The Shadow of What Was Lost
It has been twenty years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs - once thought of almost as gods - were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets. A representation of these laws is now written into the flesh of any who use the Gift, forcing those so marked into absolute obedience.
As a student of the Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war fought – and lost – before he was born. Despised by most beyond the school walls, he and those around him are all but prisoners as they attempt to learn control of the Gift. Worse, as Davian struggles with his lessons, he knows that there is further to fall if he cannot pass his final tests.
But when Davian discovers he has the ability to wield the forbidden power of the Augurs, he sets into motion a chain of events that will change everything. To the north, an ancient enemy long thought defeated begins to stir. And 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...
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James Islington
James Islington’s work stands as a testament to the power of intricate world-building and the unyielding pull of morally complex characters. As a master of epic fantasy, he crafts stories that stretch the imagination, leaving readers questioning the very nature of fate, choice, and time itself. His debut novel, The Shadow of What Was Lost, quickly became a beloved cornerstone of modern fantasy, praised for its layered narrative and deep philosophical undercurrents.
Born and raised in Australia, Islington’s early love for speculative fiction was sparked by the works of authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Brandon Sanderson. However, it wasn’t just these giants of the genre that influenced his writing. The complexity of time travel, alternate realities, and the tension between light and dark are themes he has explored ever since his first foray into the world of storytelling. For Islington, writing isn’t just about creating new worlds—it’s about asking the big questions: What happens when the hero must become the villain? What if choices made in the past could irrevocably alter the present?
The Licanius Trilogy
The Licanius Trilogy consists of three books — considered a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Reviews and Comments
It's a definite must read if you like Brandon Sanderson or Robert Jordan.