Book Review: In Solitude's Shadow

The epicness of ASOIAF and the sprawling light vs darkness battle from The Wheel of Time with a refreshingly modern flair, AND in a short page count.

If you had told me something like this existed, I would have laughed in your face because ... as if?!
But then I've read In Solitude's Shadow and now it's ME telling this to YOU.
This here is one book that deftly manages to combine a lot of that good stuff old school dark fantasy has to offer and wrap it all up in a refreshingly modern package, complete with a short page count.



A beautifully executed prologue sets the ground for a fast paced gripping tale that skilfully portrays some of the worst consequences of victory written by the victor when tragedy is created as a means of control, war is waged for progress and heavy sacrifices are brushed over for 'the greater good.'

An army is at the gates of Haltveldt. The Banished are coming, thousands of them. And Solitude is the only thing that stands in their way.
A fortress at the edge of Haltveldt, Solitude is the perfect place to relocate unwanted baggage. Convenient, out of the way, and almost forgotten, it is manned by 'a group of forgotten old men and women, standing watch over a near extinct race of shepherds.' A useless place that had become a home for the disgraced according to the Emperor.
Until the shepherds come knocking at Solitude's doors and Calene Alpenwood, a powerful warrior-mage gifted with the Spark, makes a shocking discovery that sets into motion events which put her at odds with the very masters she serves.

"If he's a farmer or a shepherd I'm the Emperor's nanny."

To save Solitude from destruction, Calene must reunite with her mother Zanna, banished at Solitude after a terrible crime. And not only that. To reach her mother, Calene must find it in herself to trust in the most improbable allies, open her mind to uncomfortable truths and most of all, forgive.

"War makes criminals of us all."

Great worldbuilding and beautifully fleshed out characters that practically leap from the page are by far not the only things worthy of praise in this book here.

Clean beautifully flowing prose with great attention to detail and emphasis on feeling will have you practically hear the noises of destruction. The roar of the flames; the keening of the dying. That symphony of death that is war. Full of glee, fury and madness.
You'll practically see the air shaking with the sounds of battle and the crackle and roar of magic.
And you'll get to even smell the thick stench of charred bodies.

But most of all, you'll be able to feel for and identify with those who stand up against injustice hoping against all odds and determined to at least try to make a difference.

'What can one man do against centuries of hate for the Elven people? What can one man do against the mob at the gates of the Elven Quarter? What can one man do against an Empire?'
And yet, that man will try!

Fabulous magic, epic battle scenes, different magical races, as well as intricate, skilfully handled topics like slavery, prejudice, ostracism and much more - you'll get all of these within the pages of this book. And every single thing is carefully outlined and clearly detailed. And pulling this off in such a deft manner within less than 200 pages is a testimony to this author's skill.

My review would become a novella if I were to mention every single thing I liked about this book, so I'll try to bring it to a close sticking to what I loved most. Apart from all the above mentioned that is. :D

That subtle description of human nature leading to so many different choices when evil tempts and power whispers. That irresistible dance on a razor sharp edge between power and responsibility, good and evil, light and darkness. And perhaps most of all, the love. Not that of two lovers but that of family and friends.
The love of a mother who would have burnt the world to a cinder if that meant saving her daughter.
The love of a father who'd crawl if he must to reach his son.
And the determination to NOT give up even on an unlikely ally, let alone a friend, despite knowing your help might be too little and too late. Because it's the right thing to do.

Alright! Alright! I'll stop with the gushing. But seriously people!
You have got to read this!
It's a damn fine read!
Hands down one of the best books I've read this year.

It has already earned a place on my shelf of favourites and I am eagerly looking forward to the sequel.
So go ahead and give it a try and you can thank me later.

Happy reading everyone
and remember
'There's always another way.'