The Shadow of What Was Lost is an incredible intro to an amazing series. It is a world of lost magic and forgotten ruins. It follows the story of Davian, a student at a school for Gifted (magic users) in a world where Essence (Magic) is heavily restricted and hated after a recent overthrow of the world order. Davian himself is unable to use Essence yet is still Gifted through some inexplicable means; he also has a dangerous secret that only his closest friends are aware of. After an unexpected event completely shatters his perceived peaceful life, he goes on a journey to resolve the issue.

Taking inspiration from Fantasy masterclasses such as Robert Jordan, known for his Wheel of Time series, and Brandon Sanderson, known for his incredible universe of the Cosmere. With incredible plot twists and characters that will never allow you to put the book down. If you like series like The Stomlight Archive, Mistborn, and many more phenomenal fantasy books. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Fantasy.