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probablymiles's review
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
joreadsbooks's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Deep and Shining Dark introduces us to Marek, a coastal city-state whose magic is siphoned through a being called the cityangel. Sorcerer Reb realizes that the cityangel has gone missing and has been replaced by a new person named Beckett. Meanwhile, Marcia is Heir to House Fereno and has lost contact with her sorcerer brother, Cato. Searching for this dismissive man brings Reb and Marcia together, but the conspiracy behind it all might just threaten the political structure and magic alike.
My favorite character has got to be Jonas. He’s from Salina, an island nation close to Marek which doesn’t use magic. He gets these flickers, which are quick views into the future which present a bit like migraines. He’s in Marek trying to solve the problem with the help of a sorcerer, but unfortunately gets roped in with the wrong one.
That tension of suppressing magic in the name of familial approval despite having a community hits so close to home. It’s an effective allegory of the queer experience but it totally fits in this work because queerness is the norm and it’s so tied in with the world-building at large.
That’s another thing that really shines here: there is a clear agenda and nothing is black and white. Marcia, though idealistic, has many things to consider when it comes to her relative inexperience with regard to being a House Head. It’s intricate enough when you’re just considering the trade policy and guild relations aspect of it. Throw in magical relations, and it’s a great mélange of competing interests that don’t get resolved with one big epic scene.
rdominick's review
5.0
A wonderful start to a series (well, I hope, at least); an interesting bit of worldbuilding, layered with relatable, likeable characters. There's a good bit of peril, but it's more in the political and personal aspects of the story than clashes and action set-pieces. Looking forward to the next book!
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