It’s the only SPFBO 2019 finalist I haven’t heard about before the contest. Judging it by the cover, I wasn’t in a hurry to pick it up. The cover tellIt’s the only SPFBO 2019 finalist I haven’t heard about before the contest. Judging it by the cover, I wasn’t in a hurry to pick it up. The cover tells nothing about the story, except that there will be blades. It looks… uninspiring? And don’t get me started on the atrocious font. Covers matter. Frankly, I wouldn’t touch it if it weren’t for The Fantasy Hive team announcing it as their finalist.
And that would be a serious mistake because A Tale of Stars and Shadow is brilliant, immersive and engrossing. I loved it. I bought and read the sequel immediately after finishing it. I plan to occasionally (like every six hours) email Lisa Cassidy just to make sure she works on the third book. And that she doesn’t take too many breaks.
Talyn Dynan was the finest fighter of her generation. Unstoppable, fearless, and ultra-competent. Now, after her partner’s death, she’s broken and wracked with guilt. She quits an elite force known as Callanan and joins Kingshield where her mistakes won’t cost lives.
For unclear reasons, her superiors send her on a mission to Mithranar, home of the magical winged folk. Officially, she will guard a spoiled and dandy prince. Unofficially, she will investigate mysterious Shadowhawk - a criminal who haunts the streets of Dock City.
To protect the prince, she must build and train her Wing. Surprisingly, she has to source candidates in jail. Yes, you’ve heard it right. She has to build a guard detail for the Prince from criminals.
She’d known Mithranar had a queen, that the winged folk had magic, and that they were the world’s only producer of izerdia.
But that there was a place in the world where people thought they were superior because they had wings and magic, where the ruling family thought it was acceptable to flog people for disagreeing with them, or to hoard food for themselves… that she hadn’t known.
A Tale of Stars and Shadow never ceases to surprise. With each chapter, it adds new layers of intrigue to the intricate plot. Talyn suspects she’s a puppet in someone else’s game. And that there is more than one game being played. Someone sets her up to fail. I found most twists and reveals perfectly placed and genuinely surprising.
The story entranced me from the very first chapter. There is just something that Lisa Cassidy does extremely well that binds me to this story. Her prose is a pleasure to read, it’s crisp, wry, and funny. The story moves quickly, even though we witness some repetitions. She teases us along, and we think at first the answers to the mysteries are obvious until Talyn uncovers new information and we realize there’s more to the plot. The wrap-up makes for a satisfying ending.
With such compelling protagonists, it wouldn’t have been hard for the supporting cast to be outshone but they manage to hold their own. Because at its heart, A Tale of Stars and Shadow is the story about a Found Family. I think the author nailed it here. Talyn and her Wing develop an empathetic connection and loyalty. Her team includes a stubborn alcoholic, a silent giant with a tattooed face who prefers not to talk, a street-smart thief, and a shy boy who displays preternatural skills with knives. Each of them gets solid, and believable, development.
A Tale of Stars and Shadow is smart, immersive, emotionally engaging and nearly impossible to put down. I absolutely loved it. ...more
Spark City makes a good initial impression. Elegant cover and intriguing title coupled with generally positive reviews made me eager to read it. 2.5/5
Spark City makes a good initial impression. Elegant cover and intriguing title coupled with generally positive reviews made me eager to read it. I liked the opening chapters as they efficiently set the tone and introduced Erroh - a snarky and superficially likable protagonist. Soon, though, my enthusiasm started to wane.
Plot & Structure
Spark City has a strange, unbalanced, structure. The first part, The Cull, is long (almost half of the book) and entertaining. The Cull is the process allowing females to secure a mate. Each male undergoes a series of questions and feats. The second part of the book is shorter. I would describe it as “on the road again”. Two characters get the time to know each other, learn to rely on each other, build trust and foundations for a passionate relationship. Soon enough, though, it turns into a vengeance story. Things culminate with an impossible battle, mayhem, and tragedy, plus a cliffhanger ending. Nothing feels balanced here. The plot? I’m sure there is one, but I’ll be damned if I can find it.
Characters
On the surface, Erroh is likable. He comes from an impressive line of warriors, but contrary to his parents he has no interest in fame or glory - he prefers to drink and play cards. He lacks any social grace which leads to misunderstandings, unnecessary tension, and humorous consequences.
