Silver Road

I have been mulling over this review for a while. I had originally given this book 5 stars, but after a lot of thought I am lowering it to 4 stars. I should have let this internal debate play out before rating the book, but what’s done is done. On to the review!<br /><br />While <b> <i>Golden Age</i> </b> laid the foundation for this series, <b> <i>Silver Road</i> </b> brought this world to life for me. Everything I felt was missing in the first book was made up for in this second installment. There are multiple new POV’s which gave this book more depth and diversity. Most of these are characters from the first book that get their own chapters this go around. Also, there is an ancient culture thought to be extinct thrown into the mix. I thought this was a nice touch that added some more history to this already multi-cultural world, and a nice thickening to the plot as well. The magic system is finally explained, and put on display. Though not as much as I would have liked.<br /> <br />Dion and Chloe are still the two main dialogues even though other characters get some show time. After the events of Golden Age both Dion and Chloe are forced into rather unfortunate situations. I don’t want to give too much detail, so I will just say this involves a crazy old mage, a group of pirates known as the Freemen, an ancient relic, a little magic, and a multitude of action. Not in that order and far more detailed than I just described.<br /> <br />While the characters seem to be my favorite part of the books I have read lately the plot to this story is also interesting. It involves an ancient relic known as The Horn of Marrix and the shape shifting race of eldren. The power of the horn can determine the fate of this world and in the wrong hands possibly its doom.<br /> <br />There is a lot going on in this book. With the multiple POV’s, diverse characters, and plenty of action this should be a fun read for any fantasy reader. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend to all!<br /><br />4 stars ****

You know this is fantasy as it keeps repeating the same things over and over again. The amount of times that I’ve heard about Chloe upturned nose has been too much, if she had a braid, she would undoubtedly be tugging it.

What a slog. I really enjoyed the Everyman series, but his book was even slower than its predicessor.<br /><br />Dion and Chloe are marginally interesting characters, Kargan and Nicolas are good baddies, with heaps of minor characters abounding. Lots of stories happening from multiple points of view, the focus and direction, as well as some plodding narrative, are what did me in. This book took me over two years to finish with two more to follow. Not sure about that.<br /><br />OK but disappointing.

See my status updates. <br /><br />They finally kissed after 500 pages of the previous book + this one...She married his brother... nothing happened, she escaped, he slept with a whore...<br /><br />She discovered new powers, he became a king...<br /><br />Lots of other threads that I could care less about.<br /><br />The most interesting one was actually Eric, liana and Zachary (glad he didn’t end up dead, YET).<br /><br />Really not interested in An/Dion and Chloe at this point.<br /><br />Even Sophia is more interesting!

Silver Road (The Shifting Tides Book 2) by James Maxwell is a book I had bought but forgot and then won by Goodreads. I am glad I did or I would have missed out on reading a great book for a long time. I didn't read the first book but I was able to jump right in to this without any problems, the writer smooths the path for the reader and off you go. The book starts out a little slow at first but picks up fast and doesn't stop. There is a lot of action, adventure, good guys vs bad guys, fantasy, and a touch of romance. Now of course I wish I had book one! Great book, will have to read more of his work. I don't remember reading anything foul mouth either, now that I think of it.... Wow, a new first for me.

I am in love with this fantasy series. James Maxwell has written another wonderful tale of a far away land where creatures of all types roam. Chloe is trying to not live out the Oracle’s prophecy for her. Dion is struggling with being out cast from the human realm. Nikolas, now king of Xanthos, is set on revenge. Triton still thirsts to rule all the wildrens though he was unable obtain the horn. Kargan is limping his battered fleet home after a bloody defeat. Aristocles, first consul of Phalesia, wants to put the pieces back together on his home now that the war is over. As all this is being brought about lines in the sand are drawn &amp; the reality of where loyalties stand become clear. Deceit is revealed, new leaders emerge, new old magic is returned to the Empire, &amp; beloved friends pass. All add to an epic tale of a young woman's courage to protect her family &amp; a young man who must embrace his roll as a leader.<br /><br />If you are not familiar with James Maxwell's story telling ability, he is very gifted in telling tales of mythical places &amp; magical characters. This book was both entertaining &amp; captivating. I absolutely am ready for the third book already but will have to wait like everyone else.....darn!<br /><br />I voluntarily reviewed a NetGalley.Com copy of this book

I was lucky enough to read this book before its upcoming November 2016 release. I was hooked from the first page where the book opens with Palemon. Then of course Dion's epic journey kicks in and it's executed in Maxwell's true style, epic with weaving plots, involving shapeshifters, wizards, pirates, soldiers and boats. What more could you want? I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I am really enjoying this series, whilst it is fantasy and the world it depicts is completley fictional the themes of politics, racism, gender roles/msyogeny and war for power/land are all very relevant to today's society.

Silver Road, book two of The Shifting Tides series by James Maxwell, sadly did not live up to the quality of the first book in the series. After being unable to set the first book down, I waited impatiently for the second book, and even preordered it. I began reading it soon after receiving it, and it did not take long for me to realize that something was different. While the story still took place in a fascinating imaginative world, and continued a very enjoyable overarching story, it felt two dimensional. Whereas the first book, though still a fast moving story, focused on mainly two characters and their stories, the second book’s scope was much too large, focusing on over half a dozen story lines which at times felt underdeveloped. Chapters were only a few pages long, constantly switching between plots. A book that should have, in my opinion, been maybe thirty chapters based on the length, had over seventy! Even the dialogue was underdeveloped. I enjoy a fast paced story as much as the next guy, but this traveled at such a speed necessitating the sacrifice of rich details and character development. In the end, while I still enjoyed it to a degree, it felt very flat. I might give the third book in the series a try, but as of yet am undecided if I care enough about the characters to do so.

A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:<br /><br />The first book in this series, <i>The Golden Age</i>, was so good I preordered this second book immediately. But...<br /><br />I think a lot of second books in a trilogy suffer because the author is trying to set up the third book's huge finale. So instead of unique storylines, it feels more like moving pieces into place. A lot of politics and traveling, but not much in terms of action and discovery. <br /><br /><i>Silver Road</i> picks up where <i>The Golden Age</i> leaves off, but not with the same level of momentum. Dion eventually becomes awesome again after a whiny start, but Chloe is almost a non-character. It's not a spoiler to let you know they are on different paths for this book. As a highlight, though, we do get to learn a bit more about the Elderen and their mythology. And pirates!<br /><br />By the end of the book, yes, things are set up for a great conclusion in the next book. And, yes, the third book probably wouldn't make much sense without reading this one first. But as someone who loved the first book, it's kind of a bummer to have to read a mediocre story set in such an incredible world with hopes that the next book delivers a satisfying conclusion. <br /><br />If you're already in for a penny, you're in for the pound - read it!