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The Soulfire Saga #1
The Darkness Before Them
The first in an exciting, action-packed new trilogy from epic fantasy author Matthew Ward, The Darkness Before Them introduces readers to a world ruled by a dangerous immortal king, where souls fuel magic, and a supernatural mist known as the Veil threatens to engulf the land.
These are dark times for the Kingdom of Khalad. As the magical mists of the Veil devour the land, the populace struggles beneath the rule of ruthless noble houses and their uncaring immortal king.
Kat doesn’t care about any of that. A talented thief, she’s pursuing one big score that will settle the debt that destroyed her family. No easy feat in a realm where indentured spirits hold vigil over every vault and treasure room. However, Kat has a unique she can speak to those spirits, and even command them. And she has no qualms using her power to her advantage.
Kat’s not a hero. She just wants to be free. To have her old life back. But as rebellion rekindles and the war for Khalad’s future begins, everyone—Kat included—will have to pick a side.
These are dark times for the Kingdom of Khalad. As the magical mists of the Veil devour the land, the populace struggles beneath the rule of ruthless noble houses and their uncaring immortal king.
Kat doesn’t care about any of that. A talented thief, she’s pursuing one big score that will settle the debt that destroyed her family. No easy feat in a realm where indentured spirits hold vigil over every vault and treasure room. However, Kat has a unique she can speak to those spirits, and even command them. And she has no qualms using her power to her advantage.
Kat’s not a hero. She just wants to be free. To have her old life back. But as rebellion rekindles and the war for Khalad’s future begins, everyone—Kat included—will have to pick a side.
544 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
121 people are currently reading
10381 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Ward
58 books432 followersMatthew Ward is a writer, cat-servant and owner of more musical instruments than he can actually play (and considerably more than he can play well). He’s afflicted with an obsession for old places – castles, historic cities and the London Underground chief amongst them – and should probably cultivate more interests to help expand out his author biography.
After a decade serving as a principal architect for Games Workshop’s Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 properties, Matthew embarked on an adventure to tell stories set in worlds of his own design. He lives near Nottingham with his extremely patient wife – as well as a pride of attention-seeking cats – and writes to entertain anyone who feels there’s not enough magic in the world.
After a decade serving as a principal architect for Games Workshop’s Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 properties, Matthew embarked on an adventure to tell stories set in worlds of his own design. He lives near Nottingham with his extremely patient wife – as well as a pride of attention-seeking cats – and writes to entertain anyone who feels there’s not enough magic in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
November 10, 2023
My thanks to Orbit books, Matthew Ward and Netgalley.
Well...I wish I could stop my review right there! Just say, well and move on.
My main issue with this book isn't the story or really much at all...unless you consider character development an issue. I do.
Great start of a tale.
What is lacking for me is the characters. I need to love, hate or even feel SOMETHING about the people. This story lacked any proper development character wise.
Usually this wouldn't be so much of an issue, but by the end of the book I still felt nothing.
Sometimes I'll decide the tale is worth reading anyways and decide to continue with the next book, but I also read Wards last trilogy, and ended up cold. It also lacked what I needed and wanted.
So, no. I will not and cannot recommend this crap to anyone else.
Well...I wish I could stop my review right there! Just say, well and move on.
My main issue with this book isn't the story or really much at all...unless you consider character development an issue. I do.
Great start of a tale.
What is lacking for me is the characters. I need to love, hate or even feel SOMETHING about the people. This story lacked any proper development character wise.
Usually this wouldn't be so much of an issue, but by the end of the book I still felt nothing.
Sometimes I'll decide the tale is worth reading anyways and decide to continue with the next book, but I also read Wards last trilogy, and ended up cold. It also lacked what I needed and wanted.
So, no. I will not and cannot recommend this crap to anyone else.
November 8, 2023
Matthew Ward has always written incredibly deep and well thought out epic fantasy. Much like George RR Martin and Steven Erikson his cast of characters is vast and there are many factions vying for supremacy. It's a big reason why I love his books, I know he's going to deliver an incredible story that goes well beyond the surface tropes of the genre. His latest book THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM is no different and is a promising beginning to this brand new epic fantasy series.
I knew I was going to like this book from the jump because I'm a huge sucker for supernatural phenomena or entities in my fantasy reads. In this case that takes the form of The Veil, a mysterious mist that threatens to gradually engulf the entire kingdom and surrounding cities. That element alone had me hooked on the story immediately. But then throw in some incredibly cool characters and next level worldbuilding and I thoroughly enjoyed every page of THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM.
One thing I admire about Ward's books are his ability to pen characters who aren't simply black and white. There is a great deal of nuance in the way they behave, their motivations, and their ability to evolve in their belief system. This is definitely present in this book as well and I can't tell you how much that significantly ups the investment with the reader. You can't ever write off any of his characters as "good" or "bad" because everything could change with them by the final book.
So many aspects of this compelling story had me completely focused on the plot to the detriment of everything and everyone around me. And the final few chapters really left me wanting more, which I hope won't be too long. Suffice to say, if you love well-drawn characters, tight dialogue, political maneuvering and strategy, and multi-layered storylines that are anything but superficial, then you should pick this one up right away. Good news, it's available to purchase right now! Oh and be sure to also check out all of Matthew Ward's other books as well. He's among my very favorite fantasy writers going today.
I knew I was going to like this book from the jump because I'm a huge sucker for supernatural phenomena or entities in my fantasy reads. In this case that takes the form of The Veil, a mysterious mist that threatens to gradually engulf the entire kingdom and surrounding cities. That element alone had me hooked on the story immediately. But then throw in some incredibly cool characters and next level worldbuilding and I thoroughly enjoyed every page of THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM.
One thing I admire about Ward's books are his ability to pen characters who aren't simply black and white. There is a great deal of nuance in the way they behave, their motivations, and their ability to evolve in their belief system. This is definitely present in this book as well and I can't tell you how much that significantly ups the investment with the reader. You can't ever write off any of his characters as "good" or "bad" because everything could change with them by the final book.
So many aspects of this compelling story had me completely focused on the plot to the detriment of everything and everyone around me. And the final few chapters really left me wanting more, which I hope won't be too long. Suffice to say, if you love well-drawn characters, tight dialogue, political maneuvering and strategy, and multi-layered storylines that are anything but superficial, then you should pick this one up right away. Good news, it's available to purchase right now! Oh and be sure to also check out all of Matthew Ward's other books as well. He's among my very favorite fantasy writers going today.
January 21, 2024
6.43 on CAWPILE
October 14, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Orbit Books for providing me the eARC in exchange for my honest review! The title will be released on November 7, 2023.
