An Instruction of Shadow (Stephen Oakwood #2)[October 22, 2024]

[Yanique, Thread Master]

This is a Buddy read for An Instruction of Shadow by Benedict Jacka starting on October 22, 2024.


Happy Reading!

[Nirkatze]

Thank you!

Hm, looks like there's two versions of this book on GR and they aren't combined.


1. An Inheritance of Magic (Sept 22) [link]
2. An Instruction in Shadow (Oct 22)

Audio: Not on Hoopla or A+.
Ebook: Not on Hoopla, Open Library, or KU.

[Charlie]

I really loved book 1, hope this one is just as good!

[Nirkatze]

Ditto! After reading Alex Verus (albeit still two books from the end) I definitely have high hopes. The author has proven reliable.

[Charlie]

Oh he's excellent!

[Charlie]

5 chapters in (view spoiler)[ okay so I'm loving this so far.

Though I have a few gripes, which by no means less my enjoyment of the book:

Stephen's friend Gabriel really is a huge dick, he needs a good smack. Why any of them put up with him I don't know.

The offer from Calhoun seems very convenient. I don't really trust it. Calhoun doesn't seem like a murdering lunatic, but you never know.

I also think getting involved with the Winged is a very bad idea.

I don't quite understand why Linfords, and other Drucraft corporations are so weird with their recruitment. You'd think they'd want talented people. Stephen is quite clearly very naturally talented. He taught himself and he's far better than he should be, for someone with no formal instruction. You'd think Linfords would take advantage of that. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "5 chapters in..."

Just started, and on chapter 4... generally the same thoughts... (view spoiler)[Gabriel can just be kicked from the friend group / story, and I won't be sad to see him go...

Haven't reached the Calhoun/Winged stuff quite yet... Calhoun just showed up, and I think Stephen called the guy from the end of the last book who...

So far, the first few chapters feel like extra denouement from the end of book 1, and manufactured drama for Stephen with work/etc...

But, I DO think Stephen's treatment by Linford is pretty normal for society... the system is built to keep the rich in power and the poor starving for scraps... they don't really care about the power they could get from Stephen, sadly... or trying to maximize potential...

The interaction with Stephen's mom was also lackluster... series mysteries to drag out for later... I'm sure dad will show up at some point down the line... (hide spoiler)]

[Ann-Marie]

I read this yesterday and was underwhelmed. (view spoiler)[To me it felt like an extension to book one and the eternal world-building. The interactions with his mother were underwhelming and while I am certain that there is more to that tale so far she is a dick. His grandfather is also a dick and his half-brother is a giant dick. It feels entirely too similar to Alex Verus with the rich, in power hierarchy that has complete control and crushes the little guy and I am still mad about how that series ended so I do not have high hopes for this so far. I did enjoy the magic battle scenes towards the end and his cousin and half-sister seem like decent people but now that he is known and can show he has powers why isn't he being qualified to take over? Just stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

You're definitely vocalizing my fears, Ann-Marie...

Also, these books are so short, at around 10hrs... I don't feel like there's enough time for alot of the things I want to see happen happen... gonna take multiple books/years... especially with all the plot hurdles...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Maybe I just consume too much media, but I feel like I'm just seeing layers and layers of similarities...

(view spoiler)[Ann-Marie noted Jacka's obvious preferred setting, with the similarities in power structures/etc between this series and Alex Verus...

The plot here with The Winged is reminding me of the New World Order plotline of Falcon and Winter Soldier, which also reminds me of the Bane faction from Dark Knight Rises...

The preacher helper from book 1 reminds me of several UF churchy shows like Preacher and that Netflix show with the paralyzed girl gaining magic powers (Warrior Nun)... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

There's a reddit AMA going on right now, if you want to ask Jacka any questions: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

Should be answering questions the rest of the day and maybe through to tomorrow morning...

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "There's a reddit AMA going on right now, if you want to ask Jacka any questions: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

Should be answe..."

I saw that when I went looking last night to see if there was a date for book 3 and I was tempted to ask why he ended Alex Verus so badly lol

"I really loved that series until you shit the bed with the ending, why did you do that?"

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

The closer I get to the end of the book, more I'm just like "this is it?"

I like Benedict Jacka, and I'll continue with the series, but I'm kinda disappointed... just feels like more of book 1... almost like this is a web serial cut into books, rather than a planned book with a strong plot...

