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upbeatmetaphor's review
3.0
Always a bit weird jumping into a series at the third book (woo, 99p sale!), although this really felt more like a second chapter. It didn't lose me at any point but didn't patronise either. Shades of succession to David Gemmell's mantle in content and focus if not in style and craft. Imagery fails a bit in info-dumping personal appearances, but absolute shines in weaving interior and exterior locales. Might go back and read the whole series at some point.
iam_griff's review
2.0
I’m finally free of it. This wasn’t that great of a series, the magic system was completely without any kind of explanation. Caim wasn’t all that interesting of a character & I would barely ever call him an assassin. Kip started off mildly interesting, but spent too much of the book whining over Caim. Josie was by far the best part of the book. The ending was a bit anticlimactic. GraphicAudio did their best with the source material, but you really can’t clean a turd.
leontiy's review
5.0
Originally posted at: http://leocristea.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/shadows-master-by-jon-sprunk-the-shadow-saga-3/
I couldn’t wait for the UK copy of this, so, I purchased the US edition instead. As I’m an avid cover-collector, I intend to complete my hardback collection and purchase the UK hardback when it releases, as well.
As the final book in the Shadow Saga, Jon Sprunk had to pull out something pretty special to top the first two books. In the end, he did not disappoint. In fact, Shadow’s Master is possibly the best book of the trilogy, with the first book coming in as a close second. Shadow’s Master has everything any modern Sword and Sorcery yarn should have—action, adventure, magic and urgency—with the added bonus of romance and war.
At the end of Shadow’s Lure Caim was headed North in search of revenge and truth. With a handful of Eregoths to pad out his team, and having left Keegan in charge of events in his home country—the place from which his mother was taken and his father killed—Caim travels endlessly towards the vacant Northlands, and towards the deep sensation tugging at him, urging him towards what he knows deep down to be his heritage.
Back in Othir, Hubert deals with the day-to-day business of the realm, whilst Empress Josephine—Josey—is following in Caim’s footsteps, in search of him, though she uses a multitude of (however legitimate) reason to justify this. Whilst trying to find Caim, and tell him the news she’s been carrying since he left, Josey discovers just how fragile the lives of her people outside of the capital city are, and how eagerly the Eregoths want to stand on their own feet. She helps build in the countryside, brings medicine and compassion, and finds a new determination within herself to become a good empress.
Caim, on the other hand, finds little but strife on his journey north, and the ever nagging impression that something is wrong with him. He feels weaker, sicker, the more they travel, and even the shadows are quiet and do not answer his call, even when he needs them the most. And then after something snaps inside, and he kills in a way he’s not done since he left his old profession, he feels something stir inside him that makes all the bad dissolve—but can he handle the truth of his heritage and the truth of his blood?
Meanwhile, Kit realises that as she is, she and Caim will never be together, regardless of how much he admits he loves her. They cannot touch, cannot kiss, cannot… anything. In lieu of slowly watching Caim gravitate away from her, and feel her own heart breaking, she takes it upon herself to find a solution that they will both be amenable to.
Shadow’s Master is a quest novel: Caim is heading to the fabled Erebus to confront his past; Josey is seeking Caim, but moreover, she’s seeking herself. As the last novel in a trilogy, it might have been difficult to keep the pace and to produce a good, solid example of a quest novel, but Sprunk is a true master of his art and the novel is an outright success. It reads like a quest novel, but it also reads—successfully—like the final novel of a trilogy. Loose ends are tied together, questions are answered, but new plot points are introduced, and where they are not wrapped up before the end of the book, they are left hanging and their eventual outcomes implied or left to the imagination of the reader. Everything is in such a perfect balance, it’s as though Sprunk has been writing, and finishing trilogies for years.
The pacing is utterly excellent and you feel the relentless trudge northwards, without anything dragging and without even a patch of dull, or tired prose. Sprunk is an excellent storyteller, weaving a fantastic trilogy that captures the imagination, reignites the love of classic Sword and Sorcery styling, without losing the neo-classical, modern verve that readers in the genre have come to expect from newer writers.
As a novel, Shadow’s Master is delighting, with something not often found in fantasy—a happy ending. As the final dot on the page of a trilogy, Shadow’s Master is a damn good end to one of the best series I’ve read in recent years. It doesn’t try too hard to be what it’s not; rather, it effortlessly excels at what it is.
Utterly splendid.
I look forwards to more of Sprunk’s work in the future.
