Without a Shadow

You can only teach your shadow one trick. Adlai’s father taught her’s the Shadow Game. Adlai can use her shadow to steal anything she sets her eye on. But when her father is murdered by trappers and they set their sights on her, Adlai comes under the protection of her Uncle. He wants to teach her to use her powerful shadow to bring down the trappers once and for all.

The premise of this book was really unique. Casters can control their shadows to do all sorts of magic: travel long distances in a flash, hide things, heal, kill, even revive themselves from the dead. But the Suncasts, people with normal shadows, have been hunting them to experiment with the magic. In fact in one of the opening scenes one of the researchers uses shadow magic to heal an ailing prince by returning his youth. This sounds chilling and inhumane, until we learn later that the Suncasts have been using this research to create healing elixers for the sick and to provide strength to the weak. The conflict between both sides is the driving force for the plot. Is it okay to sacrifice a stranger to save someone you love?

The twists were a little bit predictable for me. I figured something had to be up with Erikys when he refused to join Adlai in her shadow training classes to learn how to use his own powers. And then when he was snooping around the library and Luth’s house I had guessed he was a spy. He never wanted to use his powers and depended on Adlai’s magic.

The romance fell a little flat for me too. There wasn’t much chemistry between them. The only thing that really bonded them was both of them being arrested at the same time and having to depend on each other to escape. I guess having them be love interests was supposed to make his betrayal hit harder? I honestly felt like Kanwar would have been a better love interest. But who knows, maybe that will pop up in book two.

Overall a fun, adventure filled fantasy with unique magic and likeable characters.

I really enjoyed the idea behind this book, and it was executed remarkably well especially with this being the author's debut novel. The characters were well-developed, the world was immersive, and the plot was fast-paced while not being too fast. This can be a difficult balance to strike, but Reynolds definitely hit the mark here. Sure, was some of the plot twists predictable if you were paying attention? Yes, but again, they were done well enough that I didn't necessarily care that I had guessed them.

Adlai's journey offers some interesting opportunities for development. First, having to hide her shadow from those around her even her closest friend as well as holding onto the hope that her father is still somehow alive. Second, finding out that there are lies that she has been told (to protect her) but still that was a blow as well. Third, determining that sometimes there isn't a clear good/bad side but rather there are people who are making choices based on what they believe are the best.

This book is not about romance (there is some but it definitely takes a backseat to everything). It is a book about self-discovery, about figuring out how to pick yourself back up when the world you thought you knew and understood shatters around you. Do be aware that this book ends on a cliffhanger that makes it clear that there are plans for a sequel in the future.