Victorian Era England with a twist. Seven Ancient beings of death and destruction are plaguing the lands, making everyone live in fear. Cities are being destroyed. Many lives are being lost. And there's hardly a thing that people can do to stop them. Their only hope of salvation? The sorcerers. And even the sorcerers don't seem to be enough. A prophecy foretells that a female sorcerer will save them all. Henrietta Howel is that female sorcerer, or is she?
A Shadow Bright and Burning is a very fun novel and I really enjoyed reading it. Though I was expecting a kind of Clockwork Angel feel (because of the setting), and that wasn't what I got. It was still a fun read, just the setting didn't play into the story nearly as much as I was expecting.
Henrietta is a great protagonist, she's strong but not entirely full of herself. I enjoyed reading from her perspective because she was really someone I could root for.
Her best friend Rook, well, I liked him enough to not want him to die, but apart from that? Not overly attached.
Henrietta is brought to train as a sorcerer, the first female sorcerer in a long time. So basically she's surrounded by a bunch of sorcerer boys. That element excited me about the book, haha.
Julian Magnus is one of the many sorcerers. And he is so my type. Flirtatious, cocky and loves to joke. Also, he may joke most of the time, but when it comes down to it he's very protective. He's a regular Will Herondale. Haha. What's not to love about this boy? Okay, he's actually a very confusing character, but I'll get more onto that in the spoilers section.
Then there's George Blackwood. The jerkish, brooding rich boy. Of course, he's hiding some things too.
There are other boys, but these are the two that stand out most in my mind. If you don't like one, you'll probably find the other attractive. Or if you're into the pst friend type there's always Rook.
Of course, the high light of this story isn't the fun of attractive boys, although that is very appealing. The fun of the story is turning the cliche of the chosen one on its head.
They all think Henrietta is the chosen one... but she'd not. That's the fun of the story, it's so different from most other stories because the CHOSEN ONE is a very classic cliche because it's one people love to read about.
The world building is very well done as well. We get introduced to a lot of lore about magicians, wizards and witches. It's actually very interesting lore, and the villains of the story? The Ancients? I have a feeling we have a to more to learn about them and I'm very excited to see more of them. I have a feeling there's a lot more than meets the eye (and there's a lot that meets the eye). I have to say I'm really looking forward to seeing more of these characters and more of this world. 7/10 stars, it was a really strong beginning to hopefully a new favorite series. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy and or historical fiction. It's a fun read.
Synopsis:
I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?
Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?
DICUSSION SPOILERS
Okay Magnus/Julian. WHAT THE HELL?! He really did seem like the perfect boy, very Will Herondale-esk. And then he was all like we could sleep together and all but I can't be with you and I was like Will? Is that you? Except then his character just basically completely changes to showing him in a darker light-- him saying she was a tease and whatnot. Like what the hell? And not just that then it goes back to oh yeah they're friends again and he's actually a good person again. That left me feeling very confused, because despite everything I still am really attached to this character. It was left with maybe a feeling of hope for Julian and Henrietta and despite all the horrible things he said... I still want them together? Sorry, I know that's wrong but I just got so attached to Julian in the first half and am hoping to see more of a better side of him in the later books.
I don't really understand the relationship between Rook and Henrietta. Like I know Rook has romantic feelings for her, but it's unclear how Henrietta feels about Rook. I like Rook, don't love him. And I certainly don't want him and Henrietta to end up together.
George? I really feel like it's either him or Julian as end game. Who knows really.
I'm curious about the Ancients. I had this theory maybe the skinless guy is her dad somehow because her dad isn't dead but haha. Probably not.
Anyway, just really enjoyed this series and am looking forward to reading more!
-Anj
A Shadow Bright and Burning is a very fun novel and I really enjoyed reading it. Though I was expecting a kind of Clockwork Angel feel (because of the setting), and that wasn't what I got. It was still a fun read, just the setting didn't play into the story nearly as much as I was expecting.
Henrietta is a great protagonist, she's strong but not entirely full of herself. I enjoyed reading from her perspective because she was really someone I could root for.
Her best friend Rook, well, I liked him enough to not want him to die, but apart from that? Not overly attached.
Henrietta is brought to train as a sorcerer, the first female sorcerer in a long time. So basically she's surrounded by a bunch of sorcerer boys. That element excited me about the book, haha.
Julian Magnus is one of the many sorcerers. And he is so my type. Flirtatious, cocky and loves to joke. Also, he may joke most of the time, but when it comes down to it he's very protective. He's a regular Will Herondale. Haha. What's not to love about this boy? Okay, he's actually a very confusing character, but I'll get more onto that in the spoilers section.
Then there's George Blackwood. The jerkish, brooding rich boy. Of course, he's hiding some things too.
There are other boys, but these are the two that stand out most in my mind. If you don't like one, you'll probably find the other attractive. Or if you're into the pst friend type there's always Rook.
Of course, the high light of this story isn't the fun of attractive boys, although that is very appealing. The fun of the story is turning the cliche of the chosen one on its head.
They all think Henrietta is the chosen one... but she'd not. That's the fun of the story, it's so different from most other stories because the CHOSEN ONE is a very classic cliche because it's one people love to read about.
The world building is very well done as well. We get introduced to a lot of lore about magicians, wizards and witches. It's actually very interesting lore, and the villains of the story? The Ancients? I have a feeling we have a to more to learn about them and I'm very excited to see more of them. I have a feeling there's a lot more than meets the eye (and there's a lot that meets the eye). I have to say I'm really looking forward to seeing more of these characters and more of this world. 7/10 stars, it was a really strong beginning to hopefully a new favorite series. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy and or historical fiction. It's a fun read.
Synopsis:
I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?
Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?
DICUSSION SPOILERS
Okay Magnus/Julian. WHAT THE HELL?! He really did seem like the perfect boy, very Will Herondale-esk. And then he was all like we could sleep together and all but I can't be with you and I was like Will? Is that you? Except then his character just basically completely changes to showing him in a darker light-- him saying she was a tease and whatnot. Like what the hell? And not just that then it goes back to oh yeah they're friends again and he's actually a good person again. That left me feeling very confused, because despite everything I still am really attached to this character. It was left with maybe a feeling of hope for Julian and Henrietta and despite all the horrible things he said... I still want them together? Sorry, I know that's wrong but I just got so attached to Julian in the first half and am hoping to see more of a better side of him in the later books.
I don't really understand the relationship between Rook and Henrietta. Like I know Rook has romantic feelings for her, but it's unclear how Henrietta feels about Rook. I like Rook, don't love him. And I certainly don't want him and Henrietta to end up together.
George? I really feel like it's either him or Julian as end game. Who knows really.
I'm curious about the Ancients. I had this theory maybe the skinless guy is her dad somehow because her dad isn't dead but haha. Probably not.
Anyway, just really enjoyed this series and am looking forward to reading more!
-Anj
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