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The Riven Realm #1
The First of Shadows
How do you kill a shadow?
As a raging storm descends on the Blasted Coast, the crippled young rigger, Caleb Rusk, meets a stranger on the road. Little does he know that the encounter will pull him into a conflict that threatens everything he holds dear—and change the course of his life forever.
Meanwhile, in the Capital of Taralius, a string of inexplicable deaths have captured the attention of the Ember Throne. Second Corporal Avendor Tarcoth is tasked with uncovering the truth behind a danger that could threaten the very fabric of the Realm.
As a raging storm descends on the Blasted Coast, the crippled young rigger, Caleb Rusk, meets a stranger on the road. Little does he know that the encounter will pull him into a conflict that threatens everything he holds dear—and change the course of his life forever.
Meanwhile, in the Capital of Taralius, a string of inexplicable deaths have captured the attention of the Ember Throne. Second Corporal Avendor Tarcoth is tasked with uncovering the truth behind a danger that could threaten the very fabric of the Realm.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2019
10 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Deck Matthews
13 books45 followersDeck Matthews is a pseudonym for one particular Matthew Ward. He is a life-long reader who fell in love with writing and fantasy in middle school. He remains an avid reader, a casual gamer and a dabbler in the visual arts. He has worked as a designer and currently spends his days neck-deep in code as a front-end web developer.
He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada with his wife, two daughters and one little fluff ball of a dog named Wicket.
He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada with his wife, two daughters and one little fluff ball of a dog named Wicket.
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December 17, 2021
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I have discovered a lot of great books in the indie book world. So whenever an opportunity arises to read self published books that I think I would enjoy, I jump into it. The author provided me with the whole trilogy in exchange of honest reviews.
I have mixed feelings about the first entry in the series, I think my feelings are mostly lukewarm to good. I saw a lot of good things in the book but I thought that they could have been a bit better which explains my current rating.
The writing is good, I like Matthew’s prose. It sometimes can be vague with the use of similies but for the most part I enjoyed it and there were quite a few moments where I really liked it & was engrossed in the story. There was some info dump mainly at the beginning. I am a reader who is turned off by this especially when there are many names and all of this is when I am still trying to figure the world and characters. To be honest, I considered DNFing early in the book but I decided to power through the book to see what I was missing and I am glad I did. Most of the characters ended up being clear to me after a while and I started caring about them. There was no question about finishing the book or not because I was enjoying it.
The info dump also stretches to include the world building and magic system. There was a map (Always a nice addition) which I wish was at the beginning of the book (I noticed they moved it there in book 3 which is wise). The magic system is still not clear to me, like I liked what I read but I had a ton of questions in my head that I wanted answered. I am usually someone who likes hard magic systems and rules so I like to understand every nook and cranny involving the magic which was not the case here. I still think it is good with the elemental magic and the totem animals.
The plot is fast paced, full of twists and action, which is a mix that I am a big fan of. I believe it could have been slowed down a bit here but I am not gonna complain about that. There is also the mysterious part to the story and the people dying in unexplained circumstances which gives the story the thriller vibe. My problem with the plot is that one of the “villains” is supposed to be fearful and powerful, I thought the faceless was dangerous indeed but I could never touch upon the horror that it should have been. I think this is mostly due to the fast pacing and the fact that it is short novella.
Summary: Although I initially had lukewarm feelings toward the novella’s intro, I ended up liking it the more it progressed. The prose and the dialogue were the strong points in the story. The info dump made me a bit on the guard. The novella is a quick read and I do still recommend it for fans of the fantasy genre!
I have discovered a lot of great books in the indie book world. So whenever an opportunity arises to read self published books that I think I would enjoy, I jump into it. The author provided me with the whole trilogy in exchange of honest reviews.
I have mixed feelings about the first entry in the series, I think my feelings are mostly lukewarm to good. I saw a lot of good things in the book but I thought that they could have been a bit better which explains my current rating.
The writing is good, I like Matthew’s prose. It sometimes can be vague with the use of similies but for the most part I enjoyed it and there were quite a few moments where I really liked it & was engrossed in the story. There was some info dump mainly at the beginning. I am a reader who is turned off by this especially when there are many names and all of this is when I am still trying to figure the world and characters. To be honest, I considered DNFing early in the book but I decided to power through the book to see what I was missing and I am glad I did. Most of the characters ended up being clear to me after a while and I started caring about them. There was no question about finishing the book or not because I was enjoying it.
The info dump also stretches to include the world building and magic system. There was a map (Always a nice addition) which I wish was at the beginning of the book (I noticed they moved it there in book 3 which is wise). The magic system is still not clear to me, like I liked what I read but I had a ton of questions in my head that I wanted answered. I am usually someone who likes hard magic systems and rules so I like to understand every nook and cranny involving the magic which was not the case here. I still think it is good with the elemental magic and the totem animals.
The plot is fast paced, full of twists and action, which is a mix that I am a big fan of. I believe it could have been slowed down a bit here but I am not gonna complain about that. There is also the mysterious part to the story and the people dying in unexplained circumstances which gives the story the thriller vibe. My problem with the plot is that one of the “villains” is supposed to be fearful and powerful, I thought the faceless was dangerous indeed but I could never touch upon the horror that it should have been. I think this is mostly due to the fast pacing and the fact that it is short novella.
Summary: Although I initially had lukewarm feelings toward the novella’s intro, I ended up liking it the more it progressed. The prose and the dialogue were the strong points in the story. The info dump made me a bit on the guard. The novella is a quick read and I do still recommend it for fans of the fantasy genre!
May 13, 2019
I've had the pleasure of reading some excellent self-published books this year. The amount of quality titles that have been coming out virtually every other week has been absolutely staggering. Lately I have made a conscious decision to consume a lot more independent and self-titled books and review them on the blog. So much so in fact that I'm proud to say that my reading ratio has tipped dramatically in that direction. The fantasy novella THE FIRST OF SHADOWS by Deck Matthews further continues that trend and I have to say that it stirred up some familiar sentimentality from my very earliest days of reading fantasy fiction.
This opening novella in the Riven Realm series is divided into three main character POVs and separate story lines (don't worry, they ultimately all tie into each other). The first POV is a mysterious drifter named Shem. We open the story with him battling some type of demon being and it is sort of hinted at that this is a battle that has taken place multiple times before and in multiple forms as well.
The second POV is a character named Caleb Rusk. Caleb is a young man with a physical disability who works as a rigger on an airship. Caleb is often bullied by some in his hometown yet you can sense an inner strength in him which transcends any type of affliction that may slow him down at times. He eventually meets a badly injured Shem on the road to his home where the stranger tells him a story of a growing danger that could soon find its way into Caleb's humble small-town existence.
The last POV is a wizened blind sage named Tiberius. Tiberius has been travelling the world of Varkas for decades upon decades in search of rare and very ancient forms of magic. The purpose of this quest is to discover the most dangerous and deadly among them and to keep them safe from those who would use them for evil ends. However, when a number of strange and sudden deaths begin to occur in the city of Taralius, Tiberius is recruited by the Ember Throne to assist an officer of the military guard named Avador to hopefully get to the bottom of it.
The world of the Riven Realm is quite an interesting one. Many of the cities and towns are reminiscent of a traditional medieval fantasy setting, but Matthews has also introduced the idea of airships into this scenario, which gives the story a cool and unique blend of styles. The characters are very well written and I couldn't help but compare them to the characters in David Eddings Belgariad series, and in particular, how they interacted with each other.
There is definitely a comfort feel to this story that reminds me a lot of those books. There is often a tinge of humor injected into the dialogue which you could picture Belgarath the Sorcerer saying to Pol or Silk during one of their many journeys. That being said, THE FIRST OF SHADOWS definitely has its own voice and it is an intriguing one with a marvelous mystery that powers the plot. Who or what is killing people indiscriminately and how do the three main characters play a part in what will follow?
I enjoyed THE FIRST OF SHADOWS a great deal. It was a refreshing change of pace to the grimdark books that I have been reading lately. It was also a very quick read that flowed very easily from one chapter to the next. Deck Matthews has revealed that books 2 and 3 are soon on the horizon and I can't wait to see where this story goes and what new elements that Deck introduces to this world. This novella is definitely a treat that you shouldn't pass up. And it has a killer map. (Sorry, I'm a sucker for beautiful maps). Filled with magic, interesting characters, and wonderful world-building, this is a fantasy tale not to be missed!
This opening novella in the Riven Realm series is divided into three main character POVs and separate story lines (don't worry, they ultimately all tie into each other). The first POV is a mysterious drifter named Shem. We open the story with him battling some type of demon being and it is sort of hinted at that this is a battle that has taken place multiple times before and in multiple forms as well.
The second POV is a character named Caleb Rusk. Caleb is a young man with a physical disability who works as a rigger on an airship. Caleb is often bullied by some in his hometown yet you can sense an inner strength in him which transcends any type of affliction that may slow him down at times. He eventually meets a badly injured Shem on the road to his home where the stranger tells him a story of a growing danger that could soon find its way into Caleb's humble small-town existence.
The last POV is a wizened blind sage named Tiberius. Tiberius has been travelling the world of Varkas for decades upon decades in search of rare and very ancient forms of magic. The purpose of this quest is to discover the most dangerous and deadly among them and to keep them safe from those who would use them for evil ends. However, when a number of strange and sudden deaths begin to occur in the city of Taralius, Tiberius is recruited by the Ember Throne to assist an officer of the military guard named Avador to hopefully get to the bottom of it.
The world of the Riven Realm is quite an interesting one. Many of the cities and towns are reminiscent of a traditional medieval fantasy setting, but Matthews has also introduced the idea of airships into this scenario, which gives the story a cool and unique blend of styles. The characters are very well written and I couldn't help but compare them to the characters in David Eddings Belgariad series, and in particular, how they interacted with each other.
There is definitely a comfort feel to this story that reminds me a lot of those books. There is often a tinge of humor injected into the dialogue which you could picture Belgarath the Sorcerer saying to Pol or Silk during one of their many journeys. That being said, THE FIRST OF SHADOWS definitely has its own voice and it is an intriguing one with a marvelous mystery that powers the plot. Who or what is killing people indiscriminately and how do the three main characters play a part in what will follow?
