Digital Reads Reviews
Book Review - Shadow Trials by Isla Frost
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Blurb
Ever since magic stormed the world, the price for human survival is surrendering your firstborn to the monsters.
But this year it’s Nova’s turn, and the monsters better watch their backs.
I am the firstborn in my family.
The first of three.
And today I will pay the price for my siblings’ lives by surrendering control of my own.
I will step through the runegate, and I will never see my family again.
What the others do with the firstborn is shrouded in mystery.
All anyone knows is they are never heard from again.
I will step through the runegate willingly.
But I can keep secrets too.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to bring the others to their knees…
My Review
What was it all about
A world that had been ravaged by the war and was left decrepit. Humans were trying to survive in such a world were resources were scarce. A treaty was signed at the end of the war that the firstborn would be handed over on their seventeenth year. But handed over to whom?
What happened to them after they crossed the runegate? And who was in charge now? Were they all monsters, or did Nova had to learn that she had another fight on her hands. A fight for her survival and her friends – that was her Shadow Trials.
How it made me feel
The book was exciting to read as Nova had to enter the unknown and learn how to navigate the minefield where the Walkers were the magic wielders and the humans had to stay a step ahead. I enjoyed the spark of excitement that unfurled in me when I got to know the trials ahead of her. Each one was more dangerous than the previous.
The Good
Fast-paced, I was pulled into Nova’s new world as even the place she was kept had secrets within its walls. The characters, at least the friends, had a good camaraderie going on. I loved their bonding and loyalty.
The various Shadow Trials were fun to read as the protagonist had to use strength and intelligence.
The Bad - Spoiler Alert - Don't read this if you want to read the book
The tagline said Harry Potter met Hunger Games. And oh boy, the book had a serious hangover of Harry Potter with the classes and magic and spells and wands. Luckily, with 280+ pages, there were no scenes similar to the Quidditch games.
Then came the Hunger Games. And all the humans were sent to the forest to deal with different monsters and beings. The characters were not developed well to etch them in my brain, and the ending was wrapped up pretty quickly. I guess I wanted not a Harry Potter look alike, but something that was original in its delivery.
The Conclusion
It was still a good read. Till 60% of the book, the mystery was kept. The secondary plot lines were written in to keep the atmosphere tense. Maybe the second book in the series would be great.
Book Links
Book Details
Publication Date: September 2019
I downloaded the digital version of the book from an online retail, and this is my journey down its pages, straight from the heart. STRICTLY HONEST and UNBIASED.
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