namulith's review against another edition
2.0
This book left me slightly disappointed. It was very entertaining at first, but it suffered from being the first book in a new universe. The author, rather clumsily, added what I felt was too much exposition. Some things should have been revealed/explained later to make for an easier read. I might still pick up the second book of this series, because I have the hope that the author could focus more on the story and the characters.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
3.0
This was good, but didn't blow me away.
I loved the idea with the shadow companions, and liked the idea of the main character being an ex assassin.
The main male and female characters ending up having sex was just so predictable.
Some parts felt a bit slow, and at other times a bit rushed, so I'd have prefered a more balanced pace throughout the book.
There were quite some typos (missing words) in the last third - in a traditionally published book that is annoying.
Overall it was still an entertaining read, that you can consider when you're looking for something while waiting for the next installment of your favorite authors.
I loved the idea with the shadow companions, and liked the idea of the main character being an ex assassin.
The main male and female characters ending up having sex was just so predictable.
Some parts felt a bit slow, and at other times a bit rushed, so I'd have prefered a more balanced pace throughout the book.
There were quite some typos (missing words) in the last third - in a traditionally published book that is annoying.
Overall it was still an entertaining read, that you can consider when you're looking for something while waiting for the next installment of your favorite authors.
a_ab's review against another edition
DNF at ~33%, since by that mark I still couldn't find anything interesting or appealing or worth reading in this book.
wynwicket's review against another edition
3.0
What started out as a great premise (swordsman devoted to a goddess turns thief-for-hire after said goddess is killed and her followers hunted down) with creative twists (said swordsman has a living shadow for a companion) quickly lost its spark.
michaelrswanson's review against another edition
4.0
An action packed blend of noir and gritty fantasy adventure. Excellent world building woven deftly into the narrative.
alan_'s review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emsley7's review against another edition
4.0
The author created a great world with this book. I really enjoyed how magic was described and used. The most interesting part of the book for me was the questions of what happens when the strong held beliefs are ripped away. The story delves into some great questions about moral code being blindly followed vs finding your own path. I may not run out to buy the second one in the series, but if i stumble on to it, I would definitely pick it up.
schomj's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Started off well, but I lost interest by the end.
Aral is a former lawful-good (from his perspective) assassin/executioner. After his goddess is killed he descends into alcoholism to cope and petty crime to stay alive. When an old friend-turned-enemy reappears in his life, Aral realizes how adrift he's become from the person he once was. I like watching characters grow and change based on the choices they make and the consequences of those choices, and there's plenty of that with Aral.
Triss, his long-suffering familiar/Shadow-dragon, primarily serves the role of side-kick. His backstory isn't really explored much, but if I read more of this series it'll be to find out more about the Shadows.
The villains are not entirely nuanced, but the attempt was made to include some discussion of the intersection of choices and environment shaping who we become. It's a little heavy-handed at times, but at least their roles are not just written off in fatalistic terms.
Maylien, Aral's client in this particular story, is an interesting protagonist, but their ... romantic feelings (?) are... I don't know. It seemed like their relationship was built into the plot but not really developed in a way that made any sense to me.
The world-building was light and fairly standard for the genre, but the setting seems to be based (very) loosely on ancient China, which was fun.
If I had to pinpoint what it was that caused me to lose interest, I think it would be the plotting or pacing -- I was ok with the large amount of exposition, but that combined with the large number of flashbacks (not my favorite thing) broken up by fight scenes (not my favorite thing, squared) and... eh, I was ready to start something new by page 200.
Not a bad story overall and it includes elements I quite enjoyed, but the only thing that might bring me to pick up book 2 is curiosity about the Shadows.
Aral is a former lawful-good (from his perspective) assassin/executioner. After his goddess is killed he descends into alcoholism to cope and petty crime to stay alive. When an old friend-turned-enemy reappears in his life, Aral realizes how adrift he's become from the person he once was. I like watching characters grow and change based on the choices they make and the consequences of those choices, and there's plenty of that with Aral.
Triss, his long-suffering familiar/Shadow-dragon, primarily serves the role of side-kick. His backstory isn't really explored much, but if I read more of this series it'll be to find out more about the Shadows.
The villains are not entirely nuanced, but the attempt was made to include some discussion of the intersection of choices and environment shaping who we become. It's a little heavy-handed at times, but at least their roles are not just written off in fatalistic terms.
Maylien, Aral's client in this particular story, is an interesting protagonist, but their ... romantic feelings (?) are... I don't know. It seemed like their relationship was built into the plot but not really developed in a way that made any sense to me.
The world-building was light and fairly standard for the genre, but the setting seems to be based (very) loosely on ancient China, which was fun.
If I had to pinpoint what it was that caused me to lose interest, I think it would be the plotting or pacing -- I was ok with the large amount of exposition, but that combined with the large number of flashbacks (not my favorite thing) broken up by fight scenes (not my favorite thing, squared) and... eh, I was ready to start something new by page 200.
Not a bad story overall and it includes elements I quite enjoyed, but the only thing that might bring me to pick up book 2 is curiosity about the Shadows.