The Shadow of What Was Lost Audiobook By James Islington cover art

The Shadow of What Was Lost

Licanius, Book 1

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The Shadow of What Was Lost

By: James Islington
Narrated by: Michael Kramer
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About this listen

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....

©2015 James Islington (P)2015 Podium Audio
Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Essentials Fiction War
About the Creator - James Islington

About the Creator

James Islington was born and raised in southern Victoria, Australia. His influences growing up were the stories of Raymond E. Feist and Robert Jordan, but it wasn’t until he read Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series that he was finally inspired to write something of his own. He now is the internationally bestselling author of the Licanius Trilogy, comprising The Shadow of What Was Lost, An Echo of Things to Come, and The Light of All That Falls. Islington lives with his wife and two children on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

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What listeners say about The Shadow of What Was Lost

Highly rated for:

Intricate World-building Multilayered Plot Excellent Narration Unique Magic System Original Fantasy Elements
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant!

Any additional comments?

I read many reviews comparing The Shadow of What Was Lost to Robert Jordan's work. I was almost offended that a new author would be compared to the legendary Jordan. However, after listening to this fantastic debut, I must grudgingly agree with the other reviewers. Many aspects of the world Islington created are indeed similar to The Wheel of Time. However, the story feels very original and I don't feel this is just a copy of Jordan's work.

You will instantly find yourself caring for the characters. The story flows smoothly and the ending instantly makes you want to find the sequel. There are quite a few unanswered questions which I have been speculating on daily since I finished listening. I hope we get some answers in the next installment.

I do have two minor complaints (small enough not to reduce the 5-star rating). The first is I would have liked more physical descriptions of the main characters. There weren't enough physical descriptors to build a good picture of the characters in my mind's eye. The other complaint is that this is only planned as a trilogy. Just with the story lines already started, I could easily see 5 - 6 books without the story dragging. I'm hoping Islington creates another trilogy set in the same world after The Licanius Trilogy is complete.

Michael Kramer, as always, was absolutely superb.

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140 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Classic fantasy

Nice start to a good story
I was hooked and did not stop till it was done. Looking forward to the next one

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9 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good listen

While I can see where people think it's a wheel of time knock off, I think it is its own story. Looking forward to next book.

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5 people found this helpful

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Extremely good book, definitely worth listening!

This book exceeded my expectations for the young self published author. I'm excited for the remaining books in the series!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Brandon Sanderson must be a ghostwriter!

fantastic book, with a awesome ending. loved every minute a must read for Sanderson/Jordan fans

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow Start, Big Finish

This book took a while before it started getting good, and for a long time I kept wondering why they thought Robert Jordan fans would enjoy this. Obviously, that was the main thing that attracted me to this novel - that stuff really works, but you have to deliver. Unfortunately there is a long buildup, nearly half the book's length, before everything really starts to come together.

When it does, there is some really awesome stuff here, albeit not so startlingly original that I would put it among my top fantasy picks. Still, elements of time travel come in as well as reprecussions of prophecy spoken by the Augers, and the book really started to hook me in and make my mind spin trying to figure out what all this could be leading to.

The depth of the main characters is nice, and the slow revelations of who each person is and their backstories is a nice touch. The villains could use a lot of work though, I think. They just don't stand out a lot against other typical fantasy bad guys / monsters. The main battle at the end is kind of typical for fantasy, and I was much more into the developing intrigue and secret reveals in the book rather than the action.

Overall an enjoyable book, and I definitely hope to catch the next one when it comes out.

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3 people found this helpful

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Good book - worth the credit

This book is a good listen - the story line is interesting and it is the start of a good series.

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Wow

What a fantastic surprise! I bought this book off of a reviewers suggestion... And I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it. People always compare him to Jordan and Sanderson it seems, both of whom I'm a fan of, and I definitely see Sanderson's influence on him. However, he is his own author. Unique in his own right. Deep world, many twists, engaging characters, and a fantastic story. Can't wait for the second book!

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2 people found this helpful

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Deep and confusing

It's a breathtaking story, but as other reviews mentioned - it's easy to get lost. When I started this series I'd listed to chapters multiple times to try and figure out what what happening, the context, what's what. After the first book, now I just sort of listen to it, get that I don't know what is happening, and keep listening hoping it will make sense later. Sometimes is does, sometimes is doesn't.

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quarantine reading

this was an interesting read during the current economic slow down. I've read reviews for the next 2 books & i think I'll enjoy finishing this

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