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The Ouroboros Cycle
The Ouroboros Cycle, Book Three: A Long-Awaited Treachery
For a thousand years, the immortal Shashavani have hidden from the world in the halls of their mountain fortress, amassing great stores of knowledge in a haven of academic tranquility. And while Doctor Varanus has never found tranquility much to her taste, even she cannot deny that the peace and quiet make for a pleasant diversion following the chaos of her recent adventures in London. Having left the horrors of bloodshed and wellness behind her, Varanus has thrown herself headlong into the study of the Shashavani condition, determined to learn the secrets of their undying power.But all is not as it seems in the House of Shashava. As winter snow covers the Shashavani valley and chokes the mountain passes, sinister events are unfolding in the shadows. Whispers of conspiracy echo through the halls. Soon loyalties will be tested and friendships betrayed. Blood will flow. For upon the frozen steppe, an ancient evil stirs and turns its gaze toward the House of Shashava, hungering for power and revenge.
As darkness descends, one question
Do you serve the Winter King?
As darkness descends, one question
Do you serve the Winter King?
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2015
6 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
G.D. Falksen
40 books265 followersG. D. Falksen is the author of "The Secret Life of Kitty Granger" (Carolrhoda Lab, 2021), "Maiden of War" (Audible Originals, 2020), "Doctor Cthulittle" (Insight Studios, 2018), "The Transatlantic Conspiracy" (Soho Teen, 2016), and "The Ouroboros Cycle" series (Wildside Press, 2013 to present), and has been a contributor to the award-winning anthologies "Mine!" and "Cthulhu Fhtagn!". He is also Chairman of the Advisory Board of Writers and Artists Across the Country, a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating author visits to underserved schools. Falksen’s "Ouroboros Cycle" series is currently being developed for television.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 29, 2015
Spoiler Free Review of G.D. Falksen’s The Ouroboros Cycle: ‘A Long-Awaited Treachery’! BOOK THREE.
It’s that time of year again!
Time for laughs, sass, and…Christmas.
Chapter 1!
In regards to sunlight…
We get to meet Magnus and a few other Shashavani we have not seen before!
Science friends Ekaterine and Varanus!
Seeing Iosef and Sophio together ♥ (I adore them so much, ahh!)
A sojourn commences! It's going to be lovely. Nothing can go wrong! We meet a new friend!
Science may have gone a little awry.
Chapter 12 is here! Prepare yourselves.
It’s the best time of year! Depending on where you stand...
Okay but seriously, this escalated and now it’s chapters of...
“You have five minutes. You should be running.”
Basilisks. We now know what grenades are! And…
A plague doctor mask, Vaclav, and Thoros...
Meanwhile Luka and Ekaterine are elsewhere...
Chapter 27 is intense as hell. (Like ALL of them so far.) And Varanus is all...
We come to an ancient temple! Neat!
Fast forward in time a few months towards the ending of this journey. It'll be okay, fellow reader. I promise.
You made it to the last Chapter and survived the novel! I’m going to definitely say that...
In all seriousness though, to Mr. G.D. Falksen:
Go pick this up FOR SURE! Well, WELL worth it and I will personally say that this one is my favourite so far in the series. It’s intense and fabulous in every single regard. When you're reading it and when you're finished you'll probably feel like this for about a week:
---------------------------
If you have NOT read the first two novels in the series, you can pick them up right here!
(These links are for the Kindle/eBook versions, though you can easily purchase a hard copy as well from the same pages.)
+The Ouroboros Cycle Book I: A Monster’s Coming of Age Story+
The Ouroboros Cycle: A Monster's Coming of Age Story
+The Ouroboros Cycle Book II: A Cautionary Tale for Young Vampires+
The Ouroboros Cycle: A Cautionary Tale for Young Vampires
It’s that time of year again!
Time for laughs, sass, and…Christmas.
Chapter 1!
In regards to sunlight…
We get to meet Magnus and a few other Shashavani we have not seen before!
