Way of Shadows (Night Angel #1)

~ Bookstooge

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This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress, Blogspot,, Booklikes & Librarything and linked at Goodreads & Mobileread by  Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission

 
Title:       The Way of Shadows
Series:    Night Angel #1
Author:  Brent Weeks
Rating:   4.5 of 5 Stars
Genre:    SFF
Pages:    659
Format: Digital Edition

 

Synopsis: Spoilers

Azoth becomes apprenticed to Durzo Blint and becomes Kyler. Magic, politics, love and death all roll into one super messy ball.

Kyler becomes the possessor of a magic ball that gives him extraordinary powers. And just as he’s gaining them, he’s forced to kill his master and watch his city fall to invaders. Throw in a prophet, some other magic balls, a complete godking of evil, best friend becoming king and teen love and you have this story in a nutshell.

Oh, don’t forget the violence. Lots and lots and lots of violence.

 

My Thoughts: Spoilers

I had forgotten just how brutal this book was. It was heart wrenching to see everything falling apart for Kyler. Yes, he’s successful in apprenticing under Blint, but by the end of the book, all Kyler has is his life and the life of the girl he loves. He sees, and we experience, everything else going to the pit. Friends? Dead, killed, imprisoned. Mentors? Poisoned, paupered, destroyed. It is all torn away.

The book ends on a slightly hopeful note, as the city nobles and craftsmen flee and destroy everything to deny it to the invaders. Kyler is alive, even though he died. The legend of the Night Angel has taken seed and the invaders know “something” walks the shadows. The prophet has set things in motion to stop the godking from total domination. The War has Started.

The writing definitely shows that this is Weeks’ first book and is not nearly as polished as his Lightbringer series. Nothing stood out as wrong, but some things weren’t just as “right” as they could have been.

To end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book again and both cheered and groaned at the triumphs and tragedies woven throughout this story.

star45full-custom

 

bookstooge

  1. Previous Review from 2009

44 thoughts on “Way of Shadows (Night Angel #1)”

  2. I loved this book, too! And yes, it is sooo violent, haha. The beginning with the little street thieves is the worst. Thankfully the humor later on offset the violence for me!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Well, if you ever do decide to dip your toes into the pool, I’d definitely recommend starting out with this Night Angel trilogy. It is a trilogy and it is finished, unlike his “Lightbringer” series, which just keeps on going…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Yeah, I think a lot of people are getting tired of the Lightbringer series. He really needs to wrap things up in book5 but I have a feeling it’ll take 2 more books.
      Robert Jordan has taught me much about bloat in storylines…

      Like

      Reply

  5. I didn’t get the love for it. I was so sure I would like it I grabbed the whole trilogy when Borders was closing and clearing out books. Only the first one was ever read. I didn’t hate it, meant to keep reading, instead have never touched Weeks again. Looking through your comments though, I stand alone in this. =)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Well, I know people who think that Salvatore is a great writer and I can’t stand him or his stuff. So I’m not about to call anyone on not liking the authors I like 😀

      Like

      Reply

  10. Everyone keeps raving about them. Even the person who cashed me out at my local used bookstore tried to talk me into buying this series a few days ago. Guess I just need to breakdown and give them a try..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Considering that you like Grimdark so much, I’m rather surprised you haven’t tried these before.

      Well, if you ever do decide to read these, I’ll be reading your reviews with interest…

      Like

      Reply

    1. You should read one of my “spoiler” reviews sometime just to see if what I put as spoilers is something that would bother you as a spoiler. If it does, then you know. If it doesn’t, then it won’t prevent you in the future 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        1. The difference being, Weeks will finish the Lighbringer series. Rothfuss, on the other hand, can rot in Sheol with a dull spoon in his guts for the lies he’s told us about when he’ll finish the books…
          Not that I’m bitter or anything 😉

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  15. Pingback: Shadow’s Edge (Night Angel #2) ★★★★ ½ | Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road
  16. Pingback: Beyond the Shadows (Night Angel #3) ★★★★☆ | Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road
  17. Pingback: Bookstooge Reviews 2017 | Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road

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