Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Lessons Never Learned (The War Eternal, #2)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Lessons Never Learned

(The War Eternal #2)

Rob J. Hayes (Goodreads Author)

4.19 · Rating details · 469 ratings · 50 reviews

I am the weapon.

Eskara is free of the Pit, but far from safe. She is beset by the ghosts of those she has killed, and plagued by the ancient horror that possesses her. Enemies dog her heels, determined to see the last Orran Sourcerer dead. Worse still, there is new player in the game, one far more dangerous than anything she has faced before.

But there is one place that ...more

Get A Copy

Or buy for $5.99

Kindle Edition, 383 pages

Published April 28th 2020

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Lessons Never Learned, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Lessons Never Learned

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.19 ·

Rating details

· 469 ratings · 50 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Lessons Never Learned (The War Eternal, #2)

Apr 12, 2020 Hamad rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: good-covers, adult-books, 2020-reads, fantasy, e-books

This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

“Age is odd like that. The more years you have, the less you have left.”

To be honest, I was nervous while going into this one because I usually am when I read second books in trilogies due to the notorious Middle Book Syndrome. Contrary to the book title, Hayes does learn the lessons and keep improving his writing! I actually enjoyed book 1 a very very tiny bit more but that does not mean this one was any less excell ...more

flag 61 likes · Like · see review

Apr 17, 2020 Nick Borrelli rated it it was amazing

Rob J. Hayes' War Eternal series started off with a resounding bang with Along the Razor's Edge. It was simply a jaw-dropping first entry that had me engaged from first page to finish. Rob just seems to get better and better with each book and series in my opinion. And he has this cool ability to reinvent himself every time. So I had the briefest moment of hesitation before I opened up book #2 because, what if this was the book where Rob slumps a bit? The guy's winning streak has to hit a speed Rob J. Hayes' War Eternal series started off with a resounding bang with Along the Razor's Edge. It was simply a jaw-dropping first entry that had me engaged from first page to finish. Rob just seems to get better and better with each book and series in my opinion. And he has this cool ability to reinvent himself every time. So I had the briefest moment of hesitation before I opened up book #2 because, what if this was the book where Rob slumps a bit? The guy's winning streak has to hit a speed bump at some point, right? I mean, he can't possibly keep churning out brilliant book after brilliant book can he? He's not a machine after all! Oh yes he can and yes he is.

THE LESSONS NEVER LEARNED begins soon after Eska is free from the torturous underground prison called the Pit. Ten years of her life were wasted toiling in its dark depths for nothing more than hard labor mandated by her jailers Deko and the overseer. But they did not break her. Now she finds herself on the run from a variety of assassins sent forth by the overseer to bring Eska back, dead or alive. You see, nobody escapes the Pit and lives to tell the tale. At least, not for very long. Eska is faced with some hard choices as she struggles to survive, for around every corner an assassins blade or arrow could be pointed in her direction.

She arrives in Ro'shan, a floating city that orbits the Terrelan continent below. The city is technically outside the power and jurisdiction of the Terrelan empire, existing as a trading entity that anchors itself periodically to conduct commerce. It's a pretty mysterious place quite frankly. Eska finds some semblance of asylum there from the Emperor, who she has now attracted the attention of. But how long can her false sense of safety last? Will the Ro'shan leaders continue to shelter her, or will they just throw her to the wolves the first chance they get? The answer to that may lie in the powers of sorcery that she possesses and whether or not she may be able to help them in some way. People have been using Eska for her powerful sorcery since the day she was born, and it seems as if her would-be savior is no different. But make no mistake, Eska is taking names. She yearns for the day when she can exact her revenge on all of those who have wronged her in both the past and present.

This is such a fabulous series and I'm happy to say that THE LESSONS NEVER LEARNED has brought it to an even higher level. Where book one was very tightly focused and centered mostly on Eska's plot to escape her captivity, this one had a lot more twists and turns to it. There's a great deal more moving around to different places and encountering different types of inhabitants of the outside world. There's also a considerable uptick in the action, as Eska gets involved in a few tussles while she flees those hired to track her down.

Oh, did I mention there's a FREAKING FLOATING CITY?! Rob has definitely stepped up his game in the world-building department and I thought the introduction of things like this really pumped up the wow factor a lot. There are a number of really cool revelations in this second book that shed some light on Eska's past and also portend certain things to come in the future. Eska learns more about her magic as well and this makes her an even more threatening foe to her enemies. She's making a lot of those by the way.

