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A Tale of Stars and Shadow #2
A Prince of Song and Shade
The darker the night…
Emboldened by the effect Talyn Dynan had on the humans of Mithranar, the Shadowhawk is working harder than ever to make a difference for those struggling to survive on the streets of Dock City. But when violence spreads to the citadel in a horrific murder, he finds himself torn between protecting the humans and keeping his identity secret from the increasingly determined prince of night and his Falcon hunters.
Meanwhile, Talyn has returned home to the Twin Thrones ready to begin rebuilding her life. Yet there are more secrets shrouding the Dumnorix family’s past than she realised, and when the Callanan ask her to undertake a highly dangerous mission, Talyn is faced with a difficult choice—between duty to her family and country and trusting the shadowy criminal she met in Mithranar.
And after their failed assassination attempt on Prince Cuinn, Vengeance are far from done. Their reach is deeper than either Talyn or the Shadowhawk could ever have imagined, and now they’ve got a new target in their sights…
Buy A Prince of Song and Shade and dive back into the adventure today!
Emboldened by the effect Talyn Dynan had on the humans of Mithranar, the Shadowhawk is working harder than ever to make a difference for those struggling to survive on the streets of Dock City. But when violence spreads to the citadel in a horrific murder, he finds himself torn between protecting the humans and keeping his identity secret from the increasingly determined prince of night and his Falcon hunters.
Meanwhile, Talyn has returned home to the Twin Thrones ready to begin rebuilding her life. Yet there are more secrets shrouding the Dumnorix family’s past than she realised, and when the Callanan ask her to undertake a highly dangerous mission, Talyn is faced with a difficult choice—between duty to her family and country and trusting the shadowy criminal she met in Mithranar.
And after their failed assassination attempt on Prince Cuinn, Vengeance are far from done. Their reach is deeper than either Talyn or the Shadowhawk could ever have imagined, and now they’ve got a new target in their sights…
Buy A Prince of Song and Shade and dive back into the adventure today!
536 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2021
234 people are currently reading
929 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
October 29, 2024
☆4.23☆
Genre: Fantasy
✅️ Different World
✅️ Worldbuilding
✅️ Different Species: Humans, Winged race
✅️ Magical system
✅️ Main Characters : Royalty
✅️ FMC is a badass warrior
✅️ Political Intrigue
✅️ Secrets revealed
✅️ Assasination attempts
Trigger Warning: There is a fighting, blood and severe injuries. There is also a trip to a Kingdom that still takes human slaves.
REVIEW
Better and better.
This book dives deeper into the politics and operations of the three/four kingdoms—loyalties come into question, just as a hint of looming war is dropped. The best part of this worldbuilding is that the author has left judgement about the kingdoms to the readers, while still pointing out the flaws in each and every kingdom—no matter how 'just' or 'degraded'.
Talyn is still a strong female character who thrives in danger. She has a great head on her shoulder, and a loyal heart to boost. Prince Cuinn/Shadowhawk (I already guessed that one in the very beginning) remains a vulnerable man who is scared of his brother (and has good reason for it) but his courage and honor demands him to do more. I shall call him strong too because he possesses an inner light that burns bright and true.
I have a feeling, together, these two will become formidable.
The wolves are an absolute delight. They add much to the substance of these books. All Talons are loyal to their Captain Talyn and will lay down their lives for her. They are slowly becoming loyal to Prince Cuinn too and by the end, become his shield.
The plot of this book is well thought-out. But it is a bit stretched over too. There are scenes that could be cut off to make it concise but still as effective as it is now. However, since there isn't too much of this stretching, A Prince of Song and Shade is still a very enjoyable read.
P.S. there is yet no romantic tryst between Prince Cuinn and Talyn. But we are warming up to it. Spoiler: there will be no cheating involved.
They’d come for him. His Wolves had come.
Genre: Fantasy
✅️ Different World
✅️ Worldbuilding
✅️ Different Species: Humans, Winged race
✅️ Magical system
✅️ Main Characters : Royalty
✅️ FMC is a badass warrior
✅️ Political Intrigue
✅️ Secrets revealed
✅️ Assasination attempts
Trigger Warning: There is a fighting, blood and severe injuries. There is also a trip to a Kingdom that still takes human slaves.
REVIEW
Better and better.
This book dives deeper into the politics and operations of the three/four kingdoms—loyalties come into question, just as a hint of looming war is dropped. The best part of this worldbuilding is that the author has left judgement about the kingdoms to the readers, while still pointing out the flaws in each and every kingdom—no matter how 'just' or 'degraded'.
Talyn is still a strong female character who thrives in danger. She has a great head on her shoulder, and a loyal heart to boost. Prince Cuinn/Shadowhawk (I already guessed that one in the very beginning) remains a vulnerable man who is scared of his brother (and has good reason for it) but his courage and honor demands him to do more. I shall call him strong too because he possesses an inner light that burns bright and true.
I have a feeling, together, these two will become formidable.
The wolves are an absolute delight. They add much to the substance of these books. All Talons are loyal to their Captain Talyn and will lay down their lives for her. They are slowly becoming loyal to Prince Cuinn too and by the end, become his shield.
The plot of this book is well thought-out. But it is a bit stretched over too. There are scenes that could be cut off to make it concise but still as effective as it is now. However, since there isn't too much of this stretching, A Prince of Song and Shade is still a very enjoyable read.
P.S. there is yet no romantic tryst between Prince Cuinn and Talyn. But we are warming up to it. Spoiler: there will be no cheating involved.
January 21, 2023
I’m obsessed with this book and those characters
Re re - read 20/01/23
Re-read 15/11/21
First 26/05/21
Re re - read 20/01/23
Re-read 15/11/21
First 26/05/21
February 7, 2020
4.5/5
I enjoyed A Tale of Stars and Shadow so much that I had to read the sequel immediately after finishing it. Sequels are tricky, but rest assured - Cassidy proves she’s a skilled storyteller with a knack for characterization. The story, the plot, and the world develop significantly but, ultimately, it’s a character-driven story. And I do care about those characters.