I have a soft spot for blunt, snarky and socially awkward protagonists but Erroh’s behavior irked me. It shifts from clumsy through pompous and arrogant to feral and delusional. He can’t read people, and all those hot girls confuse him. He thinks they loathe him while in reality, they all have a crush on him.
Because he likes Lea most, he treats her worse than others. Simple. When he’s stressed by hard trials of The Cull (that should secure him a mate) he thinks of girls as of witches, bitches or whores. Ok, I get it. Erroh is young, emotional, and has no experience with women. But this doesn’t give him the right to reduce them in such a way.
And now, the girls. Instead of describing the depth of their characterization, I’ll use the quote:
“I’m sure you like anything you can get,” hissed Roja dropping any pretence of cordiality. What marvellous event occurred on their day off to cause such hostility, wondered Erroh. Please ladies, do go on. “Well, at least I’m not a whore!” shouted Silvia. “You’re a little bit of a whore,” countered Roja.
They hiss, glare, cry and desire poor Erroh who’s too dumb to realize it. But then finally he goes on a road with his new mate and they have to learn to rely on each and share experiences they finally fall in true and pure love. Color me shocked.
Villains? Don’t even ask. They’re all cartoonish, flat caricatures.
I find the characterization weak, inconsistent, and unconvincing.
Point of view
Head-hopping isn’t a myth or an empty phrase repeated by grumpy book bloggers. It compromises my reading experience and pulls me out of the flow of the narrative. Unless it’s done well. Alas, in Spark City it’s done badly. Frequent POV switches felt jarring and irked me. I know that rules are for fools but breaking them well requires a lot of skill. It the narrative was attempting omniscient it failed miserably with limited head-hopping and POV-slips.
Setting
The setting is atmospheric and effective. There’s not much attention paid to world-building but we get enough to follow the story and understand the context. It works fine for me as I’m not into detailed world-building.
Voice / tone
Erroh’s voice is snarky and enjoyable. I have no issues with it. I can’t say the same about Lea - her voice shifts from mature to emotional and immature (her diary).
The tone changes depending on whose POV and when we are following. Basically, during the Cull the tone is humorous and conveys well emotions / states such as urgency, confusion, or anger. In later parts of the book the tone becomes darker and desperate but even in the darkest moments it doesn’t lose dark sense of humor.
Timing/pacing
Spark City has no rhythm. Not a bad thing per se. It never drags. It rarely slows down to offer a breather from the hectic pace and Erroh’s misfortunes and misadventures. As long as you don’t stop to think things through, it’s weirdly addictive in a way action and comedy B-movies are. But once you stop and ask yourself what’s the point of it all things get tricky.
In closing
Spark City is a quick and entertaining read that efficiently masks its issues with breakneck pacing, humor, over-the-topness, and outbursts of violence. It won’t satisfy more sophisticated readers, because it offers nothing new–it’s built on tired tropes (chosen one, coming-of-age, from anger to love, love from the first sight, and more).
I didn’t like it, but I recognize its sales and entertainment potential. With some refinements (like another pass of proofreading, and, ideally structural editing) it should appeal to readers looking for a fast, self-indulging but weirdly addictive romp.
As a fan of flintlock fantasy, I had high hopes for A Sea of Broken Glass. Its unattractive cover works against it, but well-written synopsis pro3.5/5
As a fan of flintlock fantasy, I had high hopes for A Sea of Broken Glass. Its unattractive cover works against it, but well-written synopsis promises exciting things and I read for both escapism and excitement. Does it deliver?
Plot & Structure
I appreciate A Sea of Broken Glass’ clear and logic structure. Merissa LaRoche is a Healer who loves her vocation and helping others. Beyond that she’s the last Vessel - if Darkness doesn’t corrupt her, she can harness the power of Light. Happily very few people know about it. Unhappily, wrong ones discover it and first accuse her of Witchcraft (a crime punishable by death) and, when she escapes, force her and her companions to run from demons, the Bastion, and the Darkness.
Characters
Ris grew up in Greendale and was raised by her guardians Bran and Aeron (known as her Shield and Cloak). They taught her how to fight, pick locks and shoot pistols. Bran is like a second father to Ris, overprotective, mature, and loyal. Aeron has a past that haunts him. There’s also Michel who became Ris’ Sword less than an hour after meeting her. She’s that special. I liked characters and their dynamics but I wasn’t able to emotionally engage with any of them. Not that they lack anything. Except, maybe, they’re too good and pure deep inside for my taste?
