Friday 5 March 2010

Review: The Way of Shadows - Brent Weeks

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
The Night Angel trilogy, book 1

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 645
Published: 2008

For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art-and he is the city's most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly - and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death.


There is a reason for why fantasy is my one true love, I may cheat on fantasy but I always come back and I love it the most. This book I got from googling "fantasy authors who write like Raymond E Feist and Robert Jordan". This series I was told I would like if I liked Feist and Jordan. The truth, I did like it, and I can see Feist in it. So thank you google.

This is not a pretty book, right there in the beginning the harsh reality of street kids is shown and it is horrible beyond imagining. Kids hurting kids. Azoth is a thief grown up in the slum and who knows he has no real future. One night he encounters the mysterious Durzo Blint, the greatest assassin, or wetboys as these masters are called. He sees a way out and after some events he seeks Durzo out and he is given an ultimatum. He begins his training and Azoth dies and he severs all ties with his past. Even with Doll Girl who he only wants to see saved. As Kylar Stern, a noble, he has a new path.

As I said, the beginning is harsh and raw. It sets the tone, because he does kill people in later life. And he is not some nice assassin who only kills the wicked. He kills those he is told to kill, and if someone innocent crosses his path that person dies too. Still I have to like Kylar, he is a hero, the way he wants to save poor Doll Girl, and the rest of the gang. And he is likeable, more so than his master Durzo. But then he has been a killer for a much longer time.

This is the kind of fantasy that I enjoy, magic, darkness, war, a lot going on. Yes perfect for me. Epic fantasy that left me wanting more. The kingdom is in turmoil and to the north there is a shadow, a godking who wants more. Which means war, and political intrigue and assassinations.

Weeks has created a nice world where cultures has mixed and in the city where this takes place 9 rule the underworld, and I like his creation. The wetboys are also interesting because they all have talents, magic.

The first part of thsi book was amazing and I was swept away, the second part wasn't as good. Do not get me wrong, it was still good, just not that I can't stop, go away all who wants to disturb me amazing. I think it might have been because I got a bit upset with a certain person who accused Kylar of something he didn't do. And because the second part mostly took place around one fatal night. While the rest of the book moved along. Still, yes the whole book was great anyway. Don't think otherwise.

Read one review where he was called  a sadistic genius, but let's not go all George RR Martin on him now, I didn't see him like that.Yes he kills people, but not everyone like the king of character massacres. But he does dare to kill off some people in this book, that is true.

Great fantasy, how I love amazing fantasy, and wonderful characters. I want to read more by him! I wish I could convert everyone to fantasy readers, there is truly no better genre to read. Fantasy rocks my socks off, yes go read this series.


Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Fantasy :D
Reason for Reading: My own copy.
Final thoughts: I just came back from the bookstore, I had them order me book 2. That pretty much sums it up.


21 comments:

  1. Ooh, I have been waiting for your review of this one after seeing your Google status :-) I don't know if I can go into another dark fantasy series after just finishing Abercrombie's trilogy, but I'll keep this one in mind. I am tired of cloaked men on fantasy covers, though.

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  2. Excellent review! And I completely agree with you - he's an evil writer but I wouldn't put him in the George RR Martin league (oy, I couldn't get past the first book in A Game of Thrones - too depressing).

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  3. You know I'm going to resist. :) Cool cover!

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  4. Oh, I have this whole series sitting on my shelf and I'm totally looking forward to starting it. I am so glad you enjoyed it and fantasy is always going to be my one true love, too! lol :) Great review!

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  5. B,

    I have seen this book - but had not read a review on it. :) I am so glad to know that you enjoyed this one - enough to order book #2! LOL I am adding it to my wish list.

    Thanks for the great review.

    M

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  6. What a great review. I have to admit though, that I wish so many great fantasies weren't series.

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  7. This sounds delicious - I love the concept of the book..

    I love fantasy that really steps up to the plate and not follow the formulaic route of so many fantasy authors...

    The characters sounds determined and really really strong...

    You have got to read Morgan Howell if you like this...

    The one I am reading now "The Innocent Mage - Karen Miller" Is quite good as well...

    Wonderful round up... Thanks

    E.H>

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  8. I've seen this one around. Not sure it's totally my thing but your enthusiasm for it is contagious. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  9. Aarti,
    No way google just ate my comment! Grrr.
    Ok..what did I write...like I said on gmail, I am sure after you having mentioned guts and blood that Weeks is no where as near as dark.

    I can live with hoods, as long as they don't draw some stupid pointy hats...why would wizards wear those


    Janicu,
    No he is really no where are near as evil as Martin. That guy sure likes to kill off characters.
    I tried reading the books but everyone I liked died, I was left with hating Daenyrys and all the rest. I just couldn't read more

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  10. Chris
    Resistance is futile, thou art warned.

    Krista
    Fantasy, my first and only love :)
    You got them all! Lucky you! I need to get the third now too, but I will wait until after I have read book 2

    Michelle
    It was great fantasy and I took a leap of faith. I usually do not do it but something made me wanna buy it *coughs cover* lol

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  11. Carol
    You got a point there, then again they are so epic so they can't be told in one book..still i wished people would stop at 3

    EH
    I have had my eye on a Howell book, that Orc one. Just as long as it is real fantasy, real epic to the bone fantasy ;)

    Dar,
    I can get like that with fantasy. It is my passion

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  12. Hmmmm...not sure if this is for me, but nice review!!

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  13. ::happy dances:: I have this book!! I haven't read it yet. Amazon.com recommended this book to me based on my buying habits. I'm going to make a point of reading this one this year. Terrific review, I felt your passion for this book.

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  14. Wow Bloduedd.... you never cease to amaze me with your diversity in genre. And how well, no matter what genre you read.... you reviews are awesome!!!!!!
    Great job honey!!! Have a great weekend!!

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  15. Mandi
    Fantasy is not for everyone, thought still very good *hint hint*

    Donna,
    Amazon sure recommends a lot of books to me, but when I finally did find this book I remembered that Amazon had recommended it to me a couple of times.
    I hope you like it!! :D

    Cecile
    Awww thanks hon :D
    Have a wonderful weekend, some nice reading and relaxing. That is sure what I am gonna do

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  16. You know I'm not big on fantasy, but your enthusiasm for this book has made me curious. I'll keep this book in mind.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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  17. Anna
    II LOVE fantasy! And this one I really liked, I just love when that happens

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  18. Loved your review, but fantasy and me is usually not the best combination, it is my least favorite genre, Ido try to read it from time to time, not sure this one is for me though!

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  19. I'm not a fantasy fan, but based on your review this sounds like a good one for the genre!

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  20. I've been cheating on fantasy for a long time. I'm hoping that reading Hobb again will direct me towards one of my favorite genres. I love that cover and the fact that you had the bookstore order #2 tells me that this is a book worth reading!!

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  21. Marissa
    Least fav! :(
    But hey I understand, I have those genres two, not a big thriller, mystery and horror fan at all.

    DC
    It sure was, and I am not just saying that cos it is fantasy. It was just good

    Staci
    We are shameful, straying on poor fantasy. But I can't live on fantasy alone cos we just do not have much here, I would die from hunger of reading.
    I hope Hobb can get you to want some more fantasy :D

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