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The Knots Sequence #2
The Shadow's Curse
Raim is no closer to figuring out the meaning of the broken vow that sentenced him to exile for life. But with his former best friend now a tyrannical Khan who is holding the girl Raim loves captive, he finds it hard to care. Every day, he and Draikh learn more about their powers, but it quickly becomes clear that he will never be able to stop Khareh and free Wadi unless he can free himself from the ultimate taboo of his people. Reluctantly, Raim begins the long journey down to the dangerous South, to find the maker of his oath.
In Khareh's camp, Wadi is more than capable of devising her own escape plan, but she's gradually realizing she might not want to. The more she learns about Khareh, the more confused she becomes. He's done unquestionably bad things, horrific even, but he's got big dreams for Darhan that might improve their dire situation. What's more, rumours of a Southern king massing an army to invade Darhan are slowly gaining ground. Only if the Northern tribes can come together under a single ruler will they have the strength to fight the South - but what if that ruler is an impulsive (albeit brilliant) young man, barely able to control his ever-growing power, and missing the one part of him that might keep him sane? Whoever conquers the desert, wins the war. And the secret to desert survival lies in Lazar, which is set to become the heart of a great battle once again.
In Khareh's camp, Wadi is more than capable of devising her own escape plan, but she's gradually realizing she might not want to. The more she learns about Khareh, the more confused she becomes. He's done unquestionably bad things, horrific even, but he's got big dreams for Darhan that might improve their dire situation. What's more, rumours of a Southern king massing an army to invade Darhan are slowly gaining ground. Only if the Northern tribes can come together under a single ruler will they have the strength to fight the South - but what if that ruler is an impulsive (albeit brilliant) young man, barely able to control his ever-growing power, and missing the one part of him that might keep him sane? Whoever conquers the desert, wins the war. And the secret to desert survival lies in Lazar, which is set to become the heart of a great battle once again.
Hardcover
First published July 3, 2014
6 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
About the author
Amy McCulloch
13 books832 followersAmy McCulloch is a Chinese-White author, born in the UK, raised in Ottawa, Canada, now based in London, UK. She has written several novels for children and young adults, and been published in over fifteen different languages. Her debut adult novel, BREATHLESS, releases in 2022.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 13, 2015
This book is a lot better then the first book!
April 25, 2017
What did I just read? There are so many contrary positions in this book that it hard to really get into the world building.
There are too many to really go into, and I don't want to spend more time on it then I have to, but i'll go into a couple that are blatant to me at least:
- If Khareh became good when he merged with Draikh, because of Raim's use of his spirit to do good, shouldn't Raim turn evil because of the use of his spirit to do evil?
- There's a whole section where Wadi describes a river/rain when she spent her whole life in the desert...
- If people are so repulsed by shadows/haunts to the point that it physically affects them, be they grey or dark haunts, why is it that Khareh is able to become Khan. There's a section in the book that says people would stone those that weren't going to Lazar.
Anyways, I finished the book just because I was 1 away from closing my reading challenge for the year.
The last 3 chapters were nice though. It's like they were edited by a completely different person.
There are too many to really go into, and I don't want to spend more time on it then I have to, but i'll go into a couple that are blatant to me at least:
- If Khareh became good when he merged with Draikh, because of Raim's use of his spirit to do good, shouldn't Raim turn evil because of the use of his spirit to do evil?
- There's a whole section where Wadi describes a river/rain when she spent her whole life in the desert...
- If people are so repulsed by shadows/haunts to the point that it physically affects them, be they grey or dark haunts, why is it that Khareh is able to become Khan. There's a section in the book that says people would stone those that weren't going to Lazar.
Anyways, I finished the book just because I was 1 away from closing my reading challenge for the year.
The last 3 chapters were nice though. It's like they were edited by a completely different person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2016
4.5 stars
So, I'm walking down the cereal aisle at the grocery store and someone says, "Oh hi, Lindsay! It's so great to see you!" And for a moment I stand, stumped. Who is this person, and why do they know my name? I double check to make sure I haven't accidentally left on my name tag from work. Obviously, as I'm a great actress, I play along, asking how things are going with them. Eventually I'll either figure out who they are in relation to me, or we'll finish our conversation, offering well wishes. No harm, no foul.
Well, this is kind of how starting this book was for me. I had a vague, shadowing memory of how much I loved the first book, but I was still finding myself stumped, not sure exactly where I left off with these characters the last time I saw them. The more I read, however, the more I remembered how great the story is, how detailed. Parts of the first book came back to me, and soon, it was like being reunited with an old friend. We hugged, and promised not to leave each other's side until the final page turn.
I have to admit to one small disappointment. Raim and Wadi spend most of the book apart. Their chemistry in the first book was one of the highlights and to have their stories told separately left me in anticipation for their reunion. But then, when they finally meet again, I felt like it was a little anticlimactic.
Plenty of action and intrigue though! Even the slower parts were tense, and there was a constant sense of foreboding. I mean, the whole book is building towards a war! I spent the last fifty pages dreading what was to come: the end. I was anticipating the long wait for the next book. Then, a strange thing happened. Everything started to get wrapped up. I began to feel a new sense of dread... maybe this really was THE END. There would be no third book. I was left with just a few chapters with these characters before I would have to say my farewell! And now that I've finished it? I still have no idea. It feels finished, but there were still so many loose ends! I think I'm going to just hold out hope that there will be another story. I'm not emotionally prepared to say goodbye to Raim and Wadi.
**NOTE**
After writing my review, I've noticed that the series is currently out of print and being rereleased in February with new covers. The series is also being listed as a duology now... so I guess I'm out of luck for more books. *sobs*
A copy of this book was provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So, I'm walking down the cereal aisle at the grocery store and someone says, "Oh hi, Lindsay! It's so great to see you!" And for a moment I stand, stumped. Who is this person, and why do they know my name? I double check to make sure I haven't accidentally left on my name tag from work. Obviously, as I'm a great actress, I play along, asking how things are going with them. Eventually I'll either figure out who they are in relation to me, or we'll finish our conversation, offering well wishes. No harm, no foul.
Well, this is kind of how starting this book was for me. I had a vague, shadowing memory of how much I loved the first book, but I was still finding myself stumped, not sure exactly where I left off with these characters the last time I saw them. The more I read, however, the more I remembered how great the story is, how detailed. Parts of the first book came back to me, and soon, it was like being reunited with an old friend. We hugged, and promised not to leave each other's side until the final page turn.
I have to admit to one small disappointment. Raim and Wadi spend most of the book apart. Their chemistry in the first book was one of the highlights and to have their stories told separately left me in anticipation for their reunion. But then, when they finally meet again, I felt like it was a little anticlimactic.
Plenty of action and intrigue though! Even the slower parts were tense, and there was a constant sense of foreboding. I mean, the whole book is building towards a war! I spent the last fifty pages dreading what was to come: the end. I was anticipating the long wait for the next book. Then, a strange thing happened. Everything started to get wrapped up. I began to feel a new sense of dread... maybe this really was THE END. There would be no third book. I was left with just a few chapters with these characters before I would have to say my farewell! And now that I've finished it? I still have no idea. It feels finished, but there were still so many loose ends! I think I'm going to just hold out hope that there will be another story. I'm not emotionally prepared to say goodbye to Raim and Wadi.
**NOTE**
After writing my review, I've noticed that the series is currently out of print and being rereleased in February with new covers. The series is also being listed as a duology now... so I guess I'm out of luck for more books. *sobs*
A copy of this book was provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2024
This is a version of my review for the first book in this "duology"- actually a two-volume novel.
I have updated my rating of the first book, The Oathbreaker's Shadow, from three to four stars. The complete novel is better than the first book promised.
In reading The Oathbreaker's Shadow, and in fact through most of The Shadow's Curse, I deplored several of Raim's decisions. But the ending proves him to have been wiser than he seemed.
I appreciate the fact that there is no love triangle. It is very clear who belongs with Raim. This is not about a knight rescuing a helpless damsel (though there's some value to that theme) nor about the modern reversals of damsels rescuing men. Both Raim and his love have to be wise and valiant and apparently "destiny" favors them.
The second volume seemed long at almost 450 pages and dragged for me about 2/3 in. I wanted to be done with it. But then it got better and better, more suspenseful, and I kept reading because I needed to know what would happen.
One complaint: I think it's unrealistic that so many of the elite soldiers in this story are women. I'm not saying women shouldn't be in the modern military (where modern weapons make a big difference) and it's a fact that women archers on horseback were effective warriors in ancient Scythia (in a somewhat similar culture to the one in the book). But I'm tired of all these modern fantasy books showing lots of women being amazingly effective with sword and dagger and unarmed combat against men. There are a FEW women Rangers and a FEW women SEALS - they're exceptional.
I really liked the ending and how it ties in to the beginning.
Now I have to make a hard decision - do I keep the first volume, hoping to acquire my own copy of the second someday, or do I give it away? (I will at least return the second volume to the library!) Until I finished I was sure I would give the first away, but now I'm not sure. Time will tell.
I have updated my rating of the first book, The Oathbreaker's Shadow, from three to four stars. The complete novel is better than the first book promised.
In reading The Oathbreaker's Shadow, and in fact through most of The Shadow's Curse, I deplored several of Raim's decisions. But the ending proves him to have been wiser than he seemed.
I appreciate the fact that there is no love triangle. It is very clear who belongs with Raim. This is not about a knight rescuing a helpless damsel (though there's some value to that theme) nor about the modern reversals of damsels rescuing men. Both Raim and his love have to be wise and valiant and apparently "destiny" favors them.
