Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BOOK REVIEW: Beyond the Last Gate by S.C. Phillips
Beyond the Last Gate (Lightseer Chronicles, volume one) by S.C. Phillips
Genre: epic fantasy (adventure, desert world)
Audience: middle grade (The writing felt middle grade, the characters were young adults, and the story was really enjoyable for me, an adult.)
Summary: Isaac and Eva know that they have a unique ability to see light that no one else can see, but they don’t understand it. When they get a chance to go on an expedition to find artifera, objects that contain light only they can see, Isaac and Eva find ruins that want to trap them, a victim of a deadly plague, and many questions and mysteries about the light within the artifera. The twins are swept into a whirlwind of danger and unknowns in which they are the key to everything.
Positives
I loved this book. It was stuffed full of mystery around what the light is, what it can do, and how Isaac and Eva are connected to it. It seemed like each time I found out a little bit more, tons more questions open, and I had to keep reading. The plot was complex but easy to follow, and that reveal and pull deeper was magical.
The world building was amazing. The world felt so vast, with history, depth, connections. It was fascinating and exciting to learn how it all connected, why it all mattered, and what it all meant.
This book is just so cool!!!!!
How did this author come up with this crazy awesome network of connections?! (Lots of clapping)
The end was tragic and exciting. I need the next book!
The characters were lovable. Isaac and Eva are twin brother and sister, and they have a fun dynamic. Isaac is spunky, carefree, and sarcastic. Eva is serious yet full of determination and childlike wonder. The side characters also developed into a full, rich people. All characters had clear flaws, and many had growth.
The Expanse and all the weird phenomena that happen in it were so imaginative and thought out.
The action was exciting.
Certain parts of the book absolutely wrapped me up in the story. I can’t spoil it, but lots of clapping for the author for setting up such an experience at the one place and the other place at the end.
The book had strong themes of loyalty, overcoming fear, friendship, doing what’s right instead of what is easy, and the power of pure human bonds.
The cover is amazing.
The descriptions made every person, scene, and move clear. This book was so immersive, I can’t get my head out of it.
Negatives
Much of the exposition and explanation was provided through prose, which did explain it well, but it wasn’t the most exciting way to do it. I wanted more dialogue for that and in general
Some chunks of information were repeated. It was usually helpful, but the information reminder didn't need to repeat everything, and they often interrupted action.
The syntax could have used more action verbs and less repetition to create more efficient, engaging language.
Overall: This book is a must read. It is amazing. Go get it now.
#HAPruitt #author #writer #review #bookreview #reviewer #bookreviewer #independentauthor #indieauthor #authorsupportingauthors #fiction #fantasy #middlefradefiction #epicfantasy #readthisbook #friendship #loyalty #fantasyreaders #fantasybook #fantasyworld #immersivefantasy #immersivebooks
BOOK REVIEW: Beyond the Last Gate by S.C. Phillips
Beyond the Last Gate (Lightseer Chronicles, volume one) by S.C. Phillips
Genre: epic fantasy (adventure, desert world)
Audience: middle grade (The writing felt middle grade, the characters were young adults, and the story was really enjoyable for me, an adult.)
Summary: Isaac and Eva know that they have a unique ability to see light that no one else can see, but they don’t understand it. When they get a chance to go on an expedition to find artifera, objects that contain light only they can see, Isaac and Eva find ruins that want to trap them, a victim of a deadly plague, and many questions and mysteries about the light within the artifera. The twins are swept into a whirlwind of danger and unknowns in which they are the key to everything.
Positives
I loved this book. It was stuffed full of mystery around what the light is, what it can do, and how Isaac and Eva are connected to it. It seemed like each time I found out a little bit more, tons more questions open, and I had to keep reading. The plot was complex but easy to follow, and that reveal and pull deeper was magical.
The world building was amazing. The world felt so vast, with history, depth, connections. It was fascinating and exciting to learn how it all connected, why it all mattered, and what it all meant.
This book is just so cool!!!!!
How did this author come up with this crazy awesome network of connections?! (Lots of clapping)
The end was tragic and exciting. I need the next book!
The characters were lovable. Isaac and Eva are twin brother and sister, and they have a fun dynamic. Isaac is spunky, carefree, and sarcastic. Eva is serious yet full of determination and childlike wonder. The side characters also developed into a full, rich people. All characters had clear flaws, and many had growth.
The Expanse and all the weird phenomena that happen in it were so imaginative and thought out.
The action was exciting.
Certain parts of the book absolutely wrapped me up in the story. I can’t spoil it, but lots of clapping for the author for setting up such an experience at the one place and the other place at the end.
The book had strong themes of loyalty, overcoming fear, friendship, doing what’s right instead of what is easy, and the power of pure human bonds.
The cover is amazing.
The descriptions made every person, scene, and move clear. This book was so immersive, I can’t get my head out of it.
Negatives
Much of the exposition and explanation was provided through prose, which did explain it well, but it wasn’t the most exciting way to do it. I wanted more dialogue for that and in general
Some chunks of information were repeated. It was usually helpful, but the information reminder didn't need to repeat everything, and they often interrupted action.
The syntax could have used more action verbs and less repetition to create more efficient, engaging language.
Overall: This book is a must read. It is amazing. Go get it now.
#HAPruitt #author #writer #review #bookreview #reviewer #bookreviewer #independentauthor #indieauthor #authorsupportingauthors #fiction #fantasy #middlefradefiction #epicfantasy #readthisbook #friendship #loyalty #fantasyreaders #fantasybook #fantasyworld #immersivefantasy #immersivebooks
