The Shadow of Black Wings (The Year of the Dragon, Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

James Calbraith (Author)

Book Description

2nd Edition, revised and edited, April 2013

"Fast paced and full of energy"
--Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Shadows of the Apt

"This manuscript is full of highly crafted detail that will make readers shiver at times with fear and delight ... a familiar yet highly original fantasy that is a worthwhile read."
-- Publishers Weekly

"The real-world cultures are incredibly well-researched and truthful, and yet well-balanced with the fantasy elements. An intriguing and impressive series."
-- Ben Galley, author of the Emaneska Series

It is the Sixteenth Year of Queen Victoria. In the powerful empire of Dracaland, Bran, a young dragon rider, joins his father on a military expedition to the mysterious lands of the Orient. In the reclusive Yamato, Sato, a tomboy samurai girl, strives to prove her right to inherit her father's school of western magic. Nagomi, a timid shrine apprentice, is haunted by the visions of dark future she must keep secret even from her best friend.

They don't know it yet, but their paths will cross... And when they do, nothing will ever be the same again.

Welcome to The Shadow of Black Wings, a steam-powered romp across the land of dragons, wizards and samurai. It's big, it's fast, it's been compared to Tolkien in terms of world-building, it has strong female characters and lots of carefully researched detail. You will meet the Royal Marines sailing mighty ironclads and Chinese walking machines; mysterious warlords and crazy inventors; you will discover dark prophecies, family secrets and blood-thirsty demons. And all that in just the first volume!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fast paced and full of energy."
--Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Shadows of the Apt 

"This manuscript is full of highly crafted detail that will make readers shiver at times with fear and delight ... a familiar yet highly original fantasy that is a worthwhile read."
-- Publishers Weekly

"James Calbraith's writing is reminiscent of a classic, epic fantasy-immersive, and detailed to the letter. The real-world cultures he draws from are incredibly well-researched and truthful, yet well-balanced with the fantasy elements he sprinkles in between.
An intriguing and impressive series."

-- Ben Galley, author of the Emaneska Series

"Calbraith weaves a story that is wholly original while following the traditional fantasy tropes."

-- eFiction Steampunk

From the Author

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Product Details

• File Size: 1092 KB
• Print Length: 334 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Flying Squid; 1 edition (June 28, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008FS5RPC
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,352 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Myths & Legends > Asian
  • #4 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Alternative History

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful blend of history & fantasy September 11, 2012

By Vered Ehsani

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Imagine a really well written historical fiction, taking place in the mid 1800's, focusing on the adventures and intrigues occurring in and around imperial Japan. Now add an element of alternative history: the Roman Empire was never vanquished and is vying with other European powers for access to the Orient. And then top that off with a rich layer of dragons, magic and other fantasy elements. That's what you have with The Shadow of Black Wings. James Calbraith does a wonderful job at weaving fact and fantasy into an alternative but very realistic history that pulls the reader into its richness. I'm definitely going to be reading the next book in the series.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Here, There Be Dragons August 2, 2012

By YA Book Bridges

Format:Paperback

The summary of THE SHADOW OF BLACK WINGS does not do it justice because it seems to indicate that this is a piece of historical fiction. It is not. There are dragons and magic from almost the first page. Calbraith has created an EXTENSIVE and exquisite "alternate" version of Queen Victoria's world. There are recognizable elements of the Victorian Empire, its reach, and the competing and/or colonized countries. But there is also a layered world of magic that exists within this somewhat familiar history. Even with the references to real history, this book is what I would call high fantasy. There are complex political and military maneuverings as well as entire races of people and dragons to absorb. The Asian element of the story made some of the names and places a little difficult for me because, as an English teacher, I always do my best to pronounce names correctly even in my head as I read. The descriptions of setting and character alike are rich and detailed. The inclusion of a map helps keep it all straight but Calbraith's attention to specifics and detailed histories of each of these places and peoples is impressive.

The characters are equally layered. It was so refreshing to read a main character with the correct balance of adolescent cockiness and normal, developmental self-doubt. These days so many books make their teenage main character either too mature and insightful for their age or the character is so whiny I almost can't take it. Bran is ready to be out on his own and shows that independence while also admitting to himself (and occasionally others) that he may not be as grown-up as he'd like everyone to think. He battles with self-doubt but it's not cloying. Sato and Nagomi are a well-balanced pair.... I'm hoping to get a little more character development from them in the subsequent books in the series.

The storylines are well-written but the organization of the book as a whole threw me a little. It is the ONLY complaint I have about the book. The Prologue seems to float on it's own until about two-thirds of the way through the book. The first half of the book proper deals with Bran's story. Then, rather abruptly, the reader is thrown into Yamato with Sato and Nagomi with no transition. One doesn't even realize it is Yamato until a ways into this second part of the book. I would have liked to see alternating chapters or perhaps the different threads labeled as Part I and Part II. I was utterly confused for about 15 pages before I realized the stories would intersect. Something similar happens at the end of Book One, I assume to lead readers into the next book. I would have liked a smoother transition.

Overall, this is definitely worth your time if you are a fantasy fan. The detail and intricacy of the writing is impressive. With inclusion of races and histories, it almost reminds me of Tolkein - in Asia. With dragons. I think high school fantasy fans will eat it up. Middle school fantasy fans will like the story but some of the nuances may be lost on them. I'm interested to see where the story goes in the rest of the series and would suggest we all keep an eye on Calbraith. Read more ›

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun mix of fantasy, alternate history and steampunk November 7, 2012

By Cherie Searles

Format:Kindle Edition

Combine fantasy with alternate history, throw in a dash of steampunk and you have The Shadow of Black Wings. This was a really fun read. Elements of fantasy like magic and dragons combine with steampowered ships and clockwork gadgets all set in an alternate version of our world where the Roman Empire still exists. Completely original and unexpected.

The world-building here is phenomenal. The magic systems are interesting but not so complex that you don't understand what's happening. There are languages here that sound just familiar enough that you know where they are "supposed"to be from. The settings are familiar but distinct. There are versions of England, Rome, China, Japan and others. They are familiar enough to make the reader comfortable in the geography but original enough to keep you interested in learning more about them.

There were a couple of things that I did not like so much. First, the point of view never technically changes but the character focus changes throughout the book without warning. I'd be reading pages of Bran and then all of the sudden Dylan was the main focus. I found it jarring and even confusing in a couple of parts. I had to go back an re-read paragraphs on more than one occasion. I don't mind changing focus but I prefer it if there is a clear delineation - either a chapter change or a "split" in the chapter (a **** between sections)

I also found the plot a little bit weak. I enjoyed reading about each of the characters and about Bran's journey but I never really knew where the book was going. I didn't know if the book was about Bran's journey, about the political climate, about the magic and dragons, or about something else entirely. I didn't feel like it was building to any real climax.... Don't get me wrong, there were exciting parts! I just don't think there was one big storyline linking everything together.I suspect that this book is really the backdrop for bigger things to happen in Book 2 and beyond.

I definitely plan on reading the next book in the series, The Warrior's Soul. There was no huge cliffhanger in this book but there are a lot of unanswered questions. I am eager to learn what happens to Bran, Sato and Nagomi. Do they find Bran's dragon? Who is this man in the crimson robe? What's the story with Bran's grandfather? What happened to Dylan? I'm guessing that the second book will be action packed now that the scene is set and the cast of characters has been introduced. I can't wait to read more.

Note: I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful and easy read! August 8, 2012

By C.K

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Shadow of Black Wings is a thoroughly captivating read and I was extrememly surprised by how quickly I fell into it. I don't typically read historical fantasy, but James captured the eastern civilization with such ease, it was hard not to feel like I had been there myself.

It starts off following young Bran around as he graduates. He is a dragon rider who has skimmed by in all his classes and won't give up on his dragon Emrys who has yet to stray from him. His rebellion leads to the discovery of a family secret. He learns that his grandfather had once traveled to a far away, hidden land where he met a beautiful woman who was not his grandmother. This sparked Bran's interest.

His father, Dylan, who is a sort of a secret agent, decides to take him on a journey to Qin where the story's action begins. Bran is thrilled for the chance to not only learn who his father is, but more about what happened to his grandfather. When Bran is faced with the choice to use his seal in order to save himself, he is then sent to Yamato, a sacred and hidden land that has a prophecy in the works. The same land that his grandfather had once visited.

This is when James switches POV's and turns to Sato (a wizardess and Samurai) and Nagomi (an apprentice), who are the two girls who find Bran and offer him portection even though it is against the law. There are already underlying issues with Yamato's well-being going on as a struggle for power begins, so they are taking a chance on him. Nagomi has seen the prophecy and instantly knows when she gazes into Bran's green eyes that he is to be kept alive and safe. But Bran struggles to communicate with his caretakers and doesn't know if he can trust them or not.

I love how James has woven magic in with ancient history.... There's a love story underlying with his grandfather that I feel will come out in the next book. I also think there may be a thing between Bran and Nagomi. Bran has only just begun his journey now that he is in Yamato, so time will tell. The story ends with a demonic evil searvhing for Bran and taking the life of one of the girl's fathers (I wont give it away).

This is where I feel the book ended a bit short. Maybe a little more could've been added. I only say this because I feel there was more that could've happened with Bran in the end. I was a bit upset only because I easily fell in love with his characters and wanted to know more. I wanted to see more happen to them. But this could very well be a clever tactic by James to keep us reading the next (which I definitely will be).

All in all, the book was a wonderful escape from the mundane. James is a very talented author with a knack for description. Every place he takes you, his words jump off of the page and create the world right before your eyes. He doesn't leave you guessing or wondering what he's talking about. This is something I feel is important for historical fantasy, especially if you aren't famaliar with the history (like me.) Read more ›

More About the Author

James Calbraith is a Poland-born British writer, foodie and traveller.

Growing up in communist Poland on a diet of powdered milk, Lord of the Rings and soviet science-fiction, he had his first story published at the ripe age of eight. After years of bouncing around Polish universities, he moved to London in 2007 and started writing in English. His debut historical fantasy novel, "The Shadow of Black Wings", has reached ABNA semi-finals. It was published in July 2012 and hit the Historical Fantasy and Alternate History bestseller lists on Amazon US & UK.