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The Riven Gates #3
Transcendence and Rebellion
The world is on the cusp of destruction as Mordecai’s power grows beyond the limits of his own control, yet most of the powers that rule the world are oblivious. The only hope of salvaging their civilization lies with his children, but they have been scattered and branded outlaws. Meanwhile Tyrion continues to march toward his own goals, heedless of whether they will help or harm their efforts to stop the apocalypse, as even the Queen begins to doubt the archmage’s sanity.
Mordecai is trapped by his own strength, a power too great to wield. Can his children stop the end of everything, even if it means sacrificing their father?
Mordecai is trapped by his own strength, a power too great to wield. Can his children stop the end of everything, even if it means sacrificing their father?
536 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2019
362 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Michael G. Manning
30 books2,066 followersMichael Manning was born in Cleveland, Texas and spent his formative years there, reading fantasy and science fiction, concocting home grown experiments in his backyard, and generally avoiding schoolwork.
Eventually he went to college, starting at Sam Houston State University, where his love of beer blossomed and his obsession with playing role-playing games led him to what he calls 'his best year ever' and what most of his family calls 'the lost year'.
Several years and a few crappy jobs later, he decided to pursue college again and was somehow accepted into the University of Houston Honors program (we won't get into the particulars of that miracle). This led to a degree in pharmacy and it followed from there that he wound up with a license to practice said profession.
Unfortunately, Michael was not a very good pharmacist. Being relatively lawless and free spirited were not particularly good traits to possess in a career focused on perfection, patient safety, and the letter-of-the-law. Nevertheless, he persisted and after a stint as a hospital pharmacy manager wound up as a pharmacist working in correctional managed care for the State of Texas.
He gave drugs to prisoners.
After a year or two at UTMB he became bored and taught himself entirely too much about networking, programming, and database design and administration. At first his supervisors warned him (repeatedly) to do his assigned tasks and stop designing programs to help his coworkers do theirs, but eventually they gave up and just let him do whatever he liked since it seemed to be generally working out well for them.
Ten or eleven years later and he got bored with that too. So he wrote a book. We won't talk about where he was when he wrote 'The Blacksmith's Son', but let's just assume he was probably supposed to be doing something else at the time.
Some people liked the book and told other people. Now they won't leave him alone.
After another year or two, he decided to just give up and stop pretending to be a pharmacist/programmer, much to the chagrin of his mother (who had only ever wanted him to grow up to be a doctor and had finally become content with the fact that he had settled on pharmacy instead).
Michael's wife supported his decision, even as she stubbornly refused to believe he would make any money at it. It turned out later that she was just telling him this because she knew that nothing made Michael more contrary than his never ending desire to prove her wrong. Once he was able to prove said fact she promptly admitted her tricky ruse and he has since given up on trying to win.
Today he lives at home with his stubborn wife, teenage twins, a giant moose-poodle, two yorkies, a green-cheeked conure, a massive prehistoric tortoise, and a head full of imaginary people. There are also some fish, but he refuses to talk about them.
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Eventually he went to college, starting at Sam Houston State University, where his love of beer blossomed and his obsession with playing role-playing games led him to what he calls 'his best year ever' and what most of his family calls 'the lost year'.
Several years and a few crappy jobs later, he decided to pursue college again and was somehow accepted into the University of Houston Honors program (we won't get into the particulars of that miracle). This led to a degree in pharmacy and it followed from there that he wound up with a license to practice said profession.
Unfortunately, Michael was not a very good pharmacist. Being relatively lawless and free spirited were not particularly good traits to possess in a career focused on perfection, patient safety, and the letter-of-the-law. Nevertheless, he persisted and after a stint as a hospital pharmacy manager wound up as a pharmacist working in correctional managed care for the State of Texas.
He gave drugs to prisoners.
After a year or two at UTMB he became bored and taught himself entirely too much about networking, programming, and database design and administration. At first his supervisors warned him (repeatedly) to do his assigned tasks and stop designing programs to help his coworkers do theirs, but eventually they gave up and just let him do whatever he liked since it seemed to be generally working out well for them.
Ten or eleven years later and he got bored with that too. So he wrote a book. We won't talk about where he was when he wrote 'The Blacksmith's Son', but let's just assume he was probably supposed to be doing something else at the time.
Some people liked the book and told other people. Now they won't leave him alone.
After another year or two, he decided to just give up and stop pretending to be a pharmacist/programmer, much to the chagrin of his mother (who had only ever wanted him to grow up to be a doctor and had finally become content with the fact that he had settled on pharmacy instead).
