' Weekend Australian on Prophecy's Ruin
'two of the most intriguing protagonists I've encountered in a long time' Bookseller and Publisher on Prophecy's Ruin
'Sam Bowring's debut is the stuff of fantasy writers' fantasies. An epic, enthralling,towering triumph ' aurealisXpress on Prophecy's Ruin
An army of darkness marches on the Shining Mines, stronghold of the light for a thousand years. At their head is the shadowmander, an unstoppable monster created from the souls of the dead.
A forgotten race stirs in Whisperwood, led by Corlas, who has been granted ancient powers by a banished god . . . and Fahren journeys with his old enemy Battu to the Morningbridge Peaks, where he is given a task that shakes him to the bones.
Meanwhile Bel rides with all the might of Kainordas behind him. He carries the Stone of Evenings Mild, his only means of drawing his counterpart Losara back into himself, this making his soul complete. Prophecy says that a blue-haired man will end the war forever - and the time has come to look oneself in the eye.
The time has come for a reckoning.
Sam Bowring is a stand-up comedian and author living in Sydney, Australia. As well as the acclaimed Broken Well Trilogy and the Strange Threads Duology, he has also written children's books and for a number of television shows.
528 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Sam Bowring
21 books106 followersI write various genres of books, and some TV stuff from time to time. I also work as a stand-up comic.
sambowring.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 30, 2018
The conclusion to the Broken Well Trilogy is a fitting end to what is a very enjoyable (and easy-to-read) fantasy story written by Sam Bowring.
There's no real surprises here with Bel (of the light) and Losara (the shadows) bringing the might of their respective armies against one another in a battle which consumes the vast majority of the novel.
The plot lines were laid clear in earlier installments with all paths heading towards the reckoning of the respective souls with one set to rule over the land while the other is either cast into oblivion or left to be a backseat passenger; for which, you'll need to read the book.
My rating: 4/5 stars; Soul's Reckoning, while not as good as the previously two books is still very entertaining and well written. The trilogy is accessible to readers who aren't into the traditional fantasy epic but want a surrealist story with well written and interesting fantastical characters.
There's no real surprises here with Bel (of the light) and Losara (the shadows) bringing the might of their respective armies against one another in a battle which consumes the vast majority of the novel.
The plot lines were laid clear in earlier installments with all paths heading towards the reckoning of the respective souls with one set to rule over the land while the other is either cast into oblivion or left to be a backseat passenger; for which, you'll need to read the book.
My rating: 4/5 stars; Soul's Reckoning, while not as good as the previously two books is still very entertaining and well written. The trilogy is accessible to readers who aren't into the traditional fantasy epic but want a surrealist story with well written and interesting fantastical characters.
February 19, 2011
Soul’s Reckoning starts off with great promise, flowing on smoothly from the climax of the 2nd book. In many ways, it felt like an epic as the armies draw towards a final confrontation. Unfortunately for all the promise of the two previous books, Soul’s Reckoning finished not with a bang but rather with something lacking.
In the previous books, Sam Bowring has invested many chapters exploring the “souls” of the two heroes, their relationships with their partners and the potential consequences the war. The author also teased the readers of a 3rd power emerging and left us pondering what impact they’ll make. Unfortunately despite the build up and anticipation, the book fails to expend on these topics and offer an unsatisfactory resolution. The ending appears very rushed and left much of the questions unanswered.
The negatives aside Soul’s Reckoning was a very enjoyable read, hardly letting me put the down. The circular nature of the storyline and hint of broader themes of good vs. evil, necessity vs. tradition and right vs. wrong all add to the quality of the read.
Overall I did very much enjoy the book and the series as a whole. The many loose ends kept untied left me with a sensation that “something was missing”, making me wish for a forth book to fully appreciate the build up of the series.
In the previous books, Sam Bowring has invested many chapters exploring the “souls” of the two heroes, their relationships with their partners and the potential consequences the war. The author also teased the readers of a 3rd power emerging and left us pondering what impact they’ll make. Unfortunately despite the build up and anticipation, the book fails to expend on these topics and offer an unsatisfactory resolution. The ending appears very rushed and left much of the questions unanswered.