But at the heart of this story and series is the character of Eska herself. The thing that makes her such a compelling character is that she has this palpable sense of determination and strength, yet sometimes doubts herself in certain situations. This gives her a very relatable air of vulnerability that makes her easy to connect with. The struggle between those two conflicting attributes is also what makes her one of my favorite characters in any fantasy book. There is a complexity and depth to her that is hard to define. I'd like to share my favorite quote from the book that I believe perfectly captures Eska and what a kick-ass MC she is: "Scars are proof of a life lived, of hardships that changed us yet didn't kill us. I wear mine with pride and I have many of them." It's a killer damn quote.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I absolutely loved THE LESSONS NEVER LEARNED and need the final book of this series in my hands immediately. Rob J. Hayes continues to write mind-blowing fantasy that delights with every turn of the page. If you aren't reading his books, you are missing out on a truly special talent. I can't ever say enough about how much I enjoy everything he writes. The book is officially available to purchase on April, 28th, but can be preordered now. My suggestion would be to pick up book 1, Along the Razor's Edge while you are waiting and start this outstanding series today. ...more

flag 37 likes · Like · see review

Mar 26, 2020 Adam rated it it was amazing

“Opinions are like children. Those who have them want them to be special, rarely realizing they are just as dumb as ugly as all the others.”

I had some trepidations going into book two. Although Along the Razor’s Edge was the start of the trilogy, it could have worked as an entirely self-contained story. In Edge, there is a singular goal and a definitive endpoint that remains the focus of the story, and it resolves itself by the book’s conclusion. But now that the environment will be changing ...more

flag 24 likes · Like · see review

Jul 08, 2020 Chris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copy-grimdark-magazine

Review now live at Grimdark Magazine

The Lessons Never Learned is Book Two of the War Eternal trilogy, that began with the fantastic Along the Razor’s Edge.

“Opinions are like children. Those who have them want them to be special, rarely realizing they are just as dumb and ugly as all the others.”

With this in mind, I’ll go forth with my review.

Now, before we start to worry that The Lessons Never Learned will suffer from middle-book syndrome as so many bridge novels in trilogies seem to do, let me ...more

flag 24 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2020 Rob Hayes added it · (Review from the author)

Just to surprise you all... But I have read this book! It's pretty good.

The Lessons Never Learned (Book 2 of The War Eternal) has been released and is available now on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

https://readerlinks.com/l/1084575 ...more

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Jun 19, 2020 Dustin rated it really liked it

4⭐️
The Lessons Never Learned follows the story of Eskara Helsene that began in Rob Hayes’ explosive first book of The War Eternal Series, Along The Razor’s Edge. This book finds Eska a free woman, though with plenty of baggage and a thirst for vengeance. I think I liked book one a bit better. I prefer those taut, contained stories full of tension where you know what a character has to do but you’re not sure how it comes to happen.

The Lessons Never Learned is much larger in scope, as Eska actual ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Jul 06, 2020 Frank Dorrian rated it really liked it

Finally got the chance to write a review for this around work and my own writing, a frankly overdue one, as it was a book I highly enjoyed.

So, anyhoo, 2nd book of The War Eternal series by Rob J. Hayes. A bit of a different beast to the 1st in the series, free of the Pit's confines we get to see more of Hayes' world as witnessed through the eyes of the ever-grumpy Eskara Helsene, leading to a more overall epic, worldspanning adventure.

Like its predecessor, The Lessons Never Learned has a foot pl Finally got the chance to write a review for this around work and my own writing, a frankly overdue one, as it was a book I highly enjoyed.

So, anyhoo, 2nd book of The War Eternal series by Rob J. Hayes. A bit of a different beast to the 1st in the series, free of the Pit's confines we get to see more of Hayes' world as witnessed through the eyes of the ever-grumpy Eskara Helsene, leading to a more overall epic, worldspanning adventure.

Like its predecessor, The Lessons Never Learned has a foot planted firmly in both the grimdark and trad/high fantasy camps. Written as well as it is, the result is that it's grimy without being bleak, and sparkly without being corny, with characters who's motivations are more grounded in reality, despite the fantastical undertakings and goings on around them.

