Status
Available
Description
"Fast paced and full of energy" -Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Shadows of the Apt "This manuscript is full of highly crafted detail that will make readers shiver at times with fear and delight ... a familiar yet highly original fantasy that is a worthwhile read." - Publishers Weekly Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2012 semi-finalist. An ancient empire stands on the brink of a civil war. His arrival may push it over the edge. It is the sixteenth year of Queen Victoria's enlightened rule and the world trembles before the might of her ironclad navy and the dreaded Dragon Corps. The largest ship ever built sails from the Brigstow Harbour on a journey to the mysterious lands of Orient. Its load - a regiment of the Royal Marines and one Bran ap Dylan - freshly graduate in Dracology at the Llambed Academy of Mystic Arts. In the empire of Yamato, sealed from the rest of the world for the last two centuries, a wizard's daughter Sato witnesses her father joining an anti-government conspiracy. Her friend Nagomi, training to be a priestess, is haunted by dark visions that she must keep secret. Neither of them is aware that a change is coming to Yamato... on the wings of a dragon. A detailed and fast-paced historical fantasy based around the turbulent opening of Japan to the West in the middle of the 19th century, "The Shadow of the Black Wings" is the first volume in "The Year of the Dragon" saga. The second volume, "The Warrior's Soul," is expected in August.… (more)
Pages
338
Library's review
2.5 stars. The first part of the book, that featured Bran at school and fighting with his father, was more annoying than enjoyable. When we moved to Yamato and focused on the two girls, one of whom is primarily functioning as her father's son and heir, the story engaged me. Unfortunately there's a
Also, pet peeves:
- there is no such word as "wizardess." Did we really need to invent that word so as to more deeply inscribe gender roles in a fantasy world?
- This book, and the last fantasy novel I read, both seem to have been infected by the Harry Potter style of magical invocations. Ugh. I guess this is a trend? It's not one I had encountered before.
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cliff-hanger ending, and it looks like there's going to be a lot of political intrigue before we get back to the level of the story I find enjoyable. So I'm not sure whether I'll pursue the sequel.Also, pet peeves:
- there is no such word as "wizardess." Did we really need to invent that word so as to more deeply inscribe gender roles in a fantasy world?
- This book, and the last fantasy novel I read, both seem to have been infected by the Harry Potter style of magical invocations. Ugh. I guess this is a trend? It's not one I had encountered before.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member RebeccaGraf
A young boy struggles with taking the steps toward his future. Not yet a man, yet not a child anymore he goes on an adventure that will change his life. The Shadow of Black Wings is a riveting tale of adventure, growth, and discovering the truth.
The story is not fast paced but not too slow, either.
I loved the many different stories and the characters with their intricate histories. They are all tied together as they move forward in their lives. Each one is described vividly in ways that show an excellent writing talent. The writer does not just tell the reader what the characters are like. He shows them through their actions and through their dialogues.
This story has magic, mythological creatures, and many other fantasy aspects. I did love the fact that it is not a different world. It is our world but in a time long ago. Many names and locations are similar and help the reader relate as it can be hard to understand everything in the beginning with the new words for places, weapons, and such.
The Shadow of Black Wings is an excellent read that will keep you glued to the pages. Check it out.
Note: I received this book from participating in a book tour with no expectation of a positive review.
The story is not fast paced but not too slow, either.
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It keeps the reader engaged even when the slower, descriptive sections of the book are read. The action is captivating as is the storyline. As the story progresses, other storylines merge into the main one giving the entire story depth. Characters come alive as they struggle within themselves and with others around them.I loved the many different stories and the characters with their intricate histories. They are all tied together as they move forward in their lives. Each one is described vividly in ways that show an excellent writing talent. The writer does not just tell the reader what the characters are like. He shows them through their actions and through their dialogues.
This story has magic, mythological creatures, and many other fantasy aspects. I did love the fact that it is not a different world. It is our world but in a time long ago. Many names and locations are similar and help the reader relate as it can be hard to understand everything in the beginning with the new words for places, weapons, and such.
The Shadow of Black Wings is an excellent read that will keep you glued to the pages. Check it out.
Note: I received this book from participating in a book tour with no expectation of a positive review.
