Customer Reviews

The Light of Burning Shadows: Book Two of the Iron Elves

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Calahrian Empire still teeters from the assault of the elf witch Shadow Monarch whose allies include the new even more violent Viceroy of Elfkyna. Their greatest unit against the evil insurgency, the Iron Elves, remains disdained by their people for the tattoo representing their subservience to the Shadow Monarch. The people feel this way in spite of their great victory led by Commander Konowa Swift Dragon preventing the Shadow Monarch from obtaining the Red Star at the Battle of Luuguth Jor (see A DARKNESS FORGED IN FIRE).

Instead of lifting the frost fire curse from his men by using the Red Star, Konowa gives it to the Elfkynal; angering his soldiers who saw brothers in arms die and return as shades or maimed in the battle. Prince Tykkin directs Konowa to retrieve a new Star reported in the Hasshugeb Expanse. Konowa knows the witch will seek the Star too so he needs reinforcements so he sends Iron Elves to recruit those peers who failed to return when the unit was reactivated. He tries to calm down his outraged unit who believe they should be freed first and then defeat the evil while he deems they must defeat the evil first. At the same time the Shadow Monarch sends her servant the Viceroy of Elfkyna to darken the woodlands while a new flame has arisen that eats the shadow from the body until the person expires; death in those cases does not mean returning as a shade.

Although the overarching theme does not move forward, the second Iron Elves high quest fantasy is a great tale as Chris Evans expands the author's world adding much depth to it. The story line once again focuses on Konowa and his unit who though victorious still hurt mentally and physically from the recent battle and their commander's decision on the Red Star. Fans will enjoy this fine entry as Konowa seems on the verge of PTSD caused not just by sending men to die knowing they are cursed to become shades, but also having to make difficult decisions, which keep his men in harm's way.

Harriet Klausner

This book continues where book 1 left off. Konowa and The Iron Elves are destroying the Shadow Monarchs trees on islands on their way to the desert on the south. There Konowa hopes to meet up with his exiled men, the true Iron Elves and with them take up the fight to banish the Shadow Monarch. But as they come closer darkness is growing, and there are rumours about another Star falling in the desert. Everyone wants the starts power for their own purpose, and Konowa knows that he held it once and did not free his men from their terrible oath, but can he do it again?

I really liked book 1, A Darkness Forged in Fire. It was good, and then suddenly it was so good that I did not want to put it down. Not the same feeling here because all books are different, but this was still great epic fantasy, and after reading this I do want to read book 3 that is out sometime 2010.

A negative thing about this book is that he did not move forward the possible relationship between Visyana and Konowa. Are there to be more books? Because then he movie it slow, as it was now they did not even say a word to each other. That was a tad bit slow since there obviously is something there.

The other negative part for me was that this was mostly about Allwyn, yes he was crucial to the book as he can see their fallen comrades and talk to them, he has a tree for a leg and he can handle the dark magic the best. It was his story in a way, still I missed Konowa.

But don't get me wrong, this was still good fantasy. The battle continues and I am really starting to like the different soldiers, while not so much others. Here we learnt more and got to see more of everyone, and of course big epic fight in the end when the star has come. The Empire wants it, the desert wants it, mysterious powers wants it, the Shadow Monarch wants it, yes it's not an easy battle and he manages to surprise me in the end.

Good old fantasy, with a big slice of military, I do like it. I will always like fantasy the best because it has this way of capture me the most. It's the excellent world building, the thought behind the political unrest and so forth. Oh and gotta have a nice map too, I want to see where I am going. This book has all those things, and I hope book 3 keeps up the good pace.


"They might be doomed, damned, and buggered for all eternity, but that didn't mean they couldn't sparkle like a diamond in the sun and grin like a skull in the moonlight on their way to oblivion."

