Darkki's Bookshelf
I’m Mika (aka Darkki), the founder behind Risingshadow. While I don’t have as much time to read books these days, I’m constantly working on updating our site and book database and staying up to date with the latest trends in literature. My passion for books remains strong, and I enjoy keeping track of the newest releases, upcoming titles, and the most talked-about genres, particularly in sci-fi and fantasy.
Though my reading time may be limited, my focus is on curating a rich and diverse collection of books for fellow readers to discover, explore, and enjoy. Risingshadow is a place where every book has its moment to shine, and I’m always excited to share new books and trends with our growing community.
Feel free to browse through my collection and explore the exciting world of books on Risingshadow, whether you’re looking for something new to read or want to join the conversation around your favorite genres!
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Reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy in the omnibus edition was a unique and incredible experience. Having originally read each book separately, the transition to the omnibus gave me the chance to immerse myself in Tolkien’s epic world in a more fluid, continuous way, and it was as if the story never truly ended, keeping me absorbed from one page to the next without pause.
The Return of the King is the powerful conclusion to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it delivers everything that makes this series a monumental part of fantasy literature. After the gripping journey through The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, this final book wraps up the saga in a way that feels both satisfying and deeply moving.
I actually read The Fellowship of the Ring after The Two Towers, which might sound like a strange way to approach the series, but it didn't take away from the experience at all. If anything, it added a layer of depth to the journey I had already embarked on. After being swept away by the second book and its epic battles and quests, going back to the beginning felt like stepping into the roots of something grander, a foundation that set up everything I had already come to love about the story.
I first read The Two Towers when I was 15, completely by accident. I had gone to the library looking for something to read and picked it up without realizing it was the second book in The Lord of the Rings. It was the early ‘90s, and I hadn’t heard about the series before, so I just started reading. It didn’t take long to realize I had missed the first part of the story, but it didn’t matter—this book pulled me in so completely that I quickly picked up on what was happening and got lost in the adventure.
The Rise of Endymion brings the Hyperion Cantos to a powerful and emotional conclusion. It continues the journey of Raul Endymion and Aenea, diving deeper into the mysteries of the universe Simmons has built. While it didn’t quite hit the mind-blowing heights of Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion, it was still an incredible read.
After the masterpiece that was The Fall of Hyperion, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Endymion. It takes the story in a new direction, with new main characters and a different style, but it still delivers an incredible sci-fi adventure. While it didn’t quite reach the perfection of the first two books, it was still a fantastic read.
If Hyperion was amazing, The Fall of Hyperion somehow takes everything to an even higher level. It’s a completely different kind of book—where the first was a journey filled with personal stories and mysteries, this one delivers the full-scale, epic conclusion that ties everything together. I was completely hooked from start to finish.
For years, Hyperion sat on my reading list, always pushed aside for something else. I had heard great things about it, but the cover and description never really pulled me in. I have no idea why I waited so long—because when I finally picked it up, it completely blew me away. This is hands down one of the best sci-fi books I’ve ever read.
Assassin’s Quest is an emotional and breathtaking conclusion to the Farseer Trilogy. After the devastating events of Royal Assassin, Fitz’s journey takes a new turn, one filled with loneliness, hardship, and self-discovery. This book is slower and more introspective than the previous ones, but for me, it was a perfect.
Royal Assassin is everything I hoped for after Assassin’s Apprentice, and it completely lived up to my memories of this series. This book takes everything from the first installment—Fitz’s struggles, the court intrigue, the emotional weight—and pushes it even further.
I first read Assassin’s Apprentice back in 1996, and now, after re-reading it, I can say it’s just as incredible as I remember. Robin Hobb’s storytelling is immersive, and from the very first page, I was drawn back into the life of FitzChivalry Farseer.
The Bands of Mourning takes the Wax and Wayne series to a whole new level, expanding the world in exciting ways while delivering a thrilling adventure filled with action, humor, and some big revelations. After the darker tone of Shadows of Self, this book brings back a sense of excitement and discovery that made The Alloy of Law so much fun.
Shadows of Self continues Wax and Wayne’s story, bringing a deeper and darker tone to the Mistborn world. While The Alloy of Law was more of a fast-paced adventure, this book dives into deeper themes, including morality, law, and the challenges of leadership. The stakes feel bigger, and the world of Elendel is becoming more unstable, which adds a great sense of tension.
The Alloy of Law takes the Mistborn series in a fresh new direction, and I absolutely loved it. Set 300 years after the original trilogy, it introduces a world that feels familiar yet completely transformed. Seeing how Scadrial has evolved into an industrial-era setting with trains, guns, and electricity was fascinating, and Sanderson blends these new elements with the old magic systems perfectly.
The Hero of Ages is an incredible conclusion to the original Mistborn trilogy. Everything that has been building up in the first two books comes together in a way that is both unexpected and completely satisfying. Sanderson is a master at foreshadowing, and in this book, you realize just how many clues were hidden all along.
After the incredible first book, The Well of Ascension takes the story in a different direction. Instead of a fast-paced rebellion, this book focuses more on the aftermath—what happens after the supposed "happily ever after." It’s a slower, more political story, but I still really enjoyed it.
Mistborn: The Final Empire was my introduction to Brandon Sanderson, and I couldn’t have picked a better book to start with. From the very first pages, I was hooked by the unique world, the dark atmosphere, and the incredible magic system. The idea of a world where the Dark Lord has already won is fascinating, and Sanderson builds an oppressive yet intriguing setting that immediately draws you in.
A Dance with Dragons was definitely worth the wait. After A Feast for Crows focused on certain characters, this book brings back fan favorites like Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Daenerys, making it feel more like the first three books in the series. The scale is huge, the stakes are higher than ever, and the story is filled with tension, betrayal, and unexpected turns.