The negatives aside Soul’s Reckoning was a very enjoyable read, hardly letting me put the down. The circular nature of the storyline and hint of broader themes of good vs. evil, necessity vs. tradition and right vs. wrong all add to the quality of the read.
Overall I did very much enjoy the book and the series as a whole. The many loose ends kept untied left me with a sensation that “something was missing”, making me wish for a forth book to fully appreciate the build up of the series.
April 30, 2014
Bel and Losara - the two halves of a prophecised champions soul torn in two - approach the final battle which will decide if light or shadow is the victor and face their possible reunion.
I just can't seem to make my mind up about this book right now (having finished it all of 10 minutes ago. One moment I applaud the steps it took in being bold and different, in turning fantasy standards (even tropes) around to be something new (for example that the shadow is not evil, just another ecosystem living in shadow), but then there were still certain things that left me unsatisfied.
The majority of the book continues on as the second, with interesting impetus, and the final battle is as one would hope should be, but the ending itself... hmmm, well I liked it in some ways but it wasn't really satisfying for me. It boils down to I like what happened - that was cool - but there was so very much left unanswered and up in the air.
I liked reading particularly the parts with Fahren and Elessa
If you need to know preciesly my thoughts on the end, here they are: here there be ending spoilers. Ye've been warned:
ENDING SPOILERS:
I just can't seem to make my mind up about this book right now (having finished it all of 10 minutes ago. One moment I applaud the steps it took in being bold and different, in turning fantasy standards (even tropes) around to be something new (for example that the shadow is not evil, just another ecosystem living in shadow), but then there were still certain things that left me unsatisfied.
The majority of the book continues on as the second, with interesting impetus, and the final battle is as one would hope should be, but the ending itself... hmmm, well I liked it in some ways but it wasn't really satisfying for me. It boils down to I like what happened - that was cool - but there was so very much left unanswered and up in the air.
I liked reading particularly the parts with Fahren and Elessa
If you need to know preciesly my thoughts on the end, here they are: here there be ending spoilers. Ye've been warned:
ENDING SPOILERS:
October 24, 2010
I found this book to be a let down. I loved the first book, enjoyed the second, but just couldn't get into the third book. Ended up flicking through pages to to get it finished. I didn't find any development in the story line or depth to the characters in this final book. I didn't like how it ended either, it felt like something was missing, a disappointing end to what started out as a great trilogy.
September 28, 2010
Terrific conclusion to the series.
Although the ending was a bit hastey.
One of the problems faced through out the 2nd and 3rd book go unanswered and somewhat confusing.
It left me unsatisfied, I wish the author delved deeper into it.
Although the ending was a bit hastey.
One of the problems faced through out the 2nd and 3rd book go unanswered and somewhat confusing.
It left me unsatisfied, I wish the author delved deeper into it.
September 21, 2020
I read this book in about two days. Never have I been so invested in the fates of fictional characters... This was a great and satisfying ending to an interesting story.
The story again, begins where the last one left off. I hate it when a subsequent volume in a series begins in a completely different place than the previous book left off, so I am really glad that this was not the case in this series. It begins with the armies of Shadow and Light at war, fighting for the dominance of their world. As in the previous books, Bel reads as a childish little shit, while his counterpart Losara is the much more likeable, mature character. A third side emerges in the form of the Sprites, who are the only beings to still wield the Old Magic, which adds another interesting layer.
Eventually, Bel and Losara are reunited as the one complete soul. The chapter where they fight over dominance is one of the most satisfying and best written scenes I have read in a long time, and the outcome is the one that I, and I believe most readers, would have hoped for. It is also written in such a way that makes you think: of course, why was I ever worried, of course this was the only way that it could ever be... It was highly satisfying.
I give this a rating of 5 stars.
(Nevertheless, there are a couple of niggly bits that do irk me, but overall they do not detract from the overall story. Read on for spoilers if you like.)
