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thebookboy's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic finale to a strong fantasy series. Set ten years after the events of the previous novels, Where Heroes Were Born shifts focus to Fran, the sister of King Cyrus and now shield to Queen Mathilde, and her attempts to cross the sea to find a match for the queen. The other main narrative strand focuses on Locke - the "useless" son of a Lord who is placed as a prison keep in the castle to watch other a dangerous inmate.
I thought this was a really fun, sharply observed and fast-paced adventure from the word go. There are beautiful locations, great characters and a lot of swashbuckling adventure - the series is almost historical in feel rather than fantasy (though there are fantasy elements) and I loved that.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who appreciates a good fantasy adventure, especially one with strong characters and a lot of a action. I'm sad to see these characters go!
I thought this was a really fun, sharply observed and fast-paced adventure from the word go. There are beautiful locations, great characters and a lot of swashbuckling adventure - the series is almost historical in feel rather than fantasy (though there are fantasy elements) and I loved that.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who appreciates a good fantasy adventure, especially one with strong characters and a lot of a action. I'm sad to see these characters go!
averyreadsbooks's review
5.0
I really enjoyed Fran’s journey in this one. She was just as fierce as she was as a child but more badass. I loved the time jump for that reason. I also adored Patch I’ll be honest.
I was confused by Locke’s story for the first half of this book, I really couldn’t figure out why we had his pov but it made sense at the end and I was glad to have the added viewpoint.
Overall just as enjoyable as the first two books! I did feel like there was a different vibe to this one maybe because of the time jump or following Fran instead of Cyrus but I really loved it because I became a big fan of Fran in book 2. In true Dumbrell fashion it had its own twists imbedded in there as well which brings you on a rollercoaster of an ending.
Wonderful and heartbreaking, full of adventure and romance, a truly fantastic ending to this trilogy.
I was confused by Locke’s story for the first half of this book, I really couldn’t figure out why we had his pov but it made sense at the end and I was glad to have the added viewpoint.
Overall just as enjoyable as the first two books! I did feel like there was a different vibe to this one maybe because of the time jump or following Fran instead of Cyrus but I really loved it because I became a big fan of Fran in book 2. In true Dumbrell fashion it had its own twists imbedded in there as well which brings you on a rollercoaster of an ending.
Wonderful and heartbreaking, full of adventure and romance, a truly fantastic ending to this trilogy.
wordsandrecreation's review against another edition
4.0
Where Heroes Were Born is set a decade after the first two books in the trilogy. We follow Fran as chosen shield to queen Mathilde of Cornesse, and Locke as the new prison master.
I have to admit I found the first 100 pages or so a bit slow. Due to the time gap, there are lots of dispositions layed out and a good share of explaining. It also took me some time to get into reading about new POV characters. But when I got into the story, boy, did it get going!
I loved getting to know Francine more! She’s an awesome badass, and following her journey was exciting and fun.
Locke was also an interesting character. I found him annoying at first, but he managed to sneak through to me too! His development through the book was very well done, and I found myself cheering him on by the end!
Tom has a way of getting me to feel attached to his characters with quite few pages! The books are relatively short and fast-paced as fantasy goes, but they still feel so immersive and grand.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a fine conclusion to the series. And once again, Tom had me crying
I have to admit I found the first 100 pages or so a bit slow. Due to the time gap, there are lots of dispositions layed out and a good share of explaining. It also took me some time to get into reading about new POV characters. But when I got into the story, boy, did it get going!
I loved getting to know Francine more! She’s an awesome badass, and following her journey was exciting and fun.
Locke was also an interesting character. I found him annoying at first, but he managed to sneak through to me too! His development through the book was very well done, and I found myself cheering him on by the end!
Tom has a way of getting me to feel attached to his characters with quite few pages! The books are relatively short and fast-paced as fantasy goes, but they still feel so immersive and grand.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a fine conclusion to the series. And once again, Tom had me crying
hope97's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 stars!
What an ending to an amazing series! I loved the entirety of Pillars of Peace, and Where Heroes Were Born did not disappoint.
Just like the other installments in this series, this book was fast paced and consistently entertaining. I think one of Tom's strengths that presents instead within this book extremely well is his character development. Ten years has passed since book two, and within that time it seems like a lot has happened with the characters. It was great to see what had changed in those ten years and how many of the characters grew.