The second volume seemed long at almost 450 pages and dragged for me about 2/3 in. I wanted to be done with it. But then it got better and better, more suspenseful, and I kept reading because I needed to know what would happen.
One complaint: I think it's unrealistic that so many of the elite soldiers in this story are women. I'm not saying women shouldn't be in the modern military (where modern weapons make a big difference) and it's a fact that women archers on horseback were effective warriors in ancient Scythia (in a somewhat similar culture to the one in the book). But I'm tired of all these modern fantasy books showing lots of women being amazingly effective with sword and dagger and unarmed combat against men. There are a FEW women Rangers and a FEW women SEALS - they're exceptional.
I really liked the ending and how it ties in to the beginning.
Now I have to make a hard decision - do I keep the first volume, hoping to acquire my own copy of the second someday, or do I give it away? (I will at least return the second volume to the library!) Until I finished I was sure I would give the first away, but now I'm not sure. Time will tell.
August 2, 2014
It took me a while to actually getting round to reading this series, so the minute I finished The Oathbreaker's Shadow I immediatley dove into The Shadow's Curse, eager to see what would happen with the characters I had begun to get emotionally attached to.
The Shadow's Curse follows the different paths of Raim and Wadi. Raim is still trying to get Wadi back, but also has his own paths to follow, paths that become much more important and urgent than trying to find Wadi.
Wadi finds herself stuck with Khareh, being held captive without the constant chains and shackles but still unable to escape. She finds herself tasked with sending letters to various leaders on Khareh's behalf and is a person that he will also confide in, and occasionally show his real side to.
The Shadow's Curse was far more enjoyable than the previous book. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing some old faces, and also seeing how far some of the characters have come from the first book. The descriptive writing for the scenes, the landscape, the places they visited, was remarkable and makes me wish they were real places I could visit, just a short bus ride away. The characters were just as remarkable as they were in The Oathbreaker's Shadow, and some even more so towards the end of the book.
The plot for The Shadow's Curse was more gripping and suspenseful and I was quickly immersed into this world once again. The ending for The Shadow's Curse was perfect for the characters, my only issue was I really wanted to see what happens when all the promise stones are retrieved. Overall The Shadow's Curse was an enjoyable read and a great finale for this series.
The Shadow's Curse follows the different paths of Raim and Wadi. Raim is still trying to get Wadi back, but also has his own paths to follow, paths that become much more important and urgent than trying to find Wadi.
Wadi finds herself stuck with Khareh, being held captive without the constant chains and shackles but still unable to escape. She finds herself tasked with sending letters to various leaders on Khareh's behalf and is a person that he will also confide in, and occasionally show his real side to.
The Shadow's Curse was far more enjoyable than the previous book. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing some old faces, and also seeing how far some of the characters have come from the first book. The descriptive writing for the scenes, the landscape, the places they visited, was remarkable and makes me wish they were real places I could visit, just a short bus ride away. The characters were just as remarkable as they were in The Oathbreaker's Shadow, and some even more so towards the end of the book.
The plot for The Shadow's Curse was more gripping and suspenseful and I was quickly immersed into this world once again. The ending for The Shadow's Curse was perfect for the characters, my only issue was I really wanted to see what happens when all the promise stones are retrieved. Overall The Shadow's Curse was an enjoyable read and a great finale for this series.
September 8, 2014
I was really keen to read the sequel to the fantastic YA high fantasy The Oathbreaker’s Shadow, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed! In the second part to the duology, Raim still searches for answers, and for Wadi, who is held captive by the enemy, his former best friend, Khareh. This time we get Wadi’s perspective, too, which offers a new viewpoint on the enemy. We also finally learn the nature of the vow that cost Raim everything, and his character goes through some great development.
The action is strong from start to finish, and as with the first book, the worldbuilding is excellent. It’s easy to picture the harsh landscapes and each setting has its own unique details and traditions. As before, I loved the idea of the promise-knots, shadows and spirits, and how they played into the unpredictable plotline. I was as riveted by the twists and revelations as I was by the intricate level of detail in the setting. This is a beautifully written and engaging series, a fantastic example of YA epic fantasy!
The action is strong from start to finish, and as with the first book, the worldbuilding is excellent. It’s easy to picture the harsh landscapes and each setting has its own unique details and traditions. As before, I loved the idea of the promise-knots, shadows and spirits, and how they played into the unpredictable plotline. I was as riveted by the twists and revelations as I was by the intricate level of detail in the setting. This is a beautifully written and engaging series, a fantastic example of YA epic fantasy!
June 6, 2017
I loved this book! It pulled me in and I just couldn't put it down until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. So it took two nights to finish, but it should have been done in one! Th characters are well developed and very well done. The world is beautiful and horrible at the same time. The idea of the oathbreakers being scarred with their broken promises is a great one. Love the oathbreakers, the pass stones and the entire world! Just a great read for those who loves a fantasy/adventure. I have not read the first one yet, but it is easy to read and understand on its own. Just loved this one!
August 2, 2014
I really enjoyed the first book and I am so excited to read the next one
September 26, 2024
The Shadow’s Curse, the sequel to The Oathbreaker’s Shadow, expands upon the world Amy McCulloch introduced with even more adventure, intrigue, and personal stakes. While it ties up the series, there are elements that both elevate and complicate the story.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is the addition of Wadi’s perspective. Seeing the events unfold through her eyes adds depth to the story, giving readers a fresh angle on the world and its lore. Her perspective brings more emotional complexity and growth to the narrative, making the journey feel more multifaceted and enriching. This shift balances well with Raim’s ongoing struggles and adds variety to the storytelling.
However, The Shadow’s Curse is also marked by some noticeable contradictions in the lore, which can be confusing at times. For example, while Raim's connection to Khareh through their spirits plays a pivotal role, the inconsistencies in how their bond affects each other raises some questions. These contradictions made parts of the story feel less cohesive, and as a result, I found myself revisiting earlier sections for clarification. The explanations around Khareh's rise to power also left me wondering about the societal rules surrounding oathbreakers and shadows, as these didn’t always align with what had been established in the first book.
Despite these lore inconsistencies, I found myself enjoying this book more than the first. The stakes felt higher, the character dynamics more engaging, and the world more fleshed out, even if it wasn't always perfectly consistent. The pacing picks up nicely, and the plot twists, while not always expected, help maintain the tension throughout the story.
While The Shadow’s Curse provides a satisfying conclusion to the duology, it does leave me wishing there were more books in the series. McCulloch’s world has so much potential for further exploration, but with only two books, there’s a lingering sense that some threads were left untied. That said, it’s still a strong ending to Raim and Wadi’s journey, even if it doesn’t quite deliver the epic conclusion I was hoping for.
Final Verdict:
A strong follow-up to The Oathbreaker's Shadow with deeper character development and an exciting story, but some lore contradictions hold it back from reaching its full potential. A well-earned 4 out of 5 stars.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is the addition of Wadi’s perspective. Seeing the events unfold through her eyes adds depth to the story, giving readers a fresh angle on the world and its lore. Her perspective brings more emotional complexity and growth to the narrative, making the journey feel more multifaceted and enriching. This shift balances well with Raim’s ongoing struggles and adds variety to the storytelling.
However, The Shadow’s Curse is also marked by some noticeable contradictions in the lore, which can be confusing at times. For example, while Raim's connection to Khareh through their spirits plays a pivotal role, the inconsistencies in how their bond affects each other raises some questions. These contradictions made parts of the story feel less cohesive, and as a result, I found myself revisiting earlier sections for clarification. The explanations around Khareh's rise to power also left me wondering about the societal rules surrounding oathbreakers and shadows, as these didn’t always align with what had been established in the first book.
Despite these lore inconsistencies, I found myself enjoying this book more than the first. The stakes felt higher, the character dynamics more engaging, and the world more fleshed out, even if it wasn't always perfectly consistent. The pacing picks up nicely, and the plot twists, while not always expected, help maintain the tension throughout the story.
While The Shadow’s Curse provides a satisfying conclusion to the duology, it does leave me wishing there were more books in the series. McCulloch’s world has so much potential for further exploration, but with only two books, there’s a lingering sense that some threads were left untied. That said, it’s still a strong ending to Raim and Wadi’s journey, even if it doesn’t quite deliver the epic conclusion I was hoping for.
Final Verdict:
A strong follow-up to The Oathbreaker's Shadow with deeper character development and an exciting story, but some lore contradictions hold it back from reaching its full potential. A well-earned 4 out of 5 stars.
December 25, 2015
Support my blog by reading this review here.
This book does contain some spoilers pertaining to the first book in the series, The Oathbreaker's Shadow.
How I found it:
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flux for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
I was initially drawn to this title on NetGalley because it is published by Flux, who I've heard is a pretty fantastic publishing company. Plus, it sounded fascinating. I didn't realize at the time that it was a sequel -you can read the review for The Oathbreaker's Shadow right here- so I had to scramble to read both before the deadline. BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT.
Pros:
Again, the world building and magic system are fantastic! The world McCulloch has created is an exotic nomadic society in and on the outskirts of a brutal, blistering desert. In this second book, she takes us even deeper into this world, up into the mountain tribe of the learned Baril, across an ocean, and into the closed off kingdom in the South, with a dash of secret tunnels and feuding societies sprinkled in along the way.
At the same time, she continues to expound on the magic of knots and shadows and how it all ties into Raim's destiny and I finally get to enthuse on how much I absolutely love, love, LOVE the fact that an oathbreaker's shadow is actually a piece of the soul of the person whose oath they broke, haunting them for their mistake! How brilliant is that? It's FANTASTIC, is what it is. It adds an amazing layer of depth to both characters, because there is a part of Raim who was convinced to follow Khareh's dastardly schemes and there was a part of Khareh who couldn't. Talk about a gray area!
I really enjoyed the first book, but this one I loved. In the review for The Oathbreaker's Shadow, I mentioned just how wonderfully vivid best friends Raim and Khareh were and they got even better. While the first book showed us primarily Raim's journey, The Shadow's Curse is very much a dynamic between the former best friends. It's broken into two perspectives, half told by Raim and half told by Wadi, imprisoned by Khareh. Using Wadi as the second voice in this story was a very clever move, I think, because we see everything that Khareh is up to, including his own misgivings and regrets, but we see them all through the eyes of his enemy. This is a constant habitation of the gray area, because Wadi hates Khareh for betraying Raim and for everything that he has done, but at the same time she begins to understand him.
This is a tale of best friends-turned-enemies and my heart almost couldn't take it! While we don't see Khareh interacting on a personal level with his shadow of Raim, we do see Raim constantly talking to, trusting, and relying on the piece of Khareh's soul -dubbed Draikh- who is made up of all of the best parts of his best friend, the part that would never betray him. All the while Raim knows that it is just a shadow of Khareh, who did betray him, and only the shadow of their old friendship. MY HEART. McCulloch worked it beautifully, too, because she still managed to work over my emotions so thoroughly without bringing Raim and Khareh back onto the same page until the climax. Brilliantly and beautifully done.
Amy McCulloch has also won my high estimation because not once did she even think about dipping into a love triangle for Wadi between Raim and Khareh. So many authors would have taken that as a given, so bless your heart, Amy McCulloch, because you proved that we can have interesting and dynamic characters, including one girl and two boys, and keep our rapt attention without resorting to the over- and often poorly-done triangle. Bless you.
Obviously, for me, Raim and Khareh totally took the cake, but I would be remiss not to mention that Wadi is also a great character. She doesn't jump off the page quite as much as the other two, but she has a great presence and she is a fantastic example of a strong female character.
The biggest pro of all for this book had to be the ending. It was perfect. Throughout the series, I toyed with a few theories on how it would end, but none of them seemed quite right, and Amy McCulloch totally nailed it. This was an engrossing, fascinating, and deeply satisfying conclusion.
Cons:
While I think that the narrative wasn't quite as bulky as in the first book, there were still times I did find myself skimming. I think McCulloch did a much better job using her narrative to further both scene and story in the Wadi chapters, because we were seeing the enemy through her eyes, and there was so much emotion infused there.
I wanted to know just how Khareh managed to win over his haunt of Raim, but it never goes into detail about this. This was disappointing because, having been so much in the head of Raim, I feel as the reader that he would never have agreed to such a thing. So why did a piece of him do it? This could have potentially deepened Raim's character and given us an interesting conflict or crisis of faith. Instead, it was essentially glazed over.
I had hoped we would see some further, realistic development for Raim and Wadi's relationship, but I was disappointed. In the first book, they leapt quickly from 'Hey, I just met you' to 'I can't live without you' in an unsatisfactory span of interaction, and the second book just kept with it. There wasn't much more development past this, except maybe 'absence makes the heart grow fonder.' I wasn't totally thrilled with the way the romantic story line was executed, but for the rest of this fantastic story, I can let it go.
Clean Read Guide:
Again, there is some violence in this story. Wadi is imprisoned with Khareh and his army, so we do see death and some of the realities of war. It's pretty tame though.
No bedroom scenes or make-out sessions, though there was probably an innocent kiss or two.
No profanity.
Overall:
Fantastic! This was even better than the first book and a wholly satisfying series. It was left with an opening for more, but it could definitely stand alone. My absolute favorite thing about this book was the relationship between Raim and Khareh -friends turned enemies- and watching them deal with and develop from all of the consequences of that: what they regret, what they don't, and how they cope with the betrayal and the loss of their friendship. What an emotional roller coaster ride. The world, magic, and compelling story serve as excellent bonuses to this main attraction.
This book does contain some spoilers pertaining to the first book in the series, The Oathbreaker's Shadow.
How I found it:
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flux for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
I was initially drawn to this title on NetGalley because it is published by Flux, who I've heard is a pretty fantastic publishing company. Plus, it sounded fascinating. I didn't realize at the time that it was a sequel -you can read the review for The Oathbreaker's Shadow right here- so I had to scramble to read both before the deadline. BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT.
Pros:
Again, the world building and magic system are fantastic! The world McCulloch has created is an exotic nomadic society in and on the outskirts of a brutal, blistering desert. In this second book, she takes us even deeper into this world, up into the mountain tribe of the learned Baril, across an ocean, and into the closed off kingdom in the South, with a dash of secret tunnels and feuding societies sprinkled in along the way.
At the same time, she continues to expound on the magic of knots and shadows and how it all ties into Raim's destiny and I finally get to enthuse on how much I absolutely love, love, LOVE the fact that an oathbreaker's shadow is actually a piece of the soul of the person whose oath they broke, haunting them for their mistake! How brilliant is that? It's FANTASTIC, is what it is. It adds an amazing layer of depth to both characters, because there is a part of Raim who was convinced to follow Khareh's dastardly schemes and there was a part of Khareh who couldn't. Talk about a gray area!
I really enjoyed the first book, but this one I loved. In the review for The Oathbreaker's Shadow, I mentioned just how wonderfully vivid best friends Raim and Khareh were and they got even better. While the first book showed us primarily Raim's journey, The Shadow's Curse is very much a dynamic between the former best friends. It's broken into two perspectives, half told by Raim and half told by Wadi, imprisoned by Khareh. Using Wadi as the second voice in this story was a very clever move, I think, because we see everything that Khareh is up to, including his own misgivings and regrets, but we see them all through the eyes of his enemy. This is a constant habitation of the gray area, because Wadi hates Khareh for betraying Raim and for everything that he has done, but at the same time she begins to understand him.
This is a tale of best friends-turned-enemies and my heart almost couldn't take it! While we don't see Khareh interacting on a personal level with his shadow of Raim, we do see Raim constantly talking to, trusting, and relying on the piece of Khareh's soul -dubbed Draikh- who is made up of all of the best parts of his best friend, the part that would never betray him. All the while Raim knows that it is just a shadow of Khareh, who did betray him, and only the shadow of their old friendship. MY HEART. McCulloch worked it beautifully, too, because she still managed to work over my emotions so thoroughly without bringing Raim and Khareh back onto the same page until the climax. Brilliantly and beautifully done.
Amy McCulloch has also won my high estimation because not once did she even think about dipping into a love triangle for Wadi between Raim and Khareh. So many authors would have taken that as a given, so bless your heart, Amy McCulloch, because you proved that we can have interesting and dynamic characters, including one girl and two boys, and keep our rapt attention without resorting to the over- and often poorly-done triangle. Bless you.
Obviously, for me, Raim and Khareh totally took the cake, but I would be remiss not to mention that Wadi is also a great character. She doesn't jump off the page quite as much as the other two, but she has a great presence and she is a fantastic example of a strong female character.
The biggest pro of all for this book had to be the ending. It was perfect. Throughout the series, I toyed with a few theories on how it would end, but none of them seemed quite right, and Amy McCulloch totally nailed it. This was an engrossing, fascinating, and deeply satisfying conclusion.
Cons:
While I think that the narrative wasn't quite as bulky as in the first book, there were still times I did find myself skimming. I think McCulloch did a much better job using her narrative to further both scene and story in the Wadi chapters, because we were seeing the enemy through her eyes, and there was so much emotion infused there.
I wanted to know just how Khareh managed to win over his haunt of Raim, but it never goes into detail about this. This was disappointing because, having been so much in the head of Raim, I feel as the reader that he would never have agreed to such a thing. So why did a piece of him do it? This could have potentially deepened Raim's character and given us an interesting conflict or crisis of faith. Instead, it was essentially glazed over.
I had hoped we would see some further, realistic development for Raim and Wadi's relationship, but I was disappointed. In the first book, they leapt quickly from 'Hey, I just met you' to 'I can't live without you' in an unsatisfactory span of interaction, and the second book just kept with it. There wasn't much more development past this, except maybe 'absence makes the heart grow fonder.' I wasn't totally thrilled with the way the romantic story line was executed, but for the rest of this fantastic story, I can let it go.
Clean Read Guide:
Again, there is some violence in this story. Wadi is imprisoned with Khareh and his army, so we do see death and some of the realities of war. It's pretty tame though.
No bedroom scenes or make-out sessions, though there was probably an innocent kiss or two.
No profanity.
Overall:
Fantastic! This was even better than the first book and a wholly satisfying series. It was left with an opening for more, but it could definitely stand alone. My absolute favorite thing about this book was the relationship between Raim and Khareh -friends turned enemies- and watching them deal with and develop from all of the consequences of that: what they regret, what they don't, and how they cope with the betrayal and the loss of their friendship. What an emotional roller coaster ride. The world, magic, and compelling story serve as excellent bonuses to this main attraction.
April 28, 2018
After reading the first book I was so excited about what happened to the characters that I couldn't wait to read this.
Was I satisfied? Well mostly
To be honest I really enjoyed this book, there where however some parts that disappointed me.
First of all the book felt rushed and that's because (that's my opinion, you can disagree if you like, it just felt that way to me) it was like half the book was the second book of a trilogy and the other half the third, in other words the author could have split this book in two and could have written a lot more.
Apart from that the beginning was pretty much what I expected, but still pretty interesting. Raim embarks on his journey to restore his honor and save the girl 'Wadi' and everyone else from the tyrant 'Khareh' (I know how unpredictable) while Khareh spends his time enslaving the world.
Now, the second half of the book was really amazing and interesting everything that happened in those chapters got me at the edge of my seat reading page after page like crazy.
And of course the ending was... really not what expected. With all three heroes having set their own plans in motion and putting everything on the line the finale was "perfect" (I really can't find any other way to describe it) see spoiler if you can't wait to read it
Was I satisfied? Well mostly
To be honest I really enjoyed this book, there where however some parts that disappointed me.
First of all the book felt rushed and that's because (that's my opinion, you can disagree if you like, it just felt that way to me) it was like half the book was the second book of a trilogy and the other half the third, in other words the author could have split this book in two and could have written a lot more.
Apart from that the beginning was pretty much what I expected, but still pretty interesting. Raim embarks on his journey to restore his honor and save the girl 'Wadi' and everyone else from the tyrant 'Khareh' (I know how unpredictable) while Khareh spends his time enslaving the world.
Now, the second half of the book was really amazing and interesting everything that happened in those chapters got me at the edge of my seat reading page after page like crazy.
And of course the ending was... really not what expected. With all three heroes having set their own plans in motion and putting everything on the line the finale was "perfect" (I really can't find any other way to describe it) see spoiler if you can't wait to read it
February 2, 2025
If there was one word I would choose to describe this book, it would probably be "inconsistent".
Sometimes it seemed to want to be a more mature fantasy story, other times it fell back into a very kid-friendly tone. Beyond that, that characters felt somewhat contradictory of themselves at times, which was worsened by some pacing issues — especially regarding how quickly some significant moments were moved on from.
Most egregious of the latter was what appeared to be a significant death getting no further attention. The characters moved on as though nothing had happened.
In many ways, this felt like two books being squeezed together into one, but with a great deal chopped out to make it manageable. The conclusion, especially, was wrapped up very quickly, so that I felt disappointed by the outcome.
Everything was set up fairly well, but it was still lacking something. I think I was also frustrated by what felt like the setting up of a love triangle subplot that became particularly unnecessary because the author didn't fully embrace it (although it would have still felt unnecessary — I think those elements that seemed to be setting it up should have been removed entirely).
Maybe part of the problem, for me, is that I'm just not this series' target audience. It is quite YA, maybe even a bit younger still, and I struggle with books aimed at those demographics.
Still, the magic system is an interesting one, and there is a foundation of good world building. For younger readers looking to get into the fantasy genre, this probably isn't a bad option.
Sometimes it seemed to want to be a more mature fantasy story, other times it fell back into a very kid-friendly tone. Beyond that, that characters felt somewhat contradictory of themselves at times, which was worsened by some pacing issues — especially regarding how quickly some significant moments were moved on from.
Most egregious of the latter was what appeared to be a significant death getting no further attention. The characters moved on as though nothing had happened.
In many ways, this felt like two books being squeezed together into one, but with a great deal chopped out to make it manageable. The conclusion, especially, was wrapped up very quickly, so that I felt disappointed by the outcome.
Everything was set up fairly well, but it was still lacking something. I think I was also frustrated by what felt like the setting up of a love triangle subplot that became particularly unnecessary because the author didn't fully embrace it (although it would have still felt unnecessary — I think those elements that seemed to be setting it up should have been removed entirely).
Maybe part of the problem, for me, is that I'm just not this series' target audience. It is quite YA, maybe even a bit younger still, and I struggle with books aimed at those demographics.
Still, the magic system is an interesting one, and there is a foundation of good world building. For younger readers looking to get into the fantasy genre, this probably isn't a bad option.
September 20, 2017
well the second book didn't have as many new ideas as the first volume and I even get bored near the end. well I'm just tired of books that out of blue we figure our one of the character is the ancestor of someone or has magical bloodline or whatever! So when this happened again I wish that there was never a second book for The Oathbreaker's shadow...but Amy McCulloch(or Amy Alward) surprised me at the very end and not only saved the whole story but make the whole thing interesting.
Looking forward to read more from her!
Looking forward to read more from her!
October 23, 2016
This is the sequel to The Oathbreaker's Shadow. This second book answers all of the questions posed in the first book and together they are brilliant. The premise and the magic in these books are so unusual that the reader can't predict events, which causes a little frustration during the first book. What is going on? I was able to read them both over a few days and found the whole experience very satisfying and thought provoking.
I highly recommend the two books.
I highly recommend the two books.
July 5, 2017
Absolutely stunning!
June 23, 2019
Two years ago, I would have discarded this book as cheesy and sickly sweet to the point of unbelievable. And I would have hated the book because it depicted everything I ever wanted in a best friend but didn’t have.
Instead, I read this in 2019, five months after saying goodbye the best friend I’ve ever known.
It has been a very long time since I felt invested in the well-being of a fictional character, their relationships, and their growth. A lot of stories chose to break and test relationships between characters as part of the plot, but The Shadow’s Curse doesn’t break anything; it strengthens the relationships it creates. I see the story of Raim and Draikh has a strong rope, unbreakable, firm and strong no matter how far it could be stretched.
In my opinion, Amy McCulloch chose to do something brave and pulled it off.
No doubt my reaction to the story was contextual, and the plot and writing style were not perfect. But this isn’t a school essay, and five stars should be given to personal favourites, no matter the reason.
Instead, I read this in 2019, five months after saying goodbye the best friend I’ve ever known.
It has been a very long time since I felt invested in the well-being of a fictional character, their relationships, and their growth. A lot of stories chose to break and test relationships between characters as part of the plot, but The Shadow’s Curse doesn’t break anything; it strengthens the relationships it creates. I see the story of Raim and Draikh has a strong rope, unbreakable, firm and strong no matter how far it could be stretched.
In my opinion, Amy McCulloch chose to do something brave and pulled it off.
No doubt my reaction to the story was contextual, and the plot and writing style were not perfect. But this isn’t a school essay, and five stars should be given to personal favourites, no matter the reason.
March 17, 2020
I recommend you read it if you've read the first one.
July 3, 2020
A great conclusion to this series! I don't think these books got much circulation in the US (neither of the library systems I'm part of had it), but it was worth buying and reading!
November 20, 2021
This is one of the best books I've read this year.
November 26, 2022
🌟4.75🌟
March 16, 2015
Actual rate: 4.75, (yes decimals actually)
After the first book, which I found moderately interesting, and finding out about it's sequel, I was curious to see how this story would end. So I went into the second book, along once again in Raim's journey, and I have to say, I was surprised most times than not. I liked the way this book was told from both the perspective of Raim and Wadi, so we got to see how things were in Darhan and the North, South and Lazar. I also loved how strong Raim and Wadi's relationship was, their strong faith in each other and trust, this book was no teen love triangle drama book, yet just as enjoyable.
After realizing that he cannot rescue Wadi, Raim travels to seek the help of his brother Tarik. After many troubles, they manage to find what they need and meet his old Yun master, Mhara, whom Raim trusts and it is revealed that the knot/promise that caused Raim's exile in the first place was to his own mother, Lady Chabi.
Raim then has to travel to the South because he is promised to become Khan there and have his broken oath mended and then come back to fight Khareh (the khan).
Meanwhile, Wadi is in the caravan of Khareh's and she realizes what a horrendous Khan he is, but that he does have some good parts to him. She meets his wife, who hates Wadi. Wadi, however, gains Khareh's trust quickly, especially after Mhara attempts to kill Khareh, and Wadi ends up saving his life.
Once Wadi is put in a prison for a short period of time, and meets Raim for a little time, he encourages her and tells her as much as he can before he has to flee. She ends their brief meeting by signalling, "come back for me". Khareh is enraged for not catching Raim.
Once Raim eventually reaches the South, he realizes how much more majestic it is in comparison to Darhan, but at the same time, is horrified with the way the rulings work there. At first they laugh at him for thinking he has the potential to be Khan, but after he shows them his sage powers, they no longer question him. One of my favourite characters in this book, was Draikh, who was always there for Raim, so trustworty and faithful, the good parts of his old best friend, Khareh.
One of the things that surprised me at this point was how Lady Chabi truly turned out to be. I honestly thought she would have Raim's best interest at heart, as his true mother, but I was wrong. She turned out to be a trecherous lady, who didn't really care much for her son, but only to get what she desired. The southern king was just as bad. Once Raim realized this, he stopped listening to them and went against them. The Alashan tribe helped him.
Meanwhile, Wadi is leading Khareh to Lazar, tricking the oblivious Khareh by going through the main gates where all his spirits would desert and forgive him, and he will no longer have his shadow army. As he is enraged at Wadi, Raim also races in before the Southern army can arrive and this leads near the end of the book, when all is solved. Once, again I was surprised at how willing both boys were in wanting the other to take their place as Khan. They both forgive each other, releasing each other from being oathbreakers. They learn that to be a true sage, you only need to be able to control your own spirit and not by breaking your promises. As one, they both go outside to face the Southern army, but no physical fight is needed as Raim, using his own spirit, conjures up a sandstorm that forces the army to either surrender or flee. It is decided at last, that Kharen will continue onto the South, and be the Golden Khan, as his dream, but Raim will still always continue to serve him. Raim, then becomes Khan of the North, as Khareh orders. At the end, Wadi is overjoyed and returns to the North with Khan Raim, while the Golden Khan Khareh continues onto the South.
The epilogue was one of my favourites, as it showed Raim's sister, Dharma, the weaver who can see the future, weave a huge piece of Raim's complete journey. At the very centre is the piece at the very beginning of when Raim is sitting atop a tree watching two innocent youngers play with a promise that isn't serious at that age (the opening scene in the very first book). I thought that was a beautiful ending to this book and loved how nicely it wrapped up the ending to this book, who portays a strong message of friendship, leadership, love, trust and faith, which ends The Knots Sequence duology. :)
After the first book, which I found moderately interesting, and finding out about it's sequel, I was curious to see how this story would end. So I went into the second book, along once again in Raim's journey, and I have to say, I was surprised most times than not. I liked the way this book was told from both the perspective of Raim and Wadi, so we got to see how things were in Darhan and the North, South and Lazar. I also loved how strong Raim and Wadi's relationship was, their strong faith in each other and trust, this book was no teen love triangle drama book, yet just as enjoyable.
After realizing that he cannot rescue Wadi, Raim travels to seek the help of his brother Tarik. After many troubles, they manage to find what they need and meet his old Yun master, Mhara, whom Raim trusts and it is revealed that the knot/promise that caused Raim's exile in the first place was to his own mother, Lady Chabi.
Raim then has to travel to the South because he is promised to become Khan there and have his broken oath mended and then come back to fight Khareh (the khan).
Meanwhile, Wadi is in the caravan of Khareh's and she realizes what a horrendous Khan he is, but that he does have some good parts to him. She meets his wife, who hates Wadi. Wadi, however, gains Khareh's trust quickly, especially after Mhara attempts to kill Khareh, and Wadi ends up saving his life.
Once Wadi is put in a prison for a short period of time, and meets Raim for a little time, he encourages her and tells her as much as he can before he has to flee. She ends their brief meeting by signalling, "come back for me". Khareh is enraged for not catching Raim.
Once Raim eventually reaches the South, he realizes how much more majestic it is in comparison to Darhan, but at the same time, is horrified with the way the rulings work there. At first they laugh at him for thinking he has the potential to be Khan, but after he shows them his sage powers, they no longer question him. One of my favourite characters in this book, was Draikh, who was always there for Raim, so trustworty and faithful, the good parts of his old best friend, Khareh.
One of the things that surprised me at this point was how Lady Chabi truly turned out to be. I honestly thought she would have Raim's best interest at heart, as his true mother, but I was wrong. She turned out to be a trecherous lady, who didn't really care much for her son, but only to get what she desired. The southern king was just as bad. Once Raim realized this, he stopped listening to them and went against them. The Alashan tribe helped him.
Meanwhile, Wadi is leading Khareh to Lazar, tricking the oblivious Khareh by going through the main gates where all his spirits would desert and forgive him, and he will no longer have his shadow army. As he is enraged at Wadi, Raim also races in before the Southern army can arrive and this leads near the end of the book, when all is solved. Once, again I was surprised at how willing both boys were in wanting the other to take their place as Khan. They both forgive each other, releasing each other from being oathbreakers. They learn that to be a true sage, you only need to be able to control your own spirit and not by breaking your promises. As one, they both go outside to face the Southern army, but no physical fight is needed as Raim, using his own spirit, conjures up a sandstorm that forces the army to either surrender or flee. It is decided at last, that Kharen will continue onto the South, and be the Golden Khan, as his dream, but Raim will still always continue to serve him. Raim, then becomes Khan of the North, as Khareh orders. At the end, Wadi is overjoyed and returns to the North with Khan Raim, while the Golden Khan Khareh continues onto the South.
The epilogue was one of my favourites, as it showed Raim's sister, Dharma, the weaver who can see the future, weave a huge piece of Raim's complete journey. At the very centre is the piece at the very beginning of when Raim is sitting atop a tree watching two innocent youngers play with a promise that isn't serious at that age (the opening scene in the very first book). I thought that was a beautiful ending to this book and loved how nicely it wrapped up the ending to this book, who portays a strong message of friendship, leadership, love, trust and faith, which ends The Knots Sequence duology. :)
December 28, 2014
The Shadow's Curse was an enjoyable sequel to The Oathbreaker's Shadow. A lot of things happened that I didn't expect and while this series is a duology (I think?), I think there's definitely room for another book should Amy McCulloch wish to return to this world and these characters.
In The Shadow's Curse, we finally found out what promise caused Rain to become an oathbreaker. I must admit, I was still confused over what happened and how exactly Raim broke this generational promise but I can't explain it without spoilers, so I'll leave it for now. I also didn't really understand why Khareh's spirit appeared to Raim when Raim never broke his oath to Khareh; the spirit Draikh said it was because Khareh broke his own promise, but that's not what usually happens when an oath is broken, and there was no further explanation. But I can't really complain that much because I really liked Draikh and he was probably one of my favourite characters. He was the only person who was truly loyal to Raim, and was constantly teaching him and healing him and making him laugh. Even though he was only a spirit, a shadow of Khareh, he was the best part of him. Khareh without Draikh was a tyrant, and a bad ruler who let the power get to him. Draikh was the opposite; a calm, clever, natural leader who knew what to do in bad situations, who was constantly pushing Raim to be the best he could be. I'm pretty sure Raim would have died several times over if it weren't for Draikh.
That being said, Raim did grow in this book, and was learning more about himself and the tasks he was best suited for, as well as expanding his sage powers. I liked his determination to find Wadi and also to save his brother, especially since it was Raim's fault he needed saving in the first place. Raim started off not the smartest person, nor the best judge of character, but he learnt from his mistakes and realised not to trust people so easily. He was the first person to admit his faults, and I liked that about him - he knew he wasn't perfect, but he tried his best anyway. I was surprised when he But it was the necessary action and I guess Raim did what he thought was best for everyone.
At first, when I learnt the POVs would be split between Wadi and Raim, I was a bit disappointed, but I shouldn't have been, because her perspective was equally interesting. We got to see a different side of Khareh through her eyes, and also saw the lengths she was willing to go through to help Raim. I do wish we had seen more of her thoughts or feelings, especially after she was forced to kill people (I kind of felt like we didn't get a proper reaction from her, especially from the second death), but I do like that she accepted what she had to do even though she really didn't want to do it; she had a strong resolve. Khareh, while I didn't like him, was an intriguing character, and seeing him from Wadi's POV where he would try to justify his terrible actions and yet still feel guilt over some of them made him more complex. I wasn't really too convinced by the Raim/Wadi romance, but I have to confess I couldn't remember much of what happened between them in the first book, so that could be why.
Plot-wise, there was a lot of focus on getting to the South, and we found out more about the differences between all the separate societies which was interesting to see. There were quite a few twists and a lot of things I wasn't expecting, though the ending wasn't too much of a surprise. I do think quite a few things were left open as well, particularly about Lady Chabi, so I would definitely read a third book if one were to be written. I also found it interesting that the South didn't knot their promises or have binding oaths, so I think that would be another thing to explore, especially after the way things ended.
Overall, I liked The Shadow's Curse and would recommend this series to fantasy fans. I personally hope for another book, though I'm still happy enough for it to remain a duology.
In The Shadow's Curse, we finally found out what promise caused Rain to become an oathbreaker. I must admit, I was still confused over what happened and how exactly Raim broke this generational promise but I can't explain it without spoilers, so I'll leave it for now. I also didn't really understand why Khareh's spirit appeared to Raim when Raim never broke his oath to Khareh; the spirit Draikh said it was because Khareh broke his own promise, but that's not what usually happens when an oath is broken, and there was no further explanation. But I can't really complain that much because I really liked Draikh and he was probably one of my favourite characters. He was the only person who was truly loyal to Raim, and was constantly teaching him and healing him and making him laugh. Even though he was only a spirit, a shadow of Khareh, he was the best part of him. Khareh without Draikh was a tyrant, and a bad ruler who let the power get to him. Draikh was the opposite; a calm, clever, natural leader who knew what to do in bad situations, who was constantly pushing Raim to be the best he could be. I'm pretty sure Raim would have died several times over if it weren't for Draikh.
That being said, Raim did grow in this book, and was learning more about himself and the tasks he was best suited for, as well as expanding his sage powers. I liked his determination to find Wadi and also to save his brother, especially since it was Raim's fault he needed saving in the first place. Raim started off not the smartest person, nor the best judge of character, but he learnt from his mistakes and realised not to trust people so easily. He was the first person to admit his faults, and I liked that about him - he knew he wasn't perfect, but he tried his best anyway. I was surprised when he But it was the necessary action and I guess Raim did what he thought was best for everyone.
At first, when I learnt the POVs would be split between Wadi and Raim, I was a bit disappointed, but I shouldn't have been, because her perspective was equally interesting. We got to see a different side of Khareh through her eyes, and also saw the lengths she was willing to go through to help Raim. I do wish we had seen more of her thoughts or feelings, especially after she was forced to kill people (I kind of felt like we didn't get a proper reaction from her, especially from the second death), but I do like that she accepted what she had to do even though she really didn't want to do it; she had a strong resolve. Khareh, while I didn't like him, was an intriguing character, and seeing him from Wadi's POV where he would try to justify his terrible actions and yet still feel guilt over some of them made him more complex. I wasn't really too convinced by the Raim/Wadi romance, but I have to confess I couldn't remember much of what happened between them in the first book, so that could be why.