1.5 STARS
The story kicks off with our protagonist Kat in the middle of a heist—a rather exciting way to start. This young “Cinderblood” woman has joined girlfriend Azra in a life of crime in order to try to pay off her tattooist father’s enormous debt to the temple. When a later heist goes awry, Kat is shipped off to meet her death. But fate intervenes…
The world Ward created for the Soulfire Saga has so much potential! The first chapter or two indicate to readers that this society in the Khalad kingdom has complex magic, a troubled history, corrupt aristocracy and religion, and a deep division of social classes. I feel that Ward made a grave mistake in having Kat’s plot take the turn on the ship that it did. If Kat had remained in the city, the story would have been tighter. As it is, the already large book has a plot that devolves into too many threads and introduces too many world-building elements that cannot be meaningfully explored. For all the adventuring, Kat’s character development is poor; her whole personality is centered on having been Azra’s girlfriend. Ward was trying to cram too much plot into one book. The amount of story could have easily made up two or three books.
A second POV from Castellan Damant gives readers access to "Fireblood" upperclass society and a look at the dysfunctional Bascari family ruling the Tyzanta province. I much preferred Damant’s perspective over Kat’s because it delves into the history of the world and political machinations. I wish we would have gotten more, especially in an effort to better set up the important plot reveals. Additionally, I don’t think the alternating perspectives were well handled, as the transitions seemed very jarring.
Overall, the prose made reading this book a painful experience for me. It’s dense but not flowery. Things of no significance are described in detail. Sentences run on for much too long. Even the exciting magical elements are often described in convoluted ways. The writing deflates the effects of atmosphere, world building, character interactions, and even action scenes. I want to give 2 stars for the amazing world and ideas, but the writing/construction/execution of the book are so deficient.
1.5 STARS
The story kicks off with our protagonist Kat in the middle of a heist—a rather exciting way to start. This young “Cinderblood” woman has joined girlfriend Azra in a life of crime in order to try to pay off her tattooist father’s enormous debt to the temple. When a later heist goes awry, Kat is shipped off to meet her death. But fate intervenes…
The world Ward created for the Soulfire Saga has so much potential! The first chapter or two indicate to readers that this society in the Khalad kingdom has complex magic, a troubled history, corrupt aristocracy and religion, and a deep division of social classes. I feel that Ward made a grave mistake in having Kat’s plot take the turn on the ship that it did. If Kat had remained in the city, the story would have been tighter. As it is, the already large book has a plot that devolves into too many threads and introduces too many world-building elements that cannot be meaningfully explored. For all the adventuring, Kat’s character development is poor; her whole personality is centered on having been Azra’s girlfriend. Ward was trying to cram too much plot into one book. The amount of story could have easily made up two or three books.
A second POV from Castellan Damant gives readers access to "Fireblood" upperclass society and a look at the dysfunctional Bascari family ruling the Tyzanta province. I much preferred Damant’s perspective over Kat’s because it delves into the history of the world and political machinations. I wish we would have gotten more, especially in an effort to better set up the important plot reveals. Additionally, I don’t think the alternating perspectives were well handled, as the transitions seemed very jarring.
Overall, the prose made reading this book a painful experience for me. It’s dense but not flowery. Things of no significance are described in detail. Sentences run on for much too long. Even the exciting magical elements are often described in convoluted ways. The writing deflates the effects of atmosphere, world building, character interactions, and even action scenes. I want to give 2 stars for the amazing world and ideas, but the writing/construction/execution of the book are so deficient.
May 9, 2024
2.5 Stars
There is always the excitement that comes with the start of a new series by a new-to-me author. I hoped this epic fantasy series could be a new favourite, but that doesn't appear to be on the cards.
This one had decent writing and characters, but I found it incredible generic with nothing to make it unique or memorable. My biggest struggle with this novel is that it was awful slow and uneventful. I just found the narrative presented to be dry. The story did pick up at the end so I am hopeful this first book was just prologue to a more interesting story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
There is always the excitement that comes with the start of a new series by a new-to-me author. I hoped this epic fantasy series could be a new favourite, but that doesn't appear to be on the cards.
This one had decent writing and characters, but I found it incredible generic with nothing to make it unique or memorable. My biggest struggle with this novel is that it was awful slow and uneventful. I just found the narrative presented to be dry. The story did pick up at the end so I am hopeful this first book was just prologue to a more interesting story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
June 5, 2024
4.25⭐
Well-built magic system. Political intrigue. Good character work and morally grey characters.
I should preface this review by saying I am writing it more than a month after I had finished the book, so I might forget to mention some things, yet it also showed me that this book passed the test of time, and as I was reading my notes, I remembered the book with great fondness.
Welcome to Khalad. A kingdom where the rich build on top of the old buildings creating cities with great spires that tower over the shadowy slums. A kingdom taxed down to the last penny by the noble houses. A kingdom where you cannot escape your debts even in death.
Kat might have once lived where the sun shines, but now she is just another thief of the Undertown. What sets her apart from the others is her ability that allows her to tamper with all soul-powered devices. Her abilities are key in a big heist that would clear her family's debt and set her up for life.
The first thing that really stood out for me in this book is its soul-based magic system. It is used in different ways, yet also manages to stay cohesive. It is simple to grasp the basics, but it leaves room for more complexity. I think the book also did a good job of introducing it, as well as the rest of the lore, bit by bit without causing confusion or resorting to info dumping.
The setting is also quite well worked out. We have interesting cities where the slum building might actually be an old mansion or a prison that just got buried beneath the newer layers. The atmosphere of the world is quite bleak, especially when we learn that it's all surrounded by the Veil that consumes anything living it touches and all that keeps it away are sacred fires. The religion is a bit confusing which is definitely done on purpose. On one hand, we have a two-faced goddess of justice and mercy, and on the other, an immortal king. There were even some small things that made the setting more unique and the world more alive, such as the widely spread usage of sign language. The only thing I really missed when it came to the setting and lore was a map.
We are introduced to a wide plethora of characters, with neither of them being white or black. Kat might be our hero, yet while she draws the line earlier than some others, she still does some morally questionable things in the name of survival and revenge. I enjoyed the moral conversation as there were characters with different views and motives. One of my favorite characters was Rîma. Without spoiling anything, I can only say she has a very interesting personality and code of honor. She reminded me of a certain archetype of an anime character, in a good way.
In the other camp, we observe the political intrigue among the noble houses through the eyes of Castellan Ihsan Damant. While I was initially less interested in his part of the story, it definitely also had some strong characters and, in the end, it pleasantly surprised me.
All that being said, this book might not be for everyone, as it is quite slow-paced and probably longer than necessary. It also had some moments where the writing was a bit weaker. Despite that, I personally enjoyed it and can't wait for the sequels.
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Well-built magic system. Political intrigue. Good character work and morally grey characters.
I should preface this review by saying I am writing it more than a month after I had finished the book, so I might forget to mention some things, yet it also showed me that this book passed the test of time, and as I was reading my notes, I remembered the book with great fondness.
Welcome to Khalad. A kingdom where the rich build on top of the old buildings creating cities with great spires that tower over the shadowy slums. A kingdom taxed down to the last penny by the noble houses. A kingdom where you cannot escape your debts even in death.
