Review: Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye

Series: Circle of Shadows #1

Sora can move as silently as a ghost and hurl throwing stars with lethal accuracy. Her gemina, Daemon, can win any physical fight blindfolded and with an arm tied behind his back. They are apprentice warriors of the Society of Taigas—marked by the gods to be trained in magic and the fighting arts to protect the kingdom of Kichona.

As their graduation approaches, Sora and Daemon look forward to proving themselves worthy of belonging to the elite group—but in a kingdom free of violence since the Blood Rift Rebellion many years ago, it’s been difficult to make their mark. So when Sora and Daemon encounter a strange camp of mysterious soldiers while on a standard scouting mission, they decide the only thing to do to help their kingdom is to infiltrate the group.Taking this risk will change Sora’s life forever—and lead her on a mission of deception that may fool everyone she’s ever loved.

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3 Drink Me Potions

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A little different from what I’ve come to enjoy from Evelyn Skye, this first book in her latest series is an interesting tale of magic, family and hidden surprises.

Sora and Daemon are taigas, which to me is like a version of warriors/spies dressed in uniform all-black with the single task of protecting the kingdom. Chosen at a young age by the goddess, they hold elemental magical abilities to enhance their senses, like being to climb and stick to walls or enhancing their hearing.

The world building wasn’t anything too too special – which basically says it’s nothing out of the ordinary for YA fantasy. Kichona, a country endearingly (or is it?) shaped as a tiger, has known peace for so long, especially after a huge bloody uprising years earlier when brother and sister fought for the same throne. But of course, can peace last? Well, not in a YA fantasy novel. Danger in the form of powerful revenge and a twisted ambition for greatness has finally come knocking, and the question stands, will Kichona be the same after it all comes to an end?

Sora and Daemon graduate from their studies into this treacherous world where their training is put to full use. Having witnessed something out of the ordinary while none of the leaders believed them, off the two go to prove there’s something amiss in their land.

The plot was predictable – I mean, I just summarized a chunk of it and don’t you feel like it’s been done before? – but the enemy was greatly formidable against our heroes, so I suppose those balance each other out a bit to make the story go by faster.

I don’t get surprised easily but there were two instances that caught me slightly off guard in this book which definitely warmed my cold heart up a notch or two. And having a mystery to unravel always keeps me turning the pages rapidly. Daemon sucked at magic for a taiga, and his history was an unknown. He was found in the woods as a child but there’s just something about him that seems more than meets the eye.

Okay so we have a bit of a mystery, definitely action (we’re in the middle of an incoming war), but let’s not forget the last part to the perfect trifecta!

You guessed it. A forbidden romance.

Ah it just makes my heart melt a little inside. Being partners and bound to each other as taigas since they were young, Sora and Daemon weren’t allowed to have a romantic relationship. ‘Cause what if it doesn’t turn out but you’re stuck with them for the rest of your life? Sora seemed fine with it all but Daemon’s poor heart was hers if she even wanted it in the slightest way.

I loved how their partnership worked but I loved the added tension (on Daemon’s part) to their relationship that may suggest something more one day. But all I will say without giving too much away is that I hate love triangles and I do hope they’re endgame.

I’ll conclude that the magic system was a bit ordinary but that the world of taigas and intriguing storytelling by Evelyn kept it entertaining. While I can’t say I flipped through its pages rapidly or anything, I can say that it was a fun ride that I look forward to hopping back on in the next book.

Overall Recommendation:

Circle of Shadows was an intriguing book of magic, forbidden love and surprising enemies. While the magic system and world building were well described, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before so don’t hope for the extraordinary. What makes this book fun is the excellent crafting of the ordinary story elements into a full picture that leaves you hungering for a bit more. With a little (and I mean little) forbidden romance thrown into the mix between our heroes, the fun and excitement is only just beginning!