Fantasy trilogies usually suffer from a very specific disease. It’s called "Middle Book Syndrome." You know the vibe—the plot drags, characters wander around aimlessly just to kill time before the big finale, and nothing actually happens. But honestly, James Islington: An Echo of Things to Come is the rare exception that flips that script entirely.
It’s dense. It’s complicated. It’s arguably more ambitious than the first book, The Shadow of What Was Lost.
If you’re coming into this after finishing the first installment of the Licanius Trilogy, you’re probably still reeling from that massive plot twist regarding Caeden’s identity. Islington doesn't give you a second to breathe. He jumps straight back into the madness of Andarra, a world where the magical "Gifted" are bound by Tenets that literally prevent them from defending themselves, and a shadow war is brewing that spans thousands of years.
The Complexity of Time and Memory
Most authors struggle with time travel because it creates plot holes you could drive a truck through. Islington, however, writes like a programmer. He built a closed-loop system where every single "future" event mentioned in the first book starts to click into place here.
In An Echo of Things to Come, the stakes move away from simple survival and toward the philosophical. We’re dealing with a world where the "Venerate"—basically ancient, god-like beings—are trying to rewrite reality because they believe the world is fundamentally broken.
Davian, our main protagonist, is growing up. Fast. He’s no longer just the kid who can’t use the Vessel; he’s a student of the Augurs, learning that "seeing the future" isn’t a gift—it’s a cage. If you see it, it must happen. That’s the rule. Islington treats fate like a physical weight. It’s heavy, and you can feel it on every page.
Why Caeden Steals the Show
Let’s be real for a second. Caeden is the best part of this series.
While Davian, Wirr, and Asha are great, Caeden’s journey of rediscovering his horrific past is where the real meat of the story lies. In An Echo of Things to Come, we get these massive flashback sequences. We see him as Tal’kamar. We see the atrocities he committed in the name of a "greater good" that might not even exist.
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Islington handles the "villain seeking redemption" trope with a lot of nuance. It’s not just about saying sorry. It’s about the crushing realization that the person you used to be would disgust the person you are now. The internal conflict is visceral. He’s a man who has lived for millennia, and his memories are returning like a flood, threatening to drown the man he's trying to become.
Honestly? It's kind of heartbreaking.
The World-Building Gets Massive
The scope of Andarra expands significantly in this volume. We spend more time in Ilin Illan and explore the political machinations of the North. Wirr, now in a position of significant power, has to navigate a court that hates him. It’s a bit of a Game of Thrones vibe, but with more high-magic stakes.
One thing people often get wrong about Islington’s writing is comparing him too closely to Robert Jordan. Sure, there are similarities—the "chosen one" vibes, the ancient evil returning—but Islington’s pacing is way faster. He doesn’t spend twenty pages describing the lace on a hem. He’s focused on the mechanics of the magic and the philosophy of the war.
The "Shamir"—the mysterious constructs—and the nature of the "Dark" are explored further. We start to understand that the boundary (The Taven) isn't just a wall; it's a ticking time bomb.
The Struggle with Prose vs. Plot
If there’s one critique often leveled at An Echo of Things to Come, it’s the prose.
Islington isn't a "flowery" writer. He’s functional. Some readers find his style a bit dry, especially when he’s explaining the complex metaphysical rules of his world. But I’d argue that the complexity of the plot requires that level of precision. If he were too poetic, you’d lose the thread of the thirteen different timelines and motivations happening at once.
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The book is long. It's a doorstopper. But it doesn't feel like it has "filler." Every scene is a brick being laid for the foundation of the final book.
Dealing with the Augur Powers
The Augurs are basically the nukes of this world. They can read minds, see the future, and manipulate the Gift. But Islington introduces the "Kan"—a type of energy that isn't supposed to be used.
The moral dilemma of using a corrupting force to save people is a central theme here. Asha’s storyline, in particular, gets very dark as she investigates the Shadows and the truth behind the "Shadowed." Her sections are almost like a fantasy detective novel, and they provide a necessary break from the epic scale of Caeden’s memories or Davian’s training.
What Most People Miss About the Ending
Without spoiling the specifics, the ending of An Echo of Things to Come is a masterpiece of setup.
A lot of readers get frustrated because it doesn’t provide "closure." But that’s the point. It’s the second act of a three-act play. The revelations about the "Venerate" and the true nature of the "El" (the god-figure) turn the entire morality of the series on its head.
You start to wonder: Are the bad guys actually right?
Islington forces you to question the "Good vs. Evil" binary that defines so much of the genre. He suggests that perhaps the struggle isn't between light and dark, but between those who accept their fate and those who are willing to destroy the world to change it.
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Key Takeaways for New Readers
If you're about to dive in, keep a few things in mind.
First, don't worry if you're confused about the names of the ancient beings (the Venerate). There are a lot of them. They have multiple names. Just focus on Caeden’s reactions to them.
Second, pay attention to the dates. The timeline jumps can be jarring if you’re skimming.
Third, remember that characters are often lying—not just to each other, but to themselves.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you've finished the book and your brain is melted, here is how to prepare for the final stretch:
- Check the Glossary: Islington includes a pretty thorough one at the back. It’s not just for show; it’s actually helpful for keeping the "Tenets" and "Vessels" straight.
- Review Caeden's Flashbacks: If you’re planning on jumping straight into The Light of All That Falls, go back and re-read the last three Caeden chapters. The specific names he remembers will be vital for the conclusion.
- Map the Connections: Try to trace where Davian is in time compared to where he was at the start of book one. It sounds like homework, but it makes the payoff in the final book about ten times more satisfying.
James Islington managed to write a middle book that actually raises the stakes instead of just treading water. It’s a complex, rewarding piece of epic fantasy that demands your full attention. If you can handle the intricate plotting and the occasional dry stretch of dialogue, it’s one of the most rewarding reads in modern fantasy.