This was a wonderfully done story, it had everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed how everything worked with the overall story and characters. It had that element that I was look for and glad the whole thing worked overall. Benedict Jacka has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.

This is the second book in this new series by Jacka. In this world there are noble houses that practice drucraft and use the power of wells to fuel their magics. Mind you there are others who can do this magic as well but if you aren't in a house or a corporation you won't get anywhere in life. Stephan is one of those on the outside of those who are in houses. He's the red headed stepchild of a noble family that wants little to nothing to do with him. He has a mother he hasn't seen since he was a small child, a missing father and a loud mouthed friend who just won't shut up. Just keeping the lights on in his rented flat is becoming a problem so he may have to consider some less than savory jobs to make ends meet. Like working with family. In this book Stephan seeks to shake off threats to his life while improving his craft in a world that doesn't want him to learn. There is also the missing father problem. I'm rather new to this author but I ate this book up. My heart was racing at parts as I was wondering how Stephan was going to get out of situations. It's a well written world and very character driven. I'm excited to see what happens next with our main character as he progresses in this world that rejects him at every turn. A very enjoyable read.

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the second book in the this series by Jacka, and continues pretty much following the events int he first book. Stephen is still trying to find his father, and figure why his newly-found family is .. well, dysfunctional. While doing all of this he has to handle work, sigl-making, attacks/raids from other people, and groups coming out of the woodwork - all with their wants, needs and for some reason, him.

I felt this part of the series slowed down a bit, and helped explain a bit more of the magic system, than was explained before. It also shows the development of the MC as he has to "find himself" in order to decide how to react to all the chaos going on around him. I am not sure I liked how all these entities are all going after him, considering I did not ever catch what is special about the MC - except he has a rare skill of finding wells (sight?) and maybe of making his own sigls. So that gets a bit boring, but otherwise the story is a pretty good read.

This book was so suspenseful it kept me enthralled the moment I picked it up to the last word was read! if you like shows like A Discovery of Magic, taking down the establishment, one person versus the world, this book is a must read.

I couldn't read An Instruction in Shadow fast enough and Benedict Jacka can't kick out the next book fast enough!

Thank you NetGalley and PRH for the ARC!