What do you think?
Rate this book
The Shadow Cycle #1
Sorcerer's Isle
"EVEN THE BROKEN WILL FIGHT"
From the #1 bestselling author of Legends of the Nameless Dwarf (fantasy book of the year 2012)
***Awarded Five Stars from Readers' Favorite***
Centuries ago, the Isle of Branikdür was mysteriously abandoned by the ruling Hélum Empire. Ever since, rival clans have battled for supremacy at the bidding of their sacred sorcerers.
During the once-a-year armistice for the Festival of Proving, the gifted warrior Snaith Harrow aims to leave his mark in the fight circles before marrying his childhood sweetheart. But following a freak accident, he discovers a terrible secret about the girl he loves:
Tey Moonshine is a daughter of suffering, and she has fallen prey to the things that stalk the netherworld. Under the influence of a demon that hides within her marrow, she gouges a magical codex into her flesh, believing it will make her the greatest sorcerer the isle has ever known.
Maimed from his accident and no longer able to fight, Snaith is apprenticed to the clan sorcerer, Theurig, and Tey is sent away from the village.
As Snaith is thrust headlong into a sorcerer’s world of misdirection and control, Tey must master the darkness that possesses her, if she is to stand together with him against the coming storm.
For the ripples of forbidden magic have roused the sleeping might of the Hélum Empire.
War is coming.
A war the clans can never win.
And the fate of Branikdür lies in the hands of a warrior turned wizard and a deranged girl who grows more deadly by the day.
Sorcerers’ Isle is a shocking tale of dark fantasy from international bestselling author D.P. Prior.
From the #1 bestselling author of Legends of the Nameless Dwarf (fantasy book of the year 2012)
***Awarded Five Stars from Readers' Favorite***
Centuries ago, the Isle of Branikdür was mysteriously abandoned by the ruling Hélum Empire. Ever since, rival clans have battled for supremacy at the bidding of their sacred sorcerers.
During the once-a-year armistice for the Festival of Proving, the gifted warrior Snaith Harrow aims to leave his mark in the fight circles before marrying his childhood sweetheart. But following a freak accident, he discovers a terrible secret about the girl he loves:
Tey Moonshine is a daughter of suffering, and she has fallen prey to the things that stalk the netherworld. Under the influence of a demon that hides within her marrow, she gouges a magical codex into her flesh, believing it will make her the greatest sorcerer the isle has ever known.
Maimed from his accident and no longer able to fight, Snaith is apprenticed to the clan sorcerer, Theurig, and Tey is sent away from the village.
As Snaith is thrust headlong into a sorcerer’s world of misdirection and control, Tey must master the darkness that possesses her, if she is to stand together with him against the coming storm.
For the ripples of forbidden magic have roused the sleeping might of the Hélum Empire.
War is coming.
A war the clans can never win.
And the fate of Branikdür lies in the hands of a warrior turned wizard and a deranged girl who grows more deadly by the day.
Sorcerers’ Isle is a shocking tale of dark fantasy from international bestselling author D.P. Prior.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2018
49 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Derek Prior
79 books211 followersInternationally bestselling and award winning author Derek Prior excels in fast-paced, high stakes epic fantasy adventure stories in which good ultimately triumphs, but always at a cost.
Taking familiar fantasy tropes as a point of departure, Prior expands upon them to explore friendship, betrayal, loyalty and heroism in worlds where evil is an ever-present reality, magic is both a curse and a blessing, and characters are tempered in battle.
Winner of best fantasy novel 2012 (The Nameless Dwarf: The Complete Chronicles)
Fantasy Faction semifinalist for the SPFBO 2018 (Ravine of Blood and Shadow)
Website: www.derekprior.us
Twitter: @NamelessDwarf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dpprior
Taking familiar fantasy tropes as a point of departure, Prior expands upon them to explore friendship, betrayal, loyalty and heroism in worlds where evil is an ever-present reality, magic is both a curse and a blessing, and characters are tempered in battle.
Winner of best fantasy novel 2012 (The Nameless Dwarf: The Complete Chronicles)
Fantasy Faction semifinalist for the SPFBO 2018 (Ravine of Blood and Shadow)
Website: www.derekprior.us
Twitter: @NamelessDwarf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dpprior
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 4, 2023
A powerful and compelling dark fantasy.
A grim, dark world where sorcery and its wielders hold sway over the tribes of this land with trickery and illusion. There is no magic. Or is there?