I couldn’t wait for the UK copy of this, so, I purchased the US edition instead. As I’m an avid cover-collector, I intend to complete my hardback collection and purchase the UK hardback when it releases, as well.
As the final book in the Shadow Saga, Jon Sprunk had to pull out something pretty special to top the first two books. In the end, he did not disappoint. In fact, Shadow’s Master is possibly the best book of the trilogy, with the first book coming in as a close second. Shadow’s Master has everything any modern Sword and Sorcery yarn should have—action, adventure, magic and urgency—with the added bonus of romance and war.
At the end of Shadow’s Lure Caim was headed North in search of revenge and truth. With a handful of Eregoths to pad out his team, and having left Keegan in charge of events in his home country—the place from which his mother was taken and his father killed—Caim travels endlessly towards the vacant Northlands, and towards the deep sensation tugging at him, urging him towards what he knows deep down to be his heritage.
Back in Othir, Hubert deals with the day-to-day business of the realm, whilst Empress Josephine—Josey—is following in Caim’s footsteps, in search of him, though she uses a multitude of (however legitimate) reason to justify this. Whilst trying to find Caim, and tell him the news she’s been carrying since he left, Josey discovers just how fragile the lives of her people outside of the capital city are, and how eagerly the Eregoths want to stand on their own feet. She helps build in the countryside, brings medicine and compassion, and finds a new determination within herself to become a good empress.
Caim, on the other hand, finds little but strife on his journey north, and the ever nagging impression that something is wrong with him. He feels weaker, sicker, the more they travel, and even the shadows are quiet and do not answer his call, even when he needs them the most. And then after something snaps inside, and he kills in a way he’s not done since he left his old profession, he feels something stir inside him that makes all the bad dissolve—but can he handle the truth of his heritage and the truth of his blood?
Meanwhile, Kit realises that as she is, she and Caim will never be together, regardless of how much he admits he loves her. They cannot touch, cannot kiss, cannot… anything. In lieu of slowly watching Caim gravitate away from her, and feel her own heart breaking, she takes it upon herself to find a solution that they will both be amenable to.
Shadow’s Master is a quest novel: Caim is heading to the fabled Erebus to confront his past; Josey is seeking Caim, but moreover, she’s seeking herself. As the last novel in a trilogy, it might have been difficult to keep the pace and to produce a good, solid example of a quest novel, but Sprunk is a true master of his art and the novel is an outright success. It reads like a quest novel, but it also reads—successfully—like the final novel of a trilogy. Loose ends are tied together, questions are answered, but new plot points are introduced, and where they are not wrapped up before the end of the book, they are left hanging and their eventual outcomes implied or left to the imagination of the reader. Everything is in such a perfect balance, it’s as though Sprunk has been writing, and finishing trilogies for years.
The pacing is utterly excellent and you feel the relentless trudge northwards, without anything dragging and without even a patch of dull, or tired prose. Sprunk is an excellent storyteller, weaving a fantastic trilogy that captures the imagination, reignites the love of classic Sword and Sorcery styling, without losing the neo-classical, modern verve that readers in the genre have come to expect from newer writers.
As a novel, Shadow’s Master is delighting, with something not often found in fantasy—a happy ending. As the final dot on the page of a trilogy, Shadow’s Master is a damn good end to one of the best series I’ve read in recent years. It doesn’t try too hard to be what it’s not; rather, it effortlessly excels at what it is.
Utterly splendid.
I look forwards to more of Sprunk’s work in the future.
seak's review
4.0
In my first review for this series (for Shadow's Son), I made a big deal about assassins. The main character is Caim, an assassin above and beyond the rest. He's not only able to use the shadows around him to his advantage, but he also has an invisible friend (I said invisible not imaginary), Kit, who helps him out and warns him of hidden dangers.
By book three (that's this one), Caim and the story itself have evolved into much more than an "assassin" tale. Yes, his assassin skills continually come in handy and yes, this takes the action scenes to the next level of awesome, but Caim is a different man who's conflicted with more problems than finding his next target.
At this point in the tale, Caim is driven north by an unknown prompting, but the problem is, the north is filled with northmen. Unruly tribes battle each other for territory while all the while the shadow is slowly taking over - so much so that the sun can no longer be seen.
Caim also struggles as he loses more and more friends to his possibly meaningless quest north. Even Kit acts odd as she struggles with her love of Caim and impossible situation of being intangible. Sprunk even adds a catch-22 reminiscent of Lord of the Rings.
