REVIEW: Shadow's Lure By Jon Sprunk

Shadow's Lure by John Sprunk
Publishing Information: Paperback; 391 Pages
Publisher: Pyr June 21, 2011
ISBN 10: 1616143711
ISBN 13: 978-1616143718
Series: Book 2 of the Shadow's Saga
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson


Synopsis: In Othir, he was at the top of the food chain—an assassin beyond compare, a dark shadow in the night. But Caim left that life behind when he helped an empress claim her throne. And now his past has come calling again.

Searching for the truth behind the murder and disappearance of his parents, Caim discovers a land in thrall to the Shadow. Haunted by temptations from the Other Side, he becomes mired in a war he does not want to fight.

But there are some things a son of the Shadow cannot ignore, and some fights from which he can't run. In this battle, all of Caim's strength and skill won't be enough.

For none can resist the Shadow's Lure.

It seems like it was ages ago when I read Shadow's Son, the first book in the Shadow's Saga. And for that reason when Shadow's Lure began I had a lot of catching up to do. I remembered the key players but some of the finer details escaped me. It was a few chapters in when everything started coming back together.

Shadow's Lure is more of a personal journey than a quest or adventure. As Caim travels back to his long forgotten homeland he learns a great deal about himself and his family origins. The complete story remains a mystery but a lot of what everyone was wondering from the first novel is brought to light.

Josey also does a lot of growing up in the course of this book. She is no longer quite as naive as she once was and by the end of this novel proves she is worthy of the throne. Anyone looking for a strong female character needs to look no further as she does a fine job of balancing her new role as empress and that of a young woman with very little knowledge of court politics.

While I did enjoy Shadow's Lure quite a lot it didn't have the non-stop action I recall from the first book. It definitely has that middle book feel that many fantasy novels suffer from. Because it is more of a personal/spiritual journey this time around it drags a little from time to time. However, that said it is still a favorite and does its best to uncover many mysteries while preparing us for what is ahead of Caim and Josey and those that reside in Othir. Anyone who is a fan of the first book will notice that the pacing in this book is a little slower and is preparing us for whatever may come in book three which looks like a doozy.

Plot 7/10
Characters 8/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: The Drowning City (Kindle Edition) by Amanda Downum

The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
Publishing information: Kindle; 384 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 1 September 2009
ISBN 10: 0316069043
ISBN 13: 978-0316069045
ASIN: B002LHRME2
Series: Book 1 of the Necromancer Chronicles
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Symir -- the Drowning City. home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.

For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers -- even the dead are plotting."

I originally bought this book because I found the cover to my liking. Add to the fact that you have an assassin, a female assassin, and you should have a really good book.

While reading The Drowning City there is a lot to enjoy. The city and atmosphere that Downum has created is very impressive. From the Asian feel of the city to the lore that surrounds the various groups and factions. There a lot to look forward to as you read the novel. The city is alive and very vibrant. I find I really like novels that do an amazing job of creating a complete picture of your surroundings.

However, it is really hard to stay with the novel as the plot and prose of the novel have some serious flaws. For the plot, it was similar to a lot of other books I have read in the past and I personally just could not get past that fact. It seemed as if they just switched out a male assassin for a fairly interesting female protagonist and then forgot what to do with her once the author had built up her mythology.

The prose had its highs and lows. But by the time I reached the end of the novel I have to say there were more lows than highs. There are times where things have no narrative flow and I found myself going back a page or two to see if I had skipped something. Many of the characters take action without any emotional response as to why they are doing it, which I find few people act that way. The Drowning City felt as if the emotional portions of the book were left out on purpose.

While the book was not awful, it certainly was not spectacular. Downum has a few redeeming qualities. Her world building is outstanding and is her saving grace. Isyllt Iskaldur is a powerful creation and while this is her story it just never really got off of the ground for me and it was a major disappointment. As a debut novel, flaws are expected and I do think that Downum will be able to overcome the issues I found with the novel in later novels. With that said I have no plans pick up the remaining books in the series. The Drowning City left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

Plot 7
Characters 5
Style 6

Overall 6/10

REVIEW: Shadow's Son by Jon Sprunk

Shadow's Son by Jon Sprunk
Publishing Information: Paperback; 279 pages
Publisher: Pyr 8 June 2010
ISBN 10: 1616142014
ISBN 13: 978-1616142018
Series- Book 1
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of Book "In the holy city of Othir, treachery and corruption lurk at the end of every street, just the place for a freelance assassin with no loyalties and few scruples. 

Caim makes his living on the edge of a blade, but when a routine job goes south, he is thrust into the middle of an insidious plot. Pitted against crooked lawmen, rival killers, and sorcery from the Other Side, his only allies are Josephine, the socialite daughter of his last victim, and Kit, a guardian spirit no one else can see. But in this fight for his life, Caim only trusts his knives and his instincts, but they won't be enough when his quest for justice leads him from Othir's hazardous back alleys to its shining corridors of power. To unmask a conspiracy at the heart of the empire, he must claim his birthright as the Shadow's Son...."

I am a sucker for a great assassin story and Shadow's Son delivers. Lots of great action with some well-developed characters in a believable society made for a very fast and entertaining read.

When we first are introduced to Caim, we see a very skilled assassin and quickly learn that he is unlike other people or other assassins for that matter. Caim has a guardian spirit named Kit, who comes and goes as she sees fit or when she is having a tantrum (which is often). He also seems to be able to call upon the shadows when the need arises. The character of Caim is interesting and by the end of the novel we still do not know the extent of Caim's abilities. 

The supporting characters and villains are also well developed. At first, Josephine was a little to much to handle as she came off as a brat but through the story she develops into a very strong woman. The villains (which I will not spoil who they are) are also well thought out and even their goals switch and are hidden from the reader until just the right time. 

The world of Shadow's Son is similar to ours, only trapped in between  a Victorian and Middle Ages era. The majority of people do not believe in fairies or the Other Side, while a few do believe in its existence. We are led to believe that there are sorcerers and magicians but the magic is kept at a minimum. In fact, only two characters show any ability. There is a bit of political intrigue but not a whole lot.

My one complaint with Shadow's Son was that late in the book there is a rape scene and while it is very short (only a few sentences and later one line that refers back to it), I thought it was unnecessary and did not do anything to advance the story. While I realise that life in the world Sprunk has created is not always fair this particular scene could have been removed or edited and it would not have affected the overall story. But I do have to say that this is a very minor issue.

Shadow's Son is just under 280 pages and Sprunk does a great job of world and character building while not bogging you down with infodumps. The action is well done and the story moves at a break-neck speed. Sprunk shows you write a great debut novel and comes out swinging with a great story of love, death, and magic.

If you are looking for a book dealing with assassins look no further than Shadow's Son. The character of Caim reminds me of Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy or David Gemmell, if he wrote about assassins. Jon Sprunk is now on my must read list. Great debut novel.

Plot  8

Characters  8

Style  8.5

Overall  8.5/10