Plot-wise, there was a lot of focus on getting to the South, and we found out more about the differences between all the separate societies which was interesting to see. There were quite a few twists and a lot of things I wasn't expecting, though the ending wasn't too much of a surprise. I do think quite a few things were left open as well, particularly about Lady Chabi, so I would definitely read a third book if one were to be written. I also found it interesting that the South didn't knot their promises or have binding oaths, so I think that would be another thing to explore, especially after the way things ended.
Overall, I liked The Shadow's Curse and would recommend this series to fantasy fans. I personally hope for another book, though I'm still happy enough for it to remain a duology.
November 25, 2014
Raim is no closer to figuring out the meaning of the broken vow that sentenced him to exile for life. But with his former best friend now a tyrannical Khan who is holding the girl Raim loves captive, he finds it hard to care. Every day, he and Draikh learn more about their powers, but it quickly becomes clear that he will never be able to stop Khareh and free Wadi unless he can free himself from the ultimate taboo of his people. Reluctantly, Raim begins the long journey down to the dangerous South, to find the maker of his oath. In Khareh's camp, Wadi is more than capable of devising her own escape plan, but she's gradually realizing she might not want to. The more she learns about Khareh, the more confused she becomes. He's done unquestionably bad things, horrific even, but he's got big dreams for Darhan that might improve their dire situation. What's more, rumours of a Southern king massing an army to invade Darhan are slowly gaining ground. Only if the Northern tribes can come together under a single ruler will they have the strength to fight the South - but what if that ruler is an impulsive (albeit brilliant) young man, barely able to control his ever-growing power, and missing the one part of him that might keep him sane? Whoever conquers the desert, wins the war. And the secret to desert survival lies in Lazar, which is set to become the heart of a great battle once again.
The Shadow's Curse is the conclusion to an epic journey all about the struggle between following fate's path and forging your own. It's a magical tale of promises and spirits, fear and friendship, and the blistering heat of the desert.
Raim is on a mission to discover the truth about his broken oath and to stop his former best friend from slaughtering thousands in his quest to rule the world. He's very much an unintentional hero in his own mind. He never thought he would be a leader, a ruler. He knows what he wants. He wants his sister and grandfather to stay safe. He wants to rescue Wadi. He wants to stop Khareh. He wants to know the truth. But he keeps getting pushed further and further in order to complete someone else's plans.
Wadi is confined to Khareh's side because of reasons she can't control. She's trapped by circumstance and Khareh's own growing tyrannical leanings. Unlike the first book, here we see more of her, of her supportive and bold personality, her desire to see Raim and return to his side in order to help him, and also see more of Khareh. He is the other side of Raim's journey. The cruel leader who wants control over the desert, control over the continent. Over the world. I was torn because he doesn't abuse or torture Wadi, not physically. She's actually treated rather well, but I still didn't want to like him.
This is very much a journey to find oneself kind of book, a journey in order to discover our purpose in life. It feels rather Canadian, the prolonged journey across a trying, harsh landscape in order to find oneself. Fate and choice are intertwined. Is everything fated, already sees by prophets and set in stone? Or can we still make our own decisions? Are we still in control of our own destinies?
This is the story of one young man searching far and wide, over deserts and across the sea, in order to discover the truth about himself. On this journey he will discover his fated purpose when all he really wants is to live a comfortable, safe life with those he wants to protect and support. At the beginning of the duology, Raim never acts like he wants to be a hero, and here he's still humble and unassuming, even with Draikh at his side, but now he has to decide if he will actually step up and save everyone. A definite must-read for epic fantasy fans.
(I received a copy of this title from Random House Canada.)
The Shadow's Curse is the conclusion to an epic journey all about the struggle between following fate's path and forging your own. It's a magical tale of promises and spirits, fear and friendship, and the blistering heat of the desert.
Raim is on a mission to discover the truth about his broken oath and to stop his former best friend from slaughtering thousands in his quest to rule the world. He's very much an unintentional hero in his own mind. He never thought he would be a leader, a ruler. He knows what he wants. He wants his sister and grandfather to stay safe. He wants to rescue Wadi. He wants to stop Khareh. He wants to know the truth. But he keeps getting pushed further and further in order to complete someone else's plans.
Wadi is confined to Khareh's side because of reasons she can't control. She's trapped by circumstance and Khareh's own growing tyrannical leanings. Unlike the first book, here we see more of her, of her supportive and bold personality, her desire to see Raim and return to his side in order to help him, and also see more of Khareh. He is the other side of Raim's journey. The cruel leader who wants control over the desert, control over the continent. Over the world. I was torn because he doesn't abuse or torture Wadi, not physically. She's actually treated rather well, but I still didn't want to like him.
This is very much a journey to find oneself kind of book, a journey in order to discover our purpose in life. It feels rather Canadian, the prolonged journey across a trying, harsh landscape in order to find oneself. Fate and choice are intertwined. Is everything fated, already sees by prophets and set in stone? Or can we still make our own decisions? Are we still in control of our own destinies?
This is the story of one young man searching far and wide, over deserts and across the sea, in order to discover the truth about himself. On this journey he will discover his fated purpose when all he really wants is to live a comfortable, safe life with those he wants to protect and support. At the beginning of the duology, Raim never acts like he wants to be a hero, and here he's still humble and unassuming, even with Draikh at his side, but now he has to decide if he will actually step up and save everyone. A definite must-read for epic fantasy fans.
(I received a copy of this title from Random House Canada.)
December 31, 2014
It's been a long time coming but I finally got to sit down and read the sequel to Amy McCulloch's The Oathbreaker's Shadow and it did not disappoint. Witty, magical, and well imagined, The Shadow's Curse reunites readers with their favourite characters and places while introducing new ones to love.
I love the story-world of this book because of the unique knot magic that they have in the northern lands. When making a vow, Raim's people tie knots which magically symbolise their promises. When broken, the magic creates a permanent scar which makes the oath-breaker easily identifiable, and causes a shadow to haunt them. The breaking of one of these oaths is the deepest taboo in their culture, and they exile all oathbreakers to the desert.
Raim is still searching for clues about the mysterious vow he broke when he swore allegiance to his best friend (at the time) Kahreh. The broken vow instantly made Raim an exile from his desert lands and he was forced to journey to the desert city of Lamza for redemption. On the way, he met Wadi - a fearsome but compassionate warrior, and Draikh, a part of Kahreh's spirit that splintered off because of a broken vow. Wadi is now held captive by Kahreh-khan, and Raim is desperate to save her from whatever Kahreh is putting her through.
I loved the level of detail that McCulloch puts into her books. Not only is it easy to imagine the landscapes and people of this world, she also puts a lot of effort into making the cultures of her characters rich and detailed. The different groups that inhabit the desert and its surrounds are distinct and well-described, and liked spending time with all of them. I also loved the change in structure from the first book: this book is told in dual point of view with Raim and Wadi. I loved being in Wadi's head and seeing Kahreh from her eyes because she doesn't have the history with him that Raim does.
The Shadow's Curse takes readers on an amazing journey across the scorching desert and over the raging sea to the mysterious southern lands where the Golden King prepares to overthrow the Khan. Raim's quest for answers into the past leads him to some amazing places, and he meets some new people. Lady Chabi is one of the most interesting new additions to the cast, and I liked figuring her out. My other favourite character can't be mentioned because of spoilers, but they made the story so much better! However, I have to note that none of the new characters impressed me as much as Raim, Kahreh, Draikh, Wadi, Dharma, and Vlad.
The Shadow's Curse is an amazing sequel and I have enjoyed reading it a lot. I think it is a stronger book than The Oathbreaker's Shadow and that it will enthral fans of McCulloch's earlier book. Fans of YA Fantasy should give this series a try! Although the story of Raim and Kahreh seems to be over, there are still many unexplored avenues that make me hopeful for a sequel or a follow-up series (pretty please?).
I love the story-world of this book because of the unique knot magic that they have in the northern lands. When making a vow, Raim's people tie knots which magically symbolise their promises. When broken, the magic creates a permanent scar which makes the oath-breaker easily identifiable, and causes a shadow to haunt them. The breaking of one of these oaths is the deepest taboo in their culture, and they exile all oathbreakers to the desert.
Raim is still searching for clues about the mysterious vow he broke when he swore allegiance to his best friend (at the time) Kahreh. The broken vow instantly made Raim an exile from his desert lands and he was forced to journey to the desert city of Lamza for redemption. On the way, he met Wadi - a fearsome but compassionate warrior, and Draikh, a part of Kahreh's spirit that splintered off because of a broken vow. Wadi is now held captive by Kahreh-khan, and Raim is desperate to save her from whatever Kahreh is putting her through.
I loved the level of detail that McCulloch puts into her books. Not only is it easy to imagine the landscapes and people of this world, she also puts a lot of effort into making the cultures of her characters rich and detailed. The different groups that inhabit the desert and its surrounds are distinct and well-described, and liked spending time with all of them. I also loved the change in structure from the first book: this book is told in dual point of view with Raim and Wadi. I loved being in Wadi's head and seeing Kahreh from her eyes because she doesn't have the history with him that Raim does.