In this second installment in The Iron Elves series, Konowa Swift Dragon has convinced Prince Tykkin that he needs to reclaim the original Iron Elves who were dispatched across the ocean and stationed at the backside of beyond when Konowa was originally dismissed after murdering the first Viceroy. The prince agrees, but mostly because he's heard rumors of another Star reading to appear in the Hasshugeb Expanse where the Iron Elves are stationed -- which just happens to be the rumored location of the fabled Lost Library of Kaman Rhal. So, the Iron Elves set off on another adventure to find the new star and keep it from the Shadow Monarch, but in the desert they encounter another ancient force which is bent on finding the new Star and bending it to a different, darker purpose.

All the seeds planted in A Darkness Forged in Fire have definitely grown into fruition here. The action in The Light of Burning Shadows picks up shortly after the end of the first volume and the reader is quickly swept away into the story once again. Evans sets a swift pace, and this book centers more on the characters, with slightly less military action than the first volume. The characters are where Chris Evans really shines, especially with the attention paid to the ordinary soldiers in the regiment -- not just the commanders. The relationship between dwarf Sgt. Yimt Arkhorn and Private Alwyn Renwar (who lost his leg at the battle in Luuguth Jor and has a new one fashioned for him from living wood by elven magic) is particularly well written. Alwyn is a main character in this installment, as he struggles to deal with the effects of the curse and his ability to see the Darkly Departed -- the shades of fallen Iron Elves who still protect their regiment.

The main fight in this book isn't between the Iron Elves and the Shadow Monarch, but against this new power coming from the desert. This creates a fresh take on what is essentially the same quest as in the last book: capture the Star, break the curse. The new villain brings political machinations to the forefront, which allows many of the characters to grow and develop. Evans writes with a brilliant evocative pose that captures the pride of this cursed regiment: "They might be doomed, damned, and buggered for all eternity, but that didn't mean they couldn't sparkle like a diamond in the sun and grin like a skull in the moonlight on their way to oblivion."

There were many moments in The Light of Burning Shadows that had me laughing and there were a few shocking twists -- one in particular made me go back and read it again just to verify that I had actually read it correctly. Add in fast-paced action, intriguing characters, tight plotting, the addition of a map and a glossary, and you've got a book that's nearly pitch perfect in every way.

I can't remember the last time I slammed a book shut in frustration at the end -- because I was going to have to wait a year for the next installment. I don't want to wait to find out what happens next for the cursed Iron Elves, bound by an oath to a dark magic that ties them even after this life. Mr. Evans, please please, please write quickly!

I have been looking forward to the second installment of the Iron Elves saga and it completely drew me in! This time we find the regiment on a new mission, sailing towards the desert sands of the Hasshugeb Expanse and along the way, ridding a series of islands of the Shadow Monarch's twisted forest. Also along the way they discover a new and quite different magic, one that holds the possibility of an ally, maybe. And one that could possibly break the magical bindings of the oath that holds the Iron Elves bound to the regiment not only in life, but death, only the price might be just as great.

My favorite storyline is the one following Alwyn, it's both heartbreaking and fascinating. In A Darkness Forged In Fire, for him, it was a coming of age story in a world that makes you a man quickly. In The Light of Burning Shadows, life has become much darker for him as he becomes consumed further and further by the power he holds because of the oath, a power he's quite good at wielding. But he also still has Yimt looking out for him. I dearly love Yimt, he is the rock in the story and is most definitely Alwyn's.

Konowa, on the other, grows angrier and more frustrated as the story progresses, his one desire -- to find his original Iron Elves. To him they are the answer, to everything. But I think the Prince actually has the answer to the real question Konowa is asking of himself and doesn't know he is. The Prince was another character that impressed me, he's growing, maturing, even as he's frustrating Konowa.

There were several characters I was thrilled to find returning in the second book and I got caught up their storylines just as much. The "which witch is which" ladies -- Rallie, Visyna, and Chayii, Konowa's mother. One of the great moments is the bubbling pot on the ship's deck. Gwyn is also back and boy, is he! Tyul Mountain Spring accompanies Chayii, the only members of the Long Watch to join the regiment on the mission, and he and Jurwan, Konowa's father, strike off on their own quest.

That was one of the exciting things about this story. Everyone had their reasons and purposes for being there and it was fascinating reading as they broke away into several directions and then all converged at one place in the desert. Not only that, but the twists, of which there are several. I don't know if you'll be like me, but I couldn't help a cry of sadness when I finished the novel. I was so sucked into the world and the story and ... then the book ended ... and those twists ... some of them heart wrenching but leaving you wondering and wanting to know and ... now I have to wait another year to find out what happens next. The next book cannot arrive soon! Meanwhile, I loved spending more time with the Iron Elves and their friend, and their enemies.

I absolutely devoured A Darkness Forged in Fire when it first hit the shelves. Curiously I picked up the mass-market (paper-back) edition to see if it is any different from the hardcover. It is. Not only does it have a map, it gave the first chapter of The Light of Burning Shadows. I was very excited and anxiously awaited this next edition of the Iron Elves Series.
One year is a typical wait between books. I was not disappointed. I again picked up the hardcover and went to town.

This is the kind of book that drives me crazy. I read it in two days and could have done it faster if I hadn't taken a break to cut the lawn, bbq some hamburgers, and sleep. So why does it drive me crazy? Evans is the kind of writer who knows how to get a story moving, and once he picks up steam it's full tilt to the end. The deeper I got into the book the more dread I felt as I saw the remaining number of pages getting smaller and smaller. Now I have to wait until next summer for the next one.

Yimt and Alwyn are back and get even more page time than in A Darkness Forged in Fire. These characters are terrific. Yimt is at his philosophizing best as he describes the "full crumb of history" and Alwyn, well, let me just say there are some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Jir is a fierce and lethal as ever. This time around we spend more time with Tyul Mountain Spring, one of the "lost elves" which basically means he's starting to go insane. This elf is definitely no Legolas.

I loved the island scenes at the start and the desert, too. It's not often you see a fantasy in sand dunes, but Evans makes it work. This book has more plot twists than the first one and I liked that. There was more going on and stuff you're sure about early on you suddenly find yourself questioning later in the book as stuff is revealed.

The Iron Elves series is getting better and better and I just hope the third book comes in on time and doesn't get delayed.

THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS is Book Two of The Iron Elves series by Chris Evans. I recently reviewed the first book, A Darkness Forged In Fire, and was thrilled to have THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS sitting here waiting or me. I was excited about continuing the story ofKonowa and his men, yet at the same time I was nervous. I didn 't know if the second book could hold up to the first but I was pleasantly surprised. THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS held up wonderfully to the expectations set forth in the first book making for a great, action packed read.

THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS continues the story of Konowa Swift Dragon, a banished elf come back to civilization. In A Darkness Forged In Fire, Konowa was called back into service as the former regiment, the Iron Elves, was reformed. With most of the troops barely surviving the ensuing battles between light and dark and the rest suffering a fate worse than death, the bedraggled bunch create a great story. Now, in THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS,Konowa and his men embark on a mission to find the original Iron Elves while rumor of another fallen Star of great power begins to spread.

Full of action, packed with suspense and kissed with the perfect amount of romance, THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS is a wonderfully epic read. Evans does an amazing job of creating a world where a land of fantasy mixes with modern characteristics, creating a world that is distant and yet very near all at the same time. Evans style of writing and his ability to create realism in his stories forms an atmosphere where the characters come to life and leap, or rather battle, off the page.

I'm usually a fan of romance, but I find myself drawn back to The Iron Elves series. Although I love the softer and tenderer moments that can be found, the action sequences were fantastic and even a little addicting. Pages after a battle I would find myself still going over the action sequences and would end up turning back to relive the adrenaline rush.