After leaving Mithranar, Talyn tries to rebuild her life in Twin Thrones, but she can’t forget about her Wing. When she receives an offer to return to Mithranar and investigate Shadowhawk, she agrees. Only, after the events of A Tale of Stars and Shadows, she’s no longer sure whose side is she on. Shadowhawk is a criminal and yet all he does he does for the unprivileged inhabitants of the Dock City.
To make matters worse (and more interesting to readers) Vengeance wreaks havoc in Mithranar and its area. Their failed assassination attempt on Prince Cuinn changed nothing. It only made them more dangerous. I loved new reveals, and I appreciate the intricate plotting that connects a lot of arcs.
It’s good to see Talyn acknowledging her trauma and speaking about it. Unfortunately, she spends way too much time speaking about it with every Wing member. Sure, it develops their bonding, but this part of the book felt slow and meandering. It’s probably the only issue worth mentioning. Other than that the sequel gives readers more of the things they loved (otherwise, they probably wouldn’t reach for it.) - great team dynamics, engrossing mystery, complicated politics, and conflict between the stratified society. Cassidy brings her world to life. It’s not pretty or fair. In fact, it can be brutal, and it’s even more evident in this installment.
What else? Cuinn gets a pet. A sweet tawncat named Jasper. A sweet creature, and a very compelling, if slightly feral, character. I’m sure readers will want more Jasper in the future installments. I certainly do.
There's much more here but you definitely should discover it on your own and not from the review.
The prose reads as it came from an old pro – balanced between plot progression, action, camaraderie and the pressure to save the day and solve the mystery.
While the story relies on traditions of fantasy and its common tropes Cassidy tells it with a unique and compelling voice.
I enjoyed A Tale of Stars and Shadow so much that I had to read the sequel immediately after finishing it. Sequels are tricky, but rest assured - Cassidy proves she’s a skilled storyteller with a knack for characterization. The story, the plot, and the world develop significantly but, ultimately, it’s a character-driven story. And I do care about those characters.
After leaving Mithranar, Talyn tries to rebuild her life in Twin Thrones, but she can’t forget about her Wing. When she receives an offer to return to Mithranar and investigate Shadowhawk, she agrees. Only, after the events of A Tale of Stars and Shadows, she’s no longer sure whose side is she on. Shadowhawk is a criminal and yet all he does he does for the unprivileged inhabitants of the Dock City.
To make matters worse (and more interesting to readers) Vengeance wreaks havoc in Mithranar and its area. Their failed assassination attempt on Prince Cuinn changed nothing. It only made them more dangerous. I loved new reveals, and I appreciate the intricate plotting that connects a lot of arcs.
It’s good to see Talyn acknowledging her trauma and speaking about it. Unfortunately, she spends way too much time speaking about it with every Wing member. Sure, it develops their bonding, but this part of the book felt slow and meandering. It’s probably the only issue worth mentioning. Other than that the sequel gives readers more of the things they loved (otherwise, they probably wouldn’t reach for it.) - great team dynamics, engrossing mystery, complicated politics, and conflict between the stratified society. Cassidy brings her world to life. It’s not pretty or fair. In fact, it can be brutal, and it’s even more evident in this installment.
What else? Cuinn gets a pet. A sweet tawncat named Jasper. A sweet creature, and a very compelling, if slightly feral, character. I’m sure readers will want more Jasper in the future installments. I certainly do.
There's much more here but you definitely should discover it on your own and not from the review.
The prose reads as it came from an old pro – balanced between plot progression, action, camaraderie and the pressure to save the day and solve the mystery.
While the story relies on traditions of fantasy and its common tropes Cassidy tells it with a unique and compelling voice.
May 25, 2021
4.5 Stars
This series just keeps getting better and better. So much intrigue and politics mixed with magic but no romance...yet.
I love Talyn and Cuinn, hoping these two grow closer! And I'm really hoping that Talyn makes a major decision if she finds out where her bloodline originates from on her father's side. So much more to find out!
This series just keeps getting better and better. So much intrigue and politics mixed with magic but no romance...yet.
I love Talyn and Cuinn, hoping these two grow closer! And I'm really hoping that Talyn makes a major decision if she finds out where her bloodline originates from on her father's side. So much more to find out!
December 2, 2024
4.5/5.0
A surprisingly great story from a new author to me. The plot continues from book one but holds its own intrigue and challenges. It is very well written, is cohesive and holds a multitude of layers that can be explored. There are surprising twists, yet the overall mystery continues through multiple books. Each ends with new revelations, giving the reader a great push to continue without resorting to the dread cliffhanger. Bravo, Ms. Cassidy! I’m hooked!!
A surprisingly great story from a new author to me. The plot continues from book one but holds its own intrigue and challenges. It is very well written, is cohesive and holds a multitude of layers that can be explored. There are surprising twists, yet the overall mystery continues through multiple books. Each ends with new revelations, giving the reader a great push to continue without resorting to the dread cliffhanger. Bravo, Ms. Cassidy! I’m hooked!!
January 22, 2020
**4.5 stars**
My god, I finally finished this book (totally not the book's fault) and let me say that the story is really starting to amp up now.
Now before I get into it, let me just say:
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
My god, I finally finished this book (totally not the book's fault) and let me say that the story is really starting to amp up now.
Now before I get into it, let me just say:
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
November 5, 2019
The plot thinkens... in a wonderful sequel to A Tale of Stars and Shadow we see Talyn and her beloved wolves drawn deeper than ever into the treacherous social and political landcape of Mithranar. Secrets and lies, manipulation and deception; who can be trusted, and how can they know? Even the mysterious Shadowhawk seems unable to successfully navigate the dangerous underworld of Dock City. This novel expands upon the world beautifully, navigating the different countries and cultures with ease, and hinting at possibilities and consequences bigger than our protagonists could ever imagine. In addition, the growth and development of key characters shines through, particularly in regards to their relationships with eachother and in the challenges faced by those new to both camaraderie and leadership. I'm loving the mystery and thrill of the series, as well as the dynamic and intriguing characters. I cant wait to see what happens next!
