The Shadow Glass

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The narrator, Colin Mace, was very good. Just the right voice for this kind of story. I enjoyed his narration. Thank you SourcebooksFire and Rin Chupeco for the ARC in exchange for an honest review and Myrth of Cliste Bella for hosting the PH Blog Tour! There’s a stirring sense of adventure, excitement, and terror running throughout…a treat for fans of the movies that inspired it.”– Publishers Weekly It’s fairly common for me to finish a book and immediately want to see the movie adaptation of it, whether it currently exists or not. I need a movie of this book but I also need Bob Corman’s original 1986 movie in my life. ‘It’s real and scary and it’s not safe.’ Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to fall in lub with Iri. The Shadow Glass reads like a love letter to movies like Labyrinth and The NeverEnding Story (not to mention The Dark Crystal, to which its title pays homage - like that movie, the book centers around a quest for the pieces of the titular object), with a notable difference: its main character isn't a teen adventurer, but an embittered loser in his late thirties with (legitimate) daddy issues, who's grown to hate the fantasy world his father Bob created, the same world he idolised and whose magic he used to strongly believe in as a child. Fear not, though, because this story isn't a self-pity party - it is, for all purposes, a sometimes epic, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny coming-of-age tale with an adult at its center (which is the freshest thing about it), one who has to rediscover the power of magic and the hero within, while learning to process his anger and grief and, ultimately, to understand and forgive (plus to forge unexpected relationships, both with humans and puppets become alive 😂). [...]

I also think, story-wise, there were a few moments where it felt like the main characters were invincible; like they were always going to come out of things okay.

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Rin Chupeco was able to create a story that focuses on love in different forms⁠—love for your siblings, love for your family and friends, love for your country, love for your other half, and love for yourself. Together with Rin Chupeco’s writing style and character- and plot-driven story, this book is the mere definition of perfection. *chef’s kiss* I am struggling to write this review with tears in my eyes because I can’t believe this amazing trilogy is already over and I can’t experience it for the first time ever again. I’m so happy and sad to have been a part of this reading journey and I have not felt this emotional and satisfied with a series conclusion in a long while. I have a lot to say, so there will probably be a lot of spoilers for the previous two books but I will try to be as vague as possible for this one, so proceed with caution. Some of my highlights: Tea and Kalen’s relationship. They’re so cute together and when it was finally time for the events that lead to what happens at the end of book 1 (way to make the two timelines thing sound confusing there) they broke my heart even though I knew it was coming. Also, the way Likh’s character developed over the series was really great, and I love how she’s gone from kind of a side character to one of the important ones.

All in all this was a fun series. Not pushing favourite status but well worth the time invested in it especially as it got better and better. Tea is an ultimate anti-heroine who doesn't care what anyone else thinks of her - even if sometimes, it's her closest that lets her down - she's definitely someone with conviction and a strong moral compass in protecting the people that she loves. heart's truth, the things that made them different and unique and powerful in their own special way. It united them.”Tea is a bone witch with the dark magic needed to raise the dead. She has used this magic to breathe life into those she has loved and lost…and those who would join her army against the deceitful royals. But Tea’s quest to conjure a shadowglass—to achieve immortality for the one person she loves most in the world—threatens to consume her heart. Side Note: I read The Shadow Glass at midnight and half of my brain is asleep, so um, that probably explains me being confused and overwhelmed. Sleepy Sophia does not equate to understanding Sophia. The worldbuilding is still a tad vague for my liking but I feel with three books to flesh it out I’m finally getting more of a real feel for various kingdoms and cultures of the 8 Kingdoms. Bringing together an artful blend of nostalgic references, emotionally-wrenching characterisation, and stunning worldbuilding, Josh Winning's "The Shadow Glass" is a delight of a debut.'

We also get to explore other kingdoms as Istera, the Yadosha City States and Drycht. Furthermore, the rest of the daevas finally make an appearance in the past timeline. And there are a couple of interesting plot-twists. I actually guessed who the traitor was and the identity of certain Faceless at some point around the middle of the book, but I didn’t connect all the dots until the author showed her hand. Honestly, I don’t remember what their motivations were at all. Did they want to destroy the world or take it over? Were they doing this for any specific reason? Haven’t the foggiest. They were the evil puppets, and the good puppets needed to stop them, that’s as much as really matters for this book. My favourite character in this book is Kalen, I know Tea is awesome and all but he is the best. He stood by her when everyone including her brother abandoned her. That is the kind of relationship I want. Even Tea herself thought herself guilty but he didn't, because he not only love her but knows and trust her. Kalen is dedicated and loyal, I admire that about him from the beginning when he was Kance's bodyguard. I feel like I can’t say that much more of a synopsis, because this is the last book in a trilogy, but watching Tea grow, from this girl who was so unsure of her future and her new powers, to this woman who learned to love not only others, but also herself and this power that felt so uncontrollable, and it was an honor to read, truly. And seeing this new journey that Tea has to take for herself in The Shadow Glass was completely enthralling and such a treat to read. The fantasy adventure my 80s-loving heart needed! Loaded with unforgettable characters, a thrilling quest, and the best 80s pop culture references, I loved every moment.”— Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake

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The Shadow Glass is ultimately a fantastic adventure with ‘family’ at its heart (not in the Fast and Furious kind of way) - forgiving your parents for their mistakes, growing to know them for all the good your juvenility could never understand, and forging new families with those who stumble onto our paths.