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Jewels of Illumination #1
Diamond Stained
To escape his dark mistakes...
...Obhin must wield his magical blade again!
Life had gone wrong for Obhin. Once a respected palace guard, now he sells his sword as a bandit. Trapped by his mistakes, he has no hope.
Until one young woman sees more in him.
Avena, passionate and headstrong, has no patience for bullies. Dedicated to healing, she struggles to escape her own bleak past. In Obhin, she sees a chance for them both to escape.
In Kash, a city of poverty and vice, the two must find trust in the other to protect those they care about. Dark sorcerers, underworld crime bosses, and brutal bandits scheme to use and destroy them.
Can they polish clean their stained souls?
You'll be enthralled by this exciting fantasy story because of the flawed characters JMD Reid's created that will keep you reading.
Get it now.
...Obhin must wield his magical blade again!
Life had gone wrong for Obhin. Once a respected palace guard, now he sells his sword as a bandit. Trapped by his mistakes, he has no hope.
Until one young woman sees more in him.
Avena, passionate and headstrong, has no patience for bullies. Dedicated to healing, she struggles to escape her own bleak past. In Obhin, she sees a chance for them both to escape.
In Kash, a city of poverty and vice, the two must find trust in the other to protect those they care about. Dark sorcerers, underworld crime bosses, and brutal bandits scheme to use and destroy them.
Can they polish clean their stained souls?
You'll be enthralled by this exciting fantasy story because of the flawed characters JMD Reid's created that will keep you reading.
Get it now.
- GenresFantasy
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2020
6 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 29, 2020
There is a lot that goes into the making of a good fantasy novel. There is worldbuilding, the dramatic and often impactful nature of the plot, the characters who are affected by this plot, plus so much more. Oftentimes, you see fantasy novels that focus on one thing above others: worldbuilding or characters or plot. Rarely do you see all of these. JMD Reid’s Diamond Stained, the first book in his Secret of the Jewels series, manages to capture all of these elements and blend them together into something that is unique, epic, entertaining, and a pleasure to read.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book starts off small. The main character, Ōbhin, finds himself in a situation he’d rather not be in. He performs his duty—which in the grand scheme of things is a relatively minor thing—and events spiral outwards from there. Things grow organically, one event leading into another which then presents more and eventually, the whole realm (so far) is involved and Ōbhin finds himself at the centre. The way that this plot builds is expertly done, not something you see often when the standard is to throw the characters—and the world—into the midst of a crisis (also a perfectly good way to do a story, just entirely different). I found myself really enjoying the way things grew and watching how the characters pushed the plot along, as opposed to the plot pushing them.
2. Thoughts on the main character
Ōbhin is a great main character to have. He has some of the standard fantasy hero qualities—follows a strict set of principles, dangerous but with a good heart, a tragic back-story—but there is so much more that goes into his character. He is perhaps quieter than most heroes, with more time to think and reflect on his action. His blushing sense of propriety is another thing which helped to flesh him out and make him real. As far as characters go, he is definitely one of the most developed that I’ve seen in a while, which was truly great to read. I will say that his tragic backstory does make him a little less three dimensional and more like a character from a book than a person you would interact with, but as this doesn’t occupy his every thought, it works well.
3. Favourite part
I think I probably enjoyed all the character interactions the most. They helped to move the plot along and made the characters more realistic, which was great to read (especially in a genre where you usually see the dialogue doing one or the other, depending on the focus of the book). Smiles was hugely entertaining, poor man. Fingers, too, but Smiles wins that honour.
4. Critique
The main critique I have for this is to do with Avena, our secondary protagonist and a character as entertaining and interesting as our main protagonist. The section later on in the novel where she reflects on her actions and her emotional well-being feels a little forced. The conclusion that she comes to makes sense, but the way that she thinks about it reads a little too stiffly. However, she is a great character in all other regards, so I would say that this critique is minor.
