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

Loved this book and can't waite for the next one.

If you could sum up The Shadow of What Was Lost in three words, what would they be?

Didn't want it to end!

What did you like best about this story?

The characters.

What does Michael Kramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Michael Kramer is a gifted reader that breaths life into a story.

great book

This guy is nipping at the heels of Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan the story is compelling could use a little bit more character depth to the side characters but all in all a great read

great beginning!

I don't know if it was just Michael Kramer's reading, but it felt like I was reading Brandon Sanderson or Robert Jordan. I have high hopes for the rest of the series.

Great book

An overwhelmingly good book. Easily in my top 10. I have nothing bad to say about the book.

On another note, if you want a book similarly good to this one, try Dawn of Wonder.

Loved the book, but..

While I did enjoy the book and would definitely recommend, I do have 2 complaints.
1. The names of people and places are hard for me to remember because they are all 3+ syllables it seems.
2. Lack of details and descriptions. Not many things or people are described in the book, and the few things that are pretty vague.

Absolutely Superb!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. Islington paints a world full of mystery, drama, violence, and intrigue that has left me dying for the next installment. The characters each have their own mysterious past that leaves you straining to find out more, or drawing your own conclusions to save you the stress of waiting to find out. Michael Kramer's performance is sublime and without a doubt one of the best I've heard in quite some time. Perhaps second only to those of John Lee in my opinion.

The only disappointment I have from this book is a lack of actual romance between some of the characters. It doesn't detract from the story in the slightest but having been conditioned by the likes of Ken Follett and George R R Martin I was hoping for a bit more sexual drama. It's hardly a complaint but I feel this story has the potential for that in the future. I for one cannot wait to find out and highly recommend this.

Is new great author!

This book had me immersed for days The character building , world building is all great. I can hardly wait for the next book The narrator did an excellent job and I love his voice.

Couldn't stop listening.

This series is going to be one of those ones that make me stay up late as hell listening to it in my bed. Looking forward to the next book.

Solid foundation

This book is very well written, and Michael Kramer's performance gives it a lot of life. It takes a lot of inspiration from The Wheel of Time, though in my opinion it isn't quite as captivating. There are multiple instances where characters "somehow" know what to do, which stood out to me. I also felt that the magic systems could have been explored more.
Overall, I think this book is worth checking out, and it's a very good foundation for the rest of the series.

Can't wait for the next book

I love the story line. It remind me of Brandon Sanderson's works. I came to have feelings and likes all the characters.