An Echo of Things to Come
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | James Islington |
| Products | High fantasy novel |
An Echo of Things to Come is a 2017 high fantasy novel from Australia, authored by James Islington. It represents the middle installment in The Licanius Trilogy, positioned after The Shadow of What Was Lost and before The Light of All That Falls.
Plot
Following his survival of an assassination attempt, Wirr, now holding the title of Northwarden, faces difficulties securing trust from his Administrators. During this period, he encounters Breshada, who transitioned from being a hunter of the Gifted to becoming Gifted herself. Meanwhile, Asha acts as Tol Athian's Representative at the royal court while covertly probing into the disappearance of Shadows. Davian undergoes training at Tol Shen and, alongside three Augurs, escapes an assault to journey northward toward the Boundary.
Caeden slowly regains his memories as he serves the Lyth, who granted him Licanius in return for their liberation. He is shadowed by Nethgalla, a shape-changing spirit inhabiting the body of his late wife. Formerly among the immortal Venerate—whose mission was to abolish fate and bestow free will upon humanity—Caeden now opposes them. He has confined several Venerate within Tributaries that siphon their Essence to sustain the Boundary. Recently, two Venerate broke free, resulting in the Boundary's weakening.
Asha uncovers that Shadows function as additional Reserves for the Siphon's bearer, known as a Vessel. Breshada reveals her dual identity as Shadraehin and Nethgalla and entrusts Caeden with the Siphon; he then uses it to convert the Lyth into Shadows, thereby honoring their agreement. Nethgalla confesses to having instigated the Augur War to preserve the Boundary's stability and has been harnessing Essence from Shadows to maintain it ever since. She manipulates Asha into stabbing her with Whisper, a sword capable of transferring Essence, which binds Asha to the Siphon and strips her of her Shadow status.
When creatures breach the Boundary, Caeden becomes trapped north of it by another Venerate, leading to numerous Administrators' deaths. Asha fortifies the Boundary by activating a Tributary but unintentionally confines Davian beyond it. Davian kills Caeden, aware that he will be reincarnated south of the Boundary. As Caeden recalls more about his past, he is confronted by a future version of Davian who questions his loyalty to El. In a fit of rage, Caeden kills this future Davian and displays his severed head outside Deilannis.
Reception
The book garnered generally positive feedback. Kirkus Reviews characterized it as "vastly overelaborate" yet "relentlessly gripping," making it appealing for readers who enjoyed the initial volume. Publishers Weekly described it as "dense" and "suspenseful," anticipating interest among enthusiasts of epic fantasy. A reviewer from Barnes & Noble emphasized the emotional complexity of Caeden's story alongside its brisk pacing. Booklist favorably likened Islington's narrative style to that of Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan, while RT Book Reviews recommended it for those who appreciate suspenseful storytelling combined with political intrigue.