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LibraryThing member CherieReads
Combine fantasy with alternate history, throw in a dash of steampunk and you have The Shadow of Black Wings. This was a really fun read. Elements of fantasy like magic and dragons combine with steampowered ships and clockwork gadgets all set in an alternate version of our world where the Roman
The world-building here is phenomenal. The magic systems are interesting but not so complex that you don't understand what's happening. There are languages here that sound just familiar enough that you know where they are "supposed"to be from. The settings are familiar but distinct. There are versions of England, Rome, China, Japan and others. They are familiar enough to make the reader comfortable in the geography but original enough to keep you interested in learning more about them.
There were a couple of things that I did not like so much. First, the point of view never technically changes but the character focus changes throughout the book without warning. I'd be reading pages of Bran and then all of the sudden Dylan was the main focus. I found it jarring and even confusing in a couple of parts. I had to go back an re-read paragraphs on more than one occasion. I don't mind changing focus but I prefer it if there is a clear delineation - either a chapter change or a "split" in the chapter (a **** between sections)
I also found the plot a little bit weak. I enjoyed reading about each of the characters and about Bran's journey but I never really knew where the book was going. I didn't know if the book was about Bran's journey, about the political climate, about the magic and dragons, or about something else entirely. I didn't feel like it was building to any real climax. Don't get me wrong, there were exciting parts! I just don't think there was one big storyline linking everything together.I suspect that this book is really the backdrop for bigger things to happen in Book 2 and beyond.
I definitely plan on reading the next book in the series, The Warrior's Soul. There was no huge cliffhanger in this book but there are a lot of unanswered questions. I am eager to learn what happens to Bran, Sato and Nagomi. Do they find Bran's dragon? Who is this man in the crimson robe? What's the story with Bran's grandfather? What happened to Dylan? I'm guessing that the second book will be action packed now that the scene is set and the cast of characters has been introduced. I can't wait to read more.
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Empire still exists. Completely original and unexpected. The world-building here is phenomenal. The magic systems are interesting but not so complex that you don't understand what's happening. There are languages here that sound just familiar enough that you know where they are "supposed"to be from. The settings are familiar but distinct. There are versions of England, Rome, China, Japan and others. They are familiar enough to make the reader comfortable in the geography but original enough to keep you interested in learning more about them.
There were a couple of things that I did not like so much. First, the point of view never technically changes but the character focus changes throughout the book without warning. I'd be reading pages of Bran and then all of the sudden Dylan was the main focus. I found it jarring and even confusing in a couple of parts. I had to go back an re-read paragraphs on more than one occasion. I don't mind changing focus but I prefer it if there is a clear delineation - either a chapter change or a "split" in the chapter (a **** between sections)
I also found the plot a little bit weak. I enjoyed reading about each of the characters and about Bran's journey but I never really knew where the book was going. I didn't know if the book was about Bran's journey, about the political climate, about the magic and dragons, or about something else entirely. I didn't feel like it was building to any real climax. Don't get me wrong, there were exciting parts! I just don't think there was one big storyline linking everything together.I suspect that this book is really the backdrop for bigger things to happen in Book 2 and beyond.
I definitely plan on reading the next book in the series, The Warrior's Soul. There was no huge cliffhanger in this book but there are a lot of unanswered questions. I am eager to learn what happens to Bran, Sato and Nagomi. Do they find Bran's dragon? Who is this man in the crimson robe? What's the story with Bran's grandfather? What happened to Dylan? I'm guessing that the second book will be action packed now that the scene is set and the cast of characters has been introduced. I can't wait to read more.
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LibraryThing member Jefficus
In a parallel history, where magic vies with science for supremacy over the affairs of men, young dragon rider Bran ap Dylan brings all these forces into focus. Offered a life of academic leisure, Bran chooses instead to follow his father's adventures into the exotic East, where three things
The story moves a little slowly for my tastes, and too often, Bran's knack for finding trouble fails to result in consequences for him. But the writing is good and the world is well imagined, so I'm hoping that the investment of time in Book 1 will pay off with a bit more action in Book 2.
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complicate his life there: he has been trained in Western magics, he doesn't speak the language, and he has been condemned to die as a foreign spy.The story moves a little slowly for my tastes, and too often, Bran's knack for finding trouble fails to result in consequences for him. But the writing is good and the world is well imagined, so I'm hoping that the investment of time in Book 1 will pay off with a bit more action in Book 2.
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Publication
Flying Squid, Paperback, 338 pages
Original publication date
2013-04 (2d ed.)
2012-06-28 (1st ed.)