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A review by bookishdamzel
Calling of Light by Lori M. Lee
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Calling of Light was such a great ending to a series.
Lee mentions that her first drafts of Forest of Souls (Book 1 of the Shamanborn Series) started in 2014 in her afternotes and you can see the improvement in her craft in each book since. Personally, I think this is the best book out the series with how well done the book wraps up everything.
My favorite thing about the Shamanborn series, and especially in Calling of Light, is the friendship between Sircha and Saengo. They're tied together so well and I absolutely love their love for one another. Sircha struggles with the thought of losing Saengo and letting her be on her own a lot of the series, which is very understandable seeming as Saengo is infected with the rot that can be barely be contained. I'm glad this book challenged it more, as well as showing a bit of that risk. I enjoy their interactions together and the mountain scenes were probably some of my favorite of them together.
I also think Sircha's interactions with the Soulless were well done in this. Showing Sircha's similarities to ancient shamanborn of the Soulless' time, being one of only few of their kind as a Soulrender. It also shows Sircha dealing with the fact that she either could either use her craft like the Soulless or ultimately choose her craft for good and not be held down to stereotypes. I think this book shows the growth in Sircha's character well and I enjoyed that aspect too. Also, showing a glimmer of the Soulless as human in some instances had a lot of impact as well, with regards to what he and those close to him had been through in the conquests.
Although not seen as much, I do like Prince Meilek, Theyen, & Kendara as side characters as well. They aren't the main focus but they do contribute to Sircha's growth and the plot of the story while also being their own person. Each one of them has their own distinct objectives and motivations for doing things and how they act even being far removed from what Sircha is doing at any given point. I think their interactions with Sircha in this book are well done and add to the theme of friendship. Alsoooo, that Kendara scene man, if you know, you know.
I also want to mention how I felt like the series gradually grew in brightness with each book and by the ending/last chapter it felt the most hopeful and the brightest. It was probably intentional but it was a random thought that came to mind to describe how I pictured scenes/atmosphere.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book (and series) and would love to see more of Lee's work in the future!! I think this series has a great atmosphere, characters, magic system and world building/lore. I'd definitely recommend this for dark YA fantasy enjoyers!!
Disclaimer: I received Calling of Light as an ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving this review. Thank you to Hear Our Voices for giving me the opportunity to be on one of y'all's arc tours!
Lee mentions that her first drafts of Forest of Souls (Book 1 of the Shamanborn Series) started in 2014 in her afternotes and you can see the improvement in her craft in each book since. Personally, I think this is the best book out the series with how well done the book wraps up everything.
My favorite thing about the Shamanborn series, and especially in Calling of Light, is the friendship between Sircha and Saengo. They're tied together so well and I absolutely love their love for one another. Sircha struggles with the thought of losing Saengo and letting her be on her own a lot of the series, which is very understandable seeming as Saengo is infected with the rot that can be barely be contained. I'm glad this book challenged it more, as well as showing a bit of that risk. I enjoy their interactions together and the mountain scenes were probably some of my favorite of them together.
I also think Sircha's interactions with the Soulless were well done in this. Showing Sircha's similarities to ancient shamanborn of the Soulless' time, being one of only few of their kind as a Soulrender. It also shows Sircha dealing with the fact that she either could either use her craft like the Soulless or ultimately choose her craft for good and not be held down to stereotypes. I think this book shows the growth in Sircha's character well and I enjoyed that aspect too. Also, showing a glimmer of the Soulless as human in some instances had a lot of impact as well, with regards to what he and those close to him had been through in the conquests.
Although not seen as much, I do like Prince Meilek, Theyen, & Kendara as side characters as well. They aren't the main focus but they do contribute to Sircha's growth and the plot of the story while also being their own person. Each one of them has their own distinct objectives and motivations for doing things and how they act even being far removed from what Sircha is doing at any given point. I think their interactions with Sircha in this book are well done and add to the theme of friendship. Alsoooo, that Kendara scene man, if you know, you know.
I also want to mention how I felt like the series gradually grew in brightness with each book and by the ending/last chapter it felt the most hopeful and the brightest. It was probably intentional but it was a random thought that came to mind to describe how I pictured scenes/atmosphere.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book (and series) and would love to see more of Lee's work in the future!! I think this series has a great atmosphere, characters, magic system and world building/lore. I'd definitely recommend this for dark YA fantasy enjoyers!!
Disclaimer: I received Calling of Light as an ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving this review. Thank you to Hear Our Voices for giving me the opportunity to be on one of y'all's arc tours!