Licanius 1: Shadow of What Was Lost

'A storytelling assurance rare for a debut . . . Fans of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson will find much to admire' Guardian

AS DESTINY CALLS, A JOURNEY BEGINS

It has been twenty years since the god-like Augurs were overthrown and killed. Now, those who once served them - the Gifted - are spared only because they have accepted the rebellion's Four Tenets, vastly limiting their own powers.

As a young Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war lost before he was even born. He and others like him are despised. But when Davian discovers he wields the forbidden powers of the Augurs, he sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything.

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 . . .

And in the far north, an ancient enemy long thought defeated, begins to stir.


'Wonderful worldbuilding and terrific characters' Boingboing.net

'Will appeal to anybody looking for a coming-of-age fantasy tale with likeable characters and strong worldbuilding' Fantasy Faction

'Love the Wheel of Time? This is about to become your new favourite series' Barnes & Noble SF and Fantasy Blog

Storytelling assurance rare for a debut . . . Fans of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson will find much to admire (GUARDIAN)

So exciting . . . Will appeal not only to The Wheel of Time readers, but to anybody looking for a coming-of-age fantasy tale with likeable characters and strong worldbuilding (FANTASY FACTION)

A traditional coming-of-age, saving-the-world epic fantasy in the vein of Tad Williams, Raymond E. Feist (and yes, Robert Jordan). But it also has the flavour of something new . . . You'll be left wanting more (SFX)

Action aplenty and an ample spattering of violence . . . This is a whole new world with a fresh fantasy streak (SCIFINOW)

A relentless juggernaut of a book . . . Astoundingly intricate worldbuilding (DAILY MAIL)

Wonderful worldbuilding and terrific characters (BOINGBOING)

Incessant plot twists and a relentless pace (KIRKUS)

Love the Wheel of Time? This is about to become your new favourite series (BARNES & NOBLE SF BLOG)

Complex magic, terrifying threats out of legend, political intrigue, and a large cast of characters . . . Fans of doorstop epic fantasy will not be disappointed (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)

Magic, monsters, prophecies, betrayals and revenge . . . The first novel by James Islington has it all (THE ELOQUENT PAGE)