Hello fellow book nerds!
This book was one of my most anticipated when it was about to come out. I got approved for the book through Netgalley as the book released and unfortunately did not have time to get to it. I figured with The Demon Tide coming out, it was the perfect time to reread the series and finally dive into The Shadow Wand.
So, thank you Inkyard Press for the advanced copy via Netgalley, but I used the finished audio to complete this review.
NOTE: If you did not reach The Black Witch or The Iron Flower, there will be spoilers. The review for The Shadow Wand is spoiler free itself, as always.
See my reviews for the first two books here:
Book 1: The Black Witch by Laurie Forest: Book Review
Book 2: The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest – YABC Review
Happy Reading!
The Shadow Wand
Laurie Forest
5 out of 5 stars
Summary
Taken from Goodreads
Elloren Gardner hides the most powerful secret in all Erthia—she is the Black Witch of Prophecy, and destined to triumph…or be used as the ultimate weapon of destruction.
Separated from everyone she loves, isolated and hunted, Elloren must turn to the last person she can trust—her fastmate, Commander Lukas Grey. With the Mage forces of Gardneria poised to conquer all of Erthia, Elloren has no choice but to ally with Lukas and combine their power to keep herself out of the hands of Gardnerian leader Marcus Vogel…the holder of the all-consuming Shadow Wand.
With just weeks to train to become a warrior, and no control over her magic, Elloren finds unexpected allies among those under orders to kill her. It’s time to step up. To fight back. And to forge onward through the most devastating loss yet.
Feedback
Okay. This is going to be really hard to write without spoiling anything but I’ll try. Holy Ancient One this book is amazing. I’m not really surprised as this whole series has been absolutely amazing. The beginning of this book was started a little different by giving us the point of views of other characters, but I really liked it. Once the view finally gets back to Elloren, she is with Lukas trying to explain he needs her protection without divulging too many secrets until she knows she can trust him. There is so much that happens and I don’t want to spoil it but the story is fast paced and nonstop. I enjoyed learning more about Elloren’s power. But be ready to not want to put this book down once you start it!
As mentioned, the beginning of the book has different points of views. It occurs a little more throughout the book as well, but not as much. I thought this was brilliant. Since everyone is in different places, it gives an insight of what they are doing without taking up too much time. I also like that these were done in the third book and not earlier. These characters are know well known and it makes me want to know more about them. I thought Forest did this perfectly. Elloren grows so much in this book, into herself and her magic. What still makes me mad though is how she blames Lukas for her wandfasting and then after he explains it a little more she forgives him. Like, ELLOREN, he told you he was doing this to protect you and you’re Aunt is a Crazy B so why else would you think he was doing it hurt you? But I do like that Lukas’ character was more introduced in this book. I’ve always liked his character and it made me appreciate him more. Now, I’m still Team Yvan but I do enjoy Lukas as well.
Final Thoughts
Overall, The Shadow Wand by Laurie Forest was even more amazing than I thought it was going to be. I don’t know if I can really explain all of my feelings but I absolutely adore this series. It seriously is so amazing and just offers so much. There are an abundant of amazing, and hateable, characters. The story is just fascinating and the pacing makes you feel like you’re reading a 200 page book rather than a 500+ page book. I highly recommend this series if you are a fantasy lover.
Audio Review
NOTE: The narration does not affect my rating.
Y’all. If anyone has anything negative to say about Julia Whelan — then you are insulting a queen. Because that is what she is. And only a queen can narrate a series like this.
Books in the Skye 