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A review by maroonhoodiereads
Shaman of Souls: Scars of the Necromancer Book One by R.M. Wilshusen
2.0
I recieved a copy of the ARC from Netgalley.
So the greatest points this book had were its characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions they had with one another. Criske and Henrik make for a wonderful duo. Whilst Kelt, Usumi and Glenna had an interesting dynamic. Though I'd say the relationship between Xiele and Glenna was a bit cliché. Criske's interactions with his family, though brief, are full of much character and I greatly enjoyed the realistic depictions of the parents and Criske's relationship.
My main concern with the characters is how jarring some beats were in the development of the relationships. For example, the chapter were Henrik stormed off from Criske after muttering something about family wqs seemingly resolved right after the plot focuses back on them without much being done to competently suggest so. Another point in the plot jumping is the way some aspects of Glenna's and Xiele's relationship progresses, with one particular scene where the pair are having an argument which is seemingly left without much of a constructive resolution. Xiele just picks flowers for Glenna, which I'm guessing was to apologise with. But as the plot progresses the two don't seem to make up.
I appreciated the mystical and magical elements used throughout the book. The ghosts, wraiths and traditions mentioned were quite interesting to read.
However there were some aspects about the setting that left much to be desired in terms of handling. It is blatantly obvious the trifecta and its inhabitants are based upon real life caricatures of people. I.e. the Elves being strikingly similar to stereotypical asian depictions. One aspect that really irked me was during the scene where Criske's mother is giving a testimony in broken english or rather territory. If this depiction of a languahe barrier could have been handled with more senstivity, such as having an interpreter present. It would help to make the scene a bit more palatable. And the depictions of the seperate races could stand to be fleshed out more other than the Tolkien-esque depictions.
My last issue would be the ease at which the plot progresses. The mystery at the beginning was quickly remedied or appeared to be after a couple of chapter were coincidence upon coincidence lead to Xiele's initial capture. Furthering this would be the string of coincidences including Kelt's discovery of a manuscript written by someone who was executed who so happened to be tied greatly into the plot. Another would be Glenna happening upon Xiele quite coincidentally in the series of tunnels under the city. And the tendency for Xiele to succeed through sheer willpower over many obstacles in his path adds to a feeling of something not really having an impact.
Overall the book has lots of strong points and beginnings but lacks development in some crucial areas related to characters and settings. Personally I enjoyed it and would like to see it become better. A good start to the series which just needs a few more provements to be truly phenomenal and truly achieve its potential.
So the greatest points this book had were its characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions they had with one another. Criske and Henrik make for a wonderful duo. Whilst Kelt, Usumi and Glenna had an interesting dynamic. Though I'd say the relationship between Xiele and Glenna was a bit cliché. Criske's interactions with his family, though brief, are full of much character and I greatly enjoyed the realistic depictions of the parents and Criske's relationship.
My main concern with the characters is how jarring some beats were in the development of the relationships. For example, the chapter were Henrik stormed off from Criske after muttering something about family wqs seemingly resolved right after the plot focuses back on them without much being done to competently suggest so. Another point in the plot jumping is the way some aspects of Glenna's and Xiele's relationship progresses, with one particular scene where the pair are having an argument which is seemingly left without much of a constructive resolution. Xiele just picks flowers for Glenna, which I'm guessing was to apologise with. But as the plot progresses the two don't seem to make up.
I appreciated the mystical and magical elements used throughout the book. The ghosts, wraiths and traditions mentioned were quite interesting to read.
However there were some aspects about the setting that left much to be desired in terms of handling. It is blatantly obvious the trifecta and its inhabitants are based upon real life caricatures of people. I.e. the Elves being strikingly similar to stereotypical asian depictions. One aspect that really irked me was during the scene where Criske's mother is giving a testimony in broken english or rather territory. If this depiction of a languahe barrier could have been handled with more senstivity, such as having an interpreter present. It would help to make the scene a bit more palatable. And the depictions of the seperate races could stand to be fleshed out more other than the Tolkien-esque depictions.
My last issue would be the ease at which the plot progresses. The mystery at the beginning was quickly remedied or appeared to be after a couple of chapter were coincidence upon coincidence lead to Xiele's initial capture. Furthering this would be the string of coincidences including Kelt's discovery of a manuscript written by someone who was executed who so happened to be tied greatly into the plot. Another would be Glenna happening upon Xiele quite coincidentally in the series of tunnels under the city. And the tendency for Xiele to succeed through sheer willpower over many obstacles in his path adds to a feeling of something not really having an impact.
Overall the book has lots of strong points and beginnings but lacks development in some crucial areas related to characters and settings. Personally I enjoyed it and would like to see it become better. A good start to the series which just needs a few more provements to be truly phenomenal and truly achieve its potential.