2.5 stars. The first part of the book, that featured Bran at school and fighting with his father, was more annoying than enjoyable. When we moved to Yamato and focused on the two girls, one of whom is primarily functioning as her father's son and heir, the story engaged me. Unfortunately there's a cliff-hanger ending, and it looks like there's going to be a lot of political intrigue before we get back to the level of the story I find enjoyable. So I'm not sure whether I'll pursue the sequel.

Also, pet peeves:
- there is no such word as "wizardess." Did we really need to invent that word so as to more deeply inscribe gender roles in a fantasy world?
- This book, and the last fantasy novel I read, both seem to have been infected by the Harry Potter style of magical invocations. Ugh. I guess this is a trend? It's not one I had encountered before. ( )

Feudal Japan with magic and dragons. It was my 'backup' book to read so it felt a little disjointed since I was leaving it to read other things and then coming back. If there was a map I missed it and it could have used one. ( )

I can't even pretend to be objective about this one, since I narrated it for Podiobooks.com. I'll just say if you want to check it out for free, read by me, look no further!

Can't wait to dig into the rest. Steampunk! Dragons! Alternate History! MOAR DRAGONS!
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In a parallel history, where magic vies with science for supremacy over the affairs of men, young dragon rider Bran ap Dylan brings all these forces into focus. Offered a life of academic leisure, Bran chooses instead to follow his father's adventures into the exotic East, where three things complicate his life there: he has been trained in Western magics, he doesn't speak the language, and he has been condemned to die as a foreign spy.

The story moves a little slowly for my tastes, and too often, Bran's knack for finding trouble fails to result in consequences for him. But the writing is good and the world is well imagined, so I'm hoping that the investment of time in Book 1 will pay off with a bit more action in Book 2. ( )

Combine fantasy with alternate history, throw in a dash of steampunk and you have The Shadow of Black Wings. This was a really fun read. Elements of fantasy like magic and dragons combine with steampowered ships and clockwork gadgets all set in an alternate version of our world where the Roman Empire still exists. Completely original and unexpected.

The world-building here is phenomenal. The magic systems are interesting but not so complex that you don't understand what's happening. There are languages here that sound just familiar enough that you know where they are "supposed"to be from. The settings are familiar but distinct. There are versions of England, Rome, China, Japan and others. They are familiar enough to make the reader comfortable in the geography but original enough to keep you interested in learning more about them.

There were a couple of things that I did not like so much. First, the point of view never technically changes but the character focus changes throughout the book without warning. I'd be reading pages of Bran and then all of the sudden Dylan was the main focus. I found it jarring and even confusing in a couple of parts. I had to go back an re-read paragraphs on more than one occasion. I don't mind changing focus but I prefer it if there is a clear delineation - either a chapter change or a "split" in the chapter (a **** between sections)

I also found the plot a little bit weak. I enjoyed reading about each of the characters and about Bran's journey but I never really knew where the book was going. I didn't know if the book was about Bran's journey, about the political climate, about the magic and dragons, or about something else entirely. I didn't feel like it was building to any real climax. Don't get me wrong, there were exciting parts! I just don't think there was one big storyline linking everything together.I suspect that this book is really the backdrop for bigger things to happen in Book 2 and beyond.

I definitely plan on reading the next book in the series, The Warrior's Soul. There was no huge cliffhanger in this book but there are a lot of unanswered questions. I am eager to learn what happens to Bran, Sato and Nagomi. Do they find Bran's dragon? Who is this man in the crimson robe? What's the story with Bran's grandfather? What happened to Dylan? I'm guessing that the second book will be action packed now that the scene is set and the cast of characters has been introduced. I can't wait to read more.

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