Kat might have once lived where the sun shines, but now she is just another thief of the Undertown. What sets her apart from the others is her ability that allows her to tamper with all soul-powered devices. Her abilities are key in a big heist that would clear her family's debt and set her up for life.
The first thing that really stood out for me in this book is its soul-based magic system. It is used in different ways, yet also manages to stay cohesive. It is simple to grasp the basics, but it leaves room for more complexity. I think the book also did a good job of introducing it, as well as the rest of the lore, bit by bit without causing confusion or resorting to info dumping.
The setting is also quite well worked out. We have interesting cities where the slum building might actually be an old mansion or a prison that just got buried beneath the newer layers. The atmosphere of the world is quite bleak, especially when we learn that it's all surrounded by the Veil that consumes anything living it touches and all that keeps it away are sacred fires. The religion is a bit confusing which is definitely done on purpose. On one hand, we have a two-faced goddess of justice and mercy, and on the other, an immortal king. There were even some small things that made the setting more unique and the world more alive, such as the widely spread usage of sign language. The only thing I really missed when it came to the setting and lore was a map.
We are introduced to a wide plethora of characters, with neither of them being white or black. Kat might be our hero, yet while she draws the line earlier than some others, she still does some morally questionable things in the name of survival and revenge. I enjoyed the moral conversation as there were characters with different views and motives. One of my favorite characters was Rîma. Without spoiling anything, I can only say she has a very interesting personality and code of honor. She reminded me of a certain archetype of an anime character, in a good way.
In the other camp, we observe the political intrigue among the noble houses through the eyes of Castellan Ihsan Damant. While I was initially less interested in his part of the story, it definitely also had some strong characters and, in the end, it pleasantly surprised me.
All that being said, this book might not be for everyone, as it is quite slow-paced and probably longer than necessary. It also had some moments where the writing was a bit weaker. Despite that, I personally enjoyed it and can't wait for the sequels.
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2023
Review originally on
JamReads
The Darkness Before Them is the initial novel in the epic fantasy The Soulfire Saga series, written by Matthew Ward. From the start, Ward proposes an overly complex worldbuilding, woven together with political intrigues, epic action and a plot that doesn't stop surprising the reader; creating a story that keeps you glued to the page.
The novel starts explosively, in the middle of action, following Kat (Katija) and her girlfriend Azra, trying to steal the biggest prize in the entire kingdom of Khalad, in order to pay the debts Kat's father left to her; however, plans have a difficult encounter with reality, failing and getting caught. Kat is sent to death, but fate's intervention changes all, putting her in the middle of a rebellion against Khalad and its tyrannical system.
While Kat's story takes most of the narrative weight, Ward introduces a second POV, Castellan Damant, giving us an insight into the dysfunctional Bascari family, rulers of a province, which helps us to understand the reality behind the Fireblood, the ruling class of Khalad. It slowly prepares us for the revelations that will end intertwining all the plots together.
Ward's worldbuilding is extremely ambitious, featuring a vivid world, with an unusual magic system based on extracting power from souls. The kingdom of Khalad is heavily skewed towards favouring the Fireblood, the nobility that is the ruling class under the power of the immortal king; lower classes barely survive in poverty. The Veil, a supernatural mist, is threatening to engulf the land.
There's a complicated equilibrium between the prose and the pacing, as sometimes this book can be felt as slow, due to Ward's writing style; but it balances with thrilling action scenes and tense moments (especially the sky battles are incredible).
If you are in the look for a great epic fantasy novel, which sets the world for a really ambitious plot, The Darkness Before Them is an excellent choice for you. Can't wait to see how Ward continues the Soulfire Saga!
The Darkness Before Them is the initial novel in the epic fantasy The Soulfire Saga series, written by Matthew Ward. From the start, Ward proposes an overly complex worldbuilding, woven together with political intrigues, epic action and a plot that doesn't stop surprising the reader; creating a story that keeps you glued to the page.
The novel starts explosively, in the middle of action, following Kat (Katija) and her girlfriend Azra, trying to steal the biggest prize in the entire kingdom of Khalad, in order to pay the debts Kat's father left to her; however, plans have a difficult encounter with reality, failing and getting caught. Kat is sent to death, but fate's intervention changes all, putting her in the middle of a rebellion against Khalad and its tyrannical system.
While Kat's story takes most of the narrative weight, Ward introduces a second POV, Castellan Damant, giving us an insight into the dysfunctional Bascari family, rulers of a province, which helps us to understand the reality behind the Fireblood, the ruling class of Khalad. It slowly prepares us for the revelations that will end intertwining all the plots together.
Ward's worldbuilding is extremely ambitious, featuring a vivid world, with an unusual magic system based on extracting power from souls. The kingdom of Khalad is heavily skewed towards favouring the Fireblood, the nobility that is the ruling class under the power of the immortal king; lower classes barely survive in poverty. The Veil, a supernatural mist, is threatening to engulf the land.
There's a complicated equilibrium between the prose and the pacing, as sometimes this book can be felt as slow, due to Ward's writing style; but it balances with thrilling action scenes and tense moments (especially the sky battles are incredible).
If you are in the look for a great epic fantasy novel, which sets the world for a really ambitious plot, The Darkness Before Them is an excellent choice for you. Can't wait to see how Ward continues the Soulfire Saga!
November 15, 2023
My very first Matthew Ward book, and it did not disappoint!! All you need is thieves, a rebellion, sky ships and a found family to make me happy, The Darkness Before Them has all four, so naturally I'm a fan.
Though I will say that parts of this book were a slight struggle, namely the first 14% until it picked up, and then some middle sections as well, but everything else was smooth sailing (yes, I had to).
I'd call this a slow paced book in general, which I'm normally not a fan of, but the characters won me over so the pacing didn't really matter.
Kat is one of our two main PoV characters, possibly my favourite, although Damant (the other PoV character) won me over first. At the start, Kat loses her girlfriend Azra after a heist gone wrong, and her whole life gets turned upside down as a result.
Some might say she doesn't have a personality beyond being Azra's girlfriend, but in my opinion she kept working on herself while working through her grief AND trying to stay alive when the world wanted her dead. She's done enough, let my girl be!!!
I love the way she looks after Yali, her banter with Tatterlain, the mutual jabs she and Vallant take at one another, and how she genuinely cares about the rag-tag crew she found herself amongst.
Kat is also a lesbian, and I really appreciate that, because she's not only the main character, but I haven't seen anything wrong with the rep itself. Hopefully it'll stay that way in the future books.
Now Damant, I'll be completely honest and say that it was his full name that got me. Don't know why, it just did. And just like that I was ready to sail away to Damant-ville.
I enjoyed seeing his whole world crumble before his eyes, as he learned the family he was so loyal to were the real villains. Not that I wanted him to suffer, mind you!!!
If you're big on politics, you'll love this. We get the bulk of it from Damant's PoV, a lot of scheming a lot of backstabbing, all that good stuff.