Science friends Ekaterine and Varanus!
Seeing Iosef and Sophio together ♥ (I adore them so much, ahh!)
A sojourn commences! It's going to be lovely. Nothing can go wrong! We meet a new friend!
Science may have gone a little awry.
Chapter 12 is here! Prepare yourselves.
It’s the best time of year! Depending on where you stand...
Okay but seriously, this escalated and now it’s chapters of...
“You have five minutes. You should be running.”
Basilisks. We now know what grenades are! And…
A plague doctor mask, Vaclav, and Thoros...
Meanwhile Luka and Ekaterine are elsewhere...
Chapter 27 is intense as hell. (Like ALL of them so far.) And Varanus is all...
We come to an ancient temple! Neat!
Fast forward in time a few months towards the ending of this journey. It'll be okay, fellow reader. I promise.
You made it to the last Chapter and survived the novel! I’m going to definitely say that...
In all seriousness though, to Mr. G.D. Falksen:
Go pick this up FOR SURE! Well, WELL worth it and I will personally say that this one is my favourite so far in the series. It’s intense and fabulous in every single regard. When you're reading it and when you're finished you'll probably feel like this for about a week:
---------------------------
If you have NOT read the first two novels in the series, you can pick them up right here!
(These links are for the Kindle/eBook versions, though you can easily purchase a hard copy as well from the same pages.)
+The Ouroboros Cycle Book I: A Monster’s Coming of Age Story+
The Ouroboros Cycle: A Monster's Coming of Age Story
+The Ouroboros Cycle Book II: A Cautionary Tale for Young Vampires+
The Ouroboros Cycle: A Cautionary Tale for Young Vampires
June 22, 2025
I expected this book to be the like the first two books but this book doesn't feel connected with them. The beasts in those storylines are gone and the focus has shifted to the Shashavani. Things mentioned in book one about some of these characters have been changed or ignored to be fit with the new storyline. I find it strange that he author creates a separate storyline to remove two characters and ignores it for the majority of the book. This storyline is never completed it's just used to push the main story then just forgotten.
I am curious if the next two books will continue with this storyline or connect with the first two.
I am curious if the next two books will continue with this storyline or connect with the first two.
December 7, 2017
I haven't finished the book but I'm in a mood to vent.
THIS IS NOT GOOD WRITING!
THIS IS NOT GOOD WRITING!
August 24, 2015
Oh. My. God. I have always loved this series. Always. But this book blew my mind. Seriously. I'm still in shock. I was biting my nails, dropping my jaw, and begging for more. The entire series was a thrill ride from start to finish. I'm confident in my skills to write an action scene, but reading this book makes me think I need to up my game. An epic tale of adventure, conspiracy, mythology, action, loyalty, and love. A book I couldn't put down. I need more of this series. More. Now. Seriously, I'm not saying anything because you NEED to read this book. Do it now, while my heart rate settles down. Seriously. WOW.
April 6, 2015
I guess this is my least favorite of the three books...and sadly so, as I was so excited to read it.
The first book laid the foundation for so many exciting stories, but somehow, we just never get to them. What happened when Konstantine found the wolf worshippers? What is the history of their interaction with the Shashavani? Instead, we're getting property disputes and power struggles.
I absolutely fell in love with the first book. It caught me up, in a witty, terrifying, beautiful spell that just won't let go. That's what I wanted from these last 2 books, but I just haven't gotten it. I want the meat of these books to be ancient mysteries and wolf cults and black goat worshippers. Sadly, in the 2nd and 3rd books, these things have been sprinkled so sparingly, that one could easily miss them altogether, should your pages stick together in a spot or 2.
Throughout this book, I just kept waiting for the coup d'état storyline to be over, so we could get to the exciting part. I wanted to know what was in Arslan's tomb, and hoped that it was Konstantine, maybe locked there against his will?
