A very good book. A compelling plot, using characters with real depth. A book about decisions and consequences. Loyalty, lies and repercussions. A book about brothers. All set in a Mediterranean style world with its own religion and politics. The magic system is interesting, and is itself embedded not only in engineering and fighting, but in politics and religion and more subtle forms of power. And Weeks explains all of this without ever boring or lecturing the reader and without straying from the plot. 2 early twists worth praising are the use of a main character who is not a physical paradigm and the existence (and use) of gunpowder. I enjoyed this book immensely, as in "stayed up when I should have been sleeping or working to finish reading it" type of enjoyed.

Brent Weeks is a master of words. I would highly recommend this and his "Night Angel" trilogy. The story is well written and fast paced you become connected to the characters that move the plot faster than you can imagine.

This is a fresh take on the epic fantasy story. Very well written believable characters that drive the plot, rather than being driven by the plot. Highly recommended.

Brent Weeks follows up his "Night Angel" trilogy with the first in his new series “The Lightbringer”. While his writing style is similar to that of his previous series, Weeks makes a conscious effort to create a whole new world that is populated by new and different characters. The Black Prism follows in a similar vein with a complicated plot and lots of action and fighting. Refreshingly, this swords and sorcery series limits itself to human actors and refrains from introducing improbable monsters and magical beings. The world of the Chromeria is a unique creation with an interesting back story, The characters in this novel are still somewhat two dimensional and have a recognizably middle-American 21st century voice. The protagonists are very likeable and the antagonists are more basic still and agreeably disagreeable. Nonetheless, Weeks' characterization in this novel is more complex and varied than his previous series. Although he still has a propensity to fall into over the top action the nearer he gets to the end of the novel, overall the action is more restrained and relevant to the plot. The author's plotting is also more sophisticated and surprises the reader several times with believable twists and turns. This book will be enjoyed by mature fantasy readers and by those who enjoyed his first trilogy. Brent Weeks is a writer who continues to develop and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Interesting Magic system based on colors. Hints of Alexander Dumas (fils) and Dave Duncan makes for a fast moving read. Swashbuckling humour.

This is a beginning to a great series. The way that Brent Weeks wrote this book is phenomenal. It keeps the reader intrigued with the changing story line and the little twist to the entire plot. One of my favorites so far