The way of shadows

 Weeks, Brent ~ Way of Shadows ~ Orbit, 2010 ~ 66 chapters, epilogue, front matter map ~  Audience: adults, ~ Rating: good.

Opening:

"Azoth squatted in the alley, cold mud squishing through his bare toes. He stared at the narrow space beneath the wall, trying to get his nerve up.”

Publication History:

This is the first volume in the Night Angel trilogy. The following two volumes are Shadow’s Edge and Beyond the Shadows.

Setting:

A small [but easily enlarged in the ebook edition] map shows Midcyru and the countries involved in the story. The story takes place in the capital city of a kingdom in trouble. The King is ineffective and there are plots against him. The Sa’kage, the criminal guild, controls the ghettos of the Marshlands and much of the city and government as well. The divide between the rich and others is substantial and the poor barely live at all.

At the same time, the feared and nearly all powerful GodKing to the north is poised to take over the kingdom by whatever means. His magic and that of his numerous magicians [Vurdmasters] seem to have no counter and his army is large, well trained, and vicious.

Little is said about the economy or culture. Technology, ignoring the magic, is medieval.

Thus, the setting varies between bleak and gloomy. There seems to be little hope for the kingdom and its people.

A Night Angel is a legendary figure -- a warrior who is an “Angel of death” killing the evil ones for vengeance, justice, and mercy. This story focuses on those who are assassins or “wetboys.” There are few wetboys who are assassins with unusual talents and skills, including the use of magic to mask their identity as well as to enhance their powers. A true wetboy is nearly invincible.

Plot:

Azoth, who will become Kylar later in the story, is an orphan. Homeless and at the “mercy” of vicious gangs of older youths, he is barely alive. What money he can find or steal is usually taken by an older gang member. Due to chance, he meets Durzo Blint who is not just a wetboy but one of the best anywhere. After performing a task assigned by Blint, Azoth becomes an apprentice learning all the skills of successfully killing without being caught. He is a quick learner and it is clear that he can become an assassin. However, he lacks “talent” or the magical gifts required to be a wetboy. Throughout, the story focuses on the relationship between the master and the apprentice, including the notable tensions between them.

We watch and learn as Kylar becomes increasingly skillful. At the same time, there is “darkness in his soul” for the killing. While this relationship is at the heart of the story, the kingdom is faced with a coup and an invasion from the North. Both Blint and Kylar are deeply involved.

Major Characters:

1. Azoth/Kylar is the major character and the story follows his mental and physical growth as an assassin and his character growth from about ll years old. There are also spiritual/psychological issues that must be addressed.

2. Durzo Blint, in his 30’s, has had quite a successful career and is now the premier wetboy in the kingdom. He too has a variety of issues in his past and the present that make his character much more believable, especially when he discusses the costs associated with his profession and use of magic.

3. Rat is the bully who enjoys hurting people, especially Azoth. In fact, he is much worse than he seems to be.

4. Dollgirl is younger than Azoth and he does his best to protect her while in the Marshlands. He fails and she is viciously attacked. Their hidden relationship will continue throughout the rest of the story.

5. Duke Regnus Gyre is honest, thoughtful, and a notable leader of warriors. He will do whatever he can to keep the kingdom together. His son Logan lacks experience, but has many of his father’s virtues. He and Kylar will become close friends.

6. Roth is a prince of Khalidoran and a son of the GodKing. He plays an important role in preparation for the invasion under a disguise. He will become Kylar's major foe.

7. Solon, Feir, and Dorian come from afar to defeat the growing evil using magic and swordplay. Although their role in this volume is limited, I suspect that it will become even more important in later volumes.

There are many characters in this volume. Some are stereotypical, but many have depth that will interest the reader and make the story come alive.

The Reading Experience:

A character list and a city map would help the reader to keep track of people and places. While the story does not end in a cliff-hanger, it is clear that Kylar’s story and that of his friends has just begun. The plot is simple in its focus on learning to be a wetboy. It is complex in the relationships between organized crime and the government as well as the invasion. There are many characters to keep track of. Names are reasonable clear and easy to remember, but there are many of them.

Recommendation keys:

Story length:  Reasonable length for a complex plot and the beginning of a three volume series.

Mood:  bleak, dark, and gloomy. There are moments of achievement, but the killing, the crime lords, violence against children, and then the invasion makes this a relatively dark story.

Theme:  For the wetboy, don’t love or care for anything that could be used against you. For most people, the system is stacked against you. Greed and violence protect the powerful.

Sex:  Although Momma K, Mistress of Pleasures, plays an important role, there is little explicit sex. Sex against children is briefly described, but not at all explicit or detailed.

Violence:  Notable violence both against individuals and groups. Although likely realistic for the time/place, it will be too much for some readers.

Reading difficulty: Other than the often explicit violent theme and character of the story, there should be no problems.

Summary: Solid, page turning story. The relationship between Durso and Kylar was especially well done.

The series will have strong appeal to those who accept considerable violence in their fantasy stories. There may be too much darkness for others. World building and character development are nicely done. For larger SF collections.