Wanted to give a review from someone who read this without reading Book 1. As an aspiring author I am curious on how others balance re-introducing characters in a second book without a new reader feeling lost while at the same time not over-regurgitating the contents of book one. I feel here it was done remarkably well. It did take me awhile to realize one of the characters was a talking unicorn yet that added to the immersion into this fantasy world.

As for the plot I did feel some of the powers came too easily. e.g. when the elf immediately bonds with the dragon and immediately can cast powerful spells. Towards the end it became more of what out-of-nowhere spell would someone cast to stop the baddies instead of true character development. All in all though it is acceptable fantasy, and I would probably read Books 1 and 3 if I run across them. ( )

More creatures, more characters, more complexity… To Light a Candle is the second in the Obsidian Trilogy and it makes a compelling addition to the set. A nice blend of light and dark leads to questions of who we trust and why. Diverse religious ideas and diverse systems of magic all lock perfectly together. Characters change and learn, inviting readers perhaps to view their own world too through different eyes. And adventures await in different places as threat and danger close in.

Not a simple tale, the interlocking paths of different characters remind me of Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. But everything is not only drawing together, but also moving toward a scary conclusion. Readers will question the motives of different characters from start to end, with mysteries well hidden and action well told. It’s a clever, thought-provoking tale of a complex world that pleasingly mirrors the real in fantasy.

Disclosure: Still hooked. ( )

I found this second installment of the trilogy maintained the same level of interest and development of the first book. Often sequels tend to fall off in quality, but this is not the case here. Character development was maintained and so was the continuity of the story line. Found this a very and interesting read. ( )

I really enjoyed this trilogy and have been lending it out to friends. ( )

We’ve all heard of ‘middle child syndrome’. Many middle books in trilogies suffer from the same thing - but that is not the case with this second instalment of the Obsidian Trilogy.

It took me much of the first book, "The Outstretched Shadow," to really get to know the characters, and it wasn't until the latter half of the book that I really got interested in the story. This book starts out where the last left off, and doesn't slow down for a moment. I was glued to the story from cover to cover and picked the third book up as soon as I finished this one!

In this volume, Kellen finally comes into his own, his sister and best friend unite, and the Endarkened's plot to destroy human-kind continues to fester at a rapid pace, aided by the High Mages’ continued blindness.
The characters are well developed and enjoyable to read about. The dragon and the unicorns (especially Shalkan) are an added bonus. I really enjoy these, especially with their droll sense of humour. The elves are intersting too, particularly the proper and formal speech they use. It is fun to watch the humans try to conquer that form of speech.

All in all, To Light A Candle is a good read, with engaging battles, interesting characters and new threats seen in every shadow. I do recommend it, but only after you have read the first book (The Outstretched Shadow). It has set the stage for high drama and great action in the third book of the Obsidian Trilogy. ( )