As Caim heads north, Josey, the empress of Nimea and mother of Caim's unborn child, decides to head north herself under the guise of ... well ... she just wants to find Caim okay. Is that so bad? As she tours the northern ends of her empire, she runs into troubles of her own with feuding nobles being the least of her problems.
Keeping up the same action-packed pace as the rest of the trilogy, Shadow's Master is an excellent conclusion to a great series. While things wrap up nicely (for the most part), it didn't feel like such a perfect wrap-up, more like a transition to the next stage and I really liked that.
The Shadow Saga is light on description and world-building, but heavy on characters and combat. No word is minced and everything moves to the action-packed climax. A series not to be missed.
4 out of 5 Stars
Book 1, Shadow's Son
Book 2, Shadow's Lure
I interviewed the author, Jon Sprunk, here.
By book three (that's this one), Caim and the story itself have evolved into much more than an "assassin" tale. Yes, his assassin skills continually come in handy and yes, this takes the action scenes to the next level of awesome, but Caim is a different man who's conflicted with more problems than finding his next target.
At this point in the tale, Caim is driven north by an unknown prompting, but the problem is, the north is filled with northmen. Unruly tribes battle each other for territory while all the while the shadow is slowly taking over - so much so that the sun can no longer be seen.
Caim also struggles as he loses more and more friends to his possibly meaningless quest north. Even Kit acts odd as she struggles with her love of Caim and impossible situation of being intangible. Sprunk even adds a catch-22 reminiscent of Lord of the Rings.
As Caim heads north, Josey, the empress of Nimea and mother of Caim's unborn child, decides to head north herself under the guise of ... well ... she just wants to find Caim okay. Is that so bad? As she tours the northern ends of her empire, she runs into troubles of her own with feuding nobles being the least of her problems.
Keeping up the same action-packed pace as the rest of the trilogy, Shadow's Master is an excellent conclusion to a great series. While things wrap up nicely (for the most part), it didn't feel like such a perfect wrap-up, more like a transition to the next stage and I really liked that.
The Shadow Saga is light on description and world-building, but heavy on characters and combat. No word is minced and everything moves to the action-packed climax. A series not to be missed.
4 out of 5 Stars
Book 1, Shadow's Son
Book 2, Shadow's Lure
I interviewed the author, Jon Sprunk, here.
gnostalgia's review
4.0
"Balaam swept the kalishi sword in a half-circle to clear the gore, wiped it on the priest’s wide back, and slid it back into the scabbard.”
Oh yes, it’s one of those kind of books. While some people have a problem with “Hack and Slash”, I rather enjoy one from time to time. Even among those who like “Hack and Slash”, there is a problem with that phrase, they prefer “Heroic Fantasy”, “Sword and Sorcery”, or some other colorful euphemism. Whatever you want to call it, Shadow’s Master is worth a read. As a youth, I spent countless hours lounging in a winged-back chair reading — ahem — “Heroic Fantasy” from authors; L. Sprague de Camp, R.E. Howard, Gemmell, and many many others.
While I wouldn’t put Sprunk in that lofty list, I have to say that I enjoyed his novel. Having said that, I would strongly suggest that you begin with the earlier books in the series.
Shadow’s Son and Shadow’s Lure lay the ground work for this novel, and this novel Shadow’s Master concludes the series. The pace is fast and the novel is action-packed. I would go so far as to say that a one word description of the book would be “action”. I certainly recommend the book.
I received the book free from PYR.
Oh yes, it’s one of those kind of books. While some people have a problem with “Hack and Slash”, I rather enjoy one from time to time. Even among those who like “Hack and Slash”, there is a problem with that phrase, they prefer “Heroic Fantasy”, “Sword and Sorcery”, or some other colorful euphemism. Whatever you want to call it, Shadow’s Master is worth a read. As a youth, I spent countless hours lounging in a winged-back chair reading — ahem — “Heroic Fantasy” from authors; L. Sprague de Camp, R.E. Howard, Gemmell, and many many others.
While I wouldn’t put Sprunk in that lofty list, I have to say that I enjoyed his novel. Having said that, I would strongly suggest that you begin with the earlier books in the series.
Shadow’s Son and Shadow’s Lure lay the ground work for this novel, and this novel Shadow’s Master concludes the series. The pace is fast and the novel is action-packed. I would go so far as to say that a one word description of the book would be “action”. I certainly recommend the book.
