Full disclosure: an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have provided below.
Please be advised re: spoilers for “Illborn”, and “Aiduel’s Sin”, as I will be ‘somewhat’ touching upon events from the first two installments of this series in this review.
This review is long overdue, as I finished reading this incredible third installment in Daniel T. Jackson’s “Illborn” Saga back in January 2025, as one of my priority reads for the year. Yet it has taken me some time to compose the review.
But now, as the year begins to dwindle, and I must ponder which books will make my annual list of top Self-Published Science-Fiction/Fantasy books, as I know it’s more a matter of WHERE “Gatebound” places on said list, rather than WHETHER it makes the list, I had to get moving!
Some series are easier to review without spoilers: this is not one of those series. Nonetheless, perhaps a focus the characters’ development in this story, which is of course the beating heart of this saga, warrants focus here, in order to capture just how fabulous “Gatebound” is, and hopefully without too much spoiling.
For fans of the series, you are aware that our four protagonists are irresistibly drawn towards Aiduel’s Gate, a nexus for power, that is as portentous as it is tantalizing. In “Gatebound”, as the name implies, this inescapable drive toward their destiny takes on a whole new meaning, and the quartet of principals are closer physically than ever before to said gate, and to each other. Plot-lines converge, characters who have only heard of another through reputation will come into contact, others will be reunited, and as always, the consequences will shock and awe the reader.
And all the while, as the gate looms nearer, the true qualities of the four Illborn begin to emerge even more sharply and intransigently. It becomes more clear which character’s better angels – or worse demons – will guide their actions when they are inevitably confronted with the choice of seizing ultimate power versus altruism/self-sacrifice, that will more than likely lead to their demise. Or will they even have a choice, if one of the Illborn proves to be so powerful, and heinous, that the others will be slaughtered like sheep? And would such a horrific act be only tragic, or would it be no less than some of the Illborn deserve, for the terrible things some of them have done?
In terms of Allana, she remains as equally reprehensible as she is compelling and believable. In a dark, patriarchal, medieval-type world, where women (other than highborn) must struggle to survive from merely being reduced to little more than chattel, Allana sees the only path to defiance of the limitations and dangers of being a woman is taking advantage of men, the way many men typically take advantage of women. Allana’s deviousness, manipulation, sexual assaults, and outright atrocities escalate, even as her rationalizations for her actions finally begin to ring hollow in her own mind. Yet, she’s too far gone to turn back, and it’s easier to wallow in the wrongs that have been done to her (and make no mistake, some horrific things have been done to her), and hold to the simple tenet of self-preservation, and her ambitions for greatness, which she believes justifies all the crimes she commits, rather than face the truth. But will a major life change possibly provide her with a different alternative, or only make her entrench in her wrongdoings? Allana’s words remain: LUST, POWER, DOMINATION.
Arion, I found to be the most changed character from book one to this current installment. He’s a man seeking absolution, and vengeance, coping with extreme guilt, and trying to find himself after the loss of so many dear to him, his high social status, and the betrayal he feels one of the other Illborn has enacted against him. But peace is rarely found in warring. Still, Arion elects to join a religious crusade to reclaim the territory that includes Aiduel’s Gate. Someone like Arion needs a purpose, and when one sees oneself as a weapon, well: that purpose means killing. Arion has only found comfort, for the most part, on the battlefield, revelling in being hailed a hero, though he realizes that the butchery required is soul-tainting, in the end. Yet one often lapses into the familiar to find solace. Though Arion is often startlingly self-aware and candid about his flaws, to the point where the reader may wonder, is he capable of a truly, noble, heroic, and redemptive arc? Or will the darkness in his soul, and his lust for violence and acclaim, seal his doom? Arion words continue to be: “STRENGTH, VICTORY, GLORY”.
The long-suffering Leanna’s high sense of morality leads her to break ties with one Illborn, and form a seemingly tight bond with another, as she begins to see just how complicated being an upright person with power can be, in terms of the choices one must make, to protect and preserve the ones you care about. I think some readers will find this character’s pureness as somewhat self-righteous and irritating ( I don’t personally), but I also believe many readers will find Leanna to be the most genuinely honourable and ethical of all the Illborn. But as it’s said in Star Wars, honour can be a fool’s prize, and will Leanna be able to live with what she must do to be a good person, when she is also seemingly also one of the world’s most powerful people? In the end, even for one as virtuous as Leanna, will absolute power corrupt absolutely? Leanna will be challenged to maintain her words of: “DEVOTION, SACRIFICE, SALVATION”.
Finally, Corin, essentially considered a ‘barbarian’ to some of the other cultures in the world of “Illborn”, has risen from outcast to nigh demi-god among his tribes. He has led them successfully through many challenges, and their faith in him has been rewarded. But will his own people follow him into even greater trials, without truly knowing that’s at play, and what’s at stake, when even their leader is in the dark to some extent about what perils they might have to face? Corin has needed to be a ruthless war-leader to rise to power, but we know he can make alliances and withhold bloodshed, if it’s in the best interests of his people, and his cause. But will he be able to trust any of the other Illborn, now that he has become aware of the great potential power that could be unleashed, that could devastate his followers, should someone other than him claim it? Are all the Illborn as dangerous and corrupt as Corin believes them to be? Or could he make a fatal mistake by NOT trusting them? Corin words are: “FEAR, CONTROL, ORDER”.
Rarely can be found the series where the quality of each book continues to deliver or exceed on the promise of the previous installment. Yet, after reading three books in “Illborn”, I can say it is the case with this series. Once more, in “Gatebound”, author Jackson pairs breakneck, unremitting action and battle scenes, dark themes, intrigue, and romance, with unforgettable characterization, blended into a heady concoction that will have the reader flipping the pages breathlessly into the wee hours of the morning.
I love my slower paced, more ponderous fantasy books, but there’s nothing wrong with a pure adrenalin jolt to the senses, and for certain, the “Illborn” saga is infused with thrills from start to finish, without stinting on the incredible character moments I crave in this type of story. That is the true brilliance of Jackson’s craft: the ability to spin a hefty tome of a book, and make it read as fast and yet as engaging throughout as a novella-sized read.
My understanding is that this saga will conclude with the fourth book, and as incredibly thrilled and eager I am to read that final novel, I’m not ready for this story to end. This series has become one of my favourites, and I have no doubt it will be cemented as an all-time favourite once it is finished.
Without question, 5 stars for the amazing “Gatebound”!
Add the “Illborn Saga” to your Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/326019-the-illborn-saga