I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience. Note: I ended up purchasing a final copy to read in the future.

Rating : 4.5 out of 5
Blurbs :
Sancia, Clef, and Berenice have gone up against long odds in the past. But the war they’re fighting now is one even they can’t win.

This time, they’re not facing robber-baron elites or even an immortal hierophant, but an entity whose intelligence is spread over half the globe—one that uses the magic of scriving to control not just objects but human minds.

To fight it, they’ve used scriving technology to transform themselves and their allies into an army—a society—unlike anything humanity has seen before. With its strength at their backs, they’ve freed a handful of their enemy’s hosts from servitude, and even defeated some of its fearsome, reality-altering dreadnoughts.

Yet despite their efforts, their enemy marches on. Implacable. Unstoppable.

Now, as their opponent closes in on its true prize—an ancient doorway, long buried, that leads to the chambers at the center of creation itself—Sancia and her friends glimpse a last opportunity to stop this unbeatable foe. To do so, they’ll have to unlock the centuries-old mystery of scriving’s origins, embark on a desperate mission into the heart of their enemy’s power, and pull off the most daring heist they’ve ever attempted.

But their adversary might have a spy in their ranks—and a last trick up its sleeve.

And to have a chance at victory, Sancia, Clef, and Berenice will have to make a sacrifice beyond anything that’s come before.
Thoughts :
That's the end. It's very hard to believe that my journey with this series is ending now. I love the characters and will never stop cheering on them. It's such a lovely adventure with them!
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Read for the Hugo Best Series Award 2023 and a well deserved nomination. After finishing the second book of the series I started this one immediately. Despite a long time gap for the characters the action starts immediately and the tension holds tight the whole story, while also raising hard questions about how to fix the world and what that would mean, who should have that power. A nerve-wracking but well deserved and satisfying ending to this trilogy.

It took me a while to get around to finishing this trilogy. I am not as fond of the combination of magic and technology as I am of other forms of fantasy, and this whole series is about manipulating words and rules to make them mean what you want them to mean technologically. It's beyond me at this point exactly what's happening with the magic.

Sancia is also getting old faster than those around her because the scrivings upon her exact her life as a price. I worried about her. Berenice takes her place as the daredevil infiltrator and fighter for a lot of the book and while I like Berenice, she didn't seem to have much character in this book. Most other characters are gone, except for Clef.

Things have gotten almost as bad as they could possibly get. Sancia, Berenice and Clef are fighting a guerilla war against a totalitarian magic entity that subsumes all the people in conquers into puppets serving a hivemind. Interestingly, our heroes have also learned how to create a sort of hivemind of their own, but one that works quite differently and one that proves to be the difference in the end.

Bennett knows how to write an action scene, no doubt. You don't know what deadlamps are at the beginning of the book but you are horrified by what they might do before you ever see one. There are ridiculously giant mecha, scriving shenanigans, a heist that goes awry, and a climax where everything is on the line.

In the end, though, it's about family. It's about Clef's past and the things he did that have come back to haunt him. It all comes down to human decisions in the end, no matter how grandiose the set pieces are.

And in this, I couldn't get hooked into the story quite enough. I cared about Sancia more than new characters that were Clef's motivation. Between that and a magic system that has gone from being occasionally amusing to truly horrifying, the book is not one of my favorites by this author.

It does have a theme of loss and it was written during COVID times. I have to give credit to the author for writing such a book at such a time.

Have you ever been halfway through a book and realized it was part of a series and you started in the middle or at the end of the series? That is exactly what happened to me with this book. I had no idea until the end that this book was part of a trilogy and was the last book. I want to give this preface to ensure the correct context is held for the review I will give. I loved this book, the world is facinating and rich. The characters are detailed and deep. The plot has many dimensions and almost feels liked it had a life of its own. As I reflect on the book now I can say there were a few areas that I just had to take on trust that weren't explained (but I am sure were explained in previous books) like Clef and his status as a key; but even as I look back on them I must acknowledge that it was easy to give that trust. The author almost right off the bat succeeded in creating a relationship with the reader, building trust and taking us on a wonderful journey. I would happily read the other books in this trilogy and other books by this author.

This is my bad but I didn't know this was a book in a series let alone the third book in said series and I don't have time to read the two before this one comes out. I do apologize.

