James Islington's first novel, The Shadow Of What Was Lost is an epic fantasy. I read this slowly to catch all the detail and appreciate the wonderful world building and terrific characters.
Islington introduces us to a world where magic users have been suborned and ostracized. 20 years previous something disrupted the power of the seemingly all-powerful Augurs, and allowed normal folks a chance to upset the balance of power. As the tenuous society they've built begins to unravel, Davian, Wirr and Asha, three students at one of the last schools for Gifted users of Essence are dragged into the middle of a generations long battle against an enemy no one wants to believe exists.
Islington has a wonderful way of revealing detail. I really enjoy it, he seems to be opening each storyline, as well as world building and explaining the magic/lore of Andarra at a perfect pace. It keeps me wanting more and more, I am looking forward to seeing the story continue.