Point of view
We follow the story through four POV’s - Ris and her “guardians”. The chapters alternate between characters and the author handles multiple POV with gusto. Their arcs intertwine and complement each other. Through the first-person narration in Ris chapters, we get a very clear idea about her motivations, desires, and internal conflict. Her struggle feels convincing and credible. The narration changes to third-person limited in chapters focused on her “guardians“. As a result, it’s more difficult to connect with them as strongly as with Ris. While each of them is interesting and has a story to share, I felt their POV weren’t distinct enough to make them stand apart.
Setting
The story takes place in a dark world where a fallen goddess unleashed a curse. The world-building could have been clearer to me in parts but it didn’t really bother me because I expect the lingering questions to be answered in future books. Ris will have to find a way to contain the Darkness and deal with the Bastion. Not to mention Plague and War. I see Big problems ahead of her.
Voice/tone
Light, I wish the characters could just say “fuck“ and use other dirty words when the situation requires it. I’m not too keen on fake swear words, especially not the ones as lame as Light. Sorry :) Sea of Broken Glass never becomes too gloomy in tone. It doesn’t lose its sense of optimism. I had a feeling throughout that everything not only might, it surely would turn out all right in the end. I wasn’t entirely right, but I rarely felt the stakes were high (even though they were high).
Timing/pacing
The Sea of Broken Glass has a steady rhythm and finds a nice balance between action, introspection, and world-building. It never drags or focuses on unnecessary things. With (relatively) short chapters and focused narrative it effectively tells the story.
In closing
I liked it. It’s well written, well-edited, and smart. Because I couldn’t develop any meaningful emotional attachment to characters, I can’t rate it higher, but it’s just me. It’s well worth your time and money, especially if you need another dark flintlock fantasy fix....more
Kalanon’s Rising follows Brannon Kesh, an ex-soldier turned healer, investigating a griMurder mystery? Dark Magic? Mayhem?
Yes, please.
Plot & Structure
Kalanon’s Rising follows Brannon Kesh, an ex-soldier turned healer, investigating a grisly murder of the King’s cousin. He has to solve the case before things escalate and he needs to hurry - corpses start to pile up. Political repercussions of the crime could restart the war. Nobody wants that.
Helped by a vain mage, a socially awkward priest, and a corpse animating shaman, he tries to solve the case.
Characters
Smith has created an interesting team of misfit magical experts.
Brannon, a war hero, tries to build a new life as a physician. He wants to break with his past, but can’t. This adds a nice layer of internal conflict to the narrative. His companions are diverse and each has a story to tell. Like most readers, I find Ula, a badass Djin shaman with purple skin, dreadlocks, and tattoos covering her body, most intriguing. Not only does she come from a bizarre and unique culture, but she also knows how to create “Raised” (dead bodies revived and controlled by demon spirits knows as Kaluki).
Characters demonstrate good dynamics. Each has the skills necessary to move the plot forward and solve the mystery. Unfortunately, they also tend to get out of character to move the plot and the story forward. Ultra-competent characters suddenly become incompetent (example: preternaturally agile fighter suddenly unable to catch a boy) to create tension. I found the inconsistencies jarring.
Point of view
Hmm. Smith gave POV chapters and POV scenes to a lot of characters. Too many to my liking. Some of them were necessary, while others less so. I understand it allows to create a more cinematic view of the scenes, but I prefer a more focused narrative.
Other than that, the author handles POV well, giving each of characters a distinct feel and voice. It gets tricky with Ula’s POV written in a “broken” English that requires some adaptation time from a reader.
Setting
We don’t get pages upon pages describing the detailed nuances of the world, but we learn enough without being bored. The author provides a clear sense of place, its history, customs, and culture. I enjoyed descriptions of dark magic, the runes, or tattoos used by Djin shamans to both adorn their bodies and “counteract” the forces of evil. We also get an old wizard who enjoys his brand new (and young) body and has a mysterious dragon tattoo that changes its placement.
Intriguing.
Voice / tone
It’s not dark or nihilistic but it doesn’t shy away from showing violence and gore. I would describe the tone as suspenseful, although Smith overuses a plot device I find particularly irking - his characters describe potential murderer/suspect as HIM, never using his name (as in they see him or think they saw him and they know who this person is but don't share it with the reader). If it’s supposed to build tension, it fails miserably. I find it frustrating.
