[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Shadow Throne

Django Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not writing, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays games of all sorts.

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The Shadow Throne

SHADOW CAMPAIGNS Book #2

Amazon / B&N / iBooks / Kobo

Anyone can plot a coup or fire an assassin’s bullet. But in a world of muskets and magic, it takes considerably more to seize the throne.

The ailing King of the Vordan lies on his deathbed. When he dies, his daughter, Raesinia Orboan, will become the first Queen Regnant in centuries—and a ripe target for the ambitious men who seek to control her. The most dangerous of these is Duke Orlanko, Minister of Information and master of the secret police. Having meticulously silenced his adversaries through intimidation, imprisonment, and execution, Orlanko is the most feared man in the kingdom.

And he knows an arcane secret that puts Raesinia completely at his mercy.

Exposure would mean ruin, but Raesinia is determined to find a way to break herself—and her country—out of Orlanko’s iron grip. She finds unlikely allies in the returning war hero Janus bet Vhalnich, fresh from a brilliant campaign in the colony of Khandar, and his loyal deputies, Captain Marcus d’Ivoire and Lieutenant Winter Ihernglass.

As Marcus and Winter struggle to find their places in the home they never thought they would see again, they help Janus and Raesinia set in motion events that could free Vordan from Orlanko’s influence—at the price of throwing the nation into chaos. But with the people suffering under the Duke’s tyranny, they intend to protect the kingdom with every power they can command, earthly or otherwise.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Scholastic Siren - Sara (edited by Chelle):
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

This is the second book of Django Wexler's Shadow Campaign series and was a new read for me and LITERAL ADDICTION.

The genre is Flintlock Fantasy, but I would have just called it fantasy. The world building is wonderful! There are four main POV characters, all with intersecting storylines. Wexler plots beautifully, and there is no confusion as to whom is speaking or where you are. The story is full of court intrigue and interpersonal relationships. Big plot lines dealing with the major story arc, and secondary plotlines with characters you really come to care about.

I did not read The Thousand Names, book one in the series, but I did not feel lost, nor did I feel like I was missing anything. The book stands well on its own.

I definitely recommend this book, and am anxious to read more from Mr. Wexler.

The Shadow Throne