• The Shadow of What Was Lost

  • The Licanius Trilogy, Book 1
  • By: James Islington
  • Narrated by: Michael Kramer
  • Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (22,460 ratings)

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The Shadow of What Was Lost  By  cover art

The Shadow of What Was Lost

By: James Islington
Narrated by: Michael Kramer
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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

Critic reviews

"Robert Jordan fans should check this out!" (Pop Bop, Top 500 Amazon Reviewer)

Featured Article: The top 100 fantasy listens of all time


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What listeners say about The Shadow of What Was Lost

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Time travel done right

I edited this review after reading the final entry in the series. All the frustration and idiocy I found in this book was due to a lack of info. These books intentionally confuse and disorient which I couldnt accept til I knew WHY. Push through to the final entry, it was worth it.

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108 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The book of a thousand names!

I thoroughly enjoyed this listen, but I highly recommend that you listen when you aren't distracted by other activities. There are a lot of names and places and it isn't too difficult to lose track of who is who and what is where.

Besides that, loved it and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

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37 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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yuh

this book, and this trilogy, was absolutely amazing. nothing short of. consider me a far and I honestly would love to read more from this author. if you may end up reading this then man, you did fucking good. I landed on you as a suggested read after finishing the wheel of time by Robert Jordan and I must say I never thought I would fall right back into post series depression so quickly but here I have. your story was an absolute treasure and I am glad that I found it. you are one hell of an author, please continue writing. thank you very much

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cannot wait for the next one

really enjoyed it. fan of the genre and really hope tot find the sequel here soon.

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Can't wait for the 2nd book!

Very creative. Great characters! Wonderful story!! Awesome book!!! I plan to start the book over and listen again to be ready for book 2 I can't wait. Michael Kramer is the best for telling you a story! ☺️ buy the book!

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Buy it

Seriously just buy it even if you don't like the story it's well written enough to be a time killer. The story IS really good though and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Must Read and Better, Must Listen, Novel

This is by far the best novel I've purchased this year and one that I would place on my top ten Epic Fantasy list. The story arc is new and novel and the coterie of primary characters are well defined and interesting in themselves. There's lots of intrigue, subtle and surprising plot twists and the burgeoning love interests, with one even having all the markings of a tragic pairing. I would place this writing style on par with Raven's Shadow; albeit, with a completely different story arc.

This is my first introduction of James Islington and am very impressed with his ability to unfold a story in bits and pieces but do it in such a way to keep the readers interest. What can I day more about Michael Kramer that hasn't been better said by many before me. In my opinion, he "owns" the Epic Fantasy narration genre.

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for Book 2 of this trilogy.

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Great Story!

I wish I could immediately download the following book in this series...excited for the next!!

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Superb

Great story. Great narrator. Worth every penny or credit. Keep it o
Coming Mr Islington and make sure it comes with Mr Kramer!

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Very interesting

Michael Kramer could make a shopping list sound epic, but in spite of a lot of elements that seemed straight out of other fantasy books, the writing contains unique and very interesting elements that are driving me right into book two. A very fun and well structured story.

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