Fantasy Time Travel!? The Licanius Trilogy (Spoiler-free) | 2 To Ramble #33
The Licanius Trilogy is a book series about fate, free will, and time travel. It makes you wonder - if only we could travel back in time so that Austin and Richard never met. Then this podcast wouldn't be a thing, and you'd be saving 25 minutes of your time on this fine day. Oh well. Enjoy.
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First Book of the Licanius Trilogy: amzn.to/3EzJ3rc
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:33 - Author James Islington
3:25 - Summary/Pitch
7:27 - Genre & Similar Books
9:38 - Rating
11:22 - Best & Worst Book
12:58 - Emotional Impact
14:47 - Characters
15:56 - Worldbuilding/Magic System
19:06 - Dialogue/Prose
22:03 - Should you read it?
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The ending of the series is seriously some of the best literature I’ve ever read. Maybe it’s just the payoff, but man. I’ve never cried during a book, but that ending man. Not even regarding a character death, but just the satisfaction of that ending was insane.
As an Aussie its awesome to see KZreadrs around the world reviewing James Islington's books! He is from South Victoria, my home state.
I have re-read this series 5 times and it gets better and better with every re-read. The intricacies in the plotline are woven together so beautifully that when you see the whole picture at the end of the 3rd book, it is just stunning! This is by far my favorite trilogy I've ever read! For my rating, first read I'd say B, second read through A+, third read through SS. It is one if those worlds/stories that sticks with you and you think about for days.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Woah! I (austin) have been lagging and definitely need to get onto reading this
I love this series, might be my favorite reread experience of all time. Once you know what everything means, you can see how well Islington had planned everything from the very start Also, when you reread there is gonna be some scenes that suddenly have way more emotional impact
So, I just want to say, you are some of the first book review creators that I know of that have talked about this trilogy. I stumbled across it about 2 years ago and fell madly in love with it. Admittedly it does have its flaws but I feel the author does an amazing job of setting up plot points and threads that get paid off later in the series. I think it really shines on a second read through when you fully understand exactly what’s going on. Having the context that is given to us in the second and third books makes the first book shine more. Anyways, just wanted to say that I love your content and will be watching as a new loyal fan. Keep up the good work!
I love your style of book review. You guys are actually the first book reviews that I started watching. I need more asap 😂❤
despite its faults, this series is my favorite of all time because of the philosophical thought put into it. obviously, its dissection of fate and different viewpoints given is beautiful, but i also loved the discussions between characters about faith, an absent god, and plenty others i can’t remember at the moment. islington is pretty openly christian but he isn’t using literature to shove it down people’s throats; he instead explores many different perspectives on different topics often related to religion, which i think is exactly how people should approach topics like religion in storytelling
Found you guys on TikTok and i fell in love with how you guys discuss media! So excited to see more from you guys. Ive be4en interested in the series since stumbling upon it at a BN but didnt pull the trigger. Running to pick it up as I type yall sold me.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Awesome! Hope you love it, thanks for checking out our content
Funny enough, I was looking at either this Trilogy or a couple other different series to read next, and this video is what made me pick Licanius Trilogy. Maybe it's just me, but I absolutely love reading an author's first series, even if there are flaws. Watching their writing improve with each entry is very cool. I'm about a quarter of the way through Shadow, and I feel like I'm really gonna enjoy this Trilogy.
@2ToRamble
Ай бұрын
Awesome! And his newest book “The Will of the Many” is also fantastic
Found you guys a while back on TikTok and just recently started watching your podcast and really enjoy all your book reviews. Had The way of kings sitting on my bookshelf for over a year and just started it the other day after watching the video you guys made for it *spoiler free part only of course*. I was really curious if either of you have read the Inheritance cycle series by Christopher Paolini. I’d love to see a pitch and/or discussion about that from you guys sometime in the future.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Our friend loves the inheritance cycle and has been trying to get us to read it. I imagine he will get through to us sometime. Thanks also for coming over from tiktok!
Great video! Have to say I would agree with Richard. The first 2 are good and then last one is amazing.
