Shadowcaster

Description from Goodreads:

A lifelong war.

Alyssa ana’Raisa is the reluctant princess heir to the Gray Wolf throne of Fells, a queendom embroiled in a seemingly endless war. Hardened by too many losses, Lyss is more comfortable striking with a sword than maneuvering at court. After a brush with death, she goes on the offensive, meaning to end the war that has raged her whole life. If her gamble doesn’t pay off, she could lose her queendom before she even ascends to the throne.

A life in peril.

Across enemy lines in Arden, young rising star Captain Halston Matelon has been fighting for his king since he was a lýtling. Lately, though, he finds himself sent on ever more dangerous assignments. Between the terrifying rumors of witches and wolfish warriors to the north and his cruel king at home, Hal is caught in an impossible game of life and death.

The shadow of defeat.

Review:

Shadowcaster by Cinda Williams Chima has 551 pages and was published in 2017 by HarperTeen.

First things first.  I was shocked by this cover.  In the past Chima’s book covers have not had characters on them.  I have read a few reviews in which people were disappointed by this new cover design but I think it is very pretty.  I like it.

Shadowcaster is the second installment in her newest series, Shattered Realms.  This series tells the story of the next generation of the Gray Wolf line.  This time Chima tells the story of Lyss, Adrian’s sister, and how she must learn to meet the expectations of those around her if she is to inherit the throne.

Chima is a brilliant storyteller.  I have not read a single book by her that I have not enjoyed.  I love the way she weaves each of these novels together.  With each new book, you become more and more attached to the characters she creates.  You feel invested in their futures.  You feel their pain and joy.  Isn’t that the mark of a truly amazing book?

I must say that I did not enjoy this book as much as some of the previous novels.  I thought it was a bit slow in the beginning.  I also noticed that a lot of the characters would use “of” instead of “have” when speaking and this really annoyed me.  (ex. could of, should of, etc.) I am sure that Chima was doing this to highlight their way of speaking, but for some reason it still irked me.  Not enough to stop reading, of course.

Overall, I did find this book to be extremely entertaining.  As usual, the ending leaves you wanting more.

Recommended for fans of her Seven Realms series.

 

Rating: 4 Plot Monster Spiders

Notable Quotes:

“Matelon gripped both her hands. “We are soldiers,” he said. “We are not game pieces on a board. Don’t let them play us. Give this thing a chance.”
Lyss gently pulled free. “You’re wrong, Captain,” she said. “We never had a chance. At the end of the day, that is all that we are—game pieces. If you don’t know that by now, you soon will.”
― Cinda Williams Chima, Shadowcaster

“Why is it always easier to be optimistic about somebody else’s worries?” Adrian said with a bitter laugh.”
― Cinda Williams Chima, Shadowcaster

MDW original review.  Source:  Library.

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