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4.0 

Locklands

By Robert Jackson Bennett
Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett digital book - Fable

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Publisher Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The jaw-dropping conclusion to the acclaimed Founders Trilogy, from the Hugo–nominated author of Foundryside and Shorefall

“It’s so rare to love every single book in a trilogy, to admire the aim, precision, and storytelling stamina this much.”—The New York Times Book Review
 
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, The Quill to Live

Sancia, Clef, and Berenice have gone up against long odds in the past. But the war they’re fighting now is one even they can’t win.

This time, they’re not facing robber-baron elites or even an immortal hierophant, but an entity whose intelligence is spread over half the globe—one that uses the magic of scriving to control not just objects but human minds.
 
To fight it, they’ve used scriving technology to transform themselves and their allies into an army—a society—unlike anything humanity has seen before. With its strength at their backs, they’ve freed a handful of their enemy’s hosts from servitude, and even defeated some of its fearsome, reality-altering dreadnoughts.
 
Yet despite their efforts, their enemy marches on. Implacable. Unstoppable.
 
Now, as their opponent closes in on its true prize—an ancient doorway, long buried, that leads to the chambers at the center of creation itself—Sancia and her friends glimpse a last opportunity to stop this unbeatable foe. To do so, they’ll have to unlock the centuries-old mystery of scriving’s origins, embark on a desperate mission into the heart of their enemy’s power, and pull off the most daring heist they’ve ever attempted.
 
But their adversary might have a spy in their ranks—and a last trick up its sleeve.
 
And to have a chance at victory, Sancia, Clef, and Berenice will have to make a sacrifice beyond anything that’s come before.

819 Reviews

4.0
Loudly Crying Face“Locklands is a devastatingly brilliant conclusion to the Founders trilogy—the kind that lingers in your heart long after you’ve finished it. It’s a story of sacrifice, love, and the unyielding hope of a few who fight against impossible odds. This book wrecked me emotionally in the best possible way. Set eight years after the events of Shorefall, the world has changed drastically. Tevanne has become an unstoppable force, wielding horrifying advancements in scriving to dominate the world. Sancia, Berenice, and their allies are now part of a rebellion, risking everything to stop Tevanne and build a better future for humanity. "Because power and cruelty are easy," Sancia said. "What we’re making takes a shitload of work. So we must be doing the right thing." This final installment feels far grander in scale than its predecessors. While Foundryside and Shorefall focused on Tevanne city, Locklands spans entire nations, introducing new settings like Giva and its unique culture. The exploration of new cadences—especially Design and Greeter—adds layers of fascination to an already brilliant magic system. The world-building in this book is nothing short of awe-inspiring. One of the standout elements of Locklands is its extraordinary character development. The additional backstories of Crasedes, Clef, and Valeria/Tevanne deepen their complexity and make them profoundly compelling. Seeing Clef’s origins and his relationship with Crasedes brought a bittersweet understanding to their roles in the larger conflict. "It’s like old times again," said Sancia. "You and me against the whole goddamned world. There’s just a few more people on our side this time." The emotional stakes are higher than ever, and the book does not shy away from the cost of heroism. The sacrifices made by the characters are both heartbreaking and inspiring, and the ending—bittersweet yet hopeful—perfectly encapsulates the heart of the series. It brought me to tears while still leaving me with a sense of peace and closure. "That’s how we all think of ourselves, as people in a tale. Living our stories. But if you live long enough, you see it’s not a story at all. It just keeps going." Locklands is a masterpiece of creativity, daring storytelling, and emotional depth. This trilogy as a whole is a stunning achievement, with Locklands serving as its crowning jewel. Robert Jackson Bennett has crafted something truly extraordinary, and I sincerely hope it receives the recognition it so richly deserves.”
Loudly Crying Face“What an incredible end to an incredible series. I don't even know what to say. I sobbed like a baby at multiple points in the final ~200 pages. The epilogue?! 😭😭 I love these characters.”
Loudly Crying Face“Crying and sobing and pain!! The first half was alright but the second half and especially the ending?? It just been so long since a series made me cry this much!!”

About Robert Jackson Bennett

Robert Jackson Bennett is the author of Foundryside, Shorefall, and the Divine Cities trilogy, which was a Hugo Award finalist in the Best Series category. The first book in the series, City of Stairs, was also a finalist for the World Fantasy and Locus Awards, and the second, City of Blades, was a finalist for the World Fantasy, Locus, and British Fantasy Awards. His previous novels, which include American Elsewhere and Mr. Shivers, have received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Philip K. Dick Citation of Excellence. He lives in Austin with his family.

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