Although I think it would've been better to delay the politics a bit until we got to know the characters better, instead of throwing us into the fire. I was sitting there going "now why is this important", "why do I need to know this" etc, and it DOES make sense at the end, but it can be overwhelming.
There's a lot of worldbuilding going on throughout the whole novel, once you get the hang of it, it's not that difficult, but I think it's a part of why I struggled at the beginning.
I wish the magic system was as vast as the worldbuilding, because I kind of get it, or parts of it, but I'm still not 100% sure how exactly it works. I am looking forward to seeing what else Kat can do, after that ending.
Speaking of, it was a great ending that succeeded in clearing up some things and telling one complete story. Of course there's still more to go, but it's very satisfying.
One last thing, there was a twist in this book that could put many thriller authors to shame. I haven't been that surprised in a while. Good job Mr Ward.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Though I will say that parts of this book were a slight struggle, namely the first 14% until it picked up, and then some middle sections as well, but everything else was smooth sailing (yes, I had to).
I'd call this a slow paced book in general, which I'm normally not a fan of, but the characters won me over so the pacing didn't really matter.
Kat is one of our two main PoV characters, possibly my favourite, although Damant (the other PoV character) won me over first. At the start, Kat loses her girlfriend Azra after a heist gone wrong, and her whole life gets turned upside down as a result.
Some might say she doesn't have a personality beyond being Azra's girlfriend, but in my opinion she kept working on herself while working through her grief AND trying to stay alive when the world wanted her dead. She's done enough, let my girl be!!!
I love the way she looks after Yali, her banter with Tatterlain, the mutual jabs she and Vallant take at one another, and how she genuinely cares about the rag-tag crew she found herself amongst.
Kat is also a lesbian, and I really appreciate that, because she's not only the main character, but I haven't seen anything wrong with the rep itself. Hopefully it'll stay that way in the future books.
Now Damant, I'll be completely honest and say that it was his full name that got me. Don't know why, it just did. And just like that I was ready to sail away to Damant-ville.
I enjoyed seeing his whole world crumble before his eyes, as he learned the family he was so loyal to were the real villains. Not that I wanted him to suffer, mind you!!!
If you're big on politics, you'll love this. We get the bulk of it from Damant's PoV, a lot of scheming a lot of backstabbing, all that good stuff.
Although I think it would've been better to delay the politics a bit until we got to know the characters better, instead of throwing us into the fire. I was sitting there going "now why is this important", "why do I need to know this" etc, and it DOES make sense at the end, but it can be overwhelming.
There's a lot of worldbuilding going on throughout the whole novel, once you get the hang of it, it's not that difficult, but I think it's a part of why I struggled at the beginning.
I wish the magic system was as vast as the worldbuilding, because I kind of get it, or parts of it, but I'm still not 100% sure how exactly it works. I am looking forward to seeing what else Kat can do, after that ending.
Speaking of, it was a great ending that succeeded in clearing up some things and telling one complete story. Of course there's still more to go, but it's very satisfying.
One last thing, there was a twist in this book that could put many thriller authors to shame. I haven't been that surprised in a while. Good job Mr Ward.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
December 5, 2023
The Darkness Before Them
by Matthew Ward
The Soulfire Saga #1
Fantasy High Fantasy
NetGalley ARC
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
Orbit Books
Ages: 16+
Kat is a thief, out to get the one score to wipe the debt her father left for her to pay, but things went wrong, and she was caught, sentenced to a fate worse than death. But also thanks to her father, Kat is special, she can talk to spirits.
There is a rebellion, but for years they haven't made a dent in the Immortal King's rule.
This one took me two weeks to push through. At 40% I knew I should've DNF, but I kept reading because this is the first book I've read by this author, but I have other books by him, so I was hoping it would get better so I'd be more excited to read the other ones... I'm not!
It wasn't awful, but there was just nothing to really grab me. It was slow, hardly any action, and what there was felt watered down, and there got to be so much rambling that I skimmed most of this book. But most disappointing was the lack of the magic system.
There is a story here, and it's interesting, but it's buried by the rambling.
Will I read the next in the series? Probably not.
2 Stars
by Matthew Ward
The Soulfire Saga #1
Fantasy High Fantasy
NetGalley ARC
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
Orbit Books
Ages: 16+
Kat is a thief, out to get the one score to wipe the debt her father left for her to pay, but things went wrong, and she was caught, sentenced to a fate worse than death. But also thanks to her father, Kat is special, she can talk to spirits.
There is a rebellion, but for years they haven't made a dent in the Immortal King's rule.
This one took me two weeks to push through. At 40% I knew I should've DNF, but I kept reading because this is the first book I've read by this author, but I have other books by him, so I was hoping it would get better so I'd be more excited to read the other ones... I'm not!
It wasn't awful, but there was just nothing to really grab me. It was slow, hardly any action, and what there was felt watered down, and there got to be so much rambling that I skimmed most of this book. But most disappointing was the lack of the magic system.
There is a story here, and it's interesting, but it's buried by the rambling.
Will I read the next in the series? Probably not.
2 Stars
November 7, 2025
A lot of twists and turns in this eerie spirit filled world. Basically a thief who wants nothing to do with greater political causes is sucked in. In this case it’s the upper echelon of society keeping the rest of its people struggling to survive.
Magic, souls and spirit weapons abound. All the while a devouring mist threatens all.
A lot to consume but some fun characters in this gritty dark world.
Magic, souls and spirit weapons abound. All the while a devouring mist threatens all.
A lot to consume but some fun characters in this gritty dark world.
October 25, 2023
Thank you Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
This book is a whirlwind of political intrigue, lively skyship battles, and found family. To start, let's talk about the two perspective characters, Kat and Damant. The POV time spent with each was super well-handled, and I rarely felt I had spent too long or too little with each character. Though, I did find myself wishing for a better connection with them. I was never completely attached to any of the characters and often found myself wanting more from them. As for the worldbuilding, I really enjoyed the magic system. It's a super, super interesting premise. At first, keeping up with each new aspect of the world proved a little difficult, but eventually shifted into something super enjoyable, especially once the politics came into play. If political intrigue is something that interests you in fantasy books, I would recommend giving this one a try. There's a lot of scheming, and watching each character vying for their own sliver of power proved an interesting dynamic. As for the mist, I was a little disappointed at its lack of presence in the beginning of the novel, especially when things were moving a little slow, so when it finally introduced itself, I really enjoyed it.
Furthermore, I would be remiss not to mention the twist. It certainly got me. The way in which each plot line intersected at the end was really satisfying to read. That's when certain characters really came alive to me, especially Damant. For awhile, I felt that he was static (not making as many choices as I would've liked — especially when he was surrounded by so many politically charged, active characters; it made him fall a little flat), but I liked the direction Damant's arc was headed. As for Kat, I enjoyed watching her learn more about herself and her personal, individual motivations. I hope we get more of that in the next book. Some standout characters that I loved definitely include Yali, Tatterlain, and Rima. Yennika was another really interesting character to follow. For me, the found family aspect of this book is what made a lot of the scenes entertaining to read.
