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A review by baexlee
The Shadow Wand by Laurie Forest
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Shadow Wand is an entirely different entry into the Black Witch Chronicles than either of the previous installments. Where the two previous novels only gave Elloren's perspective The Shadow Wand does not shy away for jumping through the perspectives of many different characters, including some new introductions. The world that Laurie Forest has crafted is complex, and in previous installments Elloren's viewpoint alone was enough to navigate that narrative as she began to really experience the world on her own for the first time and be exposed to people beyond her protected bubble. I appreciated that Forest recognized the limitations of Elloren's perspective in this particular installment and provided us more insight into characters like Tierney and Wynter.
This series is not afraid to shy away from it's characters dealing with difficult subject matter, and The Shadow Wand is no exception to that. Things do not simply happen to these characters, they are not passively accepting the events of their narrative, rather they are critically thinking about the events of their story and emotionally unpacking them on the page, which can only help serve to deepen our connection to a character as readers.
Fair warning to anyone with an aversion to love triangles - this series is likely not for you. Since this is the third installment we are well into the romantic plotlines, but Forest does not make any predictable choices and the only thing that I can be certain of is that I cannot be certain of anything when it comes to Elloren, Yvan and Lukas. As far as my personal opinions, i thought I had made my mind up, and then I had a lot of opinions changed by the events of this novel, only the be left feeling confused, frustrated and grief stricken by the end.
This series is not afraid to shy away from it's characters dealing with difficult subject matter, and The Shadow Wand is no exception to that. Things do not simply happen to these characters, they are not passively accepting the events of their narrative, rather they are critically thinking about the events of their story and emotionally unpacking them on the page, which can only help serve to deepen our connection to a character as readers.
Fair warning to anyone with an aversion to love triangles - this series is likely not for you. Since this is the third installment we are well into the romantic plotlines, but Forest does not make any predictable choices and the only thing that I can be certain of is that I cannot be certain of anything when it comes to Elloren, Yvan and Lukas. As far as my personal opinions, i thought I had made my mind up, and then I had a lot of opinions changed by the events of this novel, only the be left feeling confused, frustrated and grief stricken by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Genocide, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Grief