Reviewed: April 13th, 2023
Released: March 20th, 2020
Genre: Epic Fantasy
The Chosen One is dead.
Only his sister can take his place.
Disabled since childhood, Elenor was content to live in her brother’s shadow, besting her cousins at cards and sneaking her girlfriend into her room at night. Now she’s next in line for the throne and beset on all sides by factions out for blood. With time ticking down until someone manages to kill her too, Elenor will be forced to choose between accepting her father’s despotic rule or risking everything for her late brother’s lofty ideals.
Meanwhile, from the rainy streets of Lirin to the scorching dunes of the Mondaer Desert, the death of the Chosen One has inadvertently broken a chain of events five centuries in the making. Ancient forces move in the shadows, calling in debts and striking deals. A monster with a thousand faces fingers his knife, ready to kill, and a pair of fugitives run for their lives, unaware of the danger they carry with them.
Helen’s thoughts: 5/5
Where Shadows Lie is a very densely plotted, intricately weaved tale of betrayal and political intrigue. There are multiple POV’s, multiple threads, and it may take a while to get into the story as each thread has to be built to begin with.
The world building is amazing, along with the in depth cultural belifes of each of the peoples. Combined with the lead character being bi and suffering from a wasting disease she has long fought to overcome, you have a diverse cast of characters that you will become invested in.
Although beautifully written, be prepared that this book has so much packed in it, it is almost overwhelming. If you are looking for a light fantastical read, then this is not it.
I am still digesting this story, days later, trying to figure out what it all means. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the story and the characters, but I think I need to read it again to understand all the twists and to figure out who ended up with what and what it means.
All in all a great read, especially if you love a complex plot which leaves you thinking about it days later.
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 