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A review by octavia_cade
Shadow Prowler by Alexey Pehov
2.0
I don't know why I'm not warming to this book, but I'm just not. It's competently written, stuffed with the staples of epic fantasy. Not hugely original, of course, but these days so little epic fantasy is.
I hesitate to use the word "bland", because I really don't think that it is from an objective viewpoint, but I couldn't warm to any of the characters. I think Harold is meant to be witty and cool. I just find him irritating and, crucially, don't care if he dies. This is a problem for a protagonist. That being said, this would still earn an average three stars if it weren't for the fact that Harold's occasional dream/flashbacks are so much more interesting than the rest of the book that I end up irritated when they're over!
One might think that pockets of interest would raise a rating, but I'm afraid I'm just frustrated by the constant reminders that the bulk of the book doesn't live up to these few bright spots. I'll read the rest of the series because, well, I hate being beaten by books, so hopefully it will improve. Besides, my Dad recommended it and we usually agree on fantasy, so he might prove right yet.
I hesitate to use the word "bland", because I really don't think that it is from an objective viewpoint, but I couldn't warm to any of the characters. I think Harold is meant to be witty and cool. I just find him irritating and, crucially, don't care if he dies. This is a problem for a protagonist. That being said, this would still earn an average three stars if it weren't for the fact that Harold's occasional dream/flashbacks are so much more interesting than the rest of the book that I end up irritated when they're over!
One might think that pockets of interest would raise a rating, but I'm afraid I'm just frustrated by the constant reminders that the bulk of the book doesn't live up to these few bright spots. I'll read the rest of the series because, well, I hate being beaten by books, so hopefully it will improve. Besides, my Dad recommended it and we usually agree on fantasy, so he might prove right yet.