Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
An Instruction of Shadow by Benedict Jacka Narrator: Will Watt
Series: Stephen Oakwood #2
Published by Ace, Penguin Audio on October 15, 2024
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 400
Length: 9 hours, 48 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Stephen Oakwood has emerged victorious against the schemes of his aristocratic family. Now he finally has the opportunity to do what he’s been wanting to do for a long track down his father. But doing so won’t be easy. Stephen’s not so isolated any more, but the contacts he’s making in the magical world—everyone from the corporation he works for to the mother he’s just beginning to reconnect with—all have agendas of their own.
And now a new group is emerging from the shadows, calling themselves the Winged. Their leader, the mysterious Byron, promises that he can show Stephen how to find his father...but he wants something in return.Following that trail will throw Stephen into greater danger than he’s ever faced before. To survive, he’ll need to use all of his tricks and sigls, and pick up some new ones. Only then will he be able to prevail against his enemies...and find out who’s really pulling the strings.
I loved the first book, An Inheritance of Magic so I was excited to read more. Over the past year, Benedict Jacka has done a series of information on the aspects of the magic in this world from the element types, to the Houses, to the skill levels, etc. I read all these before starting An Instruction in Shadow and it took less time than I expected. I felt it would help bring me back to the world after a year which it did.
Stephen really needs to find people he can trust and the options continue to narrow. He does find more people he can’t trust which is sort of helpful but also has more people after him. He has some bad run-ins as he tries to find work to support his life. He lost his job through one of those untrustworthy but he learns it may have happened eventually anyway.
The family continues to be a problem. Stephen does talk to his mother a few times which is just disappointing. A few family members are at least not trying to kill him. His efforts to find his father lead to more big trouble but he finally gets a bit of information.
Stephen learns more, struggles more, and finds no stability or allies. He (and we) have a great deal more to learn about magic. He does seem to have some skills which are unusual. I look forward to so much more even if it will likely be a year away.
Narration:
I am comfortable with Will Watt now and his voices. The accents seem appropriate. His voices for the characters kept me in the story. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Benedict Jacka
Benedict Jacka became a writer almost by accident, when at nineteen he sat in his school library and started a story in the back of an exercise book. Since then he’s studied philosophy at Cambridge, lived in China, and worked as everything from civil servant to bouncer to teacher before returning to London to take up law.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
This sounds like the ultimate in urban fantasy. Great review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. Benedict Jacka has certainly delivered very enjoyable reads for me.
This series does sound like it has promise!
I’m loving it.
I loved this too and cannot wait for more.
This author has yet to disappoint me. I wish the releases were faster but I understand how it works and will wait.
I loved An Inheritance of Magic (and his previous series with Alex Verus, too!) and am looking forward to reading this next book. I have it on hold at my library and am just waiting for it to come in. Great review! 😀
Thank you Kara. I really enjoy this author too.
Glad you enjoyed this one and I like the Halloween blog header.
Thank you Naida. I’ve enjoyed all his series. I would read the series in order. I have not thought about Halloween at all. Are you safe? You are over that way where the hurricane hit. I am thinking more about the election than Halloween. We are going to vote today.
Hi and yes safe here, thank you. We didn’t feel the storm by us at all. The election is stressing me out!
Otises Halloween costume just arrived in the mail this week. I took an impromptu blog hiatus but hope to get back to posting by the end of this month.
Happy Friday!
yes the election is stressing me out also. I voted yesterday taking my daughter and neighbor with me. Today and tomorrow my neighbor and I are poll greeting.
I’m a little behind so even though I have the e-ARC I purchased the audio and will be listening today for a review tomorrow! I’m excited though, because I loved the first one. I’ll come back to discuss!
That’s awesome Rachel. I’ve loved all his books. I did the Alex Verus as a Read-along and was so happy.
I am thrilled you enjoyed this one so much – I’ve not yet started the arc as I’m going to reread the first book before treating myself to this one. Thank you for swinging by my Can’t-Wait Wednesday feature.
Thanks Sarah, I would have like to reread the first but the end of this month is a deluge of great releases. I always read your posts, even if I don’t always have any comment.
I love when the second book lives up to the first one! This looks like a great series.
I love it but my favorite is urban fantasy.
Is this series related to any others? I may try to jump in now while there are only two books out!
No it’s a new series with just the two books so far. I have enjoyed everything from this author.