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A review by shandyt
The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington
3.0
Upon reflection, 3.5 stars.
This was one of those rare books that I came so, so close to DNF'ing. I asked my husband, who's a fan of the series, how far I should read before giving up. He advised me to stick it out at least to the halfway point, and luckily for him (and me), that's almost exactly when things started to pick up. I would rate the first half of the book at an abysmal 2.5 stars, but the second half is so gosh darn good that it brings up the total.
The first half of the book is largely setup, and while things happen that are important, they're not given the weight or depth they need to keep the reader engaged. There's a 'distant' quality to the prose that makes it hard to connect with the characters and what they're feeling. Much happens offscreen, or is simply glossed over in a way that robs it of impact. It's another one of those cases where, even though parts of the book felt like a drag, I think they could have been stretched out even more to fill in some glaring gaps. Without having read the rest of the trilogy, I still feel safe asserting that it could have been at least a five-book series instead. For example, this first book has a very obvious point it could have been split in two. Then the first half could be filled in with those juicy introspective moments and worldbuilding details we missed out on, to get you invested in the characters earlier on. The second half would probably require fewer changes to perfect it, but I would definitely flesh out
On the other hand, I think one thing this book did very well was having (most of) the characters make intelligent choices without stopping to remind you every ten pages how clever they are, KVOTHE. In particular,
Honestly, if most of my theoretical split first book had covered Asha's story, that'd've been fine by me. I wanted more character moments with her, and her feelings on being a Shadow. I wanted more of her actual job as Ambassador, and her growing friendship with Michael. I wanted more interactions between her and Cole. (Man, was that death perfunctory.) With enough space to explore her character and story, I think it could have rivaled the excellent Wheel of Time book (can't remember which one) that covered Egwene's fraught-but-badass solo infiltration of Tar Valon. But I digress.
The other thing the book does a great job with is foreshadowing. Oh boy, the foreshadowing. This is another tightly-plotted, twisty Gordian knot in the vein of The Lost War, with revelations galore, and little hints and clues that seem not to add up until they're suddenly thrown into perfect focus. Unlike The Lost War, though, these clues and twists are more like flavoring, more bonuses for astute readers, than the entire substance of the plot. I don't doubt they will account for a lot of the structure of the plot, but they feel more like they're in service to the story than the other way around. Job well done, that.
Overall, upon reaching the end of the book, my thoughts are mostly fond. I don't know if I'm in love with all the characters yet, but I am certainly intrigued. You know it's a good one when you start theorizing, and you're excited to keep reading and see which of your theories prove true.
I'll pass on the same advice my husband gave me: if you think it's boring, try sticking around to the halfway point. The rest just might change your mind.
This was one of those rare books that I came so, so close to DNF'ing. I asked my husband, who's a fan of the series, how far I should read before giving up. He advised me to stick it out at least to the halfway point, and luckily for him (and me), that's almost exactly when things started to pick up. I would rate the first half of the book at an abysmal 2.5 stars, but the second half is so gosh darn good that it brings up the total.
The first half of the book is largely setup, and while things happen that are important, they're not given the weight or depth they need to keep the reader engaged. There's a 'distant' quality to the prose that makes it hard to connect with the characters and what they're feeling. Much happens offscreen, or is simply glossed over in a way that robs it of impact. It's another one of those cases where, even though parts of the book felt like a drag, I think they could have been stretched out even more to fill in some glaring gaps. Without having read the rest of the trilogy, I still feel safe asserting that it could have been at least a five-book series instead. For example, this first book has a very obvious point
Spoiler
DeilannisSpoiler
the battle for Ilin Illan. The ending was anticlimactic as heck, and it frankly needed a stronger pre-battle calm-before-the-storm section as well. (I think most works with major battles need a good calm moment beforehand for hearts to heart, introspection, and catching everybody up on what they missed/need to know. The one good episode of GoT S8, anybody?)On the other hand, I think one thing this book did very well was having (most of) the characters make intelligent choices without stopping to remind you every ten pages how clever they are, KVOTHE. In particular,
Spoiler
everything Asha did had me cheering. She not only executed a flawless Batman Gambit to use Erren to free herself from the Shadows that had kidnapped her, but she figured out Erren's use of control over Elocin, and got herself an audience with the Shadraehin with some simple, innocuous questions about directions to a tavern. None are genius level strategies, but just good, solid plans that any DM of a TTRPG would have to nod at and say, "Well done."Honestly, if most of my theoretical split first book had covered Asha's story, that'd've been fine by me. I wanted more character moments with her, and her feelings on being a Shadow. I wanted more of her actual job as Ambassador, and her growing friendship with Michael. I wanted more interactions between her and Cole. (Man, was that death perfunctory.) With enough space to explore her character and story, I think it could have rivaled the excellent Wheel of Time book (can't remember which one) that covered Egwene's fraught-but-badass solo infiltration of Tar Valon. But I digress.
The other thing the book does a great job with is foreshadowing. Oh boy, the foreshadowing. This is another tightly-plotted, twisty Gordian knot in the vein of The Lost War, with revelations galore, and little hints and clues that seem not to add up until they're suddenly thrown into perfect focus. Unlike The Lost War, though, these clues and twists are more like flavoring, more bonuses for astute readers, than the entire substance of the plot. I don't doubt they will account for a lot of the structure of the plot
Spoiler
closed time loops, woohoo!Overall, upon reaching the end of the book, my thoughts are mostly fond. I don't know if I'm in love with all the characters yet, but I am certainly intrigued. You know it's a good one when you start theorizing, and you're excited to keep reading and see which of your theories prove true.
Spoiler
My idea that an alternate timeline future caused the Augurs' predictions to go wrong will no doubt get jossed in 3, 2, 1...I'll pass on the same advice my husband gave me: if you think it's boring, try sticking around to the halfway point. The rest just might change your mind.