I'm halfway through book 2
As someone who really enjoys the Licanius trilogy, this review is accurate. The world map is empty, the dialogue is okay, and many characters are forgettable. But the themes of fate and how they tie into the main characters and conflicts are so compelling that none of the other factors matter that much to me. I would sooner compare Licanius to Mistborn Era 1 than Wheel of Time. They are both trilogies, have neutral prose, epic conclusions, similar levels of politics, world maps that don't matter much outside of a few key places, and there's always another secret.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
I (Richard) feel the same. Mistborn is a better series overall but licanus stayed in my head due to themes and the ending.
Very good review and pretty accurate, I thoroughly enjoyed Licanius but there are parts of it which are just average, like the wider world and some of the characterisation and dialogue but it is a series I reread because it builds each book and the ending is one of my favourite in many years of reading. It has many average parts but in the end it is overall a very satisfying series - as opposed to the more common "build up great for 2.5 books then rush a half arsed ending books/series" that are around. The themes and plot/ending really make me look forward to what the author can publish when those strengths are combined with more experience and skill as a writer.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Totally agree, because of the series ending I am really excited for his next work!
It’s an excellent series. I would rate it a 8/10 as a series - a 6.3 is too low. You can see this in the disconnect between his rating and recommendation to read it. Book one I’d give a 6.5/10, book two a 7.5/10, and the third a 8.5/10.
Wonderful review, I am a big fan of this style of video. That being said, I’m all for the longer videos, so let’s hear all of those notes. I also didn’t even notice Richie did the intro until I watched the bloopers and went back to rewatch the start😂
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, we need Austin to stop editing videos and read more books. That way we can do more spoiler discussions. 😂
Unless you have a policy of not reading unfinished series, you should read "The Will of the Many" by James Islington. I've read it 2x since discovering it a few weeks ago and its incredible. It has flaws and huge unanswered questions, but its 4.6+ rating on good read's is actually justifiable and i gave it a 4.2. Highly recommend and would love to see a video on it!
@2ToRamble
5 ай бұрын
We definitely plan to - such a lokg TBR but it’s on there!
brilliant review. now I'm interested in the book.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Hope you like it. Book 3 really brings it home, if you are conflicted after reading book 1.
I would love to hear you review either the Of Blood and Bone series, the Faithful and the Fallen series, the Powder Mage trilogy or the Kingdom of Grit trilogy!
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
I (Richard) have read the faithful and the fallen and the powder mage trilogy. I have not read the other two. I think both were good, however I do think powder mage was better and more unique. TFATF was about average for me with the exception of the main antagonist. I think he was done very well.
Austin (guy to the right): So Kan is like oil Me immediately: No Richie (guy to left): No Lmao, I’ve never read that book and still knew that analogy was off 😂. Sorry Austin, just was too funny.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
😂
Will have to check this out. Read The Will of the Many recently and wasn't a huge fan personally, but this sounds more up my alley.
Just found y’all’s vids and I have to say I love your setup, breakdown, attitude. You guys are great!! This was one of the first series I binged, as you say, the first four are crazy good. For the fifth, I was preparing for the worst and I was at war with myself for the longest time after it ended. I kinda wanted it to go that darkest route I was preparing myself for. Also, the secret ending Weeks squirreled way on his site just made me even more disappointed on the ending and where it could have gone. Looking forward to watching your future videos!!
I'm glad y'all both started reading books together. It's so much better when you both can talk to each other. That being said. I need a new review of the first law, lies of locke lamora. Also read one piece and berserk 😂
@2ToRamble
6 ай бұрын
We recently reviewed Locke Lamora! (Episode 94)
i mean i can't wait till the first 2 hour video
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
I (Richard) can't wait for that one too. Austin would cry from the editing but that's alright 👍
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
I (Austin) am already crying.
@WraithGamingonYT
Жыл бұрын
@@2ToRamble this show is the highlight of my week. So keep it up. You don't have to do 2 hour episode 😭🙄 i guess maybe 2 a week instead 😁
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
@@WraithGamingonYT 😂😭
Great episode
Love your style of reviews guys
@2ToRamble
10 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Who is the character that drags?
