Really enjoyed this!

Loads of fun, listened to it whenever an opportunity arouse. Loads of scope for a follow up

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Excellent

Absolutely loved it. Seriously good storyline. Intriguing and thoughtful, well written and well delivered.

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excellent

Gripping book with twists and turns at every corner. Great narrator too, looking forward to the next one I've already bought.

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Hard to get into, then hard to get out of!

Epic story, with so many twists and turns..great on the one hand but also somewhat confusing and convoluted. I did like it, will listen to the others in this series though not with the rapt attention I had with other authors of this genre. What can I say, I'm a Brandon Sanderson fan!?

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Brilliant book

I was looking for something new and i came across this ...straight away i was dragged into the story, currently finishing the second book and looking forward to the last book coming out this month. it packed with action and everything you want in a fantasy novel. i highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good fantasy novel. I came to this book because of Michael Kramer - i simply love him reading books to me, the way he does female voices are not the best but can't fault his performance and i do look out for other books he has read.

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Good read from start to finish

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me entertained and keen continue. A very good read (or listen).

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A masterwork of storytelling

Starting off as a standard teen storyline, I went into this with low expectations. Boy was I wrong, with twists and plots within plots this book is a worthy successor to The Wheel of Time and a book as good for adults as for young adults

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Cool story bro, for real

At first I have to admit that I wasn't a fan. This was very similar to some books I had read before, yet some parts were annoyingly predictable, but after the half way mark I noticed that I no longer could predict a thing and needed to find out more. Enjoed the book and Michael Kramer is the best.

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solid epic fantasy

I've been curious about this trilogy for a while, and having just re-engaged with traditional fantasy in the form of Riftwar I thought I'd give it a go.
I'm essence it has all the tropes of classic epic fantasy: new hope adolescent, grizzled mentor, big ancient evil, threat from 'beyond', magic system with hallmarks of RPGs, mad king, rebel group. That said, Islington writes it well, putting some interesting spins on the tropes, and creating likeable characters. He world builds steadily and progressively through the book, making the world feel real and organic.
There's a nice few twists in there too, some big reveals about the characters, some of which you can guess, some of which surprised me.
It's easy going epic fantasy, not too gorey or grimdark, and would appeal to Fiest, Sanderson, and Rothfuss fans I think.
I hear book 2 is slower, and book 3 picks up. I've enjoyed book 1 enough to stay the distance.

Kramer's narration is as impeccable as always (loved him from Sanderson's books). It's a tricky audiobook from the perspective of multiple characters and names, but that's epic fantasy for you!!!

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Move over Brandon Sanderson

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Without a doubt. The story held me from the first chapter and promises much more to come.

What other book might you compare The Shadow of What Was Lost to, and why?

Any of the sanderson books. The book had a similar pace, and just when you thought a storyline was coming to and end there would be a twist which promises to keep the tale going for at least another few books.

What does Michael Kramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I always find Michael Kramer surprising. For the first few chapters I sit thinking "I don't really like this narator". Then, before I know it I am hooked and hanging on his every word. So don't let the sample audio put you off - Kramer will draw you into Islington's universe without you even noticing.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Please... I'm a British Male. Stiff upper lip and all that! ( I laughed and cried inside... don't tell anyone! )

Any additional comments?

An excellent start to the tale which I am sure will fill at least another few books yet. Just as I thought I was about to be given all the answers in the final chapters I was presented with twist after surprise after shock. I can't wait for the next installment!

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