The Shadow's Curse takes readers on an amazing journey across the scorching desert and over the raging sea to the mysterious southern lands where the Golden King prepares to overthrow the Khan. Raim's quest for answers into the past leads him to some amazing places, and he meets some new people. Lady Chabi is one of the most interesting new additions to the cast, and I liked figuring her out. My other favourite character can't be mentioned because of spoilers, but they made the story so much better! However, I have to note that none of the new characters impressed me as much as Raim, Kahreh, Draikh, Wadi, Dharma, and Vlad.
The Shadow's Curse is an amazing sequel and I have enjoyed reading it a lot. I think it is a stronger book than The Oathbreaker's Shadow and that it will enthral fans of McCulloch's earlier book. Fans of YA Fantasy should give this series a try! Although the story of Raim and Kahreh seems to be over, there are still many unexplored avenues that make me hopeful for a sequel or a follow-up series (pretty please?).
July 18, 2014
Okay, I really didn’t expect that I’m going to get accepted on my request for the ARC because of the region restriction. But I really like the idea of the first book and I gotta have this, so yeah I did.
The Shadow’s Curse is packed with of exhilarating and jaw dropping adventures and it’s a MUST READ.
*bow*
I love the ending. Great job!
The very last part made me smile, and I remembered the first book and how it all started. It’s bittersweet.
*MC’s Corner*
Note: Spoilers.
• The scenes are pretty predictable. But what I like is after I “predict” some scene I got more excited and just waiting for it.
• The Characters
o Raim –he’s the protagonist. I like this guy, there’s so many things happened to him: exciting and some frightening adventures. But what I noticed is that he’s on his age, not like a teenager that thinks or with a brain of an adult. He’s fun and then in times of seriousness he’s serious. He’s going and Draikh, Khareh’s shadow, will discover new about their power. I think that was cool, but it made no sense because it wasn’t that much used.
o Wadi –she’s Raim love interest, kinda. *roll eyes*
She’s an Alashan, a clan who helps people (mostly oathbreakers) travels the desert. She was captured by Khareh, she wasn’t treated like a normal prisoner, I don’t know why. She’s confusing in a good way. Sometimes she’s in Raim side then sometimes I felt she’s in Khareh’s side, in the end I understood her.
o Khareh –the new Khan. He’s Raim’s bestfriend. He’s a guy full of contradiction. He’s crazy, childish tyrant but I think all he wants is good for his country, He’s a good guy and he’s just blinded by power and to those surrounds him feeding lies but he believes on what is good to his country. It’s like he’s so bad then suddenly he a good guy…
• I love the part where they travelled in boat. I wish there’s more of it. And I’m wondering what happened to the Captain and his crew…. *pout* I know it’s not that important, but still….
• There’s no romance or declaring of loves. And it was okay, it’s was so focused in the story, kudos! Love love love.
• Knots Duology is a story of friendship. A strong friendship that will be test and strike by storms. It’s beautiful.
ARC provided by Random House Children’s Publishers UK & NetGalley in exchange of honest review. Thank you!
@gleekidMC
The Shadow’s Curse is packed with of exhilarating and jaw dropping adventures and it’s a MUST READ.
*bow*
I love the ending. Great job!
The very last part made me smile, and I remembered the first book and how it all started. It’s bittersweet.
*MC’s Corner*
Note: Spoilers.
• The scenes are pretty predictable. But what I like is after I “predict” some scene I got more excited and just waiting for it.
• The Characters
o Raim –he’s the protagonist. I like this guy, there’s so many things happened to him: exciting and some frightening adventures. But what I noticed is that he’s on his age, not like a teenager that thinks or with a brain of an adult. He’s fun and then in times of seriousness he’s serious. He’s going and Draikh, Khareh’s shadow, will discover new about their power. I think that was cool, but it made no sense because it wasn’t that much used.
o Wadi –she’s Raim love interest, kinda. *roll eyes*
She’s an Alashan, a clan who helps people (mostly oathbreakers) travels the desert. She was captured by Khareh, she wasn’t treated like a normal prisoner, I don’t know why. She’s confusing in a good way. Sometimes she’s in Raim side then sometimes I felt she’s in Khareh’s side, in the end I understood her.
o Khareh –the new Khan. He’s Raim’s bestfriend. He’s a guy full of contradiction. He’s crazy, childish tyrant but I think all he wants is good for his country, He’s a good guy and he’s just blinded by power and to those surrounds him feeding lies but he believes on what is good to his country. It’s like he’s so bad then suddenly he a good guy…
• I love the part where they travelled in boat. I wish there’s more of it. And I’m wondering what happened to the Captain and his crew…. *pout* I know it’s not that important, but still….
• There’s no romance or declaring of loves. And it was okay, it’s was so focused in the story, kudos! Love love love.
• Knots Duology is a story of friendship. A strong friendship that will be test and strike by storms. It’s beautiful.
ARC provided by Random House Children’s Publishers UK & NetGalley in exchange of honest review. Thank you!
@gleekidMC
July 7, 2014
Last year I was fortunate to win The Oathbreaker's Shadow in a Goodreads giveaway. It's always lovely to win something, especially if that something is a book and even more so if it turns out to be a hugely enjoyable fantasy adventure with strong characters, a compelling mystery and a tempting cliffhanger to end with. The only drawback has been waiting for the sequel!
Thankfully the wait is over and I could find out what happened to Raim and Wadi in the second book of the duology, The Shadow's Curse. I don't want to give too much away in case readers of this review haven't read the first book yet but things were looking pretty bleak at the end of the first book for oathbreaker Raim and Wadi, a brave and fierce member of the desert living Alashan tribe. This time the narrative is shared between the two characters and so we learn of both their stories firsthand. Raim is desperate to rescue Wadi, the girl he loves but realises that won't be possible while he bears the scars of the ultimate taboo. He needs to discover who the mysterious woman shadow is who has saved his life more than once. Does she have the answer as to why he unknowingly broke an oath when he made a promise to protect Khareh, his childhood friend and now despotic Khan? Reluctantly he and his haunt Draikh head to the dangerous south to find out the truth about his oath. Wadi is in Khareh's clutches. Can she discover his weaknesses without putting herself in even more danger? Meanwhile Khareh is raising a Shadow Army and plots against King Song, ruthless leader of the south.
Being the second part of the series questions are answered but there are plenty of twists before any big reveals. As before Raim and Wadi are equally likable, both strong and brave protagonists and the alternate chapters work well. The other characters too, both male and female are well written and complex personalities. The Knots books are the best sort of fantasy, exciting and based on an intriguing premise, in this case that promises made are binding and breaking them, even inadvertently can mean becoming an outcast. More than that though the story considers such themes as fate, duty, ambition and honour. The long wait to read The Shadow's Curse was well worth it, a gripping and fitting sequel to The Oathbreaker's Shadow. I thoroughly recommend both books.
Many thanks to the publishers and author for my free copy received through NetGalley in return for my honest review.
Thankfully the wait is over and I could find out what happened to Raim and Wadi in the second book of the duology, The Shadow's Curse. I don't want to give too much away in case readers of this review haven't read the first book yet but things were looking pretty bleak at the end of the first book for oathbreaker Raim and Wadi, a brave and fierce member of the desert living Alashan tribe. This time the narrative is shared between the two characters and so we learn of both their stories firsthand. Raim is desperate to rescue Wadi, the girl he loves but realises that won't be possible while he bears the scars of the ultimate taboo. He needs to discover who the mysterious woman shadow is who has saved his life more than once. Does she have the answer as to why he unknowingly broke an oath when he made a promise to protect Khareh, his childhood friend and now despotic Khan? Reluctantly he and his haunt Draikh head to the dangerous south to find out the truth about his oath. Wadi is in Khareh's clutches. Can she discover his weaknesses without putting herself in even more danger? Meanwhile Khareh is raising a Shadow Army and plots against King Song, ruthless leader of the south.
Being the second part of the series questions are answered but there are plenty of twists before any big reveals. As before Raim and Wadi are equally likable, both strong and brave protagonists and the alternate chapters work well. The other characters too, both male and female are well written and complex personalities. The Knots books are the best sort of fantasy, exciting and based on an intriguing premise, in this case that promises made are binding and breaking them, even inadvertently can mean becoming an outcast. More than that though the story considers such themes as fate, duty, ambition and honour. The long wait to read The Shadow's Curse was well worth it, a gripping and fitting sequel to The Oathbreaker's Shadow. I thoroughly recommend both books.
Many thanks to the publishers and author for my free copy received through NetGalley in return for my honest review.
September 24, 2014
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
I loved The Oathbreaker's Shadow when it was published last year, and after reading it I was definitely excited to see where it would go. The Shadow's Curse was such an amazing sequel and a great ending to the story. I believe that Amy McCulloch created an amazing world with characters that really stand out to readers.
This book picks up as Raim begins his journey to find out about his broken vow, he learns that finding out about this will change his life. But his main focus is to save Wadi from Khareh and stop whatever disaster will happen with him in charge. The story follows Raim's journey as he tries to save Wadi from his friend and himself from his broken oath, then we also get to see Wadi as she travels with Khareh and readers see how things have changed for him so much since he has become ruler.
Amy really wrote a story that keeps readers intrigued and wondering who will become the single ruler of all of Darhan. There is a good amount of action, but you also get to know Raim more, and see what truly matters to him. The communication between Raim and Draikh are amazing, he is the one who keeps Raim going and helps him learn more about his abilities, Draikh is the friend that Raim lost in Khareh.