Michael's wife supported his decision, even as she stubbornly refused to believe he would make any money at it. It turned out later that she was just telling him this because she knew that nothing made Michael more contrary than his never ending desire to prove her wrong. Once he was able to prove said fact she promptly admitted her tricky ruse and he has since given up on trying to win.
Today he lives at home with his stubborn wife, teenage twins, a giant moose-poodle, two yorkies, a green-cheeked conure, a massive prehistoric tortoise, and a head full of imaginary people. There are also some fish, but he refuses to talk about them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 2, 2020
I rarely feel moved to write a review for a book, despite the fact that I have read so many fantasy series that I find myself picking through Amazon and Audible for a hint of a good series. Boy did I hit a home run with Michael G Manning and his Illeniel world. By the end of my journey with Mordecai, Penny, and his family and friends, Tyrion too, I felt as if I fit right in their little circle and loved each and every character, even if I was supposed to hate them. Every known emotion came front and center with this book, everything from elation to despair, I felt everything the characters did and then some.
To be honest, at times while reading this book I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room, but I couldn't stop reading long enough to do so and by the end of the story, I was ugly crying with a big stupid grin on my face. I can't say enough good things about this series. The ending was just as brilliant as the beginning. Kudos to you, Mr. Manning, can't wait to see what else you have in store for us Illeniel lovers.
To be honest, at times while reading this book I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room, but I couldn't stop reading long enough to do so and by the end of the story, I was ugly crying with a big stupid grin on my face. I can't say enough good things about this series. The ending was just as brilliant as the beginning. Kudos to you, Mr. Manning, can't wait to see what else you have in store for us Illeniel lovers.
June 10, 2019
Bittersweet
This series has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I am happy to see it come to an end and sad to say goodbye to the characters that I have gotten to know over the years.
After reading through the first time I could not help but lose sleep to keep the pages turning. It is as intense as I could have hoped for.
Like any great story I was shocked, excited, happy, sad, and some times disappointed with how something turned out. Frequently those emotions would hit at the same time.
I highly recommend this book and the series as a whole.
It was well worth the wait.
Thank you Michael G Manning!
This series has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I am happy to see it come to an end and sad to say goodbye to the characters that I have gotten to know over the years.
After reading through the first time I could not help but lose sleep to keep the pages turning. It is as intense as I could have hoped for.
Like any great story I was shocked, excited, happy, sad, and some times disappointed with how something turned out. Frequently those emotions would hit at the same time.
I highly recommend this book and the series as a whole.
It was well worth the wait.
Thank you Michael G Manning!
November 1, 2024
This book was just one Deus ex machina after another. I had a hard time caring about anything in this book. It's maybe the first Manning book I've read that didn't give me that impulsive page turning obsession. I had to force myself to continue this one.
The early plot was just tedious, artificial and recycled from an earlier book. The main plotlines that had run through the series were quickly and robotically resolved one after another and I felt like I was biding time while the author went about closing shop on the series and world. The Epilogue was by far my favorite part of this book but that had a detached feel as well- even while being drenched in melancholy.
The early plot was just tedious, artificial and recycled from an earlier book. The main plotlines that had run through the series were quickly and robotically resolved one after another and I felt like I was biding time while the author went about closing shop on the series and world. The Epilogue was by far my favorite part of this book but that had a detached feel as well- even while being drenched in melancholy.
June 19, 2019
What a journey!
From the start of Mort and his... well, life! I never imagined staying entertained and engaged in a series that changed, went back before the beginning, moved through dimensions, and landed right back where it was supposed to. Thank you for the wonderful journey, though it was still hard to forgive you about Penny's fate...
From the start of Mort and his... well, life! I never imagined staying entertained and engaged in a series that changed, went back before the beginning, moved through dimensions, and landed right back where it was supposed to. Thank you for the wonderful journey, though it was still hard to forgive you about Penny's fate...
June 17, 2019
Loved it !
A great ending for the series. So sad to see it end. Love all the characters and all the subseries. Its been a great journey.
A great ending for the series. So sad to see it end. Love all the characters and all the subseries. Its been a great journey.
June 21, 2021
Not my favorite book of the series, since the scope became so large it lost some meaning for me. On the other hand, it was impressive how well Manning separated the large cast of characters. They each had distinct personalities and unique voices. This held true even as they were forced, via hardship, to mature and grow.
While I'm on character creation... I really hated Tyrion! Well done.
This felt like the end of the road for this fictional universe. Since I started in the middle, I'll be looping to the beginning, after waiting a while. I want to forget a few spoilers before I go back.
