Shards of Glass is set in the same world as The Chronicles of Elantra and shares some characters, but it is set at the Academia , which appeared in the fifteenth book, Cast in Wisdom. It isn't necessary to have read Cast in Wisdom, but it would be very helpful. Robin was homeless and living on the streets of Elantra's worst slum when he was kidnapped and thrown into the Academia. Now that the Academia is a school again, he wants his friend Raven to join him. Robin loves the Academia, but Raven isn't sure it's safe, especially when a third student is found dead on her first day there. These deaths are disturbing because the Academia's spirit, Killian, did not "see" what happened. Two of the dead students were immortal and found without a mark on them to indicate cause of death. Even stranger, Raven alone can see a piece of the glass she collects under the body. Robin should be more surprised, but he's always known Raven was peculiar. Maybe he can accept that his best friend isn't human, but if he wants to stop the killings and save the Academia, Robin will have to accept that he's not an ordinary human boy either.

Ascendant gives off strong YA vibes right from the start, as it focuses on two young characters destined to change the world around them. Koren, a young peasant boy that could be the most powerful wizard the kingdom of Tarador has ever seen, and Crown Princess Ariana, who will become queen of Tarador on her 16th birthday. Unless, of course, the acting Regent allows the kingdom to be conquered before then. So when Ariana is ambushed by the enemy, it just happens to be Koren who saves her, thus setting up the inevitable desire for a romantic relationship that can never be. This also allows Koren's unknown wizard powers to be discovered by the court wizard and he is instantly pegged to be the savior the kingdom needs. But before that can happen, the adults in power need to screw everything up so the kids can save the day, and that can take a while.

Despite being the most capable warrior the trolls have seen in generations, Tryton was never comfortable with the war-like ways of his people. He took it upon himself to change that, and he has managed to forge peace for his people. Now the rock trolls play the role of protectors instead of killers, inspiring respect instead of fear. Rock troll society has also drastically changed and children are now raised by their parents. This was important to Tryton and he has now raised 3 children of his own since the last book. However, despite the new peaceful existence he has created for his family, Tryton has still trained all of his children for war. They are all capable warriors, which is good because as they come of age the ugly specter of war returns. A war that threatens all races, not just the trolls, but only the martial prowess of the trolls can save them all...

It is the way of the rock trolls to advance in rank by challenging those above them in combat. When you win, you get the rank of the defeated troll, and this process extends all the way to the top. It also means that when a troll is killed, those that remain may fight for the vacated position. It is within this system that newly named King Sybrik assumes power, and that bodes ill for Tryton. The former king saw potential in Tryton's new belief system for troll society, but Sybrik absolutely does not. In fact, Sybrik is so full of contempt for Tryton and his followers that he feels they have no place in troll society. Tryton knows he can beat most of his superiors in combat, but he also knows he cannot beat Sybrik. So it should be no surprise that shortly after Sybrik ascends to the throne, Tryton finds himself and his followers exiled from the only home he has ever known.

Although this edition of The Wandering Inn does check in with Erin and friends, most of the story focuses on some of the other Earthlings we've only had brief glimpses of before. Geneva was a third year medical student when she got ported to Baleros and took a job with one of the many mercenary companies. Physicians are almost unheard of in this world, since potions can heal almost anything, but when the company lost its potions Geneva was the only hope the wounded had and so they called her The Last Light. The Blind Emperor Laken has been quietly living his life as Doreen's boyfriend but an avalanche forced him to claim the village to save people so the word is out. There are also a pair of twins caught up in the court of The King of Destruction as well as a group of twenty stuck on the frontlines of a demonic horde.

Rock trolls train for war from birth and are raised by a blade master in place of their parents. As they kill, they express their martial accomplishments through their sundering - the markings they put on their skin for every kill. Some trolls have thousands of markings all over their body, and it is the type of kill that determines the location. The face itself is reserved only for the biggest accomplishments and the most noteworthy of kills. Rock trolls are feared and hated across the land by all other races, and they are always in a perpetual state of war. It is within this bloody environment that Tryton is born with his inquisitive nature to question things. As he is taught to kill, he starts to wonder why. He bears a sense of honor that the rest of the rock trolls lack, and that makes him a bit of an outcast with his elders, but not with his peers. It also enables him to see that his race is facing extermination and that they need to change their ways if they want to continue to exist.

This new urban fantasy series by the author of the Alex Verus books stars a young Englishman struggling to balance earning a living, socializing with friends, and practicing his Drucraft magic. Stephen's progress is slow on all counts. His job is a boring temporary position but it's still the best job he's found and allows him to rent a shabby room near his friends. His father taught him the basics of Drucraft but vanished before he could impart many details on techniques or the magical society that must surely exist. Then an arrogant young woman claiming to be his cousin appears on his doorstep, spouts a lot of cryptic statements, offers to help him, and then sends in her thugs to kidnap him without explaining why. Although the premise is hardly groundbreaking, the unique magic system helps this book stand out in an overcrowded genre.

There's a lot happening in this installment of The Wandering Inn. A blind [Emperor] is forced to embrace his new class, Rags faces big decisions as Chieftain, and Erin adopts an orphaned Gnoll as well as five hobgoblins. Absolutely no one but Erin is happy about five hobgoblins in proximity to Liscor, including the hobs themselves. Pawn has an existential crisis, discovers religion and becomes an [Acolyte] but there's a very good reason that [Priests] no longer exist. There's never a dull moment in Liscor and with adventurers blundering around in its dungeon things are about to get more exciting than the residents would like!

Everyone is talking about war. A [Goblin Lord] has arisen to the south of Liscor and Flos, The King of Destruction, is gearing up to reconquer his empire. The city of Liscor feels safe enough from the goblins behind their walls, but racial tensions are at an all time high thanks to the actions of Erin and Ryoka. Erin rescued a human girl who was exiled for not only stealing from the market but assaulting Kershia and burning down her shop. Ryoka saved a gnoll child who's tribe was wiped out by the goblins, but the cub is now seen as a doombringer by her people. Even the minions of Az'Kerash are on the move as they search for Ryoka to ensure she can't reveal that the [Necromancer] is still alive and the location of his lair. Since the Antinium "discovery" of a dungeon entrance near the city everyone with [Danger Sense] on the continent feels a sense of foreboding, but at least the adventurers are hoping for lots of new treasure.

This latest installment in the Aldoran Chronicles gets off to a slow start, but eventually finds its footing and delivers meaningful progression to the series. All the main PoV characters return, but for me they are not all created equal. Ayrion remains the most compelling of the bunch and he finally gets his chance to return to his homeland after he was banished as a child. For anyone who has read the Street Rats of Aramoor this is an interesting storyline, but sadly this is end loaded in the book and it can be a slog at times to get there. Especially in the Ty storyline where way too much time is spent recounting what has already occurred. Ty is the typical "chosen one" trope character and he is the least interesting of all of the PoV characters. At least Ferrin's storyline continues to be solid with him playing a role in some big events and Adarra's storyline also has its moment. All in all it's an uneven entry in the series that isn't the return to solid story telling I was hoping for.