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The Shadow Accords #4
Shadow Lost
Carth has forged the accords, but she fears the tenuous peace, and travels throughout the north expecting the Hjan will violate it, all while knowing it is nothing more than an excuse to avoid another task she should complete.
When she finds evidence of attacks along coastal villages, Carth wonders if peace has already failed, though not because of the Hjan. Discovering the reason for the attacks leads her to an old master who finally coaxes her to search for answers from her past. If she fails, so will the peace accords between Ih and Lashasn.
When she finds evidence of attacks along coastal villages, Carth wonders if peace has already failed, though not because of the Hjan. Discovering the reason for the attacks leads her to an old master who finally coaxes her to search for answers from her past. If she fails, so will the peace accords between Ih and Lashasn.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2017
460 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 12, 2017
First of all, I loved the first three books, so much so I read all three in two days. Secondly the eventual story of this books pretty good too.
Now that’s my criticism, it’s the eventual story.
The first 70% of the book involves Carth saying she doesn’t have enough knowledge every other page. An empty boat, but I don’t have enough knowledge, a corpse adrift in a boat, but I don’t have enough knowledge, blood magic brief action, but I don’t have enough knowledge, ask Ras but I don’t have enough knowledge. At one point I was actually fed up of reading this because it just said the same thing over and over again. Add in the occasional I should find the Reshian and my father, but I don’t want too because I can’t face my father, but I should, but I can’t, but I should etc also repeated too much, though nowhere near as much as “I don’t have enough knowledge.”
The eventual story is good – okay you could shorten it by 70% by removing the continuous “I don’t have enough knowledge” say only include it a few dozen times and then only when new information comes to light, so there is some actual point to repeating the said statement. The action and magic’s pretty good, and Carth is an endearing character. Though considering how often she does say that she doesn't have enough knowledge, and the repeated reference to needing to learn more about her shadow magic abilities, I have to question the logic at the end of the book where she again declines the offer of teaching and instead runs off towards the lions den, both unprepared, and under skilled when the opportunity to address both was present. I hope that isn't so she spends 70% of the next book saying "I'm not prepared" or "I don't have enough knowledge about my abilities". Why not have her train then go to the lions den??? Then instead of suddenly having some previous undisclosed skill or teaching announced just in time to save the day, there would be a logical explanation and an expectation of new skills and abilities. If that sounds a tad bitter, yep its because there was an erroneous plot anomaly that really grated on my nerves.
Now this is just being nit picking, its just that one erroneous plot anomaly bugged the hell out of me… Carth suddenly states, when trapped by 4 or 5 blade master Aras, that since leaving the Aras she’s been studying with numerous different blade masters and now her fighting prowess exceeds all the masters in Aras, so she easily defeats them. Er when? She went straight from Aras too sulking on board a ship at Odian, to acting rash and getting imprisoned by Ras, being let go, and immediately the same day rescues Dara & Guya, directly to Wesjayn and stopped a war then sailed aimlessly on the Goth Spald with just Guya and Dara, no one else, certainly no blade masters, leading directly into this book. NO BLADE MASTERS, NO TRAINING WITH ANYONE, AND FROM THE QUICK PASSAGE FROM ONE SITUATION TO ANOTHER CERTAINLY NO OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE PRACTISED. If you are suddenly going to elevate her skill above the Aras, whom in books one and two we are repeatedly told are all supreme blade masters etc, you need to make some effort to justify her elevation in skill, not just announce it when suddenly you need it. Hell if that's the case why not suddenly add laser eyes and the ability to fly? ... Plus knives are better than swords, and one person with 2 knives can beat 4 blade masters armed with swords, often two swords? A knife master against average swords men may be, but against sword masters? Because hey that’s so believable, because at some brief interlude that was omitted from the earlier 3 books, and not once even alluded too, she had trained with numerous other blade masters from other disciplines adding to her overall versatility and skill so that now knives can easily defeat swords. ---
(PS when she left Ras she only has one knife returned. This varied from time to time in the books from it being her fathers, to it being the one Master Invar gave her, to suddenly having both again so she could sacrifice one on a blood priest ship. Consistency? Not!)
And if we are being nit picking, how do Aras, who cannot detect shadow magic (except Master invar whose not involved – oh and all the other masters have disappeared which remains unexplained) – So we are talking just basic standard Aras, no masters, so no one who can detect shadow magic, or detect shadow magic practitioners (who aren’t even using the shadow magic) do exactly that, detect them? And then detect them but not the other Reshian boats actively using shadow magic to remain hidden, and creep up on a boat anchored in the harbour, without being noticed despite the lookout, and despite having no cloaking magic, and then subdue Shadow practitioners including a shadow born, without killing them, and then are able to withhold the powers of numerous shadow blessed and a shadow born, whilst they escort same back to the palace and a super secure special prison, so swiftly and without casualties, and without any Aras Masters? Preventing shadow blessed and shadow born from wielding the shadows is something that was stressed that the Aras Masters could not do in books two and three. They only subdued Carth in book 2 with the help of the wall nullifying her shadow magic. It was stressed that only Ras and maybe but uncertainly Master Invar could do that, not your normal Aras Master's and certainly not every day Aras who are just Aras flame wielders. Only those who wield the Lashian flame could hope to do that if skilled enough. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the story or the previously described power balances and abilities. – I know it made for a brilliant confrontation, and good set piece that was extremely enjoyable to read, but the set up didn’t fit the story. Perhaps had the blood priests detected the shadow magic and subdued the shadow practitioners it would have worked, but they didn’t, plus if they had they then they never would have been taken back to the Aras palace. It seems story continuity was lost on a number of occassions in this book
Now that’s my criticism, it’s the eventual story.
The first 70% of the book involves Carth saying she doesn’t have enough knowledge every other page. An empty boat, but I don’t have enough knowledge, a corpse adrift in a boat, but I don’t have enough knowledge, blood magic brief action, but I don’t have enough knowledge, ask Ras but I don’t have enough knowledge. At one point I was actually fed up of reading this because it just said the same thing over and over again. Add in the occasional I should find the Reshian and my father, but I don’t want too because I can’t face my father, but I should, but I can’t, but I should etc also repeated too much, though nowhere near as much as “I don’t have enough knowledge.”
The eventual story is good – okay you could shorten it by 70% by removing the continuous “I don’t have enough knowledge” say only include it a few dozen times and then only when new information comes to light, so there is some actual point to repeating the said statement. The action and magic’s pretty good, and Carth is an endearing character. Though considering how often she does say that she doesn't have enough knowledge, and the repeated reference to needing to learn more about her shadow magic abilities, I have to question the logic at the end of the book where she again declines the offer of teaching and instead runs off towards the lions den, both unprepared, and under skilled when the opportunity to address both was present. I hope that isn't so she spends 70% of the next book saying "I'm not prepared" or "I don't have enough knowledge about my abilities". Why not have her train then go to the lions den??? Then instead of suddenly having some previous undisclosed skill or teaching announced just in time to save the day, there would be a logical explanation and an expectation of new skills and abilities. If that sounds a tad bitter, yep its because there was an erroneous plot anomaly that really grated on my nerves.
