ARC REVIEW: IN THE SHADOW OF LIGHTNING. OR A BOOK YOU HAVE TO READ. HAVE TO.

Hello everyone! Today I am here with an impossible task: write a review for a book that I loved to pieces. And sometimes writing a review for a book we love is the easiest thing ever. But sometimes not so much. And yep, this is the second case. When I finished this book my brain was in overdrive: I was excited, I was fangirling like crazy and I couldn’t say a coherent thing for the life of me. It was all “you have to read it. You have to read it. Read it! Read it!”. So I tried to let some time pass because maybe my thoughts would find some sort of order, or sense but… nope. Sadly, I am still here internally screaming “read it!” every chance I get so… I’ll try, but I am not making promises!

Thanks to NetGalley and to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: In The Shadow Of Lightning
Series: Glass Immortals #1
Author: Brian McClellan
Pages: 576
Expected Publication Date: June 21st, 2022

From Brian McClellan, author of The Powder Mage trilogy, comes the first novel in the Glass Immortals series, In the Shadow of Lightning, an epic fantasy where magic is a finite resource—and it’s running out.

“Excellent worldbuilding and a truly epic narrative combine into Brian’s finest work to date. Heartily recommended to anyone who wants a new favorite fantasy series to read.”—Brandon Sanderson
Demir Grappo is an outcast—he fled a life of wealth and power, abandoning his responsibilities as a general, a governor, and a son. Now he will live out his days as a grifter, rootless, and alone. But when his mother is brutally murdered, Demir must return from exile to claim his seat at the head of the family and uncover the truth that got her killed: the very power that keeps civilization turning, godglass, is running out.
Now, Demir must find allies, old friends and rivals alike, confront the powerful guild-families who are only interested in making the most of the scraps left at the table and uncover the invisible hand that threatens the Empire. A war is coming, a war unlike any other. And Demir and his ragtag group of outcasts are the only thing that stands in the way of the end of life as the world knows it.

Usually, I try to not start a new series by an author if I have started another series by him (or her), and sure there are exceptions, because if I have reached the last published volume of the series I can start a new one while I wait, and sometimes I just start another series because I have no will power whatsoever when we speak about books, but I try. And with McClellan, I failed miserably! I am currently reading three series by him, if we count this one too, and I am not sorry in the least!
Anyway, when I saw this book on NetGalley I had to request it, and when they approved me I was excited. A lot. Then I started it and… wow! I was awed by it. Amazed. And completely captivated. There is so much in this book. And I really mean it. We have amazing characters, a lot of them, we have an interesting world-building, and a solid plot, with some twists and turns. And so much more.
And the point is that I really mean it, but I am not in the best frame of mind to express that coherently, so I’ll try with an example: I was reading and enjoying the book, and I was around the 70% when I needed to take a little break (do you know when you are reading something that it is so good, so captivating so perfect that it become a tad too much and you just need a little breath? It was like that) so I put down the book and decided to check some reviews for it. And I found a review that was talking about things that were unknown to me. So much so that I had the doubt for a moment that this was a review for a completely different book, because I read more than half of it, and all this guy was saying was totally new to me. And he was right because those things were in the book. It was mindblowing. But in the best possible way!

You really should read this book, if you are an epic fantasy reader, and if you liked his other books or Sanderson’s books, you would love this one. And here are some reasons:

1. Demir Grappo. Our MC. He is one of the best MCs ever. You know from the start that you would suffer with him. But he would be there for it because you can’t just leave him all alone. You need to be there for him. He is adorable and cute, but not naive, he can be ruthless when there is a need, but his heart is in the right place. And he is brilliant. He is a master tactician, he is so good he is scary. Really. And he is a rascal, too. And a powerful glassdancer. (Glassdancers are the magician of this world, of a sort). He is a flawed hero, he is not the shining knight, at all, but you just love him for that!
2. Idrian. We have some different POVs in this book, one is Demir’s obviously, and another one is Idrian. I need more of him. He is an interesting and deep character. And wow… he is so good. He is loyal, he is resourceful and he, like Demir too, has a unique sense of humor, quite dark, but it is the perfect kind for a soldier. And he is one who is really worth meeting. Trust me.
3. Baby Montego. Once you can pass over the name without laughing because… really dear author? Baby?? Anyway, we don’t have a POV for him and this was a bit disappointing because come on! He is an amazing character. He is so good!!! I cant’ decide between these three, but every one of them feels so real, and so amazing.
   
   “I am Baby Montego and I will sing my own song”
   
   
4. The Characters. I loved the previous three the most, but we have a lot of interesting and amazing characters in this book, besides these three. Thessa is amazing, and I love when we find people who are capable and that love their job and are freaking good at it! Tad is another interesting one, and I wanted to know him better because there is some potential in there too. And I just have to talk about Mika, because she is another amazing character. She is, like Thessa, amazing in her work, and she knows how good she is. And she is brilliant too!
5. The Magical System. It reminded me a bit of the one in Mistborn by Sanderson. They are not alike. They are not the same, but there is something that can remind you of it. And I loved it! Even if we don’t have a heavy magic system in there, and even if it is not really at the center of things, it is intriguing and captivating.
6. The Prologue. It’s the best ever. You just have to read it. And once you read it, well… you won’t be able to put down the book!
7. The Intrigues. We have a mystery in there, and a lot of powerful families who are constantly trying to be the ones on top. So intrigues, plot, politics, and more. So much more! And betrayals. And some of them hurt so much!
8. The Humor. It is a pretty dark book, all things considered, but the characters have the ability to make things better with some good humor. Sure, more often than not it is pretty dark, but it is so good. So so good! I suffered so much with this book, but I rejoiced with it too and laughed. I was there for it, and I had a blast out of it!
9. Cudgeling. It is a sport. That the author creates. Perfect!

I know that my words aren’t enough. I really can’t stress enough how much I loved this one. I had a blast out of it. It made me feel so much, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me feel like all these characters were real. And now I am so invested in their story, so intrigued by this world, that I am really having a hard time letting it go. And it was pure bliss!

So… I have just one more thing to add:

What about you? Have you read this book? Or others by this author?? Let me know!!!

Happy reading!
S.