While I didn't absolutely love this book, I still enjoyed it, so I'll be keeping my eye out for the sequel. This world has a lot of great potential, and I'm excited to see where it goes. In the meantime, I'll be waiting for more skyship battles.
This book is a whirlwind of political intrigue, lively skyship battles, and found family. To start, let's talk about the two perspective characters, Kat and Damant. The POV time spent with each was super well-handled, and I rarely felt I had spent too long or too little with each character. Though, I did find myself wishing for a better connection with them. I was never completely attached to any of the characters and often found myself wanting more from them. As for the worldbuilding, I really enjoyed the magic system. It's a super, super interesting premise. At first, keeping up with each new aspect of the world proved a little difficult, but eventually shifted into something super enjoyable, especially once the politics came into play. If political intrigue is something that interests you in fantasy books, I would recommend giving this one a try. There's a lot of scheming, and watching each character vying for their own sliver of power proved an interesting dynamic. As for the mist, I was a little disappointed at its lack of presence in the beginning of the novel, especially when things were moving a little slow, so when it finally introduced itself, I really enjoyed it.
Furthermore, I would be remiss not to mention the twist. It certainly got me. The way in which each plot line intersected at the end was really satisfying to read. That's when certain characters really came alive to me, especially Damant. For awhile, I felt that he was static (not making as many choices as I would've liked — especially when he was surrounded by so many politically charged, active characters; it made him fall a little flat), but I liked the direction Damant's arc was headed. As for Kat, I enjoyed watching her learn more about herself and her personal, individual motivations. I hope we get more of that in the next book. Some standout characters that I loved definitely include Yali, Tatterlain, and Rima. Yennika was another really interesting character to follow. For me, the found family aspect of this book is what made a lot of the scenes entertaining to read.
While I didn't absolutely love this book, I still enjoyed it, so I'll be keeping my eye out for the sequel. This world has a lot of great potential, and I'm excited to see where it goes. In the meantime, I'll be waiting for more skyship battles.
November 17, 2023
I've decided to DNF this. I'm at the 20% mark and really not enjoying it. The writing style is absolutely not for me, it's so overwritten. This is very much a style over substance issue for me and the characters and the plot aren't captivating enough for me to keep going with it.
I'm going to provide an example of why this book didn't work for me. In chapter two here is a sentence in the first paragraph "Patrons exchanged hushed conversation over emptied bottles and upturned goblets while couples lingered in what shadows remained beneath the perimeter's brightly colored awnings, seeking a final tryst."
All of the sentences are like this, I find there is a fine line between lyrical or purple prose and purposefully pedantic writing. This, combined with the fact that the author heavily relies upon, not his own exposition or worldbuilding, but the poorly defined glossary in the back of the book to further the readers in world knowledge is just a no from me.
I'm not trying to be a dick about this but truly when you are not taking the time to show us, or even info dump the magic system, politics, or even just basic words used in the book and every sentence is written like the above it was like bashing my head with a thesaurus. For example, early on in chapter 1 or two you come across the word "Ilfri" with little context, if you flip to the back the definition literally says "kleptomaniac daemon" ...what am I to do with that hahahaha. Or the word "Hestic" introduced around the same time and defined as "protector Ilfri" ......so if you give me no world building and rely upon the glossary and I get all the way there and these are the words I'm given it's just not enough for me to push through the writing style that just doesn't work for me.
I know the author's other series is highly praised. I would consider giving it a try but this one really didn't work for me. But if the writing works for you, the concepts ARE cool so hopefully you end up loving this more than me!
I'm going to provide an example of why this book didn't work for me. In chapter two here is a sentence in the first paragraph "Patrons exchanged hushed conversation over emptied bottles and upturned goblets while couples lingered in what shadows remained beneath the perimeter's brightly colored awnings, seeking a final tryst."
All of the sentences are like this, I find there is a fine line between lyrical or purple prose and purposefully pedantic writing. This, combined with the fact that the author heavily relies upon, not his own exposition or worldbuilding, but the poorly defined glossary in the back of the book to further the readers in world knowledge is just a no from me.
I'm not trying to be a dick about this but truly when you are not taking the time to show us, or even info dump the magic system, politics, or even just basic words used in the book and every sentence is written like the above it was like bashing my head with a thesaurus. For example, early on in chapter 1 or two you come across the word "Ilfri" with little context, if you flip to the back the definition literally says "kleptomaniac daemon" ...what am I to do with that hahahaha. Or the word "Hestic" introduced around the same time and defined as "protector Ilfri" ......so if you give me no world building and rely upon the glossary and I get all the way there and these are the words I'm given it's just not enough for me to push through the writing style that just doesn't work for me.
I know the author's other series is highly praised. I would consider giving it a try but this one really didn't work for me. But if the writing works for you, the concepts ARE cool so hopefully you end up loving this more than me!
November 28, 2023
“Don’t be tedious, darling. ‘Unfair’ implies rules, and you know we don’t have any.”
I was very excited when I saw Matthew Ward was releasing a new book, considering how much of a fan I am of the author’s LEGACY TRILOGY; however, THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Ward is a great storyteller, and that skill really shines through for much of the book. The story starts in the midst of a heist, which was a really exciting way to kick things off. I love the action, and it is also a great way to get introduced to the characters. Their motivations, personal history, strengths, and weaknesses get showcased. It was off to a good start.
The book is full of great scenes like this: heists, break-ins, escapes, fights - there is so much that draws the reader in and keeps the story interesting. I love the detail in each scene, also. Ward paints the picture as well as anyone.
That being said, there are a couple of aspects of this book that kept it out of upper tier territory for me. First was that I did not find the magic very interesting. Not sure exactly why, but it just did not appeal to me. More importantly, though, is the lack of intrigue in the overall storylines. I have given Ward his due for the scene-writing, but outside of that it never felt like the characters on either side of the narrative were working toward a larger goal, other than “continue to amass power and repress” and “fight the power by hitting ‘em where it hurts”. Add in a revenge storyline or two. All of which is great, except I need my characters working toward a larger, stated goal. I did not get that here.
Overall, the book was good. I got lost in the excitement of the action sequences pretty easily. But, with the lack of overall intrigue I do not plan to continue with the series - and that is disappointing to me.
Have you read THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM? I would be interested to hear what you think.
I was very excited when I saw Matthew Ward was releasing a new book, considering how much of a fan I am of the author’s LEGACY TRILOGY; however, THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Ward is a great storyteller, and that skill really shines through for much of the book. The story starts in the midst of a heist, which was a really exciting way to kick things off. I love the action, and it is also a great way to get introduced to the characters. Their motivations, personal history, strengths, and weaknesses get showcased. It was off to a good start.
The book is full of great scenes like this: heists, break-ins, escapes, fights - there is so much that draws the reader in and keeps the story interesting. I love the detail in each scene, also. Ward paints the picture as well as anyone.
