The city in shadows

debut author ben fudge brings out his first instalment in a new and dark fantasy series filled with magic, social divide, corruption, friendship and of course a few twists and turns that are bound to leave the reader wanting to know more, and what lurks in the shadows. perfect for fans of harry potter and the hunger games in a world where magic once thrived but now lies forgotten, the city in shadows unveils a dark and mysterious society where the boundaries between the powerful and the oppressed are defined by a towering wall - the junction. set in the sprawling city of diluxia, the capital of the nation of haxlur, the story follows a society divided not only by wealth but by their ability to wield magic. while some wield great power, others can barely tap into their abilities, leaving many magic users vulnerable as a sinister force begins to hunt them down.the high seat of haxlur, lothain calluric, has declared war on all magic users, ordering raids across the land to capture and remove them. but his true motivations remain shrouded in mystery. as the government's peacekeepers, the halcyons, ramp up their efforts, fear spreads across the city. whispers of a hidden enemy only add to the growing unease - a dark force that seems to be controlling the very shadows themselves.calen tane, a young and relatively unskilled kaster, has lived a quiet life, hiding from the ever-growing threat. with only his magical abilities to rely on, calen's world is turned upside down when he is recruited by rainne, a skilled conjurur with a tragic past. together, they begin their journey through the dangerous streets of diluxia, seeking answers to the mysterious disappearances of magic users. along the way, they form an unlikely group, joining forces with noa, a joyful vay; sienna, another conjurur; and bax, a mysterious shifter, where they eventually find out, what is lurking in the shadows.