Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Adolescente enojado que se viste de negro (y gris también).
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a book I'm split down the middle about:
On the one hand, although I knew this going in, the sexism and toxic masculinity in this book was glaring. The women primarily fulfilling the role of furthering male character arcs. The men on the other hand having their virility being their paramount attribute. This therefore made for a problematic read and assured the book wouldn't age too well (even though the book isn't that old in the larger scope).
On the flip side the plot, world building, magic system all added to the concepts explored socially and politically were impressive and hooked me. I really enjoyed the read (overlooking point one) and was immersed in the story.
The first point makes it impossible to give it the high score I feel the second point deserves. Therefore I will give it a middle of the road rating. I reward it for point two while penalising point one.
On the one hand, although I knew this going in, the sexism and toxic masculinity in this book was glaring. The women primarily fulfilling the role of furthering male character arcs. The men on the other hand having their virility being their paramount attribute. This therefore made for a problematic read and assured the book wouldn't age too well (even though the book isn't that old in the larger scope).
On the flip side the plot, world building, magic system all added to the concepts explored socially and politically were impressive and hooked me. I really enjoyed the read (overlooking point one) and was immersed in the story.
The first point makes it impossible to give it the high score I feel the second point deserves. Therefore I will give it a middle of the road rating. I reward it for point two while penalising point one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
very grateful to have this one as my first book after so many years. it will definitely have a little special place in my heart for that reason, i can’t wait to finish the trilogy 🖤
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would have liked this when I was 15 but now everything was over explained
3,5 stars
This is an entertaining read!
The characters are stereotypical, but have intriguing layers. Kylar, the likeable and morally-grey protagonist undergoes a captivating journey from a street child to a "wetboy" (still can't take the name seriously). His complex relationship with Durzo adds depth to the narrative. The most complex characters are Kylar, Durzo and Momma K, but they still lack depth. With that said, the messy relationship between Momma K and Durzo is interesting. Jarl, Logan and Count Drake are interesting characters, but they lack complexity.
The female characters suffer from stereotypical representations. I can literally describe the bust of almost every single female character. The female characters do not have their own motives, for the most part, and exist to serve the male characters' stories. Even Momma K, the most complex female character, is reduced to stereotypes.
The dark and grim atmosphere sets the stage for a story filled with intrigue. The world and magic system is fascinating but I struggled to grasp certain aspects due to limited explanation. The concepts and politics are interesting and I can see the potential. However, the writing can be clunky and choppy and the way characters are used to provide information about the world is infodumpy.
The plot does contain some familiar fantasy tropes, but manages to surprise with unexpected twists in the second half. The cool action scenes and fast-paced narrative kept me fully engaged. While the first half is intriguing, I was fully invested in the second half of the story, which contains some of my favourite and memorable moments.
Despite its flaws, The Way of Shadows is a fun and engaging read. The potential for a complex world and characters is evident, even if not fully realised. The fact that I couldn't stop reading means something and I'm curious to explore the series further.
"Our world only has better and worse, shadows lighter and darker.
This is an entertaining read!
The characters are stereotypical, but have intriguing layers. Kylar, the likeable and morally-grey protagonist undergoes a captivating journey from a street child to a "wetboy" (still can't take the name seriously). His complex relationship with Durzo adds depth to the narrative. The most complex characters are Kylar, Durzo and Momma K, but they still lack depth. With that said, the messy relationship between Momma K and Durzo is interesting. Jarl, Logan and Count Drake are interesting characters, but they lack complexity.
The female characters suffer from stereotypical representations. I can literally describe the bust of almost every single female character. The female characters do not have their own motives, for the most part, and exist to serve the male characters' stories. Even Momma K, the most complex female character, is reduced to stereotypes.
The dark and grim atmosphere sets the stage for a story filled with intrigue. The world and magic system is fascinating but I struggled to grasp certain aspects due to limited explanation. The concepts and politics are interesting and I can see the potential. However, the writing can be clunky and choppy and the way characters are used to provide information about the world is infodumpy.
The plot does contain some familiar fantasy tropes, but manages to surprise with unexpected twists in the second half. The cool action scenes and fast-paced narrative kept me fully engaged. While the first half is intriguing, I was fully invested in the second half of the story, which contains some of my favourite and memorable moments
Spoiler
, such as the fight between Kylar and Durzo, Kylar poisoning Momma K thereafter and the battle between Kylar and RothDespite its flaws, The Way of Shadows is a fun and engaging read. The potential for a complex world and characters is evident, even if not fully realised. The fact that I couldn't stop reading means something and I'm curious to explore the series further.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Unfortunately this one was disappointing. I was interested by the concept and hoped to like it since it's one of the few series where my library actually has consecutive books. But ultimately I didn't love the writing style and the characters just fell flat. It's only been about two weeks since I read it and most of it has already faded, despite how long it is.
The first half of the book introduces us to the protagonist Azoth, who is later called Kylar, Logan Gyre, the Sakage, the magic system and it gives a bit background information. I personally think that the this part was to long. The author just spends to much time with Azoth. I also would have liked if the different kinds of magic would be more differentiated. I don't really get how the magic the wytches use is different from the magic the wetboys use.
I would have also liked if the author would have explained the structure of the Sakage more (I didn't get that the nine had a Leader until much later in the story, and even then it isn't really stated how he gets appointed).
I also didn't really liked that Kylar was always questioning himself if being a wetboy is what he wants and who he really is. In the Mistborn trilogy Vin is also asking herself the same question but in contrast to Kylar she was just shoved into the events. Kylar on the other hand chose this way for himself, so I don't buy the „Who am I?” part of the story.
In the second half of the book the plot finally sets in. And then the book gets just AWESOME. There are alot of twists, which are surprising but don't come out of nowhere. The description of the characters is also fantastic. For example the passage where you see Durzo's human side when he tells Kylar about what happened with Vonda. This is just perfectly written and rounds Durzo's character up.
After I forced myself through the first half, I really enjoyed the book. I hope that the second book will get even better.
I would have also liked if the author would have explained the structure of the Sakage more (I didn't get that the nine had a Leader until much later in the story, and even then it isn't really stated how he gets appointed).
I also didn't really liked that Kylar was always questioning himself if being a wetboy is what he wants and who he really is. In the Mistborn trilogy Vin is also asking herself the same question but in contrast to Kylar she was just shoved into the events. Kylar on the other hand chose this way for himself, so I don't buy the „Who am I?” part of the story.
In the second half of the book the plot finally sets in. And then the book gets just AWESOME. There are alot of twists, which are surprising but don't come out of nowhere. The description of the characters is also fantastic. For example the passage where you see Durzo's human side when he tells Kylar about what happened with Vonda. This is just perfectly written and rounds Durzo's character up.
After I forced myself through the first half, I really enjoyed the book. I hope that the second book will get even better.