My favourite was of course Fran, who I felt had a fantastic character arc and was very well developed throughout all three books. Cyrus took a backseat in this book which I quite liked as we got to focus on others who may have been seen as minor or smaller characters in the previous books. I think that Cyrus not being the focus was a good thing. The first two books were his and I felt like his arc had been completed so it was very refreshing to be taken down a different route. I also felt like following different characters also added to the worldbuilding.
This book had me feeling a lot of unexpected emotions. I think Tom hits this just right with a few unexpected turns that really played with my feelings. I find this is something very rare in books now and I felt this really increased my attachment to some of the characters.
Overall I really recommend this book and the entire series. Tom's writing is easily digestible and every book within this series is fast paced making me really not want to put them down! I am sad the journey is over but I think it was ended very well.
What an ending to an amazing series! I loved the entirety of Pillars of Peace, and Where Heroes Were Born did not disappoint.
Just like the other installments in this series, this book was fast paced and consistently entertaining. I think one of Tom's strengths that presents instead within this book extremely well is his character development. Ten years has passed since book two, and within that time it seems like a lot has happened with the characters. It was great to see what had changed in those ten years and how many of the characters grew.
My favourite was of course Fran, who I felt had a fantastic character arc and was very well developed throughout all three books. Cyrus took a backseat in this book which I quite liked as we got to focus on others who may have been seen as minor or smaller characters in the previous books. I think that Cyrus not being the focus was a good thing. The first two books were his and I felt like his arc had been completed so it was very refreshing to be taken down a different route. I also felt like following different characters also added to the worldbuilding.
This book had me feeling a lot of unexpected emotions. I think Tom hits this just right with a few unexpected turns that really played with my feelings. I find this is something very rare in books now and I felt this really increased my attachment to some of the characters.
Overall I really recommend this book and the entire series. Tom's writing is easily digestible and every book within this series is fast paced making me really not want to put them down! I am sad the journey is over but I think it was ended very well.
thewulverslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
This is going to be a different review from normal. I have been honoured to have been with Tom Dumbrell since the first book and it’s been a journey that cannot be captured here. Where Heroes Were Born is the final instalment in the Pillars of Peace series and I can’t even begin to sum up these emotions.
Ten years have passed since the Battle of Highcastle. As Peacehaven’s new king has taken the country to strength, Fran is chosen shield to Queen Mathilde who sets her on a journey that she never expected to take. Locke is a prison master and son of a war hero who sets aside his demons to make a name of his own in a place where no one knows who he is. Will Fran’s journey teach her more about herself? Will Locke falter under his father’s expectations? Will there be happiness ever after? Peace is a romantic notion, but someone has to fight for it.
Tom has bravely taken on new points of view in the ten years that have passed. We still see Cyrus but our new King is just part of a larger story. Francine and Locke were welcome additions. Tom truly opened up the world even after two previous stories and gave us a feel for the environment and landscapes that remain hidden in these words. From our young chosen shield to Queen Mathilde to the tormented and insecure Locke, Tom has grown in his ability to portray different character emotions that made me wish for more in this world and the inclusion of more female characters that were just badass was handled incredibly well. Even characters who have a single point of view can have depth and hope but Tom has developed along with his characters and his ability to nurture an effectiveness for change and growth is perfect.
I can honestly say that this was the perfect send off to these characters. A flawless finish that had me all teared up that I actually messaged Tom straight away. I won’t spoil this series any more but if there’s anyone deserving of high praise for the sheer emotional rollercoaster and brilliantly crafted story filled with lyrical content that tug at the heartstrings but also gets the blood pounding then it’s Tom Dumbrell. This was beautifully wrapped in a nice little bow but I hope Tom pulls that string open again soon.
Tom sums it up with his own journey well over the past few years. He has shown us that heroes are not always knights in shining armour or chosen ones from a prophecy. He has shown us that life goes on but the story continues. With the struggles that 2020 came with and the idea that he had a heroic story to tell, Tom got to writing his Pillars of Peace series. With the release of book three, Tom has stated that this was not built on any sole ideal or message but it is evident in the ending that Tom Dumbrell has made heroes for all of us.
Ten years have passed since the Battle of Highcastle. As Peacehaven’s new king has taken the country to strength, Fran is chosen shield to Queen Mathilde who sets her on a journey that she never expected to take. Locke is a prison master and son of a war hero who sets aside his demons to make a name of his own in a place where no one knows who he is. Will Fran’s journey teach her more about herself? Will Locke falter under his father’s expectations? Will there be happiness ever after? Peace is a romantic notion, but someone has to fight for it.
Tom has bravely taken on new points of view in the ten years that have passed. We still see Cyrus but our new King is just part of a larger story. Francine and Locke were welcome additions. Tom truly opened up the world even after two previous stories and gave us a feel for the environment and landscapes that remain hidden in these words. From our young chosen shield to Queen Mathilde to the tormented and insecure Locke, Tom has grown in his ability to portray different character emotions that made me wish for more in this world and the inclusion of more female characters that were just badass was handled incredibly well. Even characters who have a single point of view can have depth and hope but Tom has developed along with his characters and his ability to nurture an effectiveness for change and growth is perfect.
I can honestly say that this was the perfect send off to these characters. A flawless finish that had me all teared up that I actually messaged Tom straight away. I won’t spoil this series any more but if there’s anyone deserving of high praise for the sheer emotional rollercoaster and brilliantly crafted story filled with lyrical content that tug at the heartstrings but also gets the blood pounding then it’s Tom Dumbrell. This was beautifully wrapped in a nice little bow but I hope Tom pulls that string open again soon.
Tom sums it up with his own journey well over the past few years. He has shown us that heroes are not always knights in shining armour or chosen ones from a prophecy. He has shown us that life goes on but the story continues. With the struggles that 2020 came with and the idea that he had a heroic story to tell, Tom got to writing his Pillars of Peace series. With the release of book three, Tom has stated that this was not built on any sole ideal or message but it is evident in the ending that Tom Dumbrell has made heroes for all of us.
owenreads's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was promised the best book in the trilogy and that's what I was given.
The slower pace and fewer twists really helps to ground this installment. Giving the prose and sentiments room to breath.
I really liked the expanded world. New characters and location, but also getting to know some lesser used character who had already had their stories started in the earlier books.
The trilogy as a whole is fantastic, this is a both the icing and the cherry on top.
The slower pace and fewer twists really helps to ground this installment. Giving the prose and sentiments room to breath.
I really liked the expanded world. New characters and location, but also getting to know some lesser used character who had already had their stories started in the earlier books.
The trilogy as a whole is fantastic, this is a both the icing and the cherry on top.
rosaceae's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sunflower_academia's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookphenomena_micky's review
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Headlines:
Family, love and loss
Loyalty and betrayal
Pirates, jungles and castles
Where Heroes Were Born picked up the Pillars of Peace world ten years on. It was satisfying to see some status quo in Cyrus' and Francine's life. Now okay, this status did not last but at least we know they had some.
There were a number of POVs in this story and as the book progressed a few more were added. I favoured the world of Fran and her character was written so well. Locke had me less interested even though that story eventually linked up the threads of his POV. The sweetest spot for me in this tale was life on the ship travelling to an African-inspired land, I liked how that plot direction rolled out, the good and the bad.
If you're a Cyrus fan, he was a little less in the fore for this installment but I found Francine a worthy substitute. As Francine journeyed back and forth to and from lands unknown, I got a sense of foreboding. I really didn't see that coming and it was a tough pill to swallow.
Overall, this was a good culmination to the series and while this wasn't my favourite in the series (book one was for me), I'll think of Pillars of Peace as a world that brings great characterisation and found family elements.
Family, love and loss
Loyalty and betrayal
Pirates, jungles and castles
Where Heroes Were Born picked up the Pillars of Peace world ten years on. It was satisfying to see some status quo in Cyrus' and Francine's life. Now okay, this status did not last but at least we know they had some.
There were a number of POVs in this story and as the book progressed a few more were added. I favoured the world of Fran and her character was written so well. Locke had me less interested even though that story eventually linked up the threads of his POV. The sweetest spot for me in this tale was life on the ship travelling to an African-inspired land, I liked how that plot direction rolled out, the good and the bad.
If you're a Cyrus fan, he was a little less in the fore for this installment but I found Francine a worthy substitute. As Francine journeyed back and forth to and from lands unknown, I got a sense of foreboding. I really didn't see that coming and it was a tough pill to swallow.
Overall, this was a good culmination to the series and while this wasn't my favourite in the series (book one was for me), I'll think of Pillars of Peace as a world that brings great characterisation and found family elements.