a great story with good historical knowledge

shad has done a great job. Great story, fun characters and an interesting world. Can't wait for more

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3 people found this helpful

Enjoyable

Some issues are definitely present, though I consider many review criticisms here to be petty or biased against the basic premise. The plot of a hyper competent prodigy turned despot, defeated then exiled and coming to regret a fantastical reign of tyranny is the story. People saying "He was too bad to continue reading" obviously stopped before the end section. Saying he's a gary stue imo also misses the premise. He is overpowered, that was the idea even before he had magic. What happens if a tyrannical prodigy gets a second chance and the power to influence the world on a similar scale to when he ruled an all conquering empire, as one man? The book is asking where the limit of redemption is and to what degree would recompense be required that even heinous acts might be forgiven to a change of heart, if at all.

As to whether the author succeeds? I'm not sure, I'd say mostly with some misses. The book is enjoyable, especially if you're more interested in exploring a premise of moral consequences, than reading about an average joe in fantastic circumstances who struggles against a villain and wins. He's overpowered... that's part of the premise, not the point.

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2 people found this helpful

Bloody Awesome

so glad i picked this up. Shad you have done an amazing job, can't wait for more!

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1 person found this helpful

A unique story of Death Gate Cycle Proportions!

I've finished listening to it on Audible. Wonderful. Dark, amazing, horrible and awesome. I can't help but think Lightbringers were inspired by preqachers of some sort. There are flying islands and airships powered by rocks and magic.

A story of forgiveness, redemption, justice and depravity. A story of healing and horror. 10 out of 5 my bro.

This is a movie waiting to be made.

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Excellent story, narration and exposition

A wonderful story of a character, who in their first life lead a revolution against tyranny, only to become a tyrant themselves. Having escaped retribution and with the time to reflect, they look forward to death. However, the "Light" has other ideas...

The character development and world building is well done. Characters have distinct personalities and many are dealing with their own emotional demons. The world is unique and different, while remaining familiar to those who enjoy traditional medieval fantasy settings. Much detail is provided on how the world and magic works, rivalling the quality of the Stormlight series.

The narration is excellent; great accents, clear speech and a sense the narrators actually enjoyed the story.

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A Conquering Debut, with a "Light" Issue

I decided to listen to the book due to the LARP Sword from the book being made by Calimacil, so I figured I better knkw what the fuss is about with the sword.

The Plot: The Plot is as interesting and simple as you may expect which isn't a bad thing, a tourtured man living with regret of his past action that lead to the deaths of MILLIONS, decided to end it all, only to be givin a second chance of a new life, but a life of service for others than himself. The plot and setting of the book though may be simple and may have been used before, it's still a great plot of Redemption and Forgiveness that can create a facinating story.

World Setting: Though I'll admit the description of the world and the land surronding our characters escapes me in confusion, other aspects of the world colour me fascinated. Everyone being able to wield a sword or other weapons on themselves due to the ever coming threat of the shade makes sense for this world, duelists and swordman doning badges displaying there rank in swordmanship is an awsome touch to this social normality and wrapping red string around your arm to come all challengers to duel adds another level to this social structure which I find interesting to listen to whenever it is brought up in the book. The incorporation of Light & Dark stones into modern engineering scream "Steam-Punk" but with gems and light frequency besides hot air, adding another level of intelligence and thought put into this world, though I will say not everything can be consistent.

The Light Within: In this world there are people who can conjure, imbued and utilise the "Light" as a source of power within themselves, they are known as Arch-Knights and Light Bringers and nearing the ending of the story you discover more levels of mastery, flexibility and power you can use the light which I find welcoming as I am a fan of mechanics in powers and the classification of these different powers from "Life Binders" & "World Binders". These being can also sense your inner light which determines how good you are and the type of person you are too....but it doesn't. Which is what I do not like about this inner light meaning, for as you discover during the story, as long as you BELIEVE in what you are doing is the right thing your inner light will shine ever bright, which means you can do horrible things and be so deluded in what you are doing you don't the true evil behind your actions. This bothers me as it is told that "The Light" is a force within itself and it passes judgment on others and punishes them, shouldn't this "Light" be able to know which act is good and evil and mark these people with more or less inner light? this part I find somewhat a stupid loophole to the whole good/evil scale when there is this "Light" within the world.

Story: Now the story, it's a classic story of Redemption, Deceit, Hatred and Forgiveness. There are many arcs and plot twists that can come out of nowwhere, giving the story good momentum, not once did I feel like the story was slowing down, but rather sped up ever slightly, kept that pace and then sped up again. The Protagonists past catching off guard every now and again made it interesting and the retelling of his conquest at the beginning of each chapter added juxtaposition and context to our character with his growth and personal actions.

Conclusion: Shadow of the Conquerer has a rich world setting with it's people needing to wield swords for shade attacks which also spawned a duelist social culture, specialisation of Light Binders and Light Bringers I believe is open to more developments in coming books, to the Protagonists journey to fully redeem himself and be of service to those he had wronged and hopefully more characters challenges will plauge him along the way leaves this listener to keep an ear out for the next book.

P.S. Shad, pleae don't make the Protagonist gain more abilities that makes him stupidly powerfully, like some crap about him being a Light Binder AND a Light Bringer and etc.

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loved it

I loved this book it was an incredible story with a great post and writing however the two narrotors made some characters hard to follow with the different voices besides that it was amazing and I loved it ever since I became a year 12 student ive had a hard time finding books to read with all the other things in my life but I made an exception for this one keep up the good work Sir Shad of shadoversity

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9.5 out of 10 and is the first book for the author

I can't believe this is his first book, absolutely amazing, my only complaint is the author could pick up more of a show not tell writing style. there were a few key moments in the story that would have benefited drastically from this.

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Not entirely sold on it

I would like to see where it can go. The magic was good, but not entirely sold on the whole forgiveness moral question. The internal monologue seemed to not quite align with itself, creating logic reasoning for decisions and then dismissing the logic. Great choice on performers with Michael and Kate!

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epic, capturing, and pulls no punches

for a new writer I couldn't be more impressed. this story was so refreshing where most authors shy away from the taboos that are prominent in this story with all their ugly truths woven in to bring a contriversal yet fantastical tale that gives me great hope and excitement for this authors future works

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