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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
The Way of Shadows was a thrilling read. I went in expecting something great based on the many reader reviews that I had skimmed. I was not disappointed. I was riveted by the last half of this book.
Admittedly the beginning is a bit disjointed and the timeline moves far too quickly, but once the plot thickens and time slows, the book really hits its stride. The last half of the book is basically all climax and runs at a breakneck speed. The characters are all well-drawn and specific. While not always having lengthy interactions with each subset of characters, I still felt that I knew and understood them and their motivations. And when hidden motivations or plot twists were revealed they all came with a level of understanding and shock; I really felt that the twists were believable because I was so invested in each character, even the smallest.
Brent Weeks has stated that one of his major influences is George R.R. Martin and that's very clear. Clear in the best way. Some authors regurgitate what's been done before or what they love, especially in the fantasy genre, but Weeks really tried to reinvent and re-imagine old tropes. Martin's influence on his work is more inspiration. Inspiration to create his own fully realized, completely unique, dark world filled with moral ambiguity and nothing but shades of grey.
I can't wait to start the next book in the trilogy!
Admittedly the beginning is a bit disjointed and the timeline moves far too quickly, but once the plot thickens and time slows, the book really hits its stride. The last half of the book is basically all climax and runs at a breakneck speed. The characters are all well-drawn and specific. While not always having lengthy interactions with each subset of characters, I still felt that I knew and understood them and their motivations. And when hidden motivations or plot twists were revealed they all came with a level of understanding and shock; I really felt that the twists were believable because I was so invested in each character, even the smallest.
Brent Weeks has stated that one of his major influences is George R.R. Martin and that's very clear. Clear in the best way. Some authors regurgitate what's been done before or what they love, especially in the fantasy genre, but Weeks really tried to reinvent and re-imagine old tropes. Martin's influence on his work is more inspiration. Inspiration to create his own fully realized, completely unique, dark world filled with moral ambiguity and nothing but shades of grey.
I can't wait to start the next book in the trilogy!
Bastante irregular, durante la primer mitad del libro la trama va saltando cada poco, resultando una lectura rápida pero poco profunda. En ocasiones se detiene a explicar cosas irrelevantes y pasa por encima de otras que tienen más importancia para la segunda parte del libro. Los diálogos en varias ocasiones son poco menos que vergonzosos y poco realistas (dos personajes intercambian tres frases y después uno se declara virgen). En la segunda mitad la lectura es algo más amena, hay momentos de acción muy bien relatados, pero trata un acontecimiento político de forma regular, ya que hay figuras de gobierno pertenecientes a este mundo ficticio que no son explicadas claramente (y sin embargo, en la primera parte transcurren diferentes escenas en las que un maestro explica cosas a un aprendiz, momento más que adecuado para entrar en esto).
Este libro pertenece a una trilogía, pero tras terminarlo nada me convence de que continúe leyéndola.
Este libro pertenece a una trilogía, pero tras terminarlo nada me convence de que continúe leyéndola.
I usually enjoy sweeping fantasy sagas and this one did keep me turning the pages through its several hundred pages, but failed to engage me enough to want to keep going with the series. I think one of the problems was that it focused on the time of one character, alluding to past adventures of other characters without ever telling those stories. The interlocking stories were simultaneously too disconnected and too neatly coincidental when it suited the plot. It probably didn't help that my favorite character was far too marginal too the story, even when she became centrally important. If that sounds like a contradiction, then it neatly sums up the problems with this book.
If there's just not enough elaborately plotted fantasy in the world for you, or if you're jonesin' so bad for the next book in the Fire & Ice Saga that you're willing to accept any substitute, then this is worth checking out.
If there's just not enough elaborately plotted fantasy in the world for you, or if you're jonesin' so bad for the next book in the Fire & Ice Saga that you're willing to accept any substitute, then this is worth checking out.
Cannot read another book that starts out with little kids being raped.
3/5*
I have mixed feelings about this book. My reading experience jumped between sections that I would rate 4.5/5* and others that I would honestly rate 1/5*
Here are some of the things that impacted my reading experience:
1. wetboy. Just . . . why
2. Where are the women? What about women who aren't used for the character growth of Kylar? The Way of Shadows absolutely does not pass the Bechdel test
3. Whore/virgin dichotomy. The women in the story are either virgins or involved in sex work
4. I am sick of things like: "he did everything he could to avoiding staring at her chest" (insert descriptions of cleavage), "he couldn't concentrate with his eyes on her lips," "everyone stopped and stared as she passed by, marveling at the beauty of her curves," etc. etc.
5. Sexual assault plays a huge role and it isn't handled well. For one thing, at the beginning of the book, we learn that the leader of an orphan crew is raping much younger boys. This ~16 year old preys on crew members who are only 8-12 years old, forcing them to perform sexual acts. While the acts are not described in detail, the boys doing their best to avoid notice can still hear the assaults through doors at night. None of this is unpacked.