As I came closer to the end, I was getting sad to see how it would end, yet I was excited to see where the story would go for Raim, and I was very surprised at what happens. I believe that Amy McCulloch ended her series perfectly and yet leaves you wanting more from all the characters (in a good way). This book brings readers deeper into the world that McCulloch created in The Oathbreaker's Shadow, and really takes us more into Raim's history. If you haven't picked up either book yet, this is the time to sit down and read through both at once.
I loved The Oathbreaker's Shadow when it was published last year, and after reading it I was definitely excited to see where it would go. The Shadow's Curse was such an amazing sequel and a great ending to the story. I believe that Amy McCulloch created an amazing world with characters that really stand out to readers.
This book picks up as Raim begins his journey to find out about his broken vow, he learns that finding out about this will change his life. But his main focus is to save Wadi from Khareh and stop whatever disaster will happen with him in charge. The story follows Raim's journey as he tries to save Wadi from his friend and himself from his broken oath, then we also get to see Wadi as she travels with Khareh and readers see how things have changed for him so much since he has become ruler.
Amy really wrote a story that keeps readers intrigued and wondering who will become the single ruler of all of Darhan. There is a good amount of action, but you also get to know Raim more, and see what truly matters to him. The communication between Raim and Draikh are amazing, he is the one who keeps Raim going and helps him learn more about his abilities, Draikh is the friend that Raim lost in Khareh.
As I came closer to the end, I was getting sad to see how it would end, yet I was excited to see where the story would go for Raim, and I was very surprised at what happens. I believe that Amy McCulloch ended her series perfectly and yet leaves you wanting more from all the characters (in a good way). This book brings readers deeper into the world that McCulloch created in The Oathbreaker's Shadow, and really takes us more into Raim's history. If you haven't picked up either book yet, this is the time to sit down and read through both at once.
June 25, 2014
Beautifully written follow up to The Oathbreaker's Shadow.
The story was well paced with the alternating POVs of Wadi and Raim and kept me hooked with several chapters having cliffhanger endings.
The promise Raim made that caused him to become an oath breaker was a surprise & I felt this was the only part of the plot I was confused about. How it happened at such a young age & the history of Raim's genealogy were a little hazy. I was surprised at a character's betrayal of Raim and, given their relation to him, it was a twist I certainly didn't see coming.
I enjoyed the theme of forgiveness and how this overcame the stigma of oathbreaking and made the person whole again. Raim's strength of character came through when he was able to forgive a certain character. So often in YA fantasy, bitterness and resentment fuel the characters and plot. It was a pleasant departure to see the impact of forgiveness, love and friendship on Raim and the other characters. Friendships being renewed and reforged was an excellent twist to defeat the true evil in the end.
The fantastic world building established in The Oathbreaker's Shadow continues in its sequel and new settings are beautifully described with intricate detail. Amy McCulloch has created a wonderful fantasy world with a depth that is rich for further development. Would love to find out how Khaleh tackles the challenges he will face in the south and how Raim & Wadi cope with their new roles too. There are a few loose ends about other characters that I'd love to know more of too... especially Lady Chabi.
A wonderful read and excellent dualogy. Can't wait to see what Amy McCulloch does next!
The story was well paced with the alternating POVs of Wadi and Raim and kept me hooked with several chapters having cliffhanger endings.
The promise Raim made that caused him to become an oath breaker was a surprise & I felt this was the only part of the plot I was confused about. How it happened at such a young age & the history of Raim's genealogy were a little hazy. I was surprised at a character's betrayal of Raim and, given their relation to him, it was a twist I certainly didn't see coming.
I enjoyed the theme of forgiveness and how this overcame the stigma of oathbreaking and made the person whole again. Raim's strength of character came through when he was able to forgive a certain character. So often in YA fantasy, bitterness and resentment fuel the characters and plot. It was a pleasant departure to see the impact of forgiveness, love and friendship on Raim and the other characters. Friendships being renewed and reforged was an excellent twist to defeat the true evil in the end.
The fantastic world building established in The Oathbreaker's Shadow continues in its sequel and new settings are beautifully described with intricate detail. Amy McCulloch has created a wonderful fantasy world with a depth that is rich for further development. Would love to find out how Khaleh tackles the challenges he will face in the south and how Raim & Wadi cope with their new roles too. There are a few loose ends about other characters that I'd love to know more of too... especially Lady Chabi.
A wonderful read and excellent dualogy. Can't wait to see what Amy McCulloch does next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2016
***This book was reviewed for the Manhattan Book Review****
The Shadow's Curse, by Amy McCulloch, is the second in a set of two. Silly me was not paying proper attention to this fact, which led to a bit of confusion at first. However, the author did an admirable job of recapping necessary bits so things quickly fell together.
This story follows Raim, (still) working to rid himself of his curse, and Wadi, his love, who is with Raim’s nemesis Khareh. What's so sad is Khareh was once his close friend. It's an interesting insight into how people change, and what can shatter a friendship. Khareh, though, isn't everything he seems. The darkest of people have a spark of light, just as the brightest have a hint of shadow. Raim, Wadi, and Khareh are on a collision course with surprising results.
Despite having missed out on the previous book (I've ordered it), I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I found it to be an engaging read. It was fast-paced, and there were never boring lulls. Occasionally, things did seem to slip a bit to a more simplistic bent, but nothing that really detracted from the story.
I found the world-building particularly interesting. I like seeing the various perspectives, traditions, and cultures of the other worlds I visit while reading. I think the people who do this well must have a touch of the anthropologist in them somewhere.
The cover is beautifully done! I try not to judge a book yea or nay based on its cover, but an attractive cover is a piece of art! All said, if you enjoy well-crafted fantasy, you are sure to enjoy McCulloch’s Shadow's Curse, and its predecessor, Oathbreaker’s Shadow.
The Shadow's Curse, by Amy McCulloch, is the second in a set of two. Silly me was not paying proper attention to this fact, which led to a bit of confusion at first. However, the author did an admirable job of recapping necessary bits so things quickly fell together.
This story follows Raim, (still) working to rid himself of his curse, and Wadi, his love, who is with Raim’s nemesis Khareh. What's so sad is Khareh was once his close friend. It's an interesting insight into how people change, and what can shatter a friendship. Khareh, though, isn't everything he seems. The darkest of people have a spark of light, just as the brightest have a hint of shadow. Raim, Wadi, and Khareh are on a collision course with surprising results.
Despite having missed out on the previous book (I've ordered it), I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I found it to be an engaging read. It was fast-paced, and there were never boring lulls. Occasionally, things did seem to slip a bit to a more simplistic bent, but nothing that really detracted from the story.
I found the world-building particularly interesting. I like seeing the various perspectives, traditions, and cultures of the other worlds I visit while reading. I think the people who do this well must have a touch of the anthropologist in them somewhere.
The cover is beautifully done! I try not to judge a book yea or nay based on its cover, but an attractive cover is a piece of art! All said, if you enjoy well-crafted fantasy, you are sure to enjoy McCulloch’s Shadow's Curse, and its predecessor, Oathbreaker’s Shadow.
July 8, 2014
The Shadow’s Curse by Amy McCulloch is the second and final book in her Knots Sequence duology and follows on from Oathbreaker’s Shadow. I received a free copy from Random House of Canada in exchange for an honest review.
The novel takes up where we left off in the earlier book with Raim seeking to learn the history of his mysterious broken vow as well as to rescue his friend Wadi. It has been a while since I read Oathbreaker’s Shadow and for a couple of pages I was a little confused. However, McCulloch quickly and skillfully recapped the main points so that I was soon up to speed.
What I liked
Tight narrative structure. The Shadow’s Curse switches between two points of view, Raim’s and Wadi’s, following two converging main storylines. Wadi’s storyline also serves to present the main antagonist’s, Kareh’s, story. This works well to create tension for the inevitable confrontation when these paths come together. Both Raim and Wadi are working towards specific goals. In Raim’s case, this aim is explicitly stated early on – to rid himself of his oathbreaker stigma – whereas Wadi’s purpose is not revealed until later. This structure keeps the novel’s pace moving along briskly and creates good narrative tension,
Payoff from book one. Oathbreaker’s Shadow had left me a little frustrated that there had been so little payoff for the setup. This is remedied in The Shadow’s Curse in which the central premise of Raim’s broken vow is explored in much more satisfying depth. For this reason I would suggest that you read both as one long story.
The novel takes up where we left off in the earlier book with Raim seeking to learn the history of his mysterious broken vow as well as to rescue his friend Wadi. It has been a while since I read Oathbreaker’s Shadow and for a couple of pages I was a little confused. However, McCulloch quickly and skillfully recapped the main points so that I was soon up to speed.
What I liked
Tight narrative structure. The Shadow’s Curse switches between two points of view, Raim’s and Wadi’s, following two converging main storylines. Wadi’s storyline also serves to present the main antagonist’s, Kareh’s, story. This works well to create tension for the inevitable confrontation when these paths come together. Both Raim and Wadi are working towards specific goals. In Raim’s case, this aim is explicitly stated early on – to rid himself of his oathbreaker stigma – whereas Wadi’s purpose is not revealed until later. This structure keeps the novel’s pace moving along briskly and creates good narrative tension,
Payoff from book one. Oathbreaker’s Shadow had left me a little frustrated that there had been so little payoff for the setup. This is remedied in The Shadow’s Curse in which the central premise of Raim’s broken vow is explored in much more satisfying depth. For this reason I would suggest that you read both as one long story.
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