Also, the bad guy. Why on earth does he deliver a cheap boss speech near the end? Just so that our protagonists have time to figure out how to defeat him?
Timing/pacing
Kalanon’s Rising has steady pacing. It rarely moves at a breakneck pace but thanks to short chapters it reads fast.
In closing
The overall concept is intriguing, and Kalanon’s Rising offers plenty of compelling action. I had an issue with inconsistent characterization, irritating plot devices, and the ending, but I will read the sequel. I like bands of misfits solving magical crimes, and Smith has created an intriguing world in which exciting things happen....more
I admit, and there’s no shame to it, that once I got the book, I found its page count daunting. At 737 pages, Fortune’s Fool is terrifying. I love novI admit, and there’s no shame to it, that once I got the book, I found its page count daunting. At 737 pages, Fortune’s Fool is terrifying. I love novellas and short fiction. I consider 350 pages enough to tell an engaging story. When I hear people raving about over 500 pages of roaring fun, I turn and run in the opposite direction.
Because I had to read it, I took a deep breath, explained my dog there wouldn’t be any walks for a week, and started reading. And couldn’t put the thing down.
Fortune’ Fool is a great book, don’t let its length intimidate you!
Plot & Structure
Fortune’s Fool is a Renaissance-inspired epic fantasy about a woman who’s lost almost everything–her family, the man she loves, even her right arm. People blame her for starting a war. When we meet her, she has a magical metal arm forged for her by her lover, who disappeared without a trace. Kyrra d’Aliente wants revenge and nothing will stop her from serving it. The book is told in 1st person using two narratives–one in the past and one in the present. It influences the pacing - when you really want to know what happens next, the narrative skips to the past to explain how and why things happen. A bit frustrating, yes. But also very immersive as the chapters describing the past pack plenty of twists and emotions.
After finishing the book, I appreciate the structure - it made the story layered and emotionally engaging.
Characters
We get the whole story filtered through Kyrra's point of view. I loved her as a lead character - despite her tragic past she’s maintained a dry sense of humor and the willingness to live. She makes a lot of mistakes, but she’s also more than capable. Secondary characters, especially Arsenault, shine as well. They feel distinct, well-rounded, and human. Because we learn about secondary characters through Kyrra’s eyes, they remain mysterious. A good thing, I guess.
Point of view
As a huge fan of first-person POV, I enjoyed Kyrra’s narration. Brood has a knack for delivering a nuanced and intimate portrayal of emotions and thought and communicates them effectively. She delivers Kyrra’s anger, love, hopes, fears, and despair with maximum impact.
Setting
Fortune’s Fool is a historical fantasy, set in a made-up world inspired by Renaissance Italy. The world has a strong Mediterranean feel that distinguishes it from typical Western-European settings. Even though the author describes her world in detail, she communicates all the relevant information without infodumps. Everything feels natural, even the intricacies of silk production.
That said, the beginning can feel unclear as Boord throws the reader into the deep end with all the different Houses and how they relate to each other/the world. It gest easier to grasp the farther you get into it. The magic remains mysterious and unexplained and that makes it even more intriguing.
Voice/tone
The tone is grim. Thanks to Kyrra’s dry sense of humor, things never turn nihilistic, but don’t let it fool you - it’s not a joyous world.
Timing/pacing
Here’s the thing. Fortune’s Fool tells an ambitious and complex story in a secondary world. Things take time before they start making sense. As a result, the pacing may feel off in the beginning. It blends moment of introspection and despair with action-packed sequences and succeeds at creating an immersive story
That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing it lose some weight. The problem? I’m not sure which parts I would cut.
In closing
Fortune’s Fool is an excellent book. Well-written, smart, complex, it finds a good balance between the plotline, world-building, and character development. It demands a level of trust from a busy reader hesitant to start such a big book, but I feel it rewards the time-investment....more
Not the book, though, but my review. I join The Sword of Kaigen fan club and I plan to force anyone listening to try it. 4.5/5
Boring and predictable.
Not the book, though, but my review. I join The Sword of Kaigen fan club and I plan to force anyone listening to try it. I won’t lie, I hoped I would identify its unforgivable flaws and enumerate them to show how insightful I am. I did find some, but they didn’t stop me from loving the book.