I enjoyed THE FIRST OF SHADOWS a great deal. It was a refreshing change of pace to the grimdark books that I have been reading lately. It was also a very quick read that flowed very easily from one chapter to the next. Deck Matthews has revealed that books 2 and 3 are soon on the horizon and I can't wait to see where this story goes and what new elements that Deck introduces to this world. This novella is definitely a treat that you shouldn't pass up. And it has a killer map. (Sorry, I'm a sucker for beautiful maps). Filled with magic, interesting characters, and wonderful world-building, this is a fantasy tale not to be missed!
August 18, 2025
Copy and pasted my bits from our group SPFBO review, found here: https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2019/11/th...
Once I started it, I was hooked. I clicked with the main characters, especially the second one, right away. The concepts of the world intrigued me a lot, so I flew through the book at speed, waiting to see where it all goes! The switch between POVs worked well and kept me glued to the pages.
The end was the most disappointing part for me. Not because of what happens, but because – it just ends. There is no closure at all, and it feels like it’s only half a book. Yes, it’s the start of a series, but even with a series I expect each book to have its own arc, and while the big plot might just start to get rolling at the end of a book, I want some resolve for the single book. This felt like a big book was simply chopped off… This really took away from the story and it left a hollow feeling. The start and end of a book are the most important things. The start has to hook the reader right away and the end has to be satisfying in a way and yet leave the reader wanting MORE. Here I felt a bit cheated instead.
I liked the characters, and considering how short this book is, they grew on me remarkably fast. Some need a bit more fleshing out, but I think that’s something to come in later installments of the series.
The dialogue felt mostly well done, which is a big plus. So often it feels stilted and artificial in the books I read for SPFBO.
But here come the big bonus points from me!
I have aphantasia, which means I can’t visually imagine anything. And there was this one scene with a new character that had me really fascinated, as it managed to draw me into the scene a lot more than descriptions usually do. I am usually good at imagining the scent / feel / sounds and therefore dive into the world, but it’s rare that I get the scene set this perfectly by the author. Often most of the description is visual and my mind has to make up the rest that comes along with those. This had me surprised, as it was quite a bit into the story and the scenes before didn’t do this. And at the end of that scene we learn the new POV is blind. I LOVED this! So much! Not just because I always have a weak spot for blind characters (my eyes are bad and two of my grandparents are almost blind), but because it was done so very well. This makes it one of my favourite reads in a long time.
I loved all the little things that slowly build up to a bigger picture. No info dumps made for quick and easy reading. At times I actually wished for a bit more explanation or more than the glimpses we got. Different brands of magic, some with a kind of spirit animal (I’m always a sucker for animal companions!), flying ships – there was enough to make the world feel new, but it definitely doesn’t overdo it.
I really enjoyed this one overall, even though it had a few flaws. At times it was a bit predictable, and the first scene that had archery in it made me wince a bit. (As I do archery myself that is a pet peeve of mine…. You don’t “fire” an arrow. And if you fetch your bow from any sort of storage it won’t be strung already, so you’d have to do that before you can use it… though I don’t think it would annoy other people as much as me.)
There’s also one moment when a character – absolutely unfitting for the moment, too, as it’s in the middle of a fight scene – thought: “Strangely, he found himself thinking she was prettier when she smiled.”
These things were balanced out by interesting world building, overall good characters and fluent prose, plus the well written POV from a blind character, so I really enjoyed this one an awful lot, even though it’s flawed and the end left me very unsatisfied.
I was so very well entertained though, that it still finishes as my personal favourite of the whole batch of 30 books!
Once I started it, I was hooked. I clicked with the main characters, especially the second one, right away. The concepts of the world intrigued me a lot, so I flew through the book at speed, waiting to see where it all goes! The switch between POVs worked well and kept me glued to the pages.
The end was the most disappointing part for me. Not because of what happens, but because – it just ends. There is no closure at all, and it feels like it’s only half a book. Yes, it’s the start of a series, but even with a series I expect each book to have its own arc, and while the big plot might just start to get rolling at the end of a book, I want some resolve for the single book. This felt like a big book was simply chopped off… This really took away from the story and it left a hollow feeling. The start and end of a book are the most important things. The start has to hook the reader right away and the end has to be satisfying in a way and yet leave the reader wanting MORE. Here I felt a bit cheated instead.
I liked the characters, and considering how short this book is, they grew on me remarkably fast. Some need a bit more fleshing out, but I think that’s something to come in later installments of the series.
The dialogue felt mostly well done, which is a big plus. So often it feels stilted and artificial in the books I read for SPFBO.
But here come the big bonus points from me!
I have aphantasia, which means I can’t visually imagine anything. And there was this one scene with a new character that had me really fascinated, as it managed to draw me into the scene a lot more than descriptions usually do. I am usually good at imagining the scent / feel / sounds and therefore dive into the world, but it’s rare that I get the scene set this perfectly by the author. Often most of the description is visual and my mind has to make up the rest that comes along with those. This had me surprised, as it was quite a bit into the story and the scenes before didn’t do this. And at the end of that scene we learn the new POV is blind. I LOVED this! So much! Not just because I always have a weak spot for blind characters (my eyes are bad and two of my grandparents are almost blind), but because it was done so very well. This makes it one of my favourite reads in a long time.
I loved all the little things that slowly build up to a bigger picture. No info dumps made for quick and easy reading. At times I actually wished for a bit more explanation or more than the glimpses we got. Different brands of magic, some with a kind of spirit animal (I’m always a sucker for animal companions!), flying ships – there was enough to make the world feel new, but it definitely doesn’t overdo it.
I really enjoyed this one overall, even though it had a few flaws. At times it was a bit predictable, and the first scene that had archery in it made me wince a bit. (As I do archery myself that is a pet peeve of mine…. You don’t “fire” an arrow. And if you fetch your bow from any sort of storage it won’t be strung already, so you’d have to do that before you can use it… though I don’t think it would annoy other people as much as me.)
There’s also one moment when a character – absolutely unfitting for the moment, too, as it’s in the middle of a fight scene – thought: “Strangely, he found himself thinking she was prettier when she smiled.”
These things were balanced out by interesting world building, overall good characters and fluent prose, plus the well written POV from a blind character, so I really enjoyed this one an awful lot, even though it’s flawed and the end left me very unsatisfied.
I was so very well entertained though, that it still finishes as my personal favourite of the whole batch of 30 books!
May 15, 2020
The First of Shadows opens with an intense fighting scene that really hooked me into the story. Sure, I was a bit confused because at first I wasn’t sure where the figure of speech ends and the literal starts. That said, the writing devices the author used all throughout the book are incredible which I, as an aspiring author, both envy and admire. I can’t help it, okay? Anyway, the beginning is one of the most intense and amazing beginnings I’ve ever read.
The story then goes on with three story lines told by three different main characters which, of course, are connected in some ways. But individually, each of them is interesting. There’s Shem, a drifter, who’s magic is as mysterious as his identity. Then there’s Caleb, a crippled young man whose life changes after helping a stranger. He’s also a rigger. And finally, there’s Tiberius, a blind mage who’ve been in search for rare forms of magic. These three alone are compelling enough but The First of Shadows introduces more interesting characters such as Tanner and Red (not her real name but I liked it better.)
I’m really excited to find out the secrets of the characters’ identities and most of all, what will happen once they meet and all the dots connect.
The fictional world is not that hard to figure out. In fact, it reminds me of those fictional worlds in most high fantasy books. But the author added something I don’t usually see in a traditional fantasy setting – airships. As already mentioned, Caleb is a rigger. So that bit addition to what’s supposedly a traditional setting is very refreshing.
The magic system is still not crystal clear to me and I’ll explain later why. But from everything I already know, I can say the magic system will be one of my favorite elements in this series. Obviously, there are dangerous magic. There are also magic that can be worn and passed through generation and it was really exciting when Caleb came to possess this kind of magic. There are also demons and shadows. One thing I find really fascinating is people having totems. In this book, so far, the totems are in forms of animals. I’m pretty sure anyone who likes fantasy loves animals sidekick. Caleb has one, an owl named Azental. Tanner also have a wolf. I’m looking forward to more interactions between the main characters and their totems.
Finally, my only issue. This is only a novella. Too short. Sure this is just an introduction to the whole series but I can’t help but wish this is full-length. I would’ve been willing to spend all night to read it because that’s what I do. Also, the length caused some of the elements of the story to be lacking. First the pace…We all love fast-paced and this one is fast-paced for sure but it seems like there’s not enough build-up in the plot. The lengths of the scenes are okay but I feel like there should be additional scenes between the scenes to prolong the tension.
And of course, if this is longer I should’ve known more about the world and magic system or even the characters. The characters are compelling enough and it’s easy to root for them but I’m not yet familiar with their deepest desires.
I have issues about it’s length but I know this is a novella and this is expected. I’m not really complaining. I’m merely letting the future readers to know what to expect. And overall, I highly recommend reading The First of Shadows. For me, this book is so underrated.
The story then goes on with three story lines told by three different main characters which, of course, are connected in some ways. But individually, each of them is interesting. There’s Shem, a drifter, who’s magic is as mysterious as his identity. Then there’s Caleb, a crippled young man whose life changes after helping a stranger. He’s also a rigger. And finally, there’s Tiberius, a blind mage who’ve been in search for rare forms of magic. These three alone are compelling enough but The First of Shadows introduces more interesting characters such as Tanner and Red (not her real name but I liked it better.)
I’m really excited to find out the secrets of the characters’ identities and most of all, what will happen once they meet and all the dots connect.
The fictional world is not that hard to figure out. In fact, it reminds me of those fictional worlds in most high fantasy books. But the author added something I don’t usually see in a traditional fantasy setting – airships. As already mentioned, Caleb is a rigger. So that bit addition to what’s supposedly a traditional setting is very refreshing.
The magic system is still not crystal clear to me and I’ll explain later why. But from everything I already know, I can say the magic system will be one of my favorite elements in this series. Obviously, there are dangerous magic. There are also magic that can be worn and passed through generation and it was really exciting when Caleb came to possess this kind of magic. There are also demons and shadows. One thing I find really fascinating is people having totems. In this book, so far, the totems are in forms of animals. I’m pretty sure anyone who likes fantasy loves animals sidekick. Caleb has one, an owl named Azental. Tanner also have a wolf. I’m looking forward to more interactions between the main characters and their totems.