Hayes' writing lends itself well to an open world and, personally, I feel this is where he excels, crafting epic scenes, monumental cities and sprawling landscapes that leave a vividly colourful imagery in the mind, whilst its grimdark grounding ensures that it never ventures into a Disney-like sugarplum facade.

Plotwise, a lot of things from the previous book are expanded upon nicely, new elements and characters brought in and some very well conceived ideas brought to bear that, again, are enviable in their execution. We see a nice twisting of some traditional fantasy tropes and elements that get Hayes' grimdark smear across them and are warped into something fresh and fascinating that could have been torn from a Diablo game.

As I said in my review of its predecessor, I'm a fan of gritty first person narratives, done well and they find an easy road into my favourite reads. Eska's grumbly narrative is definitely on that road.

Considering the (highly relatable) history of writing this book that Rob posted a while back, I'm more than happy to go out there and say it's an excellent achievement, one he should proud of, as I enjoyed every word of it, and (judging by the ratings it's receiving) so are many others.

Well done on this one Rob, admirable stuff.

4 yams out of 5 🍠 - Yamtastic ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2020 Mihir rated it it was amazing

Overall rating = 4.5 stars

Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: After the claustrophobic events of Along The Razor’s Edge, we get a much different story in The Lessons Never Learned. This second book from The War Eternal trilogy expands the world and background admirably so.

The story literally opens up where Along The Razor’s Edge ended. Eska and her remaining gang (Tamura, Hardt, and Yorin) have reached the surface. Eska can’t believe that her crazy sounding plan has final Overall rating = 4.5 stars

Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: After the claustrophobic events of Along The Razor’s Edge, we get a much different story in The Lessons Never Learned. This second book from The War Eternal trilogy expands the world and background admirably so.

The story literally opens up where Along The Razor’s Edge ended. Eska and her remaining gang (Tamura, Hardt, and Yorin) have reached the surface. Eska can’t believe that her crazy sounding plan has finally paid off. However things aren’t easy as once outside they will be hunted by the Terralan empire as fugitives. Eska has a plan and now that she’s free of the claustrophobic confines of the pit, the sky’s the limit literally. However the only place safe for her and her mates is in the sky itself. The flying city of Roshan, controlled by the R’and. It’s the sole place where she can be free of the Terrelan Empire as there’s a special group of people hunting her as well.

The sequel is a book that takes a wide scope lens to the story so far. In book 1 we found out how Eska and Josef got captured, in this sequel we get a solid inkling of the why. As always Eska occupies front and center of the book’s plot as well as the reader’s attention. Eska as a character is still a bit abrasive but now she’s learning more about herself and what she underwent at the Orran academy. In this volume, we see Eska’s evolution from a singular focused sourceror into a person that will leave a mark on this world.

The previous book was all about the claustrophic nature of the surrounding and in this one we get an exact 180 as most of the plot is situated around the flying cities across this world. We also get to see how and why they were formed.

“The world is founded on lie, upon lie, upon lie. But the truth is always there, just waiting for an opportunity to tear down everything we have built.”

The book’s main plot deals with the how and why of the magic system as well as the backstory of the world. This is what made this middle volume a better one than its predecessor. The author breaks down all the various stereotypes and falsehoods that have been perpetrated upon the human populace. We also get to see quite a lot of the non-human races and where they stand in the hierarchy of the world.

“We are, all of us, marred by scars, plagued by the faults and insecurities laid upon us by our pasts.”

Once again the book is centered around Eskara Helsene and another narrator. Eska has come a long way from where and what she was in the previous volume. This book deals with her maturation in more ways then one. She gets to experience love, and also learns a lot about the fate of the Orran empire. Her mental and physical evolution are fun to watch as we see her internalize her anger and insecurities but also sharpen her zeal and power. Serrakis is there to provide backup whenever she needs and also to taste the fear that she evokes. I loved how the author managed to make Eskara a stronger character while still keeping her sharp edges. There’s also the other narrator and I loved how ambiguous that narrative thread was until the very end.

This book also doubles up on the magic and action sequences more so than its predecessor. There’s some terrific sequences in the end and it more than makes up for the lulls in between the action sequences. However there’s not a dull moment to be had, in between all of the story, we get to meet so many new characters as well see so many new locations that we as a reader as well as Eska are left spellbound. Rob J. Hayes does something truly incredible with the worldbuilding & magic system as in the first book we have no clue about what awaits in this volume. Lastly the ending is something that will make your head flip and leave you wanting the last volume pronto. So it’s a good thing that we are only 13 days away from its release.