But the infighting just dragged on, really not advancing the series at all, and all the best bits were hoarded like the gold of a dragon with OCD...right up until the very, very end. I like a more gradual reveal, spaced throughout the book, rather than, wading through chapter after chapter of careful ambiguity, only to be bombarded with the answers to 20 mysteries, on the last page. Sure, that's a slight exaggeration...but really not much.
And the final fight scene was lackluster. Sure, it was nice to finally find out who the Winter King was, though there was pretty heavy foreshadowing from the first few chapters on, but it just wasn't as exciting as I wanted it to be. Somehow, I never developed enough attachment to Sophio to care if she lived or died, so the suspense just wasn't there. I just wanted it to be over.
And, is there a reason that Olga wouldn't reveal her true identity to Sophio?? I mean, a valid reason, other than just to make it suspenseful, so you're wondering the whole time whether or not she's Edith the Saxon? Not that her being Edith made much sense, as Edith would never have approached them so directly. But Olga has no problem telling her identity to Iosef, after Sophio's death... So why would she conceal it from Sophio? I can't make sense of it.
I'd start on Korbinian now, but if I started down that path, I might never stop. I mean, what is his purpose? Is he real? In her head? In the first book, I thought he was a means to an end for some plot fulfillment... But now he just seems really unnecessary and tiresome. Oh crap, I did start on it, didn't I?
Ahem. Anyway, I just really loved the first book, and enjoyed the second. I was hoping to become just as enamored with this one.
There's just so much promise for these stories. The author created such a mysterious, dark, and beautiful world in the first book. Such a magical place, with characters you can't help but love (or hate), with promises of ancient mysteries and eldritch secrets. This book was a quick, fun read, but I wanted the magic and mystery of the first. I have every confidence the next book will more than make up for any minor disappointment I felt at the end of this one.
The first book laid the foundation for so many exciting stories, but somehow, we just never get to them. What happened when Konstantine found the wolf worshippers? What is the history of their interaction with the Shashavani? Instead, we're getting property disputes and power struggles.
I absolutely fell in love with the first book. It caught me up, in a witty, terrifying, beautiful spell that just won't let go. That's what I wanted from these last 2 books, but I just haven't gotten it. I want the meat of these books to be ancient mysteries and wolf cults and black goat worshippers. Sadly, in the 2nd and 3rd books, these things have been sprinkled so sparingly, that one could easily miss them altogether, should your pages stick together in a spot or 2.
Throughout this book, I just kept waiting for the coup d'état storyline to be over, so we could get to the exciting part. I wanted to know what was in Arslan's tomb, and hoped that it was Konstantine, maybe locked there against his will?
But the infighting just dragged on, really not advancing the series at all, and all the best bits were hoarded like the gold of a dragon with OCD...right up until the very, very end. I like a more gradual reveal, spaced throughout the book, rather than, wading through chapter after chapter of careful ambiguity, only to be bombarded with the answers to 20 mysteries, on the last page. Sure, that's a slight exaggeration...but really not much.
And the final fight scene was lackluster. Sure, it was nice to finally find out who the Winter King was, though there was pretty heavy foreshadowing from the first few chapters on, but it just wasn't as exciting as I wanted it to be. Somehow, I never developed enough attachment to Sophio to care if she lived or died, so the suspense just wasn't there. I just wanted it to be over.
And, is there a reason that Olga wouldn't reveal her true identity to Sophio?? I mean, a valid reason, other than just to make it suspenseful, so you're wondering the whole time whether or not she's Edith the Saxon? Not that her being Edith made much sense, as Edith would never have approached them so directly. But Olga has no problem telling her identity to Iosef, after Sophio's death... So why would she conceal it from Sophio? I can't make sense of it.
I'd start on Korbinian now, but if I started down that path, I might never stop. I mean, what is his purpose? Is he real? In her head? In the first book, I thought he was a means to an end for some plot fulfillment... But now he just seems really unnecessary and tiresome. Oh crap, I did start on it, didn't I?
Ahem. Anyway, I just really loved the first book, and enjoyed the second. I was hoping to become just as enamored with this one.
