Sebastien De Castell: Knight's Shadow (2015, Quercus Publishing)
hardcover
Published Feb. 21, 2015 by Quercus Publishing.
A few days after the horrifying murder of a duke and his family, Falcio val Mond, swordsman and First Cantor of the Greatcoats, begins a deadly pursuit to capture the killer. But Falcio soon discovers his own life is in mortal danger from a poison administered as a final act of revenge by one of his deadliest enemies.
The ending really saved this for me. I struggled with Falcio a bit. He was kinda dense and I say that as someone who loves Falcio. Everything tied up very nicely and there was a twist or two I didn't see coming. Looking forward to more.
Significantly better than the first book, although the author really has a thing for his main character being the victim of sexual assault.
To quote a famous horned guy: "You are not prepared!"
Compared to this book the Blood Week was a walk in Disneyland.
I think the first book was only there to make us like the characters, so we would suffer more in the second book. Did I get that right?
Bad author! Bad author! To make me go through this ... of course that means it's a really great sequel to a great book. Don't miss it but be prepared for ... the pain. Because pain there is. If you thought after the first book it was all over, think again.
This one has all that a sequel needs: treason, pain, suffering, loss of what we love. And despair.
Of course once again you can't trust anything. If they seem nice, they sure are not! Believe me. Do not trust anyone. Least of all ... those that seem trustworthy. To …
To quote a famous horned guy: "You are not prepared!"
Compared to this book the Blood Week was a walk in Disneyland.
I think the first book was only there to make us like the characters, so we would suffer more in the second book. Did I get that right?
Bad author! Bad author! To make me go through this ... of course that means it's a really great sequel to a great book. Don't miss it but be prepared for ... the pain. Because pain there is. If you thought after the first book it was all over, think again.
This one has all that a sequel needs: treason, pain, suffering, loss of what we love. And despair.
Of course once again you can't trust anything. If they seem nice, they sure are not! Believe me. Do not trust anyone. Least of all ... those that seem trustworthy. To think I had such high hopes for Shuran. Pah. "No more armor!"
As with the first book, I was not that surprised by something that happened when I was supposed to think "This is it. It's over." (Something is always hidden to save the day. Like a greatcoat hiding among the Dashini. It was broadcast throughout the first two books so much that she was one of them that I had nearly stopped believing it and then she is a Dashini and stabs them right in the back again. Which is the only reason I may be able to re-read this book).
That and other reveals could feel like a Deus-Ex. But they have been "announced" in a way. And I am not talking about the flash-backs (yes, still there). But there are hints for many of these developments all over the place.
I also like that our heroes have to suffer, that they make mistakes, fail and have weaknesses. They may be the best swordsman, archer and whatever Falcio is best at (talking?), but that does not guarantee their success.
So should you read this? Despite all the bad things that happen to our heroes, the end left me feeling better than f.e. several of the ASoIaF books. I may re-read this. I have not lost hope that Greatcoats may end well.
PS: and Brasti has not lost his humor!