I mentioned in A Darkness Forged In Fire that Evans did a great job of keeping the tension flowing throughout the book. This is maintained if not made even better in THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS. Evans creates an ebb and flow of emotion as he leads us through the story. Not even page on the book is full of action and suspense, yet every page is tense. Each word in the story leads us somewhere, the feeling of something pulling at us quite palpable. If you plan on reading this story slowly, perhaps making it last a few weeks, I'm going to recommend that you don't even bother. It is quite difficult to put down Evans' work, even more so with this new installment ofKonowa.

My favorite aspect of THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS was the fact that the story seemed just a bit darker. We get to follow some minor characters from the last book a bit more closely and emotions run much more intense. While the first book was a lovely introduction to the world of the Iron Elves, THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS really introduces us to the darkness of the hearts of the fighters and those they are fighting against.

Fair warning time: As in A Darkness Forged In Fire, there are a few graphic and violent scenes. Not enough to turn me off from the book, but I wanted to put the warning out there nonetheless.

THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS was a wonderful book that is sure to please any Fantasy lover. Even if Fantasy isn't quite your thing, I'm fairly certain that the action, mystery, and intrigue gracing the pages would be enough to keep any reader enticed. Although I still came across a few instances where the pace seemed a little off or characters knew things when I had no clue how they could know them, I still found THE LIGHT OF BURNING SHADOWS to be a total winner.

I would suggest that anyone who likes their stories with a bit of magic take a look at THE LIGHT OF THE BURNING SHADOWS. This is an epic tale of magic and adventure that keeps the heart racing from the front cover all the way through to the back.

'The Light of the Burning Shadows' is the second book in the Iron Elves series by Chris Evans.

The Iron Elves are a corps of soldiers of the Calarhian Empire lead by their charismatic leader, Major Konowa. This group, many years before, had been disbanded in disgrace, but now have been reinstated by Prince Tyrrin to try to counter an ever growing and evil threat to the Empire. This story involves an entirely new geographic, the Hasshugah Desert, replete with its own unique dangers and unknowns.

Although the main protagonist of the series is the elf, Major Konowa, Evans takes great pains to further develop several of his side characters; of note, the dwarf, Sargeant Yimt Arkhorn, and humans, private Alwyn Renwar and Prince Tyrrin. In fact, the book is filled with a host of really interesting and complex side characters.

This tale has all the ingredients for good fantasy; characters with magical attributes, hideous creatures, deceit and betrayal and unexpected events and occurences. But above all this is the exceptional quality of story-telling that Evans possesses; a skill worthy of note. Evans is able to keep the readers attention with character development, a sprinkling of humor and some rip roaring battles; but all equally well done with a good sense of pace and timing.

Conclusion:

In truth and for reasons hard to define, I liked book I a little more. But nonetheless, a fine addition to the 'Iron Elves'. I look forward to the next installment. 4 1/2 to 5 Stars.

Ray Nicholson

Book 2 of the 'Iron Elves' series, The Light of Burning Shadows provides a strong thriller and tells of magic and diplomacy in the human-dominated empire of Calahrian, which struggles against the Iron Elves' quest to defeat a power-hungry witch. Konowa is recalled to duty in the army to battle - now he must seek out these lost elves and handle magic, prophecy, and dangerous new legends in this gripping fantasy, especially recommended for prior fans of Chris Evans' world.

Review:

The Light of Burning Shadows continues the story of the Iron Elves a few months after the end of the Battle of Luuguth Jor depicted in A Darkness Forged in Fire. The Iron Elves have won a reputation as fearsome fighters with unwavering loyalty to the Calharian Empire. Their reward for success and beating suicidal odds? More impossible assignments.

Traveling to remote islands and the deserts of the Calharian Empire, the Iron Elves encounter a new supernatural enemy. As they make sense of their new enemy's powers, the Elves discover powers of their own that derive from their oath.

This time around, some things have changed. The Iron Elves see the advantages in the Crown Prince's leadership and the Crown Prince has become protective of his troops. The interaction between the Crown Prince and the commanding officer Konowa reflects their growing respect for one another. I thoroughly enjoyed the increased emphasis on Sergeant Yimt Arkhorn in The Light of Burning Shadows. One of the most interesting characters that I've encountered lately, Yimt has the street smarts and the familiarity that comes with spending much of his life as an enlist man. He guides the younger troops through sticky situations, keeps up their spirits, and acts as the glue that keeps the troops together. The sole dwarf in the Iron Elves, more than anyone else he understands what it means to be an outsider.

A complex, carefully crafted fantasy and military adventure, The Light of Burning Shadows is a wonderful escape.

Publisher: Pocket (July 28, 2009), 384 pages.
Courtesy of Pocket Books.

The Red Star will stay with the Elfkynan people, but more stars will certainly fall. Konowa Swift Dragon and his Iron Elves now realize the full weight of the curse they are bound under and fear their immortality of service. Konowa and his men want the curse to end, but they don't know how to end it. To strengthen and reinforce their numbers, Konowa sends the Iron Elves south to look for the former elven members of the group. With the Shadow Monarch still alive, the new Viceroy of Elfkyna under her spell, and his men upset that Konowa chose to let the Elfkynan keep the star instead of use it to free them of the curse, Konowa is ever more determined to use the power in the acorn given him to defeat the evil forces and free his men.

He just doesn't know how.

Still suffering the Prince who wants to use the stars as collections of knowledge while expanding the oppressive Calahran Empire, Konowa is at the breaking point. Private Renwar is also battling his own ghosts. Almost killed during the last big battle, he lost a leg and neared death. Getting so close to the other realm has put him in a state of living limbo. Along with the constant pain of his wooden leg being rejected by the magic of the frost fire curse, he is connected to the shades of the dead Iron Elves.

The Viceroy of Elfkyna, now a dark servant to the Shadow Monarch, is set out on a mission to spread her dark forest, which he does dutifully as Her Emissary. The frost fire curse gives the Iron Elves the ability to destroy the dark forests, but the more they use the powers, the deeper they fall into the curse. Now there is also a new flame, a white flame that consumes the shadow until the body is dead. Most interesting is that those who die of the white flame are cured of the curse and do not return as shades. Unfortunately, though, they still die. Can the Iron Elves harness this power to free them of the curse? Will they find the former Iron Elves and defeat the Shadow Monarch, keeping the stars out of the hands of darkness?

If you think this book is going to resolve anything, you are wrong. But isn't that great? It means there are more books to come. At the end of the book, you are literally left at the edge of your seat because you cannot believe that what has happened indeed really happened. Evans very effectively wraps up his story with a proper cliffhanger to leave you wanting more. I absolutely loved the foreboding way The Light of Burning Shadows ended and am going to watch the web for information about book three, which I have to read.

Even more masterfully, Chris Evans weaves in elements of our world into the one he has created. I like connecting the parallels such as the Dwarf slave trade, the one omnipotent creator one soldier raves about, and the imperialist spirit of the Calahrian Empire that seems very familiar when one understands the history of our world. If not for the magic and mystical creatures involved, one could easily see this series as an historical and Napoleonic epic. Fans of military fiction, battles, and fantasy are going to love this book. I also think there's something about the dark nature of the book that will appeal to people who enjoy supernatural and paranormal fiction. The Shadow Monarch and the Viceroy are certainly evil enough to sate anyone's need for dark forces! For those of you who love romance, there is some of that included, too. Konowa and Visyna like each other, but they can't seem to see eye to eye and Visyna is worried for Konowa as he wields the dark power. She feels that he won't be able to properly control or resist it. He, of course, sees differently.

I cannot wait for book three because I need to know how the book will end. I hope for the best for Private Renwar and I hope that the darkness is defeated, that the men are severed from the power of the curse, and that Konowa becomes the elf he has never been. Oh, and that he and Visyna stop fighting long enough to love each other properly.