Rate: 5/5
Medium: Audiobook
Overview (No Spoilers):
I love these Secret Project surprises from Sanderson. Seriously, how does the guy find the time to be so prolific? Isles of the Emberdark is typical Sanderson with an engaging story, vibrant cast, and familiar references spread throughout.
This is a thought provoking tale about what is lost in the pursuit of progress and the traps that might lie in wait ahead, despite all of the promises the future holds. Though I would be doing Sanderson a disservice by distilling Isles of the Emberdark down to such black and white themes, because this story also explores how to embrace the changes while finding new ways to employ the lessons from the past.
Isle of the Emberdark is a merging of an old novella with an expanded new story. Sanderson weaves the existing with the new in a way that you would never know the two had been originally separated.
Dusk is a trapper on the dangerous and unforgiving isle of Patji where death is hidden under every leaf and dirt pile. Once modern technology tames and harnesses the jungle, Dusk is lost in this new world of politics, with all of his hard earned lessons becoming outdated. When the Ones Above arrive from the stars will his people be able to outmaneuver these advanced aliens before they find themselves tamed and harnessed?
Dusk’s stories pair his past and present with equally suspenseful stories that are rife with mounting danger. The present timeline also had Sterling and her team interwoven with Dusks stories. The two isolated stories drawing ever closer until their fateful encounter.
In any Sanderson novel, Wit is an expectation. In the Isles of the Emberdark there are several surprising characters who are fun to see in a new light. I was delighted to find surly Captain Crow in a modern setting and learn more about the powerful Xisisrefliel. I can’t help but wonder what more seeds of dragon culture Sanderson has up his sleeve.
Overall, Isle of the Emberdark uncovers some of the mysteries of Shadesmar through the delicate merging of past and present, along with an endless sea of dangers.
Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):
- What will Dusk think of the wonders of the universe traveling with Starling and her crew?
- What will Starling and her crew do next?
- Is Uncle Frost actually dead? Will Starling be released of her bonds? I loved that Uncle Frost was tied back to Dusk’s ancestors.
- What other applications of the worm paste could there be in Shadesmar?
- I’m not going to lie. I felt a little horrified seeing the tame Patji for the first time.
- What other unique powers could the birds from not on Patji develop? What is the difference in what they develop?
- Did the Ones Above purposely plant the plague that killed Kokerlii?
- Will Chrysalil learn to trust the crew?
The Critiquing Chemist 