Overall, Diamond Stained was a truly great book to read. I was drawn through the novel as though I were with the characters. The worldbuilding was expertly done—not too much information, but not too little, either. I could picture things perfectly. The characters were well developed and fun to read. And by the time the plot really hit exploding point, I was so invested in the outcome that I almost freaked out at the end. Therefore, I would say that this book is VERY GOOD.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book starts off small. The main character, Ōbhin, finds himself in a situation he’d rather not be in. He performs his duty—which in the grand scheme of things is a relatively minor thing—and events spiral outwards from there. Things grow organically, one event leading into another which then presents more and eventually, the whole realm (so far) is involved and Ōbhin finds himself at the centre. The way that this plot builds is expertly done, not something you see often when the standard is to throw the characters—and the world—into the midst of a crisis (also a perfectly good way to do a story, just entirely different). I found myself really enjoying the way things grew and watching how the characters pushed the plot along, as opposed to the plot pushing them.
2. Thoughts on the main character
Ōbhin is a great main character to have. He has some of the standard fantasy hero qualities—follows a strict set of principles, dangerous but with a good heart, a tragic back-story—but there is so much more that goes into his character. He is perhaps quieter than most heroes, with more time to think and reflect on his action. His blushing sense of propriety is another thing which helped to flesh him out and make him real. As far as characters go, he is definitely one of the most developed that I’ve seen in a while, which was truly great to read. I will say that his tragic backstory does make him a little less three dimensional and more like a character from a book than a person you would interact with, but as this doesn’t occupy his every thought, it works well.
3. Favourite part
I think I probably enjoyed all the character interactions the most. They helped to move the plot along and made the characters more realistic, which was great to read (especially in a genre where you usually see the dialogue doing one or the other, depending on the focus of the book). Smiles was hugely entertaining, poor man. Fingers, too, but Smiles wins that honour.
4. Critique
The main critique I have for this is to do with Avena, our secondary protagonist and a character as entertaining and interesting as our main protagonist. The section later on in the novel where she reflects on her actions and her emotional well-being feels a little forced. The conclusion that she comes to makes sense, but the way that she thinks about it reads a little too stiffly. However, she is a great character in all other regards, so I would say that this critique is minor.
Overall, Diamond Stained was a truly great book to read. I was drawn through the novel as though I were with the characters. The worldbuilding was expertly done—not too much information, but not too little, either. I could picture things perfectly. The characters were well developed and fun to read. And by the time the plot really hit exploding point, I was so invested in the outcome that I almost freaked out at the end. Therefore, I would say that this book is VERY GOOD.
July 21, 2023
Anyone whoever HASN'T read a JMD REID book is seriously missing out on superb reading material!!!! He blew my mind with the series Shadow of the Dragons, one of the BEST series I've read, and I do read a fair amount.... After reading Jewels of Illumination, I'm once again in awe!!!! His characters are some of the best I've come across, he "humanises" them all, doesn't matter if they're good, bad or plain dumb, they all stand out.
I'm immediately plunged into story, no wetting my feet slowly, to meet Obhin, Ust and his fellow bandits, who set upon Avena and Dualayn, tasked with bringing Avena and her father to their boss, a notorious leader of the Brotherhood, a band of cutthroats and all things shady. To Avena's surprise, Dualayn accepts Grey's offer and is once more his employer. Dualayn will do anything, side with anyone to find the cure for his wife. A very noble cause, but one that eludes him and will go to any lengths to find the perfect healing gem. He's a bit like a bumbling professor, but extremely likeable.I mentioned how wonderfully rounded the characters are, take Avena and Obhin for example, they carry regrets and guilty, yet both are caring and compationate. Ok, it took Obhin a minute...but a tragic propels him out of his slummer of melancholy and he "finds" himself again. Avena, even though it's one of her attackers who is gravely wounded, she puts that aside to try save him. Really beautifully complex characters that fate has thrown together and the attraction is like a srobe light in a night club, twirling around them but not quite landing.
And how sweet are Bran and Smiles and Fingers? Oh, sorry, you can't know until you've read it but let me say they are the most non judgmental characters I've met! That's the thing with any JMD Reid, you get real humourous moments, you get all the complexities that make up mankind, you get an incredibly imaginative magic system, you get unparalleled world building, you get a multifaceted plot and more twists than a corkscrew, keeping you guessing, keeping you on your toes. The author takes one on a journey of self discovery, with tons of pit holes along the way, all the while inserting obstacles in one's path, that prove difficult to evade at times. Oh, not me, I'm just the passenger on this ride, shouting out "watch out" "danger" "oh no". What a whirlwind of a ride! I'm ready to climb on board for the next adventure...
I'm immediately plunged into story, no wetting my feet slowly, to meet Obhin, Ust and his fellow bandits, who set upon Avena and Dualayn, tasked with bringing Avena and her father to their boss, a notorious leader of the Brotherhood, a band of cutthroats and all things shady. To Avena's surprise, Dualayn accepts Grey's offer and is once more his employer. Dualayn will do anything, side with anyone to find the cure for his wife. A very noble cause, but one that eludes him and will go to any lengths to find the perfect healing gem. He's a bit like a bumbling professor, but extremely likeable.I mentioned how wonderfully rounded the characters are, take Avena and Obhin for example, they carry regrets and guilty, yet both are caring and compationate. Ok, it took Obhin a minute...but a tragic propels him out of his slummer of melancholy and he "finds" himself again. Avena, even though it's one of her attackers who is gravely wounded, she puts that aside to try save him. Really beautifully complex characters that fate has thrown together and the attraction is like a srobe light in a night club, twirling around them but not quite landing.
And how sweet are Bran and Smiles and Fingers? Oh, sorry, you can't know until you've read it but let me say they are the most non judgmental characters I've met! That's the thing with any JMD Reid, you get real humourous moments, you get all the complexities that make up mankind, you get an incredibly imaginative magic system, you get unparalleled world building, you get a multifaceted plot and more twists than a corkscrew, keeping you guessing, keeping you on your toes. The author takes one on a journey of self discovery, with tons of pit holes along the way, all the while inserting obstacles in one's path, that prove difficult to evade at times. Oh, not me, I'm just the passenger on this ride, shouting out "watch out" "danger" "oh no". What a whirlwind of a ride! I'm ready to climb on board for the next adventure...
July 2, 2020
I'm really conflicted writing this review. I know that sounds a really terrible way to start out a review but it's the best way I can state how I feel towards this book.
I really enjoyed the start of the book. The characters were engaging, they had spark, spunk, hilarity, the story seemed to be going somewhere, I thought we had a band of brothers going on an adventure through the wildlands and then.... We didn't. Oh, the characters were still really great. The imagery was magnificent, I loved the authors prose and writing style. It flows so well and makes a beautiful story. The characters stayed hilarious all the way through and it made me really feel like I was with a bunch of soldier buddies defending the world. The fight scenes were fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat. The cast of characters are so well put together that you live and breathe and die with them. Even those you learn to hate. It's light but it's dark. It's snarky and goofy but it's serious. It's so much fun to read!
The problem I came to with this book wasn't that it slogged on and on and on and took me forever to read (I'm just a slow reader, ok? Haha). It's that somewhere in the middle I set the book down for the night and I said, "Where is this story going? What are these characters doing and why are they doing what they're doing?" As I continued on and finished, I figured out that maybe the author just set the entire first book up as a precursor for greater things in the follow ups to book 1. And if they did, that's great because I do plan to continue reading these further. As I said at the start, I love the characters. I love everything about this book except it's purpose. I think I personally, couldn't find the characters' purpose, but that's ok.
At the end of the day, the pros outweigh the cons of continuing the journey with Obhin, Avena, Smiles, and the gang. I want to find out more. I want to read more. I want more purpose going forward though and I really hope I get that.
3.5* is my final rating. I really wish I could half star a review because this does deserve the .5* just not the full * to a 4 for me.
I really enjoyed the start of the book. The characters were engaging, they had spark, spunk, hilarity, the story seemed to be going somewhere, I thought we had a band of brothers going on an adventure through the wildlands and then.... We didn't. Oh, the characters were still really great. The imagery was magnificent, I loved the authors prose and writing style. It flows so well and makes a beautiful story. The characters stayed hilarious all the way through and it made me really feel like I was with a bunch of soldier buddies defending the world. The fight scenes were fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat. The cast of characters are so well put together that you live and breathe and die with them. Even those you learn to hate. It's light but it's dark. It's snarky and goofy but it's serious. It's so much fun to read!
The problem I came to with this book wasn't that it slogged on and on and on and took me forever to read (I'm just a slow reader, ok? Haha). It's that somewhere in the middle I set the book down for the night and I said, "Where is this story going? What are these characters doing and why are they doing what they're doing?" As I continued on and finished, I figured out that maybe the author just set the entire first book up as a precursor for greater things in the follow ups to book 1. And if they did, that's great because I do plan to continue reading these further. As I said at the start, I love the characters. I love everything about this book except it's purpose. I think I personally, couldn't find the characters' purpose, but that's ok.
At the end of the day, the pros outweigh the cons of continuing the journey with Obhin, Avena, Smiles, and the gang. I want to find out more. I want to read more. I want more purpose going forward though and I really hope I get that.
3.5* is my final rating. I really wish I could half star a review because this does deserve the .5* just not the full * to a 4 for me.
June 6, 2020
I can’t put words to how much I loved this book! It will suck you in and won’t let you go! The world building is fascinating and the characters have such depth. So long story short, if you like epic fantasy you will LOVE Diamond Stained! But keep reading my review for some of my favourite things about it.
I love how gems are used in the story. They can be cut and bound in wire to create jewelchines - devices that can be used for various purposes. For example a topaz can be made into a healing jewelchine, and a diamond jewelchine can create light. It’s an absolute fascinating magic system, although the characters don’t believe that jewels are magic. I can’t wait to learn more about how jewels work in the next books!
I also really liked the characters. Obhin and Avena are complex and real, each with their own struggles, but when their souls are polished I’m sure they will shine! There are some truly evil villains, and a couple characters that I’m not sure if they will be good or evil yet.
The story itself is thrilling, with plenty of action but also lots of mystery that will keep you guessing! I really liked that this book didn’t end on a blatant cliffhanger. There’s a satisfying ending, but also lots of intrigue that makes me want to read the next book right now!
So in conclusion, you should read Diamond Stained right now! It’s amazing and you won’t be disappointed!
I love how gems are used in the story. They can be cut and bound in wire to create jewelchines - devices that can be used for various purposes. For example a topaz can be made into a healing jewelchine, and a diamond jewelchine can create light. It’s an absolute fascinating magic system, although the characters don’t believe that jewels are magic. I can’t wait to learn more about how jewels work in the next books!
I also really liked the characters. Obhin and Avena are complex and real, each with their own struggles, but when their souls are polished I’m sure they will shine! There are some truly evil villains, and a couple characters that I’m not sure if they will be good or evil yet.
The story itself is thrilling, with plenty of action but also lots of mystery that will keep you guessing! I really liked that this book didn’t end on a blatant cliffhanger. There’s a satisfying ending, but also lots of intrigue that makes me want to read the next book right now!
So in conclusion, you should read Diamond Stained right now! It’s amazing and you won’t be disappointed!