The Sword of Kaigen introduces memorable and relatable characters and throws them into disastrous conflict with a powerful enemy. Kusanagi Peninsula, renowned for its unstoppable warriors who bend elements to their will, stands between the Empire and invaders. Fourteen-year-old Mamoru represents the Matsuda clan proudly and with full conviction. A new student, Kwang Chul-hee, who transfers from outside of the province challenges his beliefs. What if everything their academy teaches is just propaganda? And what if the Empire treats legendary Kaiganese warriors as cannon fodder?
Mamoru’s mother, Misaki, doesn’t deny the accusations. Once an accomplished warrior, she’s sacrificed everything to marry into the Matsuda family and provide it with sons. Her past haunts her and when she receives a letter warning her that the entire Kusanagi Peninsula is in danger, she acts. But will her husband, cold, distanced and powerful warrior, approve of a woman fighting for her own?
The Sword of Kaigen focuses on a mother and son. Their histories and arcs are inseparable and strongly connected. Misaki gives Mamoru the strength to challenge his beliefs about the world and his place in it. Mamoru’s conflict with his father gives Misaki the strength to challenge social norms and rediscover her inner warrior. As we watch them grow closer to each other, it’s hard not to admire Wang’s knack for characterization and conveying strong and believable emotions. It works against the reader - when the enemy strikes and mayhem begins no one is safe. The story takes wild and dark turns.
At 651 pages, the book rarely feels too long (once you get past a somewhat tepid beginning). It contains so much. The complexity of the Kaiganese traditions and genealogy. Martial arts, elemental magic, and epic battles. Small graceful details and moments of silence and reflection between powerful climaxes. The protagonists of The Sword of Kaigen are masters of theonite power known as jiya, the ability to control water and ice. They’ve honed their skills and mastered complex techniques that allow senior Matsuda clan’s members (Takeshi and Takeru) to display godlike powers. The epic battle that happens halfway through the book contains so much pure awesomeness (but also tragedy) that the book is worth reading for it alone.
As I mentioned I found some flaws. The beginning is slow and filled with heavy info-dumping. It requires patience and trust from the reader. Heavy use of honorifics and fictitious therms can feel confusing. The redemption arc of the character you loathe (unless you’re a misogynistic boor) felt rushed and unconvincing. I liked the result but not the path that has led to a sudden change in his relationship dynamics with his partner and others. The last chapters weren’t necessary for this story to work but I understand they had to be included to tie TSoK to Wang’s Theonite series. I’m ok with it.
On the other hand, Wang plays with tropes and makes a middle-aged mother a compelling and memorable character you root for. The other character starts as a young prodigy and just when you think you know what will happen, Wang will crush your expectations. Important characters die. Some deaths are brutal and gruesome, some tragic. One of them will tear you apart and is, for me, one of the most beautiful death scenes in all fantasy.
So, while the pacing could be tighter, the characters and action-scenes are fantastic. Wang's writing conveys raw emotions well and some twists will crush you. And that is a sign of greatness....more
Kira Vidal is a Deadbringer. His skin rots everything it touches, save for his uncle Eutau. He’s able to summon souls and revive corpses, and tha3.5/5
Kira Vidal is a Deadbringer. His skin rots everything it touches, save for his uncle Eutau. He’s able to summon souls and revive corpses, and that makes him dangerous. Those seeking to eliminate his kind hit his trail and force him to flee from the city of Opulancae where he had been working as a mortician.
While on the run, Kira learns several secrets, including a few life-changing ones. Sure, the story focuses on his escape from Sanctifiers, but it gives plenty of space to various discoveries and subplots. As ambitious as it is, it also slows the book down and makes the narrative unfocused, especially when it gives screen-time to hunters. Don’t misunderstand me - they and their development were interesting but juggling many parallel plots tend to strain the reader’s engagement in the storyline.
Overall, The Deadbringer is an exciting, well-conceived dark fantasy with surprising depth, and establishes EM Markoff as a writer who’s able to express action and complex emotion with equal clarity....more
Engelmeier’s debut impressed me on many levels. It starts off with a strong voice, a wide cast of characters, and a distinct sensActual rating: 3.5/5
Engelmeier’s debut impressed me on many levels. It starts off with a strong voice, a wide cast of characters, and a distinct sense of place and setting. Not an easy task when the story encompasses the whole Multiverse and revolves around the possible end of the Infinity. Imaginative and unique world-building coupled with a solid plot and a healthy dose of twists and turns kept me glued to my e-reader. Sure, few things irked me and resulted in a lower rating but don’t let it fool you. Engelmeier is a writer to watch.