Finally, my only issue. This is only a novella. Too short. Sure this is just an introduction to the whole series but I can’t help but wish this is full-length. I would’ve been willing to spend all night to read it because that’s what I do. Also, the length caused some of the elements of the story to be lacking. First the pace…We all love fast-paced and this one is fast-paced for sure but it seems like there’s not enough build-up in the plot. The lengths of the scenes are okay but I feel like there should be additional scenes between the scenes to prolong the tension.
And of course, if this is longer I should’ve known more about the world and magic system or even the characters. The characters are compelling enough and it’s easy to root for them but I’m not yet familiar with their deepest desires.
I have issues about it’s length but I know this is a novella and this is expected. I’m not really complaining. I’m merely letting the future readers to know what to expect. And overall, I highly recommend reading The First of Shadows. For me, this book is so underrated.
March 23, 2020
Short and entertaining read focussed on magic and building up toward an evil that is rising. There is all kinds of magics in this world, it kinda went over my head! My brain is mush and I was reading def not remembering it all haha. It is told throughout the story but I couldn't digest it. I kinda wanted a mindless read but you actually had to keep track here which went a bitttt too fast or like too much here and there with unknown words. I just couldn't keep up. But that is okay! The main plot is adventurous there are things like a totem, an animal that is binded to you through a mark. The animal needs to be summoned. And people with elemental magic. Def want to continue, perfect short length to keep me occupied. Can't read in long lengths atm. There was one bit that bugged me, a cool chick Palawen was looking grim..cause like they were in a difficult fight. And Caleb thought to himself she looked prettier if she would smile or something like that. I wanted to gut him XD, real life comments like this are the worst. Women are not only pretty when they laugh XD. I mean how fking sexy must she have looked like when she was grim and ready for a fight! Anyway when people irl give me that comment, smile some!! I want to punch them in the face and balls, cause yes always men! And Tanner is an ass for not respecting Palawen her name and just ignoring her and calling her Red. Nicknames are cool, just not in this fashion. Very curious how they will evolve as characters, hope Palawen starts punching them up a bit to give her respect. She is super cool! And I need to focus on the magic cause it is awesome and now I missed half of it XD!
August 26, 2019
I picked up First of Shadows after listening to an interview with the author on the Under a Pile of Books podcast. I wasn't disappointed.
First of Shadows is a fast-paced, action-filled, sword and sorcery/adventure fantasy in the classic vein. Lots of big magic, a supernaturally evil enemy, mysterious characters, clerics, warriors, and (in not so traditional a vein) airships and a murder mystery. There are a lot of point of view characters for such a short book, but I never felt like I didn't spend long enough in any one character's POV, and I was never confused when we switched. The characters are interesting and likeable, and I'm looking forward to more character development as the series goes on.
The length is probably one of the more unique aspects of the book, because it packs a lot of action into a relatively short space. As I understand it, the books in the series are supposed to be like episodes in a continuing story, which means that if you like epic fantasy, but you don't have the time or motivation to sit down with a giant tome, this might be the series for you.
I read this on my Kindle, but I'm planning on buying it in paperback so I can pass it on to my older kids (teens and up), since I think this is the kind of thing they will enjoy, too.
First of Shadows is a fast-paced, action-filled, sword and sorcery/adventure fantasy in the classic vein. Lots of big magic, a supernaturally evil enemy, mysterious characters, clerics, warriors, and (in not so traditional a vein) airships and a murder mystery. There are a lot of point of view characters for such a short book, but I never felt like I didn't spend long enough in any one character's POV, and I was never confused when we switched. The characters are interesting and likeable, and I'm looking forward to more character development as the series goes on.
The length is probably one of the more unique aspects of the book, because it packs a lot of action into a relatively short space. As I understand it, the books in the series are supposed to be like episodes in a continuing story, which means that if you like epic fantasy, but you don't have the time or motivation to sit down with a giant tome, this might be the series for you.
I read this on my Kindle, but I'm planning on buying it in paperback so I can pass it on to my older kids (teens and up), since I think this is the kind of thing they will enjoy, too.
October 24, 2022
From the first scene to the last, this book kept me invested! The writing style was vivid, and I enjoyed reading from each POV to learn more details about the story's world. The main characters were all likeable, though I wish there had been more time spent getting to know them.
The characters appear to believe in/worship several different "divine" beings (I think that's what they are? It didn't really explain.) That's a common aspect in fantasy worldbuilding, so it's not surprising, but I WAS surprised when, in the acknowledgments, the author mentioned his belief in God. It seems a little contradictory to believe in one God, but create a fictional world where there are multiple gods. I'm not sure if these figures the characters worship will be portrayed as real or false later in the series, so I'm reluctant to form a solid opinion yet.
Also, as a random note, there was a fair amount of cursing.
This book left me with more questions than answers. I'm interested to find out what happens next!
The characters appear to believe in/worship several different "divine" beings (I think that's what they are? It didn't really explain.) That's a common aspect in fantasy worldbuilding, so it's not surprising, but I WAS surprised when, in the acknowledgments, the author mentioned his belief in God. It seems a little contradictory to believe in one God, but create a fictional world where there are multiple gods. I'm not sure if these figures the characters worship will be portrayed as real or false later in the series, so I'm reluctant to form a solid opinion yet.
Also, as a random note, there was a fair amount of cursing.
This book left me with more questions than answers. I'm interested to find out what happens next!
August 23, 2022
First of Shadows marks the start of a series of novellas by Deck Matthews and let me tell you- there is a surprising amount packed in to this little story.
So, here’s the quick-and-dirty rundown/review:
There are three pov’s.
Caleb- a young man who works as a rigger, crippled from a fever long ago he has mobility issues with his leg. He’s our kind young man whose life is getting ready to have some big changes.
Shem- the mysterious Drifter. Caleb helps him out after finding him injured on the road and finds there is a lot of scary stuff on this guy’s tail.
And Tiberius- a blind Sage, who knows a lot of secrets.
Also, quite a few other characters are introduced and/or mentioned, which was a little bit tough for me at first, but they quickly fell away into smaller groups- making it easier to follow who is important. All pov’s were memorable, and sparked my interest in ways that made me want to see what happens to them in the next book.
This does have a bit of classic fantasy feel with the ‘group coming together’ and heading out on the road. I happen to love the ‘gather the band together to fight evil’ trope - so I was all aboard for that.
This is a serialized story and it feels like one, in the way it ends in a stepping off point- so expect that you will need to continue on to find answers.
I do like how it’s bite-size though. It has the feeling of a big epic-fantasy but in an installment size, that is way less daunting, than I sometimes feel when I go to crack open one of those doorstoppers.
The writing descriptive without going overboard and sets the scenes nicely.
It’s very well-paced; there is lot of action, mystery, and some genuinely creepy moments with the demon that keeps coming back in different forms.
The world-building and the magic; look to be interesting- we are just tipping the iceberg on some of it but it leaves you feeling like this is the beginning of a very cool journey, for these characters.
I am looking forward to seeing where the next installment takes them.
I won this in a giveaway on twitter, some months ago…all right, I admit, it was like 72 months ago, geesh.
Thank you kindly to the author Deck Mathews, for the e-copy, and also to Justine of Whispers & Wonder for hosting the always fun @Callofarms contest.
4 stars
So, here’s the quick-and-dirty rundown/review:
There are three pov’s.
Caleb- a young man who works as a rigger, crippled from a fever long ago he has mobility issues with his leg. He’s our kind young man whose life is getting ready to have some big changes.
Shem- the mysterious Drifter. Caleb helps him out after finding him injured on the road and finds there is a lot of scary stuff on this guy’s tail.
And Tiberius- a blind Sage, who knows a lot of secrets.
Also, quite a few other characters are introduced and/or mentioned, which was a little bit tough for me at first, but they quickly fell away into smaller groups- making it easier to follow who is important. All pov’s were memorable, and sparked my interest in ways that made me want to see what happens to them in the next book.
This does have a bit of classic fantasy feel with the ‘group coming together’ and heading out on the road. I happen to love the ‘gather the band together to fight evil’ trope - so I was all aboard for that.
This is a serialized story and it feels like one, in the way it ends in a stepping off point- so expect that you will need to continue on to find answers.
I do like how it’s bite-size though. It has the feeling of a big epic-fantasy but in an installment size, that is way less daunting, than I sometimes feel when I go to crack open one of those doorstoppers.
The writing descriptive without going overboard and sets the scenes nicely.
It’s very well-paced; there is lot of action, mystery, and some genuinely creepy moments with the demon that keeps coming back in different forms.
The world-building and the magic; look to be interesting- we are just tipping the iceberg on some of it but it leaves you feeling like this is the beginning of a very cool journey, for these characters.
I am looking forward to seeing where the next installment takes them.
I won this in a giveaway on twitter, some months ago…all right, I admit, it was like 72 months ago, geesh.
Thank you kindly to the author Deck Mathews, for the e-copy, and also to Justine of Whispers & Wonder for hosting the always fun @Callofarms contest.
4 stars
March 24, 2020
After hearing several friends rave about The First of Shadows, I picked it up, and I'm so glad I did. This story drew me into a new world and kept me on the edge of my seat in a way I haven't found in a while. I loved Shem, Caleb, and others, and the shadow was perfectly disturbing in the best way. The worldbuilding is creative and well-established, and there are layers upon layers that I look forward to unraveling when I read the other books in the series. This now holds a place in my top favorite fantasy stories.
January 22, 2020
This book is right up the alley for Fantasy readers. There are enough fantasy tropes and enough unique twists on this to make it both familiar and fresh. The emotion was great and I loved the action scenes. If you love fantasy, pick this up!!!
June 23, 2020
This book was an awesome ride from start to finish! With a rich magical lore and an array of fun characters, The First of Shadows was an intriguing start to the Riven Realm trilogy.
The story begins with a man battling for his life with a creature that can change its shape at will, and does not seem able to die. He goes to seek rest and shelter in the town of Therrin's Crossing, where the young rigger Caleb lives with his mother.
Far away in the capital, Taralius, another struggle is ongoing-- Second Corporal Avendor Tarcoth is tasked with investigating a string of strange, magic-related deaths, but every new clue gives him more questions than answers.
The hints of a backstory we get for Avendor are tantalizing, and I must know more--he seems like a man of solid principles, but he's got more of a history than is being revealed just yet.