There's just so much promise for these stories. The author created such a mysterious, dark, and beautiful world in the first book. Such a magical place, with characters you can't help but love (or hate), with promises of ancient mysteries and eldritch secrets. This book was a quick, fun read, but I wanted the magic and mystery of the first. I have every confidence the next book will more than make up for any minor disappointment I felt at the end of this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2015
So I found this book last night online before its release date next week. I sat for a good 10 minutes debating if I should get done with my current book I am half way though and then get his one or get this one now to read maybe one chapter just to get a good idea about what would be in store for me when I get to it next. Well I got it and only meant to read one chapter. I have a strict policy of only reading one book at a time.... Well one chapter became "I can just read the next chapter, it's ok." And now here I am a good clip of hours later having accidentally read the whole book in one sitting. The sun is up, it was not up when I started this book. This book is different from the first two but in all the best possible ways. It's fast paced, has turns I did not see coming and I love the characters even more than I did in the first two. I am not going to spoil this book for you. What I am going to say is if you loved the first two in this series, you will love this one. I am now eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. I guess we are lucky they are coming out every year but it's still a year wait to find out what will happen next.
November 2, 2015
G.D. Falksen has ripped the carpet out from under me again! What is it about Winter? The darkness of our souls or the longer darkness of the day? I will NEVER serve the Winter King! The Shashavani are now battled on their doorstep by the very evil that they seek to destroy. I CANNOT wait for book four! THIS IS A MUST READ!
September 21, 2018
An unusual take on vampires. This is the third in the series (duh), and I've actually started to lose track of where it all started.
This one focuses on what's apparently the Shashavani stronghold and deals with corruption and betrayal among the leadership. It left me trying to remember why I'm even reading this series.
This one focuses on what's apparently the Shashavani stronghold and deals with corruption and betrayal among the leadership. It left me trying to remember why I'm even reading this series.
January 1, 2017
This instalment really started to delve into what I assume will be the large overarching plot of the series, and while I did at times miss Dr Varanus's adventures in the outside world, I loved learning more about the Shashavani. I can't wait to see where the rest of the series goes.
August 12, 2015
I absolutely love this series. Even after the gut punch of that ending. Really looking forward to the next one!
August 10, 2018
!!!
A wild ride from start to finish! I enjoyed this book as much as the previous two. I can't wait to read the next one!
A wild ride from start to finish! I enjoyed this book as much as the previous two. I can't wait to read the next one!
January 20, 2016
Whenever I finally get my hands on another one of the books in this series, the amount of time it takes to finish really depends on the amount of free time I have. I don't tend to do anything else for leisure but read one of Falksen's books when a new one comes out. The take on what many would consider vampires is insanely refreshing. I'm just glad I got this one now with the fourth out in April. Cut it a little close.
January 26, 2016
I didn't get any book for Christmas so I had to get this babe. I liked it. I want to say I loved it but I can't. Too much killing for my liking. Plus I finally got around to like one character and of course it had to disappear forever :(
So for me it was bit of a disappointment. Hopefully the next book will save it.
So for me it was bit of a disappointment. Hopefully the next book will save it.
May 8, 2016
Each book in this series is fantastic in its own way, blending historical fiction and genre-writing styles with paranormal fantasy. Each is unique in its own way, showing off Falksen's talents for genre writing and research, with his own creative paranormal world at the centre.
February 5, 2017
Gah! How I have missed the world of the Shashavani. This was possibly my favourite installment in the Ouroboros Cycle thus far. I shall be anxious to return to this world, as soon as my book-buying-ban has lifted, hehe. :)
April 5, 2015
ALL THE FEELS!
Also, Varanus should find a calendar without Christmas. It's just not going to do good things for her. Ever.
Also, Varanus should find a calendar without Christmas. It's just not going to do good things for her. Ever.
August 10, 2015
Please tell me that wasn't the end of the series. There has to be more. It can't end that way!!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews