Thank you Allen & Unwin for this book in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

Kellen and his murderous squirrel cat, Reichis, are on their own. They’ve heard rumour of a mythical monastery, known as the Ebony Abbey. It’s a place that outsiders can never find – but Kellen is getting desperate. He’s been told that the monks inside the Ebony Abbey know more about the Shadowblack than anyone else – and that they even know how to cure it.

Then Kellen and Reichis are separated and for the first time, Kellen must face the world alone – and venture deeper into shadow magic than he ever knew he could.

Review:

Damn.

That was good.

In my review for Charmcaster I said that this story was getting a bit repetitive and opening page one of this book, I expected the same thing. However, I was wrong. Doesn’t happen very often but damn I love it when it does.

Summing this up Kellen and Reichis are on a journey to find a temple that is supposedly meant to hold the cure for the shadowblack, and in Kellen’s current state he needs it as soon as possible. Naturally because nothing for this team of misfits goes to plan, they were attacked and Kellen wakes up in the clutches of temple monks.

And while Kellen is technically the main character of the story, Soulbinder is solely focused on him and his story of self-discovery. And I’m not going to lie while I was reading and realised that this was all about Kellen I was doubtful that I would enjoy it. I mean come on Reichis is growing to be one of my favourite side characters of all time. However that thought was soon forgotten as yet again De Castell draws you deeper and deeper into this magical world. Honestly this book was chocolate cake and I was the fat kid, devouring every crumb and left starving for more!!

Breaking this down, the monks live with the curse of shadowblack as well. This book contains the answers you may have been previously asking about the shadowblack curse in previous books. Which if you’re like me and you question everything than this is the book you definitely want to read.

As well as dealing with the shadowblack, Kellen also has to mentally battle the dilemma with his own family. His father has completely given up on him and Kellen is unsure if his sister is trust worthy or not. Usually Ferius and Reichis guide Kellen and advise him on the best path or option to take. Without their guidance, Kellen is forced to follow his instincts and choose priorities in his life. Which for the first, Kellen had to really become an adult which is fantastic it shows his development as a character, his really growing up so fast. And I’m down for this trickster to become an adult!

So far this has to be my favourite instalment of the series, there was character growth, entertainment and naturally epic battles that keep you entertained. If you haven’t read this series then I best you jump along and do!

Cannot wait for the next book!

Rating: 5/5

ISBN: 9781471406157

Publisher: Hot Key Books