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brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a pretty straightforward action-packed fantasy. There's not a whole lot here that's new. It's also not one of those that's so hard to read that you have to concentrate hard every second. It's just a nice, quick fantasy.
Full review here: http://brendalovesbooks.blogspot.com/2010/09/shadows-son.html
Full review here: http://brendalovesbooks.blogspot.com/2010/09/shadows-son.html
mellhay's review against another edition
4.0
Caim is an assassin. Kit is his beautiful guardian, no one else can hear or see. Kit has been with Caim for most of his life. She has helped him and warned him of numerous dangers - before they happen. For Caim fear is the key to the Shadows, and he can hide in the Shadows, unlike any other.
Against Caim's better judgement, he takes a job as a favor to his one friend in Othir, Mathis. The job was started by Ral, another assassin, who quit the job for another. This job goes arry in so many different angles. Caim finds himself protecting his targets daughter, Josey - a gorgeous young lady.
Yes, this is a read of and with assassins. But even though there are assassins in the story, I enjoyed the additions to the story; dark magic, the empire and government, and the characters. It is not just about killing the bad guys, but about the story that is built here and what happens with the creations of the shadows.
The first chapter starts off with a bang; the action and mystery of who Kit is along with what Caim can do with the shadows. After chapter one the action slows just a little as you meet the main players of the story. You get to know them by way of flashbacks that highlight important pasts of their lives. Ones that lead them to who they are. This was a great way to get to know the characters along with some information for the storyline and conflicts. Don't fret as the action does pick back up. As I read I came up with questions, and got answers to the questions which then lead to bigger questions. The story and questions were all mixed with conspiracy, corruption, and mistrusts.
I was amazed at how this book reads as a whole story, or a stand-alone, with so much happening in this novel to complete the story. At a few transition spots got the feel that they where rushed, but these are small parts in a wonderful story. There is an end to the main story here, but there seems to be an underlining which you start to learn of Caim and his family history, the Shadows. I liked the use of Shadows as the ability Caim has. I am very curious to learn more about Caim as he learns more of who he is and what he can do.
Against Caim's better judgement, he takes a job as a favor to his one friend in Othir, Mathis. The job was started by Ral, another assassin, who quit the job for another. This job goes arry in so many different angles. Caim finds himself protecting his targets daughter, Josey - a gorgeous young lady.
Yes, this is a read of and with assassins. But even though there are assassins in the story, I enjoyed the additions to the story; dark magic, the empire and government, and the characters. It is not just about killing the bad guys, but about the story that is built here and what happens with the creations of the shadows.
The first chapter starts off with a bang; the action and mystery of who Kit is along with what Caim can do with the shadows. After chapter one the action slows just a little as you meet the main players of the story. You get to know them by way of flashbacks that highlight important pasts of their lives. Ones that lead them to who they are. This was a great way to get to know the characters along with some information for the storyline and conflicts. Don't fret as the action does pick back up. As I read I came up with questions, and got answers to the questions which then lead to bigger questions. The story and questions were all mixed with conspiracy, corruption, and mistrusts.
I was amazed at how this book reads as a whole story, or a stand-alone, with so much happening in this novel to complete the story. At a few transition spots got the feel that they where rushed, but these are small parts in a wonderful story. There is an end to the main story here, but there seems to be an underlining which you start to learn of Caim and his family history, the Shadows. I liked the use of Shadows as the ability Caim has. I am very curious to learn more about Caim as he learns more of who he is and what he can do.
curivm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
Audibook Dec 2021
I won an audiobook aaaages ago when I had just read this series. And now I finally found time to listen, and good so, cos so much time had gone by that I had forgotten what would happen.
The audio was really good. It was my first time listening to a full cast book with sounds and music. It really was a movie in your head.
And now I kind of want to listen to more but alas I only have the print books.
Great story and narration
First time
This was the start to a new fantasy series and I was soon caught up in the intrigues. I even wanted to look at the end, but I managed to keep myself in check.
Caim is an assassin. Yes he kills for money and he does not have a problem with it. Up until he saves a young woman who thinks he killed her father. Poor Caim is in the middle of a big plot and everyone is gunning for him. What can I say, I have a weak spot for thieves and assassins in fantasy books. And Caim is a good man when it comes down to it. He is driven by revenge and a harsh life. Of course I liked him at once.
