BONNIER Spellslinger 2: Shadowblack: Book Two in the page-turning new fantasy series

I was talked into buying the first book by a friend and never regretted it! I love the series and will continue reading the following parts enthusiastically. And I really like the looks of the softcover with its coloured pages! Very nice!

Okay. Firstly, I’m strongly disappointed with this second instalment of Spellslinger series… But why am I that much disappointed? Mainly because I had really high expectations into this book when I read the first, and also because the things that I had enjoyed most when reading the first instalment… I didn’t enjoyed them in Shadowblack.We still follow Kellen in his new adventure being an outsider, an outlaw away from his home, a stranger in the vast world facing his new path and being insufferable. We all know you’re suffering, kid, but GROW UP. I don’t think he actually evolved a bit in the whole book. Alongside boring-Kellen, we have his two only friends: Ferius, who I still think could be better developed as a character because I do believe we could see her full potential… if the author dared, and Reichis, the character who saves this book with his witty sense of humour. He saves all the scenes. ALL. Without him, I’d surely abandoned this book.Among all the things I haven’t liked, the least was the use of the same pattern and plot development as in Spellslinger. Also, we still have the same POV (1st person - Kellen) that although I loved in the previous book, I didn’t like it that much here. I’d hoped to have different POVs (at least Ferius’), I’d hoped to get into new cultures —okay, we got into a new one culture but it wasn’t expanded as much as I expected—, I’d hope to meet new interesting female characters —we met Seneira and Rosie but they ended up meaning nothing to the whole story. IDK—. All the amazing plot twists that we faced in the previous book don’t work here and the final chapters have totally expectable resolutions. We have a lot of clichés, such as instalove and that 'kind’ of fast and predictable ending that are really (and sadly) common in YA books.Anyway, I’m surely going to read the third instalment (mainly because of Reichis) and because I truly hope this series could improve and I don’t give up on my expectations.

I don't know what it is about the author but I fly through his books, reading one after another. Teen fiction it maybe ( and I left that behind decades ago) but I just love his books. Fantasy setting and great characters you care about. Just started book 4 and 5&6 arrived today. Try book 1 and see what you think, i think they're great 👍

Van de vijf boeken waren er 3 beschadigd.

It was an ok read. I wouldn't be in a hurry to pick up any more in this series.