Another fabulous book by Robert Jackson Bennett. The world-building is so seamless you don't even notice it. Granted this is the third in a series so much has already been established, but there are layers to the story revealed in this one again done with a deft hand.

I thought I'd miss that Sancia was not the primary main character, but found I didn't because the story focused so much on Clef.

Another very satisfying series!

Unexpected takeaway: Wow, there are a lot of bones for this series that really remind me of Fullmetal Alchemist.

(Definitely different stories, but I'd be 0% surprised to find out it was an inspiration.)
----------------------------------------------------
4.5/5, I think?

I know that I liked this better than the second installment for sure, and there are a lot of big and unique ideas that really struck a chord with me... but there are also a lot of moments that dragged on and lingered for far too long.

This book, understandably, also has the least humor and banter. Which I get and all, but I still missed it.

This book takes place 8 years after Shorefall. Because of the time jump, the narrative gap between this book and the previous one is huge. It felt disjointed from the previous book.

As a standalone, this book would have been really fun and interesting; but when taken as part of a series, the tone had completely changed.

Because of the huge shift in time, the world we entered at the beginning of this book was so drastically different from the previous two books that Locklands would have been completely unrecognizable from the series if it wasn't for the main character's reappearance.

I thought this was another interesting and fun filled story, but the setting shift threw me off and made this less likeable from the first two books in the series.

Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett is an epic conclusion to the captivating Founders trilogy, taking readers on a thrilling journey filled with high-stakes heists, intricate magic, and profound character development. In this final installment, Sancia, Clef, and Berenice find themselves facing an unimaginable adversary—an entity with vast intelligence, controlling not just objects but human minds through the potent magic of scriving.

Bennett masterfully weaves a complex and enthralling plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout. The stakes have never been higher as the trio, along with their transformed allies, stand against an implacable and seemingly unstoppable foe. The enemy's relentless pursuit of an ancient and powerful doorway threatens the very fabric of creation, and it's up to Sancia and her friends to prevent catastrophe.

The author's world-building continues to shine, with the intricacies of scriving and the society built around it taking center stage. The imaginative magic system, deeply rooted in the world's history, adds layers of depth to the narrative and raises questions about the consequences of wielding such immense power. As the characters delve into the origins of scriving, readers are taken on a journey of discovery, exploring the darker aspects of ambition and the desire for control.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in the character development. Sancia, Clef, and Berenice have come a long way since the first book, and their growth is both realistic and emotionally resonant. Each character faces personal demons and difficult decisions, and the sacrifices they make for the greater good are heart-wrenching and inspiring.

The heist elements in Locklands are skillfully executed, showcasing the characters' intelligence, courage, and teamwork. Readers will find themselves cheering for the protagonists as they confront challenges that seem insurmountable. Bennett expertly balances action, intrigue, and heartfelt moments, creating a narrative that's as emotionally engaging as it is thrilling.

Throughout the book, the sense of impending doom and the fear of an infiltrator within their ranks intensify the tension. The uncertainty of who to trust and the constant threat of betrayal amplify the already gripping narrative, making for a truly immersive reading experience.

Locklands is a triumphant conclusion to an outstanding trilogy, leaving readers satisfied yet craving for more. Robert Jackson Bennett's skillful storytelling, intricate world-building, and well-crafted characters combine to deliver a truly memorable experience. It is a tale of sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring power of friendship—a must-read for fans of fantasy and heist genres alike.

I do not like the huge jump in time. I wanted the book to pick up where the last one left off. Also the fact that a few of my favorite characters are no more really made me sad. Was an ok book but not necessary for the end of the series. Also the Key character was not as funny in this one.

This is the third installment of the Founders trilogy. (By the way, we find out who the Founders are in the epilogue.) The first book, Foundryside, felt like a heist, a very cool one, with large stakes, a great thief, very interesting magic, and a fun crew. The second was a bit disappointing as the stakes grew but there was not much hope. The final book feels like a war book throughout. There is strategy and tactics and huge battles and heroes that save the day quietly elsewhere. But there is also a new nation, Giva, and a new way of being, twinned with everybody else, reading their mind and opening your own mind to them, as it were. Issues are addressed, like loss of individuality, too much noise in the mind, the creation of multi person entities, deep sharing within a couple, and the loss that comes with any severance of this kind of connection. In addition to the scriving based magic introduced in the first book, this makes for amazing world building. The characters of Sancia and Berenice are put through the wringer and forced to be so much more. And finally, the history of Clef, Crasedes and their crazy family is revealed. Altogether a wild ride of a novel and one I have enjoyed immensely.

