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Shattered Realms #2
Shadowcaster
From New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima, this is a thrilling story of the unfathomable costs of war, the allure of dark magic, and two principled and conflicted characters drawn together despite everything they stand to lose.
Alyssa ana’Raisa, the reluctant princess heir to the Gray Wolf throne of the Fells, feels more comfortable striking with a sword than maneuvering at court. After a brush with death, Lyss goes on the offensive, meaning to end the war that has raged her whole life. If her gamble doesn’t pay off, she could lose her queendom before she even ascends to the throne. Across enemy lines in Arden, young rising star Captain Halston Matelon is being sent on ever more dangerous assignments. Between the terrifying rumors of witches and wolfish warriors to the north and his cruel king at home, Hal is caught in an impossible game of life and death.
Lyss and Hal’s intricately linked fates become inseparable when they fall under the shadow of a new enemy—a force that threatens to extinguish the last rays of hope in the Shattered Realms.
Alyssa ana’Raisa, the reluctant princess heir to the Gray Wolf throne of the Fells, feels more comfortable striking with a sword than maneuvering at court. After a brush with death, Lyss goes on the offensive, meaning to end the war that has raged her whole life. If her gamble doesn’t pay off, she could lose her queendom before she even ascends to the throne. Across enemy lines in Arden, young rising star Captain Halston Matelon is being sent on ever more dangerous assignments. Between the terrifying rumors of witches and wolfish warriors to the north and his cruel king at home, Hal is caught in an impossible game of life and death.
Lyss and Hal’s intricately linked fates become inseparable when they fall under the shadow of a new enemy—a force that threatens to extinguish the last rays of hope in the Shattered Realms.
548 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
569 people are currently reading
15302 people want to read
About the author
Cinda Williams Chima
35 books11.6k followersNew York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima comes from a long line of fortune-tellers, musicians and spinners of tales. She began writing romance novels in middle school, which were often confiscated by her teachers.
Her Heir Chronicles series (magic comes to contemporary Ohio) comprises The Warrior Heir The Wizard Heir . The Dragon Heir The Enchanter Heir, and the Sorcerer Heir.
Chima's Seven Realms series comprises The Demon King The Exiled Queen The Gray Wolf Throne and The Crimson Crown ).
Her Shattered Realms quartet comprises Flamecaster ( 2016) Shadowcaster (2017) Stormcaster (2018) and Deathcaster (2019.)
Her newest series, Runestone Saga, marries Norse magic and mythology with swordplay (axeplay?) and romance. Children of Ragnarok was released 11.8.22, and the sequel and conclusion, Bane of Asgard, is set for release 10-22-24.It is available for preorder now.
Chima is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron. Chima has been a workshop leader, panelist, and speaker at writing conferences, including the Northern Ohio SCBWI Conference, the Western Reserve Writers’ Conference, and the World Fantasy Convention. She frequently speaks to young writers and readers at schools and libraries nationwide.
Chima lives in North Carolina with her family, and is always working on her next novel.
Her Heir Chronicles series (magic comes to contemporary Ohio) comprises The Warrior Heir The Wizard Heir . The Dragon Heir The Enchanter Heir, and the Sorcerer Heir.
Chima's Seven Realms series comprises The Demon King The Exiled Queen The Gray Wolf Throne and The Crimson Crown ).
Her Shattered Realms quartet comprises Flamecaster ( 2016) Shadowcaster (2017) Stormcaster (2018) and Deathcaster (2019.)
Her newest series, Runestone Saga, marries Norse magic and mythology with swordplay (axeplay?) and romance. Children of Ragnarok was released 11.8.22, and the sequel and conclusion, Bane of Asgard, is set for release 10-22-24.It is available for preorder now.
Chima is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron. Chima has been a workshop leader, panelist, and speaker at writing conferences, including the Northern Ohio SCBWI Conference, the Western Reserve Writers’ Conference, and the World Fantasy Convention. She frequently speaks to young writers and readers at schools and libraries nationwide.
Chima lives in North Carolina with her family, and is always working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 847 reviews
June 9, 2023
OK SO I WAS RLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS (still am tbh) BUT WTF THEY CHANGED THE COVER.
I HAVE 10 BOOKS THAT ALL COORDINATE BUT NOW THEY CHANGED IT TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE ToG.
THIS IS NOT THRONE OF GLASS
ugh.
publishers after money pissing this girl off.
The spins better still coordinate.
I HAVE 10 BOOKS THAT ALL COORDINATE BUT NOW THEY CHANGED IT TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE ToG.
THIS IS NOT THRONE OF GLASS
ugh.
publishers after money pissing this girl off.
The spins better still coordinate.
November 27, 2017
Update: Kindle US for $1.99 11-27-17
Noooooooo, cliffy! I need that next book now!
This book is so bad @assed! I'm loving all of these strong women fighters!
Lyss is the princess and heir to the Gray Wolf throne. (Hell's Yes!) But she likes fighting with her peeps which are men and women. They are all awesome fighters. And Lyss moves up to Captain, she's not a dress wearing society girl, she is in there fighting with her people.
The book goes back and forth through different POV's so I got confused a little bit but I got back on track. The only reason is because the chapters had titles and not that person's particular POV at that time and my little brain had to keep up with where I was at. Lol
Lyss and her crew end up fighting pretty much through the whole book. There are other things going on as well.
We get some sneak peaks of Cas and Jenna! Weeeeee, I hope only good comes out of that one.
Lyss had a crush on one of her friends she has known forever (yes, bad @ss girls can still do that) but he got married to her cousin and there was that. Lyss went on with fighting and not worrying about it. She's so cool!
Then,
Lyss and the crew capture Hal and his men and keep him prisoner, but then he becomes more than that. It's sweet and I hope something really does come of that because things weren't even looking too good on Hal's own side to begin with. What was up with all of that besides evilness!
Queen Raisa is still in the book from time to time dealing with the politics and praising her daughter, Lyss. I can't believe so long ago Queen Raisa was just a little girl herself, but I lose myself.
I love Cinda Williams Chima, she just makes and breaks my day but I love her. I love her characters so much. ❤
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
Noooooooo, cliffy! I need that next book now!
This book is so bad @assed! I'm loving all of these strong women fighters!
Lyss is the princess and heir to the Gray Wolf throne. (Hell's Yes!) But she likes fighting with her peeps which are men and women. They are all awesome fighters. And Lyss moves up to Captain, she's not a dress wearing society girl, she is in there fighting with her people.
The mages hadn't seemed to notice her yet. In fact, they seemed distracted, aiming off to one side.
Well, then, Lyss thought. "For the queen in the north!" she cried, spurring her horse forward. Behind her, she heard Sasha and Cam shouting at her, then the rattle of hooves as they followed.
The mages never saw them coming. Mincemeat crashed into the nearest mage, sending him flying. He landed flat on his back nearly under her pony's hooves. Leaning low out of the saddle, Lyss finished him with a sweep of her ax, then ducked as a mudback aimed a blow at her skull. She could feel the buzz as bolt after bolt of attack magic sizzled into her talisman. And then, blessedly, the bolts stopped coming.
The book goes back and forth through different POV's so I got confused a little bit but I got back on track. The only reason is because the chapters had titles and not that person's particular POV at that time and my little brain had to keep up with where I was at. Lol
Lyss and her crew end up fighting pretty much through the whole book. There are other things going on as well.
We get some sneak peaks of Cas and Jenna! Weeeeee, I hope only good comes out of that one.
Lyss had a crush on one of her friends she has known forever (yes, bad @ss girls can still do that) but he got married to her cousin and there was that. Lyss went on with fighting and not worrying about it. She's so cool!
Then,
Lyss and the crew capture Hal and his men and keep him prisoner, but then he becomes more than that. It's sweet and I hope something really does come of that because things weren't even looking too good on Hal's own side to begin with. What was up with all of that besides evilness!
Queen Raisa is still in the book from time to time dealing with the politics and praising her daughter, Lyss. I can't believe so long ago Queen Raisa was just a little girl herself, but I lose myself.
I love Cinda Williams Chima, she just makes and breaks my day but I love her. I love her characters so much. ❤
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
December 27, 2023
"I'm a musician wrongly imprisoned for a crime I didn't commit."
This series is unreal! Still hard to decide who the main character is between Lyss, Ash and Jenna, but I'm loving every little thing about this series.
Review to come.
"It's important to remember the old stories. As soon as you forget a story, it comes around again, and you have to relive it."
This series is unreal! Still hard to decide who the main character is between Lyss, Ash and Jenna, but I'm loving every little thing about this series.
Review to come.
"It's important to remember the old stories. As soon as you forget a story, it comes around again, and you have to relive it."
April 17, 2017
3.5 -4.0 Stars
Something I wish I would have known before going into this book is that there is really no Ash in it….*gasp* He is there in a few flashbacks and he is mentioned but he doesn’t get a PoV and we never see him after the timeline events of the last book.
I tell you this because I think that my frustration with the first half of the book was partly because I was waiting to get to a part with him in it. Had I known going in this was the case I wouldn’t have been so distracted by it.
The first half of this book went a bit slow for me. I expect this for the first book in a series because we are ramping up the story, but in the second book I usually feel that it should pace faster than the first since we have already gone through character introductions and set up. But because this book has an almost entirely new cast of characters there is that necessary slower time for introductions….again.
Don’t let this discourage you though. Alyssa ana’Raisa was great. She is one of the reasons I really enjoy Cinda Willaims Chima as an author. The women in her books are allowed to be strong in different ways. Alyssa is strong in both leadership and warrior prowess. She is a fantastic soldier and gets to show that off not only in a physically way with a sword on the battlefield. But, she also shows that to us off the field in the way she trains her soldiers, carries herself and treats her enemies. I loved her as a character and in a lot of ways she is really the best of Raisa and Han together.
In true Grey Wolf Queen fashion she has also formed an attachment to the least acceptable person possible. Halston Matelon is a captain of the enemy army. He is the last person in the world that Lyss should form a bond with of any kind but as the two talk, spar and get to know one another you can see that this doomed relationship is one that you really want to root for.
This book also comes with a new character with that strange jewel on the back of his neck and an eager Empress that is willing to do just about anything to find him. He was the secret jewel of this book and I hope we find out more about him soon. He didn’t get a ton of page time in this and I won’t tell you who it is since it isn’t discovered for quite awhile, but I’m hoping to find out what magics he has locked up inside him.