While I'm on character creation... I really hated Tyrion! Well done.
This felt like the end of the road for this fictional universe. Since I started in the middle, I'll be looping to the beginning, after waiting a while. I want to forget a few spoilers before I go back.
June 9, 2019
This book was a good ending to a good series. The only problem I had was my favorite characters' endings fell flat for me. I will definitely be reading anything else this author puts out for as long as he keeps writing.
June 11, 2019
One of the best series I have read.
The title explains it all. The ending is one of the most memorable I have ever read.
I have repeatedly recommended this series to my family and friends.
The title explains it all. The ending is one of the most memorable I have ever read.
I have repeatedly recommended this series to my family and friends.
June 21, 2019
This is how you end series!!!
This is how to wrap up an epic series. It left me satisfied with the stories of all the characters, and sad that it's over.
This is how to wrap up an epic series. It left me satisfied with the stories of all the characters, and sad that it's over.
June 19, 2019
Perfect ending!
This was a long, but very entertaining series. If you didn't start with the first book "The Blacksmith's Son" then you lose the story. Love the characters. Highly recommend to others!
This was a long, but very entertaining series. If you didn't start with the first book "The Blacksmith's Son" then you lose the story. Love the characters. Highly recommend to others!
June 19, 2019
Holy hell
Now that is an ending! The series as a whole for more out there but I feel it has been resolved well if not perfectly
Now that is an ending! The series as a whole for more out there but I feel it has been resolved well if not perfectly
June 17, 2019
The best finale
This book brought more than I thought, or even knew I had invested into the characters. It brought tears, and happiness. Congrats on writing such a fantastic series. I have enjoyed every book.
This book brought more than I thought, or even knew I had invested into the characters. It brought tears, and happiness. Congrats on writing such a fantastic series. I have enjoyed every book.
June 16, 2019
Read slowly and enjoy!
A lot of twists and unexpected turns in this finale. Well worth the wait. Matthew's character I was hoping to see develop into a more likeable person eventually, but he is who he is. No other series will ever compare! Thank you Michael G. Manning!!
A lot of twists and unexpected turns in this finale. Well worth the wait. Matthew's character I was hoping to see develop into a more likeable person eventually, but he is who he is. No other series will ever compare! Thank you Michael G. Manning!!
June 17, 2019
Just wow.
Wow, what an amazing and unexpected end to a brilliant saga!! Really worth the read!! Could not recommend a better series!
Wow, what an amazing and unexpected end to a brilliant saga!! Really worth the read!! Could not recommend a better series!
June 16, 2019
Words escape me
My heart is full. Thank you, Mr Manning, for such a wonderful story. The imagination worked overtime and I couldn't be happier!
My heart is full. Thank you, Mr Manning, for such a wonderful story. The imagination worked overtime and I couldn't be happier!
June 21, 2019
Great ending
They say it's hard to end a series but Mr manning nailed it! Can't wait to read what he comes up with next!
They say it's hard to end a series but Mr manning nailed it! Can't wait to read what he comes up with next!
June 14, 2019
Fantastic end to an fantastic series!
An truly worthy ending to this masterpiece! Thank you Michael G. Manning for sharing your story, I loved every microsecond.
P.S
Death to trees!
An truly worthy ending to this masterpiece! Thank you Michael G. Manning for sharing your story, I loved every microsecond.
P.S
Death to trees!
June 14, 2019
Perfect ending to an amazing series
This was a great ending to an amazing series. No spoilers but with epic battles and awesome character details this book had a very satisfying conclusion to Mordecai and his family. 5 stars hands down.
This was a great ending to an amazing series. No spoilers but with epic battles and awesome character details this book had a very satisfying conclusion to Mordecai and his family. 5 stars hands down.
October 16, 2019
I had to take a break from this series for about a year during mageborn: The final redemption, seeing how Mordecai was rejected by his family and friends while falling into his own depression and lack of emotion, in turn, caused me to put the book down, I found myself feeling similar in ways, but about three months ago I picked up the blacksmith's son and started the journey all over again, this time I pushed through and enjoyed the series as much as I did the first time around, Mordecai never had an easy life, but he made the most out of it and kept his humor through it all, which I can relate to. You can appreciate how much Michael's writing improved from blacksmith's son to Transcendence and Rebellion. Michael made a very relatable character and created a magic system with a very logical set of rules in place. Overall this is an amazing story that never lacks for a formidable antagonist and has become one of my favorite series.
October 11, 2022
The 14th and final Mageborn book (I think). Satisfying conclusion to a great series.