August 7, 2021
This book follows the exploits of Obhin and Avena from when they first meet. The author has done a masterful job of weaving in their back stories with their present, helping us to understand why they feel and act the way they do. Obhin used to be a palace guard in a far-off country until he betrayed his vows and killed his prince over love of a woman who went on to betray him. Avena assists a surgeon who she calls Father, but he is not her father. When we meet Obhin, he is part of a group of bandits. When he meets Avena, he begins to wake up from the uncaring stupor he has been living. The bandit chief assigns him to guard the surgeon and his household, and Obhin takes that assignment seriously. He and Avena begin their relationship not trusting each other, but she ends up asking him to teach her to fight so she can do something to protect herself instead of standing around helpless when attacked. The magic and the climax are shocking. If this is your genre, you will love it.
April 2, 2021
Summary: Some interesting characters, a slightly weird premise (I'm not sure it works) a plot that is a bit hay wire, but overall I quite enjoyed this book and book 2 here I come
Plotline: A bit all over the place, the basics seem well thought out but the delivery is a bit bizarre.
Premise: Is it since or magic, much more to find out
Writing: Simmple, interesting charcters
Ending: Dramatic
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: A bit all over the place, the basics seem well thought out but the delivery is a bit bizarre.
Premise: Is it since or magic, much more to find out
Writing: Simmple, interesting charcters
Ending: Dramatic
Pace: Never a dull moment!
May 12, 2020
First let me state that this is fantasy at its best. With interesting characters and spectacular writing, this book had me hooked from the very start and held my interest all the way to the end. For these reasons I’ll continue to read other books by this writer.
April 28, 2020
A fast-paced and exciting fantasy read!
October 4, 2022
The world-building is STELLAR, the character development is PRIME, and in spite of the intense imagery and the visceral violence, I enjoyed it for the IMPACTFUL prose! Well done!
April 11, 2021
I’ve read some of JMD Reid’s work before and was excited to see he had a new fantasy series out. Diamond Stained is the first in his five-part series Secret of the Jewels.
Obhin is a disgraced warrior, Avena a compassionate healer with her own dark past. They’re thrown together when a band of thugs are after the Recorder, a discovery made by Avena and her teacher, Dualayn, in the ruins of a lost, underground city. Obhin is running from his past guilt, but can he forgive himself and accept that he’s deserving of love? Can Avena help her city and protect her and Dualayn’s work? Can they both forgive themselves and move on from their mistakes?
As with his The Storm Below books, JMD shows his fantastic world-building in a land with magical swords, Colours that represent religious virtues, and jewels that are used for technology. The Assassin’s Remorse was the first ever book of his that I read and it’s set in the same world.
I love the jewels and their functions, which range from producing water to producing heat or light to healing. The story is action-packed and flows well, and the city of Kash has dangers and adventure in every corner and alleyway. There are powerful beings, a corrupted church, and heart-stopping action in every chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series, and you will, too!
Five stars for Diamond Stained!
Obhin is a disgraced warrior, Avena a compassionate healer with her own dark past. They’re thrown together when a band of thugs are after the Recorder, a discovery made by Avena and her teacher, Dualayn, in the ruins of a lost, underground city. Obhin is running from his past guilt, but can he forgive himself and accept that he’s deserving of love? Can Avena help her city and protect her and Dualayn’s work? Can they both forgive themselves and move on from their mistakes?
As with his The Storm Below books, JMD shows his fantastic world-building in a land with magical swords, Colours that represent religious virtues, and jewels that are used for technology. The Assassin’s Remorse was the first ever book of his that I read and it’s set in the same world.
I love the jewels and their functions, which range from producing water to producing heat or light to healing. The story is action-packed and flows well, and the city of Kash has dangers and adventure in every corner and alleyway. There are powerful beings, a corrupted church, and heart-stopping action in every chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series, and you will, too!
Five stars for Diamond Stained!
October 14, 2020
I loved it, devoured almost in one breath.. excellent writing, it involves and transports you through the story.. it was a fantastic journey, you could imagine, almost touching everything
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews