A shadowblack is always an exile, always potential prey for those who think they can benefit.
Kellen
2nd book of 2022
Fifth book in the Spellslinger series
Kellen and Reichis have just finished fighting a duel in the desert when Kellen inadvertently smears blood on the Daroman flag – an act of treason for which the Marshals have no choice but to arrest him. Just before he’s put before the Queen to be executed, Kellen is given a strange piece of advice from one of his fellow prisoners: kill the Queen and he’ll be given clemency by those who take power. But when Kellen comes face-to-face with the eleven year-old monarch, he realises she’s vastly smarter than he expected – and in a great deal more danger.
Trigger Warning
Death, Child death, rape attempt, possession, child abuse
Rating
Review
I have mixed feelings toward this book as it was easy to read, but as I took a break of six months, I was afraid to struggle to go back to it, but no, it’s so easy to go back in this world.
However, I struggle with a lot of elements from the book.
First, it’s how this book is predictable, and it starts with the structure. The story has the same construction as the previous ones, so it’s easy to know when the plot will unravel or when there will be some actions. If it only stopped here, but the other problem was that I knew from the middle of the book what the book’s twist was.
Second, I was kinda fed up with Kellen. Like I know it’s difficult as he needs to know who he is now as he isn’t a Jen’Tep anymore, but the problem is that he still struggles two years after starting his adventure. You have no evolution from him. He still has the same power, and he is still the same puppet not only for his father and sister but for everyone. I need a more rebellious Kellen, even if it means that he uses his shadowblack.
Talking about the shadowblack, he didn’t use it the whole book, which is a little upsetting as the entire series starts due to that. The only real mention is at the end, and it feels like more a convenience for that plot than the actual use of it.
It is a fifth book that doesn’t add anything to the main story, but I hope it will change with the sixth and last book.
Liz.
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