CONCLUSION: The Lessons Never Learned is another spectacular volume in a trilogy that does the unexpected, breaks all conventions and makes its tough protagonist into a person that we can root for. Rob J. Hayes stretches his literary muscles in more ways than one and once more proves why he’s a self-publishing star that will rise higher and higher. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 11, 2020 Yuri rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-need

This isn't a review, I lked it, though I've been restless and longing to read something familliar this pulled me in, especially the last 25%. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 15, 2020 Vigasia rated it liked it

3,5 stars

Well, I liked the second book a little less than the first. Mostly because I think it has a problems with pacing. It just seems like in places it goes too fast, while some chapters are in whole Eska inner monologues and it feels like it's dragging.

Also Eska - I can't warm to her. Every time I liked her a little better, next thing she did, was to make some stupid decision and the dislike came back. She may be portraited that way deliberately, but still ... her chasing for power is tiryin ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 22, 2021 FanFiAddict rated it really liked it

Going to write up a full trilogy review, so stay tuned.

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Dec 23, 2020 Juliano Dutra rated it did not like it · review of another edition

DNF 15%.
"Age is odd like that. The more years you have, the less you have left."REALLY!!??????
And i`m not nickpicky about modern expressions in medieval settings - especially since English is not my first language - but i can`t read "I have always had determination in spades" and wonder if they invented Bridge early in that world... ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 08, 2020 Jonathan Pembroke rated it really liked it

Shelves: indie

The reader's deep-dive into Eskara's strife-riven mind continues, picking up right where Along the Razor's Edge left off. Overall, I liked this one too. Eskara continues to grow on me; her faults and angst make her relatable. New characters are introduced (most of whom I liked) and several previous important characters had crucial development. As someone who reads for character development and dialogue, TLNL hit a lot of high notes. I found the pacing a little uneven at first but as the climax o ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2020 Miriam Michalak rated it it was amazing

In The Lessons Never Learned our feisty hero Eska is finally free of the Pit. With a motley group of companions, an otherworld entity hitching a ride and enemies on her tail the race is on to find a place of safety and start planning her revenge.

As we follow Eska through the world of Ovaeris, it’s races, magic system, gods and legends, are vividly brought to life. Rob J. Hayes worldbuilding is magnificent – I especially loved the floating city of Ro’shan.

Rob is not kind to our Eska, with the st ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 10, 2020 Filip rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, indie-fantasy, female-protagonist, grimdark, 2020, best-of-2020

This review was originally published over at The Fantasy Hive.

The second act of a fantasy trilogy is the one a series lives or dies by. A first impression is important, but following up on the promises the opening of a series makes…well, many a novel has faltered there. The Lessons Never Learned, however, does an admirable job of following up on the threads first set up by Along the Razor’s Edge. This novel offers explosive sourcerous action, a richly emotional arc for series protagonist Eskara ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

May 15, 2020 Martin Sear rated it it was amazing

Out of the darkness of book 1...

...Came some light. Book 1 was dark very dark, book 2, though full of betrayal, has shown some light and the story has blossomed. The lead character has developed beyond a revenge seeking hellion into something better, though still bent on revenge its much more complicated now. Book 1 was great but limited in scope. After book 2 the story has grown and i am loving it. Rob J Hayes is a talent, you'll know this if you read the heresy within books, he writes a great ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 18, 2020 XR rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020

Eska just can't catch a break!!
I'm so annoyed but I need to know what happens next.

Also, THANK YOU, Hayes! I truly appreciate Eska finding love... lady love. Nice work, sir! ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 03, 2020 Lynn K : Grimmedian rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs

This seamless epic trilogy, and rapid release publication schedule, is a dream come true for readers and reviewers alike.
It also takes a tremendous amount of work. It took Hayes quite some time to build this the way he needed to. His recent blog post about the trilogy, and about how this book in particular became “The book that nearly killed me.” Rob explains how this story came to be, and how book 2 was reworked, before he felt he could finish it and then later, could publish the trilogy. The e This seamless epic trilogy, and rapid release publication schedule, is a dream come true for readers and reviewers alike.
It also takes a tremendous amount of work. It took Hayes quite some time to build this the way he needed to. His recent blog post about the trilogy, and about how this book in particular became “The book that nearly killed me.” Rob explains how this story came to be, and how book 2 was reworked, before he felt he could finish it and then later, could publish the trilogy. The entire epic was written in 2017 and it is his first novel written in first person. A risky move, and the main POV is a woman. Neither is an easy task, but Hayes has really made it work.
No, back then I had no idea what true power was. And I had no idea what strength really meant.
Like the first volume, the last lines, and abrupt ending, leaves us dangling with a staggering revelation which makes you want the next book that very second. There is the easy flow of an experienced writer in this trilogy. It allows us to step into this world, experience it with the main character, and see her changing through the actions and words of other characters.
In The Lessons Never Learned we find Eskara as bent on revenge as ever. She’s a fully fleshed out study in vengeance incarnate. Her character draws you through the pages into the fast paced events, staggering revelations, heartbreaking regrets, and her deeply hidden secrets. Admittedly, Eskara isn’t easy to like. Her decisions are rash and impetuous, and in most cases, very dangerous. Eskara herself is danger to them all.
Eska’s companions are very well written, becoming the focus of the tale in turns. As they follow Eskara’s lead, it becomes apparent that they do so at their own peril. Even Eskara can not fathom why they stay with her.

I fixed him with a cold blue stare then. “How would you know what I think?” I could have been a bit less of a bitch, but I’ve always played to my strengths. – The Lessons Never Learned

Eska’s companions are very well written, becoming the focus of the tale in turns. As they follow Eskara’s lead, it becomes apparent that they do so at their own peril. Even Eskara can not fathom why they stay with her.
Tamura, the enigma, with his seeming madness and endless riddle answers, quickly became a favorite for me in book one, and continued to do so in book two. There is more to this crazy old man than appears. Eskara knows this, but can’t unravel his mystery. His wisdom, knowledge, and skill are convoluted and come at odd moments, punctuated by giggling. His sense of self preservation is rivaled only by Eskara’s and she has gleaned enough from the old man, to know that there are deeper, hidden meanings, in his apparent nonsense.
Hardt is complicated, and conflicted, as he is stricken by grief and sickened by his own berserker violence. It is something he keeps tamped down and hidden from others. A giant of a man, even in the Pit his gentle nature is at war with the violence he can, and does, inflict.
A new companion is a little thief named Imiko, who runs afoul of the trio and inadvertently chooses to stay with them. She quite unpredictable with a tendency to vanish when things get dangerous. We are again wowed with a new setting, the wildly imagined flying city of Ro’shan. The home to a god. This is where the story gets crazy good in my opinion.
The Lessons Never Learned is now available in ebook and paperback. just click the cover below. Jump in and get your next stay the F at home read!! ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 28, 2020 Anna rated it it was amazing

I highly enjoyed the first instalment in "The War Eternal" series, and I gladly accepted an opportunity to review the second book in the series - Lessons Never Learned.

To quickly recap the events - Eskara Helsene, the Sourcerer, along with the close-knit group of friends, crazy old man Tamura and grieving strongman Hardt, escaped from the Pit. They left behind a trail of corpses and are getting as far away from the prison as possible.

In "Along the Razor's Edge" Eskara introduced us to her world I highly enjoyed the first instalment in "The War Eternal" series, and I gladly accepted an opportunity to review the second book in the series - Lessons Never Learned.

To quickly recap the events - Eskara Helsene, the Sourcerer, along with the close-knit group of friends, crazy old man Tamura and grieving strongman Hardt, escaped from the Pit. They left behind a trail of corpses and are getting as far away from the prison as possible.

In "Along the Razor's Edge" Eskara introduced us to her world and some of the lore while describing her childhood, training and the war she fought in. I knew it's big and there's plenty to discover. However, in "The Lessons Never Learned", it truly expanded.
Flying cities, gods - the Rand and the Djinn, closer look at the magic and how to use it, introducing new characters and return of some of the ones already met. This book is bursting with action, throws in new challenges, and forces characters to face consequences of their choices.

I am very aware that Rob's publishing schedule is quite tight and the previous title was released just a month ago. Thus, reviewing the second book in the series on its publishing day may result in some spoilers. For that reason, I will be quite vague.