SPOILERS AHEAD
The story again, begins where the last one left off. I hate it when a subsequent volume in a series begins in a completely different place than the previous book left off, so I am really glad that this was not the case in this series. It begins with the armies of Shadow and Light at war, fighting for the dominance of their world. As in the previous books, Bel reads as a childish little shit, while his counterpart Losara is the much more likeable, mature character. A third side emerges in the form of the Sprites, who are the only beings to still wield the Old Magic, which adds another interesting layer.
Eventually, Bel and Losara are reunited as the one complete soul. The chapter where they fight over dominance is one of the most satisfying and best written scenes I have read in a long time, and the outcome is the one that I, and I believe most readers, would have hoped for. It is also written in such a way that makes you think: of course, why was I ever worried, of course this was the only way that it could ever be... It was highly satisfying.
I give this a rating of 5 stars.
(Nevertheless, there are a couple of niggly bits that do irk me, but overall they do not detract from the overall story. Read on for spoilers if you like.)
SPOILERS AHEAD
December 29, 2023
The conclusion to a stunning fantasy trilogy. Taking up exactly where the previous book left off the plot rockets into the full on battle between Kainordas and Fenvarrow, the armies of Light and Shadow.
It's difficult at this stage to delve into the plot without spoilers but the book title tells you what you need to know. This is the reckoning over the soul of the blue haired champion, the warrior and the mage, Bel and Losara, the two who should be one.
It's also a reckoning of all the souls of the world for what will happen if one side loses? The souls go to the well of the gods, Arkus for Light and Essedrynn for Shadow and if a well is broken then what repercussions does that have.
A third power enters the fray with Old Magic to keep us guessing even more at the outcome.
It's a conclusion full of action, magic and fantastical creatures where the actions of so many characters are questionable. Banish thoughts of the usual good and evil as the lines are blurred in everyone.
There are a few loose ends and the conclusion raises enough questions that maybe there could have been more but tying things up too neatly wouldn't be true to life. We never have all the answers and that's what keeps the journey interesting.
It's difficult at this stage to delve into the plot without spoilers but the book title tells you what you need to know. This is the reckoning over the soul of the blue haired champion, the warrior and the mage, Bel and Losara, the two who should be one.
It's also a reckoning of all the souls of the world for what will happen if one side loses? The souls go to the well of the gods, Arkus for Light and Essedrynn for Shadow and if a well is broken then what repercussions does that have.
A third power enters the fray with Old Magic to keep us guessing even more at the outcome.
It's a conclusion full of action, magic and fantastical creatures where the actions of so many characters are questionable. Banish thoughts of the usual good and evil as the lines are blurred in everyone.
There are a few loose ends and the conclusion raises enough questions that maybe there could have been more but tying things up too neatly wouldn't be true to life. We never have all the answers and that's what keeps the journey interesting.
April 26, 2018
I enjoyed these books until the end. Too predictable, what I thought would happen did, in the most plod along exact way, no twist, nothing hidden. Sadly this transparency has jaded my view of the series.
June 3, 2017
an unsatisfying and rushed ending to an otherwise enjoyable series
August 19, 2025
3.5 stars. The ending itself is unsatisfying in some areas.
February 19, 2014
What a good series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. A magical system based on the light and dark, very simple and straight forward right?
Well how about a person being split into two separate people via the light and dark magic.
Well you have some interesting questions that come up as you read the story. Was the right person captured by the light and by the dark. What are the moral implications of putting these two people back together? What moral dilemmas will they face and how will they overcome these dilemmas.
Who is in the right, which half of the person is the morally right or fair person? It is interesting to see how these two characters, Bel and Losara view their own positions. And what are the implications from the experiences they have experienced.
Fahren, doing something that is against his belief system and how this impacts the person he has to ask for help. How he handles Quarrius (Spelling) at the end of the story. Moral conundrums abound and how are these characters impacted.
Balance seems to be the key here, Jaya & Lalenda, Bel and Losara, the butterfly and the shadowmander. Fahren and Battu, Elessa and Fazel.
I think what I liked best about this series is the questions I asked myself and how they were answered by the author. It all comes together at the end and you may or may not see what is coming. But the questions I asked myself were interesting and added another level to the story for me.