I nearly backed out and stopped reading this book because it was a great deal darker than I thought i was in the mood for. I actually closed it after a couple of chapters to begin reading another book, but couldn't concentrate on the new choice. The characters and storyline of Sorcerers’ Isle had worked their devious way beneath my guard and reeled me straight back and I was compelled to re-open and read it to the end.
It's definitely neither a light nor cheery tale, but it is powerful and had me riveted. The characters are complex and broken, the world building impressive. It's a story that lingers long after one has turned the final page.
I received an eARC of the book and chose to write a review. Now about to open some of the author's other books that are patiently waiting in my kindle library. Would have been useful if I'd realised he could actually write a wee bit sooner!
A grim, dark world where sorcery and its wielders hold sway over the tribes of this land with trickery and illusion. There is no magic. Or is there?
I nearly backed out and stopped reading this book because it was a great deal darker than I thought i was in the mood for. I actually closed it after a couple of chapters to begin reading another book, but couldn't concentrate on the new choice. The characters and storyline of Sorcerers’ Isle had worked their devious way beneath my guard and reeled me straight back and I was compelled to re-open and read it to the end.
It's definitely neither a light nor cheery tale, but it is powerful and had me riveted. The characters are complex and broken, the world building impressive. It's a story that lingers long after one has turned the final page.
I received an eARC of the book and chose to write a review. Now about to open some of the author's other books that are patiently waiting in my kindle library. Would have been useful if I'd realised he could actually write a wee bit sooner!
January 2, 2019
Sadly this one didn't work at all for me. I DNFed at about 35%.
It's dark, but I don't usually have a problem with that. I love Glokta, Godblind is one of my favourite books and torture in books doesn't bother me much more than make me go "ouch...".
What didn't work for me were the characters. To me they didn't feel "organic" but like puppets who did whatever the plot asked for. They aren't nice, they aren't likable - both is just fine, but to me they also simply didn't feel real.
There were also quite some of the typical "Introduce to throw away" characters early on.
The few and not overly long sex scenes felt awful. Don't know why I need to read about someone being jerked off, the "helping hand" then licking their fingers and later thinking about the taste of him in their mouth... It just felt crudely handled and didn't fit in well. (But then if you follow my reviews I'm not a big fan of sex scenes 99% of the time. Only very rarely are they well done...)
I still don't have any idea what the book is even really about. With some books that makes it interesting, if it's a mystery you want to uncover. With this I just didn't care one way or the other what would happen. I couldn't really set my foot into this world, and the story just never really grabbed me. So I kept going back all the time, noticing I just didn't really focus on the book at all, as it just couldn't hold my interest. So while I only read about 1/3 I think I read that bit about 3 times over, as my mind would just wander off again and again...
Sadly not my cup of tea at all, luckily I seem to be an exception, looking at the other reviews!
It's dark, but I don't usually have a problem with that. I love Glokta, Godblind is one of my favourite books and torture in books doesn't bother me much more than make me go "ouch...".
What didn't work for me were the characters. To me they didn't feel "organic" but like puppets who did whatever the plot asked for. They aren't nice, they aren't likable - both is just fine, but to me they also simply didn't feel real.
There were also quite some of the typical "Introduce to throw away" characters early on.
The few and not overly long sex scenes felt awful. Don't know why I need to read about someone being jerked off, the "helping hand" then licking their fingers and later thinking about the taste of him in their mouth... It just felt crudely handled and didn't fit in well. (But then if you follow my reviews I'm not a big fan of sex scenes 99% of the time. Only very rarely are they well done...)
I still don't have any idea what the book is even really about. With some books that makes it interesting, if it's a mystery you want to uncover. With this I just didn't care one way or the other what would happen. I couldn't really set my foot into this world, and the story just never really grabbed me. So I kept going back all the time, noticing I just didn't really focus on the book at all, as it just couldn't hold my interest. So while I only read about 1/3 I think I read that bit about 3 times over, as my mind would just wander off again and again...
Sadly not my cup of tea at all, luckily I seem to be an exception, looking at the other reviews!
April 19, 2022
Something didn’t quite work for me. I can’t put my finger on it, because I usually like dark stuff. Like, really like them.
Shame, because I think there is more to this characters and story then it was placed on the paper.
Shame, because I think there is more to this characters and story then it was placed on the paper.
February 4, 2018
That was really good. The characters were well developed. Some you liked & some you did not. The plot moved along at a nice steady pace. Oh & that ending. Wonderful. It's all set up for the next book in the series. Looking forward to more.
March 31, 2018
Spiralling Into Bloodthirsty Darkness!
This is genuinely what I would term dark fantasy. The lead characters are marred by corruption and betrayal. This isn't a book for those who like to see noble heroes crusading against evil . . . though with the ending there's a hint that an element of that may yet emerge later in the series. From the start this is a cruel, cruel world to enter and as the story goes on the few lights that start lit either fade or are snuffed out. There is plotting, there is evil and there is betrayal, it's like the denizens of Macbeth have come back determined to ramp it up dis-satisfied with the mild-mannered, child-friendly offering that the bard penned for them all those years ago!
Of course a light you can't diminish is the magical spell that Steven Pacey weaves to illuminate any story. I've spent a lot of hours listening to him and he is without a doubt one of the very best. The level of darkness in this one means that the text doesn't suit him quite as much but he is still mightily impressive. He really isn't getting to do enough audiobooks for some reason whether by choice or otherwise. Seriously this is the kind of thing our senior politicians should be investigating rather than wasting time on all this EU nonsense! Our PM needs to get her priorities right and convene COBRA to see if the Russians are keeping Pacey away from our headphones!
Back, to the book. I think I've mentioned this is a dark book full of malice but it's also a well constructed one and it builds to a fantastically epic final few chapters which set the scene ahead for something to come that might just be a bit special in its own rather fitfully bloodthirsty way.
This is genuinely what I would term dark fantasy. The lead characters are marred by corruption and betrayal. This isn't a book for those who like to see noble heroes crusading against evil . . . though with the ending there's a hint that an element of that may yet emerge later in the series. From the start this is a cruel, cruel world to enter and as the story goes on the few lights that start lit either fade or are snuffed out. There is plotting, there is evil and there is betrayal, it's like the denizens of Macbeth have come back determined to ramp it up dis-satisfied with the mild-mannered, child-friendly offering that the bard penned for them all those years ago!
Of course a light you can't diminish is the magical spell that Steven Pacey weaves to illuminate any story. I've spent a lot of hours listening to him and he is without a doubt one of the very best. The level of darkness in this one means that the text doesn't suit him quite as much but he is still mightily impressive. He really isn't getting to do enough audiobooks for some reason whether by choice or otherwise. Seriously this is the kind of thing our senior politicians should be investigating rather than wasting time on all this EU nonsense! Our PM needs to get her priorities right and convene COBRA to see if the Russians are keeping Pacey away from our headphones!
Back, to the book. I think I've mentioned this is a dark book full of malice but it's also a well constructed one and it builds to a fantastically epic final few chapters which set the scene ahead for something to come that might just be a bit special in its own rather fitfully bloodthirsty way.
June 5, 2018
5/5 Stars
Quite a pleasant surprise. Or should I say that I missed Steven Pacey's voice? No matter, the book had a solid dark tone that suited perfectly to his performance, much as it does to Abercrombie's TFL books. In fact this book is primarily character oriented, leaving the story as a secondary focus. Much as it is with the blade itself, where the reader is left to wonder where the author is taking them (clearly a misdirection successfully pulled by the author).
All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys of The First Law's series, specially the audiobooks.
Quite a pleasant surprise. Or should I say that I missed Steven Pacey's voice? No matter, the book had a solid dark tone that suited perfectly to his performance, much as it does to Abercrombie's TFL books. In fact this book is primarily character oriented, leaving the story as a secondary focus. Much as it is with the blade itself, where the reader is left to wonder where the author is taking them (clearly a misdirection successfully pulled by the author).
All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys of The First Law's series, specially the audiobooks.
February 1, 2018
First, the good. D.P. Prior's world building is excellent and engrossing. The characters are multi-faceted and engaging and the writing style will draw you in and keep you interested.
However, this book is dark, and not always in a good way. I generally have a pretty high tolerance for dark fantasy, but I draw the line at heroes (or anti-heroes) killing just for the sake of it and enjoying it. I grew disgusted by the characters, especially Tey, and that disgust unfortunately overpowered my fascination, to the point where I was just glad when the book was finally over.
But that's just my emotional reaction. The book is incredibly well-written and if extremely dark fantasy is something you're interested in, you'll probably like it. Unfortunately, it was a bit much for me. Also, it should be noted that the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
However, this book is dark, and not always in a good way. I generally have a pretty high tolerance for dark fantasy, but I draw the line at heroes (or anti-heroes) killing just for the sake of it and enjoying it. I grew disgusted by the characters, especially Tey, and that disgust unfortunately overpowered my fascination, to the point where I was just glad when the book was finally over.
