Review of "Colors of Magic" by Liz Sauco

​Score: 94+/100 (9.4+ out of 10)

Colors of Magic is the sprawling and enthralling fourth installment in Liz Sauco’s acclaimed Blades of the Goddess series. This book follows multiple different characters, some new and some old (and more familiar), in a variety of different places and times in the history of the world/universe. This installment significantly enriches and expands the already expansive world of Gaia through vivid storytelling, complex narrative interweaving, and profound character exploration.

Colors of Magic is composed of multiple interconnected narratives and detailed character stories that enhance the broader narrative arcs established in the earlier installments like Lost Blades.

Full disclaimer: we only had direct access to the first book (Lost Blades) and this fourth book (Colors of Magic) because they were the only ones submitted to us. Usually, we like to read a series chronologically to follow what's going on from beginning to end. So, there was a pretty big two-book gap in our understanding. At the same time, we were still able to follow most of what was going on. The central conflict, after all, remains consistent. Abomination is still everyone's problem, and the world of Gaia remains a self-consistent entity/location
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This book pays special focus and attention to the Rot crisis that impacted the world like a pandemic. It was essentially a blight. We'll get more into that when we talk about the character Alexia.

Anyway, Jamirh’s is back and receives a bit more meticulous attention from his starring role in the first book. Once again, however, he does get a bit overshadowed by other, cooler characters. Colors of Magic delves deeply into his humble origins as a resourceful street thief navigating the dangerous urban landscape of Lyndiniam. Through carefully detailed episodes, readers gain a rich understanding of Jamirh’s formative experiences, observing how his cunning survival skills and streetwise instincts lay the groundwork for his heroics in subsequent volumes. We couldn't help but think of Aladdin when it came to Jamirh—a true "Diamond in the Rough." The novel captures Jamirh’s profound inner struggles with his identity, inherited destiny as the reincarnation of Ebryn Stormlight, and immense self-doubt, culminating in the critical loss of the Crystal Light Blade. This pivotal moment forces Jamirh to confront and redefine heroism through inner strength and resilience, rather than relying solely on his inherited legacy.

Takeshi, the coolest and best character in the first book, also gets some shine and attention in this one. His character exploration in Colors of Magic is deeply emotional and introspective. The narrative elaborates extensively on Takeshi’s traumatic past, notably the politically charged tragedy surrounding the deaths of Princess Hotaru (which haunted him in book one) and Hel (which apparently happened in either book two or three), illuminating the immense personal cost of his espionage activities in Ni Fon. The novel delves further into the complex and forced marriage between Takeshi and Hotaru orchestrated by the Empress, highlighting their strained and difficult interactions at various social events, as well as Takeshi’s internal vows to protect Hotaru despite their challenging circumstances. Readers experience Takeshi’s debilitating guilt, vividly manifested in his recurring visions and physical afflictions such as severe migraines caused by psychic encounters with Truth Seekers. His character arc profoundly captures the complexities of redemption, illustrating Takeshi’s painful yet powerful transformation from solitary guilt toward active engagement and renewed purpose in the ongoing battle against Abomination.

Now, the book also expands on new or comparatively minor characters from previous installments.

Alexia emerges as a pivotal character in this book. In fact, she kicks it off as one of the main characters of the prologue/prequel sections. From what we gathered, her story is set nearly seven millennia prior to the contemporary events of the series, providing critical historical context to Gaia’s cyclical battle against Abomination. Alexia, a brilliant and innovative scientist, leads a critical project aimed at trapping a dangerous metaphysical entity linked to death, called "Omega energy," to prevent the devastation of her world from a catastrophic phenomenon known as the Rot. Despite initial success, Alexia soon realizes their attempt to contain this entity fails disastrously. Alexia is deeply affected by the consequences of her experiment, particularly when a general overseeing the project unexpectedly murders one of her colleagues to test if the entity was truly contained. This moment profoundly traumatizes Alexia and underscores the horrifying realization of her project's failure.

As the Rot continues to destroy life on their planet, Alexia faces growing desperation and exhaustion, her appearance deteriorating rapidly under stress. Wear and tear is something that we really like to see in a character's journey. It shows their struggle, effort, and progression.

Alexia discovers that Omega energy is not simply a physical phenomenon but a sapient entity capable of communication. In her interactions, the entity adopts a form based on her subconscious expectations and even chooses the name "Hades," given by Alexia herself.

In her final days aboard the space station, alone after sending her remaining staff back to their loved ones, Alexia turns to ancient myths for answers. She learns from Hades that a willing sacrifice is necessary—a living vessel resonant with the entity's composition must give itself entirely, ceasing to exist, to stop the Rot and the entity known as Abomination. Despite the ethical turmoil and emotional anguish this revelation causes, it eventually leads to Alexia's understanding of the nature of magic, sacrifice, and the symbiotic relationship between humans and these metaphysical entities.

Ultimately, Alexia's tragic arc profoundly influences the series' exploration of themes such as responsibility, sacrifice, and the ethical dilemmas associated with wielding immense power. Her actions and the historical events surrounding her directly affect the later narratives and characters in the Blades of the Goddess series, particularly through her relationship with the metaphysical entity Hades. This is signficant as it sheds light on the whole Hades lore that was integral to what was happening in book one.

In addition, Alexia proves to be one of the cooler and more interesting characters in the book. After all, who doesn't like a hot-sexy-mad-determined-female-scientist?

Anyway, moving on...

Ander returns for an expanded role in this book after being a supporting character in book one. Readers encounter detailed flashbacks of Ander’s early life, illuminating his youthful struggles with prejudice and isolation. Particularly notable is Ander’s emotionally charged decision to flee Elbe after a traumatic encounter involving Alice and Hades, driven by the urgent need to protect his loved ones from dangerous magical forces. His portrayal emphasizes the profound psychological toll of his enduring mission against Abomination, vividly depicting the loneliness, sacrifices, and ethical dilemmas Ander faces. His controversial creation of a divine avatar for the Goddess Hades demonstrates his strategic brilliance and the intense desperation underpinning his decisions, highlighting the poignant human dimensions of his legendary stature.

This fourth book also introduces readers to several other supporting characters whose narratives significantly enhance the overarching storyline. Historical figures such as Sukra, Ebryn Stormlight’s loyal ally, provide critical context for Jamirh’s inheritance and illuminate broader themes of sacrifice, camaraderie, and courage across generations. Additionally, the narrative intricately portrays the complex interactions and evolving dynamics among the series’ ensemble cast, further enriching readers' understanding of character motivations and relationships.

Structurally, this book seamlessly integrates past events and contemporary narrative developments, creating a coherent and richly interconnected storyline. Sauco expertly illustrates how historical actions profoundly influence current scenarios, reinforcing central themes of identity, loyalty, and redemption. The novel skillfully utilizes narrative continuity to enhance emotional resonance and urgency, building a compelling tapestry of interconnected destinies that rewards attentive reading.

The thematic depth of this book is significantly bolstered by its nuanced exploration of magic versus technology. This is one of our favorite dynamics in fantasy-fiction! Works like Final Fantasy tend to do it well.

The Rose Empire’s experiments with cybernetic Abominations starkly highlight the dangers posed by power without ethical oversight, contrasted vividly with the protagonists' ethical employment of magic. Sauco thoughtfully examines the implications of power, responsibility, and ethical innovation, encouraging readers to reflect deeply on contemporary societal challenges regarding technological advancement and moral stewardship.

Ultimately, Colors of Magic stands out as a profoundly detailed, expansive, and essential contribution to the Blades of the Goddess series.

Check it out on Amazon!
(And maybe remember to buy and read them in order!)