An order of Guardians (indomitable demons with god-like powers) protects the realms of the multiverse and uphold the law. Someone targets and murders them. It can mean only one thing - the return of a long-forgotten threat. A group of unlikely allies (conflicted royal family members, and their friends/crushes) risks all to uncover the mystery behind those gruesome deaths.
Engelmeier’s intricately-crafted world offers plenty to explore - various realms, histories, languages and more. To give you an example, the inhabitants of the Infinity use at least six languages: Osnata (used in the Realm of Black Waters), Anavene (spoken in the Guardian Realm of Fogs), Su’net (the language of the dead), Lu’va (the language of the light), Makvt (the language of the darkness), Common Tongue (widely spoken).
Various Realms give various, and distinct, vibes. There’s some deeper thought behind them. With such a complex world, a reader can expect some info-dumps. I expected less than I’ve got, but I’m not crazy about detailed world-building in general. At least the Realms of Infinity are interesting.
I appreciate the effort put into crafting fictitious languages, but lack of translations (in any form) of solid parts of the text irked me. I felt stumped by the use of incomprehensible sentences, like this one:
“Yuuli d’ğreskja ne olvi ti njel,” Oliver asked, his voice no more than a dry croak, “yag ol-ishi nda póveş ne njel i pyókett shema ol anoora? ”
Which is interesting because in other places the author deftly translates the foreign language flavors:
Fwexei og-vērijanji, her people called it. Child of the multiverse.
A pity, because it took me out of the story and irritated me. I understand the desire to impart the flavour of the foreign tongues, but those languages don’t exist. A reader won’t be able to google and translate them.
And now, characters. There’s plenty of them. With six main POV characters, things get complicated. Handling such a large cast of characters isn’t easy, but Engelmeier brings them to life and makes their motivations and storylines clear. On the other hand, at times she can’t decide if she wants to tell a murder story or a demon royal love and family drama. Everyone has a crush on everyone - one of the leading characters secretly loves her friend who has a story with her brother, who, in turn, is interested in the incestuous relationship with his older brother who no longer knows what he wants. And that’s just the beginning of all the complicated affairs.
I have an issue with characterization. Let’s take Artysaedra Alayana Veiyel - the first daughter of the Infinite Royal Family, given by her parents to the Infinite Order to serve as the Guardian of Darkness. She’s a warrior through and through, she fights at the docs in her free time and runs head on toward danger. She hides her insecurity behind bravado and her swagger. It’s hard not to like her - she’s a rebellious gal drinking lots of whiskey and willing to fight for her future. Cool, except, she’s at least a few hundreds years old!
As much as I understand that demons don’t grow old physically I can’t buy into them remaining emotionally immature for hundreds of years of interacting with others and living their lives. Sure, Saedra’s qualities, anger, and bravado make her relatable for new adults but I would expect her to be well past this stage. The same is true for the rest of the characters. They’re cool, they’re likable and relatable. I totally see new adult and LGBT audience rooting for them, but when you think about it, their behavior versus their age is ridiculous.
I’m not sure how to conclude this review. A shard of Sea & Bone has plenty of awesome moments, and potential to entertain and engage readers. If only it could decide which story is more important. I would prefer the author to focus the narrative on the murder mystery and the threat to the Infinity, but her choice to thoroughly explore family and love dramas should appeal to the audience interested in such themes.
Despite my reservations, I think it’s a good book. Look at it this way - usually, when I hear about close to 600 pages of roaring fun, I turn and run in the opposite direction. Not that I dislike roaring fun, I just don’t like thick books. But I’ve finished this one in two days. It means something, right?
I like it when authors look for influences further than in an imaginary medieval Europe. I’m not alone, as clearly seen by an increasing number of AsiI like it when authors look for influences further than in an imaginary medieval Europe. I’m not alone, as clearly seen by an increasing number of Asian-inspired fantasy books. Blade’s Edge takes place in a setting strongly influenced by feudal Japan history, traditions, and myths. Kami (Shinto spirits) are real and they influence the world and interact with the living. The magic, based on Zen meditation practices, involves mastery of the elements and requires a solid grasp of inner energy’s working, and self-restraint.