JENNA and Flamecaster do make an appearance and get a PoV in this book. I was excited to see them meet up with a few of the characters from Ash’s past and Lyss’s present and I’m still just waiting for that moment when Jenna realizes Ash’s true name and his connections to the other characters of the book. Flamecaster is growing up and we are getting a few new clues into where Jenna might have come from and why she is in hiding. She also picked up an ally or two along the way.
The problem with this book is that the second half is so good and then it was over, just when some of the best things were happening and then…that’s the end???? Dang it.
My hope is that the next book will be able to blend all of the MC PoVs from the first two books and we don’t just get a new ‘new’ cast of characters to work with. Honestly this didn’t feel like a second book but one that should have been intertwined with the first book for just one big book there. I know that YA doesn’t like to do 1000 page epics for teens but for me it would have read better that way.
Now to wait…..again.
P.S. For all of you who have read The Seven Realms Series.
The hardest thing about this continuation of that world is that you get to find out for sure what happened to the characters you loved for so long in the prior series. Sometimes that is great because you find out Dancer married Cait and they have a son about Alyssa's age. The bad part is that some of the characters are dead now and so you find out what happened to them only to realize that they are now gone from that world. And usually because this is not their story it is kinda throwaway and told to the reader in a few sentences, like ripping a band aide off fast.
Something I wish I would have known before going into this book is that there is really no Ash in it….*gasp* He is there in a few flashbacks and he is mentioned but he doesn’t get a PoV and we never see him after the timeline events of the last book.
I tell you this because I think that my frustration with the first half of the book was partly because I was waiting to get to a part with him in it. Had I known going in this was the case I wouldn’t have been so distracted by it.
The first half of this book went a bit slow for me. I expect this for the first book in a series because we are ramping up the story, but in the second book I usually feel that it should pace faster than the first since we have already gone through character introductions and set up. But because this book has an almost entirely new cast of characters there is that necessary slower time for introductions….again.
Don’t let this discourage you though. Alyssa ana’Raisa was great. She is one of the reasons I really enjoy Cinda Willaims Chima as an author. The women in her books are allowed to be strong in different ways. Alyssa is strong in both leadership and warrior prowess. She is a fantastic soldier and gets to show that off not only in a physically way with a sword on the battlefield. But, she also shows that to us off the field in the way she trains her soldiers, carries herself and treats her enemies. I loved her as a character and in a lot of ways she is really the best of Raisa and Han together.
In true Grey Wolf Queen fashion she has also formed an attachment to the least acceptable person possible. Halston Matelon is a captain of the enemy army. He is the last person in the world that Lyss should form a bond with of any kind but as the two talk, spar and get to know one another you can see that this doomed relationship is one that you really want to root for.
“Perhaps not a potion to kill, but one to . . . to turn us into something we’re not.”
“You mean . . . like a toad or— or— a billy goat?” Her lips twitched, as if it was all she could do not to burst out laughing. “I know! A flock of chickens. We could use some fresh eggs around here.”
Hal stared at her. Did she really not understand what he was talking about? “We’ve heard stories of spells and potions that steal a man’s courage or his strength. That cause him to turn against his fellow soldiers and kill them. That give him such a massive case of the itches that—”
“Believe me, Captain, if I had that power, I would have sent you all home with the itches a long time ago,” Gray said, wiping at her eyes.
This book also comes with a new character with that strange jewel on the back of his neck and an eager Empress that is willing to do just about anything to find him. He was the secret jewel of this book and I hope we find out more about him soon. He didn’t get a ton of page time in this and I won’t tell you who it is since it isn’t discovered for quite awhile, but I’m hoping to find out what magics he has locked up inside him.
JENNA and Flamecaster do make an appearance and get a PoV in this book. I was excited to see them meet up with a few of the characters from Ash’s past and Lyss’s present and I’m still just waiting for that moment when Jenna realizes Ash’s true name and his connections to the other characters of the book. Flamecaster is growing up and we are getting a few new clues into where Jenna might have come from and why she is in hiding. She also picked up an ally or two along the way.
The problem with this book is that the second half is so good and then it was over, just when some of the best things were happening and then…that’s the end???? Dang it.
My hope is that the next book will be able to blend all of the MC PoVs from the first two books and we don’t just get a new ‘new’ cast of characters to work with. Honestly this didn’t feel like a second book but one that should have been intertwined with the first book for just one big book there. I know that YA doesn’t like to do 1000 page epics for teens but for me it would have read better that way.
Now to wait…..again.
P.S. For all of you who have read The Seven Realms Series.
The hardest thing about this continuation of that world is that you get to find out for sure what happened to the characters you loved for so long in the prior series. Sometimes that is great because you find out Dancer married Cait and they have a son about Alyssa's age. The bad part is that some of the characters are dead now and so you find out what happened to them only to realize that they are now gone from that world. And usually because this is not their story it is kinda throwaway and told to the reader in a few sentences, like ripping a band aide off fast.
April 12, 2017
Shadowcaster is the sequel to Flamecaster.
Gotta be honest... I didn't love it. I think it suffered from middle book syndrome.
Firstly, the things that disappointed me:
* the two main characters (and my other fave), Ash, Lila and Jenna were barely in this book. Jenna had a few chapters but not much. I didn't even read the synopsis so I wasn't aware of that going in. It was a disappointment.
* The pacing: this book felt soooo much slower then the first book until closer to the end.
* Insta-love... again. Again I didn't mind it and I found the whole star crossed lovers thing kinda sweet.
* My fave characters were Hal and Shadow. So I was disappointed Shadow wasn't in it a bit more (I know I'm being unreasonable)
* I don't mind cliffhangers. Sometimes they can be great. But the author MUST answer the central plot question of the novel. I don't feel this book answered any of the possible "plot promises" introduced in the first 50 or so pages.
* I feel like the central question was "who is trying to kill the royal family" but since the Big Bad is already dead a few weeks into this story (although the POV characters didn't know that, I guess) I'm assuming it must be someone else? But who? And why? Since the plot doesn't get started till after the murder attempt I feel like Chima should have provided a clearer idea of just what the hell was going on with that plotline. Like is it over? Are we now just fighting this other Big Bad (The Empress) and letting that whole storyline disappear? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!
I think my central disappointment lies in the fact that not a lot happened with very little pay off.
Despite the above I still recommend reading it. I'm excited about where the story is going and I like all of the POV characters from both books. I think there is an interesting and absorbing story here and hopefully Chima will actually get to the thrust of the story in the next book.
The writing is still funny and clever, I appreciate an author that doesn't spell every little detail out and let's the reader draw conclusions. The plot, once it really got going, was fun. In short this series isn't original, it doesn't have anything important to say, but it is a good time.
I enjoyed it, I just expected more.
Gotta be honest... I didn't love it. I think it suffered from middle book syndrome.
Firstly, the things that disappointed me:
* the two main characters (and my other fave), Ash, Lila and Jenna were barely in this book. Jenna had a few chapters but not much. I didn't even read the synopsis so I wasn't aware of that going in. It was a disappointment.
* The pacing: this book felt soooo much slower then the first book until closer to the end.
* Insta-love... again. Again I didn't mind it and I found the whole star crossed lovers thing kinda sweet.
* My fave characters were Hal and Shadow. So I was disappointed Shadow wasn't in it a bit more (I know I'm being unreasonable)
* I don't mind cliffhangers. Sometimes they can be great. But the author MUST answer the central plot question of the novel. I don't feel this book answered any of the possible "plot promises" introduced in the first 50 or so pages.
* I feel like the central question was "who is trying to kill the royal family" but since the Big Bad is already dead a few weeks into this story (although the POV characters didn't know that, I guess) I'm assuming it must be someone else? But who? And why? Since the plot doesn't get started till after the murder attempt I feel like Chima should have provided a clearer idea of just what the hell was going on with that plotline. Like is it over? Are we now just fighting this other Big Bad (The Empress) and letting that whole storyline disappear? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!
I think my central disappointment lies in the fact that not a lot happened with very little pay off.
Despite the above I still recommend reading it. I'm excited about where the story is going and I like all of the POV characters from both books. I think there is an interesting and absorbing story here and hopefully Chima will actually get to the thrust of the story in the next book.
The writing is still funny and clever, I appreciate an author that doesn't spell every little detail out and let's the reader draw conclusions. The plot, once it really got going, was fun. In short this series isn't original, it doesn't have anything important to say, but it is a good time.
I enjoyed it, I just expected more.
April 16, 2017
WHY would you step on your original wonderful series, flush your original characters down the toilet, and plunge readers into a long-standing conflict with long-suffering characters we don't care about?
WHY is the novel so transparently managed, with so many points of view just missing each other even as they overlap entirely too cleverly?
WHY would you turn Raisa into her mother, with no explanation of the transformation and no logic behind her actions in this novel, beyond them serving the plot?
WHY would you write a series about a family grieving the loss of a sister never alive for a second in this series or the previous one, and contrive to make her early death and subsequent untold story much more compelling than any story currently being told?
This novel is basically a tombstone for the previous series: Here lies the murdered body of the Seven Realms series. Here twenty-five years have passed with history and old politicking but hazy memories. Here the only reality is a shattered, hopeless world with all-new yet all-too-familiar evils. Here is a tone at odds with the Seven Realms series: weary and distant, too connected to its past to stand on its own - even if it were developed well enough to stand on its own as a new world.
It's not. It's not well-developed or well-written; it dumps bodies of previously loved characters into its narrative with little notice and little respect; it doesn't care to recap Flamecaster well enough to make sense of these characters and this world.
And yet I'm going to read the next book, because obviously I hate myself.
WHY is the novel so transparently managed, with so many points of view just missing each other even as they overlap entirely too cleverly?
WHY would you turn Raisa into her mother, with no explanation of the transformation and no logic behind her actions in this novel, beyond them serving the plot?
WHY would you write a series about a family grieving the loss of a sister never alive for a second in this series or the previous one, and contrive to make her early death and subsequent untold story much more compelling than any story currently being told?
This novel is basically a tombstone for the previous series: Here lies the murdered body of the Seven Realms series. Here twenty-five years have passed with history and old politicking but hazy memories. Here the only reality is a shattered, hopeless world with all-new yet all-too-familiar evils. Here is a tone at odds with the Seven Realms series: weary and distant, too connected to its past to stand on its own - even if it were developed well enough to stand on its own as a new world.
It's not. It's not well-developed or well-written; it dumps bodies of previously loved characters into its narrative with little notice and little respect; it doesn't care to recap Flamecaster well enough to make sense of these characters and this world.
And yet I'm going to read the next book, because obviously I hate myself.
Want to read
February 26, 2017IT seems the publishers are sticking with their egregious mistake of changing the cover for the U.S. Hardcover. So fingers crossed the U.K. publishers maintain the original design for their paperback.
---
OMFG, they did not just go and change the cover on me. They did not just add a cover model to this book for no reason! The original cover was beautiful. Why publishers, why!?
---
Got an email from Cinda Williams Chima's newsletter with the official book description! Love it!
Me after seeing the cover:
Me remembering how much I did not like the first book:
Me after reading the description for this next book
(and seeing that it is not about Ash and Jenna)
So yes, I am super excited for this next book. I am ready to fall in love with Ms. Chima all over again, and I am willing to pretend that last book never happened.
Shadowcaster I am counting on you to be good!
---
OMFG, they did not just go and change the cover on me. They did not just add a cover model to this book for no reason! The original cover was beautiful. Why publishers, why!?
---
Got an email from Cinda Williams Chima's newsletter with the official book description! Love it!
Me after seeing the cover:
Me remembering how much I did not like the first book:
Me after reading the description for this next book
(and seeing that it is not about Ash and Jenna)
So yes, I am super excited for this next book. I am ready to fall in love with Ms. Chima all over again, and I am willing to pretend that last book never happened.
Shadowcaster I am counting on you to be good!
March 14, 2019
Shadowcaster was even better than Flamecaster in my humble opinion. In this installment the reader is introduced to an almost entirely new cast of characters. Some characters from the first book slowly creep their way into the storyline eventually. Also, the timeline at the beginning of the book coincides with book 1 until about the halfway point. Then it catches up and carries the storyline forward from there. I am hoping for a mass convergence in book 3 with all the characters from the first two books. Fingers crossed!!!
The plot is finally starting to take shape, and it is building up to be very interesting. Mrs. Chima doesn't just give you all the details at once. She likes to leave you little bread crumbs and let you try to come up with your own ideas before a big reveal.
Just like it's predecessor, Shadowcaster has great characterization. The main characters and side characters are all well developed. The reader gets a detailed backstory of each main character that helps you understand their motivations. Their histories really help to drive their actions and decisions. But when their storylines start to converge it gets really good.
I would have to say I enjoyed this more than the first book mainly due to the setting. Flamecaster was set in one place for most of the story. Shadowcaster starts out that way, but it doesn't take long for the story to expand to multiple POV's in different places and our main characters doing a good bit of traveling. I don't mind stories set in one location, but this one just seemed to work better for me being spread out in numerous locations.
After two books I am really invested in all of these characters, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Especially, after that cliffhanger ending. Thankfully, this series is now complete, so I don't have to wait to read what happens. I will be beginning book 3, Stormcaster, right away. As I said in my review of Flamecaster, if you enjoyed the first Seven Realms series, this is a must read. Also, any fan of YA fantasy really needs to give this a go, but I would recommend reading the Seven Realms series first.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars ****
The plot is finally starting to take shape, and it is building up to be very interesting. Mrs. Chima doesn't just give you all the details at once. She likes to leave you little bread crumbs and let you try to come up with your own ideas before a big reveal.
Just like it's predecessor, Shadowcaster has great characterization. The main characters and side characters are all well developed. The reader gets a detailed backstory of each main character that helps you understand their motivations. Their histories really help to drive their actions and decisions. But when their storylines start to converge it gets really good.
I would have to say I enjoyed this more than the first book mainly due to the setting. Flamecaster was set in one place for most of the story. Shadowcaster starts out that way, but it doesn't take long for the story to expand to multiple POV's in different places and our main characters doing a good bit of traveling. I don't mind stories set in one location, but this one just seemed to work better for me being spread out in numerous locations.
After two books I am really invested in all of these characters, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Especially, after that cliffhanger ending. Thankfully, this series is now complete, so I don't have to wait to read what happens. I will be beginning book 3, Stormcaster, right away. As I said in my review of Flamecaster, if you enjoyed the first Seven Realms series, this is a must read. Also, any fan of YA fantasy really needs to give this a go, but I would recommend reading the Seven Realms series first.
"The upland clans say that it's important to remember the old stories. As soon as you forget a story, it comes around again, and you have to relive it."
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars ****
May 21, 2017
I liked this even better than the first book!
This time, the story follows Lyss - Ash's sister, and Raisa and Han's youngest - heir to the throne and also known as the fierce Captain Gray to her soldiers, and the ghost story "The Gray Wolf" to the Ardenine enemy.
The setting: is mostly centered on the Fells (nortern part of the map) and the events run almost parallel in time to the previous book - so Ash doesn't make an appearance (although Jenna and her dragon do!).
Plot: I really loved how different Lyss is as a warrior princess from her mother Raisa. She's tired of the unchanging war, still grief stricken from thinking her brother is dead, and is willing to take a risk. And so, she and her friends take the war forward into Arden, starting with taking over the industrial city of Delphi - and imprisoning any survivors, which includes the young Ardenine Captain, Hal Matelon.
(An event mentioned in the previous book, which propels the Thanes' rebellion).
* All the characters are great, and what I loved most is the romance in this book! Star crossed romances of enemies falling in love is one of my favorite tropes! And unlike the frustrating insta-love between Ash&Jenna in the first book, this one worked so much better! Cute moments with hope for more development in the next books!
* Also, another character introduced is Breon - a street performer who gets unknowingly roped into a plot to kill the princess. His story takes the "magemark" plot forward with his mysterious past and unknown connection to Carthis and its evil "Empress Celestine" - like Jenna and Evan Strangeward, who both make appearances in the book!
Overall: There's a lot to enjoy, and so many characters shaping up the story. I think my one gripe actually is that there are so many main players in the overall story that I don't know how they will all fit in in the next book. And I want them all to be there. From the title of the next book, I can guess who it will be about - which is interesting - but I also want more of Lyss, Hal, Ash, and Jenna (mostly because of her dragon - Cas).
My biggest hope is that this series will not have a tangle of love triangles - with the first series, at least I knew that Han and Raisa would be center stage throughout.
Buddy-read with Kristalia! (Hopefully, you'll finish it one day, Krista! 😋😉💗)
This time, the story follows Lyss - Ash's sister, and Raisa and Han's youngest - heir to the throne and also known as the fierce Captain Gray to her soldiers, and the ghost story "The Gray Wolf" to the Ardenine enemy.
The setting: is mostly centered on the Fells (nortern part of the map) and the events run almost parallel in time to the previous book - so Ash doesn't make an appearance (although Jenna and her dragon do!).
Plot: I really loved how different Lyss is as a warrior princess from her mother Raisa. She's tired of the unchanging war, still grief stricken from thinking her brother is dead, and is willing to take a risk. And so, she and her friends take the war forward into Arden, starting with taking over the industrial city of Delphi - and imprisoning any survivors, which includes the young Ardenine Captain, Hal Matelon.
(An event mentioned in the previous book, which propels the Thanes' rebellion).
* All the characters are great, and what I loved most is the romance in this book! Star crossed romances of enemies falling in love is one of my favorite tropes! And unlike the frustrating insta-love between Ash&Jenna in the first book, this one worked so much better! Cute moments with hope for more development in the next books!
* Also, another character introduced is Breon - a street performer who gets unknowingly roped into a plot to kill the princess. His story takes the "magemark" plot forward with his mysterious past and unknown connection to Carthis and its evil "Empress Celestine" - like Jenna and Evan Strangeward, who both make appearances in the book!
Overall: There's a lot to enjoy, and so many characters shaping up the story. I think my one gripe actually is that there are so many main players in the overall story that I don't know how they will all fit in in the next book. And I want them all to be there. From the title of the next book, I can guess who it will be about - which is interesting - but I also want more of Lyss, Hal, Ash, and Jenna (mostly because of her dragon - Cas).
My biggest hope is that this series will not have a tangle of love triangles - with the first series, at least I knew that Han and Raisa would be center stage throughout.
Buddy-read with Kristalia! (Hopefully, you'll finish it one day, Krista! 😋😉💗)
February 5, 2018
4 Mage Mark ★'s
“Sometimes you have to get away to remember who you are. Believe in yourself, Lyss. You’re strong and smart enough to do this job. Never let anyone tell you different.”
This books is the best Cinda Williams Chima book I have read so far. I'm glad it took me sooo long to get started on Seven Realms and Shattered Realms because I only have to wait 2 more months until I can read Stormcaster :) Thank goodness after how it ended, I don't think I could wait any longer!! In any case, I have to admit that after this series is complete, there is a very good chance I will not be reading any more books by this author.
I enjoyed getting to know Alyssa ana’Raisa the princess heir. Lyss is another strong female lead character. Shes a bad ass, shes brave, smart and very direct. I love that she fights side by side with her people. As any real leader should. I like Captain Halston Matelon. Hal is a good solider, a good guy, who just happens to be on the wrong side of this long on going war. I love the relationship between Lyss and Hal too. They are a good match up and I'm sooo looking forward to seeing it grow.
I was a little disappointed that Adrian never came into this book. Yeah he was mentioned through out but dammit, I was hoping the whole time he'd show up at some point but nooo!! And the parts that did included Jenna were so boooring. Guess I'll just have to wait for them all to come together in Stormcaster. I hope :) Let the waiting game begin.
“Sometimes you have to get away to remember who you are. Believe in yourself, Lyss. You’re strong and smart enough to do this job. Never let anyone tell you different.”
This books is the best Cinda Williams Chima book I have read so far. I'm glad it took me sooo long to get started on Seven Realms and Shattered Realms because I only have to wait 2 more months until I can read Stormcaster :) Thank goodness after how it ended, I don't think I could wait any longer!! In any case, I have to admit that after this series is complete, there is a very good chance I will not be reading any more books by this author.
I enjoyed getting to know Alyssa ana’Raisa the princess heir. Lyss is another strong female lead character. Shes a bad ass, shes brave, smart and very direct. I love that she fights side by side with her people. As any real leader should. I like Captain Halston Matelon. Hal is a good solider, a good guy, who just happens to be on the wrong side of this long on going war. I love the relationship between Lyss and Hal too. They are a good match up and I'm sooo looking forward to seeing it grow.
I was a little disappointed that Adrian never came into this book. Yeah he was mentioned through out but dammit, I was hoping the whole time he'd show up at some point but nooo!! And the parts that did included Jenna were so boooring. Guess I'll just have to wait for them all to come together in Stormcaster. I hope :) Let the waiting game begin.
September 9, 2017
I.. I just... I have no words, bah.
December 16, 2017
I have been putting off this book for so long since the first one was average and as the months went on, I slowly forgot what happened in it. Which obviously made me want to read this book less. However, this book was everything the seven realms series was! It was just as amazing as all the books I loved in that series and I’m so glad I continued on with this book. The characters are just so much better in this book. The only reason why it’s a 4 star and not a 5 is because I was a little confused with some of the plot but that’s my own fault. Overall amazing!
April 4, 2018
This reread was fabulous; I’m really glad I decided to get back into this world. Reading Stormcaster is going to be all the better for it, 100%
______
Original thoughts:
Fantastic, as expected. Going into this book I had no idea that it would be somewhat of a parallel to the events of Flamecaster. I really enjoyed this, but I definitely felt the absence of Ash and the original group really strongly as a result. That being said, I absolutely adore all the new characters. Especially Lyss. I obviously didn't expect Ash's little sister to be such a central part of this series, but I'm so glad I was wrong. Before I get into the central characters really briefly, though, I have to say that I have no idea how I'm going to survive waiting for book 3. There is literally not even a release date yet. What am I going to do?
Hardly anyone has read these books, I beg you to go read them if you haven't. If you're a magical unicorn, aka someone who actually has read them, then you won't be concerned about the spoilers from this point on.
So, as I said: Lyss is incredible. She's all the best things about Han and Raisa rolled into one, truly amazing warrior princess that makes me proud. Ash and Lyss hurt me so much. Because we know he's alive and she spent half the book thinking he was dead and then a few months after finding out he's alive, she gets word that he's supposedly dead for real this time. And now that he's finally on his way home from Ardenscourt, she's captured. All I wanted was their reunion and I'm so upset.
Speaking of reunions: Jenna. Even though Ash wasn't in this book, Jenna was. And Ash thinks Jenna is dead and I can't believe I'm still waiting on them.
Even still, I was so grateful to have Jenna's perspective. She really is coming into her own. My favorite parts of the book were definitely Jenna and her dragon. Cas. He's so adorable, like a giant super dangerous puppy. I love their bickering nonsense and cuteness. And Cas being so protective of Jenna and vice versa.
The magemarks became even more important in this book, and by this point I'm practically bursting with the need to understand. 'Empress' Celestine is obviously Bad News, and I'm so concerned for Breon. His character is really tragic, he doesn't deserve how his life has gone so far. I really need some real answers about his past. Someone has to save him. Him and Lyss. Preferably Hal be among that group, I assume he will be.
Can Cinda WC please, please stop getting me invested in beautiful ships and then separating them? Not really so much the first part, I love my babies. But my god this trend is killing me. Lyss and Hal truly won my heart. Watching them fall in love with each other as enemy soldiers, I was practically squealing every time they interacted. I loved their first kiss. I loved their last. Well, hopefully not their actual last. Please.
I'm really just babbling at this point. I adored this novel just as much as the last and I want the next book so badly. I don't know how I'm surviving with literally no information about it.
______
Original thoughts:
Fantastic, as expected. Going into this book I had no idea that it would be somewhat of a parallel to the events of Flamecaster. I really enjoyed this, but I definitely felt the absence of Ash and the original group really strongly as a result. That being said, I absolutely adore all the new characters. Especially Lyss. I obviously didn't expect Ash's little sister to be such a central part of this series, but I'm so glad I was wrong. Before I get into the central characters really briefly, though, I have to say that I have no idea how I'm going to survive waiting for book 3. There is literally not even a release date yet. What am I going to do?
Hardly anyone has read these books, I beg you to go read them if you haven't. If you're a magical unicorn, aka someone who actually has read them, then you won't be concerned about the spoilers from this point on.
So, as I said: Lyss is incredible. She's all the best things about Han and Raisa rolled into one, truly amazing warrior princess that makes me proud. Ash and Lyss hurt me so much. Because we know he's alive and she spent half the book thinking he was dead and then a few months after finding out he's alive, she gets word that he's supposedly dead for real this time. And now that he's finally on his way home from Ardenscourt, she's captured. All I wanted was their reunion and I'm so upset.
Speaking of reunions: Jenna. Even though Ash wasn't in this book, Jenna was. And Ash thinks Jenna is dead and I can't believe I'm still waiting on them.
Even still, I was so grateful to have Jenna's perspective. She really is coming into her own. My favorite parts of the book were definitely Jenna and her dragon. Cas. He's so adorable, like a giant super dangerous puppy. I love their bickering nonsense and cuteness. And Cas being so protective of Jenna and vice versa.
The magemarks became even more important in this book, and by this point I'm practically bursting with the need to understand. 'Empress' Celestine is obviously Bad News, and I'm so concerned for Breon. His character is really tragic, he doesn't deserve how his life has gone so far. I really need some real answers about his past. Someone has to save him. Him and Lyss. Preferably Hal be among that group, I assume he will be.
Can Cinda WC please, please stop getting me invested in beautiful ships and then separating them? Not really so much the first part, I love my babies. But my god this trend is killing me. Lyss and Hal truly won my heart. Watching them fall in love with each other as enemy soldiers, I was practically squealing every time they interacted. I loved their first kiss. I loved their last. Well, hopefully not their actual last. Please.
I'm really just babbling at this point. I adored this novel just as much as the last and I want the next book so badly. I don't know how I'm surviving with literally no information about it.
April 23, 2017
This book reminded me of why I loved the Seven Realms series. :D Alyssa ana’Raisa is all set to be queen to the throne. Except she doesn’t want to be. But even so, Alyssa is great at following her responsibilities and believes in doing things right for her kingdom and for those who come after it.
This book was definitely better than Flamecaster. Mostly because (1) the romance made sense instead of the insta-love in the previous book and (2) Haleston and Alyss had more established, independent personalities and love story. Although I found that it mirrored Raisa and Han’s from the Seven Realms series (cue my bitter heart) it was still good.
It was also really nice to finally see where our characters from Seven Realms ended up! I am so proud of my children *wipes tears*
I am so pumped for the next book! Bring on the twists and the cliffhangers, Chima! I’m ready!
----------------------------------
Update January 5th, 2016: Um NO. I don’t like this new cover I want the original! :(
Update July 21st, 2016: The beauty of these covers hurt me and break my soul. So do the names: like first Flamecaster and now Shadowcaster?! Why are they so beautiful?!
And hell yes! Alyssa ana’Raisa is gonna kick butt cause she’s a Gray Wolf Queen and kicking butt runs in their blood! *makes whooping sounds* YOU SHOW THEM GIRL.
I MEAN RAISA IS ALREADY SO AMAZING SINCE SHE’S THE “WITCH QUEEN FROM THE NORTH” AND SHE’S SO FIERCE AND BADASS THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO BE WONDERING IF SHE “REALLY EATS BABIES FOR BREAKFAST”.
This book was definitely better than Flamecaster. Mostly because (1) the romance made sense instead of the insta-love in the previous book and (2) Haleston and Alyss had more established, independent personalities and love story. Although I found that it mirrored Raisa and Han’s from the Seven Realms series (cue my bitter heart) it was still good.
It was also really nice to finally see where our characters from Seven Realms ended up! I am so proud of my children *wipes tears*
I am so pumped for the next book! Bring on the twists and the cliffhangers, Chima! I’m ready!
----------------------------------
Update January 5th, 2016: Um NO. I don’t like this new cover I want the original! :(
Update July 21st, 2016: The beauty of these covers hurt me and break my soul. So do the names: like first Flamecaster and now Shadowcaster?! Why are they so beautiful?!
And hell yes! Alyssa ana’Raisa is gonna kick butt cause she’s a Gray Wolf Queen and kicking butt runs in their blood! *makes whooping sounds* YOU SHOW THEM GIRL.
I MEAN RAISA IS ALREADY SO AMAZING SINCE SHE’S THE “WITCH QUEEN FROM THE NORTH” AND SHE’S SO FIERCE AND BADASS THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO BE WONDERING IF SHE “REALLY EATS BABIES FOR BREAKFAST”.
April 17, 2017
No spoilers in this review. This is a hard one to rate because it started off slow for me, but then I enjoyed the second half. Ultimately, I decided on 4 stars. This rating is partially influenced by my love for this world Chima has created as well as what I anticipate in the rest of the series based on what she presented here.
This installment focuses on Lyss, Ash’s sister and heir to the Grey Wolf throne. Their mother Raisa still reigns, and Lyss has taken up life as a Fellsian soldier. She is skilled and brave, has moved up through the ranks quickly, and is now a captain. The other main character is Hal, a captain in the Ardenine army. As always in the Seven Realms, the Fellsian army is battling the Ardenine one. Lyss and Hal meet up a couple times in battle and discover they have quite a bit in common despite being on opposing sides. Another important player who emerges in this book is Breon, a mage-marked boy who can play music that quite literally charms the listener.
This book 2 is more like a book 1 because Chima introduces so many new characters. In fact, we only get short glimpses of some of the characters from Flamecaster. And others we don’t see at all! Since this is a four book series with a broad scope, I understand why Chima is taking her time introducing the characters and unraveling the story. But I sure missed seeing a couple of my favorite characters!
It is interesting being in the head of skilled warriors like Lyss and Hal: to understand what they think, what they feel, and how they’re sometimes conflicted as they strategize and lead. Lyss thinks the strategies long employed by her people need reconsideration, and she devises a different approach. It's great to see so much female expertise and leadership at work here as well as in other areas in the Fells.
The military and political maneuvering in the Seven Realms is interesting, but the magic in this world is what intrigues me the most. The different ways it manifests and the different skills some of the mages possess are really cool. Plus, it is just plain fun being in Breon’s head. Despite making plenty of bad choices in his short life, the innocence and wit he possesses is refreshing and reminds me of Jenna. I suspect these two (really, all the mages) are going to play just as an important role in the upcoming books and battles as the rulers and soldiers do.
I recommend this book to high fantasy fans, especially those who have enjoyed Chima’s previous books! I’m immediately ready to read book 3, Stormcaster. Based on one particular line in Shadowcaster, I think I already know to whom this title is referring. I’m so excited to read a book about this character! I sincerely hope all storylines converge and all the characters we met in books 1 and 2 show up in Stormcaster.
Read our other reviews here.
Check out our full book recaps here.
This installment focuses on Lyss, Ash’s sister and heir to the Grey Wolf throne. Their mother Raisa still reigns, and Lyss has taken up life as a Fellsian soldier. She is skilled and brave, has moved up through the ranks quickly, and is now a captain. The other main character is Hal, a captain in the Ardenine army. As always in the Seven Realms, the Fellsian army is battling the Ardenine one. Lyss and Hal meet up a couple times in battle and discover they have quite a bit in common despite being on opposing sides. Another important player who emerges in this book is Breon, a mage-marked boy who can play music that quite literally charms the listener.
This book 2 is more like a book 1 because Chima introduces so many new characters. In fact, we only get short glimpses of some of the characters from Flamecaster. And others we don’t see at all! Since this is a four book series with a broad scope, I understand why Chima is taking her time introducing the characters and unraveling the story. But I sure missed seeing a couple of my favorite characters!
It is interesting being in the head of skilled warriors like Lyss and Hal: to understand what they think, what they feel, and how they’re sometimes conflicted as they strategize and lead. Lyss thinks the strategies long employed by her people need reconsideration, and she devises a different approach. It's great to see so much female expertise and leadership at work here as well as in other areas in the Fells.
The military and political maneuvering in the Seven Realms is interesting, but the magic in this world is what intrigues me the most. The different ways it manifests and the different skills some of the mages possess are really cool. Plus, it is just plain fun being in Breon’s head. Despite making plenty of bad choices in his short life, the innocence and wit he possesses is refreshing and reminds me of Jenna. I suspect these two (really, all the mages) are going to play just as an important role in the upcoming books and battles as the rulers and soldiers do.
I recommend this book to high fantasy fans, especially those who have enjoyed Chima’s previous books! I’m immediately ready to read book 3, Stormcaster. Based on one particular line in Shadowcaster, I think I already know to whom this title is referring. I’m so excited to read a book about this character! I sincerely hope all storylines converge and all the characters we met in books 1 and 2 show up in Stormcaster.
Read our other reviews here.
Check out our full book recaps here.
Read
March 7, 2017This book was badass. Seriously everything is coming together nicely, the action is heating up and I cannot wait to see what happens next. *Review to come*
December 19, 2019
1-28-17
WHYD THEY SWITCH COVERS THE FIRST ONE WAS STUNNING YA HAS PLENTY OF SCARY GIRLS STANDING IN FIGHT MODE ON COVERS GIVE ME THAT SNOWY JEWEL KINGDOM BACK
WHYD THEY SWITCH COVERS THE FIRST ONE WAS STUNNING YA HAS PLENTY OF SCARY GIRLS STANDING IN FIGHT MODE ON COVERS GIVE ME THAT SNOWY JEWEL KINGDOM BACK
November 7, 2019
In order to continue with the Shattered Realms series you need to read the Seven Realm series first.
Flamecaster left us with a cliff-hanger and unfortunately, Shadowcaster doesn’t follow the timeline, until half of the book, so be aware of that. Still, this was an entertaining reading because in this we get to know Lyss, the princess heir to the throne.
She’s a complicated person and my new favorite character because she never intended to be queen, and yet, she tries her best to save her Queendom and to change the pace of the War. She truly cares about her people and she’s a soldier that happens to be a great strategist too. She can be blunt at times, and she may not be the most feminine girl on the court, but she gets the job done and I admire her for that. She also has a soft, vulnerable side, and the only thing she wants is to have her brother, Adrian/Ash, back.
I may add that Lyss and Raisa’s interaction is so much like Raisa and Marianna was in the past. They both have their points of view, but what I really liked was that Raisa was willing to listen to her despite the fact that Lyss’ plans were somehow risky. I’m absolutely proud of both of them and I feel like I’ve known them for years, even though I only read The Seven Realm series just a few months ago.
Anyway, we get introduced to new characters such as Bree and Hal. Breon, aka Bree, is a junkie that has a magemark at the back of his neck, just like Jenna did. He is a musician that can play the song of everyone’s soul, which is both good and bad, and he gets involved in an attack to the princess heir. On the other hand, Halston Matelon, aka Hal, is a southerner that remains a hostage among the Gray Wolf’s orders. He’s a soldier of the enemy’s army, and yet, he’s interested in Lyss and her way of commanding.
And, as you can imagine by now, another crack ship appears: Lyss and Hal like each other and are kind of like Raisa and Han in the previous series, because they come from different worlds and yet, they feel drawn to each other. Though I’m glad that these books are not heavy on the romance or else I’d be bored.
Now, like I said, this begins a little bit earlier than when Flamecaster ended, but around half of the book, we get to the same timeline. I must add that I felt like this book was a bit more political, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. Consequentially, the pace was slower in some chapters, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I think that Cinda Williams Chima has improved her writing and has created this marvelous world that I just want to sink in whatever she writes.
I totally recommend you to follow this series and I can’t wait to read the next book! I’ve heard that there’s a queer couple and I’m excited to know who!
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
The Shattered Realms Series:
Flamecaster
The Seven Realms Series:
The Demon King | The Exiled Queen | The Gray Wolf Throne | The Crimson Crown
Flamecaster left us with a cliff-hanger and unfortunately, Shadowcaster doesn’t follow the timeline, until half of the book, so be aware of that. Still, this was an entertaining reading because in this we get to know Lyss, the princess heir to the throne.
She’s a complicated person and my new favorite character because she never intended to be queen, and yet, she tries her best to save her Queendom and to change the pace of the War. She truly cares about her people and she’s a soldier that happens to be a great strategist too. She can be blunt at times, and she may not be the most feminine girl on the court, but she gets the job done and I admire her for that. She also has a soft, vulnerable side, and the only thing she wants is to have her brother, Adrian/Ash, back.
I may add that Lyss and Raisa’s interaction is so much like Raisa and Marianna was in the past. They both have their points of view, but what I really liked was that Raisa was willing to listen to her despite the fact that Lyss’ plans were somehow risky. I’m absolutely proud of both of them and I feel like I’ve known them for years, even though I only read The Seven Realm series just a few months ago.
Anyway, we get introduced to new characters such as Bree and Hal. Breon, aka Bree, is a junkie that has a magemark at the back of his neck, just like Jenna did. He is a musician that can play the song of everyone’s soul, which is both good and bad, and he gets involved in an attack to the princess heir. On the other hand, Halston Matelon, aka Hal, is a southerner that remains a hostage among the Gray Wolf’s orders. He’s a soldier of the enemy’s army, and yet, he’s interested in Lyss and her way of commanding.
And, as you can imagine by now, another crack ship appears: Lyss and Hal like each other and are kind of like Raisa and Han in the previous series, because they come from different worlds and yet, they feel drawn to each other. Though I’m glad that these books are not heavy on the romance or else I’d be bored.
Now, like I said, this begins a little bit earlier than when Flamecaster ended, but around half of the book, we get to the same timeline. I must add that I felt like this book was a bit more political, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. Consequentially, the pace was slower in some chapters, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I think that Cinda Williams Chima has improved her writing and has created this marvelous world that I just want to sink in whatever she writes.
I totally recommend you to follow this series and I can’t wait to read the next book! I’ve heard that there’s a queer couple and I’m excited to know who!
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
The Shattered Realms Series:
Flamecaster
The Seven Realms Series:
The Demon King | The Exiled Queen | The Gray Wolf Throne | The Crimson Crown
January 7, 2018
Minor spoilers below.
Chima has done it again. She manages to weave three separate stories into one, cohesive plot. We follow Lyss, Breon, and Hal. Three very different people from different backgrounds that become connected after a series of events.
I love Lyss. She's strong, determined, and honest. She knows her strengths, but acknowledges her weaknesses. The youngest of three children, she is now the crown princess of the throne and will become queen once she turns 16. More comfortable in combat than at court, she's not looking forward to that day. Things get kinda rocky once someone tries to assassinate her.
Breon is a singer who gets hired for a shady job. He unwittingly lures Lyss into said trap, and things get worse for him there. Meanwhile, we learn he has an unusual gift and a mysterious mark on the back of his neck. Of course, we know what that means. Breon grew on me, and his power is fascinating.
Hal is a soldier like Lyss, but for Arden. The son of a thane, he's sent on a suicide mission because his father fell out of favor with the king. From there, he becomes a prisoner of war under Lyss. Unaware of her true identity as princess, he feels a connection to her.
I loved this book. Better than Flamecaster in my opinion, and that's because there's no instalove. The plot was more intricate as well. I also liked the characters more. This also isn't a direct sequel of Flamecaster. The events parallel what happens with Ash, and only the end of the book occurs after. Also, we follow a certain someone for a little bit as well.
Sidenote: Every time the terrible awful was brought up I would tear up. It still hurts.
Of course, Chima does us dirty and leaves us with a cliffhanger. Shit hits the fan in the last 50 pages. And now I have to wait until April for the next book, which will be torture.
Chima has done it again. She manages to weave three separate stories into one, cohesive plot. We follow Lyss, Breon, and Hal. Three very different people from different backgrounds that become connected after a series of events.
I love Lyss. She's strong, determined, and honest. She knows her strengths, but acknowledges her weaknesses. The youngest of three children, she is now the crown princess of the throne and will become queen once she turns 16. More comfortable in combat than at court, she's not looking forward to that day. Things get kinda rocky once someone tries to assassinate her.
Breon is a singer who gets hired for a shady job. He unwittingly lures Lyss into said trap, and things get worse for him there. Meanwhile, we learn he has an unusual gift and a mysterious mark on the back of his neck. Of course, we know what that means. Breon grew on me, and his power is fascinating.
Hal is a soldier like Lyss, but for Arden. The son of a thane, he's sent on a suicide mission because his father fell out of favor with the king. From there, he becomes a prisoner of war under Lyss. Unaware of her true identity as princess, he feels a connection to her.