I received the book free from PYR.
cindyc's review
4.0
'Shadow's Master' is one hell of an ending to this fantastic trilogy. I absolutely loved every page of this book and as a whole the Shadow Saga has deserved a spot on my top shelf.
Why was this such a great ending, you ask? Because I didn't expect any of what happened. Jon Sprunk managed to surprise me time and time again. Even the very last pages were something I wouldn't have expected, let's say, at the end of the second book. Some people might not like some of the choices the author made, but I was so glad to read something fresh, something that doesn't follow the whole mainstream 'I have been working towards this particular ending, so that's what's going to happen' approach.
Everything came together perfectly, loose ends were connected and every part of the story got a satisfying explanation.
As always the action scenes were sublime. I can't get enough of how the author describes every detail of his fighting scenes so vividly. I said this already in my previous reviews about the Shadow Saga books, but damn, I can't say it enough. If you like amazingly well written fighting scenes, pick this series up, you definitely won't regret it.
Caim continues his journey North, now accompanied by 3 Eregoth's that wanted to join his quest. Caim isn't used to travelling with companions and it shows. It was fantastic to read how Caim grew closer to his travel partners and how much he actually cared. I have to admit I chuckled quite a bit when Dray and Malig started bitching or when they annoyed the hell out of Caim. But as always, he handled these situations ... Caim-like.
I have to say Caim is probably one of the only characters I've read about this year that has really grabbed me and wriggled his way into my heart. I love his character! That connection I value was certainly still present in this last book in the Shadow Saga. Caim pulled me once again into his story and didn't let me go 'till I turned the last page.
Josey on the other hand is also travelling North with a part of her army, in search for Caim. Her journey takes a different turn however when she finds her Empire poor and plagued by disputes, her people living in ruins, starving. Knowing Josey as we do by now, she is determined to do something about this and restore peace to her Empire. But a bigger threat is looming in the North, one that is rapidly approaching.
I mentioned that Josey didn't really succeed in grabbing my attention in the previous book. I have to say I cared a lot more about her in this book, she certainly grew into her Empress statute and displayed a whole lot of strength. I really liked the final battle scenes in her storyline, they are the kind that made me proud of her, which is how I knew I really started caring for her in this book.
Kit also got a shining role in Caim’s story, which I was thrilled about, because I love her character. Feisty, naughty, loyal, loving, she just has so many qualities and such a diverse personality. Jon Sprunk really gave her a great part in this story and I like the way he ‘ended’ her storyline.
What more can I say? I loved it! Every single book, every single page. Highly recommended.
Why was this such a great ending, you ask? Because I didn't expect any of what happened. Jon Sprunk managed to surprise me time and time again. Even the very last pages were something I wouldn't have expected, let's say, at the end of the second book. Some people might not like some of the choices the author made, but I was so glad to read something fresh, something that doesn't follow the whole mainstream 'I have been working towards this particular ending, so that's what's going to happen' approach.
Everything came together perfectly, loose ends were connected and every part of the story got a satisfying explanation.
As always the action scenes were sublime. I can't get enough of how the author describes every detail of his fighting scenes so vividly. I said this already in my previous reviews about the Shadow Saga books, but damn, I can't say it enough. If you like amazingly well written fighting scenes, pick this series up, you definitely won't regret it.
Caim continues his journey North, now accompanied by 3 Eregoth's that wanted to join his quest. Caim isn't used to travelling with companions and it shows. It was fantastic to read how Caim grew closer to his travel partners and how much he actually cared. I have to admit I chuckled quite a bit when Dray and Malig started bitching or when they annoyed the hell out of Caim. But as always, he handled these situations ... Caim-like.
I have to say Caim is probably one of the only characters I've read about this year that has really grabbed me and wriggled his way into my heart. I love his character! That connection I value was certainly still present in this last book in the Shadow Saga. Caim pulled me once again into his story and didn't let me go 'till I turned the last page.
Josey on the other hand is also travelling North with a part of her army, in search for Caim. Her journey takes a different turn however when she finds her Empire poor and plagued by disputes, her people living in ruins, starving. Knowing Josey as we do by now, she is determined to do something about this and restore peace to her Empire. But a bigger threat is looming in the North, one that is rapidly approaching.
I mentioned that Josey didn't really succeed in grabbing my attention in the previous book. I have to say I cared a lot more about her in this book, she certainly grew into her Empress statute and displayed a whole lot of strength. I really liked the final battle scenes in her storyline, they are the kind that made me proud of her, which is how I knew I really started caring for her in this book.