May 31, 2020
I've spent the last month re-reading the entire Mageborn series, I didn't get through it the first time as Michael was still writing and I would lose track of the story whilst waiting for the new books, so I decided to wait it out and read the entire series in one stretch.
Thank you Michael for sharing your talent through these books. I feel as though Mordecai, Rose, Penny, Dorian and the kids were my friends too, and I will miss them dearly!
This series is written so brilliantly, each character you come across has been shaped and developed with so many facets. This level of detail is rare especially considering the length and breadth of the series. I've read a lot of fantasy fiction, but this one has come out on top.
I'm still dealing with the emotions of this story ending and feeling quite raw. Retreating into the Illenial world has been the highlight of my day over the last few weeks. Ive experienced every conceivable emotion there is through these books. Michael, Thank You for this. You are in a league of your own!
If I had to pick a fantasy world brought to life, this would be it.
If you're reading this review and haven't read the series as yet, Read it, start at the beginning, stick with it through its twists and turns and trust me you will be writing a similar review at the end.
Thank you Michael for sharing your talent through these books. I feel as though Mordecai, Rose, Penny, Dorian and the kids were my friends too, and I will miss them dearly!
This series is written so brilliantly, each character you come across has been shaped and developed with so many facets. This level of detail is rare especially considering the length and breadth of the series. I've read a lot of fantasy fiction, but this one has come out on top.
I'm still dealing with the emotions of this story ending and feeling quite raw. Retreating into the Illenial world has been the highlight of my day over the last few weeks. Ive experienced every conceivable emotion there is through these books. Michael, Thank You for this. You are in a league of your own!
If I had to pick a fantasy world brought to life, this would be it.
If you're reading this review and haven't read the series as yet, Read it, start at the beginning, stick with it through its twists and turns and trust me you will be writing a similar review at the end.
June 19, 2019
When I read the first book in this epic tale, The Blacksmith's Son, in the first series, The Mageborn, which introduced the central character, Mordecai, the amateurish writing and poor editing put me off. However, I try not to judge a book by those things -- unless they are overwhelmingly irritating. I focus on the storytelling, the characters, the plot, the pacing, conflicts, conclusions, etc. While it is a simplistic story filled with tropes, and it needing improvements in those basic elements of story telling, the overall story held my interest and made me want to read the sequel.
Now, the story of Mordecai ends with Transcendence and Rebellion. The lack of editing was consistent through the books, but the writing style has improved some. Most important, the characters developed, the plots and conflicts built, and Michael G Manning told an excellent story with a beautiful, emotional and satisfying conclusion.
Now, the story of Mordecai ends with Transcendence and Rebellion. The lack of editing was consistent through the books, but the writing style has improved some. Most important, the characters developed, the plots and conflicts built, and Michael G Manning told an excellent story with a beautiful, emotional and satisfying conclusion.
September 22, 2019
A good ending to a series of books which has sprawled through millennia and multiple points of view.
The lack of black and white characters may not be to the taste of fans of the genre.
Similarly, the lack of a standard, "happy" ending may not be to the taste of aforementioned fans of the genre.
Characters in the series make choices and live (or die) based upon these. The way in which we see Mort - as the victim of plots by mortals, immortals and singularities alike - rise above his foes is quite a way to end the account.
Deathless. Suffering survivors guilt. Everything he created subject to dissolution. Reality and the universe crumbled. His path at this point similar to that faced by all of us at end of life: to change our path.
Energy cannot be destroyed.
I see this book as bringing an end to this universe and the stories attached to it. Mort is dreaming a new reality. Best if we hypothesise upon the content of those dreams in our own minds.
The lack of black and white characters may not be to the taste of fans of the genre.
Similarly, the lack of a standard, "happy" ending may not be to the taste of aforementioned fans of the genre.
Characters in the series make choices and live (or die) based upon these. The way in which we see Mort - as the victim of plots by mortals, immortals and singularities alike - rise above his foes is quite a way to end the account.
Deathless. Suffering survivors guilt. Everything he created subject to dissolution. Reality and the universe crumbled. His path at this point similar to that faced by all of us at end of life: to change our path.
Energy cannot be destroyed.
I see this book as bringing an end to this universe and the stories attached to it. Mort is dreaming a new reality. Best if we hypothesise upon the content of those dreams in our own minds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2019
Okay so is it good, yes, is it as good as his other books, yes and no. It is a pretty easy 3.5 to 4 star book. I did have some confusing parts and I did figure out one of the story lines before hand but it was still very good. I just love this world and even tho this author has been getting a little darker in his books you will still need to read this one if you have followed this story/world in over about 10 books now. I will for sure have to read almost anything this author puts out, he is pretty good.
update
I will have to change this book to a full 4 stars just for the great ending. It is one of the better endings to a book/series and the author has done a great good with it, it may not be for everyone but I loved it.
update
I will have to change this book to a full 4 stars just for the great ending. It is one of the better endings to a book/series and the author has done a great good with it, it may not be for everyone but I loved it.
