Reviews for:
The Plain Field / Eyes and Ash
This is the third and final novel of The Plain Field trilogy.
Uncle Jimmy is severely injured and on the run. He has kidnapped several Djinn babies.
For what purpose?
Angela is desperately trying to return her life to normal.
Charlie is gone, but revenge runs hot in his son’s blood.
Connor will do anything to retrieve his Djinn babies and avenge his father’s death.
The ShadowTwins, Dakota/Takoda, are growing stronger, making friends at The Collective, and showing signs of individual personalities.
The Council is trying to recover from some severe blows to its organization.
Dr B. Thomas Knowles has left the Council crushed and demoralized.
But he has taken some of his toys from the Sandbox.
General Havoc and Dr M.E. Wagner’s DesertBorn soldiers have lost their first battle. Can they train the Djinn to do their bidding? Will Dr Wagner figure out the connections between The Mahogany Box, The Isle of Neverbe, and Dakota?
What is the origin story of The Isle of Neverbe?
What is in the Mahogany Box? Who will wield its power? Can it be stopped?
Grab your favorite chair and let’s find out together.
Review 01
Dave Melde
5 out of 5 stars: A Strong, Rewarding End to the Trilogy
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
Format: Kindle
Verified Purchase
My readerverified score is 95%. “The Plain Field / Eyes and Ash” delivers exactly what a final book in a trilogy should: clarity, momentum, and a sense that all the threads were leading here. John F. Noone brings together family conflict, Djinn lore, military intrigue, and the mysteries surrounding the Mahogany Box with a confidence that shows he knew the destination from the start.
What stood out most to me is the balance between supernatural scale and emotional honesty. The characters’ grief, obsession, loyalty, and desire all feel lived‑in, and the darker turns land because they’re grounded in real stakes. The ShadowTwins’ evolution, Connor’s drive, and the Council’s unraveling all build toward a conclusion that feels earned rather than convenient.
The pacing is tight, the imagery vivid, and the worldbuilding continues to expand without losing sight of the people at its center. As a finale, it’s both satisfying and surprisingly reflective. A strong, rewarding end to the trilogy.
Review 02
5.0 out of 5 stars: How I feel after reading The Plain Field / Eyes and Ash.
Reviewed in the United States
My readerverified score is 96%. John F. Noone’s The Plain Field / Eyes and Ash is exactly what a final book in a trilogy should grow up to be and be. It honors the time you have already invested, pulls the threads tight instead of waving them around, and delivers an ending that feels earned, not convenient.
What impressed me the most is the sense of control in this novel. You can feel that Noone knew where he was going from very early on. It all comes together in a way that is coherent, layered, and respectful of the reader’s brain cells. This is not spectacle for its own sake. The fantasy elements are there to drive real questions: power and responsibility, grief and obsession, exploitation and protection. It never collapses into noise.
The characters land too. Noone does not flinch or soften things just to make everyone comfortable, and that restraint is exactly why the emotional beats work. When the story turns dark, it feels honest. When it turns hopeful, it feels earned.
Stylistically, the writing is clean and direct, with enough vivid detail that you can see the scenes without getting buried in them. The pacing is tight. The resolution is satisfying on both a story level and a structural level, and when you close the book you do not feel tricked, you feel like the pieces finally locked into place.
Five stars. Smart, emotionally grounded, and genuinely rewarding. And yes, I am mildly annoyed I did not think of this first. Hahahaha.
Amazon must love me....they usually register in like 2 hours for me?? hahahaha THANK YOU!!!!
I submitted the review on Sunday, waiting on Amazon.
John, on the 8th you mentioned submitting a review by the 9th..we are now the 10th? Let me know if I can help?
Happy to help.
Kirk, Wow, that's a very nice review, especially since you picked the series up at the end. Thank You!
I'm enjoying your book Code in the Grain. I'll submit a review by tomorrow.
Review 03
The Plain Field / Eyes and Ash is an unforgettable ride into the shadows of the supernatural. The author masterfully blends paranormal intrigue with raw emotion and dark sensuality, creating a world that is both eerie and seductive.
From the very first page, I was hooked by the lyrical prose and intense atmosphere. The characters are flawed, complex, and compelling, and the emotional undercurrents hit hard—especially in the more explicit scenes, which are tastefully done and deeply tied to character development.
This isn’t your typical paranormal story—it’s layered with meaning, mysticism, and moments that linger long after you’ve turned the last page. If you enjoy stories that challenge the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds, with a touch of darkness and desire, you’ll love this book.
Highly recommended for fans of gothic romance, paranormal mystery, and bold storytelling. Not for the faint of heart—but perfect for those who crave something deeper and more daring.
Hi John,
a horror podcast sounds like it would be fun. enjoy! i'm working on a near-future apocalyptic story that i've had going around in my head for the past ten years or so. reality is starting to resemble my story though, so it's taking some of the fun out of it for me. thanks for the kind review of Sanctuary.
Hey David, thanks for an extremely nice review. I'm working on a horror Apple Podcast with voice actors now. Hope all is well.