This is an action packed story about Torin's childhood and the discovery of his dark gifts and his father's desires to use them against their enemies. It's a dark and violent backstory where secrets are uncovered and we see Torin battle with loyalty to the house of Ravens and getting revenge against his mother's killer, against the morality of what he's being asked to do and how his father is cruel and manipulative.
The magic systems are creative and there's great world building around the God's and the different houses and abilities.
This could be read as a standalone, or is an exciting prequel to the shadow atlas trilogy, and gives valuable insight into key characters and their tragic pasts.