Other characters are Josey, the daughter of a murdered nobleman and Caim's friend Kit who no one else can see and who hovers around like a ghost. She was a bit of a comedic relief in a way as they bickered. Then we have the bad guys and I will not say more other than the bad guys are really evil. And I want to go and kick some ass. *gives the bad guys the evil eye*
Intrigues, I liked that. What was going on? Who wanted who dead? And then when I knew the plot, could Josey and Caim get out of it alive? It came to the point where I no longer could put the book down.
It did not end with a cliffhanger but with a nice enough ending and yes with questions. Like the shadows he can command.
A good solid start to this series. I will read book 2 and I am very glad that I have book 2 since I want more.
Recommended
I won an audiobook aaaages ago when I had just read this series. And now I finally found time to listen, and good so, cos so much time had gone by that I had forgotten what would happen.
The audio was really good. It was my first time listening to a full cast book with sounds and music. It really was a movie in your head.
And now I kind of want to listen to more but alas I only have the print books.
Great story and narration
First time
This was the start to a new fantasy series and I was soon caught up in the intrigues. I even wanted to look at the end, but I managed to keep myself in check.
Caim is an assassin. Yes he kills for money and he does not have a problem with it. Up until he saves a young woman who thinks he killed her father. Poor Caim is in the middle of a big plot and everyone is gunning for him. What can I say, I have a weak spot for thieves and assassins in fantasy books. And Caim is a good man when it comes down to it. He is driven by revenge and a harsh life. Of course I liked him at once.
Other characters are Josey, the daughter of a murdered nobleman and Caim's friend Kit who no one else can see and who hovers around like a ghost. She was a bit of a comedic relief in a way as they bickered. Then we have the bad guys and I will not say more other than the bad guys are really evil. And I want to go and kick some ass. *gives the bad guys the evil eye*
Intrigues, I liked that. What was going on? Who wanted who dead? And then when I knew the plot, could Josey and Caim get out of it alive? It came to the point where I no longer could put the book down.
It did not end with a cliffhanger but with a nice enough ending and yes with questions. Like the shadows he can command.
A good solid start to this series. I will read book 2 and I am very glad that I have book 2 since I want more.
Recommended
surfmonkey01's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Felt like the bland child of Brent Weeks and Brandon Sanderson, decent ideas but no panache. I'll likely read the sequel to see if it gets any better, because there was a lot of potential here. It was just squandered.
medium_dave's review against another edition
2.0
This was a 3 star review for most of the book. It's light and disposable fantasy, a "gritty" one, that seems like it stole it's grittiness from Terry Goodkind, with stock characters and situations and really unfortunate female characters. And then the last, oh, quarter or third happened and it just sprinted down the cliff.
I will never say this again in my life, but if you want a gross kinda dark fantasy novel that's less that 400 pages that adds no value to your life...go read a Sword of Truth novel instead. I'm sorry I just said that.
I will never say this again in my life, but if you want a gross kinda dark fantasy novel that's less that 400 pages that adds no value to your life...go read a Sword of Truth novel instead. I'm sorry I just said that.
varmint3's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty simplistic & the writing was a bit cliched. The best thing about it was the idea of the shadow world, and it was nice that it was gradually revealed through the unfolding of the plot & not "info-dumped".
iam_griff's review against another edition
2.0
Not the greatest assassin’s story I’ve read, but not the worst fantasy story either. A lot of cliches in the writing, but I with the amount of fantasy books out there it’s gotta be difficult to stay away from the classic tropes. GraphicAudio did an amazing job bring this too life. I wouldn’t have finished this book if I’d have tried to read it.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This stands as a good stand-alone novel but this could also serve as a good gateway to another story (which it does) and that is what a lot of series are missing - you should not feel obligated to read the next book, you should want to, and this novel succeeds in this. I enjoy the take on the assassin with a heart story, which though it has been done before, this one has some different elements. I am not going to give away any major story-lines and plot points, but this was an enjoyable read. There was nothing that was overly predictable and yet nothing was a complete shock either. The punches were never telegraphed in an obvious manner and I would continue this series telling about one of the best assassin's this fictional world has ever known and the mystery that he gets involved in when he takes a job that another assassin did not want. He soon finds out why and the rest is a ride in solving the crime before he is killed. Absolutely a good read.
moonny's review against another edition
4.0
My first book from this author and I must say I enjoyed it :) but I did not expect the ending so looking forward to the next book :)