BOOK REVIEW | GOD ASCENDED | JEFFREY SPEIGHT

 

Today’s review is the final part of Jeffrey Speight’s trilogy about the half - orc Umrha, whose story began with the book Paladin Unbound and continued in Mystic REborn.

I have really enjoyed following Umrha’s journey from his beginnings to where he ends up in this final book, so read on and see what the ol’ nerd thought of the book.

Even gods can die.

God Ascended is the stunning and powerful conclusion to Jeffrey Speight's acclaimed Archives of Evelium trilogy.

Umhra the Peacebreaker has ascended to the heavens of Kalmindon. He follows the wake of destruction Spara leaves as she pursues the annihilation of Vaila's pantheon in her bid to become the One God. To thwart Spara’s ambitions, Umhra must travel the planes of existence to consolidate untold celestial powers.

In Evelium, there are whispered hopes of the Peacebreaker’s inevitable return as future queen Turin Forene struggles to lead the remnants of mankind against the Grey Queen, whose army of blights has wreaked havoc across the continent for the last two decades. Turin hatches a daring plan to bring her enemies to their knees with the support of the Barrow’s Pact. But they face impossible odds.

With nothing left to lose, an epic final battle rages, with the futures of both Kalmindon and Evelium at stake.

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

God Ascended is the third and final part of the Archives of Elevium trilogy that was begun in Paladin Unbound.

When we originally met our hero in the first book, he was a half orc trying to find his path in life, to becoming a mystic, and finally to where we find him in this book.

After the events of the last book, we find Umhra in the home of the gods attempting to stop the mystic Spara who is trying to slay the gods with her new weapon, the Godkiller.

Meanwhile, back in Elevium, Turin is gathering the rag tag band of humans that are left as the Grey Queen and the Blights have taken control of the land.

Set twenty years after the events of Mystic Ascended, we are thrown back into the world, and my goodness how things have changed. 

In God Ascended, we follow the tales of both Umhra and Turin as they each undertake their own respective battles to defeat enemies that will change, the course of history on both Heaven and earth. 

I have loved this series on the whole and have been excited to read this conclusion to the series and goodness me. I was not disappointed as Jeff Speight concludes the series really well. 

As usual, Jeff Speight keeps the action and suspense going throughout the book and manages to satisfyingly close the series. 

It has been a joy to follow Umhra’s journey from being basically a half orc with no path, to where he is now. The book is full of action scenes that keep you gripped, and as the story progresses, Jeff Speight keeps you engaged till the very end. One of the things that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading is the fact that there is a wealth of diverse races throughout this story and the tale doesn’t rely solely on human protagonists.

Ultimately, God Ascending is a fantastic ending to a series that has been enjoyable from the very start.