I lost it cackling when he rated the magic system/world building 😂 It's such a good book series but only a 6 rating on everything 💀 I'm still picking the books up, though, based on the review 👀
19:36 yep thats me, 😂😂😂
This series sounds very interesting! The way Richard pitched it makes it sound somewhat similar to the tv show “Dark” (best Netflix original just saying) which is one of the best shows ever made imo. If you like time travel stuff and haven’t seen it yet then definitely check it out guys. Think I might read this just because it sounds like a fantasy version of Dark haha. Also been loving the podcast guys. I’m a new viewer and it’s good to have something like this to listen to.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Welcome and thanks for watching - I (austin) sae the first season of Dark, I should probably continue on 🤝
@CvpArt
Жыл бұрын
@@2ToRamble its definitely a show i would love to see you guys cover on the channel. There's just so much to discuss. But definitely one where you have to take some notes haha. It gets even better in season 2 and 3 so yeah i would just love to hear what you guys think about it! 😄
Plot actually sounds a lot like Final Fantasy 13 and Attack on Titan. Might have to check it out.
I really like your rating system, very objective! Can you review the first four Dune books?
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
I (Richard) have read the first Dune book, but have not read the others. I may prioritize the other books when the 2nd movie is close to release.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Also, thanks! We really like our rating system too.
@MrBINKYB00
Жыл бұрын
😂😂 I loved the 4th Dune book decided to stop when I saw the time gap for the 5th. It already took me a while to get used to the other time jump.
@MrBINKYB00
Жыл бұрын
@@2ToRamble I believe the first four books are all very good. The second is one of my favorite books of all time.
The best part of the book was the world building and the action, the worst was DEFINITELY the prose and Wirr’s section.
Wow, I thought we all hated orbit covers, damn
The dilemma around time travel reminds me of the vilain of Wakfu season 1 (Nox) and the show absolutely slaps so if this pitch hyped you then go watch this.
I agree. Its a really fun trilogy but the characters, world building, writing were average or a little above average. That being said, I really liked it and recommend to my friends.
Another review where I am on the opposite end of the spectrum lol. Loved the first thought the second was like 8 and the third besides plot was the weakest for me actually. I suppose I can see your point but it’s wild for me to hear lmao
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Very interesting to hear that. What about the first book made it your favorite?
Seems like the next series is a hit too 😂😂
Why Austin is always cold? (As in feeling cold)
I'm first! YAY
Great review. Read the series because of it, who was the character you felt dragged throughout the series?
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
The 2 friends of the Mc dragged for me. To the point, I don't remember the names. I'm thinking Ashe and T something
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
I still enjoyed the series, just for different reasons.
@Emily-vk8gw
Жыл бұрын
To be fair. Torin had two different names to remember… which wasn’t actually that unique of a character trait when you look at the book as a whole 😂
Which character drags? Wirr or Asha?
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
I (Richard) would say Wirr drags quite a bit. Asha was one of the more exciting POVs to follow in the first book.
Hey, I really love your channel but please don't shout to your mic. (16:10)
The first book is mid at best. I struggled heavily trying to motivate myself to read it
Khan is oil......no.Lol so funny.
But wheel of time is like plowing a field with a hoe
@2ToRamble
Ай бұрын
Great analogy lol
A 6.3/10 is the equivalent grade of 63/100. Or, in other words, an F. That's just how the universal grading scale out of 100 (or 10 to the first decimal place) works. 6.5-6.9 is a D- to D+, 7.0-7.9 is a C- to C+, 8.0-8.9 is a B- to B+, and a 9.0-10 is an A- to an A+. That's not only in schooling but a standard for all grading scales. The only acceptance being that in certain places a D- will go all the way down to a 60 instead of the normal 65. Can you explain your rating system at some point so we can get a better understanding of how, and why, it differs from what's universally accepted globally? It's incredibly confusing.
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Hey great questions - we actually have a link at the bottom of the descriptions of our videos that explain the category rating system! It goes into all the categories - but the TLDR version: we use 5 as average. But check it out for all the details on it and ask anything else if another question comes up
@separator94
Жыл бұрын
Oh cool. Thanks! I was really confused at first but that clears things up! Love the channel and hope you guys get to interview Brandon Sanderson at some point. I know you're dying to. It'll probably happen after he finishes writing Stormlight 5. He'll most likely take a break from writing and spend some time doing interviews and conversing with his fans.
This series stinks, total snooze fest
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Sad to hear. I do think the first book is the weakest. However after finishing I came away from the story with fond remembrance for the magic and the finale.
@2 to Ramble if you guys start a Patreon I would support you without even getting any content that is how much I love you guys. The grading system and how you always ask about similar books 🤌🏻🤌🏻
@2ToRamble
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the support!! We’re definitely making one in the coming months. So glad you love the rating system 😭🙏