Kit also got a shining role in Caim’s story, which I was thrilled about, because I love her character. Feisty, naughty, loyal, loving, she just has so many qualities and such a diverse personality. Jon Sprunk really gave her a great part in this story and I like the way he ‘ended’ her storyline.
What more can I say? I loved it! Every single book, every single page. Highly recommended.
mw2k's review
2.0
Doesn't really compare to the two before it. There's a palpable lack of tension throughout the book - the protagonists just slide towards the inevitable conclusion without any urgency.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
hawkeyegonzalez's review
2.0
What started off as a fairly good series ended with a thud. There was not a single character I cared for, and the story fell flat. Caim forgot that he had feelings except for anger, Josey forgot that she loved Caim even though she was pretty adamant about it at the start, and Kit just became someone completely different. I wouldn't recommend this series.
prationality's review
4.0
The good news is that except for the character growth of Caim, if a reader happens upon SHADOW'S MASTER before the first two novels (SHADOW'S SON and SHADOW'S LURE) they won't be lost. More so than the first book into the second, Sprunk gives a better accounting of things so that a new reader stumbling in won't be scratching their head and grow frustrated.
The other piece of good news is that this book pays off for readers of the previous two volumes. Caim's heritage, the nature of his otherworldly powers and his role as the 'Scion' are given center stage as he travels north to find out about his (not quite human) mother. A resolution is also found for the love triangle that is Josey-Caim-Kit, though I'm less keen on that aspect (I was never actually invested in either relationship, though I felt keenly for Josey's predicament during book 2).
The less good news is that because Sprunk seemed to make this more standalone than the previous two novels (despite being the third and final part of the trilogy), Caim's behavior seems off somehow. He's brooding, angsty and bothered by things that would have made more sense in book 1 then now in book 3.
My favorite parts, which probably say’s a lot about where my priorities were and how skewed they were, involved Josey and her schemes and machinations to keep her throne. Fortunately even without Caim around to help her do sneaky things, Josey forges alliances and has a number of people she can trust to help her stave off death and dethronement. By the end of the novel she finds her place in the world and finds herself able to come to terms with the changes she's undergone and I applaud her for it. Josey was never a weak character (irritating at times, but not weak) and her growth throughout the books has made me smile.
I'll give Sprunk credit, in what could have been a sentimental book dealing with the nature of families, history and love he still packs in enough fighting, bloodshed and action to keep just about anyone happy. Between Caim's battles in the north and Josey's battles to protect her throne, there's very little downtime for our heroes. It made for a quick-paced read that keeps the reader entranced until the last page.
In all this was a good farewell to the world and Caim in particular. I was satisfied by the conclusion, though that's not to say I would be averse to Sprunk writing short stories about Nimea and how Josey's reign goes on in the future however.
Review originally posted at Night Owl Reviews
The other piece of good news is that this book pays off for readers of the previous two volumes. Caim's heritage, the nature of his otherworldly powers and his role as the 'Scion' are given center stage as he travels north to find out about his (not quite human) mother. A resolution is also found for the love triangle that is Josey-Caim-Kit, though I'm less keen on that aspect (I was never actually invested in either relationship, though I felt keenly for Josey's predicament during book 2).
The less good news is that because Sprunk seemed to make this more standalone than the previous two novels (despite being the third and final part of the trilogy), Caim's behavior seems off somehow. He's brooding, angsty and bothered by things that would have made more sense in book 1 then now in book 3.
My favorite parts, which probably say’s a lot about where my priorities were and how skewed they were, involved Josey and her schemes and machinations to keep her throne. Fortunately even without Caim around to help her do sneaky things, Josey forges alliances and has a number of people she can trust to help her stave off death and dethronement. By the end of the novel she finds her place in the world and finds herself able to come to terms with the changes she's undergone and I applaud her for it. Josey was never a weak character (irritating at times, but not weak) and her growth throughout the books has made me smile.
I'll give Sprunk credit, in what could have been a sentimental book dealing with the nature of families, history and love he still packs in enough fighting, bloodshed and action to keep just about anyone happy. Between Caim's battles in the north and Josey's battles to protect her throne, there's very little downtime for our heroes. It made for a quick-paced read that keeps the reader entranced until the last page.
In all this was a good farewell to the world and Caim in particular. I was satisfied by the conclusion, though that's not to say I would be averse to Sprunk writing short stories about Nimea and how Josey's reign goes on in the future however.
Review originally posted at Night Owl Reviews
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