April 22, 2025
There's a lot I like about this book, but there are a handful of things that keep it from crossing that line into a 5 star read.
Firstly, I'm just not sure that I like Cuinn. I don't hate him, and I respect the complicated position he's in, but ... I don't know that I have ever read about a weaker, more whiny MMC. I mean, the self-doubt and emo narrative when you're in his chapters is, quite frankly, exhausting. And irritating, because he has so many more options than all the humans that are constantly shit on in his kingdom. I'm going to be extra frank on this point: I don't understand why he hasn't killed Mithanis. He is suffocating in terror over his brother coming after him. But yo. You have the ability to wrap yourself in shadows - others with that ability are called SHADOW ASSASSINS - and glamour your appearance ... both magics something he's kept secret, so his family has no idea. And you have much stronger empathy magic than anyone realizes. It would be so easy for you to assassinate him that it's laughable. So to have chapter after chapter of him whining and scared is just too much.
My other sticking point is that I feel like some things are super SUPER obvious, and our awesome crew of characters (and I really do love Talyn and the Wolves) just utterly fail to see it. And all of them make stupid choices ... either because of that blindness or because of Cuinn's bullshit fatalism (I'm sorry, but that trap at the warehouse that nearly got him ... if that's the extent of his strategic ability, then it's a wonder he's alive. OF FUCKING COURSE they're leaving food shipments in a dark warehouse as bait, you jackass!).
I'm just going to run down some of the most stupidly obvious things that they've failed to put together:
- Talyn's father having something to do with the Shadowhawk
- Firthland's involvement with Vengeance
This one is really stupid, and it kills me. Both of the big moves made by Vengeance had Firthlander special forces involved - the niever-fliers in the assassination attempt, and the shadow assassin at the councilman killing. The word they get back is that oh, these must be rogue people. But come fucking on. Rogue people in BOTH your special forces? When Tarcos has said that there's lots of rumbling in Firthland about them being a vassal state of the Twin Thrones? No. They're moving to take power, morons. And I don't trust Tarcos at fucking all. That Vengeance interrogation, when he said that they were told to leave Talyn alone... that's CLEARLY Tarcos. He does care about Talyn, on some level, and probably more importantly, he's imagining marrying a Dumnorix princess to consolidate power. So he told Vengeance not to touch her. And it is goddamn obvious. Someone is supplying Vengeance, including not just money, strategy, gear, but also supplying them with fucking Firthland special forces. Let's connect the fucking dots here, please.
Other bits of speculation I have ... I think Mithanis - though he's a right piece of shit - is actually being used as a stalking horse. I don't believe he's behind Vengeance, as the guy said in the interrogation. He has no reason to create unrest, he's the next king, and there's no question of it. Personally, my money is on the nobody brother, Az (such a nobody that I can't remember his full name). Az would have to do something drastic to get power instead of Mithanis. And Az was off meeting with his Montagni family privately for two weeks, probably continuing to plan this takeover. I'm not even sure I believe that Mithanis killed Raya ... though Mithanis is the obvious one to blame. Az would have wanted to stomp down his little brother so he didn't have to compete with both brothers to be king. Even his title - prince of games - feels like a nod to him being the guy behind the scenes.
Anyway, I'm enjoying it, but I hope that they stop being so blind to the obvious going forward.
Firstly, I'm just not sure that I like Cuinn. I don't hate him, and I respect the complicated position he's in, but ... I don't know that I have ever read about a weaker, more whiny MMC. I mean, the self-doubt and emo narrative when you're in his chapters is, quite frankly, exhausting. And irritating, because he has so many more options than all the humans that are constantly shit on in his kingdom. I'm going to be extra frank on this point: I don't understand why he hasn't killed Mithanis. He is suffocating in terror over his brother coming after him. But yo. You have the ability to wrap yourself in shadows - others with that ability are called SHADOW ASSASSINS - and glamour your appearance ... both magics something he's kept secret, so his family has no idea. And you have much stronger empathy magic than anyone realizes. It would be so easy for you to assassinate him that it's laughable. So to have chapter after chapter of him whining and scared is just too much.
My other sticking point is that I feel like some things are super SUPER obvious, and our awesome crew of characters (and I really do love Talyn and the Wolves) just utterly fail to see it. And all of them make stupid choices ... either because of that blindness or because of Cuinn's bullshit fatalism (I'm sorry, but that trap at the warehouse that nearly got him ... if that's the extent of his strategic ability, then it's a wonder he's alive. OF FUCKING COURSE they're leaving food shipments in a dark warehouse as bait, you jackass!).
I'm just going to run down some of the most stupidly obvious things that they've failed to put together:
- Talyn's father having something to do with the Shadowhawk
- Firthland's involvement with Vengeance
This one is really stupid, and it kills me. Both of the big moves made by Vengeance had Firthlander special forces involved - the niever-fliers in the assassination attempt, and the shadow assassin at the councilman killing. The word they get back is that oh, these must be rogue people. But come fucking on. Rogue people in BOTH your special forces? When Tarcos has said that there's lots of rumbling in Firthland about them being a vassal state of the Twin Thrones? No. They're moving to take power, morons. And I don't trust Tarcos at fucking all. That Vengeance interrogation, when he said that they were told to leave Talyn alone... that's CLEARLY Tarcos. He does care about Talyn, on some level, and probably more importantly, he's imagining marrying a Dumnorix princess to consolidate power. So he told Vengeance not to touch her. And it is goddamn obvious. Someone is supplying Vengeance, including not just money, strategy, gear, but also supplying them with fucking Firthland special forces. Let's connect the fucking dots here, please.
Other bits of speculation I have ... I think Mithanis - though he's a right piece of shit - is actually being used as a stalking horse. I don't believe he's behind Vengeance, as the guy said in the interrogation. He has no reason to create unrest, he's the next king, and there's no question of it. Personally, my money is on the nobody brother, Az (such a nobody that I can't remember his full name). Az would have to do something drastic to get power instead of Mithanis. And Az was off meeting with his Montagni family privately for two weeks, probably continuing to plan this takeover. I'm not even sure I believe that Mithanis killed Raya ... though Mithanis is the obvious one to blame. Az would have wanted to stomp down his little brother so he didn't have to compete with both brothers to be king. Even his title - prince of games - feels like a nod to him being the guy behind the scenes.
Anyway, I'm enjoying it, but I hope that they stop being so blind to the obvious going forward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2022
4 Stars ✨
And the plot thickens!! This one was indeed even better than the first one. Full of mystery, political intrigue and a side of magic. No romance but - I can feel it , this is definitely gonna be a slow burn…. But in the best possible way. I love the wolves and their loyalty to Tayln. So much character growth- really enjoying this series so far.
And the plot thickens!! This one was indeed even better than the first one. Full of mystery, political intrigue and a side of magic. No romance but - I can feel it , this is definitely gonna be a slow burn…. But in the best possible way. I love the wolves and their loyalty to Tayln. So much character growth- really enjoying this series so far.
December 16, 2024
2nd reread december 16th 2024
i couldn’t remember shit and was very confused by this review but alas, it does still hold up
——————
1st reread january 26th:
This review still stands, goodbye
—————————
Here, have a review of me screaming into the abyss while I fall off my bed in attempt to grab the 3rd book:
AHHHHH NOOOO WHAHAHDAHSHSHCJDJDJEDJDICK WHATS HAPPENING OH GOD THOSE PLOTTWISTS GODDAMMIT CUINN WHAT YA DOIN ZAMARIL ARGHHHHH THEAC EJDKEJDJS NOOOO CORRIN MY SWEET BOY AND RFJEJFJDJ JESPER WAS A GOOD BOI
found it! thanks! brb with a review on the third book :)
i couldn’t remember shit and was very confused by this review but alas, it does still hold up
——————
1st reread january 26th:
This review still stands, goodbye
—————————
Here, have a review of me screaming into the abyss while I fall off my bed in attempt to grab the 3rd book:
AHHHHH NOOOO WHAHAHDAHSHSHCJDJDJEDJDICK WHATS HAPPENING OH GOD THOSE PLOTTWISTS GODDAMMIT CUINN WHAT YA DOIN ZAMARIL ARGHHHHH THEAC EJDKEJDJS NOOOO CORRIN MY SWEET BOY AND RFJEJFJDJ JESPER WAS A GOOD BOI
found it! thanks! brb with a review on the third book :)
January 5, 2024
okay, i get it. the wolves came together and it warms talyn's heart. u don't have to mention it fifty thousand times.
April 29, 2022
Possible Triggers:
Death | Gore | Rape
Summary:
This is the second book in the ‘A Tales of Stars and Shadow’ series. The events of this book take place starting a month or so after the events of book 1.
Characters:
This follows the same two Pov’s as the first book.
I still absolutely adore the core original team of the Wolves. I like that she plays to their strengths even though those aren't traditional strengths to play off of for a military career.
Positives:
+ Please may I have Jasper as a pet. Actually, I already have a feral little monster. Now I want to rename him Jasper. Though I certainly don't have a bond with him where he will do a third of the things Jasper did in the book. A++ for so many lovely bonds with animals in this series.
+ Oh man, getting to see some of the other locations that the … get to live in. Such amazing scenery
+ A++ Team Wolves! Not only did they do awesome stuff in book one, but they only exceeded themselves in book 2. Yay for the spreading of compassion throughout their ranks. Can’t wait to see how they grow and improve throughout the rest of the series.
+ Can I take a tiny bit of vengeful delight in an awful character in book 1 getting their comeuppance? Cause I am.
Negatives:
- This is a small thing that annoyed me on a base level just because I come from a military household. In cases of a family emergency, you have to go through the chain of command in order to leave your posting. Talyns’ ability to leave the citadel, with no word to anyone, just rushing off, in the middle of not only her commitment to one job but as a soldier being enlisted, stretched the SOMETHING of belief too much. She was also gone…. (let me math, 4 days to get to her homeland, another 4 to fly across it, let's say it takes just as long to return) over 2 weeks - 2 weeks with no notice? While I completely and 100% agree on an emotional level of family > job, the jobs she does… aren’t exactly that kinda deal - as well as the whole situation of the conflict of the story, where the place shes at and being what she is, it's not exactly a “well its you so its ok”. This doesn't even bring up the whole.. Really timing? She's under suspect, by let's say people that have a lot of pull, and she just pops off to another country. I very much think that in the situation she found herself in, most of her superiors wouldn’t give a fig about her family emergency or bereavement and would probably even thwart her efforts to go through proper channels just because they can. That all being said, I do understand that this is a fantasy book and the rules of that world do not necessarily reflect our own. It just felt discordant with what we had seen so far.
Final Thoughts:
This book was a fantastic build off the first. I loved the reveal at the end and how it was dealt with by all parties involved. I loved the increase in background information regarding all the countries involved. I really enjoyed the bridge in differences in culture within the main country the story was told in. The characters were lovely to get to know better, and many of them had interesting dips into their pasts and how it relates to their current selves. Yay for character growth! HOLY CRAP all the reveals though… Remember when I said book one was kinda a political fantasy… yeah, I mis-spoke, it is ABSOLUTELY a political fantasy. Weaving all those countries and families and SECRETS all together in an ever twisty tangle of awesomeness that you get solved 1 strand at a time. I had already ordered the next book before I was halfway through with this one. *Shakes fist* Curse you awesome series, completely destroying my planned TBR for the month. READ THIS SERIES PLEASE~!
Death | Gore | Rape
Summary:
This is the second book in the ‘A Tales of Stars and Shadow’ series. The events of this book take place starting a month or so after the events of book 1.
Characters:
This follows the same two Pov’s as the first book.
I still absolutely adore the core original team of the Wolves. I like that she plays to their strengths even though those aren't traditional strengths to play off of for a military career.
Positives:
+ Please may I have Jasper as a pet. Actually, I already have a feral little monster. Now I want to rename him Jasper. Though I certainly don't have a bond with him where he will do a third of the things Jasper did in the book. A++ for so many lovely bonds with animals in this series.
+ Oh man, getting to see some of the other locations that the … get to live in. Such amazing scenery
+ A++ Team Wolves! Not only did they do awesome stuff in book one, but they only exceeded themselves in book 2. Yay for the spreading of compassion throughout their ranks. Can’t wait to see how they grow and improve throughout the rest of the series.
+ Can I take a tiny bit of vengeful delight in an awful character in book 1 getting their comeuppance? Cause I am.
Negatives:
- This is a small thing that annoyed me on a base level just because I come from a military household. In cases of a family emergency, you have to go through the chain of command in order to leave your posting. Talyns’ ability to leave the citadel, with no word to anyone, just rushing off, in the middle of not only her commitment to one job but as a soldier being enlisted, stretched the SOMETHING of belief too much. She was also gone…. (let me math, 4 days to get to her homeland, another 4 to fly across it, let's say it takes just as long to return) over 2 weeks - 2 weeks with no notice? While I completely and 100% agree on an emotional level of family > job, the jobs she does… aren’t exactly that kinda deal - as well as the whole situation of the conflict of the story, where the place shes at and being what she is, it's not exactly a “well its you so its ok”. This doesn't even bring up the whole.. Really timing? She's under suspect, by let's say people that have a lot of pull, and she just pops off to another country. I very much think that in the situation she found herself in, most of her superiors wouldn’t give a fig about her family emergency or bereavement and would probably even thwart her efforts to go through proper channels just because they can. That all being said, I do understand that this is a fantasy book and the rules of that world do not necessarily reflect our own. It just felt discordant with what we had seen so far.
Final Thoughts:
This book was a fantastic build off the first. I loved the reveal at the end and how it was dealt with by all parties involved. I loved the increase in background information regarding all the countries involved. I really enjoyed the bridge in differences in culture within the main country the story was told in. The characters were lovely to get to know better, and many of them had interesting dips into their pasts and how it relates to their current selves. Yay for character growth! HOLY CRAP all the reveals though… Remember when I said book one was kinda a political fantasy… yeah, I mis-spoke, it is ABSOLUTELY a political fantasy. Weaving all those countries and families and SECRETS all together in an ever twisty tangle of awesomeness that you get solved 1 strand at a time. I had already ordered the next book before I was halfway through with this one. *Shakes fist* Curse you awesome series, completely destroying my planned TBR for the month. READ THIS SERIES PLEASE~!
October 17, 2020
The second book in the series Tale of Stars and Shadow, which was the name of the first book and part of SPFBO 5. I really liked the first book as its main plot was lifted from 1903 play. I will not name the play as it will give away too much . In the second book we continue with the two POV character which I found very entertaining in the first book and the two POVs continue in this installment. Lots of twists and turns, and a plot that moves in a break neck pace. Lisa Cassidy knows how to build up suspense. I was surprised by how good the first book is, and thrilled that the second book, in what is planned as a 4 book series, was even better. Plus there is a kitten. A large kitten which plays a nice role in the book. On to Book 3 A King of Masks and Magic. The series is also part of Kindle Unlimited so if you have that service jump on this series.
February 25, 2021
Cassidy continues the Tale of Stars and Shadow series in this sophomore installment and nails it. Book 1 was a solid 4 star for me, but this book was even better - 5 ecstatic stars (more if I could)!
I love how the depth of the characters is explored; their inner conflicts/dilemmas and relationships with each other. She develops them in a way that you become more and more invested in their stories.
The thickening plot had me eagerly turning pages. It is another long book but never once was I distracted and bored. I just constantly had to know what was going to happen next, and none of the twists and turns were expected, yet well foreshadowed.
I feel like Cassidy does a great (and much needed) job of tackling social/political issues like slavery/oppression without cramming her ideas down your throat too, along with including a little feminist theme, which I feel the adult fantasy genera is in desperate need of.
I'm so glad she wrote this and as a writer I'm a little jealous. Can't wait to see what happens in the next installment!
I love how the depth of the characters is explored; their inner conflicts/dilemmas and relationships with each other. She develops them in a way that you become more and more invested in their stories.
The thickening plot had me eagerly turning pages. It is another long book but never once was I distracted and bored. I just constantly had to know what was going to happen next, and none of the twists and turns were expected, yet well foreshadowed.
I feel like Cassidy does a great (and much needed) job of tackling social/political issues like slavery/oppression without cramming her ideas down your throat too, along with including a little feminist theme, which I feel the adult fantasy genera is in desperate need of.
I'm so glad she wrote this and as a writer I'm a little jealous. Can't wait to see what happens in the next installment!
January 20, 2021
It was great to see that this book avoided a classic failure of sequels that unfortunately affected many great series that I read before. "A Prince of Song and Shade" is a story with a thickening, intense plot and fantastic discoveries towards the end! I was waiting for the very moment of Shadowhawk identity revelation to Talyn, and I was never disappointed!
So, I have passed a first half of the saga, yet there are so many questions unresolved and even more mystery created! There is a particular atmosphere in this series that makes it hard to put these books aside! A Tale of Stars and Shadow is classic high fantasy with new refreshing elements and genuine praise for humanity, friendship, destiny and love.
Can't wait to read the third book!
So, I have passed a first half of the saga, yet there are so many questions unresolved and even more mystery created! There is a particular atmosphere in this series that makes it hard to put these books aside! A Tale of Stars and Shadow is classic high fantasy with new refreshing elements and genuine praise for humanity, friendship, destiny and love.
Can't wait to read the third book!
December 7, 2019
Lisa Cassidy does not disappoint. The first book of the series ended with a bombshell and the second book carries the story forward at a breakneck pace. I cannot say enough about how well developed and thought out Cassidy's worlds are (her other series The Mage Chronicles is just as amazing) and how well she develops the characters. They grow and move forward through the stories, in both expected and unexpected ways.
Toward the end of the read I was torn between reading full speed to find out how it ended and going slowly because I knew it would be over and I would have to wait for the next book. If that isn't the sign of a great book, I don't know what is.
Toward the end of the read I was torn between reading full speed to find out how it ended and going slowly because I knew it would be over and I would have to wait for the next book. If that isn't the sign of a great book, I don't know what is.
September 29, 2023
4.5 stars!
March 12, 2024
another great installment, SLOWWW burn which i love. but the love interests are like… close enough to related that it makes me quirk a brow? they have a common ancestor. not sure why we needed that
June 18, 2022
Inte lika bra som den första men ändå en fyra tror jag nog.
June 21, 2021
Absolutely loved it!!
December 7, 2019
I was given an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book was even better than the first in the series, with heart-felt moments and twists and turns I did not expect carrying me through to the very end of it. All of our favorite characters return and we are introduced to some new ones that are unexpectedly awesome too. I can’t wait for the next one! Thank goodness Lisa Cassidy writes at the speed of light!
SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY
Emboldened by the effect Talyn had on himself and her pack of wolves before she returned home to the Twin Thrones, Shadowhawk is striving to do more for the people of Dock City in Mithranar. Back home, when a new mission involving the gang Vengeance means Talyn can return to Mithranar, she takes the chance to learn more about Shadowhawk and return to the Wolves, where she feels happiest. However, uncovering more about Shadowhawk and Vengeance leads to more danger and more confusion and after more death at the hands of this brutal gang, this time involving members of the court, will Talyn be able to keep Prince Cuinn safe in this gripping, fast-paced sequel?
I cried, I screamed, I cheered, I pondered, I moped, and most importantly I enjoyed every second of it! So much happened in this book and yet not enough, so I’m excited to see what will be next for Talyn, her pack of Wolves, and Shadowhawk in the next one. I love these characters and the world they’re living in.
If you haven’t read this series yet and you are a fan of fantasy, immersive world-building and realistic, yet sometimes hilarious content all surrounded by a magical fantasy world, you definitely need to look into the first book, A Tale of Stars and Shadow. This series needs to be made into movies. This is not a drill! This could be as big and loved as series like Lord of The Rings in my opinion.
This book was even better than the first in the series, with heart-felt moments and twists and turns I did not expect carrying me through to the very end of it. All of our favorite characters return and we are introduced to some new ones that are unexpectedly awesome too. I can’t wait for the next one! Thank goodness Lisa Cassidy writes at the speed of light!
SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY
Emboldened by the effect Talyn had on himself and her pack of wolves before she returned home to the Twin Thrones, Shadowhawk is striving to do more for the people of Dock City in Mithranar. Back home, when a new mission involving the gang Vengeance means Talyn can return to Mithranar, she takes the chance to learn more about Shadowhawk and return to the Wolves, where she feels happiest. However, uncovering more about Shadowhawk and Vengeance leads to more danger and more confusion and after more death at the hands of this brutal gang, this time involving members of the court, will Talyn be able to keep Prince Cuinn safe in this gripping, fast-paced sequel?
I cried, I screamed, I cheered, I pondered, I moped, and most importantly I enjoyed every second of it! So much happened in this book and yet not enough, so I’m excited to see what will be next for Talyn, her pack of Wolves, and Shadowhawk in the next one. I love these characters and the world they’re living in.
If you haven’t read this series yet and you are a fan of fantasy, immersive world-building and realistic, yet sometimes hilarious content all surrounded by a magical fantasy world, you definitely need to look into the first book, A Tale of Stars and Shadow. This series needs to be made into movies. This is not a drill! This could be as big and loved as series like Lord of The Rings in my opinion.
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December 21, 2019Great read the plot is really good just loved it HANGING OUT for the next Book.
February 18, 2020
Oh my GOD what a sequel!
This book had my heart pounding, my eyes tearing and my little grey cells working to the MAXIMUM!
Just as the first book, this book is well written with a varied language. Lisa Cassidy builds up a rich world with deep and complex characters, moral dilemmas and intrigue.
I honestly cannot wait to read the third book, the events in the end of this book has me SCREAMING and I honestly do not know how this will END.
This book had my heart pounding, my eyes tearing and my little grey cells working to the MAXIMUM!
Just as the first book, this book is well written with a varied language. Lisa Cassidy builds up a rich world with deep and complex characters, moral dilemmas and intrigue.
I honestly cannot wait to read the third book, the events in the end of this book has me SCREAMING and I honestly do not know how this will END.
July 11, 2020
Highly recommended
Great characters, great world building and an intriguing plot with great twists. An excellent read. Can't wait to read the next one.
Great characters, great world building and an intriguing plot with great twists. An excellent read. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 3, 2022
Did not finish. Was hoping it was going to pick up speed after the last book however it was dealing with the exact same issues and it was just a drag.
December 3, 2024
I am genuinely surprised I have not found even one person in the comments who felt that there was so much wrong with this book. Previous book left me pretty invested in the story and very consciously blind to the parts I found badly done. This one unfortunately put a magnifying glass to those parts.
Let's look at the whole structure of the military command in Tal's home country. One person knowing the true heritage of the king? Are you serious? One person having the power to blackmail a soldier into protecting potential contender to the throne? It makes no sense, if anything they should have assassinated him. I am at a loss of words. The First Blade also made little to no sense with how much she made it ride on Tal, yet telling her nothing of the true purpose. And at that point I just tried, really tried to figure out the reasons. If we consider the options we have here. Maybe Shia hoped Tal would never find out, which is stupid since she sent her TO SPY. Maybe Shia knew Tal would find out... So why not tell her beforehand so she knows what she's dealing with? The secrecy bordering on stupidity is a re occuring theme of this book. And when speaking of military structure Tal's convos with Ravinire were usually making me lose my braincells. It seems all of those were to show us how Tal has it rough, how strong and brave he is and how well she uncovers all those secrets. I don't think it worked for me. Tal in my eyes is sloppy and not qualified to command anything. I won't even mention her random decision to just go back home to her father WITHOUT INFORMING HER COMMANDING OFFICER AND HER CHARGE.
I really wished I liked the characters, but the choices they make, the general creeping feeling I get that something is wrong with how most people talk/behave in this book, make it very hard. I'm probably going to skim the next one to see how would I find romance. But I'm not holding my breath here.
Let's look at the whole structure of the military command in Tal's home country. One person knowing the true heritage of the king? Are you serious? One person having the power to blackmail a soldier into protecting potential contender to the throne? It makes no sense, if anything they should have assassinated him. I am at a loss of words. The First Blade also made little to no sense with how much she made it ride on Tal, yet telling her nothing of the true purpose. And at that point I just tried, really tried to figure out the reasons. If we consider the options we have here. Maybe Shia hoped Tal would never find out, which is stupid since she sent her TO SPY. Maybe Shia knew Tal would find out... So why not tell her beforehand so she knows what she's dealing with? The secrecy bordering on stupidity is a re occuring theme of this book. And when speaking of military structure Tal's convos with Ravinire were usually making me lose my braincells. It seems all of those were to show us how Tal has it rough, how strong and brave he is and how well she uncovers all those secrets. I don't think it worked for me. Tal in my eyes is sloppy and not qualified to command anything. I won't even mention her random decision to just go back home to her father WITHOUT INFORMING HER COMMANDING OFFICER AND HER CHARGE.
I really wished I liked the characters, but the choices they make, the general creeping feeling I get that something is wrong with how most people talk/behave in this book, make it very hard. I'm probably going to skim the next one to see how would I find romance. But I'm not holding my breath here.
September 17, 2024
This book was fine, but I expected more.
Talyn is back in Twin Thrones, but she’s finding that it’s not where she wants to be so when the opportunity presents itself, she goes back to Mithranar on another mission. The Shadowhawk is trying to increase his efforts when it comes to helping the humans, however he’s not ready for the consequences that come with his actions.
I think that the character interactions were shown less in this book, which might be why I wasn’t enjoying reading about them as much. Both Talyn and the Shadowhawk’s characters are constantly thinking about all the problems and complications that are happening, and yet there seems to be little to no progress. While the Talons are present, they’re not shown to the extent that they were in the previous book, so I definitely wanted to see more of them. Along with them, I wanted to see more of Jasper.
I wouldn’t say that there was a romance in this book, but you can see where it could happen. However, that’s why I didn’t like reading that Talyn still has a casual relationship with Tarcos , and Cuinn is still sleeping around.
Not much progress was made when it came to the plot, and it was just more confusion and no answers.
I like that Cuinn was found out, but I want to see others’ reaction to it and what they’re all going to do now. Also, I want to see the characters reacting to seeing how different things are in the Twin Thrones.
I’m definitely going to continue with the series, but I hope that the next book will be more similar to the first book in the series, and that the main characters will stop sleeping with other people.
Talyn is back in Twin Thrones, but she’s finding that it’s not where she wants to be so when the opportunity presents itself, she goes back to Mithranar on another mission. The Shadowhawk is trying to increase his efforts when it comes to helping the humans, however he’s not ready for the consequences that come with his actions.
I think that the character interactions were shown less in this book, which might be why I wasn’t enjoying reading about them as much. Both Talyn and the Shadowhawk’s characters are constantly thinking about all the problems and complications that are happening, and yet there seems to be little to no progress. While the Talons are present, they’re not shown to the extent that they were in the previous book, so I definitely wanted to see more of them. Along with them, I wanted to see more of Jasper.
I wouldn’t say that there was a romance in this book, but you can see where it could happen. However, that’s why I didn’t like reading that Talyn still has a casual relationship with Tarcos , and Cuinn is still sleeping around.
Not much progress was made when it came to the plot, and it was just more confusion and no answers.
I like that Cuinn was found out, but I want to see others’ reaction to it and what they’re all going to do now. Also, I want to see the characters reacting to seeing how different things are in the Twin Thrones.
I’m definitely going to continue with the series, but I hope that the next book will be more similar to the first book in the series, and that the main characters will stop sleeping with other people.
October 5, 2022
No work. No studying . No eating. Just reading.
This was NAIL PICKING, FINGER LICKING, HAND EATING, ARM DEVOURING, HEART NUMBING, SOUL THROBBINGLY good. It was so fucking good. Omfg take the wheel.
I cant even- like-
How does one think of this shit man. How.
I have isolated myself from civilization these past 2 days because i was reading the first 2 books of this heaven sent series, therefore i will be on a take a break before reading book 3 for my mental health.
Lets start with Talyn. The respect i have for that woman. The love. The devotion. The admiration. Shes so strong, so capable, so determined and so kind i cant even wrap my kind around how fucking much i love her. She will get hurt in the final to books, i know it because the author feels the need to drag my soul in a river polluted with worry and desperation everytime she bring these mofos on an adventure.
All i can say is i will most likely ball my eyes out because i want to protect her but she is so fierce…Man i feel like she lowkey chose me too the day she picked her first soldiers in that jail😭😭😭
I would run to the mon and back for her. I would leap if she told me to jump, sprint if she told me to jog, anything man ANYTHING FOR HER.
Shadowhawk, I understand now why hes doing so little. At first i feared a little hero complex but poor guy man 😭 imagine being terrified of your murderous, bigoted and rapist older brother for that long with no one to protect you…reading his chapters feels so fucking lonely😕 props to you my guy for still going strong🫡 i hope he finally has friends and i hope to everything good in this world, this series is a HAE for him🥲
*honorary mention for cute Jasper
This was NAIL PICKING, FINGER LICKING, HAND EATING, ARM DEVOURING, HEART NUMBING, SOUL THROBBINGLY good. It was so fucking good. Omfg take the wheel.
I cant even- like-
How does one think of this shit man. How.
I have isolated myself from civilization these past 2 days because i was reading the first 2 books of this heaven sent series, therefore i will be on a take a break before reading book 3 for my mental health.
Lets start with Talyn. The respect i have for that woman. The love. The devotion. The admiration. Shes so strong, so capable, so determined and so kind i cant even wrap my kind around how fucking much i love her. She will get hurt in the final to books, i know it because the author feels the need to drag my soul in a river polluted with worry and desperation everytime she bring these mofos on an adventure.
All i can say is i will most likely ball my eyes out because i want to protect her but she is so fierce…Man i feel like she lowkey chose me too the day she picked her first soldiers in that jail😭😭😭
I would run to the mon and back for her. I would leap if she told me to jump, sprint if she told me to jog, anything man ANYTHING FOR HER.
Shadowhawk, I understand now why hes doing so little. At first i feared a little hero complex but poor guy man 😭 imagine being terrified of your murderous, bigoted and rapist older brother for that long with no one to protect you…reading his chapters feels so fucking lonely😕 props to you my guy for still going strong🫡 i hope he finally has friends and i hope to everything good in this world, this series is a HAE for him🥲
*honorary mention for cute Jasper
May 20, 2024
A fantastic sequel! There's something to be said about finding a new favorite book and then loving the second book as much as the first.
While Talyn has returned home, the comfort she once felt before her partner's death is gone. While her time in Mithranar healed a small portion of her damaged soul, she yearns to return to the men she trained and the life she had started to form there. As a result, when the opportunity arises to return, she takes it and quickly takes back up as Captain of the Wolf Guard for Prince Cuinn. Her mission now is to discover more about the gang known as Vengeance who last plotted the assassination attempt on the Queen and Prince Cuinn and what their relationship is to the Shadowhawk if any at all.
Intelligent characters, well-developed and evolving characterization, strong story and plot, meaningful dialogue, political intrigue, moral dilemmas, secrets, and revelations - this book has it all. And the plot just keeps thickening. The found family developped in book 1 gets further strengthened. Cuinn adopts a large feline kitten - I wish there had been more moments with Jasper. The political issues in the Mithranar nobility get revealed in tidbits, with just enough to satiate the reader's hunger and intrigue and still leaving so much juicy information to come. We learn Cuinn's backstory and get some information on Talyn's heritage.
Supposedly this series has romance in it...I haven't seen any yet, and honestly it is not at all lacking. Wonderful writing, and I can't wait to find out what happens next!!
While Talyn has returned home, the comfort she once felt before her partner's death is gone. While her time in Mithranar healed a small portion of her damaged soul, she yearns to return to the men she trained and the life she had started to form there. As a result, when the opportunity arises to return, she takes it and quickly takes back up as Captain of the Wolf Guard for Prince Cuinn. Her mission now is to discover more about the gang known as Vengeance who last plotted the assassination attempt on the Queen and Prince Cuinn and what their relationship is to the Shadowhawk if any at all.
Intelligent characters, well-developed and evolving characterization, strong story and plot, meaningful dialogue, political intrigue, moral dilemmas, secrets, and revelations - this book has it all. And the plot just keeps thickening. The found family developped in book 1 gets further strengthened. Cuinn adopts a large feline kitten - I wish there had been more moments with Jasper. The political issues in the Mithranar nobility get revealed in tidbits, with just enough to satiate the reader's hunger and intrigue and still leaving so much juicy information to come. We learn Cuinn's backstory and get some information on Talyn's heritage.
Supposedly this series has romance in it...I haven't seen any yet, and honestly it is not at all lacking. Wonderful writing, and I can't wait to find out what happens next!!
May 21, 2025
This book is a fantastic follow-up to the first instalment. It builds upon the foundations laid in book1 and manages to stay engaging while keeping many of its biggest reveals close to the chest. I would describe this book as more of a "plot thickener" than anything else. It offers some answers from the first book but continues to raise even more questions.
What really surprised me is how the plot unfolds slowly, yet there's always something happening. This constant sense of motion prevents any lull in the pacing, keeping the reader fully engaged. It’s all executed masterfully.
Like the first book, this one doesn’t include any romantic plotlines, which I honestly didn’t miss. In fact, it feels far more realistic in this story for the characters to first build mutual respect, kinship, and admiration before any romantic feelings come into play. It’s refreshing to read a male character’s perspective on the female protagonist that focuses on her leadership, intelligence, and combat abilities, rather than reducing her to how sexy or good she looks in a uniform.
That said, there are hints of growing affection between them, born out of respect and shared experiences. These feelings subtly influence their behaviour toward each other, adding emotional depth without overt romance.
The found family theme established in the 1st book continues here, with many heartwarming moments of trust and camaraderie among the wolves. These scenes are genuinely touching and enrich the story’s emotional core.
Lastly, I have to mention how much I love Talyn and Cuin as the main characters. They’re written with such nuance and care. Talyn is truly a badass! Flawed, yes, but always striving to do her best despite the circumstances. She’s strong both physically and mentally, and it’s clear she’s still figuring things out as she leads. Her leadership is inspiring. It’s also refreshing to see a story where the female protagonist is the assertive, capable warrior, while the male lead is someone who dislikes violence and isn’t a fighter. The role reversal is handled with grace and depth, without falling into caricature.
Suffice to say I will be reading book 3 hihi 💗💖
What really surprised me is how the plot unfolds slowly, yet there's always something happening. This constant sense of motion prevents any lull in the pacing, keeping the reader fully engaged. It’s all executed masterfully.
Like the first book, this one doesn’t include any romantic plotlines, which I honestly didn’t miss. In fact, it feels far more realistic in this story for the characters to first build mutual respect, kinship, and admiration before any romantic feelings come into play. It’s refreshing to read a male character’s perspective on the female protagonist that focuses on her leadership, intelligence, and combat abilities, rather than reducing her to how sexy or good she looks in a uniform.
That said, there are hints of growing affection between them, born out of respect and shared experiences. These feelings subtly influence their behaviour toward each other, adding emotional depth without overt romance.
The found family theme established in the 1st book continues here, with many heartwarming moments of trust and camaraderie among the wolves. These scenes are genuinely touching and enrich the story’s emotional core.
Lastly, I have to mention how much I love Talyn and Cuin as the main characters. They’re written with such nuance and care. Talyn is truly a badass! Flawed, yes, but always striving to do her best despite the circumstances. She’s strong both physically and mentally, and it’s clear she’s still figuring things out as she leads. Her leadership is inspiring. It’s also refreshing to see a story where the female protagonist is the assertive, capable warrior, while the male lead is someone who dislikes violence and isn’t a fighter. The role reversal is handled with grace and depth, without falling into caricature.
Suffice to say I will be reading book 3 hihi 💗💖
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