Read the series, it is enjoyable and the world building and characters are developed very nicely throughout.
I can't give it more than three stars though, a solid series and novel.
Well how about a person being split into two separate people via the light and dark magic.
Well you have some interesting questions that come up as you read the story. Was the right person captured by the light and by the dark. What are the moral implications of putting these two people back together? What moral dilemmas will they face and how will they overcome these dilemmas.
Who is in the right, which half of the person is the morally right or fair person? It is interesting to see how these two characters, Bel and Losara view their own positions. And what are the implications from the experiences they have experienced.
Fahren, doing something that is against his belief system and how this impacts the person he has to ask for help. How he handles Quarrius (Spelling) at the end of the story. Moral conundrums abound and how are these characters impacted.
Balance seems to be the key here, Jaya & Lalenda, Bel and Losara, the butterfly and the shadowmander. Fahren and Battu, Elessa and Fazel.
I think what I liked best about this series is the questions I asked myself and how they were answered by the author. It all comes together at the end and you may or may not see what is coming. But the questions I asked myself were interesting and added another level to the story for me.
Read the series, it is enjoyable and the world building and characters are developed very nicely throughout.
I can't give it more than three stars though, a solid series and novel.
January 9, 2013
"It's about your supposing to know the difference between good and evil, and attributing them to the lands, when in fact they are hard enough to discover in individuals..."
This sums up why I adore this book series, through splitting of the Blue Haired boys soul, we are able to grow up and see both worlds. While in Tolkien, Rowling and many other authors we have the two defined sides of good and evil, we are allowed to explore the murky shadows of both sides. Bowring's trilogy has wonderful, tender and frightening characters and once you have the cover of conviction he will pull that away to reveal uncertainty.
This sums up why I adore this book series, through splitting of the Blue Haired boys soul, we are able to grow up and see both worlds. While in Tolkien, Rowling and many other authors we have the two defined sides of good and evil, we are allowed to explore the murky shadows of both sides. Bowring's trilogy has wonderful, tender and frightening characters and once you have the cover of conviction he will pull that away to reveal uncertainty.
January 24, 2014
So much potential, such disappointment. Infuriating Deus Ex Machina, gradually unlike-able characters and forcibly trying to make me like the two irritating main characters got very annoying very quickly, especially when the underlying and very compelling storyline was sidelined in the cop-out ending.
Second book was almost as bad, and the fact that both of the only compelling characters either became irrelevant or died in the prologue of the first book (which, mind you, was my favourite part of the series) shows that Sam Bowring simply tried too hard, it seems.
Won't read again.
Second book was almost as bad, and the fact that both of the only compelling characters either became irrelevant or died in the prologue of the first book (which, mind you, was my favourite part of the series) shows that Sam Bowring simply tried too hard, it seems.
Won't read again.
February 15, 2016
Honestly, I gave this series the best shot I could. It had promise, and while it's not the most beautiful prose, the story had some interesting elements to it. But this book was a brutal anticlimax. I haven't been so disappointed with an ending for some time. Seems like the author just ran out of steam and had no idea how he wanted to finish. I wanted to like this book, but for all the momentum of the previous two this final book really did just stall and fall flat.
March 18, 2011
I loved the series and think it is a breath of fresh air in the world of fantasy. I was left wanting more of a resolve at the end but could't put it down.
Great fantasy read that is really quiet a different world.
Great fantasy read that is really quiet a different world.
March 19, 2015
Awesome end to an awesome trilogy. A lot of action, fast paced story and answers to many questions.
The ending was a bit surprising. It was better than I expected it to be. It just left me with one question unanswered.
Just read it if you like good fantasy!!!
The ending was a bit surprising. It was better than I expected it to be. It just left me with one question unanswered.
Just read it if you like good fantasy!!!
August 17, 2010
The best and final book in the Broken Well Trilogy. I couldn't put it down.
This one will challenge the way you think about good and evil.
Brilliant!
This one will challenge the way you think about good and evil.
Brilliant!
January 31, 2016
Really liked this book and series, wish it could go on for a few more books, great chatacters and world, will miss the character.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews