New author James Islington brings back epic doorstop fantasy with The Shadow of What Was Lost. On the surface this is another fantasy book about a young man discovering his strengths as he does a lot of walking around while trying to save his world. But with everyone around him keeping secrets the group dynamic is always shifting as the characters learn more about each other and themselves.

In this fantasy world magic is hated and cruelly regulated due to past misuse. However, the only thing that supposedly protects human civilization from a legendary evil army is a magical barrier that rumor claims is falling apart. Davien possesses a rare magical talent the means a death sentence for him if it's discovered but it also might allow him to repair the barrier if it isn't already too late. Caeden is an amnesiac accused of slaughtering everyone in his village. Whether or not he's guilty is debatable bit it quickly becomes obvious that he is not a simple villager. Just who is Caeden and can Davien trust him? 

The writing is great, the characters are believable, and the world is well realized. There isn't a huge cliffhanger because the climax of the story reveals Caeden's mystery identity. For the record, I guessed his identity but since his motives and allegiances are still unknown (even to himself) I still look forward to book two which comes out in August 2017.

Michael Kramer, an excellent narrator, voices the audiobook which has 4.5 stars on Audible.