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.)