As I mentioned, there is a deep and multifaceted magic system in the world of the Licanius trilogy, and this final volume expands on and explains a number of elements that I was curious about given the previous two books. The themes aren't the only things to love about this novel. It's unique and engaging and makes complete sense given the world and magic that the author has created. All of this is made possible because of a complex plot involving time travel in a way that I've never quite seen in fantasy before. Islington threads that needle masterfully. But there is always the possibility of redemption, and that's a feeling I believe it's incredibly difficult to capture. It doesn't cheapen what characters have done or what victims have experienced. Topping it all off is a story of redemption done so well that I lack the words to fully express how well Islington succeeded at writing a believable redemption arc. Rather, this is the natural progression of the various character arcs. Is complete and total freedom to decide one's actions a blessing or a curse? And, going along with this, in what ways is one responsible for one's actions if the past and future are entirely immutable? What if the past can be wiped out, are the consequences of decisions then entirely meaningless? As the characters wrestle with these sorts of questions, it never feels like the story gets bogged down. Yet Islington manages to meet these challenges head on, giving us a beautiful story that questions fate and free will and suggests that maybe the issue isn't so much the decisions one makes but one's motivations in making them. The idea of destiny or fate either cheapens decisions that characters make or reduces the tension in the story to unacceptably low levels. Prophecy can become a crutch for a story. My observation is that these sorts of themes are often difficult to deal with in fantasy.
There is plenty for fans of complex world building to enjoy, as well as a deep magic system that plays a central role in the plot, political factions aplenty, and a cast of characters you love and care about.įor me, the area where Islington truly excels in The Light of All that Falls - and, really, in the entire trilogy - is how he deals with themes of destiny, fate, and redemption. This is fresh epic fantasy in the vein of the Wheel of Time. The narrative picks up roughly a year after the conclusion of An Echo of Things to Come and, while it pauses at a few points, doesn't really let up until the final pages.
The Light of All that Falls is the beautiful, action packed conclusion to James Islington's Licanius Trilogy.
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