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A review by freemajo
The Shadow of Water by Jacquelyn Benson
5.0
”I am the Prophetess,” she speaks, feeling the clear call of her voice ring across the stars. “And I want to see.”
The Fire in the Glass was almost in my favorite books for 2020, with its unique setting and perspective of 1914 London, mysticism, the occult, 1900s British society (also obsessed with the occult), and Eastern philosophy. The Shadow of Water saw it and raised it twenty--definitely in my top books for 2021 so far.
In The Shadow of Water, the focus shifts from eugenics/the occult to the impending conflict over Ireland/Northern Ireland while the lengthening shadow of World War I looms ever nearer. A dead body is found, visions are had, and the team races to expose a treacherous plot that could cost the lives of thousands. Really, you should just read it; you won’t be able to put it down.
There is an element of suspense to The Shadow of Water, and it’s significantly improved over The Fire in the Glass; you don’t know how people are connected until you do. The characters that were so well-crafted in The Fire in the Glass have returned, and we get to know them better. I’m so glad! I specifically loved in Book 1 that Sam wasn’t some Chinese immigrant stereotype, and we really lean into who Sam is here as his past becomes revealed.
The pacing was great; I felt like the story progressed well and kept me interested throughout the journey. Pacing and characterization are definitely two strengths of Benson.
My only criticism of The Shadow of Water (and it’s so minor) is that it was very unforgiving to the reader who did not finish its predecessor immediately prior. I know we all hate an info dump, but Morgan Cole has a very handy, “The Story Till Now” synopsis that she includes at the start of each Chrysathamere book, and I wish every author would do this. I don’t always want to re-read every book prior to the new installment in a series. Unless you’re Garth Nix and the series in question is Abhorsen. Re-read EVERRRY time.
I received a free copy through BookSirens. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Fire in the Glass was almost in my favorite books for 2020, with its unique setting and perspective of 1914 London, mysticism, the occult, 1900s British society (also obsessed with the occult), and Eastern philosophy. The Shadow of Water saw it and raised it twenty--definitely in my top books for 2021 so far.
In The Shadow of Water, the focus shifts from eugenics/the occult to the impending conflict over Ireland/Northern Ireland while the lengthening shadow of World War I looms ever nearer. A dead body is found, visions are had, and the team races to expose a treacherous plot that could cost the lives of thousands. Really, you should just read it; you won’t be able to put it down.
There is an element of suspense to The Shadow of Water, and it’s significantly improved over The Fire in the Glass; you don’t know how people are connected until you do. The characters that were so well-crafted in The Fire in the Glass have returned, and we get to know them better. I’m so glad! I specifically loved in Book 1 that Sam wasn’t some Chinese immigrant stereotype, and we really lean into who Sam is here as his past becomes revealed.
The pacing was great; I felt like the story progressed well and kept me interested throughout the journey. Pacing and characterization are definitely two strengths of Benson.
My only criticism of The Shadow of Water (and it’s so minor) is that it was very unforgiving to the reader who did not finish its predecessor immediately prior. I know we all hate an info dump, but Morgan Cole has a very handy, “The Story Till Now” synopsis that she includes at the start of each Chrysathamere book, and I wish every author would do this. I don’t always want to re-read every book prior to the new installment in a series. Unless you’re Garth Nix and the series in question is Abhorsen. Re-read EVERRRY time.
I received a free copy through BookSirens. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.