Embers of Shadow
Lloyd Jeffries
Buckminster Publishing (2022)
ISBN: 979-8985526974
Reviewed by Rachel Dehning for Reader Views (01/2024)
“Embers of Shadow,” the third installment in the Ages of Malice series by Lloyd Jeffries, picks up immediately after events end in “A Measure of Rhyme.” It grabs hold of you, shares secrets, and leaves you exhausted—yet pleased, and with more questions by the end. The eventful conclusion of “Rhyme” leaves the world with scattered pieces and attempts to understand what happened. Cain has risen from the dead and is as appealing and dangerous as ever as he continues with no hiccups, his plan to fulfill his end goal. Onlookers attempt to decipher his actions through a Biblical lens, while others reject this and look through an Earthly one.
With specific goals in mind, Cain uses every trick in the book in the most conniving manner. Emery remains in the thick of things as the “reporter” to memorialize Cain’s actions for future generations. He realizes the extent of changes in his life as he’s daily with arguably the most devious mastermind. “Embers of Shadow” delves deeper into Longinus’s past and explains his new present state, accompanied by altering changes within Igneus and Sabbastian. New characters are introduced that tie into previous situations. Cain and Longinus show evil in a new light; “Embers” contains the equivalent triggers as its predecessors. Trigger warnings include sexual assault, violence/war/murder, torture, language, substance abuse, and the misinterpretation of Scripture.
Similar to Biblical prophecies fulfilled at some point throughout the Old and New Testament, “Embers of Shadow” explains the significance of some events and happenings from the previous books in a fulfilling way. “Embers” goes deeper into apologetics, with Cain’s fictional actions being compared and contrasted with those from the Bible.
The characters contain depth in a range of situations. In the scenes with Rhyme, I got “Kill Bill” vibes that made me root for her regardless of her decisions. Loyalty and morality are hot topics. With immortality playing a role within the characters, there is much frustration and confusion about how it will all eventually play out, mixed with excitement and hope in the realization there will be more.
The entire Ages of Malice series is worth devouring every word for, and the ending (equally of all the books) will send shocks and prove the potential for new beginnings as the saga continues – unpredictable and gape-worthy.
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