Book Two of the Night Angel Trilogy
Published: November 1, 2008
ISBN-10: 0316033650
ISBN-13: 978-0316033657
Kylar Stern has rejected the assassin's life. The Godking's successful coup has left Kylar's master, Durzo, and his best friend, Logan, dead. He is starting over: new city, new friends, and new profession. But when he learns that Logan might actually be alive and in hiding, Kylar is faced with an agonizing choice: will he give up the way of the shadows forever and live in peace with his new family, or will he risk everything by taking on the ultimate hit?
I went out on a whim when I first picked up The Way of Shadows from my local Borders. It was the first novel of a new series from an author I had never heard of or even dreamed of exploring.
Am I ever glad I did!
Brent Weeks has a voice and rich world that rivals my other current great love, Jim Butcher. Where Butcher relies on his clever dialogue, Weeks's world is mighty, grand, and full of surprises. It is your classic fantasy setting, with a twist here and there. The city is falling apart in places and flourishing in others, and amidst all of it is the boy, Kylar Stern, who became one of the greatest wetboys (assassin) in Cenaria.
I am very excited to finally pick up Shadow's Edge after a long love affair with Butcher. I'm ready to return to the world of wetboys, prostitutes who are equally as dangerous (if not more), and magic that just astounds me. I'm a sucker for a fantastic magic system, and Weeks's use of "vir," tattoo-like magic, always draws me in. Then there is the mysterious "ka'kari," a series of artifacts each imbued with the protection of a single element. But there also exists the powerful silver ka'kari, which belonged to Durzo. Kylar has yet to fully explore the ka'kari's true potential, but I expect Shadow's Edge will deliver more explanation, more world, more character, and more gritty death and violence that made me glad I picked up The Way of Shadows.
Review of Shadow's Edge to come in recent weeks.
Peace and Writing Love,
JWP
Oh! this trilogy is near the top of my list of to-read's. I just discovered Weeks with his new one, Black Prism. Totally worth the read when you finish this series.
ReplyDeleteooh! sounds interesting!! i like the red on the cover! do you read jamie's blog? http://mithrilwisdom.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletehe reviews a lot of these fantasy novels. you might hear of a few more titles you like. :)
great review! i love rich worlds like that! and i'm glad you found a new author you're crazy about! :)
@ Leah: I actually downloaded the sample of The Black Prism and loved it. But I started Night Angel well before that, so I'd like to get through his breakthrough series before jumping into the second series.
ReplyDelete@ aspiring_x: I haven't heard of that blog. I'll pop by it.