I loved this book. Better than Flamecaster in my opinion, and that's because there's no instalove. The plot was more intricate as well. I also liked the characters more. This also isn't a direct sequel of Flamecaster. The events parallel what happens with Ash, and only the end of the book occurs after. Also, we follow a certain someone for a little bit as well.
Sidenote: Every time the terrible awful was brought up I would tear up. It still hurts.
Of course, Chima does us dirty and leaves us with a cliffhanger. Shit hits the fan in the last 50 pages. And now I have to wait until April for the next book, which will be torture.
April 16, 2018
Sorry to say I didn't like this book as much as book 1. I found myself bored at Lyss parts of the story and I got very happy when I seen Jenna was also apart of this story. Then the boy Breon was interesting too.
It was just okay. They say 2nd books in series tends to be the weakest. This one I'll agree. It was recaps of book one such as what was going on in the Fells at the same time what was going on in Arden. Then the timeline fast forward to what happened at the present time. So I think that's why Jenna was written into this story. Plus I get to look forward to Stormcaster for book 3 got to know just a little bit about him in this book. 2.5 or 3 🌟 at the most.
It was just okay. They say 2nd books in series tends to be the weakest. This one I'll agree. It was recaps of book one such as what was going on in the Fells at the same time what was going on in Arden. Then the timeline fast forward to what happened at the present time. So I think that's why Jenna was written into this story. Plus I get to look forward to Stormcaster for book 3 got to know just a little bit about him in this book. 2.5 or 3 🌟 at the most.
March 5, 2018
DNF
2 hours into this audiobook and I'm bored to tears with 11 hours more to go - no thanks. This is upsetting because I loved the original Seven Realms series, and I really liked Flamecaster. But this? Why is the author introducing all new main characters? Why is this book's timeline the same as the previous book, making the whole war/battle stuff even more unexciting than it already is because we already know what's going to happen based on the ending of the previous book? The author really should have made this a continuation of the first book, and included these characters in the first book instead - none of this is interesting enough to warrant it's own book.
2 hours into this audiobook and I'm bored to tears with 11 hours more to go - no thanks. This is upsetting because I loved the original Seven Realms series, and I really liked Flamecaster. But this? Why is the author introducing all new main characters? Why is this book's timeline the same as the previous book, making the whole war/battle stuff even more unexciting than it already is because we already know what's going to happen based on the ending of the previous book? The author really should have made this a continuation of the first book, and included these characters in the first book instead - none of this is interesting enough to warrant it's own book.
April 23, 2017
Cinda Williams Chima I love your writing! Yes I'm throwing out that coveted 5th star. I Love this book. This book reminded me why I originally fell in love with the seven realms series, and why on your blog I begged for more. I'm so happy you gave us more. This book was everything I was hoping it would be. THANK YOU! ♡
May 9, 2017
Also posted at Library of Colors.
I’ve waited a little over a week to write this review, and I think it’s finally time for me to try to put my thoughts into words. If you’ve followed my reading and reviews at all or just happen to follow me on bookstagram (@libraryofcolors), you know how much I love Cinda Chima and the Seven Realms world. The Demon King was one of the books (along with Twilight and Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce) that got me really into reading again. The world building, the characters, and the fact that I never knew what was going to happen next always left me begging for more. Luckily Chima decided to give us (read: me) more through the Shattered Realms series, starting with Flamecaster last year. I loved Flamecaster, and again, the world building, the characters, and the plot twists left me DYING for Shadowcaster. Now, I feel exactly the same way about Shadowcaster - I NEED Stormcaster.
Even if the job you’re assigned is not to your liking, a Matelon will see it done.
Alright, now that I’ve poured my heart and soul out to you about this world, let’s get into Shadowcaster. I LOVED IT. *cough* Okay, really, it was amazing. I didn’t know I could love a book even more than I loved Flamecaster, but Halston Matelon proved me wrong. Before I get to him, though - *swoons* - we should talk about other things. I might get derailed too quickly if we start with Hal.
I love that Chima isn’t afraid of dark things and death and real war like feelings in books. She doesn’t shy away from what a war really is, and she takes things away just like war does. The plot in this book was always twisting as turning in the wonderful Chima way, and I found myself guessing over and over again. I was always wrong - thank goodness I was, though! I like Chima’s way better, which is why she writes the books. I love that this book is taking place at the same time as a lot of Flamecaster and then just some after it. I felt like I was in on a secret, going through the novel and reading some characters I’ve always loved (RAISA AND AMON) talk about things I knew the answers to! It was like having a time turner and living the same story again.
And of course, also in a typical Chima way, the end of the book left me happy and TOTALLY needing so much more. I hate having to wait a year for books, but man, I’ll wait forever to have wonderful stories like hers.
As for the characters, Lyss was such a treat to get to know. I love that she’s a warrior - a warrior in a land that’s used to princesses really being just that - princesses. She’s a fighter and not necessarily beautiful in the typical ‘ana’ way, and I love it. She’s jealous of the real “ladies,” and she’s insecure in many aspects of her life. However, she’s still a badass on the battlefield. The way her heart molds in this book is wonderful to watch, and I can’t wait to see how she handles what’s coming next for her. Last thing about Lyss - I can’t even imagine growing up without my brother that I love so dearly, so my heart ached for her, knowing Adrian was out there, wanting to be with her too! *sobs*
Okay, it’s time. Halston Matelon. HALSTON. MATELON. Hal is the new Han, for real. He’s kind, thoughtful, smart, headstrong, and most importantly, that boy knows what he wants. I love that. I love how vulnerable he is, how he opens his heart and begs for *cough* someone *cough* to join him. The way he thinks of his family and his father and his duty always is so… honestly, wolf-like. He’s already a perfect fit for the Gray Wolf family; here’s hoping he finds his way there somewhere.
Breon was not what I was expecting, and I still don’t think I’ve figured him out. Actually, I have a guess of who he really is, and I’m very excited about his connection with Jenna. The magic they both possessed is also something I’m excited to learn more about. The connection Breon has with music is very relatable, even if it’s magical. I would say music is magic, in it’s own way. Breon has tapped into that. Jenna’s little pieces in this book were great too - again, it made me as the reader feel special to see all the cogs fighting together.
Honestly, everything about this book made my heart soar. I can’t wait to see how Chima takes the next book and the fourth, whatever title it may have, and wrap these wonderful stories together. I’m ready for Adrian to find his way back to his sister, and I’m ready for Hal to find his way back to her too. *sighs* So many good things are going to happen in Stormcaster, but I know she’ll slide some bad things in too. What could happen?! I guess I have to wait a YEAR to find out.
I recommend this series to anyone who loved the Seven Realms series, of course, but also to anyone who loved the Six of Crows duology and who’s currently loving Falling Kingdoms. The action and adventure is definitely on par with those fantastic series too! I hope you enjoy it, and let me know if you’ve read it! Thanks for reading!
I’ve waited a little over a week to write this review, and I think it’s finally time for me to try to put my thoughts into words. If you’ve followed my reading and reviews at all or just happen to follow me on bookstagram (@libraryofcolors), you know how much I love Cinda Chima and the Seven Realms world. The Demon King was one of the books (along with Twilight and Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce) that got me really into reading again. The world building, the characters, and the fact that I never knew what was going to happen next always left me begging for more. Luckily Chima decided to give us (read: me) more through the Shattered Realms series, starting with Flamecaster last year. I loved Flamecaster, and again, the world building, the characters, and the plot twists left me DYING for Shadowcaster. Now, I feel exactly the same way about Shadowcaster - I NEED Stormcaster.
Even if the job you’re assigned is not to your liking, a Matelon will see it done.
Alright, now that I’ve poured my heart and soul out to you about this world, let’s get into Shadowcaster. I LOVED IT. *cough* Okay, really, it was amazing. I didn’t know I could love a book even more than I loved Flamecaster, but Halston Matelon proved me wrong. Before I get to him, though - *swoons* - we should talk about other things. I might get derailed too quickly if we start with Hal.
I love that Chima isn’t afraid of dark things and death and real war like feelings in books. She doesn’t shy away from what a war really is, and she takes things away just like war does. The plot in this book was always twisting as turning in the wonderful Chima way, and I found myself guessing over and over again. I was always wrong - thank goodness I was, though! I like Chima’s way better, which is why she writes the books. I love that this book is taking place at the same time as a lot of Flamecaster and then just some after it. I felt like I was in on a secret, going through the novel and reading some characters I’ve always loved (RAISA AND AMON) talk about things I knew the answers to! It was like having a time turner and living the same story again.
And of course, also in a typical Chima way, the end of the book left me happy and TOTALLY needing so much more. I hate having to wait a year for books, but man, I’ll wait forever to have wonderful stories like hers.
As for the characters, Lyss was such a treat to get to know. I love that she’s a warrior - a warrior in a land that’s used to princesses really being just that - princesses. She’s a fighter and not necessarily beautiful in the typical ‘ana’ way, and I love it. She’s jealous of the real “ladies,” and she’s insecure in many aspects of her life. However, she’s still a badass on the battlefield. The way her heart molds in this book is wonderful to watch, and I can’t wait to see how she handles what’s coming next for her. Last thing about Lyss - I can’t even imagine growing up without my brother that I love so dearly, so my heart ached for her, knowing Adrian was out there, wanting to be with her too! *sobs*
Okay, it’s time. Halston Matelon. HALSTON. MATELON. Hal is the new Han, for real. He’s kind, thoughtful, smart, headstrong, and most importantly, that boy knows what he wants. I love that. I love how vulnerable he is, how he opens his heart and begs for *cough* someone *cough* to join him. The way he thinks of his family and his father and his duty always is so… honestly, wolf-like. He’s already a perfect fit for the Gray Wolf family; here’s hoping he finds his way there somewhere.
Breon was not what I was expecting, and I still don’t think I’ve figured him out. Actually, I have a guess of who he really is, and I’m very excited about his connection with Jenna. The magic they both possessed is also something I’m excited to learn more about. The connection Breon has with music is very relatable, even if it’s magical. I would say music is magic, in it’s own way. Breon has tapped into that. Jenna’s little pieces in this book were great too - again, it made me as the reader feel special to see all the cogs fighting together.
