Take a photo of a barcode or cover
shelf_life_with_jay 's review for:
The Way of Shadows
by Brent Weeks
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Brent Weeks delivers an intense, action-packed fantasy in The Way of Shadows. The story follows Azoth (Kylar), a street orphan who trains under the infamous assassin Durzo Blint, navigating a dark world of crime, power, and betrayal. The book contains brutal fight scenes, political intrigue, and unexpected twists set in a vividly built world.
There's a lot to love here - the characters are compelling, the magic system is intriguing (although I don't think I fully understand it), and the pacing (for the most part) keeps you hooked. Weeks doesn't shy away from the grim realities of his world, and the grittiness adds to the immersion (sometimes). However, I do think the book could have been a little shorter. Some sections felt unnecessarily long, and while I appreciated detailed world-building, there were moments where I found myself wanting the story to move along more quickly. (I've discovered I have this feeling when reading fantasy written by male authors more often than not when compared to female authors)
One thing I wasn't expecting but loved was the sheer number of one-liners that had me chortling—some even made me laugh out loud. Weeks has a sharp wit and knows precisely when to drop a list that cuts deep. There were moments when I had visceral reactions to specific dialogue, whether it was a brutal truth bomb, a scathing insult, or just a perfectly timed bit of dark humor. It added a lot of personality to the story and kept me engaged, even in the slower parts.
Then, a creative choice towards the end almost made me throw the book across the room and never pick it up. I won't spoil it, but it was one of those moments where I genuinely debated if I wanted to keep reading. Fortunately, Weeks managed to redeem himself, and by the time I turned the final page, I felt satisfied (I understand the point of the choice now, but I am still skeptical though)
Overall, The Way of Shadows is a solid fantasy novel with strong characters and an engaging plot, even if it's a bit longer than it needs to be (for my taste).
There's a lot to love here - the characters are compelling, the magic system is intriguing (although I don't think I fully understand it), and the pacing (for the most part) keeps you hooked. Weeks doesn't shy away from the grim realities of his world, and the grittiness adds to the immersion (sometimes). However, I do think the book could have been a little shorter. Some sections felt unnecessarily long, and while I appreciated detailed world-building, there were moments where I found myself wanting the story to move along more quickly. (I've discovered I have this feeling when reading fantasy written by male authors more often than not when compared to female authors)
One thing I wasn't expecting but loved was the sheer number of one-liners that had me chortling—some even made me laugh out loud. Weeks has a sharp wit and knows precisely when to drop a list that cuts deep. There were moments when I had visceral reactions to specific dialogue, whether it was a brutal truth bomb, a scathing insult, or just a perfectly timed bit of dark humor. It added a lot of personality to the story and kept me engaged, even in the slower parts.
Then, a creative choice towards the end almost made me throw the book across the room and never pick it up. I won't spoil it, but it was one of those moments where I genuinely debated if I wanted to keep reading. Fortunately, Weeks managed to redeem himself, and by the time I turned the final page, I felt satisfied (I understand the point of the choice now, but I am still skeptical though)
Overall, The Way of Shadows is a solid fantasy novel with strong characters and an engaging plot, even if it's a bit longer than it needs to be (for my taste).