Beyond the Shadows - Brent Weeks

BEYOND THE SHADOWS

Book 3 of 'Night Angel' Trilogy

Read about the previous books HERE

ISBN - 978-0-316-03366-4
FIRST PUBLISHED - 2008
PAGES - 708
GENRE - Fantasy
BINDING - Paperback

AUTHOR - Brent Weeks

BEST-SELLERS - The Way of Shadows, The Black Prism

SYNOPSIS - Logan Gyre is the king of Cenaria, a county under siege, with a threadbare army and little hope. He has one chance - a desperate gamble, and one that could destroy his kingdom.

In the north, the new Godking has a plan. If it comes to fruition, no one will have the power to stop him.

Kylar Stern has no choice. To save his friends - and perhaps his enemies - he must accomplish the impossible: assassinate a goddess.

EXCERPT - Kylar had never started a war.

Approaching the Lae'knaught camp required none of the stealth he'd used to approach the Ceurans. Invisible, he simply walked past the sentries in their black tabbards emblazoned with a golden sun: the pure light of reason beating back the darkness of superstition. Kylar grinned. The Lae'Knaught were going to love the Night Angel.

Without provoking anyone, Cenaria had been invaded from the east by the Lae'knaught, from the north by Khalidor, and now from the south bu Ceura. It was about time some of those hungry swords met each other.

FL Speak - [contains spoilers]

Beyond the Shadows brings about the concluding tale of the Night Angel trilogy and the life of one, Kylar Stern. And as the previous two books hinted at, the finale was exhillarating. This by far, is the best book of the series.

Kylar and Logan resume their friendship. However Kylar is not merely a wetboy anymore. He's the Night Angel and that means needing to do things that even Logan will not approve of. So when Logan orders Kylar not to murder the Queen, Kylar nevertheless goes ahead with his plan so that Logan takes the crown and save Cenaria from disaster. Love for his friend on one hand and a sense of duty and justice on the other, Logan orders the death of his best friend Kylar for the murder of a sovereign knowing fully well that Kylar would've wanted that as well.

But killing the Night Angel is not so easy as Kylar has this knack of coming back to life again and again. However what he didn't know was that every time he is killed, a loved one dies. Meanwhile Elene finally meets Vi and they somehow forge an odd friendship even after knowing that Vi has bonded with the man Elene loves. Dorian, the prophet, takes over the crown of Khalidor even as the Ceurans and Cenarians and the Aliteran's forge and unlikely alliance in the face of a devastating evil.

There is more of Vi in this book and we get to see her good side this time around. Kylar realizes that Durzo Flint is alive and more history behind his master is slowly revealed. Again we get to see less of Elene, her character was never fully developed to play an important role, unlike Vi, who came later into the series and made a name for herself. The gaps in the greater story line are finally plugged and Weeks does an exceptional job of delivering it to the ruler.

A final battle, a champion gone astray, and an ultimate sacrifice for love in the end draws the trilogy to a close.

The trilogy is overall a very good read. Similarities can be seen with Sanderson's Mistborn, however on a larger scope, both are different. Kylar is impressive as hell, specially after he becomes the Night Angel. Do give this trilogy a read.

My Rating - 4.5 stars

PRICE - INR 274/- [Homeshop18 Price]

Shadow's Edge - Brent Weeks

SHADOW'S EDGE

Book 2 of 'Night Angel' Trilogy

Read about the previous books HERE

ISBN - 978-0-316-03365-7
FIRST PUBLISHED - 2008
PAGES - 645
GENRE - Fantasy
BINDING - Paperback

AUTHOR - Brent Weeks

BEST-SELLERS - The Way of Shadows, The Black Prism

SYNOPSIS - [from the back cover]

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, 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 shadows forever, and live in peace with his new family, or will he risk everything by taking on the ultimate hit?

EXCERPT - "You're the wetboy." The man cursed. He was sweating, his broad face pasty. His bushy black beard quivered as he trembled.

"Tell me," Kylar said.

"The Shinga said he pissed off some Cenarian wetboy. We were supposed to kill you if you came here."

"Where is he?"

"If I tell you, will you let me live?"

Kylar looked into the man's eyes, and curiously didn't feel or imagine - or whatever it had been the other times - the darkness that demanded death. "Yes," he said, though the killing rage was still on him.

The man told him of a hideout, another trap, an underground room with only one entrance, and another ten guards.

With teeth gritted against the white-cold fury, Kylar said, "Tell them the Night Angel walks. Tell them Justice is come."

