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A review by kerrygetsliterary
Grieving Gold by Daniel McDaniel

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

What a unique fantasy!

In a city ruled by three gods of light -- three suns -- some people have special powers or abilities by using light to their advantage, while others find they can let go of unwanted things in darkness. Five characters, Lax, Val, Ilumi, Aiana, and Dawb, are all facing their own challenges and journeys in Luminocity. They all have separate and individual stories, yet they connect in unexpected ways. All five are motivated by personal missions, but something sinister lurks in the deepest shadows of the city.

From the very first page of Grieving Gold, readers will be engaged and have no choice but to continue reading. McDaniel has weaved a perfect web of five main character stories, and with all possessing unique voices and arcs, they are easily distinguishable. Simultaneously, the author creates a delightfully anomalous world of three sun gods and a standout magic system I hadn't seen before. While we don't get a full explanation of the magic in this book, I didn't mind because it's so interesting and I suspect there will be more to come in the rest of the series. The descriptions are vivid and the prose is excellent, allowing readers to imagine the city, the market, the caves, the lab, the palace, and the entire setting and surroundings. A movie jumped out of the book and played in my brain while reading the details of the beautiful, ancient city now in ruins.

Switching the POVs to a different character each chapter was a smart choice that kept me engaged and turning the pages. Because while there is a lot going on, it was executed well, and I became invested in each of the their stories. It was hard not to root for them all, and I can't decide who was my favorite! Each character had layers and depth, and I'm excited to see their arcs continue in the rest of the series. The side characters also play a pivotal role in each of the MC's lives.

McDaniel explores themes of classism, social structure, and power, while including influences from South American culture, along with advances in technology and how it can shape and influence both individuals and society as a whole.

This is the start of a fresh, epic fantasy series that fans of Brandon Sanderson and George R. R. Martin will love. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.

And how cool is the cover?!

CWs: violence, blood, animal deaths, death of parent, child death, tons of spiders. TONS. big boys, itty bitty boys, all of 'em.
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