The Shadow of What Was Lost

The Licanius Trilogy, Book 1

By: James Islington

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

It has been 20 years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs, once thought of almost as gods, were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets.

A representation of these laws is now written into the flesh of any who use the Gift, forcing those so marked into absolute obedience. As a student of the Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war fought--and lost--before he was born. Despised by most beyond the school walls, he and those around him are all but prisoners as they attempt to learn control of the Gift. Worse, as Davian struggles with his lessons, he knows there is further to fall if he cannot pass his final tests. But when he discovers he has the ability to wield the forbidden power of the Augurs, he sets into motion a chain of events that will change everything.

To the north an ancient enemy, long thought defeated, begins to stir. And to the west, a young man whose fate is intertwined with Davian’s wakes up in the forest, covered in blood and with no memory of who he is....

©2014 James Islington (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Excellent installment

Though filled with tropes, this story is a fantastic one. The author writes a lot like Jordan, but more like Jacob Cooper (see Circle of Reign). This will be a fantastic series, I can feel it. With Kramer steering the emotion of the story, it was hard to put down.

I missed a homework for this

Huh...maybe this will actually live up to the brand of a comparison such as "If you like Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson..."

It definitely has the epic feel and you can definitely see influences from those two giants of modern fantasy literature. But the main compelling plot and twists on notions of time and....well, maybe you should just read it

This book was legit. Good Audible recommendation.

5% in: Great, another story about a magical school where kids are learning how to use magic. I'll give it a chance, but so far, I am not blown away by the premise.
15% in: Woah, that took a turn. There is more to this than I expected. I'm interested.
25% in: This is really good. The characters are awesome.
50% in: I start texting fellow fantasy friends, asking them if they've ever heard of this book, because it's the best book I've read in a while. I get a few responses that they'll give it a try.
75% in: This book is fantastic. I start to get texts from my friends that they are half-way through the second book.
90% in: My wife starts getting annoyed at the number of times I've recommended this book to her.
100% done: I need to find a WiFi connection so I can download the 2nd book. Should I wait 5 minutes until I get home, or pull over next to that McDonalds right now?... No... I can wait. I'm an adult.

WOW!

I am a Brandon Sanderson fan and James Islington just became another favorite of mine. I couldnt put this book down or rather press stop! This is a must read!

Takes a bit to take effect..

It may take a little bit to get you sucked in but once it does your hooked!! Twist turns at every corner.. Once you feel you know who's who and what's what you'll find you don't know anything!!

Enjoyed it

This was my first audio book. Michael was awesome. Characters needed more depth in story though. I do think the story was original enough not to compare it to other works. Well done

The Licanius Trilogy

Mr. Islington rates right up at the top along with Sullivan, Erikson, Jordan and Sanderson. The key to giving us a good story is providing historical events as to why the story is happening. I felt sick to discover Caeden's identity. Thank you Mr Kramer for always bringing the characters to life!

Really good fantasy!

Well realized characters and a well thought out plot with some nice twists. Reminiscent of the Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. You won't regret this listen!

excellent

I was pulled in immediately. the story line flowed smoothly. twisting and turning for an exciting ride. leaving you full of questions and wanting more. the narration was excellent. all together it was a wonderful book.

A Good Story But...

It's confusing and hard to follow all the characters. There's a lot going on and a lot of foreshadowing and secret keeping that just makes things muddied.

Also the Caeden character is not very believable. He chooses to trust the ones he's with, but then consistently makes choices to hide things from them. The whole premise is to get his memories back so he can help, but then he doesn't tell anyone anything that may help find out who he is? It makes no sense whatsoever. Why bother lying and hiding stuff when everyone is actively trying to find a way to get his memory back?

Otherwise, the overall world is interesting... just... all over the place. A pot boiling over, but half the ingredients list has been blacked out!