Edge of Eternity will be out in less than a year. I agree, we should all pause for a quick dance around the room, possibly a jig if you’re into that kind of thing. I have been waiting for this announcement since I read Winter of the World, by Ken Follett this past spring. I’m glad to finally have a date, September 16, 2014. Let’s pause to add that to our calendars, shall we?

waiting, waiting, waiting (Photo credit: gilles chiroleu)

I can’t stand this cat and mouse game, but it comes along with reading a series discovered on the front end of its entirety. Sadly, I have a growing list of books I’m waiting to read. I allow this so I can either continue a story in progress or obviously, so I can wrap the series up into a little bow and shelve it away. I like little bows.

I’ve been known to finish a series that I’ve lost investment in just to clear up any resolution issues that may result in the lack of sleep.  In this case, Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy, has me waiting impatiently over how he’ll creatively finalize his characters, but not on where he’ll abandon us in history when the book is through.

I should explain why I’m so apathetic about our history after his series ends. It’s safe to assume that I’m okay with it because he’ll dump me off right where I am, historically speaking. It’s my presumption that I can take it from here, for obvious reasons.

I can head on down to the book store or local library and find current non-fiction books on what’s truly happening around the world OR I could find a trusted newsroom on television that’ll keep me informed. The latter being a bit more of a challenge.

I find myself getting a bit nervous when I begin to think about where his characters, whom I’ve grown to love, will go and what they’ll do. In his third, and final installment, I stop to consider what their fictional fate may be as a result of historical events.

Are you following me? Stick with me…

When I started reading Fall of Giants, the first book in this trilogy, I was, once again, thrown off at how easily I fell into the book’s rhythm. I suppose I’ll always be surprised when I begin a book that I’d previously decided wasn’t for me.

Book + Pushy Knowledgeable Friend = Book Love Affair, every time.

It’s a welcomed relief.  Ken Follett has a keen way of investing us early with an emotional look inside his fictional, yet historical, Century Trilogy.

Cover of Fall of Giants (The Century Trilogy)

The proof is in the first few pages, as it is a genuine lesson in the emotions of  Britain’s Welsh miners. The man, that Follett guy, knew how to grab me, didn’t he? From there I was easily transported into a world of times past.

They, Follett and his staff, have taken measures to make sure that the series runs historically accurate and I appreciate their chivalry, and thrive on it. It’s astounding how quickly this series has sent me into researching further details of the world he brings to life.

I must say, that I’ve found WWI and the Russian Revolution much more interesting the second time around. I know the reason for this is because Follett has discovered a way to make me, Audrey, sit up and listen. It’s our fantastic world history mixed in with the gripping serial drama he’s created. Hook line and sinker, I fell. I’ve fallen hard. I’ve learned so much.

Thank you, Mr. Follett.

Side note, I believe we should start a movement where adults after age 40, are required to take history courses again, one a year. You know, just add it to the list of requirements we have agreed to in order to get our vehicle licensed or possibly receive our tax refund in an orderly fashion.

Why you ask?

Well for one, it would help educate our country on how we’ve placed ourselves into our current intersection.

Or my front-runner, the notion of it, quiet frankly, making my day.

Anyone? Anyone?

Move forward, shall we?

Okay.

Forward ho! (Quick reference to my favorite time period, but I’ve digressed.)

I waited with bated breath for Winter of the World, Ken Follett’s second book in this series. I knew I’d see my beloved characters again, but didn’t take into account that I may have needed to reread Fall of Giants to prepare myself. I recognized right away that the time between books was, seemingly, too long a pause to keep the names and relationships fresh.

I had a tough time remembering whose child belonged to whom, but that didn’t stop me. A quick revisit to Fall of Giants caught me up to speed.

Side note, this is why I’m an advocate for reading a series after the final one’s been written, it’s so you can read the books quickly and consecutively, which eliminates the need to back track, especially in this instance. (Bonus for anyone who’s just now starting to read the series, you’ll be in prime position come next September!) I recognize how this creates quite the problem for authors who need to get paid sooner than later but, I mean come on, there’s a lot to remember and if you’re going to invest in reading time, and especially for a large series like this, its best to either wait, take notes or familiarize yourself with the genealogical cast of characters at the front of his novels, first.

He thinks of everything.

Ken Follett (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A genealogical casts of characters is undoubtedly the greatest life-changing, hand-holding, sweetly thinking what’s best for Audrey, add-in ever. Ever.

(Can you imagine? Follett thinking what’s best for me. I can…) Suddenly he and his silver hair have become my muse… Just look at him.

Winter of the World.

Yes.

That’s right…

For me, this book’s subject matter was tough. No doubt about it. The content was roughly more depressing, as it should be, and difficult to accept in regards to the factual history involved.

For example, you know that man from Germany and his obsession with blonde hair possibly coupled with blue eyes, yeah well we meet him during the author’s description of, seemingly, the world’s toughest ‘winter’ due to Stalin and Hitler’s cold as ice presence. Follett, takes me on a historical journey that is, at times, bone chilling. We all know how this time in history collapsed.

Sad.

Yet, at the same time I’m getting a back door view of the English hierarchy and the rise of our American influence, which Follett doesn’t hold back on, as he paints a terrible picture of Pearl Harbour and it’s casualties.

Can you imagine my intense desire to read his final book? What I find most interesting about this series is the history I’ve been given a second chance to learn. Mostly, I’m thankful for the American history and the stories Follett dreams up to lay out a lesson on America’s power; even an early look at what Prohibition may have done for and to this country. All this centered around an abundance of multi faceted fictional relationships, which have continued to keep me invested in our world’s history, created through the work of Ken Follett’s mind.

I’m worried about my inability to wait nicely for my chance to read Edge of Eternity, this final book, which holds the ending to a treasured series.

Will you wait with me?