That being said, there are a couple of aspects of this book that kept it out of upper tier territory for me. First was that I did not find the magic very interesting. Not sure exactly why, but it just did not appeal to me. More importantly, though, is the lack of intrigue in the overall storylines. I have given Ward his due for the scene-writing, but outside of that it never felt like the characters on either side of the narrative were working toward a larger goal, other than “continue to amass power and repress” and “fight the power by hitting ‘em where it hurts”. Add in a revenge storyline or two. All of which is great, except I need my characters working toward a larger, stated goal. I did not get that here.
Overall, the book was good. I got lost in the excitement of the action sequences pretty easily. But, with the lack of overall intrigue I do not plan to continue with the series - and that is disappointing to me.
Have you read THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM? I would be interested to hear what you think.
December 16, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book - it was a struggle to get through and whilst it could easily been put on the dnf pile there were elements I really enjoyed, especially in the world building; the ship with her alien pilot, the mists, the old towns. However I felt no connection to any of the characters even ones with traits/tropes I often look for in my reading. Storyline also had just enough twists to keep me invested until end.
December 1, 2023
I think this book had so much potential, and perhaps others will enjoy this book much more than I did, but it was unfortunately a DNF for me for a variety of reasons. And it is worth noting that being unwilling to finish this book is made worse by the fact that there were aspects of this novel that I was so excited for.
First and foremost, the positives. This book has a wealth of world-building. I am always a slut for good world-building and complex systems of magic and social hierarchies. The Darkness Before Them is rife with both**. The main character is a queer—specifically lesbian—woman who, like the vast majority of the population in the book, is Middle-Eastern-coded, and her sapphic relationship is given prominence and space from the first few pages of the text***, which can be refreshing in a genre of fantasy that often pushes lgbtq characters to the margin.
Now, on to the negatives. Frankly, I don’t really find anything about this book to be unique. I have read a lot of fantasy, and the plot and world presented feel like a collage of other series. The premise of power from a soul is fun, but feels like a mere rebranding of mana-based magic, and that has been done many times before. This is not to say that people can’t write fantasy that follows a set formula, but to have a book that is every epic fantasy series just substituting a queer heroine and some Arabic-sounding names isn’t reinventing the wheel, and shouldn’t be promoted as such.
** The problem with having such intensive world-building is that, at times, it felt like Ward lost sight of the plot and the actual scene before him, instead opting to write superfluously long and detailed scenes and descriptions that add nothing to the actual plot or scene the reader is experiencing. I found my eyes glossing over long paragraphs and jumping to dialogue in the hopes of plot movement that didn’t go nearly as smoothly as I would have liked.
***The deal-breaking issue that took me out of the book, more than anything, is what felt like forced inclusivity without any genuine inclusion of cultural knowledge. As far as I am aware, Matthew Ward is a white, British man who has neither Middle-Eastern roots nor is in a queer, sapphic relationship. I say this as a slight jest, and not as a knock on Ward’s identity, but as a queer, Muslim woman myself, I am always apprehensive about people from outside the community writing into it with impunity. From what I read, Ward does not commit any offenses against either the queer or Muslim communities, but it is my personal reading preference to read books about characters whom the authors personally represent and identify with. Ultimately, this was the breaking point for me and this novel, though I know not everyone will agree with this opinion and may want to look past it to continue with the book.
I think if I had pushed through the text, this would likely have received 2 stars, which is what I have rounded this rating to, but given my grievances that led to a DNF status, my true rating sits at 1.5 ⭐
*Thank you again to NetGalley and Orbit publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
First and foremost, the positives. This book has a wealth of world-building. I am always a slut for good world-building and complex systems of magic and social hierarchies. The Darkness Before Them is rife with both**. The main character is a queer—specifically lesbian—woman who, like the vast majority of the population in the book, is Middle-Eastern-coded, and her sapphic relationship is given prominence and space from the first few pages of the text***, which can be refreshing in a genre of fantasy that often pushes lgbtq characters to the margin.
Now, on to the negatives. Frankly, I don’t really find anything about this book to be unique. I have read a lot of fantasy, and the plot and world presented feel like a collage of other series. The premise of power from a soul is fun, but feels like a mere rebranding of mana-based magic, and that has been done many times before. This is not to say that people can’t write fantasy that follows a set formula, but to have a book that is every epic fantasy series just substituting a queer heroine and some Arabic-sounding names isn’t reinventing the wheel, and shouldn’t be promoted as such.
** The problem with having such intensive world-building is that, at times, it felt like Ward lost sight of the plot and the actual scene before him, instead opting to write superfluously long and detailed scenes and descriptions that add nothing to the actual plot or scene the reader is experiencing. I found my eyes glossing over long paragraphs and jumping to dialogue in the hopes of plot movement that didn’t go nearly as smoothly as I would have liked.
***The deal-breaking issue that took me out of the book, more than anything, is what felt like forced inclusivity without any genuine inclusion of cultural knowledge. As far as I am aware, Matthew Ward is a white, British man who has neither Middle-Eastern roots nor is in a queer, sapphic relationship. I say this as a slight jest, and not as a knock on Ward’s identity, but as a queer, Muslim woman myself, I am always apprehensive about people from outside the community writing into it with impunity. From what I read, Ward does not commit any offenses against either the queer or Muslim communities, but it is my personal reading preference to read books about characters whom the authors personally represent and identify with. Ultimately, this was the breaking point for me and this novel, though I know not everyone will agree with this opinion and may want to look past it to continue with the book.
I think if I had pushed through the text, this would likely have received 2 stars, which is what I have rounded this rating to, but given my grievances that led to a DNF status, my true rating sits at 1.5 ⭐
*Thank you again to NetGalley and Orbit publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
November 9, 2023
The Darkness Before Them is the first book in a new series by Matthew Ward. The paced of the story was slow to start as the author introduces us to the world and characters. It does pick up due to the plot twists, plenty of action which drives the story forward keeping you engaged.. The world building was well handled, not too much information over-load. The character development, political intrigues and the scheming are the standout. The standout character was Kat, I enjoyed her growth, which showed a steady arc throughout the story, also watching learn about her personal and individual motivations. I also really appreciated the dual POV so that you can see the story unfolding from both sides, especially the way in which each plot line intersected at the end was really satisfying to read and well handled. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read; the world has a lot of great potential, and I'm interested to see where it goes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the e-ARC of The Darkness Before Them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the e-ARC of The Darkness Before Them.
dnf
November 8, 2023DNF @ 40%
I really tried to get into this book, but if you get 200+ pages into a book and it’s still a struggle it’s simply not a book for you.
I see a lot of comments and reviews saying the world building was great, and while yes there was – it also felt like I was dropped headfirst into book 2. The author assumes you know a lot about the magic system and politics. The world is so rich, but for a first book of a series it doesn’t ease the reader into it. It felt like I was in a foreign land without a map.
