The Tainted City (Shattered Sigil, #2)

Dec 03, 2012 Seak (Bryce L.) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-review, 2012

Courtney Schafer's debut, The Whitefire Crossing, book one in The Shattered Sigil was not only one of the biggest surprises for me last year, it was one of my favorite reads. The blend of Schafer's passion for climbing with the high use of magic and fast-paced plot had me reading my eyes out.

Because this is her second novel, I guess we have to ask (sorry it's in the contract), did she survive the sophomore slump? Yes, I answer, a resounding yes!! (with exclamation marks so you know it's true) Th...more

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May 16, 2013 Mark Lawrence rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a 'review' by proxy since my wife nabbed the book on arrival. When she finished she declared it was even better written than The Whitefire Crossing (which she loved) and where was book 3 ...?

Now it's also my review as I finally finished the book during a stay in hospital with my little daughter. And yes, my wife was right (this once) - it's a better book than The Whitefire Crossing, and that was a great book itself.

In The Tainted City things get more complicated and a large cast is invo...more This was a 'review' by proxy since my wife nabbed the book on arrival. When she finished she declared it was even better written than The Whitefire Crossing (which she loved) and where was book 3 ...?

Now it's also my review as I finally finished the book during a stay in hospital with my little daughter. And yes, my wife was right (this once) - it's a better book than The Whitefire Crossing, and that was a great book itself.

In The Tainted City things get more complicated and a large cast is involved. The plot in Whitefire was fairly complex and the cast wasn't small - so believe me when I say it's involved. Closer to a murder mystery than a traditional hack & slash fantasy. Though it's not a murder mystery and there is plenty of blood and gore (though no swords or armour).

The world Schafer has built here is a fascinating one revolving around magic of many kinds, mostly lying in the hands of a wizarding elite but devolved into the hands of 'common' men through charms and wards. We see the story unfold through the eyes of a non-magical but extremely resourceful man and through the less cynical eyes of a young man born into magical power but also bound by it.

The first book really focused on the relationship between the two point-of-view characters, Dev and Kiran. The second has much more on its plate and these two spend relatively small amounts of time in each other's company so the emphasis is more on problem solving and it's a less emotional book - but that's not to say you won't get involved, I know I did. Lots of the problems have a large relationship element to them so the book is definitely character driven despite the labyrinthine plot.

Setting aside the plot I'll focus on what (I think) these books are about. It seems to me that Whitefire and to a greater extent, Tainted City, are about freedom. They're concerned with freedom in a host of different flavours and shades, and with the currencies different people use to purchase them, and how high a price they're prepared to pay.

An engrossing and imaginative read that builds on the strong foundations of book 1 and keeps your interest for the third book. You guys should read these!
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Sep 24, 2012 Mihir rated it 4 of 5 stars

Full Review originally at Fantasy Book Critic

ANALYSIS: Courtney Schafer’s debut was one that was highly appreciated over here at FBC as well as other places on the blogosphere. I loved it and consequently it was #5 in my list of the 2011 top ten debuts . Based on the blurb details, one can make out that this time the story faces a reverse pattern, previously both characters were racing towards the Alathian border but this time they are coming back to Ninavel and it doesn't look like they might...more
Full Review originally at Fantasy Book Critic

ANALYSIS: Courtney Schafer’s debut was one that was highly appreciated over here at FBC as well as other places on the blogosphere. I loved it and consequently it was #5 in my list of the 2011 top ten debuts . Based on the blurb details, one can make out that this time the story faces a reverse pattern, previously both characters were racing towards the Alathian border but this time they are coming back to Ninavel and it doesn't look like they might get a pleasant reception.

The actual plot opens with Dev being stuck to mine work as part of his punishment in smuggling goods across the border. Kiran on the other hand has been all but magically handicapped as his magic is just anathema to the Alathian magic moral code. Things have been a bit tumultuous with the Alathian borders facing a strange magical assault. The Alathians are forced to send a covert team to Ninavel from wherein these waves seem to emanate and it has been targeting the Ninavel power confluence as well. Kiran is very hesitant to join the Alathian team, as this will lead him right back in to Ruslan’s backyard, a situation he desperately wants to avoid. Dev on the other hand, is in two minds about the trip but will be forced to go as his concern for Melly outweighs his personal concerns. The party selected to go to Ninavel will have to be on their guard as they are entering a nest wherein nobody can be trusted and there are more dangers than previously thought of.

This book is a very good sequel to The Whitefire Crossing and in many ways a book that is as different from its predecessor as oranges and apples. This book is a reverse journey for the characters, who go from Alathia to Ninavel and the reader gets a good feel as to why Ninavel is considered by many to be so dangerous. The storyline is drastically different in the style utilized as while the first book was very much an adventure thriller in the vein of James Rollins’ books, focusing on the Whitefire Mountain terrain that was so vividly described. This book is more akin to a Noir-mystery with multiple twists similar to Steve Hamilton’s stories wherein the protagonists and readers are equally in the dark.

The characterization is top notch similar to the first book and follows the curious pattern of Dev in the first and Kiran in the third-person narrative. This time around the side character cast is visibly widened. Kiran’s mage comrades Ruslan, Mikael and Lizaveta are given center stage as we get a detailed look into their way of life and behavior. It becomes very clear to the readers why Kiran was so wary and wanted to get away from them at any cost. Ruslan and Lizaveta’s behavior is sociopathic to say the least but the events that occur in the book reveal the depth of their cunning and determination to get things done their way. There are also quite some sexual shenanigans occurring in this story, which are again different from those in the first book. This curious turn of events harbors some dark forebodings and perhaps might be further explored in the concluding volume.

On the Alathian side there are a few new faces that get a chance to showcase their views on the usage of magic and also further complicate the relationship and view between the two primary protagonists. Dev’s past life (acquaintances, relationships, etc) also plays a huge role in the events of this book and the readers will truly appreciate the insight they offer about Dev. I was also very impressed by the world setting and nuances to this world created by Courtney. Beginning from the phrases utilized by the characters to the theology presented as well the cultures described; this world is a very rich one in terms of world-building factors. I think the author can perhaps explore other corners and timelines of the world once this story is over and I would be the first in line to read any book featuring such.

On the pacing factor, things don’t look so rosy for the first hundred pages when the story is being set up. The story seems to be stuck in stasis a bit however things do pick up once the crew reaches Ninavel and things soon go from bad to worse with a couple of plot twists. The author has to be lauded for making this story extremely unpredictable, beginning from the direction of the story to the style presented as well as the end twists. Nothing happens as expected for the characters and the readers will get to experience this form of literary confusion as well. Courtney Schafer is something of an enigma in terms of her writing as she allows to the story to go haphazardly as per the character dictates and yet it feels like part of her overall story plan. This curious move with the story direction is something that might stump a few of the readers who are looking for the action-oriented adventure feel of her debut. I would caution them not to throw in the towel but give the story a try as once they reach the end; they will get a definite idea about where the story is heading and what the climax entails for Dev, Kiran and the rest.

The only drawback to this story is the slow pace of the story within the first hundred pages but after that it’s a very good story with the twists coming left, right & center, leaving the reader and protagonists completely bewildered. The other deterrent to this fine mix is a personal nitpick, in regards to the lack of a map. I always prefer a map and in this case one of Ninavel as well as the terrain around it, is something that I would really loved to see. Also I would have liked if a glossary about the cultures, theology and nations of the world was also presented.

CONCLUSION: Courtney Schafer takes her story in a slightly different direction whilst never compromising on the positives that made her debut such a stand out one. This book is another excellent book from this very talented lady and I for one can’t wait to see how it all goes down in The Labyrinth of Flame. I hope that the author continues her superb writing form, and surprises us all in the exciting climax to the Shattered Sigil series.(less)

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Nov 30, 2012 Jacqie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I went immediately to this book after finishing the first in the series, "The Whitefire Crossing", because I loved the first book and I had to know what happened next. I wasn't disappointed.

I thought the author did a great job of avoiding second book syndrome, when the plot seems to drag and it's mostly a set-up for the conclusion. At this point, I have no idea how many future books will be written in this series (I assume there's at least one more) and I'm ready to read them all.

The tone is to...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Seregil of Rhiminee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Originally published at Risingshadow.

Before I write anything else, I'll mention that during the last couple of years Night Shade Books has published exciting books from several talented speculative fiction authors. Courtney Schafer is a perfect example of such an author, because her books are excellent fantasy entertainment for adults. (I have to mention that I have lots of respect for Night Shade Books, because they have courage to publish quality fantasy, which differs from mainstream fantasy....more

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Sep 12, 2012 Fangs for the Fantasy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dev and Kiran are unwilling guests of Alathia since crossing the border from the lawless, magic rules city of Niravel to free Kiran, a blood mage, from his cruel master, Ruslan. Dev is desperate to return – if he doesn’t, his friend’s daughter, Melly, will face a terrible fate without someone to look out for her, and time is running out.

They do get an opportunity to return when Alathia’s border wards start to fail. Something is happening in Niravel – and Ruslan is suspect, but the magic goes far...more Dev and Kiran are unwilling guests of Alathia since crossing the border from the lawless, magic rules city of Niravel to free Kiran, a blood mage, from his cruel master, Ruslan. Dev is desperate to return – if he doesn’t, his friend’s daughter, Melly, will face a terrible fate without someone to look out for her, and time is running out.

They do get an opportunity to return when Alathia’s border wards start to fail. Something is happening in Niravel – and Ruslan is suspect, but the magic goes far beyond Alathia’s wards – seemingly killing wizards, threatening Niravel’s fragile water supply and possibly even threatening the city itself. Captain Marten of the guards leads an embassy to Niravel to help investigate, but that’s easier said than done in a city as corrupt and cruel as Niravel when you have to make severe sacrifices and work with unconscionable enemies.

Dev finds himself in the city, trying to find a way to rescue Melly and save Kiran from Ruslan – again. While at the same time finding himself both betrayed by Marten and having to work with him to save those he cares about. It’s a balancing act of trying to solve the mystery, save those he cares about while worrying about them falling into either Ruslan’s or Marten’s grasp – neither of them can be trusted and both are looking for levers with which to control Devlan.

I made the mistake with this book of picking up book 2 of a series. That’s less than ideal for any book – but particularly for a High fantasy novel. After all, if an Urban Fantasy vampire refers to “Chicago” you know what they’re talking about. If Dev refers to Alathia I don’t know if that’s a place, a person, a concept or a pet cat.

So I started reading this book thinking I’d made a massive mistake, I was hopelessly lost and there’d be no way I could give it a fair chance. But I held on, kept reading and it all fell into place – the world is well established, it doesn’t have any inconsistencies or weak points and is realistic enough that I could pick up even this fantastic world relatively quickly. It also helped a lot with how the world building was presented. It can be difficult for fantasy authors not to info dump. They’ve created this wonderful shiny world and they want to show us all of it – even if it’s not relevant. This author resisted the temptation. There are enough side references to let me know there’s a whole lot more out there and a whole lot more that can be explored over the course of the series, but there’s no desperate urge to tell me everything now and drown me in unnecessary minutiae. When it’s relevant it’s explained, when it matters, it’s explained. It made not just for an interesting world and good pacing – but also meant that I quickly got my bearings in the story. I still think it’d be a good idea to read the first book first (yes, I’m just conformist like that), but not having read it didn’t become a barrier to enjoying this book.

And I did enjoy it. It had a series of nuances in the story – something far too much fantasy lacks. The characters had multiple motivations and grey areas in their morality and world view with a lot of tolerating evil for the sake of achieving a greater good. The mystery and the investigation is good mainly for letting us explore the world, how the city works (and get me acquainted with things) but also is nicely complicated by the multiple threads – Dev’s worry for Kiran and Melly, his lack of trust for Marten and ultimately having to save the city while working with Ruslan – even while suspecting him as being the culprit behind the deaths.

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Nov 20, 2012 Algernon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

[7/10]
"It's complicated!" doesn't even begin to describe the plot twists and turns in this sequel to Whitefire Crossing. For a novel told from the point of view of only two characters (Devan and Kiran), it has more than its fair share of double-dealing, betrayal, misdirection and divided loyalties. I do not recommend skipping the first book, I actually struggled in the beginning to remember all the complications and the pacts that left Dev and Kiran prisoners in Alathia and to bring myself up to...more [7/10]
"It's complicated!" doesn't even begin to describe the plot twists and turns in this sequel to Whitefire Crossing. For a novel told from the point of view of only two characters (Devan and Kiran), it has more than its fair share of double-dealing, betrayal, misdirection and divided loyalties. I do not recommend skipping the first book, I actually struggled in the beginning to remember all the complications and the pacts that left Dev and Kiran prisoners in Alathia and to bring myself up to date in order to follow new developments. Basically, this volume abandons most of the mountain climbing part of the story that initially made me pick up the series (with a single exception towards the end) and concentrates on the "urban" fantasy part and the criminal investigation type of plot so prevalent in contemporary novels dealing with the supernatural (Butcher et Co.). As such, I felt the series loses some of its freshness and originality, but there is a second aspect that works really well here and will probably keep me as one of the author followers: Magic : it drives the story forward and permeates every aspect of life, from the basic need for water in the desert city of Ninavel, to main instrument of investigation in the search for the killer, principal mode of attack and defense in the one on one duels and principal source of moral speculation regarding the actions of the main characters.

The "Tainted" city from the title is Ninavel, hometown of Dev and the former master of Kiran - the bloodmage Ruslan. Ninavel has for me a certain Wild West flavor, of the frontier town situated near a precious resource ( a vast reservoir of magical energy in this case), becoming the focal point for every golddigger, speculator, fast gun, outcast or enterprising crook looking for easy marks. The strongest and the most ruthless survive and the rest of the population has to either join a local ganglord or hope they don't attract the attention of the powerful. Instead of fastguns, we have at the top of the food chain magicians of different persuasions (wind, sand, fire, etc) and the strongest of them are the ones that use blood as the medium of controlling the wild natural resources: Ruslan, Lizaveta, Mikhail, the "family" that raised and now tries to controll Kiran. The taint in the city also refers to the natural manipulators of the wild magic, the children born with the talent like Dev, who use it in the the criminal activities of the ganglords until puberty makes them lose the skills. Because I already said this is a complicated setting, there's a third party of masters of magic : the investigative team from neighboring Alathia sent to help stop the serial killer before the uncontrolled magical upheavals destroy the protective barriers of their own kingdom. In opposition to the "free range" style of Ninavel's survival of the fittest, Alathian mages are under rigid restrictions and have to work together in order to cast.

The novel works really well in getting inside the mind of Dev and Kiran and in exploring the quandaries of necessary evil and the difficulty of maintaining integrity towards friends and lovers. Dev reminds me in a good way of the classic Kurosawa movie with the samurai caught between two warring clans in a lawless city and trying to play them one against the other in order to bring some relief for the little people.

The pacing is fast and the action sequences good, but I was less impressed by the dialogue which tends to be either preachy or contrived in trying to explain too much of the plot through discussions between different characters. A couple of passionate scenes didnt work all that well either - not that they were gratuitous or too explicit, just out of sync with the mood of the moment. I miss the ruggedness of the Whitefire mountains, with the several passages describing the scaling of walls and towers inside the city not enough for my outdoor craving tastes. I liked the complexity of the plot, but even here, I didn't find it all that original or surprising. In fact, there's such a thing as twisting too much and leaving the door open for speculation about possible plot holes. (view spoiler)

even if couldn't give that extra "wow" star for The Tainted City, I'm still in for the next book in the series.
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May 30, 2013 Phleghm rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: witty

So, remember the rock from my previous review? Yeah. The title of this review can be basically called "The revenge of da Rock."

If a rock hits you in the head, and you have the misfortune of not wearing a hard hat (as part of the 99,8% of humanity that does not), a few things can happen. First. Your head hurts. *checks* Second. It bloody hurts. Seriously. And while you can still throw the aforementioned rock into the toilet and flush it into the no mans land, and as much as that can be satisfying...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Sherry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

As great as the first book in this series is, this one is at least as good it not better. At the end of the first book, Kiran is a "captive" of their Althanian hosts and Dev has been sentenced to 10 years labor in the mines. All of a sudden, they find themselves back on the road to Ninival to help find out why there is an instability in the confluence.

Ms. Schafer has spun another wonderful tale of magic and adventure. My only complaint is she left me hanging!! Hurry up with the next book in the...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars

Courtney Schafer’s debut novel The Whitefire Crossing was one of the pleasant surprises of 2011. A character driven fantasy tale in an original setting it ending with a satisfying conclusion that left our heroes alive but not necessarily in the best of circumstances. Fast forward to 2012′s release of The Tainted City and we return to see the climber Dev forced to work in the mines of Alathia to pay off his crimes for participating in Kiran’s blood magic. Kiran, his magic is bound by the Alathian...more Courtney Schafer’s debut novel The Whitefire Crossing was one of the pleasant surprises of 2011. A character driven fantasy tale in an original setting it ending with a satisfying conclusion that left our heroes alive but not necessarily in the best of circumstances. Fast forward to 2012′s release of The Tainted City and we return to see the climber Dev forced to work in the mines of Alathia to pay off his crimes for participating in Kiran’s blood magic. Kiran, his magic is bound by the Alathian Council, struggles through his own captivity doing his level best to try and convince his captors that he is truly a changed man. However, Kiran’s master Ruslan is not so easily thwarted and the warded country of Alathia finds its wards under attack by vast magical forces. It isn’t long before Dev and Kiran are reunited and press ganged into aiding an Alathian mission to Ninavel tasked with uncovering the nature and source of these magical attack.

Much as in The Whitefire Crossing the characters of Dev and Kiran mirror one another at the outset of The Tainted City. Kiran is bound from practicing magic while Dev is not allowed the scale the mountains the taunt him on the horizon. Kiran’s love of magic and Dev’s love of climbing, their passion for their respective arts, is what binds them together. Schafer does a wonderful job in capturing the way in which their respective captivities really hobbles each of them in turn. In many ways they are both less than complete without the ability to follow their passion. Once they are reunited together in many ways they each recognize that same loss in each other and the bond between forged between the two characters really comes to the forefront.

Bonds, both Kiran and Devs and others, play a central role in the novel. Moreso than the adventure laden previous novel The Tainted City focuses strongly on relationships and the way the connections between different people can drive the world it various directions. On the one hand you have the bonds Kiran has formed with Ruslan, Mikail and Lizaveta these are bonds with an emotional presence and tangible magical presence. There are the bonds Dev has forged with those in his past life and his promise to save his (decseased) best friend’s daughter. There are bonds between the members of the Althasian group that play important roles in the plot. Schafer has woven an intricate web of relationships among these characters and done so with such elegance and grace that it never once feels forced, it never once grows confusing, and you constantly find yourself fascinating even by the most despicable of characters.

There is certainly less adventure in The Tainted City than in the previous book I didn’t really miss it. The tensions caused by the various relationships in the novel and their interactions with one another more are as exciting and engaging as anything The Whitefire Crossing; in truth I found The Tainted City’s plot more engaging as a result. As she did in The Whitefire Crossing, Schafer once again shows an impressive ability at crafting a satisfying conclusion that somehow manages to further complicate the lives of our heroes. You’ll also note that I’ve deliberately avoiding talking about the plot too much. There are some interesting twists, particularly involving Kiran, that I don’t want to reveal for potential readers. I will say that novel takes a little while to get a full head of steam but by the time the characters have hit Ninavel things accelerate quite rapidly with new twists and turn coming with increasingly frequency as the novel ramps up for its conclusion.

The Tainted City takes everything I love about The Whitefire Crossing, particularly in terms of characterization, and turns it up a notch creating a tense, emotional novel that with only some relatively minor pacing problems was an absolute joy to read. With her subtle worldbuilding and unique setting Courtney Schafer is definitely an author that deserves your attention, particularly if you enjoy character driven fantasy. I’ll definitely on board when the next volume of the Shattered Sigil series releases.(less)

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Apr 09, 2013 Bibliotropic rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The second book in the Shattered Sigil series and the sequel to The Whitefire Crossing, The Tainted City is exactly what I'd come to expect from Schafer after reading her first book. That is to say, pure gold. Schafer took what I loved so much previously and expanded on it, adding greater depth to the characters and the world in which they live.

Where part of the tension in the first novel came from the characters being on the move, scaling mountains and trying to evade blood mages and danger at...more The second book in the Shattered Sigil series and the sequel to The Whitefire Crossing, The Tainted City is exactly what I'd come to expect from Schafer after reading her first book. That is to say, pure gold. Schafer took what I loved so much previously and expanded on it, adding greater depth to the characters and the world in which they live.

Where part of the tension in the first novel came from the characters being on the move, scaling mountains and trying to evade blood mages and danger at every turn, The Tainted City takes place mostly back in Ninavel, with characters staying in one place. The tension and excitement of the plot is not reduced for this, however, as several plots converge to keep everyone on their toes. A murder mystery, unstable magic, demons, and continuations of the plot threads attached to both Dev and Kiran provide enough action to keep any reader happy. World-building fans will be happy with the way that Schafer greatly expands on the culture and setting of Ninavel, sheds light on life there for all levels of the social ladder. Those who enjoy seeing a great amount of character development will likewise be pleased at the realism and complexity shown not just in the main characters but also the supporting cast.

It's hard for me to tell whether Schafer's strength is greatest in her characters or her ability to set up a series of twisting plot arcs that all tie together in the end. I think maybe it's a mix of both, with each element adding to the other. Her characters are wonderfully believable, unique and flawed and with their own motivations for their actions, whether they be good or bad. it's easy to fall into Dev's narrative with his first-person viewpoint, and equally easy to follow Kiran's third-person perspective, both with their own voices and overtones. This is especially commendable after Kiran's memories are lost; for all that Kiran cannot remember the events of the previous novel and the events that caused him to flee Ruslan in the first place, he still stays himself. Even when he rejoins Ruslan, he is still the same Kiran that he used to be. It would have been so very easy to fall into the trap of changing his essential personality here, to have him harden or become cruel, but that wasn't the way of it, and that was a blessing to see.

And I have to take a moment to comment on the interplay between Dev and Kiran. Schafer admitted that multiple people have asked if those two are going to pair up in the end (I admit, I'm more than half hoping for that myself!), and it's easy to see why. Even when Kiran has lost his memories and is no longer working with Dev and the others with him, they still retain a connection to each other. Dev struggles with how his priorities with freeing Melly from slavery will sometimes conflict with his desire to free Kiran from Ruslan. Kiran can't remember getting to know Dev at all and yet still seems drawn to him, trusting of him even when he has no conscious reason to be. Those two work so very well together that it's hard not to comment on it, and it's rare for me to find that kind of partnership in fiction. There are plenty of partnerships, certainly, but few that I've found in other books have the same deep level of connection and comfort that these two seem to have, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how their relationship (and I mean that non-romantically) develops down the road.

The book ends on a frustrating cliff-hanger, with a great deal being revealed about Kiran's forgotten past. Normally I dislike obvious cliffhangers, don't like people giving me an incomplete story to try to hook me into the next installment. But as much as a good deal is left unsaid and unresolved, the story in The Tained City nevertheless still felt complete. It obviously couldn't have been a standalone novel, but the bulk of the plot was wrapped up nicely and plot threads were leading rather than left dangling. Schafer's writing style, clear imagery, and engaging characters are what makes this sort of ending possible without leaving me annoyed at having to wait. I'm not sure if I'm saying this clearly enough, but to me there's a big difference between handing me a piece of a larger story that just stops dead and leaves much unresolved and only hinted at, and handing me what's a good story in its own right that also happens to be a piece of a larger story. The Tainted City does leave some things merely hinted at, but it's done in a way that builds excitement rather than frustration.

To me, the sign of a great novel or a great series is how much I talk about it. My roommate and I have found a few series that we can talk at length about. Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books (and you all know how I feel about them). N K Jemisin's Inheritence Trilogy. And now the Shattered Sigil books. Honestly, we've spent hours discussing things that take place here, wondering what characters would do in certain situations, discussing how Ruslan should die in a fire...

I could heap praise upon this book and series for hours, but ultimately, the best way to discover it is to read it for yourself. If you want a return to classic fantasy adventure, loaded up with complex characters and an amazing story, then do yourself a favour and get this book. It will keep you up late into the night, and you'll be relishing every minute of sleep you lose to it.(less)

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Oct 13, 2012 Brandon Zarzyczny rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, it's definitely a great follow up to the Whitefire Crossing. However, I think that I probably liked this one a little less than the first book, mainly because I didn't love the new villain, and parts of the story feel a little like a rehash. Still, I'm really looking forward to the third entry of this series. For this story, other than the beginning plot device to get Kiran and Dev back into Ninavel, I loved the plot in this book. It's really nothing I've seen done in...more I really enjoyed this book, it's definitely a great follow up to the Whitefire Crossing. However, I think that I probably liked this one a little less than the first book, mainly because I didn't love the new villain, and parts of the story feel a little like a rehash. Still, I'm really looking forward to the third entry of this series. For this story, other than the beginning plot device to get Kiran and Dev back into Ninavel, I loved the plot in this book. It's really nothing I've seen done in a fantasy novel, where what would happen if everything a character did in the first book of the series (and what led up to the beginning of the first book), events that completely changed who the character was, were wiped from the character's mind? This creates some really cool events, where you get to see Kiran with his Blood Mage family of Ruslan, Lisaveta, and Mikhail in a facsimile of what they were like before. You also get to see what Kiran could become, if he embraced the murderous power of being a Blood Mage. There were only two things I didn't love about the story, and that was how it relied a little too much on putting people in danger for Dev to save them, or Zelda/Princess Peach Syndrome. The second being that by the end of the story, the characters are at a relatively similar place as the beginning of the book, there isn't too much conflict resolution.

For the characters, I loved everything that was done with them. The character development of Kiran is really interesting, where he has much of his memory missing, and this new version of himself is developing in a tangent to where he developed in the first book. With Dev, there isn't too much development, but I loved when he met and spent more time with his bitch of an ex-girlfriend that made him desperate enough in the first book to take on the escort mission, along with Melly and Cara. However, with Cara it was a little annoying how he kept trying to protect her by getting her to hide or run away, something I'm sure that a character like Cara would hate, however there is some redemption here leading up to the climax of the book. With the new main villain (other than Ruslan) he was effective as just some unbeatable force, but the attempt to humanize and give him a motive was a little weak. This is a slight spoiler, but the basic idea here was that he came to Ninavel with his wife and child, but after the child just happened to bump into a Mage, his family was murdered by the Mage without any consequence. That part is fine and really fits the world and it's a good motive for a realistic villain, but what we see of his reasoning doesn't really make sense. Where because of the actions of one mage, he slaughters Tainted children to gather enough power to destroy the confluence, which would not only kill every Mage linked to its power, it would also probably result in the slow death of everyone else in the city. As without the Mages summoning water, the entire populace (especially the poor) would all die of dehydration, and most of them probably wouldn't be able to flee to another city since it's pretty secluded. I mean I just couldn't wrap my head around his reasoning, it could make sense if the guy went crazy after his family was killed, but nothing written in the book implied that. Still, this villain provided a nice twist with who was helping him, one that I thought might happen, but I was far from certain and did come as a surprise.

For the world building, there wasn't too much here that wasn't already established in the first book, but the reader does get to see more of the magic, and the unique use of channels to power large spells, and there's the confirmation that demons are real in this world. The demons aren't clearly defined, but they are apparently evil, powerful, and will probably be one of the main threats in the third book. The writing in Tainted City is again very well done, causing the book to be a real page turner with lots of rise and fall that drives the story and reader on. I really enjoyed the two different uses of narratives for the two main characters, as it really helps differentiate between the two.

Overall, I really loved the book, and I'm disappointed that I'll probably have to wait a year for the next one to see the conclusion of the trilogy. You could read this one by itself, but you'd probably lose a lot of meaning in the plot of this book, so especially with the first book being free atm on Kindle, a new reader should start with Whitefire Crossing. I'd definitely recommend this book/series to any fantasy fan, and the fantasy might be light enough that even fans of other genres should love it too. With this book and the first entry of the series, Courtney Schafter has probably become one of my favorite new authors, and I'm anxiously anticipating her further works in the Fantasy genre. (less)

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Mar 30, 2013 Saphirablue rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, friendship, hurt-comfort, in-english, read-in-2013, series-to-continue

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I've forgotten how much I love this characters. The second I read Dev and Kiran POVs again I've been captured again by them. The two different POVs (1st POV for Dev and 3rd POV for Kiran) still work so good for their stories and experiences.

Kiran, oh, Kiran. I was screaming 'NO' out loud when Marten handed you over to Ruslan and to think what you had to go through until Ruslan ereased your memory? And everything after? The blackmail by Ruslan? Your love for Mikail and his betrayal? *wibbles*

And...more

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Jan 08, 2013 Todd rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Schafer is a good writer, as much as her world building isn't as exciting as many of the fantasy authors out there, this is an impressive book. There isn't a drawn out explanation of the world, but overall I'm impressed. This is a solid book with great characters. The reality is that most writers in this genre suffer from a little too much writing excitement and tend to dump words onto a page.

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Feb 04, 2013 Blake Charlton rated it 4 of 5 stars

a fun sequel to one of favorite newly discovered authors last year. the world is vividly drawn and the two PoV characters, particularly, Dev are lots of fun. again, i was kinda baffled by the magical system, but not so much that i didn't greatly enjoy the book. i'm very much looking forward to where schafer takes the series next.

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Oct 26, 2012 David Biondi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: epic-fantasy, multi-book-series, fantasy

Man what can I tell you about this book. How about it is awesome? I could also say that Schafer really found her spot and this book is amazing. The first book was good but this one is even better. She tells a great story and really developes the characters so that you really feel in touch with each of them. I would even say that this book could be considered a thriller because it's so fasted paced you'll be on the edge of your seat! I can't wait to see how this ends.

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Jan 22, 2013 Corry L. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: sf-f

I was having a grumpy day... one of those where you struggle to pull yourself out of that random funk. After some listless wandering around, I picked up The Tainted City. Now, I loved The Whitefire Crossing, and you know how it's sometimes scary to read a second book in a series because you're afraid it won't be as awesome as the first? Fear not! The Tainted City was *even more awesome*! It totally de-grumpified me... and also kept me up waaaay too late several nights in a row.

There's a bit less...more

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Jan 16, 2013 James Ward rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

The second of three in The Shattered Sigil. I found the first book "The Whitefire Crossing" to be a surprisingly entertaining story that moved along smoothly. But this second book didn't grab me as firmly and I struggled to maintain enough interest to finish it eventually. Not sure why. Looking forward to the third and final volume.

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Mar 27, 2013 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fantasy, series-to-finish, favorites

Wow! Great on so many levels! One thing that makes this series so great is the depravity and power of the evil characters. Imagine Evil Superman coming after you except that you don't know his weakness is kryptonite. That is the Blood Mage, and it's possibly the most intense and vicious character in any fantasy novel I've ever read.

It's sort of a thriller/mystery in a fantasy setting. Many times I've read fantasy stories and the evil is built up to such an extent that it never lives up to the l...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Alvaro rated it 5 of 5 stars

Generalmente tengo miedo de los segundos trabajos de autores nuevos... Arranque "The Tainted City" de Courtney Schafer con pocas expectativas de que superara el primero "The Whitefire Crossing"

Por lo que me vi gratamente sorprendido con este libro. Tiene un ritmo acelerado que no te deja parar de leerlo, la trama mejora y se profundiza sobretodo al final del libro y los personajes evolucionan y en el caso de uno en particular tiene una regresión muy interesante. En conclusión, el libro fue una...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Just_ann_now rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, on-my-kindle, 2012, women-of-genre

More action and plottiness, fewer character moments.

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Sep 19, 2012 Justin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-release, fantasy, night-shade, read-2012

http://www.staffersbookreview.com/201...

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Nov 17, 2012 Adrienne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Liked this one even better than the first one. The plot deepens. In Whitefire Crossing, the situation driving the events seems straightforward; in The Tainted City, we see a whole new layer to the story and start to understand the situation itself. Characters, too, seem to develop more depth, more nuance. As a middle novel in a trilogy, it also raises a lot of questions; I'm looking forward to seeing how those are resolved in the next novel!

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Feb 03, 2013 Deb Mcferrin rated it 4 of 5 stars

great read! Grabs your attention and keeps it until the end.

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Jun 15, 2013 Sandino rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

И тази беше много интересна и въпреки че ми липсваше катеренето в планините от предната книга, имаше достатъчно екшън и развитие на героите, което да го замести в голяма степен. Нямам търпение за следващата, за съжаление още не е обявена дата дори...

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Feb 01, 2013 Tara added it

Really liked this series..look forward to the next one!

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Jun 18, 2013 Mothman marked it as to-read

Jun 15, 2013 Jennifer marked it as to-read

Jun 14, 2013 Sara Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Jun 08, 2013 John K. marked it as to-read

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The Tainted City (Shattered Sigil #2)

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