Shadow Saga

There's a tendency in fantasy to build extremely complex, D&D-like worlds, and in many cases, that's just what readers are after. However, there's also something to be said for books that are just effortless to read, and Sprunk's Shadow Saga is definitely that. Caim lives in Othir: a crime-ridden, corrupt holy city that perfectly suits his profession. Augmented by dark magic and a ghostly familiar, he becomes involved in a plot far bigger than himself. It's not a complex plot, nor is it a particularly original one. However, Sprunk's simple execution brings new twists to familiar tropes and creates a series that's an absolute joy to read. Part of that is due to the excellent pacing of the books, with short chapters that end with you turning the page to the next every time. You get the impression that everything in this novel is carefully and conservatively crafted. There isn't unnecessary exposition, yet the reader still gets a good sense of the world. Action scenes are perfectly placed to keep interest, while good character building provides plenty of entertainment in the downtimes. Though there's plenty to love about the series, it's this simplicity that makes it so exceptional. Sprunk hasn't fallen into the trap of telling rather than showing. Instead, he's a perfect example that, with finesse, thousands of pages aren't required for a great fantasy novel. Read if you like: Quick reads, page turners, dark magic.