I had a hard time with this one. The story felt disconnected from the first two. I could still connect to the characters and the action was on point but the plot drug and was rather jumpy

4.5⭐️

What an amazing conclusion to an amazing trilogy! The world building is some of the best I’ve found, with super unique magic and tons of relevant technological advancement themes centered around evolving civilization. I loved getting to dive back into this world, but finishing this book was bittersweet.

This book read a little differently than the first two, partly because it takes place eight years after the events of the second. I loved that we saw Crasedes, who is very much a morally gray character, team up with our favorite duo to save the world. I also loved getting more back story with both Clef and Crasedes, as well as the history.

The ending was realistic, but a little unique, almost a bit sad, even though it’s still technically a HEA.

Overall, this was my least favorite in the trilogy, but as a whole it’s an AMAZING adult fantasy trilogy.

Read if you love:

🗝️Amazing world building (like, the coolest!)
🗝️The coolest magic system I’ve seen (scrived technology)
🗝️A thief who teams up with a nerdy scriver
🗝️Sapphic romance
🗝️Merchant house wars
🗝️Political intrigue
🗝️Tons of action

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

I am a huge fan of The Founders Trilogy. Or at least, I'm a huge fan of Foundryside and Shorefall, the first two books in the trilogy. I felt that this third book was a departure from these predecessors, which were essentially heist stories. While this book began with action and pretty much never let up, it did not hold my interest. I felt like the narrative bogged down in technical aspects of the world-building. I remain a fan of Robert Jackson Bennett and look forward to whatever he has in store for us next. 

[Thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]

Another series down with an ending I enjoyed. "Locklands" caps off The Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett with a answers to some questions and an insane escalation in scope.

We jump a bit into the future after Shorefall Night and Sancia, Clef, and Bernice are leading a conflict against these insane powers. Utilizing the mind twinning from the last book they are able to rapidly coordinate and are using that as the keystone of their resistance. When an operation yields intelligence on the enemy moving on something that could reset reality they have to make a crazy gamble and go deep behind enemy lines. Learning more truths as Clef remembers, for good or I'll.

Narrated by Tara Sands, closed it out with a bang and hit those emotional moments perfectly.

Reasons to read:
-The society that is built up using the twinning is so fascinating
-Action hits whole new levels for the series
-ANSWERS
-Threat is so real it's a good motivation to take crazy gambles
-Ends well

Cons:
-Sort of has the same issue that Star Wars has, one family kinda messes up everyone's day

I’m sad that’s it’s over, but has been a wild fun ride!
This starts off 8 years after the end of book 2. Bold choice! Leaves a lot of mystery to finding out Tevanne has turned into a hive mind weapon, but the Foundryside team is also experimenting with hive mind as well to hopefully take town Tevanne. The thing is the magic system in this series gets bigger and bigger with every new book and it can feel a bit overwhelming at times.

Oh man... this was kind of a disappointment. I absolutely LOVED the first two books in this series, so I was super excited for this conclusion. Instead... this had almost none of what made me fall in love with the first two books: a bit of humor, found family trope that doesn't feel forced, and a balanced cast of characters. I know WHY the found family trope that I want can't be a part of this book, but I really felt it's absence. Whereas the last two books felt both plot AND character driven, this felt like 99% plot, which was overwhelming and boring at times.

As someone who rooted for Sancia and Berenice for two books and was so excited to have more interaction with them, this book didn't give me as much romance as I hoped for. However, it did show them as an "old married couple" (in more ways than one), and I did enjoy seeing how comfortable they were with each other.

This is the major spoilery bit, so look away if you don't want that!!

Gregor. Deserved. MORE! The big ending felt so anticlimactic with him coming back. Did no one care? He'd been trapped in his own body for 8 years and it feels like that was just swept under the rug.

AND THE EPILOGUE?? WHAT WAS THAT?? You mean to tell me in that time that no one found out a way to bring Berenice back to the hive mind so she just had to be an outcast? I get what RJB was going for but it just made me mad, to be honest.

Still not the worst ending I've ever seen/read, but definitely wish it had been different.

Great ending to the trilogy! Since this is the last book in a series I don’t want to give too much away. I think we really see character growth throughout the series and I like the balance of an interesting plot with lots of politics and world building with learning about the characters.