6. The magic system is incredibly vague and underdeveloped. Still not positive if there were any rules to it or not. The magic fights were uninteresting because I had no clue what was and wasn't possible.
7. The pacing is stop and go, as was my enjoyment. Splitting the book into fourths, I would give each section a vastly different rating. Overall:
I already have Shadow's Edge, so I am going to start it. I may end up continuing on in the series, but I am sorry to say, I am not that interested in doing so. Although The Way of Shadows wasn't for me, I am a huge fan of [b:The Black Prism|7165300|The Black Prism (Lightbringer, #1)|Brent Weeks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327921884l/7165300._SY75_.jpg|7534979]
I have mixed feelings about this book. My reading experience jumped between sections that I would rate 4.5/5* and others that I would honestly rate 1/5*
Here are some of the things that impacted my reading experience:
1. wetboy. Just . . . why
2. Where are the women? What about women who aren't used for the character growth of Kylar? The Way of Shadows absolutely does not pass the Bechdel test
3. Whore/virgin dichotomy. The women in the story are either virgins or involved in sex work
4. I am sick of things like: "he did everything he could to avoiding staring at her chest" (insert descriptions of cleavage), "he couldn't concentrate with his eyes on her lips," "everyone stopped and stared as she passed by, marveling at the beauty of her curves," etc. etc.
5. Sexual assault plays a huge role and it isn't handled well. For one thing, at the beginning of the book, we learn that the leader of an orphan crew is raping much younger boys. This ~16 year old preys on crew members who are only 8-12 years old, forcing them to perform sexual acts. While the acts are not described in detail, the boys doing their best to avoid notice can still hear the assaults through doors at night. None of this is unpacked.
6. The magic system is incredibly vague and underdeveloped. Still not positive if there were any rules to it or not. The magic fights were uninteresting because I had no clue what was and wasn't possible.
7. The pacing is stop and go, as was my enjoyment. Splitting the book into fourths, I would give each section a vastly different rating. Overall:
The first 25% of the book was incredibly slow, I was confused and uninterested (1.5/5*)
During the second 25%, I became more interested and invested in the characters (4/5*)
The third 25% was hands down the best. This was the point where I anticipated a 4.5* rating.
I was not a fan of the last 25% of the book. I couldn't keep track of the characters and what they were doing. I had to force myself to finish listening to the book, a 3 hour coup in constantly climax just wasn't appealing (2.5*)
I already have Shadow's Edge, so I am going to start it. I may end up continuing on in the series, but I am sorry to say, I am not that interested in doing so. Although The Way of Shadows wasn't for me, I am a huge fan of [b:The Black Prism|7165300|The Black Prism (Lightbringer, #1)|Brent Weeks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327921884l/7165300._SY75_.jpg|7534979]
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is my favorite type of fantasy book. For some reason I'm finding it extremely difficult to find the next book in the series though??
I cherish the tame wilderness that is Brent Week's 'The Way of Shadows.' Descriptions and details of characters came to life with ease, the flow similar and easy to jump into.
It has been such a long time since I have jumped into a new series and I am delighted with the illustrations and story telling.
No spoilers from me today people, I highly recommend this read, enjoy a little bit of action, darkness and question your morals.
It has been such a long time since I have jumped into a new series and I am delighted with the illustrations and story telling.
No spoilers from me today people, I highly recommend this read, enjoy a little bit of action, darkness and question your morals.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s a fun story but the portrayal of women is a bit frustrating
A friend of mine brought this book over, and told me I HAD to read it. Seeing as we were both fans of WOT and other fantasy novels I acquiesced and got reading.
What I liked: Pacing was good, not too many long winded or boring bits which is rare for a fantasy novel. Magic system was intriguing and I loved the herbalism (poisoners apothecary) vibes.
What I didn't like: I wanted to see more of the magic system, there wasn't enough emphasis on it for my liking. I also really despised the reference to a "baby brothel". I think it is unnecessary and didn't add anything but ick to my reading experience. I understand he was attempting to show that society was lower than low, and make it all grim and despairing but the amount of child rape was extremely off putting. There are other ways to 'shock' your audience.
I will try reading the next one, and hopefully it gets a little better but I probably wouldn't read this one again.
What I liked: Pacing was good, not too many long winded or boring bits which is rare for a fantasy novel. Magic system was intriguing and I loved the herbalism (poisoners apothecary) vibes.
What I didn't like: I wanted to see more of the magic system, there wasn't enough emphasis on it for my liking. I also really despised the reference to a "baby brothel". I think it is unnecessary and didn't add anything but ick to my reading experience. I understand he was attempting to show that society was lower than low, and make it all grim and despairing but the amount of child rape was extremely off putting. There are other ways to 'shock' your audience.
I will try reading the next one, and hopefully it gets a little better but I probably wouldn't read this one again.