Review - Born of Light and Shadow by Ryan Kirk (Legend of the Adani #1)
At first, I thought this would be another solid adventure fantasy by the author. But it emerged as something far better than that, and so far it's my favourite read of 2024! In a world where most humans can wield a type of magical force known as adani, two siblings must set out in order to overcome the forces of the Debru, a sinister, supernatural race of shadow creatures. Dead circles of grass have emerged that threaten their world. Elian seeks to warn others of this sign, also seeking recognition as a warrior, while his sister, Samora, is more interested in using magical bindings for the healing and growth of their world. There's a gripping final third of the book, and as a wonderful addition we get sentient dragons inserted to the mix as well.
The world-building is detailed and deceptively understated. The people of the book are divided into those of the Villages, who farm and provide food for others, and the Wandering Clans, whose duty is to protect all against the threat of the Debru. The clans have been fighting a long, losing war against the Debru: they must protect their territories but also have a tendency not to trust one another. Likewise, Elian and Samora's village must deal with the trauma of some of their members killed by the Debru, including their own father.
Elian dreams of becoming a great warrior, partly out of desire to revenge his father. But he is unique and cannot manipulate the bindings of the adani magic, and must deal with feelings of inadequacy. This is until he finds he does indeed have a rarer talent, that of diverting magical flows inside himself. He discovers that his strength is born of desperation, impulse and need. His relationship with Harald, the wily, but heroic and committed clan leader, lets him develop his abilities and grow throughout the novel.
His sister, Samora, is an opposite. She is naturally talented at magical binding and is highly sensitive to the flows of adani around her. From this, we get a realistic depiction of an introverted main character who retreats from the overly stimulating adani flows she senses around her, speaking out seldom, but is still able to always keep a reserve of quiet strength. Samora learns from several mentors in the art of healing. She also attracts a follower and defender, Karla, a much older master adanist and former warrior chief. Karla is another accomplished introverted character: she is strong, tough and fatalistic. Together they must go forth on an independent mission of their own, to seek out the heart of the mystery behind the Debru and the dying circles of land.
The challenge of these dead circles lets out some revelations of the secrets behind the shadow creatures. There are the kettu, dog-like attackers; the otsoa, something like shadow-wolves; the debru, foot soldiers commanding these inferior forces; and the belog, lordly, dark sorcerers who direct the malevolent troops. But the fading circles are also bound up with a mystery that involves the last diabolical Debru type, the Vada, the most fearsome, resembling demonic gods.
This central puzzle behind the origins of the Debru is partially revealed in tantalising visions experienced by Samora. Who are the strange people she sees conducting a doom-laden ritual? Why do the Debru creatures just stand still, never eating, and why do they seek to attack all humans? I guess we'll have to wait till book 2 to find out. The dead circles of land, bound with the Debru, are countered by the Gathering Grounds of the clans, places of regeneration, overwhelming magic, growth and healing. Once again, I enjoyed Kirk's use of areas of spiritual sanctuary in his world.
The last third of the book is full of engaging plot revelations and action, as it should be. Characters must also deal with the added threat of possession by the shadow creatures, an interesting complication. I particularly enjoyed the characters of the dragons uncovered by Elian, and Elian's own path of self-discovery, accomplishment and redemption in the face of battle. The overall message that main characters discover is a satisfying one, that they must work in harmony with their world and the forces of nature magic, in order to reach a successful outcome. The magical system itself has some deceptively deep concepts, in particular its similarity to ideas of karma and self-healing systems of the natural world. It's pleasing to see what the author can achieve without the bloat of other epic fantasy series. I have no hesitation in recommending this classy, enjoyable book and am definitely going to look out for the next in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for an ARC of this book.
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
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