For fans of Brandon Sanderson and Dungeons and Dragons, without a doubt! An engaging protagonist story that keeps you reading plus an equally as engaging antagonist storyline is a favorite quality of mine for books to have. I can’t wait for the further world building, and finding out more about the magic system in the coming books! Such a fun, adventurous read! Any story of uprising and erased history coming to light is a story I am sat down for.
The characters all had interesting backstories, as well as ones we have yet to find out more about. Their motivations were relatable and human, while also showing them losing themselves to revenge sometimes. Acheron, Versa and Saf were my particular favorites as far as interesting backstories go, and as well as relatability.
I have my theories for the next two books for sure and I cannot wait to see where everything goes from here! What a fantastic introduction to Dan Swinnen.

S.H. Swinnen delivers a fantasy debut that doesn’t just tread familiar ground — it carves out new space in the genre. Shape of Power isn’t loud or showy; it’s confident, deliberate, and surprisingly sharp. The pacing is tight, the characters refuse to fall into easy archetypes, and there’s a kind of quiet ambition behind the worldbuilding that sneaks up on you.

What stood out most wasn’t any one element, but the cohesion. The story doesn’t lean too hard on tropes, nor does it try to reinvent the wheel — it simply works. Swinnen writes like someone who knows exactly what they want to say, and it shows in every conversation, every reveal, every moment of tension. The plot has just enough twists to keep you hooked without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard.

The magic system has that sweet spot quality — accessible but still surprising — and Swinnen uses it to elevate the stakes instead of just adding sparkle. But honestly, it’s the tone that won me over. This is the kind of book that trusts the reader. No hand-holding, no filler, just good storytelling.

Highly recommend for anyone who misses the kind of fantasy that respects your time and rewards your attention.

The Shape of Power is the first book in The Sparkgazer Saga; a series of magic and rebellion. It follows Brina Springtide, a young roamer who takes on quests for the locals, hunting monsters and collecting resources in order to make ends meet. She lives on the outskirts of a city, walled off to keep the unsavoury folks away from the elite members of society.

The shadow of Brina’s father hangs over the story; he was one of the sorcerous rebels who assassinated the previous Cardinal and were then captured due to a betrayal. Once a year, one of these rebels is executed, until eventually only her father remains… and his time is running out. After Brina discovers an ancient artifact on a quest in an abandoned mine, hidden powers start to awaken and she finds herself drawn into a world of banned magic, teaming up with a group of unlikely companions. Together, they plan to break her father out of the infamous labyrinthine prison of God’s Maul, a place no one has escaped from.

Brina is a strong, well-rounded protagonist who is complex and likable. The support characters are diverse, morally grey, and all given development throughout the story. The setting is grim and the humour is snarky. In the first half, I experienced the familiarity I get from a good RPG; of my character wandering around town and the surrounding area, accepting quests to hunt monsters for their parts. Then, in the second half, things kick up a gear as the gang plot a dangerous jailbreak and experiment with a unique magic system. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with The Shape of Power and I’m keen to read the next book in this series.

Finally DNF at 81%.

I really wanted to like this book. And every time I was going to give up on it, something happened to suck me back in so I just kept reading, but finally I just couldn't anymore.

The pacing was inconsistent. It was horribly slow through most of it, and I would get bored, but then there would be something exciting, and the pacing would increase for a shirt time, and I would make good progress before it slowed down significantly again, and I would get bored. Again. And then the cycle would repeat.

I wasn't invested in the characters at all. I didn't like them and didn't care what happened to them. The only one that was somewhat interesting was Solana, but then she changed so much that I lost interest in her too.

Shape of Power by S.H. Swinnen brought me back to the days I’d wander through yard sales with my grandma, picking up old fantasy books based solely on their covers never expecting much, only to fall completely in love with the story inside. That’s exactly the experience I had here. I didn’t expect to dislike it, but I also had no idea what I was getting into and I was blown away. This book gave me major Michael J. Sullivan vibes; specifically Theft of Swords, with its witty banter and dynamic character interactions. I was completely engrossed in the dialogue, feeling like I was right there with them. The morally grey characters added so much depth, further reminding me of Sullivan’s style.
That said, Shape of Power isn’t just a copy or a homage. I am pleased to say that it’s very much its own beast. It stands confidently alongside Sullivan’s Riyria Revelations as an equal in quality, voice, and storytelling strength. ’d go so far as to say this feels like a fresh modern evolution of that kind of fantasy; perfectly palatable for a new generation of readers while still offering the depth longtime fans crave.
The magic system was another highlight. It was fun, engaging, and, most importantly, easy to understand without ever feeling watered down. Swinnen balances complexity with clarity in a way that makes the world immersive and the stakes feel real.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that captures that classic feel with a contemporary edge, Shape of Power should absolutely be on your radar.

I had the best time reading this book. I loved our motley crew of characters and their prison break schemes. I loved watching our characters grow. I would highly recommend this for fans of morally grey snarky characters and lovable drug addicts. Full review here: https://youtu.be/dVTFu4ri-7g?si=ct8qi2lXMPQr2ogm