The Black Prism

The story is deliberately confusing where it doesn't need to be. The magic system is decent but Weeks is no where near as good at getting the details in early and in an interesting way like Sanderson for instance. The history behind the plot is hidden but not in any way that furthers tension or throws in twists. Weeks just simply doesn't explain anything till he feels like it, most of the necessary historical details don't even come in till the second book.

Great read.

Thank you Brent.

Fantasía con ambientación oriental (o al menos eso logra conseguir la portada) y un sistema de magia original y bien montado ya son razón suficiente para mi para leer este libro, pero el autor logra unos personajes simpáticos y nada predecibles sobre una historia con los suficientes giros para que te enganche, pero todos con suficiente sentido como para que no chirríen en ningún momento.

Solo me falta decir que cuando iba por la mitad, ya había pedido la segunda parte, y que las últimas 100 o 150 paginas me las he acabado leyendo del tirón.

UNFINISHED - no comment on the book, as I only read 33% - but in one third, I couldn't find myself a way to care about any characters or the plot ....

DNF @ 40%. Nope. This is an improvement compared to Night Angel which I tried to read several years ago. But not enough for me to try and finish this novel. At this point, I'm just call it and say Brent Weeks is not an author for me.

The Black Prism is the first book in the Lightbringer series, a fantasy saga that explores a world where magic is based on the manipulation of light and color. The story follows Gavin Guile, the Prism, who is the most powerful magician and the leader of the Chromeria, a political and religious institution that governs the Seven Satrapies. Gavin has a secret: he is not the real Prism, but his twin brother Dazen, who impersonated him after a bloody civil war. Now, he must deal with the consequences of his deception, as well as the threats of a rebel king, a rogue color wight, and a prophecy that foretells his doom.

The audiobook is narrated by Simon Vance, who does an excellent job of bringing the characters and the world to life. His voice is clear and expressive, and he uses different accents and tones to distinguish between the various characters. He also captures the emotions and personalities of the characters, from Gavin's charisma and wit, to Kip's insecurity and sarcasm, to Liv's curiosity and loyalty. Vance's narration enhances the experience of listening to the book, and makes it easy to follow the complex plot and magic system.

The book itself is a thrilling and engaging read, full of action, intrigue, humor, and twists. Weeks creates a fascinating and original magic system, where drafters can create solid substances called luxin from different colors of light. Each color has its own properties and effects on the drafter's personality and mood. The magic system is well-explained and integrated into the world-building and the plot, as it influences the culture, politics, religion, and history of the Seven Satrapies. The book also explores themes such as identity, morality, faith, family, and power, through the perspectives of multiple characters.

The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own motivations, flaws, and secrets. Gavin is a charismatic and cunning leader, who struggles with his past and his future. He is also a caring and compassionate man, who tries to do what is best for his people and his family. Kip is Gavin's illegitimate son, who discovers his drafting abilities after his village is attacked. He is an overweight and awkward teenager, who suffers from low self-esteem and self-doubt. He is also brave and loyal, who grows throughout the book as he learns more about himself and his father. Liv is Kip's friend, who joins the rebel king's army after being disillusioned by the Chromeria. She is a smart and talented drafter, who seeks knowledge and freedom. She is also naive and conflicted, who faces difficult choices that test her loyalty and morality.

The book has a fast-paced and intricate plot, full of surprises and revelations. Weeks masterfully weaves together multiple storylines and perspectives, creating a rich and immersive narrative that keeps the reader hooked. The book also has a balance of humor and drama, lightness and darkness, action and dialogue. The book ends with a cliffhanger that leaves the reader eager for more.

Overall, The Black Prism is a brilliant start to an epic fantasy series that offers a unique and captivating magic system, a complex and compelling plot, and a diverse and dynamic cast of characters. The audiobook version is superbly narrated by Simon Vance, who adds depth and emotion to the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels with originality, creativity, and quality.

Fantastic colour/light based magic system