This is another one of my Fairyloot reads. I didn't know what to expect going into this one, only that it was adult and fantasy.
This book felt like a cross between Game of Thrones and Throne of Glass.
There are five important families in this. You have the king, then the four families that are gifted with natural magic. Each of those families are descended from the gods. Their powers range from necromancy, to darkness, to light, to elemental.
This book is really long. I'll admit, there were parts where I didn't really want to keep picking it up, but I knew I had to finish it. That's not to say that it was bad, just that I felt like maybe the plot could have been pared down a little to make it a more enjoyable experience.
I've read in a few places that this reads more like YA than adult, and I have to agree. While it did have some dark themes, some of the things you'd expect on the page (namely, romance and sex scenes), weren't there.
The story has a pretty intriguing plot with a lot of fun, magic-filled action sequences. I felt a little let down by the premise not being fulfilled in the end of the novel.
I know this is really vague, but I felt like the blurb provided with the book provides a good summary of the plot, so I've included it below:
Set in a gorgeous world of bone and shadow magic, of vengeful gods and defiant chosen ones, The City of Dusk is the first in a dark epic fantasy trilogy that follows the four heirs of four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—as they form a tenuous alliance to keep their kingdom from descending into a realm-shattering war.
The Four Realms—Life, Death, Light, and Darkness—all converge on the city of dusk. For each realm there is a god, and for each god there is an heir.
But the gods have withdrawn their favor from the once vibrant and thriving city. And without it, all the realms are dying.
Unwilling to stand by and watch the destruction, the four heirs—Risha, a necromancer struggling to keep the peace; Angelica, an elementalist with her eyes set on the throne; Taesia, a shadow-wielding rogue with rebellion in her heart; and Nik, a soldier who struggles to see the light— will sacrifice everything to save the city.
But their defiance will cost them dearly.
All in all, this first novel really felt like more of a setup than being able to stand on its own. I can't say whether I'll continue it, but if you're looking for a heavy fantasy filled novel with action and political intrigue, check this out!
Abbie