Another point of contention for me was the characters, their choices were strange, and I thought putting the one character on a boat and away from all the action in the city didn’t really make sense. Things felt so dense and I didn’t find myself enjoying what I was reading at all.
Available November 7, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really tried to get into this book, but if you get 200+ pages into a book and it’s still a struggle it’s simply not a book for you.
I see a lot of comments and reviews saying the world building was great, and while yes there was – it also felt like I was dropped headfirst into book 2. The author assumes you know a lot about the magic system and politics. The world is so rich, but for a first book of a series it doesn’t ease the reader into it. It felt like I was in a foreign land without a map.
Another point of contention for me was the characters, their choices were strange, and I thought putting the one character on a boat and away from all the action in the city didn’t really make sense. Things felt so dense and I didn’t find myself enjoying what I was reading at all.
Available November 7, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 31, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Orbit Books for providing me the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I found this book a real struggle to get into. The worldbuilding at the start is quite intense, and normally I love chunky epic fantasies with lots of detail. There are so many names at the start for the spirits (ifrit) that power everything that I felt overwhelmed by an otherwise really interesting magic system.
The characters never really grabbed me and I didn't end up caring for Kat or any of the secondary characters.
I think this book will appeal to many readers of fantasy and political scheming plots but it wasn't the right book for me.
I found this book a real struggle to get into. The worldbuilding at the start is quite intense, and normally I love chunky epic fantasies with lots of detail. There are so many names at the start for the spirits (ifrit) that power everything that I felt overwhelmed by an otherwise really interesting magic system.
The characters never really grabbed me and I didn't end up caring for Kat or any of the secondary characters.
I think this book will appeal to many readers of fantasy and political scheming plots but it wasn't the right book for me.
August 27, 2023
okay five stars because i genuinely just had a good time. it's a solid competent fantasy with an original magic system.
but i didn't actually finish it through no fault of the book just because it started to do a thing i personally hate when you introduce a rebel leader character and then spend too much time like "but what if THEY'RE really EVIL too" that's a personal issue for me so ymmv
but i didn't actually finish it through no fault of the book just because it started to do a thing i personally hate when you introduce a rebel leader character and then spend too much time like "but what if THEY'RE really EVIL too" that's a personal issue for me so ymmv
October 15, 2023
Good book I suppose for some readers hopefully, but I found myself disappointed reading this book. I don't really know what I didn't like about it but just didn't love it. The magic system was underwhelming and uninteresting.to me. I didn't really care for any character in particular as well. Not every book is for everyone I suppose. This book will be enjoyable for some but sadly not myself.
October 23, 2023
The Darkness Before Them is the first book in a new series by Matthew Ward. I had read The Legacy Trilogy and really enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to this.
The story kicks off with plenty of action as the main protagonist, Kat, and her girlfriend plan to rob the biggest prize in the kingdom of Khalad, and if successful pay off her late father's debts and live free.
There's a lot going on in this book, and at times, it felt like a bit of a slog. With a lot of world building and description, that wasn't really necessary. But I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did.
With a dual POV , the other comes from Damant the Castellan to the Bascari family.
It's a story full of political intrigue with a complex magical system and some great characters. I found Kat pretty annoying at the start, but as her character developed, she grew on me. I didn't see the twist or the reveals when they came.
Will definitely read the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
The story kicks off with plenty of action as the main protagonist, Kat, and her girlfriend plan to rob the biggest prize in the kingdom of Khalad, and if successful pay off her late father's debts and live free.
There's a lot going on in this book, and at times, it felt like a bit of a slog. With a lot of world building and description, that wasn't really necessary. But I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did.
With a dual POV , the other comes from Damant the Castellan to the Bascari family.
It's a story full of political intrigue with a complex magical system and some great characters. I found Kat pretty annoying at the start, but as her character developed, she grew on me. I didn't see the twist or the reveals when they came.
Will definitely read the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
Want to read
June 1, 2024💲💰 Cha-ching! 💰💲
I knew with patience I'd see the price go down on this book!
I knew with patience I'd see the price go down on this book!
June 17, 2024
Rep: bi mc, sapphic li
May 11, 2025
This one was difficult to get into but in the end I loved it. And of course will be reading the next book.
Read
October 26, 2023I don't think I was the target audience for The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward. It was just so difficult for me to get close to any of the characters, and I struggled to get through this. The narrative seemed to drag on at times, and I found myself losing interest. The plot, while intriguing in concept, didn't fully captivate me and left me wanting. Additionally, the writing style felt a bit disjointed and inconsistent, making it challenging for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, while this book may appeal to fans of fantasy, it unfortunately fell short for me.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
November 7, 2023
**3.5/5 Stars Rounded Up**
Ward’s Legacy trilogy captured me from the first book’s prologue. I picked up Legacy of Ash by chance at a Barnes & Noble and purchased it after reading the beginning. With the Legacy trilogy, Matthew Ward secured a reader for life in me. I loved his imagery, his imagination, and his storytelling. He created an intricate world, every detail figured out. I could not start The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward fast enough. It took me far longer to read than Legacy of Ash for two reasons—a hectic schedule…and a plot that didn’t interest me as much.
The Darkness Before Them centers around two groups of different social standings. One, the ruling class, from the view of Ihsen Damant, Castellan to House Bascari. He has served the family for years, unquestioningly. The other, from Katija Arvish, a thief who soon finds herself in the middle of Bashar Vallant’s rebel group, a group with whom she had no desire to associate. But after the death of her girlfriend and committing a crime that catapulted her reputation to unintended heights, Kat commits herself to making her lover’s killers pay.
Matthew Ward’s character development is incomparable, particularly with Damant and Kat. That and the author’s perfectly placed moments of humor save The Darkness Before Them. The novel, however, is clearly the first book of a trilogy. I felt most of the book was setting the scene for Ward’s future novels. Did things happen? Yes, and they all contributed to Damant and Kat’s growth. But the novel could have been shorter. I understand what Ward was trying to do, but he wasn’t as successful in this one as in his Legacy trilogy. He demonstrated the morally gray areas associated with the “two groups” truism. Both sides do despicable things, and innocent lives suffer the consequences. Politics are murky, as they are in real life.
But The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward was…exhausting. And maybe that’s because I read it in times of weariness, and my brain just didn’t want to think that hard. The novel is anything but simple. It is still very “Game of Thrones”-esque with the twists and minutiae. But the plot moved slowly, and I grew bored. It seemed to pick up closer to the conclusion. Disclaimer: It wasn’t until the last 100 pages or so that I could read without constant interruptions, so that could’ve contributed. Overall, Ward pulled me in enough that I will read book two, but I’m not as eager as I was to read Legacy of Steel upon finishing its predecessor.
*Note: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review (thanks Orbit and NetGalley!). All views expressed are my own.
Ward’s Legacy trilogy captured me from the first book’s prologue. I picked up Legacy of Ash by chance at a Barnes & Noble and purchased it after reading the beginning. With the Legacy trilogy, Matthew Ward secured a reader for life in me. I loved his imagery, his imagination, and his storytelling. He created an intricate world, every detail figured out. I could not start The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward fast enough. It took me far longer to read than Legacy of Ash for two reasons—a hectic schedule…and a plot that didn’t interest me as much.
The Darkness Before Them centers around two groups of different social standings. One, the ruling class, from the view of Ihsen Damant, Castellan to House Bascari. He has served the family for years, unquestioningly. The other, from Katija Arvish, a thief who soon finds herself in the middle of Bashar Vallant’s rebel group, a group with whom she had no desire to associate. But after the death of her girlfriend and committing a crime that catapulted her reputation to unintended heights, Kat commits herself to making her lover’s killers pay.
Matthew Ward’s character development is incomparable, particularly with Damant and Kat. That and the author’s perfectly placed moments of humor save The Darkness Before Them. The novel, however, is clearly the first book of a trilogy. I felt most of the book was setting the scene for Ward’s future novels. Did things happen? Yes, and they all contributed to Damant and Kat’s growth. But the novel could have been shorter. I understand what Ward was trying to do, but he wasn’t as successful in this one as in his Legacy trilogy. He demonstrated the morally gray areas associated with the “two groups” truism. Both sides do despicable things, and innocent lives suffer the consequences. Politics are murky, as they are in real life.
But The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward was…exhausting. And maybe that’s because I read it in times of weariness, and my brain just didn’t want to think that hard. The novel is anything but simple. It is still very “Game of Thrones”-esque with the twists and minutiae. But the plot moved slowly, and I grew bored. It seemed to pick up closer to the conclusion. Disclaimer: It wasn’t until the last 100 pages or so that I could read without constant interruptions, so that could’ve contributed. Overall, Ward pulled me in enough that I will read book two, but I’m not as eager as I was to read Legacy of Steel upon finishing its predecessor.
*Note: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review (thanks Orbit and NetGalley!). All views expressed are my own.
November 6, 2023
Oh, goodness. Overall rating: 1.7 (rounded to 2).
This fantasy book writes of a FMC who is finding her place in the world, driven by repaying a debt that her father left her with. She is betrayed, left alone to face execution, finds “family,” and conquers the impossible. Other tropes: lovers to enemies, found family, and some others I cannot think of. There are some sea faring pirate like characters. An empire falling apart, and a scramble for power. All in a world of magic and a terrifying “mist.”
This book seemed to want to be like Priory of the Orange Tree with The Daevabad Series, with dual POV. Where did it fall short? Many places. The writing? There were run on sentences. The fighting scenes couldn’t keep track of the characters. World building was hard to follow even with an appendix/glossary. The language and word development was so difficult. Everything felt out of place. Sentences seemed to be run on. The beginning was slow, and at times super painful. I really thought about not finishing, but I carried on and saw it through to the end.
This book had potential and it simply fell short. A FMC who has these earned powers due to her father’s mysterious workings and experimentation? Oh boy, I wanted more. I wanted to see more come from this. Parts were longer than they should have been, and others neglected.
I appreciate NetGalley and Orbit Books for allowing me to read this for a review.
This fantasy book writes of a FMC who is finding her place in the world, driven by repaying a debt that her father left her with. She is betrayed, left alone to face execution, finds “family,” and conquers the impossible. Other tropes: lovers to enemies, found family, and some others I cannot think of. There are some sea faring pirate like characters. An empire falling apart, and a scramble for power. All in a world of magic and a terrifying “mist.”
This book seemed to want to be like Priory of the Orange Tree with The Daevabad Series, with dual POV. Where did it fall short? Many places. The writing? There were run on sentences. The fighting scenes couldn’t keep track of the characters. World building was hard to follow even with an appendix/glossary. The language and word development was so difficult. Everything felt out of place. Sentences seemed to be run on. The beginning was slow, and at times super painful. I really thought about not finishing, but I carried on and saw it through to the end.
This book had potential and it simply fell short. A FMC who has these earned powers due to her father’s mysterious workings and experimentation? Oh boy, I wanted more. I wanted to see more come from this. Parts were longer than they should have been, and others neglected.
I appreciate NetGalley and Orbit Books for allowing me to read this for a review.
October 11, 2023
This was my first book written by Matthew Ward, so I didn't have any idea what to expect from this book other than its really interesting premise. I was most impressed by the grand scale of world building and weaving of political intrigue throughout the story. The twists and turns of the plot played out really well, and kept me engaged when the slower pacing might have started to make me fall off the wagon. The struggling power dynamics and backstabbing characters kept the story exciting and left me never really knowing where it would go next.
I also really like this magic system, it's unique and worked very well with the world that the author has created. I always love to see a new author's take on ifrit magic and how it shapes the world, and having it directly woven into everyday life is such a cool way to use this magic system. The fantasy world compliments the characters fabulously, and I'm really excited to see where this story goes. I'm very scared that things might get tragic, I'll definitely be checking out the sequel!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the e-arc :)
I also really like this magic system, it's unique and worked very well with the world that the author has created. I always love to see a new author's take on ifrit magic and how it shapes the world, and having it directly woven into everyday life is such a cool way to use this magic system. The fantasy world compliments the characters fabulously, and I'm really excited to see where this story goes. I'm very scared that things might get tragic, I'll definitely be checking out the sequel!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the e-arc :)
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November 3, 2023Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Darkness Before Them sounded like an amazing book following a thief in a kingdom ruled by an immortal king and a magical mist consuming the land. It has a unique magic system and rich world building.
Unfortunately this was not for me and I am gonna have to DNF at 15% of the way through. I am struggling to get into the world and finding this to be much too slow for me. Nothing is really keeping my attention and because of that I am unable to read this for very long before I find myself getting bored. From what I’ve read I don’t think this is a bad book, just not for me. I will say I found myself very confused with all of the world building, but that is possibly from my attention wandering while reading and missing details of the world.
I’m sad I wasn’t able to get into this because it sounded so good. I might end up giving this one another try in a couple years, but right now I just can’t do it.
The Darkness Before Them sounded like an amazing book following a thief in a kingdom ruled by an immortal king and a magical mist consuming the land. It has a unique magic system and rich world building.
Unfortunately this was not for me and I am gonna have to DNF at 15% of the way through. I am struggling to get into the world and finding this to be much too slow for me. Nothing is really keeping my attention and because of that I am unable to read this for very long before I find myself getting bored. From what I’ve read I don’t think this is a bad book, just not for me. I will say I found myself very confused with all of the world building, but that is possibly from my attention wandering while reading and missing details of the world.
I’m sad I wasn’t able to get into this because it sounded so good. I might end up giving this one another try in a couple years, but right now I just can’t do it.
December 9, 2023
I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. This took me months to read. It seemed to just drag on and the characters didn't really seem appealing to me. This had some potential, but fell flat for me. 1.8 rating rounded up to 2 stars. Would not recommend.
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