Honestly, everything about this book made my heart soar. I can’t wait to see how Chima takes the next book and the fourth, whatever title it may have, and wrap these wonderful stories together. I’m ready for Adrian to find his way back to his sister, and I’m ready for Hal to find his way back to her too. *sighs* So many good things are going to happen in Stormcaster, but I know she’ll slide some bad things in too. What could happen?! I guess I have to wait a YEAR to find out.
I recommend this series to anyone who loved the Seven Realms series, of course, but also to anyone who loved the Six of Crows duology and who’s currently loving Falling Kingdoms. The action and adventure is definitely on par with those fantastic series too! I hope you enjoy it, and let me know if you’ve read it! Thanks for reading!
March 4, 2019
Over the years, Cinda’s world of the Seven Realms has become one of my favorite places to read about. So I was chomping at the bit to read more about it, and I loved being back there. Shadowcaster was an interesting proposition, because it’s not actually a sequel to Flamecaster, it’s more of a midquel. Most of the action takes place at the same time as Flamecaster, and follows different characters. It’s only toward the end that the timeline catches up to the last book, and goes slightly farther, with Jenna and Strangward returning for a bit. On the upside, this means I get to enjoy news of Gerard’s death all over again!
I love Lyss, the new protagonist, and a worthy successor to her mother as a spunky princess protagonist falling in love with people she shouldn’t. It was a rather bizarre experience reading her interactions with Raisa, because YA books are written so you side with the teenager, but after the Seven Realms I felt like an old friend of the mother’s intruding on a family squabble.
I love Hal, the deuteragonist and Lyss’s love interest. There’s one scene on page 394 that rather had me squeeing and giggling for about ten minutes straight. The two of them are such a perfect match, and there’s nothing hotter than forbidden love. One could argue that the whole “falling in love with a forbidden guy who doesn’t know she’s a princess” is repetitive of Exiled Queen, but I rather enjoy the like-mother-like-daughter aspect of it all.
This book’s also a brilliant inversion of the “not like other girls” trope. Hal assumes that Lyss isn’t like other girls, and that’s why he likes her, but Lyss’s all “Actually, no, all the girls in the Fells are awesome like me!”
Unfortunately, I think Cinda overreached with the number of POV characters this time, because I couldn’t stand Breon (hence four stars, instead of the usual five). I didn’t care about him. I didn’t like him. And I grew very annoyed every time the book switched to his POV, because I wanted to keep reading about Lyss and Hal, dammit! Maybe future books will change my mind, though there are already six other POV characters in this series I care about. But the fact remains that (A) Breon didn’t do anything in this book that couldn’t have been handily recapped from other POVs, and (B) the only interesting thing about him is his magemark, and even that’s not interesting without a personality like Jenna’s or Evan’s to go with it. Even his whole love/hate thing with Talbot failed to amuse me.
The world-building remains, as ever, wondrously good. The Seven Realms is such an expansive world that I just want to explore every nook and cranny of it. I did catch one or two times where Cinda’s word choice slipped up (“French doors” when there’s no France in this world; someone saying “shit” instead of the in-universe “scummer”). But hey, nobody’s perfect. And this world has such rich history, geography, and politics, all fantasy buffs should be in heaven.
For me as a long-time fan, I get a little thrill every time I see the descendant of one of the Seven Realms characters. These are sprinkled liberally throughout the books, but they are Easter eggs for fans, never threatening to overwhelm the story. It helps relate to the characters pain at losing parents whenever that arises, I got all misty-eyed pretty much every time Lyss said “Da” or there was mention of dying. But these characters are not their parents, and they have their own stories to be told.
So basically, this book is another triumph! Now that I have a sense of where this series is going after Gerard’s death, I’m even more eager to find out what happens next (and for Lyss and Ash to finally reunite!). Next book please!
I love Lyss, the new protagonist, and a worthy successor to her mother as a spunky princess protagonist falling in love with people she shouldn’t. It was a rather bizarre experience reading her interactions with Raisa, because YA books are written so you side with the teenager, but after the Seven Realms I felt like an old friend of the mother’s intruding on a family squabble.
I love Hal, the deuteragonist and Lyss’s love interest. There’s one scene on page 394 that rather had me squeeing and giggling for about ten minutes straight. The two of them are such a perfect match, and there’s nothing hotter than forbidden love. One could argue that the whole “falling in love with a forbidden guy who doesn’t know she’s a princess” is repetitive of Exiled Queen, but I rather enjoy the like-mother-like-daughter aspect of it all.
This book’s also a brilliant inversion of the “not like other girls” trope. Hal assumes that Lyss isn’t like other girls, and that’s why he likes her, but Lyss’s all “Actually, no, all the girls in the Fells are awesome like me!”
Unfortunately, I think Cinda overreached with the number of POV characters this time, because I couldn’t stand Breon (hence four stars, instead of the usual five). I didn’t care about him. I didn’t like him. And I grew very annoyed every time the book switched to his POV, because I wanted to keep reading about Lyss and Hal, dammit! Maybe future books will change my mind, though there are already six other POV characters in this series I care about. But the fact remains that (A) Breon didn’t do anything in this book that couldn’t have been handily recapped from other POVs, and (B) the only interesting thing about him is his magemark, and even that’s not interesting without a personality like Jenna’s or Evan’s to go with it. Even his whole love/hate thing with Talbot failed to amuse me.
The world-building remains, as ever, wondrously good. The Seven Realms is such an expansive world that I just want to explore every nook and cranny of it. I did catch one or two times where Cinda’s word choice slipped up (“French doors” when there’s no France in this world; someone saying “shit” instead of the in-universe “scummer”). But hey, nobody’s perfect. And this world has such rich history, geography, and politics, all fantasy buffs should be in heaven.
For me as a long-time fan, I get a little thrill every time I see the descendant of one of the Seven Realms characters. These are sprinkled liberally throughout the books, but they are Easter eggs for fans, never threatening to overwhelm the story. It helps relate to the characters pain at losing parents whenever that arises, I got all misty-eyed pretty much every time Lyss said “Da” or there was mention of dying. But these characters are not their parents, and they have their own stories to be told.
So basically, this book is another triumph! Now that I have a sense of where this series is going after Gerard’s death, I’m even more eager to find out what happens next (and for Lyss and Ash to finally reunite!). Next book please!
March 31, 2021
4.5
“A battle is like a deadly sort of dance, Lyss thought. We learn the steps by sparring in the practice yards, by marching up and down the field in the hope that we’ll remember the moves when we’re distracted by the smell of blood and the shrieks of the wounded and death howling toward us from all sides. We go into battle to the cadence of drums and guns, but our dance cards are blank. We have no idea who we’ll dance with that day, when death might cut in, and who’ll leave the floor alive.”
...
Shadowcaster is the wonderful follow-up to Flamecaster, a book that I had a marvelous time re-reading last year. The Shattered Realms is a continuation of The Seven Realms series, so if you haven't read those books, please do!
Cinda Williams Chima knows how to write fantasy. Whenever I dive into one of her books, I know I'll get magic, intrigue, incredibly likable characters, and just the right amount of romance. Reading this series feels like coming home.
While Shadowcaster is the sequel to Flamecaster, we're following a brand new cast in this installment. Lyss is a warrior princess and heir to the Gray Wolf Throne. Hal is a Captain in the Ardenine ranks, and a loyal soldier to the King. Both fight on opposite sides of a seemingly endless war, and Lyss has every intention of wiping out the forces of Arden for good. When Hal and Lyss discover that there's an even bigger threat on the horizon, they might just have to work together.
Oh, this book was so good.
Am I surprised? Not at all.
I teared up within the first couple of pages, and that's a testament to Cinda's writing. I'm so emotionally invested in these characters, and the dynamics between them broke my heart. It helps that many of the main cast are either related to (or are children of) the characters from the previous series, but The Shattered Realms expertly fleshes out each of its characters with precision and depth. I felt Lyss' growing dread, and fear for her homeland. I felt her sorrow and grief. I understood Hal's loyalty to his country, and the love he had for his men. Breon was surprisingly interesting, despite my hesitation to like him at the beginning of this book. The side characters also delivered, and even though my fave wasn't in this book (I adore you, Destin Karn. I ADORE YOU.), I still enjoyed characters like Sasha and Shadow Dancer.
I feel incredibly at-home in the Seven Realms, and this sequel series beautifully expands this world and the magic system. Mages from the north channel their magic through ensorcelled amulets and talismans, but a new form of magic is rearing its head from Carthis, an empire across the Indio. The magic, political intrigue, secrets, and emotional stakes all culminated to create an incredibly satisfying narrative. I couldn't get enough of this book.
Also: there are still so many secrets left to be uncovered in this series! I have so many questions, and I can't wait to get to Stormcaster.
Cinda's books are so good, and they're some of the best YA fantasy out there. If you're a fantasy reader, or want to get into the genre, I highly recommend picking up The Seven Realms!
...
“Even when we win, we lose, Lyss thought.”
“A battle is like a deadly sort of dance, Lyss thought. We learn the steps by sparring in the practice yards, by marching up and down the field in the hope that we’ll remember the moves when we’re distracted by the smell of blood and the shrieks of the wounded and death howling toward us from all sides. We go into battle to the cadence of drums and guns, but our dance cards are blank. We have no idea who we’ll dance with that day, when death might cut in, and who’ll leave the floor alive.”
...
Shadowcaster is the wonderful follow-up to Flamecaster, a book that I had a marvelous time re-reading last year. The Shattered Realms is a continuation of The Seven Realms series, so if you haven't read those books, please do!
Cinda Williams Chima knows how to write fantasy. Whenever I dive into one of her books, I know I'll get magic, intrigue, incredibly likable characters, and just the right amount of romance. Reading this series feels like coming home.
While Shadowcaster is the sequel to Flamecaster, we're following a brand new cast in this installment. Lyss is a warrior princess and heir to the Gray Wolf Throne. Hal is a Captain in the Ardenine ranks, and a loyal soldier to the King. Both fight on opposite sides of a seemingly endless war, and Lyss has every intention of wiping out the forces of Arden for good. When Hal and Lyss discover that there's an even bigger threat on the horizon, they might just have to work together.
Oh, this book was so good.
Am I surprised? Not at all.