Of all the characters, I think Caleb is my favorite. He manages to be both immediately relatable and painfully young as he grapples with his feelings of helplessness and rage. I'm excited to see how he grows over the next two books, and begins to gain his footing in the strange new reality this book threw him into.
I loved Caleb's connection to Azental. Their conversations were a lot of fun, and the concept of totem creatures is a fascinating one to explore.
I love how the magic in this world is something that we get to learn about through (and with!) The characters. It seems like a very real thing, something larger than the scope of the story itself, complex enough to still require some discovering.
Overall, the feel of this story is one of adventure in an old world--the monuments of the past towering over the inventions of the present, a seeping fog of mystery that lingers on the edges of the battles with monsters and the sailing of airships. It's a very unique and cozy aesthetic, one that I couldn't help but fall in love with.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
The story begins with a man battling for his life with a creature that can change its shape at will, and does not seem able to die. He goes to seek rest and shelter in the town of Therrin's Crossing, where the young rigger Caleb lives with his mother.
Far away in the capital, Taralius, another struggle is ongoing-- Second Corporal Avendor Tarcoth is tasked with investigating a string of strange, magic-related deaths, but every new clue gives him more questions than answers.
The hints of a backstory we get for Avendor are tantalizing, and I must know more--he seems like a man of solid principles, but he's got more of a history than is being revealed just yet.
Of all the characters, I think Caleb is my favorite. He manages to be both immediately relatable and painfully young as he grapples with his feelings of helplessness and rage. I'm excited to see how he grows over the next two books, and begins to gain his footing in the strange new reality this book threw him into.
I loved Caleb's connection to Azental. Their conversations were a lot of fun, and the concept of totem creatures is a fascinating one to explore.
I love how the magic in this world is something that we get to learn about through (and with!) The characters. It seems like a very real thing, something larger than the scope of the story itself, complex enough to still require some discovering.
Overall, the feel of this story is one of adventure in an old world--the monuments of the past towering over the inventions of the present, a seeping fog of mystery that lingers on the edges of the battles with monsters and the sailing of airships. It's a very unique and cozy aesthetic, one that I couldn't help but fall in love with.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
November 3, 2019
Sometimes I feel like fantasy rehashes the same tropes over and over. Deck Matthews' work is fresh and original. I was hooked from the opening scene with the Drifter fighting desperately against the Demon who has been relentlessly hunting him. Caleb was also an instant favorite of mine, with his owl totem and his crippled foot. You just can't help rooting for him.
The world Matthews has created is rich and complex and he isn't shy about plunging us straight in. He keeps you on your toes by moving you around in the first few chapters and introducing characters, subplots, and worldbuilding rapidly. It'd be easy for an author to lose his readers this way, but I think Matthews pulls it off quite well. I may have missed some things along the way, but I was so curious about the world and characters that I didn't think about quitting for a second.
It felt a bit like entering the world of a video game with all the stunning visuals and intriguing world-building including several magic systems, animal totems, flying ships, old scholars, mysterious drifters, and plenty of secrets. I'm excited to see where this story goes!
The world Matthews has created is rich and complex and he isn't shy about plunging us straight in. He keeps you on your toes by moving you around in the first few chapters and introducing characters, subplots, and worldbuilding rapidly. It'd be easy for an author to lose his readers this way, but I think Matthews pulls it off quite well. I may have missed some things along the way, but I was so curious about the world and characters that I didn't think about quitting for a second.
It felt a bit like entering the world of a video game with all the stunning visuals and intriguing world-building including several magic systems, animal totems, flying ships, old scholars, mysterious drifters, and plenty of secrets. I'm excited to see where this story goes!
November 28, 2019
Dark fantasy isn't always my cup of tea, but this is a superlative example of the genre. The overall tone is rather grim, but there's still plenty of heroism and likable characters to provide balance. The story is gripping, particularly thanks to the terrifying threat the protagonists have to grapple with. This first book stands on its own quite well, but includes a gripping "post-credit scene" that will leave you eager to find out what happens in the next installment. Highly recommended.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, I was late in submitting my review, so I also bought the book to make it up to the author.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, I was late in submitting my review, so I also bought the book to make it up to the author.
November 28, 2019
A fun, fast-paced read with great characters and excellent worldbuilding. The book wrapped up a bit abruptly for my liking (it's really more of a novella than a novel), and I had a few gripes about certain characters and tropes, but on the whole I really enjoyed it, and will definitely be checking out the sequel at some point.
January 23, 2019
Let me make this very clear, Deck Matthews is an up and coming author to watch.
A short time ago, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a reader's copy of Matthews' newest release. I had had the pleasure of reading his other works and enjoyed them both, but in The First of Shadows, he takes everything; the stakes, world building, writing, characters...everything up a notch and then some.
The characters are interesting, flawed and far removed from the classic old tropes of the great hero, his creatures are fascinating, the world is alive and fully fleshed out and the magic leaps off the page, crackles even. I am not sure I can easily explain the Flameborns and Soulblazes and what have you and that is fine. Understanding the magic and the nature of the land in which Matthews has deftly created will come in time I am sure through new stories.
I was impressed by the strong writing and dialogue most of all. This is no rough draft or poorly constructed story. The work is polished, exceedingly so. Wonderfully crafted and smartly written the characters are also not throwing tons of exposition the reader's way. In fact, I expect Matthews throws you right into the middle for a reason. The story keeps the reader moving at a good pace and constantly leaves you wondering at small snippets of old events hinted at through the actions and decisions of those same characters. It left me wanting more.
Does he remind me of anyone? There are certainly flashes of Terry Brooks sprinkled throughout his strong writing, an homage per say and never more than that. Great names as well! Apart from that, Matthews speaks with his own voice and it is a strong one, and has created the beginnings of a story I can see glimmering in the distance. There is a complicated political and religious world here to discover, I am sure of it!
That's the magic here. First of Shadows made me want to desperately learn more about the world. I can already feel that he has painstakingly created a deep, living, breathing land, with countless stories to tell. For a new author, especially in the genre of fantasy, finding a way to interest your reader in what is to come is the trick. Matthews does so by hinting at previous events, characters and interesting places I am dying to visit in future installments.
I absolutely cannot wait to see what the future has in store for him, and all of us as his readers.
A short time ago, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a reader's copy of Matthews' newest release. I had had the pleasure of reading his other works and enjoyed them both, but in The First of Shadows, he takes everything; the stakes, world building, writing, characters...everything up a notch and then some.
The characters are interesting, flawed and far removed from the classic old tropes of the great hero, his creatures are fascinating, the world is alive and fully fleshed out and the magic leaps off the page, crackles even. I am not sure I can easily explain the Flameborns and Soulblazes and what have you and that is fine. Understanding the magic and the nature of the land in which Matthews has deftly created will come in time I am sure through new stories.
I was impressed by the strong writing and dialogue most of all. This is no rough draft or poorly constructed story. The work is polished, exceedingly so. Wonderfully crafted and smartly written the characters are also not throwing tons of exposition the reader's way. In fact, I expect Matthews throws you right into the middle for a reason. The story keeps the reader moving at a good pace and constantly leaves you wondering at small snippets of old events hinted at through the actions and decisions of those same characters. It left me wanting more.
Does he remind me of anyone? There are certainly flashes of Terry Brooks sprinkled throughout his strong writing, an homage per say and never more than that. Great names as well! Apart from that, Matthews speaks with his own voice and it is a strong one, and has created the beginnings of a story I can see glimmering in the distance. There is a complicated political and religious world here to discover, I am sure of it!
That's the magic here. First of Shadows made me want to desperately learn more about the world. I can already feel that he has painstakingly created a deep, living, breathing land, with countless stories to tell. For a new author, especially in the genre of fantasy, finding a way to interest your reader in what is to come is the trick. Matthews does so by hinting at previous events, characters and interesting places I am dying to visit in future installments.
I absolutely cannot wait to see what the future has in store for him, and all of us as his readers.
September 3, 2020
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and the author for letting me be part of this tour, and thank you for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book was a lot shorter than I was expecting, and for a fantasy novel, it was really too short in my opinion. There is a massive amount of information in this book and I feel like I didn't have the time to take everything in and really enjoy it because this book kept jumping from one character, setting and plot to a completely different one.
It has all the fantasy elements I look for, it has good characters, a good writing style and fluidity, the chapters aren't too long, my issue with it is that it does come across as very info-dumpy and clunky. Once I got into one chapter and started to get to know the characters and what was happening, it would jump to something completely different, and although by the end of the novel I could see how they could intersect, while I was reading it just felt like two completely different stories pushed into one book.
I understand that it's a fantasy novella, but for me, it needs to be maybe twice as long so I can take the time to understand everything. The world-buidling was good, but there was just so much of it that I was very overwhelmed and actually a bit lost quite a few times. Again, I can't say much about the characters because I feel like I don't know who they are, I didn't get time to meet them properly and there is minimal backstory unfortunately.
Overall, it was a good book and I can definitely see the potential for it as the story is quite intriguing, the plot was getting good in each different POV, it was just too much and too fast pushed into too small a book for my liking. I gave this book 3 stars, I will be continuing the series and I hope it gets a bit calmer.
This book was a lot shorter than I was expecting, and for a fantasy novel, it was really too short in my opinion. There is a massive amount of information in this book and I feel like I didn't have the time to take everything in and really enjoy it because this book kept jumping from one character, setting and plot to a completely different one.
It has all the fantasy elements I look for, it has good characters, a good writing style and fluidity, the chapters aren't too long, my issue with it is that it does come across as very info-dumpy and clunky. Once I got into one chapter and started to get to know the characters and what was happening, it would jump to something completely different, and although by the end of the novel I could see how they could intersect, while I was reading it just felt like two completely different stories pushed into one book.
I understand that it's a fantasy novella, but for me, it needs to be maybe twice as long so I can take the time to understand everything. The world-buidling was good, but there was just so much of it that I was very overwhelmed and actually a bit lost quite a few times. Again, I can't say much about the characters because I feel like I don't know who they are, I didn't get time to meet them properly and there is minimal backstory unfortunately.
Overall, it was a good book and I can definitely see the potential for it as the story is quite intriguing, the plot was getting good in each different POV, it was just too much and too fast pushed into too small a book for my liking. I gave this book 3 stars, I will be continuing the series and I hope it gets a bit calmer.
February 16, 2020
As you know I’ve become a big fan and advocate of self-published/indie fantasy. Mark Lawrence’s Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO) has done tremendous work highlighting great self-published books the last five years. But there are many, many more great self-published fantasy works out there that haven’t made it into the SPFBO finals and deserve some recognition. Today I have the pleasure of discussing one of those great self-published books.
The First of Shadows is an action packed romp filled with swords, sorcery, and mayhem compressed into a 143 page novella. It’s edge of your seat story-telling that you won’t want to put down. There’s even a bit of murder mystery.
This book had pretty much all that I look for in a fantasy tale; stirring plot, compelling characters, interesting magic system, in-depth world building, and great pacing. Perhaps the only thing missing for me was an in-depth exploration of theme, but as it’s the first installment of a series of novellas I expect that thematic trends will play out over the course of the following stories.
The plot is briefly described above. Just let me say it’s more complex and captivating than what the Goodreads blurb expresses. I’d say more but I hate to give away any more of the plot for such a quick read. Just trust me on this.
There are four main POV characters. Now I admit this seems like a lot for such a short book but Matthews manages to weave them together really well. There’s Caleb, a local village boy who works on airships, has an injured leg, and some secret magical abilities. There’s a roaming magic wielding drifter fighting off a demon who won’t stop pursuing him. There’s a blind monk who seeks to protect magical artifacts throughout the realm. Finally there’s a curious military corporal with a past who is investigating multiple murders in the capital. Over the course of the book these four points-of-view begin to merge. Though all four never end up together you can begin to see where the story is headed and how they relate. Caleb seems to be the leading contender for primary protagonist and I’m really liking his character which seems to be complex and compelling.
The magic system is one yet to be fully revealed. There are six known forms of magic in the world. Each draws from different origins and enhances different abilities. Not all of the different types are explored in book one, but the framework for what they are and what the can do is laid down. If you like a more intricate or hard magic system The First of Shadows won’t be a disappointment.
The wold building in this book came as a surprise to me. Given how short it is I didn’t expect much in this area. But Matthews manages to make all that he can out of the short space he’s working with. The setting is somewhat western European medieval, but with some added features which make it curiously more interesting. One such feature is the existence of airships. This definitely isn’t a steampunk novel so I’m really intrigued to see where things go with ships sailing the skies in this setting. The little bit we see of the world in this book is harsh, complex, and fascinating. I can’t wait to see what is revealed in future installments.
Matthews weaves a great narrative in part due to the characters and world building mentioned above, but also due in large part to pacing. With a novella you expect the pacing to be quicker than you average novel, but The First of Shadows doesn’t really slow down. It’s pretty quick and steady throughout and really ramps up at the end. And let me add, Matthews crafts some really compelling action scenes in this little book which really help to drive that pacing.
The only thing I would have liked to have seen was something more in the way of a thematic trend. I’m a big fan of good themes in fantasy and always look for it. The kernel of a theme or two seems to be emerging at this point but I hesitate to comment too much just yet. Loss is a potential emerging theme along with living up to expectations. We’ll see what comes of these or others in the next installments in the series where I hope something more solid will emerge as the narrative takes broader shape.
The First of Shadows won’t disappoint. If you’re looking for fantasy with action, intriguing characters, and satisfying word building this is a book for you. If you’re looking for fast pacing that you can read in one or two sittings, this is a book for you. If you’ve been thinking about trying out quality self-published fantasy but don’t want to commit to a full-length novel just yet, this is a book for you. In short, if you’re looking for a damn good fantasy read, this is a book for you. Try it out. I think you’ll enjoy it.
The First of Shadows is an action packed romp filled with swords, sorcery, and mayhem compressed into a 143 page novella. It’s edge of your seat story-telling that you won’t want to put down. There’s even a bit of murder mystery.
This book had pretty much all that I look for in a fantasy tale; stirring plot, compelling characters, interesting magic system, in-depth world building, and great pacing. Perhaps the only thing missing for me was an in-depth exploration of theme, but as it’s the first installment of a series of novellas I expect that thematic trends will play out over the course of the following stories.
The plot is briefly described above. Just let me say it’s more complex and captivating than what the Goodreads blurb expresses. I’d say more but I hate to give away any more of the plot for such a quick read. Just trust me on this.
There are four main POV characters. Now I admit this seems like a lot for such a short book but Matthews manages to weave them together really well. There’s Caleb, a local village boy who works on airships, has an injured leg, and some secret magical abilities. There’s a roaming magic wielding drifter fighting off a demon who won’t stop pursuing him. There’s a blind monk who seeks to protect magical artifacts throughout the realm. Finally there’s a curious military corporal with a past who is investigating multiple murders in the capital. Over the course of the book these four points-of-view begin to merge. Though all four never end up together you can begin to see where the story is headed and how they relate. Caleb seems to be the leading contender for primary protagonist and I’m really liking his character which seems to be complex and compelling.
The magic system is one yet to be fully revealed. There are six known forms of magic in the world. Each draws from different origins and enhances different abilities. Not all of the different types are explored in book one, but the framework for what they are and what the can do is laid down. If you like a more intricate or hard magic system The First of Shadows won’t be a disappointment.
The wold building in this book came as a surprise to me. Given how short it is I didn’t expect much in this area. But Matthews manages to make all that he can out of the short space he’s working with. The setting is somewhat western European medieval, but with some added features which make it curiously more interesting. One such feature is the existence of airships. This definitely isn’t a steampunk novel so I’m really intrigued to see where things go with ships sailing the skies in this setting. The little bit we see of the world in this book is harsh, complex, and fascinating. I can’t wait to see what is revealed in future installments.
Matthews weaves a great narrative in part due to the characters and world building mentioned above, but also due in large part to pacing. With a novella you expect the pacing to be quicker than you average novel, but The First of Shadows doesn’t really slow down. It’s pretty quick and steady throughout and really ramps up at the end. And let me add, Matthews crafts some really compelling action scenes in this little book which really help to drive that pacing.
The only thing I would have liked to have seen was something more in the way of a thematic trend. I’m a big fan of good themes in fantasy and always look for it. The kernel of a theme or two seems to be emerging at this point but I hesitate to comment too much just yet. Loss is a potential emerging theme along with living up to expectations. We’ll see what comes of these or others in the next installments in the series where I hope something more solid will emerge as the narrative takes broader shape.
The First of Shadows won’t disappoint. If you’re looking for fantasy with action, intriguing characters, and satisfying word building this is a book for you. If you’re looking for fast pacing that you can read in one or two sittings, this is a book for you. If you’ve been thinking about trying out quality self-published fantasy but don’t want to commit to a full-length novel just yet, this is a book for you. In short, if you’re looking for a damn good fantasy read, this is a book for you. Try it out. I think you’ll enjoy it.
April 20, 2019
The First of Shadows is a thoroughly entertaining fantasy novel set in well-built world. It's the first book in a series and so there's a lot of set-up in terms of the world-building, which promises a really interesting series ahead.
I wasn't into it right away because the POV kept switching from one character to another, but by chapter 5 their stories come together and it all starts to make a lot more sense and the story moves at a page-turner pace from there on out. It's definitely worth hanging in there to see how it all comes together. And of course, as it's the first in a series not every single thread is resolved, but it does end at a logical point and some things do get resolved, preparing the way for an even bigger adventure ahead.
The story centers on the character Caleb, who lives with his mother in a small town and works on fixing the rigging of some airships. On his way home one day he sees an injured man and this throws him into a world of ancient magical secrets. The threats start small-scale, with a bully at work that Caleb has to worry about, but as he gets embroiled into a larger mystery he has to face much worse things than just a local bully.
But there are many more characters other than Caleb in the story, each with their own interesting stories. Some of them cross paths with Caleb, some of them are investigating the forces he's already facing from a distance. I particularly liked one old man who is leading the investigation from afar and who has his own motives and his own fears. His part of the story helps us understand what's happening to Caleb a little more, but also presents more mysteries and questions which I'm sure will be answered in the rest of the books.
The only reason it got four rather than five stars (other than the fact that I'm very picky with my five star choices) is that I feel like I know almost nothing about even the regular types of magic practiced in the novel, despite many, many discussions of them between different characters. I'm sure it'll become clearer as the series goes on, but I still think it should have maybe been simplified a bit at the start so the reader could at least think they got it, hahaha.
Overall, a very strong opening to an epic fantasy series with hints of mystery and interesting world-building. Check it out if you like any or all of those things, you'll find yourself turning the pages pretty quickly to follow the story.
I wasn't into it right away because the POV kept switching from one character to another, but by chapter 5 their stories come together and it all starts to make a lot more sense and the story moves at a page-turner pace from there on out. It's definitely worth hanging in there to see how it all comes together. And of course, as it's the first in a series not every single thread is resolved, but it does end at a logical point and some things do get resolved, preparing the way for an even bigger adventure ahead.
The story centers on the character Caleb, who lives with his mother in a small town and works on fixing the rigging of some airships. On his way home one day he sees an injured man and this throws him into a world of ancient magical secrets. The threats start small-scale, with a bully at work that Caleb has to worry about, but as he gets embroiled into a larger mystery he has to face much worse things than just a local bully.
But there are many more characters other than Caleb in the story, each with their own interesting stories. Some of them cross paths with Caleb, some of them are investigating the forces he's already facing from a distance. I particularly liked one old man who is leading the investigation from afar and who has his own motives and his own fears. His part of the story helps us understand what's happening to Caleb a little more, but also presents more mysteries and questions which I'm sure will be answered in the rest of the books.
The only reason it got four rather than five stars (other than the fact that I'm very picky with my five star choices) is that I feel like I know almost nothing about even the regular types of magic practiced in the novel, despite many, many discussions of them between different characters. I'm sure it'll become clearer as the series goes on, but I still think it should have maybe been simplified a bit at the start so the reader could at least think they got it, hahaha.
Overall, a very strong opening to an epic fantasy series with hints of mystery and interesting world-building. Check it out if you like any or all of those things, you'll find yourself turning the pages pretty quickly to follow the story.
May 10, 2019
How do you kill a shadow?
It's a good question, indeed. One that on its face is enough to peak my interest. So I read on, finding the first chapter of this tale available for free from the author(links below). I found that killing a shadow is not merely the problem itself, but how to escape it. Intrigued? Undoubtedly.
For a bargain price of $2.99 it was a tale worth every penny. I jumped into the world of Varkas with a taste of the shadow and the drifter it trailed and soon found myself in the midst of the Capital of Taralius, and flying along the skies of the Blasted Coast upon a song of wind and fire. It was a tale that pushed me to the edge of my seat, a series of events all wrapped in the same mysterious shadow and the vile marks its leaves behind.
Caleb Rusk, a crippled rigger boy is caught in the middle of it all, somehow his life is turned upside down and inside out in a matter of hours. Among the likes of pirates, mercenaries, drifters and royals his situation spirals into chaos as he is met with the same question:
How do you kill a shadow?
The First of Shadows is a novella with the muscle of an epic. A door the sprawling world of Varkas that Deck Matthews has forged. The atmosphere is full of mysterious forces, and the foundation which is it built upon is comprised of layers of character that rise to the surface narrative with brilliant display.
The characters are their own, with traits, mannerisms, and vocabularies that set them apart from one another. The dynamic between them is what drives the plot forward with such ease. In the brief time you spend with them, it feels as though you've known them all the while. Picking a favorite would be a tough choice, to say the least.
The pace of the story is faster than I would have hoped, though that only means the next book will be on my list! I recommend this to anyone with a taste for the fantasy genre. The First of Shadows is a riveting tale you wouldn't want to miss out on.
It's a good question, indeed. One that on its face is enough to peak my interest. So I read on, finding the first chapter of this tale available for free from the author(links below). I found that killing a shadow is not merely the problem itself, but how to escape it. Intrigued? Undoubtedly.
For a bargain price of $2.99 it was a tale worth every penny. I jumped into the world of Varkas with a taste of the shadow and the drifter it trailed and soon found myself in the midst of the Capital of Taralius, and flying along the skies of the Blasted Coast upon a song of wind and fire. It was a tale that pushed me to the edge of my seat, a series of events all wrapped in the same mysterious shadow and the vile marks its leaves behind.
Caleb Rusk, a crippled rigger boy is caught in the middle of it all, somehow his life is turned upside down and inside out in a matter of hours. Among the likes of pirates, mercenaries, drifters and royals his situation spirals into chaos as he is met with the same question:
How do you kill a shadow?
The First of Shadows is a novella with the muscle of an epic. A door the sprawling world of Varkas that Deck Matthews has forged. The atmosphere is full of mysterious forces, and the foundation which is it built upon is comprised of layers of character that rise to the surface narrative with brilliant display.
The characters are their own, with traits, mannerisms, and vocabularies that set them apart from one another. The dynamic between them is what drives the plot forward with such ease. In the brief time you spend with them, it feels as though you've known them all the while. Picking a favorite would be a tough choice, to say the least.
The pace of the story is faster than I would have hoped, though that only means the next book will be on my list! I recommend this to anyone with a taste for the fantasy genre. The First of Shadows is a riveting tale you wouldn't want to miss out on.
October 14, 2020
First of Shadows is an action-packed entry point to an interesting world filled with intrigue and danger. Deck Matthews is a top-notch world-builder and a fresh new voice.
When I started, I was both skeptical and excited about reading an epic fantasy that comes in at only 170 pages. I read it in two days, which says something. Would I have loved for it to be longer? Yes. Does it feel a bit like Act 1? Yes. Yet, still, I loved every minute of it. The pages flew by and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. The magic systems (plural) are very intriguing. The flying ships are awesome. And there is clearly a rich in-world history. That said, because this is a short book, none of these were explored too thoroughly.
The one thing criticism I have is that the characters felt a little too Tolkien-inspired. The main group is basically Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Frodo with a nazgul hunting them. I personally love LotR, so it didn't both me, but I'm keen to see Matthews take these characters and make them more of his own in subsequent books.
Overall, it's a great story. Fast paced. Inventive magic systems. And short enough that there's no excuse not to try it out! Especially since it's free on KU!
When I started, I was both skeptical and excited about reading an epic fantasy that comes in at only 170 pages. I read it in two days, which says something. Would I have loved for it to be longer? Yes. Does it feel a bit like Act 1? Yes. Yet, still, I loved every minute of it. The pages flew by and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. The magic systems (plural) are very intriguing. The flying ships are awesome. And there is clearly a rich in-world history. That said, because this is a short book, none of these were explored too thoroughly.
The one thing criticism I have is that the characters felt a little too Tolkien-inspired. The main group is basically Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Frodo with a nazgul hunting them. I personally love LotR, so it didn't both me, but I'm keen to see Matthews take these characters and make them more of his own in subsequent books.
Overall, it's a great story. Fast paced. Inventive magic systems. And short enough that there's no excuse not to try it out! Especially since it's free on KU!
September 10, 2020
I came across this one while searching for novellas, and I'm delighted that I did. The First Shadows is an epic disguised as a novella, which is a stunning feat of execution, because so much happens within this book that it could have fallen short of what it was attempting to achieve. There are few places, where a longer book would have allowed for some greater development, especially with regards to the magic system, which was fascinating and could have filled many more pages, and I would have loved to have been able to delve further into it and how it related to the rest of the world. That said, it leaves me keen to dive into the rest of the series as soon as possible, and combined with the pacing, and a writing style that flowed easily and entranced me from the first world, this is a book I would highly recommend.
January 22, 2021
I found myself completely taken by this fun little fantasy tale. It had the feel of an old-time classic fantasy story but with a twist. I loved all of the characters, I'm excited to see how Caleb grows in the next books. I can tell he is going to be a very important part of the story. I also thought it was cool that we got a little of the shadows POV which was very creepy.. Also... AIRSHIPS!! Enough said! My only complaint was that the magic system wasn't completely explained and I wanted to understand it more. However, that could be on purpose. And I can't end this review without commending Deck Matthews' skills at world-building! I cant wait to see what else is in store for these characters. I can only see it getting better from here.
March 25, 2019
Though Deck is a new and upcoming author, he writes with the confidence and experience of published authors like Michael J. Sullivan and Terry Brooks. This is so evident in the pages of FIrst of Shadows. Well crafted characters you care about and a rich, deep world you can't wait to learn more of—this book has it all.
As others have mentioned: fascinating and intricate magic system, skyships, ancient evils... so many things to keep my mind wandering and hungry for more. I can't wait for the next book, and I can't wait to tell people I read Deck Matthews before he was famous!
As others have mentioned: fascinating and intricate magic system, skyships, ancient evils... so many things to keep my mind wandering and hungry for more. I can't wait for the next book, and I can't wait to tell people I read Deck Matthews before he was famous!
October 21, 2019
The First of Shadows is the first book in The Riven Realm series, by Deck Mathews. Reading it felt like watching a movie. The scenes are written vividly in a cinematic style that feels very modern. From the beginning, you get a high fantasy vibe that is maintained throughout the rest of the book despite the low number of pages (low for a high fantasy).
“The world was a wash of dingy stormlight as the drifter clambered up the craggy bluff. A thick bank of clouds loomed in the east, roiling in from the Boundless Sea, black and bleak grey, streaked with shifting veins of purple and yellow and orange.”
Deck Mathews’ debut novel is written as seen through the eyes of three main characters. At first, their POVs and separate storylines were a bit confusing, but they ultimately all tie into each other, so be patient, it’ll make sense in the end.
The third POV we see is Tiberius, a wizened blind sage. He’s been traveling through Varkas for ages in search of rare and very ancient forms of magic to hide them from those who would use them for evil. When a serious the mysterious deaths occur, Tiberius is asked by the Ember Throne to help Avador, an officer of the military guard to get to the bottom of it.
The world-building is immersing. It made me visualize al medieval fantasy setting with a quirk. Deck Matthews leaves his print with the addition of airships into this medieval-like world.
The book starts with the POV of a mysterious drifter named Shem. We delve straight into the action when Shem gets attacked by a demon. The story hints that they have fought before many times before and the demon takes many forms.
“The demon clambered up over the blasted ridge with massive, overgrown paws. It had shed the visage of the pale-skinned woman and came in the shape of a wolf. Dark and twisted, it stood taller than a crag hound. A thick bramble of coarse fur grew around its neck and shoulders like a mane of overgrown bog grass. Eyes as dark as onyx glistened beneath a gnarled brow. It bared its fangs, twisting its blackened lips in a cruel imitation of a humourless smile.”
The second character who’s POV we get to see is Caleb Rusk, a man with a physical disability who works as a rigger on an airship. Because of his disability, Caleb gets bullied often.
Read more here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
“The world was a wash of dingy stormlight as the drifter clambered up the craggy bluff. A thick bank of clouds loomed in the east, roiling in from the Boundless Sea, black and bleak grey, streaked with shifting veins of purple and yellow and orange.”
Deck Mathews’ debut novel is written as seen through the eyes of three main characters. At first, their POVs and separate storylines were a bit confusing, but they ultimately all tie into each other, so be patient, it’ll make sense in the end.
The third POV we see is Tiberius, a wizened blind sage. He’s been traveling through Varkas for ages in search of rare and very ancient forms of magic to hide them from those who would use them for evil. When a serious the mysterious deaths occur, Tiberius is asked by the Ember Throne to help Avador, an officer of the military guard to get to the bottom of it.
The world-building is immersing. It made me visualize al medieval fantasy setting with a quirk. Deck Matthews leaves his print with the addition of airships into this medieval-like world.
The book starts with the POV of a mysterious drifter named Shem. We delve straight into the action when Shem gets attacked by a demon. The story hints that they have fought before many times before and the demon takes many forms.
“The demon clambered up over the blasted ridge with massive, overgrown paws. It had shed the visage of the pale-skinned woman and came in the shape of a wolf. Dark and twisted, it stood taller than a crag hound. A thick bramble of coarse fur grew around its neck and shoulders like a mane of overgrown bog grass. Eyes as dark as onyx glistened beneath a gnarled brow. It bared its fangs, twisting its blackened lips in a cruel imitation of a humourless smile.”
The second character who’s POV we get to see is Caleb Rusk, a man with a physical disability who works as a rigger on an airship. Because of his disability, Caleb gets bullied often.
Read more here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
January 26, 2019
A Firm Foundation
This novella marks the beginning of Matthews ‘Riven Realm’ series (I am unsure at this point how many books are planned, I hope it's a few because I don't want to stop reading) and gives us more depth to world of Varkas that he had started to reveal in his short stories. In ‘The First of Shadows’ we met some great characters that I am very keen to get to know more about. We have the mysterious drifter whose opening scene so captivated me, the crippled Caleb Rusk - my favourite, I can't wait to see how he grows! - the corporal Avendor, the sage Tiberius, the half-fey woman, Palawen and the Tanner, a veteran of the most recent Frost War.
I quickly came to love all these characters and Matthews has a great sense of pacing. He builds a chapter up, and then cuts you off to start a new one! He's definitely got that whole 'just one more chapter' thing down pat. In fact, if I had started reading this at night, rather than at 11am in the morning, I think I would have been very late to bed!
And teasers. he's great at teasing you with an idea, with some information that hints but doesn't fully explain - yet - so you keep going, not just to find the answer but cause it's a great story.
Matthews is all about the tension. And this only a freaking novella!
But we also have to talk about his endings. I think Matthews does endings very well. I loved the ending of ‘The Melding Thief’, and the ending of ‘The First of Shadows’ - o.m.g GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK NOW! It is again one of those tantalising snippets that sets up the next book and has you hanging out for more.
If this is what his novellas are like, I cannot wait for him to start writing a Jordan-esque sized Varkas series (or at least 'fulll-sized'), because this, THIS, is the type of epic fantasy and writing I live for. A world that is entirely its own. Varkas is a completely different world to earth and while aesthetically you can assign some imagery to a medieval Europe, the culture is clearly different. Honestly, think The Wheel of Time, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Stormlight Archives, even The Forgotten Realms in scope. All the (to me) great fantasy authors do what Matthews has begun to do here.
If you are a fan of Jordan, Sanderson, Brett, Weeks or Martin, then take my advice and get in on the ground floor of Deck Matthews career. I am sure it's going to be a great ride!
This novella marks the beginning of Matthews ‘Riven Realm’ series (I am unsure at this point how many books are planned, I hope it's a few because I don't want to stop reading) and gives us more depth to world of Varkas that he had started to reveal in his short stories. In ‘The First of Shadows’ we met some great characters that I am very keen to get to know more about. We have the mysterious drifter whose opening scene so captivated me, the crippled Caleb Rusk - my favourite, I can't wait to see how he grows! - the corporal Avendor, the sage Tiberius, the half-fey woman, Palawen and the Tanner, a veteran of the most recent Frost War.
I quickly came to love all these characters and Matthews has a great sense of pacing. He builds a chapter up, and then cuts you off to start a new one! He's definitely got that whole 'just one more chapter' thing down pat. In fact, if I had started reading this at night, rather than at 11am in the morning, I think I would have been very late to bed!
And teasers. he's great at teasing you with an idea, with some information that hints but doesn't fully explain - yet - so you keep going, not just to find the answer but cause it's a great story.
Matthews is all about the tension. And this only a freaking novella!
But we also have to talk about his endings. I think Matthews does endings very well. I loved the ending of ‘The Melding Thief’, and the ending of ‘The First of Shadows’ - o.m.g GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK NOW! It is again one of those tantalising snippets that sets up the next book and has you hanging out for more.
If this is what his novellas are like, I cannot wait for him to start writing a Jordan-esque sized Varkas series (or at least 'fulll-sized'), because this, THIS, is the type of epic fantasy and writing I live for. A world that is entirely its own. Varkas is a completely different world to earth and while aesthetically you can assign some imagery to a medieval Europe, the culture is clearly different. Honestly, think The Wheel of Time, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Stormlight Archives, even The Forgotten Realms in scope. All the (to me) great fantasy authors do what Matthews has begun to do here.
If you are a fan of Jordan, Sanderson, Brett, Weeks or Martin, then take my advice and get in on the ground floor of Deck Matthews career. I am sure it's going to be a great ride!
August 8, 2019
Ok enough
I'm a bit on the fence with this one. Usually I absolutely love when the fantasy series have maps, detailed history, background, lore and magic systems. This book ticks the boxes but somehow the way these details were presented I found it to be a bit muddled and I kept losing track of the names of people and places and also couldn't really visualize the world properly.
Lot of bits and pieces of information made the first one third of the book a bit vexing, would have been nice if things had been explained clearly. Things keep happening in this book and there are loads of unanswered questions as nothing is explained clearly. Reminded me of the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb in that a lot of things happen in those books too with little to no explanation and I had at least 5 questions (not critical to the overall plot, but still) that were never answered even by the end of the 3rd book and that annoyed me a lot. The main character Fitz however was very well fleshed out and by the 3rd book came across as quite a melancholy person who kept on and on about the sad things that had happened to him (a bit irritating).
In contrast, the main character of The First of Shadows - Caleb is not as well fleshed out. Maybe I am nitpicking but he came across a bit placid and incurious to me - his personality was not so strongly expressed and this made it a bit hard to relate to him. Caleb is likeable but a bit flat. In the same vein, the secondary characters as well were shallowly described and under explored.
This is a self published first book by the author and a overall good debut, because despite the issues I had with this book, I am still curious about what's going to happen next so will pick up the second of the series. I just hope the open questions are answered, things become clearer and the characters gain more depth. The ending is not a cliffhanger.
I'm a bit on the fence with this one. Usually I absolutely love when the fantasy series have maps, detailed history, background, lore and magic systems. This book ticks the boxes but somehow the way these details were presented I found it to be a bit muddled and I kept losing track of the names of people and places and also couldn't really visualize the world properly.
Lot of bits and pieces of information made the first one third of the book a bit vexing, would have been nice if things had been explained clearly. Things keep happening in this book and there are loads of unanswered questions as nothing is explained clearly. Reminded me of the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb in that a lot of things happen in those books too with little to no explanation and I had at least 5 questions (not critical to the overall plot, but still) that were never answered even by the end of the 3rd book and that annoyed me a lot. The main character Fitz however was very well fleshed out and by the 3rd book came across as quite a melancholy person who kept on and on about the sad things that had happened to him (a bit irritating).
In contrast, the main character of The First of Shadows - Caleb is not as well fleshed out. Maybe I am nitpicking but he came across a bit placid and incurious to me - his personality was not so strongly expressed and this made it a bit hard to relate to him. Caleb is likeable but a bit flat. In the same vein, the secondary characters as well were shallowly described and under explored.
This is a self published first book by the author and a overall good debut, because despite the issues I had with this book, I am still curious about what's going to happen next so will pick up the second of the series. I just hope the open questions are answered, things become clearer and the characters gain more depth. The ending is not a cliffhanger.
September 7, 2020
3.5
Book source ~ Tour
Caleb Rusk is a crippled young man, but that doesn’t stop him from being one of the best riggers on the Blasted Coast. With a raging storm sweeping across the land he meets a wounded stranger on the way home. He has no idea what this small moment will do to his life.
The Ember Throne in the capital of Taralius is concerned about a series of deaths that shouldn’t even be happening, and yet they are. Second Corporal Avendor Tarcoth is given the responsibility of finding out the truth of these deaths and told to do it quickly before the entire Realm is thrown into chaos. No pressure or anything.
Woo baby! There is a LOT packed into these few pages. First books in any Epic Fantasy have always been hard for me to get into. There is just SO much information that needs to be cast out there by the author and it’s a lot to absorb. So many new terms and characters and places they are hard for me to keep track of. So, the first book is always such a trial for me. I end up rereading passages over and over again to set the characters, places, and terms in my mind. This book is no different in this instance. However, once I got things down the whole story crystalized. And what a tale it is!
I hate to say it so soon in a series with the journey just beginning, but I can pretty much already tell this is going to be a hell of a ride. Now that the stage has been set and events put in motion I’m looking forward to seeing where this adventure is going to lead me. If you love Epic Fantasy then do not pass this up. Come, travel with me and maybe we’ll help save a Realm.
Book source ~ Tour
Caleb Rusk is a crippled young man, but that doesn’t stop him from being one of the best riggers on the Blasted Coast. With a raging storm sweeping across the land he meets a wounded stranger on the way home. He has no idea what this small moment will do to his life.
The Ember Throne in the capital of Taralius is concerned about a series of deaths that shouldn’t even be happening, and yet they are. Second Corporal Avendor Tarcoth is given the responsibility of finding out the truth of these deaths and told to do it quickly before the entire Realm is thrown into chaos. No pressure or anything.
Woo baby! There is a LOT packed into these few pages. First books in any Epic Fantasy have always been hard for me to get into. There is just SO much information that needs to be cast out there by the author and it’s a lot to absorb. So many new terms and characters and places they are hard for me to keep track of. So, the first book is always such a trial for me. I end up rereading passages over and over again to set the characters, places, and terms in my mind. This book is no different in this instance. However, once I got things down the whole story crystalized. And what a tale it is!
I hate to say it so soon in a series with the journey just beginning, but I can pretty much already tell this is going to be a hell of a ride. Now that the stage has been set and events put in motion I’m looking forward to seeing where this adventure is going to lead me. If you love Epic Fantasy then do not pass this up. Come, travel with me and maybe we’ll help save a Realm.
March 10, 2019
This is my third story within the Varkas world and I can say that I enjoyed this even more than the previous two. The First of Shadows is a full-length novella set within the world of Deck’s other two books: In the Tower of the Witching Tree and The Melding Thief. Following several point of view characters including but not limited to Caleb and Palawen, the story sets the stage for a world filled with magic and political intrigue.
I found that I couldn’t help myself from gobbling up the pages each night. His characters are incredibly rich and intriguing, yet I feel like the world is where this story truly shines. Every bit of the world feels like an old fantasy. You can practically feel the old magic, rustic environments, and good old fashion fantasy essence within each of the pages. I’ve often heard Matthews style in comparison to Terry Brooks and I can’t help but agree with that. If you enjoy old fashion fantasy spun by an upcoming author, you’ll find a treat in this.
I found that I couldn’t help myself from gobbling up the pages each night. His characters are incredibly rich and intriguing, yet I feel like the world is where this story truly shines. Every bit of the world feels like an old fantasy. You can practically feel the old magic, rustic environments, and good old fashion fantasy essence within each of the pages. I’ve often heard Matthews style in comparison to Terry Brooks and I can’t help but agree with that. If you enjoy old fashion fantasy spun by an upcoming author, you’ll find a treat in this.
April 21, 2019
Firstly, I appreciate the author for giving me an ARC copy to enjoy, thank you!
This novella delves into 3 main POV's (with an additional supporting 2 POVs for brief moments) with initially separate stories that converge into the mystery of the same magical artifact on the nicely portrayed cover.
The first POV belongs to a mysterious wanderer who goes by the moniker Shem. A very dangerous demon that infects corpses named Faceless has been hunting him down for several weeks. Shem is a skillful swordsman and fire magician, but so far he has only been able to destroy the temporary vessels without permanently destroying the demon. He is badly wounded and reaching his limit. The temptation to give up and give the demon what it wants seems tempting, but he will not falter. He just hopes to remain alive and ask a mysterious woman from his complicated past for her help.
The second POV focuses on a blind and very wise sage named Tiberius. He is heavily respected among the Sanctum religious sect, and he spends his time researching the oldest and most elusive forms of magic and keeping a close eye on dangerous artifacts that are safely hidden in the city he inhabits. His life turns upside down when he is somewhat coerced by someone important into assisting a lower ranked military officer named Avador and discover if a string of strange deaths of men blessed with imbued soul magic were truly suicides... or something more sinister.
The final POV stars a crippled teenage boy named Caleb who has a permanently damaged left leg and walks with a limp. He works as a rope master at a northern port where he's arguably the best in his profession in the whole area. The man that got him his job named Arn Aln treats him with great respect, but while he enjoys living in this sleepy village with his mother Tamara, a boisterous ship captain named Dev has offered to take him to a city close to where his sister Anya inhabits for his safety. The only condition was that Dev's crew was leaving first thing tomorrow morning, so if he was unable to convince his mother to join him by then, the deal was off. After being punched in the face by a bitter and dangerous middle aged man named Kharl because he tattled his poor rope work to Aln, his life is going to get even stranger from now on...
I think the first thing that struck me really fun about this story was the fact that two POV's have some distinct disability. You live through them as they cope with their weaknesses both physically and emotionally. Tiberius doesn't seem to mind his blindness too much, in part because his reputation allows the government to supply him with escorted carriage rides and braille books and due to the fact he has an insanely acute sense of hearing. Caleb on the other hand, feels frustrated that he is unable to live a fully normal life. He doesn't particularly want adventure, but he is concerned about the risk of invasion from barbarians. Kharl's ruthlessness further tempers his patience.
I like it how this book features several forms of very different magic, where humans have a somewhat good grasp on some forms, and others remain a complete mystery. Shem was forced to perform a ritual blessing long ago and after being branded with soul fire magic, he was capable of surviving the fever that comes along with the process. This sort of sorcery is granted to a lot of people in Vantas if they are physically strong enough and possess sufficient money. Caleb has magic of his own. He has a crude rune tattoo on his leg calf where a type of magic known as melding has allowed him to summon an owl familiar named Azental. She helps him search for poorly made knots on the ships and gives him company. While everyone can see her when she is summoned, Caleb is the only person capable of mentally communicating with her. Melding magic is somewhat common, but religiously shunned in certain parts of the world. Palawan is a female supporting character and she uses a sort of elemental wind magic. The final important supporting character of the story is a mercenary named Tanner who posesses a wolf familiar.
The pacing in the beginning of the book is a bit disjointed, mostly because of the fact that we have 4 POV chapters running concurrently, and you are not sure if the stories will mesh at the end or not. Palawan as the sole female POV in the story is not as well developed as the 3 main characters, so you feel like she is only being dragged along the tale.
Furthermore, the story overall is heavily entertaining, and I sincerely believe the author should be in the lookouts in case the annual SPFBO indie fantasy contest is going to be held this year for a 5th time and try to include this novel. I am certain it will have a good chance of at least reaching semifinalist status because it checks a lot of the right boxes for a well-developed world building and enjoyable tale.
Due to the rather slow start, I award the book 4 1/2 stars.
This novella delves into 3 main POV's (with an additional supporting 2 POVs for brief moments) with initially separate stories that converge into the mystery of the same magical artifact on the nicely portrayed cover.
The first POV belongs to a mysterious wanderer who goes by the moniker Shem. A very dangerous demon that infects corpses named Faceless has been hunting him down for several weeks. Shem is a skillful swordsman and fire magician, but so far he has only been able to destroy the temporary vessels without permanently destroying the demon. He is badly wounded and reaching his limit. The temptation to give up and give the demon what it wants seems tempting, but he will not falter. He just hopes to remain alive and ask a mysterious woman from his complicated past for her help.
The second POV focuses on a blind and very wise sage named Tiberius. He is heavily respected among the Sanctum religious sect, and he spends his time researching the oldest and most elusive forms of magic and keeping a close eye on dangerous artifacts that are safely hidden in the city he inhabits. His life turns upside down when he is somewhat coerced by someone important into assisting a lower ranked military officer named Avador and discover if a string of strange deaths of men blessed with imbued soul magic were truly suicides... or something more sinister.
The final POV stars a crippled teenage boy named Caleb who has a permanently damaged left leg and walks with a limp. He works as a rope master at a northern port where he's arguably the best in his profession in the whole area. The man that got him his job named Arn Aln treats him with great respect, but while he enjoys living in this sleepy village with his mother Tamara, a boisterous ship captain named Dev has offered to take him to a city close to where his sister Anya inhabits for his safety. The only condition was that Dev's crew was leaving first thing tomorrow morning, so if he was unable to convince his mother to join him by then, the deal was off. After being punched in the face by a bitter and dangerous middle aged man named Kharl because he tattled his poor rope work to Aln, his life is going to get even stranger from now on...
I think the first thing that struck me really fun about this story was the fact that two POV's have some distinct disability. You live through them as they cope with their weaknesses both physically and emotionally. Tiberius doesn't seem to mind his blindness too much, in part because his reputation allows the government to supply him with escorted carriage rides and braille books and due to the fact he has an insanely acute sense of hearing. Caleb on the other hand, feels frustrated that he is unable to live a fully normal life. He doesn't particularly want adventure, but he is concerned about the risk of invasion from barbarians. Kharl's ruthlessness further tempers his patience.
I like it how this book features several forms of very different magic, where humans have a somewhat good grasp on some forms, and others remain a complete mystery. Shem was forced to perform a ritual blessing long ago and after being branded with soul fire magic, he was capable of surviving the fever that comes along with the process. This sort of sorcery is granted to a lot of people in Vantas if they are physically strong enough and possess sufficient money. Caleb has magic of his own. He has a crude rune tattoo on his leg calf where a type of magic known as melding has allowed him to summon an owl familiar named Azental. She helps him search for poorly made knots on the ships and gives him company. While everyone can see her when she is summoned, Caleb is the only person capable of mentally communicating with her. Melding magic is somewhat common, but religiously shunned in certain parts of the world. Palawan is a female supporting character and she uses a sort of elemental wind magic. The final important supporting character of the story is a mercenary named Tanner who posesses a wolf familiar.
The pacing in the beginning of the book is a bit disjointed, mostly because of the fact that we have 4 POV chapters running concurrently, and you are not sure if the stories will mesh at the end or not. Palawan as the sole female POV in the story is not as well developed as the 3 main characters, so you feel like she is only being dragged along the tale.
Furthermore, the story overall is heavily entertaining, and I sincerely believe the author should be in the lookouts in case the annual SPFBO indie fantasy contest is going to be held this year for a 5th time and try to include this novel. I am certain it will have a good chance of at least reaching semifinalist status because it checks a lot of the right boxes for a well-developed world building and enjoyable tale.
Due to the rather slow start, I award the book 4 1/2 stars.
March 4, 2019
This week I finished reading The First of Shadows by Deck Matthews. There is nothing better than immersing myself into a fictional fantasy to relax before going to bed. I wanted to share my thoughts about this book because it is fantastic and one of the best that I have read in a while.
With a love for reading, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because Matthews brings you into a fantasy world with a new, interesting story line in the world of Varkas. Matthews has a profound way of using his writing to draw the reader into the story and wanting more. His writing is articulate and allows the reader to draw visualizations throughout the story. Throughout the book, I did not find what I like to call “unnecessary filler”. The details continuously led to more elements of the story which kept me engaged and looking forward to the next chapter.
The characters in this story are interesting. Matthews gives you just enough information about each character that is intriguing and pikes your interest. This is the beauty of a good story teller and Matthews was able to accomplish this by teasing the reader with each character. My favorite character is Caleb Rusk who comes from a somewhat sheltered life and, from what I can tell, will be faced with many trials in his future. Or could they be interesting adventures? This is something we will have to wait to see happens in the books which are to follow.
Matthews does briefly explain some of the different magics involved in the story, such as the Flameborns, and I am hoping there will be more information in the following books. Again, he has a way of leaving the reader wanting more and I am excited to see where the story goes. Matthews has shown strong writing skills and charismatic abilities in storytelling. I can see a future for Matthews as an intriguing writer and see him moving into the league of other writers such as Brandon Sanderson and George Martin. I look forward to more captivating stories in the future from Deck Matthews and am now a fan of his writing.
With a love for reading, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because Matthews brings you into a fantasy world with a new, interesting story line in the world of Varkas. Matthews has a profound way of using his writing to draw the reader into the story and wanting more. His writing is articulate and allows the reader to draw visualizations throughout the story. Throughout the book, I did not find what I like to call “unnecessary filler”. The details continuously led to more elements of the story which kept me engaged and looking forward to the next chapter.
The characters in this story are interesting. Matthews gives you just enough information about each character that is intriguing and pikes your interest. This is the beauty of a good story teller and Matthews was able to accomplish this by teasing the reader with each character. My favorite character is Caleb Rusk who comes from a somewhat sheltered life and, from what I can tell, will be faced with many trials in his future. Or could they be interesting adventures? This is something we will have to wait to see happens in the books which are to follow.
Matthews does briefly explain some of the different magics involved in the story, such as the Flameborns, and I am hoping there will be more information in the following books. Again, he has a way of leaving the reader wanting more and I am excited to see where the story goes. Matthews has shown strong writing skills and charismatic abilities in storytelling. I can see a future for Matthews as an intriguing writer and see him moving into the league of other writers such as Brandon Sanderson and George Martin. I look forward to more captivating stories in the future from Deck Matthews and am now a fan of his writing.
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