FL Speaks - [contains spoilers]

Only a few first time writers manages to write decent first fantasy novel and then follow it up with a total stunner. This is one such writer. Don't get me wrong, I loved the first book. Maybe not as much as Mistborn, or The Lies of Locke Lamora, nevertheless, the second book in this trilogy is one of my favorite!

Azoth is no more. He has fully accepted his life as Kylar and yet, that is not completely true. He is Kylar. But he has hidden away the skills that Kylar possess. Our Night Angel is changing his profession. The best wetboy in the kingdom has decided to hang his boots. Why??? Because he's in love. Yes, epic facepalm moment and yet, feels completely sane. Women does that to men. Even in fantasy world.

Now Kylar and Elene run to Caernarvon to start their new lives. But the temptation of meting out justice is too strong to avoid. But when Jarl shows up to his new place and is murdered by Vi, things take a new turn. Now Kylar has picked up this clothes for one last job, to save his childhood friend, Logan.

Meanwhile, in Cenaria, when the whores of Mommy K learn that Jarl has been murdered to go on a killing spree that night. Hundreds of the enemy were murdered in cold blood and the revolution to free Cenaria has started. The Night Angel returns to Cenaria and promises retribution. As the rebels rally under Logan, Vi and Kylar team up, despite their enmity to kill the Godking. But killing a God is never easy, as Kylar realizes painfully. And Vi, does the impossible. Something that might save Cenaria but will make her an enemy of Kylar forever.

Gritting story. Magic, action packed and naive romance. The second book is much better than the first one. Well, I liked it better. A lot of unanswered questions has been answered as well and we're just beginning to see the strength of Kylar's powers. Great writing by Weeks, the tale looks poised for an epic showdown in the final book. The sudden twist in the end, and that's a whole new different direction the book might proceed it. Its getting better!

New characters are introduced in this book. However Vi's was the most interesting by far. She has a big part to play in the final book and hopefully, she's on the good side this time. Not much of a storyline for Elene and Uly, but Kyle and Logan are going to be the most active parts in the final book.

My Rating - 5 stars

PRICE - INR 274/-

The Way of Shadows - Brent Weeks

THE WAY OF SHADOWS

Book 1 of 'Night Angel' Trilogy

ISBN - 978-0-316-03367-1
FIRST PUBLISHED - 2008
PAGES - 677
BINDING - Paperback
GENRE - Fantasy

AUTHOR - Brent Weeks

BEST-SELLERS - debut

SYNOPSIS - 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 navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death.

EXCERPT - Chest tight with fear, Azoth turned and scooted toward his hole. Six coppers was good. Dues were only four, so he could buy bread tomorrow to share with Jarl and Doll Girl.

He was a foot from the opening when something bright flashed in front of his nose. It was so close, it took a moment to come into focus. It was Durzo Blint’s huge sword, and it was stuck through the floor all the way into the mud, barring Azoth’s escape.

Just above Azoth on the other side of the floor, Durzo Blint whispered, “Never speak of this. Understand? I’ve done worse than kill children.”

The sword disappeared, and Azoth scrambled out into the night. He didn’t stop running for miles.

FL Speak - I picked this trilogy after I read his latest novel 'The Black Prism'. Compared to the writing in 'The Black Prism', the first book of this trilogy fails short. However, it is no less a stunning debut.

The book is about two characters, Durzo Blint and Azoth. Azoth is a terrified young thief who is afraid of his menacing boss, Rat and wants never to be afraid in his life. And to be that, he knows he has to apprentice under Durzo Blint, the best wetboy in the country. Wetboys are assassins with magical talents in them. And that Talent makes them better, superior.

And before being that, he has to kill his boss. *gulp*

After seeing his friend mutilated by Rat, Azoth finally manages to kill the bigger, meaner Rat and comes to Durzo to be his student. And the adventure begins.

The tale takes place in the country of Cenaria. Cenaria is small, poor and awfully corrupt. The Sakage are the underworld rulers and they virtually rule the kingdom. The Wetboys sign a bond with the leader of the Sakage to protect the leader. As you can guess, thievery and assassinations are the favorite job profiles in that country.

Azoth is trained by Durzo to be one of the best Wetboys. For that, he has to leave his Azoth persona behind and become Kylar Stern, a noble man. Kylar soon becomes good friends with Logan, another nobleman, who eventually becomes one of the key members of the tale.

There are a lot of twists in this story. And I mean, a lot. A neighboring kingdom plots the downfall of the ruling family and tries to control the Sakage. The Nine heads of the Sakage are infiltrated and Durzo and Kylar find themselves with assignments they normally would never take on. Betrayal among friends and the survival of a kingdom rests on the shoulders of Kylar as secrets about him and his master tumble out of the dark. A forbidden love threatens to destroy everything Kylar has tried to become and an undead enemy has returned to haunt his hell..

But before that, Kylar has to find his Talent and face off against his own master, Durzo Flint.

Good debut. Infact, more than good. The book reminded me a bit of Vin and Kelsier from Mistborn. Other than that, everything else is different. The magical system in 'The Way of Shadows' is yet to be explored properly as Azoth/Kylar only manages to use it in the last couple of pages. And I'm still trying to imagine the powers and stunts Kylar has achieved in my head. Hopefully, Book 2 will explore more of it.

My Rating - 4.5 stars

PRICE - INR 274/- [Homeshop18 Price]

The Black Prism - Brent Weeks

THE BLACK PRISM

Book 1 of 'Lightbringer'

ISBN - 978-0-316-06813-0
FIRST PUBLISHED - 2010
PAGES - 787
BINDING - Paperback
GENRE - Fantasy

AUTHOR - Brent Weeks

BEST-SELLERS - The Night Angel Trilogy

SYNOPSIS - Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is the high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.

But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.

EXCERPT - It wasn't until two days later, as Kip and Liv came within sight of King Garadul's army , plopped over the plain and fouling the river like an enormous cow pie, that he realized how deeply, incredibly, brilliantly stupid his plan was.

I'm going to march in there and rescue Karris?

More like waddle in there.

At the top of a small hill, they sat on the horse, which seemed grateful for the break, then scanned the mass of humanity before them. It was immense. Kip had never tried to estimate a crowd, and never seen on this large.

"What do you think, sixty or seventy thousand?" he asked Liv.

"More than a hundred, I'd guess."

"How are we going to find Karris in that?" he asked. What did I expect? A sign, perhaps? "Captured drafter here"?

FL Speaks - People have been recommending Brent Weeks for ages and finally I decided to pick him up. Although this was not the book they were recommending, I'm pleased that I brought this.

Gavin Guile is the Prism. {Yes, I did a double-take too, but apparently Prisms are rulers. I know you thought about the prisms you studied in physics. Oh wait for the shocker}

The people of the Seven Satrapies are ruled by the Prism. The people of the land have the ability to see and split colors. Some people can split only one particular color and use it for their work. Others called polychromats can split two or more colors. Still confused? Let me explain. A man sees the sunlight reflected off various surfaces. If he can see one color more than the other, he can split that color with his eyes and use it for various purposes. He can create an object just by splitting the light. And, a Prism can split all the seven colors.

Kip lives in the town of Rekton. His life is turned upside down when King Garadul's army ravages his town and only Kip survives. Gavin and Karris are off on their mission when they see Kip surrounded by the enemy. Gavin rescues the boy and later realizes that he's his bastard.

Prism's have a low life span. In multitudes of 7 years, in correspondence to the seven colors. Gavin's brother, Dazen also proclaimed himself as the Prism and that led to war. In the end, Gavin defeated his evil brother but couldn't bring himself to kill him and imprisoned him in a cell nobody knew about. I was cheering for Gavin and then came the shocker. Gavin guile is not Gavin. Dazen is impersonating as Gavin all these years while the original Gavin is still imprisoned.

Contrary to everyone's belief, the original Gavin is not so noble as everyone expected. And Dazen, after his rebellious war against his brother, is actually turning out to be a better man. Things gets complicated when his once allies, rises against the Prism and war is ensured. Kip and Liv are trapped behind enemy lines trying to rescue Karris, the love interest of both Gavin and Dazen and things turn from bad to worse when the fanatics send an assassin to kill Gavin.

The magic system created is fantastic. You'll immediately understand the way light and color works and yet marvel at the possibilities Brent Weeks created. This is shaping out to be one great fantasy series and I admit I simply cannot wait for the next book which will be released later this year. The characters are instantly loveable. Kip is brilliant with his one-liners while Gavin is the charming, carefree, immensely powerful ruler for whom boundaries and limits do not exist.

A good book. Infact, a great book. The ability to create luxins which can shape and make items by splitting of colors was the clincher for me. And to top it all, Brent Weeks has provided with the advantages and disadvantages of all the colors. Colors like red are extremely volatile and hence can we used to make ammunitions. Superviolet is invisible and can be used to transmit messages. Yellow is sturdy and used to build. Hats off to Brent Weeks for taking a simple concept and turning it to an excellent piece of magic system.

My Rating - 4.5 stars

PRICE - INR 415/- [Flipkart Price]