Kisōshi are an elite, magically enhanced protectors of the realm. Only men can join them as no woman is born with elemental powers. At least that’s what the Rōjū council wants people to believe. They’re ready to kill innocent children to keep the truth from citizens. Mishi and Taka, two orphan girls who meet in an orphanage, share not only a beautiful and lasting friendship but also immense elemental powers they need to hide.
The girls are separated from each other in the early chapters. We observe their growth and development of their powers as their plotlines start to converge. Mishi becomes a fierce and dangerous warrior, more competent and deadly than any male Kisōshi. Taka becomes a healer. Both undergo training from Kami (powerful spirits). Both meet sweet boys they initially dislike (although things don’t turn the way one would suspect. A good thing.)
Blade’s Edge builds the plot on well-known tropes (magic school, an orphan with immense powers etc.) but also crafts an intriguing new angle on the formula. Because I have a soft spot for magical training arcs I wish McClain had spent more time showing Mishi and Taka’s training with Kami. She didn’t but I understand the choice. What we get allows us to understand the extent and limitations of their powers and focus on well thought-out plot and strong twists instead. The narrative stays focused and things develop at a steady pace.
The cast of characters is diverse, and it’s good to see the female characters playing leading roles as convincingly as their male counterparts. Both Mishi and Taka are bright, proactive, resourceful and good at heart. As a warrior, Mishi struggles with all the killing she has to do, but her inner conflicts lack credibility and could use some fine-tuning. McClain repeats time and again that Mishi feels bad about the killing and won’t do it anymore, but, truth be told, it’s not something I felt as a reader. I think showing instead of telling is one aspect of an engaging storytelling McClain has yet to master.
That said, the plot engaged me and the build-up to the climax kept me at the edge of the seat.
Unfortunately, the ending itself felt too tidy and convenient. Don’t misunderstand me - I have nothing against stories that don’t finish with everyone broken and miserable, and the world destroyed. I just prefer when things don’t get too easy the closer to the end we get. Here, though, everything felt too tidy, too fast, slightly anticlimactic. And we’re speaking about a huge social change.
Sure, we’re told one of the characters can no longer live the life she used to live but I must take the author’s word for it as I don’t think she portrayed this change convincingly enough.
McClain uses a lot of Japanese or pseudo-Japanese terminology throughout the story, and I applaud her for including an excellent glossary at the beginning of the ebook version. Seriously, more writers should do it. Having a glossary at the end of the paperback comes handy, but in ebooks, I prefer to read and memorize it before starting the story.
I liked Blade’s Edge. Victoria McClain has a smooth touch with characters and plotlines. Her focused narrative should keep most readers engaged in the story and the characters’ arcs. I’ve already bought the sequel and plan to read it soon....more
There’s a society of witch-hunters and Hunter (not his real name) is probably the best at what he does. He’s got money, the looks, and the skill. I m There’s a society of witch-hunters and Hunter (not his real name) is probably the best at what he does. He’s got money, the looks, and the skill. I mean, he’s almost like James Bond of the supernatural world. A girl he once saved from the clutches of the evil witch wants to join witch-hunters. A tragic turn of events makes him accept her as his apprentice. In the meantime, the evil raises and things get trickier than ever.
I liked the story and the concept. Everyone needs a good popcorn read from time to time, and the Shadow Rises mostly succeeds at offering high-octane, if slightly predictable, fun. Some action scenes and suspenseful moments are drawn out appropriately, but then a key piece of exposition or character development may be glossed over, or opportunities for those moments are missed. Both main and secondary characters have some distinct traits but, in general, remain underdeveloped and flat.
The writing itself could use a bit of a polish, particularly in the structure of the sentences and establishing POV and keeping it. Long stretches of simplistic phrases make the story accessible and easy to follow, but also remove the suspense or tension building in the story.
Despite many weak spots in the writing and the lack of more depth to the storyline and characters, Mardsen succeeds at creating an interesting blend of reality and fantasy. She explores the concepts of loyalty, individuality, and difficult choices and offers some unpretentious fun. As long as you approach it as a fast pulp read, you should appreciate at least parts of the story....more