December 18, 2019
Just finished this one as an audiobook, great reader by the way.
I love the way everything seems to be all worked out in these books, every aspect of the way the magic works is meticulously considered, the characters are given such real, everyday thoughts and feelings, it's like they're really thinking and they become so relatable. No one is all good or all bad, they're just people and a product of the world around them.
I've got so many ideas of what might happen in book 3 after finishing this one, I can't wait to find out and see if any of them are right! I've been reading Michaels books since he first started publishing and he's such an engaged author, these books have developed in ways I would never have imagined at the start and I enjoy reading or listening to them.
I love the way everything seems to be all worked out in these books, every aspect of the way the magic works is meticulously considered, the characters are given such real, everyday thoughts and feelings, it's like they're really thinking and they become so relatable. No one is all good or all bad, they're just people and a product of the world around them.
I've got so many ideas of what might happen in book 3 after finishing this one, I can't wait to find out and see if any of them are right! I've been reading Michaels books since he first started publishing and he's such an engaged author, these books have developed in ways I would never have imagined at the start and I enjoy reading or listening to them.
August 27, 2020
I've really enjoyed the adventure, but tbh, I felt that the Trilogy was a bit scatterbrained at times. From dealing with ANSIS and new the TYRION threat to dealing with half a book of Mordecai's imprisonment. I kind of felt that the conflict or end of conflicts were a little lacking and the Gears shifting to Fighting off the Dreamers plan. I felt the deaths of the Tyrions, (Tree, kytec whatever and silver hair), and ANSIS burn/wiped/run away were a little abrupt. I get that everything was a part of the dreamers plan from the beginning but eh..
Overall I enjoyed everything.
Kind of want to know what Gareth, could have put he ended up killy Myra or something.
Or what happened to Gary :P
Overall I enjoyed everything.
Kind of want to know what Gareth, could have put he ended up killy Myra or something.
Or what happened to Gary :P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2019
family fight
when the battle comes down to a full-scale war within the family, it is the friends and the country that suffer. Mort has become a danger to Lothion yet it is his continued love that saves his children from harm. Tyrion has planned the destruction of everything that he has known, but he never counted on the one thing he never had while he was growing up.....
"We're all in there with you."
rereading the series each time has made me aware that I will always be looking for Dorian, Penny, Elise, Matt, Lynn, Elaine, the rest of the 'family' and Mort. there has been a nobility in all of them, even Tyrion, that we could learn from.
when the battle comes down to a full-scale war within the family, it is the friends and the country that suffer. Mort has become a danger to Lothion yet it is his continued love that saves his children from harm. Tyrion has planned the destruction of everything that he has known, but he never counted on the one thing he never had while he was growing up.....
"We're all in there with you."
rereading the series each time has made me aware that I will always be looking for Dorian, Penny, Elise, Matt, Lynn, Elaine, the rest of the 'family' and Mort. there has been a nobility in all of them, even Tyrion, that we could learn from.
June 22, 2019
Okay, so, this is the final story in the Riven Gates trilogy. And the final story for Mordecai. Very, very emotional for me. I cried, sobbed, and had to fall back on the whole text-to-speech on my kindle to get to the end! I couldn't read for the tears filling my eyes. It has the most beautiful ending I could have wished for our heroes, and I was not disappointed. Michael G. Manning never disappoints his readers. Another masterful read. Thank you!
October 27, 2020
So once again you have to wonder if this guy has read his own books or remembers writing them! Overall the stories are very entertaining and make you want to know what happens. But then you come to the plot holes, contradictions, and things that just make ZERO sense that can be very frustrating! The Epilogue was completely stupid and pointless practically ruining the entire series... It was not needed in anyways! Overall being the last book it just felt like it was missing something!
August 16, 2019
A smashing conclusion
I am a little more interested in the audible version of this book of her I could not wait so I started reading and once I’ve started I could not stop now that I am done with the book I’m looking back on the storyline and I could feel you can put another two books with this story. A gr8 read.
I am a little more interested in the audible version of this book of her I could not wait so I started reading and once I’ve started I could not stop now that I am done with the book I’m looking back on the storyline and I could feel you can put another two books with this story. A gr8 read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews