Burning Shadows by Jennifer Anne Davis
Reign Publishing (c) 2016
ARC E-Book
Fantasy
Reviewed by Leah
Isn't this cover gorgeous? I prefer it over the cover for Rise, actually. This one has more of the right feel to it. Less ... fantastical. This portrays the grittiness to come, and I really enjoy that fact.
Summary:
The Order of the Krigers has risen.
King Morlet is determined it should not be for long. Desperation claims the vile King and he begins to raze villages to the ground in the hopes to destroy the lengthy network of supporters the Krigers have gathered. All the while, his plans for Kaia grow even more sinister.
The symbol on Kaia's bo staff means choice. And there is much for her to choose from. When it is revealed that she must bear a child before Morlet can be destroyed, she is uncertain who the father is meant to be: her fiancé, Vidar, or his brother. All the while she attempts to stifle her feelings for the assassin, Anders.
Just when it feels as if she has no choice in the matter at all, she finds that she has the biggest decision yet to make: Give up a part of herself to save the kingdom, or let Nelebek remain beneath the dark reign of Morlet.
It is a question that will define her, and decide the fate of a nation.
Initial Thoughts:
I was so geeked to pick up where Rise left off. You know, considering that cliff we were left hanging off of... The minute I got Anders and Vidar back was almost orgasmic.
Characters:
Kaia has grown up, for the most part. She is a being who questions everything, because no one is being straight with her. There is also a compassion to her that is less annoying and more relatable in this book than in the last. We also have far less TSTL moments, so I didn't want to strangle her nearly as much. As far as her development, I feel like we're still in the middle of her character arc, so I'm just hoping it improves even more come the next book. Overall, we connected far better in this book, which I was thrilled about.
Anders is my sweet little assassin baby and no one can convince me otherwise. While I still think he deserves better than Kaia, what he deserves more is a happy ending. There are a lot of trials for Anders in this one and it makes it so difficult to bear. His interactions with Kaia were exactly what you expect from him, and that made it equally heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Vidar and I were fighting in this book. I mean, I understand his pragmatism. That doesn't mean I had to like it. In this book you get a far clearer image of what goes on in his head, and the sacrifices he's willing to make for his people and his nation. And while they are powerful motives, it feels like he doesn't follow through with the right conclusion all the time. Considering his character, however, I understood the decisions he made and I still love him as a person. Faults and all.
Krigers are badasses. End of discussion.
Morlet ... gah it's so easy to hate him, but then there are those moments that you're no longer sure where Morlet ends and Espen begins. It makes it difficult. Very, very difficult.
Plot & Setting:
If you've read Rise, you know the setting. And frankly, I'm in too much of a hurry to move on to the plot to waste time explaining it. There's a map. You'll figure it out.
Now, the plot followed a bumpy road. What I mean to say is: subplots exist here. And we have to follow a few of the subplots in order to propel us into the larger framework. I. Freaking. Love. That.
Because of the subplots, we get answers to questions that plagued us in Rise. We are introduced to new characters and the hint of possibilities. There are more joyous moments that cushion your heart for the heartbreaks that follow. And they offer an expectation as well as an offer. Those subplots are the reason Kaia needs to continue.
It was brilliantly done.
Writing:
There's a reason I come back to this author's work. It is un-put-downable. Once the story captures you, there's nothing you want more than to just curl up in a warm blanket and read the day away. (Or few hours. Depending on how long it actually takes you.) I love how compelling the writing is, no matter which of her books I pick up. That is truly the mark of powerful storytelling to me.
Overall Opinion:
Vast improvement over Rise. Hands down. Everything seemed to come together more naturally and the character development kept me totally invested. Good book.