I teared up within the first couple of pages, and that's a testament to Cinda's writing. I'm so emotionally invested in these characters, and the dynamics between them broke my heart. It helps that many of the main cast are either related to (or are children of) the characters from the previous series, but The Shattered Realms expertly fleshes out each of its characters with precision and depth. I felt Lyss' growing dread, and fear for her homeland. I felt her sorrow and grief. I understood Hal's loyalty to his country, and the love he had for his men. Breon was surprisingly interesting, despite my hesitation to like him at the beginning of this book. The side characters also delivered, and even though my fave wasn't in this book (I adore you, Destin Karn. I ADORE YOU.), I still enjoyed characters like Sasha and Shadow Dancer.
I feel incredibly at-home in the Seven Realms, and this sequel series beautifully expands this world and the magic system. Mages from the north channel their magic through ensorcelled amulets and talismans, but a new form of magic is rearing its head from Carthis, an empire across the Indio. The magic, political intrigue, secrets, and emotional stakes all culminated to create an incredibly satisfying narrative. I couldn't get enough of this book.
Also: there are still so many secrets left to be uncovered in this series! I have so many questions, and I can't wait to get to Stormcaster.
Cinda's books are so good, and they're some of the best YA fantasy out there. If you're a fantasy reader, or want to get into the genre, I highly recommend picking up The Seven Realms!
...
“Even when we win, we lose, Lyss thought.”
March 5, 2018
This was a pretty disappointing continuation of the series, considering I pretty much devoured everything that came before. I was hanging out for a continuation of the first book's adventures but instead it's all about Adrian's sister, Lyss, who has to be one of the most boring characters of the series. There's a ton of boring war talk and lots of marching, and most of the time I didn't really get what was happening. Probably didn't help that I'd mostly forgotten the first book, so there were a bunch of references I knew I was supposed to get but didn't.
The blurb builds up the inevitable relationship between Lyss and Hal, a commander on the opposite side. But aside from a random skirmish early on, we see very little of Hal until well over halfway through the novel. It made the relationship between them pretty hard to swallow, and it felt incredibly false and rushed to me. Then you've got Breon, a completely random addition who at least injects a little character into the story, but even he doesn't do anything particularly exciting.
Then, when you're finally getting used to the fact that this story is separate from the first, , which probably could have been saved for the follow-up novel. It was just too random and felt out of place in this story.
The story itself dragged on with nothing particularly exciting happening, but a lot of it. It spent so much time talking about war tactics that there wasn't really a lot of character development, and there was little fun to be had. It was simple enough to read, but I really struggled because I thought this would be a two-day read tops but I avoided reading it because it was so dull.
Plus, (and stop reading here if you don't want spoilers for the Demon King series or Flamecaster) I'm still so mad that Han was killed off and Raisa was relegated to overbearing mother. They were such kick ass characters in the first series and I just feel like this one would have been so much better if they all just slayed together. I miss Cuffs. :'( The first series he and Raisa tore it up, they were such great characters and the relationship between them developed so beautifully over the four books. And then Flamecaster came and it was all, 'they've had their big moment so let's turn their happily ever after into a nightmare so the kids can take the spotlight.' I'm just so heartbroken by that decision. This could have had crazy family dynamics and badass wizardry and mad father-son/mother-daughter/etc teams but instead the pie got cut up into giant lonely slices on giant separate plates. Devastating.
Dragons are cool though.
I don't know that I'd recommend this series after reading this book. I'll still read the third one when it comes out, just because I did actually enjoy the first one, but lets hope the writer was just off her game in this one rather than me being blind to bad writing this whole time and only seeing it now.
The blurb builds up the inevitable relationship between Lyss and Hal, a commander on the opposite side. But aside from a random skirmish early on, we see very little of Hal until well over halfway through the novel. It made the relationship between them pretty hard to swallow, and it felt incredibly false and rushed to me. Then you've got Breon, a completely random addition who at least injects a little character into the story, but even he doesn't do anything particularly exciting.
Then, when you're finally getting used to the fact that this story is separate from the first, , which probably could have been saved for the follow-up novel. It was just too random and felt out of place in this story.
The story itself dragged on with nothing particularly exciting happening, but a lot of it. It spent so much time talking about war tactics that there wasn't really a lot of character development, and there was little fun to be had. It was simple enough to read, but I really struggled because I thought this would be a two-day read tops but I avoided reading it because it was so dull.
Plus, (and stop reading here if you don't want spoilers for the Demon King series or Flamecaster) I'm still so mad that Han was killed off and Raisa was relegated to overbearing mother. They were such kick ass characters in the first series and I just feel like this one would have been so much better if they all just slayed together. I miss Cuffs. :'( The first series he and Raisa tore it up, they were such great characters and the relationship between them developed so beautifully over the four books. And then Flamecaster came and it was all, 'they've had their big moment so let's turn their happily ever after into a nightmare so the kids can take the spotlight.' I'm just so heartbroken by that decision. This could have had crazy family dynamics and badass wizardry and mad father-son/mother-daughter/etc teams but instead the pie got cut up into giant lonely slices on giant separate plates. Devastating.
Dragons are cool though.
I don't know that I'd recommend this series after reading this book. I'll still read the third one when it comes out, just because I did actually enjoy the first one, but lets hope the writer was just off her game in this one rather than me being blind to bad writing this whole time and only seeing it now.
April 10, 2017
Another out-of-the ballpark...
So, this is the second installment in a 4 book series, which is a 2nd generation series.
The first half of this book parallels the first book time wise for two characters mentioned in the first book, but it is not simply a different POV, so you can easily read this book and not have hardly any spoilers from the first book.
Also, if you did not the first series (The Seven Realms)...shame on you...but it is not necessary to still understand and enjoy this series.
If you had read the first book, I'm sorry for this minor spoiler...there is no Ash POV and Jenna is very limited, but important.
The second half proceeds to more events and boy do we get to know Ash's little sister, Lyss and her contemporaries and potential love interests...we've got another Raisa on our hands, but in a much different tone.
Also, if you were a fan of the first series and just need to know how all of you favorite characters ended up, get out that notebook and probably re-read the first series to see how everyone is interconnected. Also remember this is a couple decades in the future, so don't be too mad at the author.
So, this is the second installment in a 4 book series, which is a 2nd generation series.
The first half of this book parallels the first book time wise for two characters mentioned in the first book, but it is not simply a different POV, so you can easily read this book and not have hardly any spoilers from the first book.
Also, if you did not the first series (The Seven Realms)...shame on you...but it is not necessary to still understand and enjoy this series.
If you had read the first book, I'm sorry for this minor spoiler...there is no Ash POV and Jenna is very limited, but important.
The second half proceeds to more events and boy do we get to know Ash's little sister, Lyss and her contemporaries and potential love interests...we've got another Raisa on our hands, but in a much different tone.
Also, if you were a fan of the first series and just need to know how all of you favorite characters ended up, get out that notebook and probably re-read the first series to see how everyone is interconnected. Also remember this is a couple decades in the future, so don't be too mad at the author.
April 15, 2023
An improvement on Flamecaster by far, though it features far too many POVs -- some of which seem exceedingly random and unnecessary. Still, 3.5 because this has better plotting and the badass that is Lyss was enough to reel me back just when I thought I was out.
July 30, 2020
"We are the children of the north. This time we fight as one. Wizard, clan, and valefolk, our daughters and our sons. We are not made of flesh and blood, we're honed of steel and stone. We will raise another mountain and we'll build it with your bones."
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed Shadowcaster, the second book in the Seven Realms series. Taking place at the same time and after Flamecaster, we are introduced to a new cast of characters that will no doubt meet the first cast in the third and fourth books. Our main heroine is Lyss, a warrior princess with a grieving heart. She was an interesting person to read about, as was her budding romance with Hal. I didn't really like Breon, who was one of the four POV characters, finding him to be rather bland. The plot was amazing, intersecting beautifully with Flamecaster's as it still managed to move the story ahead. Personally, I have not read the first series set in this world, and have still greatly enjoyed this series. One of the few reasons that Shadowcaster did not receive five stars is that I found the very end of the book to be predictable, as was the twist revolving around a certain character. Overall, this book was a great read, and I recommend this series to Throne of Glass lovers.
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed Shadowcaster, the second book in the Seven Realms series. Taking place at the same time and after Flamecaster, we are introduced to a new cast of characters that will no doubt meet the first cast in the third and fourth books. Our main heroine is Lyss, a warrior princess with a grieving heart. She was an interesting person to read about, as was her budding romance with Hal. I didn't really like Breon, who was one of the four POV characters, finding him to be rather bland. The plot was amazing, intersecting beautifully with Flamecaster's as it still managed to move the story ahead. Personally, I have not read the first series set in this world, and have still greatly enjoyed this series. One of the few reasons that Shadowcaster did not receive five stars is that I found the very end of the book to be predictable, as was the twist revolving around a certain character. Overall, this book was a great read, and I recommend this series to Throne of Glass lovers.
July 5, 2017
After I read Shadowcaster
Hmm, it was okay. Review to come
Before I read Shadowcaster
Update #1: THERES A DESCRIPTION
Totally not what I was expecting but, somehow even better than I could have hoped forit's still too early to tell but, I'm getting good vibes. The more I think about it the more excited I am to read a story about Lyssa (this is totally premature but, from those few brief sentences I have this feeling I'm going to love her
who I'm I trying to fool? Obviously, I'm going to love her. She's the spawn of two of my favourite characters ever
) and even this Captain Hal seems intriguing. Somehow, I'm even more curious to see how this story goes: mixing this new cast of characters with the old ones (and hopefully, we get some more of those old old ones, ya know the ones I'm talking about, those OG Seven Realms ones).
I honestly have no clue where this series is going to go now. All I know is that when it does goes down you'll see me on the sidelines cheering these characters like so,
Original Pre-Review
Need to get my greedy, grubby hands on this novel!
Slight spoilers for Flamecaster and Seven Realms series but,
Hmm, it was okay. Review to come
Before I read Shadowcaster
Update #1: THERES A DESCRIPTION
Totally not what I was expecting but, somehow even better than I could have hoped for
I honestly have no clue where this series is going to go now. All I know is that when it does goes down you'll see me on the sidelines cheering these characters like so,
Original Pre-Review
Need to get my greedy, grubby hands on this novel!
Slight spoilers for Flamecaster and Seven Realms series but,
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