The moment of giving away of [redacted] broke my heart - I understood the reasons, but I was hoping for a better outcome.
I loved the entire scene in [redacted] - the storm, the threat, the sacrifice, the idea to use the artefact. Excellent writing of a very dynamic sequence from Rob and admittedly, Sserakis may have become one of my favourite characters.
The vegetable chopping lesson was a nice touch after the pain and heartache.

There are many small yet significant moments throughout the story, which made me wonder what implications will they have for all characters involved and how the events will tie up to lead to the foretold glimpses.

As with every series, there always is a risk the books will differ in terms of writing or storytelling qualities. I was happy to see that it was not the case - The War Eternal holds the level high and still packs a punch. The reason for this is that the author writes the entire story and publishes the parts after it's complete. From my perspective, this method certainly helps to keep the story coherent, make adjustments to it as necessary, and deliver a good reader experience.

The final book is due to be released at the end of May 2020 - Eska's story concludes, and I am eager to learn what fate awaits her and her family. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 07, 2021 Dejvo rated it did not like it

DNF 20%

I tried, I really tried but what the fuck? Has the author ever been outside? The quick fix of totally unplanned escape is they get in the forest, where naturally one of them brings them food somehow, because 3 people can eat just what the forest offers.... in winter. Did I mention that the main hero si barefoot and there is snow mentioned? Guess frostbite isn't a thing in this world.
Then they are about to climb out to flying city - which is on an anchor, which has chain with hundrets of ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 06, 2020 Matt McAbee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-request, 2020-reading-list

The Lessons Never Learned, the second volume in Rob Hayes War Eternal series blew me away. I was expecting a lull in the action but was sadly disappointed. This book was just as intense and fast paced as the previous one but added a new depth with revelations into the world.

I so enjoyed being back with Eska and crew after the escaped the Pit and got back to the surface. Eska leads her friends to the one place she can find that will grant her the power that she so desperately wants so that she ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 18, 2020 David Biondi rated it it was amazing

8 more days till we see what happens! I CANNOT WAIT!

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 21, 2020 The Shayne-Train rated it it was amazing

I love grimdark fantasy. I love bad-ass women. I love revenge stories. I love f/f romance. I love possessions by horrors. I love stories told from the POV of the "villain."

This book has every one of those things in spades. A wonderful follow-up to a wonderful first book, this is a blood-drenched masterpiece. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 28, 2020 Maxine Robinson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, arc, self-published, fantasy, 5-star-reads

This was insanely good.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Lessons Never Learned picks up immediately after Along The Razor’s Edge. We are very quickly thrown right back into the middle of Eska’s chaotic world and we witness the fallout from Eska’s actions. She often made rash choices and now her friends have to deal with the emotional turmoil left behind. She also has some physical changes that she needs to come to terms with, but in typical Eska fashion she compartmentalises and ploughs forward. Once again viol This was insanely good.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Lessons Never Learned picks up immediately after Along The Razor’s Edge. We are very quickly thrown right back into the middle of Eska’s chaotic world and we witness the fallout from Eska’s actions. She often made rash choices and now her friends have to deal with the emotional turmoil left behind. She also has some physical changes that she needs to come to terms with, but in typical Eska fashion she compartmentalises and ploughs forward. Once again violence and mayhem follow. She is being hunted by multiple parties, she is still learning to deal with the darkness that has found a home inside of her and in looking for a safe place, she puts herself in sight of the gods.

I absolutely loved the world building. Along The Razor’s Edge was a story confined to a dark pit, we heard about the outside world but didn’t get to see it. Here we are back in the outside world. The sky is bright but the darkness that follows Eska is still lurking. A darkness pulsates from within her, so that even when all things are going well and she begins to feel happiness, she can’t let it linger. We explore amazing new cities and get into the history of the world. We watch as Eska and her friends discover the carnage left behind by the war. Entire cities are destroyed, all that’s left is rubble and ghosts. We slowly get the truth about magic and monsters and not all is as it seems.

Eska’s growth throughout is phenomenal. She is a very different person, although as ruthless as ever. She still has a cockroaches ability to survive anything. I loved that Eska became a physical threat. She trained and worked hard. She pushed even when her friends told her not to. Eska became many versions of herself in this story, but she never lost her thirst for vengeance. It is at the core of who she is. We are slowly getting a picture of how she becomes the narrator. Her battles and triumphs that forge the Eska we only hear about. I’m very interested to see if she actually does all of the things she talks about. Once again Eska’s ability to secure friendships from those who deserve better is beyond me, but the loyalty they show her is returned.

The story was nicely paced, it never lulled. In the slow moments Rob still manages to have you on the edge of your seats and I will admit he had me in tears. Actually I was a bloody mess for a while. He broke my heart. It was a book I took my time with because I didn’t want to miss a thing. I had to reread the ending…

Once again Rob Hayes has you cheering for the bastard. Eska isn’t nice, tell her to smile and she would probably feed you your own intestines. She is flawed, she is vicious and she makes no apologies. I’m a big fan. Also if Rob felt the need to write more in this world I would be stoked. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2020 Jed Herne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-reads

Well, it’s official. Rob J. Hayes is the best author I’ve discovered in 2020. Now, it’s still early, so that could change - but it’s going to take a big effort to change that after The Lessons Never Learned.

The Lessons Never Learned is book 2 in The War Eternal. It’s a grimdark fantasy trilogy about Eska, a young magician struggling to reconcile her urges for revenge with her longing for human connection. It follows on from book 1, Along the Razor’s Edge, and while the characters, themes, and pl ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Sep 08, 2020 Lila rated it really liked it

Shelves: epic-fantasy

3,5*

I mentioned in my review of Along the Razor's Edge, first book in The War Eternal series, that I felt like we barely scratched the surface of the world and magic system in this series.
Boy, was I right.
The story continues right where we stopped in previous, with Eska, Hardt and Tamura out of the Pit. Promising revenge upon Tamerlane emperor makes for a dramatic ending, but right on the start of the second book we see how ridiculous that statement from Eska is.
They are on the run with no mone ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 10, 2020 Rowena Andrews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, indie

Sometimes, it is hard for the second book to live up to the first. That is not the case here. The Lesson’s Never Learned built beautifully on the world and characters that I fell in love with during Along the Razor’s Edge, and I would say that I found book 2 even more gripping as I was unable to put the book down from start to finish. It left me needing more, and all I can say is thank the stars book 3 is less than a month away because I need to know what happens and you can bet I will be there Sometimes, it is hard for the second book to live up to the first. That is not the case here. The Lesson’s Never Learned built beautifully on the world and characters that I fell in love with during Along the Razor’s Edge, and I would say that I found book 2 even more gripping as I was unable to put the book down from start to finish. It left me needing more, and all I can say is thank the stars book 3 is less than a month away because I need to know what happens and you can bet I will be there at midnight waiting for it to download so I can devour it.
The superb world-building from the first book pales in comparison to the world that we are shown in this book, and I am honestly in awe at Hayes’ ability to create a world with such breadth and depth. The Pit is still there, looming in the background, and you can feel its effects through flashbacks, and how those who lived there and escaped react with the world around them. But now, we get to experience in high definition, the world that had been hinted at through the tantalising flashbacks in the first book and what a world.
Flying cities.
Magic.
Gods.
In this book, we get to learn more of the history of the world – and the Other World – again drawing, past, present and the future hinted at through Eska’s thoughts and comments together. And we get to understand more of what the ‘War Eternal’ means, although not in its entirety, leaving us with answers and even more questions. Honestly, I could read dozens of books in this world there is so much in it, and yet it is so beautifully delivered that even as you want more, you can’t help but feel completely satisfied.
It was a delight to return to Eska, to see her growing and coming into her own in the world beyond the Pit, but still shaped by it. She becomes an adult, a part of the whole – she doesn’t have many that are close to her, but she is fiercely protective of them – willing to risk everything. The losses in the Pit. The betrayals and secrets. Everything is written into her choices and sacrifices, and each step is well developed, and you empathise with her. Yet, for all her changes and growth, she remains true to who she is, and what she wants, even as the world and the people around her shift and offer her new things, both hopes and dangers, secrets and lies. She is an exceptionally well-written character, and even if you disagree with what she is doing, you can’t help but relate to her and understand.
The secondary cast has grown and developed with her. Her choices and changes are shaping them, as much as they shape her. There are many wonderful moments, where they get to just live in this book, breathing points amongst the action, which not only develops the characters and their relationships, but also raise the stakes because there is more to be lost, and more to be protected. Tamura has also become a firm favourite, especially as we’ve learned more about him, and his past. I have always loved how he speaks and interacts with the world, and it felt very much as though he came into his own in this book.
I can’t recommend this book, series and author highly enough and the 26th May cannot come soon enough!
...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 19, 2020 Janelle Garrett rated it it was amazing

4.5/5 stars

(Warning: this review contains spoilers)

I must say, typically I don't like sequels as much as the first book. However, The Lessons Never Learned is an exceptional follow-up to Along the Razor's Edge, and I admit I like it even better.

