Tag: Ringlander

Book Review: Fallen Shards – Michael S Jackson

Book Review: Fallen Shards – Michael S Jackson

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Ringlander #2
Release date: August 16 2025
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 619
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

THE SCARS OF A WOUNDED WORLD ARE REOPENING…War continues to blight the Ringland continents of Rengas, from Nord to Kemen and over the Middle Sea to the shores of Sulitaria. The Forbringrs fight in the heavens, leaving those who dwell unto dust, while the human rebellion struggles on against a unifying Bohr front and the treacherous Order of the White Dragon.

As God’s Gift, Abika can wield Soulfire, a power only possessed by Banèmen, but she’s still the unwanted child struggling to answer why she was left for dead. As she searches for meaning amongst a chaotic land, she discovers that the worlds have other plans for her.

Review

Michael S. Jackson is back with the next installment in the Ringlander series and if you’re looking for an engaging, coming of age fantasy adventure, this is a series you absolutely need to add to your TBR.

We pick up after the events of book one, and the war between the humans and the Bohr is far from over. We see some familiar faces, and we also meet some new characters. One of our new main characters is Abika, who can wield Soulfire and is trying to find her place in the world. I really enjoyed her POV, and overall, I thought she was a fascinating, complex character.

Jackson has created a really compelling world with the Ringlander series, and I thought the world-building was excellent. The world feels detailed and well-crafted, and I really enjoyed that we get to see more of the world in this installment. Fallen Shards feels darker and more bloody than The Path and the Way, with some pretty dark and gruesome moments. Jackson’s writing style is engaging, and I often found I didn’t want to put this book down.

Overall, Fallen Shards is a tremendous sequel, one that will leave readers wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, from the intricate, well-crafted plot to that absolutely gorgeous cover.  If you’ve read book one, book two is a must-read, and if you’re looking for an epic fantasy adventure with fascinating characters and a compelling plot, Ringlander is a series you do not want to miss!

Blog Tour: The Path and the Way – Michael S. Jackson

Blog Tour: The Path and the Way – Michael S. Jackson

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: The Ringlander #1
Release Date: April 27th 2021
Pages: 484
Find it on: Goodreads. Amazon.
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Holes between worlds are tearing through Rengas. Firestorms are raging as multiple realities battle for control of the elements. Even the Way, the turbulent channel that separates Nord, Határ and Kemen, the lifeblood of the city of Tyr, has turned.

Kyira’s search for her missing brother draws her away from the familiar frozen lines of Nord and south into the chaotic streets of Tyr where games are played & battles fought. As reality tears Kyira must choose between her family or her path before the worlds catch up with her.

Review

When I first heard about Ringlander: The Path and the Way I was immediately intrigued – partly because of that stunning cover – but also because it sounded like such a unique and engaging tale. In a world in which holes are beginning to tear between worlds, we follow Kyira, a young girl trying to find her missing brother. Her search will take her away from everything she knows – her home in freezing Nord to the bustling streets of Tyr. As Kyira fights to find her brother and stay alive reality begins to tear, forcing her to choose between the things most important to her: her family or her path.

The thing that struck me most about this book was how much I was torn between reading it slowly, savouring the fascinating world and magic system or racing through it because it was so compelling and I just had to know what was going to happen. This is an exceptionally addictive read, one that is well-paced and excellently plotted. The story kept me engaged throughout and as soon as I finished it I was desperate for more. The Path and the Way felt like such a fresh take on this type of story and despite it being a thicker book I read it in only a few sittings.

Jackson really excels at creating multi-layered characters and I find it rare to read a multi-POV story where I’m captivated by all of their storylines. There’s usually always one or two I am less fond of but each one was fascinating. Kyria is a particularly compelling character, battling to find her brother and succeed despite the odds being stacked against her. If you’re someone who loves books with plenty of action, this book definitely has you covered. From the very first page, there is tons to keep you hooked and turning pages late into the night.

The Path and the Way is an impressive tale and one that I did not want to end. If you’re looking for a fantasy read with detailed worldbuilding and incredible characters, this one is a must-read. The Path and the Way is absolutely one of my favourite fantasy reads of the year and I can’t wait to read more from Michael S. Jackson.