It’s Wednesday, so time to update about my reading journey! The last couple of Reading Roundup posts have been about my discovery of James Islington’s Hierarchy series. Now that I have finished the published books I have turned to the trilogy that he wrote first: The Licanius Trilogy…

Here is the blurb for The Shadow of What Was Lost…

“It has been twenty years since the god-like Augurs were overthrown and killed. Now, those who once served them – the Gifted – are spared only because they have accepted the rebellion’s Four Tenets, vastly limiting their own powers.

As a young Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war lost before he was even born. He and his friends are despised beyond their school walls for the magical power they wield: a power that Davian, despite his best efforts, cannot seem to control. Worse, with his final test approaching and the consequences of failure severe, time to overcome his struggles is fast running out.

But when Davian discovers he wields the forbidden power of the Augurs, he unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will change his life – and shake the entire world.”

And here is my quick review on Goodreads…

 

The Shadow Of What Was Lost by James Islington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read the first two books in Islington’s Hierarchy series, I was looking forward to reading his debut. I was not disappointed! It is clear that his writing skills have developed since this book was published, but even in the early days his ability to handle multiple characters, detailed scene setting and very complex plots is exceptional. He uses some familiar themes: a school, a journey, the development of magical abilities, but in a refreshing way. His plots give the reader many surprises and are often ingenious. I would love to know who are his own favourite authors and which books!

I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy. What a treat!

View all my reviews

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In fact, I am about half way through the second book in the series, An Echo of Things to Come, so should be ready to write about it next week. Mind you, it is an extremely long book! Over 800 pages!

Happy Reading everyone!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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