Friday 23 October 2009

Review: The Light of Burning Shadows - Chris Evans


The Light of Burning Shadows by Chris Evans
Book 2 of The Iron Elves

Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2009
Pages: 384


Musket and cannon, bow and arrow, and magic and diplomacy vie for supremacy once again in this second epic fantasy adventure from acclaimed author Chris Evans. As the human-dominated Calahrian Empire struggles to maintain its hold on power in the face of armed rebellion from within, the Iron Elves' perilous quest to defeat the power-hungry elf witch, the Shadow Monarch, takes on greater urgency.

Recalled to duty to reform his regiment from the dregs of the Imperial Army, Konowa thwarted the plans of the Shadow Monarch at the Battle of Luuguth Jor -- ensuring that the fabled Red Star, a source of great natural energy, did not fall into Her hands. Now Konowa must cross storm-tossed seas to seek out the lost elves and the prophesied return of another Star somewhere in a desert wasteland roiling with mysterious power, infernos of swirling magic, and legends brought back to life in new and terrible ways. And the fate of every living creature will come to depend on a small band of ragged and desperate soldiers, whose very loyalty to the Empire they have sworn to serve is no longer certain. When death is but a temporary condition, a terrifying question arises: who is the true ally -- and fearsome enemy -- in a growing conflict that threatens all?
(fantastic fiction)


This book continues where book 1 left off. Konowa and The Iron Elves are destroying the Shadow Monarchs trees on islands on their way to the desert on the south. There Konowa hopes to meet up with his exiled men, the true Iron Elves and with them take up the fight to banish the Shadow Monarch. But as they come closer darkness is growing, and there are rumours about another Star falling in the desert. Everyone wants the starts power for their own purpose, and Konowa knows that he held it once and did not free his men from their terrible oath, but can he do it again?

I really liked book 1, A Darkness Forged in Fire. It was good, and then suddenly it was so good that I did not want to put it down. Not the same feeling here because all books are different, but this was still great epic fantasy, and after reading this I do want to read book 3 that is out sometime 2010.

A negative thing about this book is that he did not move forward the possible relationship between Visyana and Konowa. Are there to be more books? Because then he movie it slow, as it was now they did not even say a word to each other. That was a tad bit slow since there obviously is something there.

The other negative part for me was that this was mostly about Allwyn, yes he was crucial to the book as he can see their fallen comrades and talk to them, he has a tree for a leg and he can handle the dark magic the best. It was his story in a way, still I missed Konowa.

But don't get me wrong, this was still good fantasy. The battle continues and I am really starting to like the different soldiers, while not so much others. Here we learnt more and got to see more of everyone, and of course big epic fight in the end when the star has come. The Empire wants it, the desert wants it, mysterious powers wants it, the Shadow Monarch wants it, yes it's not an easy battle and he manages to surprise me in the end.

Good old fantasy, with a big slice of military, I do like it. I will always like fantasy the best because it has this way of capture me the most. It's the excellent world building, the thought behind the political unrest and so forth. Oh and gotta have a nice map too, I want to see where I am going. This book has all those things, and I hope book 3 keeps up the good pace.


"They might be doomed, damned, and buggered for all eternity, but that didn't mean they couldn't sparkle like a diamond in the sun and grin like a skull in the moonlight on their way to oblivion."


13 comments:

  1. I really loved this one, even though I haven't read the first yet. I gave it to my husband to read, but it hasn't really grabbed him.

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  2. I love fantasy and am always looking for another great series to start. Not sure if this one would be it because I'm not into military aspects but hey, you never know! :)

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  3. Ooooh, an epic fantasy?!! I really have to get my hands on part one and even though you weren't so crazy about part two I would probably go for it as well.

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  4. Lovely review as always B!

    This one sounds interesting, the fantasy with a military subplot?

    Glad you enjoyed.

    Have a great weekend.

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  5. I have this trilogy, but I haven't read it, as I have never been sure whether I would like it, the military aspect puts me off a little!
    Big hugs, Bethxx

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  6. Carol,
    I got this first but then I felt I had to read book 1 first :) But nice to know you could read it without the first. Glad you liked it though

    Staci,
    Oh yes military, but honestly more of that in book 1, here it was more getting to know people. And I seem to like this kind of fantasy too

    Lilly,
    Part 2 was good, I was just sad cos of the lack of the main character. I always have to like someone lol. And it was more epic in the military angle so not so Tolkiensq epic. Still really enjoyed it

    Lea,
    Oh yes the military angle is really big. Everything from order within the regiment and so on. The author knows his military. He takes from 19th century stuff and some earlier. I usually don't like guns in fantasy but it works here.

    Scattie,
    You have book 3? An ARC?
    I liked the military, I think I have Novik to blame she made me like it

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  7. Even the COVER is intense. I'm not sure if it's my style, but I'll keep it in mind :-)

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  8. Aarti,
    I know the cover is pretty, and shiny. I do like shiny thing. But such a great book, and I need more

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  9. I just received the first book through Paperbackswap.com. This series has certainly caught my attention.

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  10. Hi B!

    Great review! Sounds like a great fantasy adventure!

    I do love a story that is out of this world.

    Thanks for getting us a peek!

    Dottie :)

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  11. Donna,
    I hope you will like it. It was nice fantasy that took me awhile but then suddenly I really liked it.

    Dottie,
    I will always love fantasy the best hehe, I can't say it enough.
    I hope you're having a great weekend

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  12. I'm not a big fantasy reader, but you're always introducing me to new-to-me titles. I'm intrigued by the military aspect of the story, but I'm sorry parts of it were disappointing for you.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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  13. Anna,
    Disappointed and disappointed, I just like certain characters too much lol.
    The military aspects were great and he knew what he was writing about. Great fantasy always makes me happy

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