Now this is just being nit picking, its just that one erroneous plot anomaly bugged the hell out of me… Carth suddenly states, when trapped by 4 or 5 blade master Aras, that since leaving the Aras she’s been studying with numerous different blade masters and now her fighting prowess exceeds all the masters in Aras, so she easily defeats them. Er when? She went straight from Aras too sulking on board a ship at Odian, to acting rash and getting imprisoned by Ras, being let go, and immediately the same day rescues Dara & Guya, directly to Wesjayn and stopped a war then sailed aimlessly on the Goth Spald with just Guya and Dara, no one else, certainly no blade masters, leading directly into this book. NO BLADE MASTERS, NO TRAINING WITH ANYONE, AND FROM THE QUICK PASSAGE FROM ONE SITUATION TO ANOTHER CERTAINLY NO OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE PRACTISED. If you are suddenly going to elevate her skill above the Aras, whom in books one and two we are repeatedly told are all supreme blade masters etc, you need to make some effort to justify her elevation in skill, not just announce it when suddenly you need it. Hell if that's the case why not suddenly add laser eyes and the ability to fly? ... Plus knives are better than swords, and one person with 2 knives can beat 4 blade masters armed with swords, often two swords? A knife master against average swords men may be, but against sword masters? Because hey that’s so believable, because at some brief interlude that was omitted from the earlier 3 books, and not once even alluded too, she had trained with numerous other blade masters from other disciplines adding to her overall versatility and skill so that now knives can easily defeat swords. ---
(PS when she left Ras she only has one knife returned. This varied from time to time in the books from it being her fathers, to it being the one Master Invar gave her, to suddenly having both again so she could sacrifice one on a blood priest ship. Consistency? Not!)
And if we are being nit picking, how do Aras, who cannot detect shadow magic (except Master invar whose not involved – oh and all the other masters have disappeared which remains unexplained) – So we are talking just basic standard Aras, no masters, so no one who can detect shadow magic, or detect shadow magic practitioners (who aren’t even using the shadow magic) do exactly that, detect them? And then detect them but not the other Reshian boats actively using shadow magic to remain hidden, and creep up on a boat anchored in the harbour, without being noticed despite the lookout, and despite having no cloaking magic, and then subdue Shadow practitioners including a shadow born, without killing them, and then are able to withhold the powers of numerous shadow blessed and a shadow born, whilst they escort same back to the palace and a super secure special prison, so swiftly and without casualties, and without any Aras Masters? Preventing shadow blessed and shadow born from wielding the shadows is something that was stressed that the Aras Masters could not do in books two and three. They only subdued Carth in book 2 with the help of the wall nullifying her shadow magic. It was stressed that only Ras and maybe but uncertainly Master Invar could do that, not your normal Aras Master's and certainly not every day Aras who are just Aras flame wielders. Only those who wield the Lashian flame could hope to do that if skilled enough. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the story or the previously described power balances and abilities. – I know it made for a brilliant confrontation, and good set piece that was extremely enjoyable to read, but the set up didn’t fit the story. Perhaps had the blood priests detected the shadow magic and subdued the shadow practitioners it would have worked, but they didn’t, plus if they had they then they never would have been taken back to the Aras palace. It seems story continuity was lost on a number of occassions in this book
April 26, 2024
Good read
This book is an improvement on the previous one. The writer tends to be reasonable in building anticipation for the stand-off at the ends of his books. However he is quite poor when it comes to the actual endings.
This is the 3rd one I read and the endings appear rushed and a forgone conclusion with minimal risk to the protagonist. Any setbacks or injuries happen earlier in the book.
It is a formula that I hope he deviates from in the future especially since he has written a series which should give him the space to have negative outcomes and unforeseen consequences.
This book is an improvement on the previous one. The writer tends to be reasonable in building anticipation for the stand-off at the ends of his books. However he is quite poor when it comes to the actual endings.
This is the 3rd one I read and the endings appear rushed and a forgone conclusion with minimal risk to the protagonist. Any setbacks or injuries happen earlier in the book.
It is a formula that I hope he deviates from in the future especially since he has written a series which should give him the space to have negative outcomes and unforeseen consequences.
October 23, 2021
LIKE OMGGGGGG BATMAN, BATGIRL, BATCROSSED
Unbelievable is as good a description, as I’m trying to think of a better one & just cannot. Damn, DK. U are the bomb.
Carth? I wish I were there with you on the GOTH SPALD. Blood Priests & Shadows? Guya & Dara ? Just what/who is Guya? What magic does this Bear posses & what does Dara do? Deserts & jungles me thinks are on the port side but
Unbelievable is as good a description, as I’m trying to think of a better one & just cannot. Damn, DK. U are the bomb.
Carth? I wish I were there with you on the GOTH SPALD. Blood Priests & Shadows? Guya & Dara ? Just what/who is Guya? What magic does this Bear posses & what does Dara do? Deserts & jungles me thinks are on the port side but
December 27, 2022
Great read !
Book 4, Shadow Lost
There were a couple of grammatical errors, not enough to distract the reader from immersing oneself into the adventures of Carth . The author exhibited good character and worldbuilding. It leaves you wanting to read more of the adventures of Carth and her crew. Thankfu,ly, the author does not end the books in the series in cliffhangers, which is refreshing in stories that are in a series.
Book 4, Shadow Lost
There were a couple of grammatical errors, not enough to distract the reader from immersing oneself into the adventures of Carth . The author exhibited good character and worldbuilding. It leaves you wanting to read more of the adventures of Carth and her crew. Thankfu,ly, the author does not end the books in the series in cliffhangers, which is refreshing in stories that are in a series.
May 4, 2017
This story just gets better with each book. The new one comes out in a few days and I can't wait.This story will keep you reading and then you'll fall in love with the main character. You will enjoy this series, but be warned, you really need to start with the first book. Great Reading Everyone!!!!
February 2, 2023
So far so good
So far this series has been pretty enjoyable. By no means is it perfect but the story line is pretty interesting so it keeps you going. There were times I did get pretty bored with the inner dialogue of the main character and repetition of her background story. Saying all that I still enjoyed it and want to see a conclusion to the series.
So far this series has been pretty enjoyable. By no means is it perfect but the story line is pretty interesting so it keeps you going. There were times I did get pretty bored with the inner dialogue of the main character and repetition of her background story. Saying all that I still enjoyed it and want to see a conclusion to the series.
March 24, 2020
Cool story
I really enjoy these books about Carth’s adventures. She’s a great role model. A fantastic hero. The author does a great job of keeping you interested in the story. It doesn’t slow down much.
Clean read too. Suitable for the younger audience.
I really enjoy these books about Carth’s adventures. She’s a great role model. A fantastic hero. The author does a great job of keeping you interested in the story. It doesn’t slow down much.
Clean read too. Suitable for the younger audience.
January 4, 2024
Having forced a peace between three warring parties (in the previous book 3 of The Shadow Accords), Carth, our heroine finds a fourth party that is trying to break the accords. Who are they and what do they have to do with the abandoned towns on the shores of the sea?
April 10, 2018
D K Holmberg is one of my go to authors and he NEVER disappoints!!
January 24, 2019
Fantastic series!
Read
March 6, 2020dnf! i dont know why maybe i will in the future.
May 24, 2020
Intriguing
Just as you think that each book has surpassed the last it gets even better. Such a fascinating series that you just can't put down.
Just as you think that each book has surpassed the last it gets even better. Such a fascinating series that you just can't put down.
January 8, 2021
A Fovorite Author
Excellent content and imaginative writing, I would not expect anything less from D. K. Holmberg. I always look forward to the next series.
Excellent content and imaginative writing, I would not expect anything less from D. K. Holmberg. I always look forward to the next series.
October 13, 2022
Shadow Lost
The fourth book in The Shadow Accord series wax a much faster read than book 1 and two Carth continues to find out more about her powers as she battles a deadly evil
The fourth book in The Shadow Accord series wax a much faster read than book 1 and two Carth continues to find out more about her powers as she battles a deadly evil
January 3, 2025
3.5 stars
April 26, 2017
Another good one!
The only problem I have with this book is it ended too soon! BY his is a very good series..and so is every series This author writes!
The only problem I have with this book is it ended too soon! BY his is a very good series..and so is every series This author writes!
June 20, 2017
loving this series
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews