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MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.75/5
Format: Kindle Whispersync
BOOK DESCRIPTION
An action-packed flintlock fantasy book about guns, mages, bards and dragons!
Ulric’s quiet life of exile has been turned upside down. Dellioph is unable to play his music or keep his secrets. Gali, having lost everything, teeters on the brink of despair. And they’re all being chased by dragons, which are nothing like the old stories.
Aari, Col, and Devo continue to pursue the evil sorcerer responsible for the dragons. But as Aari’s memories start to return, doubts come with them. What can she do next to Col, the Spirit of the Earth, and Devo, a hulking, strong fighter? She’s just a girl.
And back in the city of Quinport, Lyrrun of Dwy— who should be retired by now— is left to manage the fallout from the heist and to try to keep the Mastus family out of jail. But this forces him into the middle of a dangerous rivalry between chancellors.
If you listen closely, perhaps you will hear it… Change is coming.
MY REVIEW
I’m thrilled this sequel lived up to the high expectations I set for it. Mr. Wall has delivered an incredible sequel that not only dials up the epicness, but tugs at the heart strings and even made me giggle, all without giving middle book syndrome energy. I had an absolute blast reading this, with the story being elevated further by Steven Pacey’s outstanding narration. Knowing Wall’s influences, you can spot them on the page, yet he crafts a tale that’s uniquely his own, with gritty stakes, deep mysteries and a world that feels even more alive.
I’m grateful I did a re-read of The Way of Renegades before I jumped into The Sound of Change, mainly because this had no “story so far” recap. The re-read gave me an opportunity to experience the story again, it also gave me a chance to hear it from Pacey himself, and ensured I was able to dive in without missing a beat. As I mentioned, this story made me giggle, and it happened many times, but there was one moment with Dellioph that got me good (that’s all I’ll say to avoid spoilers). One thing I didn’t catch until late, and I might be reaching, is how some of the gods and places names had an indigenous feel to them, adding an extra layer of depth. The clash of the industrial frontier and the cultural traditions of the Teo tribes create a fascinating tension. The magic system is something I love, I love that it has consequences, which grounds it in a bit of realism.
I love the multiple POVs, giving views of battles from different fronts, the inner dialogue as well as character interactions. Ulric has become my clear favorite of the bunch, while each character brings a little something of their own, he’s the glue that holds it all together, with his leadership that shines through tense moments. Learning of Dellioph’s backstory, which opens the gate to more things to come in book 3. Gali’s grief, Aari’s spiritual connection and Devo’s relentless pursuit of Malvaiur, while Lyrrun deals with the political intrigue and espionage that balances out and deepens the story.
“You can only choose what you do with what you have, and it is those choices which define us most.”
The action ramps up beautifully on their journey to face Malvaiur, with multi-front battles with dragons, a head to head clash with Malvaiur, epic sorcery clashes with Dellioph and other users while also having Lyrrun in the thick of it as well. Wall did a great job of spacing them perfectly, building from tense pursuits to all-out epics without overwhelming the character focus. But the emotional toll was something I wasn’t expecting, it tugs harder than the first book, Wall digs deep, exploring themes of exile, family, and change through important moments that truly made me pause and reflect, like rituals honoring the fallen, which was incredibly beautiful, or quiet conversations revealing hidden pains. The flintlock elements blend even better with magic here, evolving the world from the frontier boom in book one to a continent on the brink, full of gods, dragons and escalating threats.
With that said, I do feel like there was a missed opportunity to see a point of view from Malvaiur’s perspective, just to delve deeper into his motivations and more on his backstory, to better understand his intentions. Some information is given through Devo, but I like to see both sides to fully understand everyone. Right now, he just comes across as a straightforward villain creating dragons, but his motivations and everything else is left to the imagination. Still though, the payoff in the finale is satisfying, raising the stakes and more questions for what’s next while delivering something closure.
Overall, The Sound of Change builds perfectly on The Way of Renegades, expanding the scope without losing its heart. This a solid 4.75 stars, matching my bump for the first after the audiobook—Pacey’s voices bring the Teo accents, bardic flair, and battle cries to life in a way that immerses you completely. Wall’s growth as a storyteller is evident, and I’m already itching for book three. If you’re into flintlock fantasy with emotional depth and diverse casts, this is a must-read! Grab it and join the renegades!
Wolfmantula.com 