But that's just my emotional reaction. The book is incredibly well-written and if extremely dark fantasy is something you're interested in, you'll probably like it. Unfortunately, it was a bit much for me. Also, it should be noted that the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
January 13, 2018
Prior has proven himself a master of combining memorable characters, a gritty yet fantastic reality, and high adventure in the far-flung intersecting dimensions of the Shader and Nameless Dwarf stories, now he brings those same themes to bear in a new setting with a rich and mysterious history, with warriors, perilous magic and an epic struggle just over the horizon, but bearing down fast. Definitely give this one a try, but remember: there are no guarantees, and if something bad can happen to your favorite character, it likely will. And you won't be able to look away.
March 18, 2018
This book was TOTALLY MESSED UP. But it was a good book. The writing is compelling, the characters are fully dimensional (and broken beyond compare), and the world is believably corrupt and terrible. I definitely want to see where this gory fantasy leads. I just don't think I'm going to like it.
June 19, 2018
Loved it. This is my jam, gimme more. Wait, I have to wait for book 2?
April 11, 2018
I liked it a lot. the author seems to have a knack for ending the book appropriately. I'm anxious to read the next book but I don't feel incomplete
April 10, 2018
So dark... But somehow I want more.
July 30, 2020
Loved this book, iv'e yet to read a book from Derek Prior that isn't superb, and this is no exception.
February 12, 2018
Some people claim a good book grabs you on the first page and takes you on a wild ride to the end.
This one was more like a slow spiral into the dark. Prior's characters are broken, both physically and mentally, and he brings them to life in a world where cruelty is the order of the day. The slow start will put some off, but the story is well worth the investment.
November 7, 2020
TITLE: The Codex of Her Scars
AUTHOR: Derek Prior
GENRE: Dark Fantasy
PAGES: 354
FORMAT: E-book
I love a good fantasy tale. I even like a good dark fantasy tale. This is what Derek Prior gives us in his book The Codex of Her Scars.
Snaith Harrow prides himself as a warrior, and he intends to prove it during the Festival of Proving, but a freak accident takes that dream away. Both Snaith and Tey Moonshine, his intended bride, are caught up in the accident and it is afterwards that Snaith discovers a secret about his beloved that rocks his world. The Weyd, the mysterious force that is in the isle wants Snaith to train as a sorcerer, and Tey is possessed to her marrow by a demon that guides her hand in carving mysterious symbols over her body. The two must reunite to save their isle from an oncoming war that will devastate everything they love.
As the book goes along, it become separated by chapters dealing with Snaith, then Tey. At times this makes the book a bit confusing unless you stop reading on the next chapter. That little gripe aside, the book is overall enjoyable as you move along and get to the end. The pace is quick, the writing is sharp, and it is an overall enjoyable reading experience.
I give it 4 out of 5 bookmarks!
AUTHOR: Derek Prior
GENRE: Dark Fantasy
PAGES: 354
FORMAT: E-book
I love a good fantasy tale. I even like a good dark fantasy tale. This is what Derek Prior gives us in his book The Codex of Her Scars.
Snaith Harrow prides himself as a warrior, and he intends to prove it during the Festival of Proving, but a freak accident takes that dream away. Both Snaith and Tey Moonshine, his intended bride, are caught up in the accident and it is afterwards that Snaith discovers a secret about his beloved that rocks his world. The Weyd, the mysterious force that is in the isle wants Snaith to train as a sorcerer, and Tey is possessed to her marrow by a demon that guides her hand in carving mysterious symbols over her body. The two must reunite to save their isle from an oncoming war that will devastate everything they love.
As the book goes along, it become separated by chapters dealing with Snaith, then Tey. At times this makes the book a bit confusing unless you stop reading on the next chapter. That little gripe aside, the book is overall enjoyable as you move along and get to the end. The pace is quick, the writing is sharp, and it is an overall enjoyable reading experience.
I give it 4 out of 5 bookmarks!
December 9, 2019
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, and found it intriguing. A dark tale of coming age in a world full of superstition. The fates seem to conspire against the two main characters, childhood friends, and destined to be spouses. As war approaches, they may be the only hope for survival of their clans. A suspenseful and fast moving tale, with so many twists it is hard to keep up at times. The characters are strange and unique making it well worth listening too.