It picks up right where Razor's Edge left us - Eska has escaped the Pit and is finally back under the sky. (side note - the tagline for the first book SHOULD have been "No one escapes the Pit. Er, except Eska.") But her escape has cost the life (or so sh 4.5/5 stars

(Warning: this review contains spoilers)

I must say, typically I don't like sequels as much as the first book. However, The Lessons Never Learned is an exceptional follow-up to Along the Razor's Edge, and I admit I like it even better.

It picks up right where Razor's Edge left us - Eska has escaped the Pit and is finally back under the sky. (side note - the tagline for the first book SHOULD have been "No one escapes the Pit. Er, except Eska.") But her escape has cost the life (or so she thinks) of Josef, her best friend, and the life of the father of her child. Isen died in the Pit, and Eska is now pregnant. It raises the stakes - and gives Eska just the motivation she needs to keep running, to keep fighting to find a place of safety. She is joined by Tamura (as crazy and lovable as ever) and Hardt, a giant with a huge heart and brother of Isen. New characters are introduced - Imiko, a thief who turns into an annoying little sister to Eska, Silva, an intriguing character who you wonder about, yet can't help but cheer for, and Ishtar, a mercenary who is complex yet stalwart. This cast of characters rounds out the book in a way that the previous book was a bit hard-pressed to do, seeing as that the entire setting was almost entirely underground.

The Lessons Never Learned broadens the horizons of this world Hayes has created. We see two floating cities (YOU GUY. FLOATING CITIES. FLOATING. CITIES) set up by warring gods. We see an expounded magic system - suddenly the Sources aren't the only - dare I say it? - source of magic when you realize the Djinn and Rand are much more complex than Eska even knows. And suddenly, you're racing through the book wondering when you can take a breather. The pacing picks up about halfway through the book. Hayes takes the time to world-build, and remind the reader that although Eska is a piece of work, she's not the annoying kid she was in book one. I appreciate the hard choices she must make - it's no longer about just her own survival, now. It's about doing the right thing by her child. Eska grows up a good bit in this story, and I'm happy to say that I don't dislike her nearly as much as I used to. Silva brings out the best in her, as does her baby. And although Eska chooses to do what she thinks is best - give the child up - I can understand why she made the choice she did.

In typical Hayes fashion, he turns the tables and ups the stakes with this novel. Not only is the world-building borderline brilliant (FLOATING CITIES, GUYS), replete with gods who break off pieces of themselves into children, gods trapped in crowns, lots of fighting and killing, and a host of other cool, new things, but the character development takes this book up a notch. Sserakis (love the name. Have I mentioned that before?) takes on more dimensions. I mean, how can a demonshadowthing be, I don't know, likable? Well, it is. The side characters are well-fleshed out and realistic, each with their own motivations.

This series is shaping to be a favorite of mine. And really, it's cementing Hayes as a leader among indie-fantasy writers. And if this book is any indicator, I'd imagine he's going to enjoy a long, illustrious career of writing great fantasy books. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2020 Carl Phillips rated it really liked it

The broader scope of this book adds pleasant depth to the universe while lead character also starts getting darker and darker. Great read.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 19, 2020 Davy rated it really liked it

"The rain is wonderful when you are thirsty, but a nuisance when you wish to cook dinner." ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Fantasy

29 users

Fantasy > Magic

5 users

Fantasy > Dark Fantasy

4 users

See top shelves…

About Rob J. Hayes

Rob J. Hayes

842 followers

Winner of Mark Lawrence's 3rd Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO) with Where Loyalties Lie

Rob J. Hayes was born somewhere south of the cockney wastelands in a small town called Basingstoke. He grew up with all the usual boy toys including Lego, Star Wars figures (complete with working lightsaber action) and plenty of Transformers. Playing with these toys inspired his imagination and as soon as ...more