I guess Alex Verus is similar, but there's a framing mystery to solve, usually... this is more an outsider trying to enter the magical world, one bit at a time...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "There's a reddit AMA going on right now, if you want to ask Jacka any questions: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm......"

#3 should be out next October... Jacka's pretty good at writing on time...

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "The closer I get to the end of the book, more I'm just like "this is it?"

I like Benedict Jacka, and I'll continue with the series, but I'm kinda disappointed... just feels like more of book 1... ..."

I agree, "This is it?" is a perfect way to sum up this one! Very disappointing...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

And then, on the last page, Jacka does us dirty with another cliffhanger...

(view spoiler)[who ends a book mid cipher deciphering? (hide spoiler)]

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "And then, on the last page, Jacka does us dirty with another cliffhanger...

[spoilers removed]"

I was less annoyed with this one that book 1 honestly but yeah, shitty ending for sure...

[Charlie]

Im actually not disappointed so far, clearly im in the minority but I love ther power structure, Stephen's fight against the machine as it is etc. I'm easily pleased :D.

Thoughts through to chapter 10 - (view spoiler)[

Stephen's grandad might be a dick, but at least he was helpful. I think agreeing to talk to him and answer questions is the least he can do.

I don't like Bridget, she's obnoxious and an idiot. I initially thought I liked her, I've changed my mind. Refusing to do as she's told on a fucking raid of all things, absolute idiocy.

Also, this raid doesn't feel right, I am suspicious! Glad we got to see Ivy and the guys from book 1 though, I'd forgotten about them.

I'm really happy Stephen is getting to spend time with his mum. Even if she did abandon him, they have time now to work things out. (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

I can’t wait to read this given I loved the first. I’m still waiting for my library copy to come in but I’m next in line so hopefully soon.

[Charlie]

So I'm finished and I genuinely loved it. Though that cliff-hanger! (view spoiler)[ I can't wait a whole year!

(view spoiler)[

I think a) people need to stop trying to kill Stephen and b) Stephen needs to get meaner, it's the only way to survive in this new world he's in. Similar to Verus, he needs to realise that people aren't going to leave him alone just because he asks nicely. Hopefully he won't wait as long as Alex to realise that fighting fire with fire is the only way.

I want to know why the Winged are so interested in Stephen, he's clearly been headhunted for his abilities, but why?

Really looking forward to the next one. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

My disappointment mostly stemmed from (view spoiler)[2 steps forward, 1 step back on the making a living front, the fact the botched/trapped heist ended up the meat/climax of the book in general, and the setup of taking a job for his half-brother/cousin was more of s side-plot that seems like it'll expand more in book 3 than book 2...

Also, I read so many longer 15-20hr books that would have had more space for plot, made me a bit sad/annoyed that Jacka writes shorter 10hr books, even if it allow him to release consistently every year...

So, part of it was on me and my expectations, and pre-knowing Ann-Marie agreed with my sentiments...

I did kinda tell my UF friends over in my other group to just wait for next year to read 1-2-3, since they already waited 1 year to read 1-2... in case they were in my camp and not yours... (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

I completely understand that. I definitely wanted more and I think another 100 pages or so could have been great for the plot.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... we know it'll be an epic series, given time... just gotta wait for more books to release...

[Charlie]

Urban fantasy is just one of those genres I find so bingeable, I hate waiting!

[Diana Stormblessed]

I’m so mad cuz I’m still on the library hold list and because it’s not my primary library I keep getting pushed back 😭 I loved the first book and am tired of waiting to read the second 😭😭

[Ann-Marie]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I’m so mad cuz I’m still on the library hold list and because it’s not my primary library I keep getting pushed back 😭 I loved the first book and am tired of waiting to read the second 😭😭"

You could re-read book 1, this is basically the same lol

[Diana Stormblessed]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I’m so mad cuz I’m still on the library hold list and because it’s not my primary library I keep getting pushed back 😭 I loved the first book and am tired of waiting to r..."

Finished. You are right. Nothing really happens until the very end. Feels like a filler book.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Feels like the consensus, of readers here so far… author love only gets you so far… I hope bigger things happen in book 3, or I might just wait a few years and try again near the finale…

[Charlie]

I think these little bite sized adventures are fun but something grander in scale would be better, we'll probably need more world development for that though.