February 7, 2019
Came upon this book by chance.. What a surprise this was.. An author to reckon with!! A book not to be missed!!
May 6, 2019
Kinda grotesque but ultimately an interesting story.
August 10, 2025
I have an older copy of this book when it was just called Sorcerer's Isle. It sat on my TBR list for years due to life getting in the way, but I just finished snd what a ride!
Overall, the book has a great story. Tey is a messed up character. Snaith is just trying to live when he is thrust in this messed up world. Just how messed up? You'll have to read to find out because no review will prepare you for the lengths that thwae Sorcerers will go for power.
I came in knowing that this book would be a very dark book, and it is written very well, i found myself skimming repeatedly and not missing much in the way of anything. The author has an incredible way with words, but this proficiency causes issues with readability at times. This is not to say that I did not enjoy the book. The graphic depictions are on point. The feelings are there. I just feel that it is a bit slow. I do look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Overall, the book has a great story. Tey is a messed up character. Snaith is just trying to live when he is thrust in this messed up world. Just how messed up? You'll have to read to find out because no review will prepare you for the lengths that thwae Sorcerers will go for power.
I came in knowing that this book would be a very dark book, and it is written very well, i found myself skimming repeatedly and not missing much in the way of anything. The author has an incredible way with words, but this proficiency causes issues with readability at times. This is not to say that I did not enjoy the book. The graphic depictions are on point. The feelings are there. I just feel that it is a bit slow. I do look forward to reading the rest of the series!
June 29, 2020
Not what I expected, but intriguing none the less. The sequel will determine for me how good this book is, as it feels like it has all, been one big set up for the future novels.
October 2, 2020
***NOTE*** - This is my audible review, I don't have time to revise it so if you don't care about my opinion on the narration, skip to the third paragraph.
So the main thing that made me want to check this out was that Steven Pacey narrated it. I'm a huge fan of Joe Abercrombie's First Law series and all his stand alone books, and Pacey's narration was phenomenal. Hands down the best audio book narration I've ever heard.
That being said, I'll start with the narration. I don't know if it's the characters here, or if Pacey just wasn't into this story as much as he was First Law (and I don't blame him for that), but his narration here didn't live up to my expectations. In First Law he put so much emotion into every character, even side characters that didn't stick around long. While he is definitely above par in this book, I just don't feel that much emotion. He still does an excellent job at differentiating the characters by giving each one a unique voice. He also does this weird, tongue smacking sound through the whole book that got very annoying. Like he had too much saliva in his mouth, or perhaps he had dry mouth... by you could clearly hear a smacking, clicking sound, especially his voice for Theurig (forgive the spelling if it's wrong). Still though, he did give a great performance compared to any other narrator, just not up to his normal work. And I've listened to about 9 Pacey narrated books.
Now, onto the story itself. As others have said, it is pretty dark and dreary so if that's not your thing then don't even bother with this book. I personally love f*cked up, disturbing and dark books. There wasn't a single likable or really even sympathetic character in the book. Tey Moonshine was by far the most interesting, but not likable, so if you have to connect with or fall in love with someone in the books you read, again, stay away. Snaith Harrow was a bit bland and boring, like pretty much every other character. The book reads from the points of view of Snaith and Tey, alternating between the two each chapter. I found myself hoping the Snaith chapters would be over pretty quick to get to the Tey chapter, because Snaiths just weren't that interesting to me. Which is a pretty bad thing considering Snaith is 50% of the main character and takes up about half the entire book. And I absolutely hated Theurig, the sorcerer that's teaching Snaith. The world building isn't great but the magic system is really interesting, especially in regards to how Tey uses magic.
The book drags along at the beginning, setting up the plot, but it really picks up in the last quarter of the book. It felt like it ended somewhat abruptly and definitely ends in a cliffhanger, leaving you waiting for the sequel. I'll pick up the second book because the world itself is pretty interesting and I want to see how Tey progresses and evolves, and what happens to a certain "something" that's living inside her. I just hope the pace is amped up a little in the second book, as well as the action. And Prior really needs to work on introducing a few more interesting characters, and maybe even at least one likable one.
Sorry this review is very disjointed and "rambly". It's 8:30 am and I haven't been to sleep yet,
I'll end with saying this. I do recommend reading this book. If you find yourself getting a little bored with it, keep in mind that it does get better a little over halfway through, and I do think the second book has the potential to be really good. Steven Paceys narration is still better than 99% of other narrators out there so that's definitely a plus.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews