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tosmith's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Political intrigue hinting at even bigger mysteries, immersive world building with a fun and unique magic system and a cast of characters from all walks of life to show off this well-crafted world from all angles.
brendalovesbooks's review
3.0
This was fairly good, but there just wasn't anything very exciting about it. I didn't care very much for any of the characters, the plot was a bit boring a lot of the time, and the ending was a bit lackluster. I would potentially read the next book in the series, but it depends on how much I've forgotten, because I definitely wouldn't re-read this.
There were some interesting ideas here, and it really wasn't terrible, but I was never anxious to pick it up and read it, and it was way too easy to put down.
There were some interesting ideas here, and it really wasn't terrible, but I was never anxious to pick it up and read it, and it was way too easy to put down.
georgiacat's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sandysanchez33's review
5.0
I was a big fan of the two Powder Mage trilogies by Brian McClellan, his world building strikes a great tone with me. It’s a level below in depth to Sanderson (but who isn’t ya know?), but still McClellan does an amazing job at keeping the scope focused on a few characters yet his worlds feel large, lived in, and believable. I also have to mention if magic systems are your thing, his books are top tier!
Shadow of Lightning is equally as strong of a start as Promise of Blood in my opinion and I can’t wait for the remaining installments. I loved how intimately we get to know the characters in this story; I’ve seen reviews slamming the character development and I hear what they are saying but in my opinion it’s clear we just at the starting point and McClellan has set up a beautiful arc for us to experience in this series. My favorite part of the book was the last 20%, the climax was utterly satisfying and just enough was dangled in front of us to blow the world wide open, it took my mind in a million directions and I haven’t been as excited to read a next installment in quite awhile.
Shadow of Lightning is equally as strong of a start as Promise of Blood in my opinion and I can’t wait for the remaining installments. I loved how intimately we get to know the characters in this story; I’ve seen reviews slamming the character development and I hear what they are saying but in my opinion it’s clear we just at the starting point and McClellan has set up a beautiful arc for us to experience in this series. My favorite part of the book was the last 20%, the climax was utterly satisfying and just enough was dangled in front of us to blow the world wide open, it took my mind in a million directions and I haven’t been as excited to read a next installment in quite awhile.
andcourtney75's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Really, really loved this for the most part. I love political intrigue and this book had so many layers and twisty bits, I was absolutely delighted when I realized how good this was going to be for me. Obsessed with Demir and everything he does, and the fact that there's a character named Baby Montego who is a hulk of a man. Baby Montego!! Not quite a 5 star for me because I am deeply unsure of the last major twist/characters introduced. I'm reserving judgment for now but I think the aliens/monsters are so out of place and unnecessary for the story. I don't particularly like that they were revealed so close to the end and it makes me wonder if the glass knife can't serve its purpose the author intends for it with just human characters? Idk but the little side trip from what had been fantasy for a majority of the book into sci fi has me unsure what happens next
lthankins94's review
2.75
This book took me a long time to read, and I love magic systems and political plots. This had such an interesting framework, but I was disappointed by how easy most things were resolved chapter by chapter. I was never really worried about any characters chances. The timing seemed too fast for all of what took place, the pace/flow was off.
I loved the author's Powder Mage trilogy, but this wasn't it for me. Pretty disappointed.
SPOLIER BELOW:
******
Aliens and magic don't work for me. Not saying the big baddies are aliens, but they're aliens and its just a copout. Let the baddies be humans, not some other race of monsters never once mentioned as even old folklore. The idea of new God glass that alters appearance was better than a race of aliens manipulating all events. Just lame.
I loved the author's Powder Mage trilogy, but this wasn't it for me. Pretty disappointed.
SPOLIER BELOW:
******
Aliens and magic don't work for me. Not saying the big baddies are aliens, but they're aliens and its just a copout. Let the baddies be humans, not some other race of monsters never once mentioned as even old folklore. The idea of new God glass that alters appearance was better than a race of aliens manipulating all events. Just lame.
tshim's review
4.0
Solid, with potential to become excellent as the series continues.
Rose: The characters have a depth and charm to them; it's easy to fall in love with them.
Thorn: The stakes - there's often a mismatch between protag power level and obstacle. Nothing egregious, but enough to break immersion sometimes.
Stem: The world - interesting and vibrant, lots of depth and emotional resonance, but my gut doesn't quite buy that it's a living, breathing world with other stories in it besides the one we're party to, yet.
Rose: The characters have a depth and charm to them; it's easy to fall in love with them.
Thorn: The stakes - there's often a mismatch between protag power level and obstacle. Nothing egregious, but enough to break immersion sometimes.
Stem: The world - interesting and vibrant, lots of depth and emotional resonance, but my gut doesn't quite buy that it's a living, breathing world with other stories in it besides the one we're party to, yet.
polarbbp's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emthatwonders's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Damn! or I means Glassdamn!
This is a good book.. Like a really, REALLY good!
I added it to my favorites list half way through reading it.
I had bought it right when it came out and it just stayed on my shelf until recently.
I should have read it earlier!
It reminds me of Discovery of Witches and that book is one of my absolute favorites.
There is love, a magic system that is easy to understand, war, amazing loveable characters, a mysterious murder, and so much more.
Demir, Baby, Thessa, Kissa, and Idirian are all complex characters with great stories.
I did not have a hard time reading this story. There were little to no slow points. When the story did slow the next chapter would be of a new character doing something dangerous or progressing the story in an important way.
And the ending eluding to ancient beings living amongst us, so good!
Everyone go read this book right now!
This is a good book.. Like a really, REALLY good!
I added it to my favorites list half way through reading it.
I had bought it right when it came out and it just stayed on my shelf until recently.
I should have read it earlier!
It reminds me of Discovery of Witches and that book is one of my absolute favorites.
There is love, a magic system that is easy to understand, war, amazing loveable characters, a mysterious murder, and so much more.
Demir, Baby, Thessa, Kissa, and Idirian are all complex characters with great stories.
I did not have a hard time reading this story. There were little to no slow points. When the story did slow the next chapter would be of a new character doing something dangerous or progressing the story in an important way.
And the ending eluding to ancient beings living amongst us, so good!
Everyone go read this book right now!