Note: This series is recommended for mature YA+ readers due to thematic elements throughout the series.

 

Note: This review contains spoilers from Blood Oath and spoilers from Shadow Wings!

 

The second novel in the Darkest Drae series, Shadow Wings has a lighter feel to it compared to Blood Oath and takes on a brighter tone.

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I give Shadow Wings 4.5 Stars.

 

Click here to read the Goodreads synopsis for Shadow Wings.

 

Shadow wings begins a few days after Blood Oath finished. We are in a new Harvest Zone (8, instead of 7) and ironically we are in a tavern. Again. 

 

I’m not sure whether I’ve picked up on this because I read Shadow Wings right after I put down Blood Oath, but I noticed Chapter 1 contained a lot of exposition. The info-dump brought readers up to speed, covering the events of Blood Oath and the missing days between the two novels. For me, the exposition was too heavy and caused me to skip paragraphs because I already knew what had happened. It could have been integrated better to avoid boring readers.

Despite this, Shadow Wings establishes plot and a call to action more quickly than book one. We are immediately introduced to the tension between Ryn and Tyrrik; the increasing presence of Emperor Draedyn, the Drae Alpha; and the unexpected arrival of the Phaetyn Prince, Kamoi, all in the first three chapters.

 

I enjoyed Shadow Wings more than Blood Oath purely because it felt like a completely different series. Shadow Wings is a book of discovery and growth. Readers are taken on an adventure across the northern kingdoms, away from Verald. We meet two very different civilisations. First, we catch a glimpse of the people of Gemond surviving in the middle of nowhere and resorting to cannibalism. We meet more Gemondians later in the novel and our first sight of these people is revealed as the Gemond Kingdom’s last resort to resolve their frequently poor harvests and survival of their people. In contrast to the Gemondians, the Phaetyn are living in luxury with a civil war blooming as Ryn and Tyrrik arrive in the Zivost Forest. I enjoyed meeting and exploring the other kingdoms with Ryn, it made the novel a fast-paced read as there was always something happening. I found a dislike for the Phaetyn Prince, Kamoi. I did not like the way he treated Ryn; he couldn’t keep his eyes off certain parts of her, and he didn’t bother to mask his lust despite Ryn’s constant rejections.

 

My favourite part of Shadow Wings far outweighs the poorer parts of the novel. I loved Ryn and Tyrrik’s growth as characters, they grew together and separately, and sometimes that is completely ignored in other novels. Ryn and Tyrrik’s developing relationship was the main focus of the novel, and it was a JOY! At times the dialogue between them was hilarious and other times it was down right honest. In Blood Oath readers will remember Tyrrik’s behaviour towards Ryn; the lies and emotional whiplash he delivers and how cruel and cold he could be. Shadow Wings attempts to rationalise his actions as a victim of his blood oath to King Ireldon. I loved that Ryn did not forgive Tyrrik immediately, of course there were moments when she leaned towards that forgiveness, but I’m not surprised when Tyrrik was both hurting and protecting her in Blood Oath. Ryn has to learn who the real Tyrrik is, just as Tyrrik must learn who he wants to be and whether he can live without Ryn if he chooses wrong.

            Ryn’s growth is not linked to Tyrrik in any way, for a third of the book she is able to make decisions for herself without Tyrrik adding his say to the matter, which I think helped strengthen Ryn’s character. This is a big deal in my opinion, most fantasies are slapped with the trope of women being side-lined for being the ‘weaker sex’. There are parts of Shadow Wings where Tyrrik reminds readers that only male Drae can breath fire, and females are the more logical of the sexes, but Ryn proves that women are still capable of wreaking havoc, fire or not. Compared to Blood Oath, Ryn’s stubbornness drives her character and the novel. She refuses to be placed in a position of weakness like she was in Book One, and she demands that Tyrrik respect her as an equal. I know some of you may be thinking a female shouldn’t have to ask to be respected, but in Shadow Wings, Ryn puts her foot down and takes no one’s crap. After witnessing bits of this side of Ryn in Blood Oath, it is great to see her take control!

            My all-time favourite scenes are Ryn becoming obsessed with jewels and gold. If you’ve read Shadow Wings…the scene in the Gemond Mountains!!

 

 

I would have liked for some scenes to be extended. There were scenes that were passed over rather than explored, and I felt that had the authors gone into more detail on these parts Ryn’s character development would have benefited immensely. One scene in particular where Ryn and Tyrrik are alone in a cave near the start of the novel, is the first time we see a reciprocation of care. Ryn’s transformation the night before is covered in one paragraph, and even then it is the remnants of aches and pains from the change.

 

I will be reading the third instalment, Black Crown. I am looking forward to seeing Ryn and Tyrrik’s relationship develop, and I’m hoping to see more of the Drae Alpha. Drama!

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