Review of Shadow’s Hand by Noelle Nichols (The Shadow’s Creed Saga 1)

Blurb

False warriors destroyed their homes. Now two heroes must delve into ancient magic to save their realm from destruction.

Kilo lives and dies by the truth of the Shadow’s Creed. So when brutal raiders raze his village, the leader is honor-bound to put aside his fighting staff and help his people rebuild. After discovering the attackers were impersonating Shadow warriors and have befouled his beloved code with blood, he’s torn between duty and vengeance.

Shenrae’s childhood burned in the fire that claimed her parents’ souls. Knowing the assailants will attack again, she swallows her self-doubt to focus on her grueling Shadow warrior training. But when she realizes the immoral enemies are tapping into deadly primeval powers, she’s not sure even the best among her brethren are safe.

Now both face the biggest challenge of their lives: Shenrae must unlock her inner strength and Kilo could risk forsaking his code. And their only hope may be to embrace the very power that is out to kill them.

Can Kilo and Shenrae find a way to uphold their honor and defeat the dark forces?

Shadow’s Hand is the first book in The Shadow’s Creed Saga epic fantasy series. If you like honorable champions, archaic magic, and vivid world building inspired by feudal Japan, then you’ll love Noelle Nichols’ epic adventure.

My Review

This book has been in my TBR for a long time, but only now could I get to it. I love Asian inspired and Asian fantasy and that plus the cover made me gravitate towards this book.

The book’s central theme is around Kilo, who is a Shadow. The Shadows are inspired by the Samurai, but as the author explains, they aren’t the same. They are highly skilled warriors who serve the people and who believe in the sanctity of life. They don’t kill unless there’s no other way and Kilo embodies the Shadows’ Creed. He once had to kill a man to save the life of his friend and fellow Shadow, Zavi, and was so wracked by guilt that he gave up using the sword and started using the bo instead.

As the book opens, Kilo is in a town called Leiko which is under attack and on fire from a strange group of people pretending to be shadows. A mysterious woman tells him it’s related to his Phantom–his superior–called Kural. Kilo goes to find the Phantom only to see him decapitate an unarmed man. Immediately afterwards, they get the news that their secret town of Vaiyene is under attack and Kilo and Kural leave for Vaiyene. Kural and another phantom dies in the attack, a few shadows including Kilo’s friends, Zavi and Mia, a couple also die, leaving their near adult children, Shenrae and Syrane orphans. Kilo’s sister, Finae, is safe, but their house burned down.

In a search for provisions and answers, Kilo has to make a decision that would sever his bonds with the Shadows forever. But if he doesn’t, the entire Kiriku will burn from the False Shadows’ fires.

I loved the eastern feel to the settings and culture, though the characters appear to be western in appearance. Kilo was such an interesting character and I loved his convictions and determination. Usually I find people who refuse to kill for moral reasons annoying but Kilo is ready to do what is needed without killing and that’s admirable. The other characters were also interesting and came across as people.

There’s nothing overly complicated about the plot, and the mystery about how Phantom Kural is connected to the False Shadows and their leader is not resolved, but the book still ends in a good place with enough mystery to carry over to the next.

If you love epic fantasy and Asian inspired fantasy with well-rounded characters, you will love this one.

You can find it here.