Night Angel Trilogy — (2008) Publisher: For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art — and he is the city's most accomplished artist.
For Kylar Stern, just surviving is a struggle. As a guild rat, he's learned to judge people quickly — and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.
But to be accepted, he must turn his back on everything he has ever known.
     
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 The Way of Shadows
Azoth, a young boy growing up in the poor ghetto of a large city, witnesses a violent confrontation between a master assassin and some thugs sent to kill him. He soon realizes that the only way to be free of the constant fear and desperation he lives with is to become an assassin himself. Thus begins Brent Weeks’ The Way of Shadows and the journey of young Azoth from child-thief to deadly assassin.
Mingled amidst the decadence and decay of the corrupt capital of Cenaria, Azoth stumbles and struggles to become what he can in order to make a better life for himself. Meanwhile, politics, betrayal, and magic are also afoot in Cenaria, and things don’t turn out quite for the best.
The Way of Shadows is long and meanders back and forth between the different plotlines, but Weeks creates some effective drama and some interesting contrasting characters. For example, one young man has a soul of honor and nobility while another is the epitome of deceit and lies. But then, characters who we assumed to be heartless do good things. I did feel a little like most everyone had a heart of gold underneath it all — and sometimes I found that to be a bit too predictable and not very realistic.
The first 200 pages of The Way of Shadows fairly flew by, but then I got bogged down. Things were taking too long to really get going and by the time I reached the crescendo at the end, I was impatient. It’s a good story and there are some good characters, but it was neither so original nor so compelling that I was overly impressed. Brent Weeks can write, but the story could have gone on a 100+ page diet and still been more than detailed enough to satisfy. —John H. Comments
 The Way of Shadows: Seemed like it was still in the rough draft stage to me
In the back-alley slums of Cenaria, a guild rat named Azoth hopes to survive by becoming the apprentice of Durzo Blint, who is the best of the wetboys — the most elite of assassins. To do this he must unquestioningly follow Durzo’s every command, accept that life — anyone’s life — is worthless, and forget everyone he knew in his old life. He must become Kylar Stern: gentleman by day, stone-cold killer by night. Though Azoth doesn't know it, as Kylar he is destined for much bigger things.
I like stories with strong criminal elements, action, and intrigue — all of which The Way of Shadows has. The plot has so much potential, but I went from interested, to briefly revolted, to almost started to like it, to bored, and ended up forcing myself to finish the book.
The only characters I actually cared about were a few minor ones. The villain was so sadistic and psychopathic — how can his own evil army stomach him? The system of magic is more like Matrix/Neo-superpowers than fantasy sorcery. Many times, things just didn’t make sense as they were written which made the action hard to follow — like reading about Kylar hiding behind a picture, when the author really meant a statue and not a picture at all.
The dialog came across like bad acting in a low-budget movie, and the slang was horrible — like “wetboys” being the best of the best in hired-killers. I assume this came from the term “wet-works” sometimes used in modern-day espionage thrillers to down-play assignations or maybe just because it’s a bloody deed, but every time I read “wetboy,” instead of ninja-like assassins, all I could think of was a kid caught in the rain.
Worst of all, the tone was all over the place. Sometimes it was so dark I could barely stand it, even though dark & gritty is usually my preference. For example, there were descriptions of sexual molestation within youth street-gangs. There were several cheesy descriptions of beautiful women and their breasts (despite breasts being my own personal favorite part — or should I say parts — of the female anatomy) which just didn’t fit the story. And the number of forbidden romances in a single book may be a new record in fantasy. I realize the extreme contrasts are an attempt to make the bright parts brighter, but the result was a story with a strangely wavering tone.
To Mr. Weeks' credit, The Way of Shadows has a solid plot and some writing at the end that I really enjoyed. There was so much potential here — I think perhaps the editing is to blame. It just seemed like it was still in the rough draft stage. I'd like to see what Brent Weeks could do with a different editor. —Greg Comments
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Weeks is a decent author, but some of the stuff that he has thrown together was only decent. There are authors out there who are turning out much better stuff. I do like some of his world-bulding even if his characters seem kind of flat to me. Just an opinion, of course, but I am not racing for the third book after the first two.
Yeah Greg, I totally get you on that one. With that said, I can't wait to sift through the reviews on this site. I have been stuck in a fantasy black hole for a while. I would always go browse the stacks at the book store but would never purchase a book for fear that it wouldn't appeal to me. Unfortunately I don't have many friends who are readers and so have no one to really offer any suggestions or recommendations. I just can't wait to get back in the swing of reading my fantasy.
Well you've came to the right place. A few years ago, I had a hard time finding any fantasy books I cared for, but since I've became involved with this website, now my problem is that I have too many books to read and not enough time, which is a great problem to have.
I also have very few friends who are readers, or I did have, before I started hanging-out out on FanLit.
Please join our forums. I think bookish people just have need to talk about the books they read and unfortunately, it seems we're a rare breed, but I’ve found FanLit to be like our own little cafe' or pub, just for us fantasy fans.
Just the other day I was having lunch with a friend and I was commenting on how it has been a long time since I was able to find a novel that I couldn't put down. I read Weeks' first book and I just had to finish it that night so that I could get the other two books. I didn't notice what you had nit-picked on so I think I am going to have to reread it to see for myself. I guess that is where the sad part is. If the editing is so bad, it must mean that I must have gotten so used to the way my children speak that my language processes have degenerated. (I actually don't have kids. I just teach young children in an urban setting.) Just in case you ask, I have just finished reading The Warded Man. It was like a slow start-up to a nice end. I am now going to move onto some Vampire Hunter D translations. Other than that, I'm not too sure. I enjoyed Storm Constantine to some degree although I find the sexual violence a bit disconcerting yet I have no problems with Anne Bishop's work.
Well, I do have to state that correct grammar is not one of my strongest suits. So for me to notice the mistakes, I’d think they’d need to be fairly blatant. (Then again, I'm always reading a book, so maybe my eye for grammatical errors is finally improving.) Combined with the fact that Mr. Weeks, himself, had posted a forum on his own website (I think he's since taken it down, as he said he would.) asking for readers to tell him of mistakes they found, does argue that the editors missed a lot, regardless of any reason offered as an excuse. However, like I've said, if I'd liked the story more, the mistakes wouldn’t have bothered me as much.
But it appears I may be in the minority when it comes to not being a fan of this one. I don't recall anyone ever taking issue with any of my other reviews. So since fans are passionate enough to argue their point says something positive about it. As you can see, John even gave it a half-star more than what I did.
I think most all book-worms have at least one book they disliked so much, that it's really hard to understand how another reader just loves it. That's how The Way of the Shadows is for me. I really try to keep an open mind to differing opinions then mine about books and usually I do understand why someone else likes a story that I didn’t.
Apparently I'm just not "getting it" with this one. Because with all the good fantasy books out there, I'm just not able to see the appeal this series seems to have.
At first, you think you are getting some sort of assassin novel series, but the last two books really delve into the magical side of fantasy.
The third novel's ending is a classic moment in fantasy literature. You should really give this series a chance. Giving the book a low rating due to editing mistakes is sort of flimsy in my estimation.
Brett-
I'm glad you found a series that you enjoy. I would never want to take that enjoyment away from anyone, nor do I even remotely think that I have that kind of influence. Judging from the response on Amazon, you’re far from alone in being a fan of this series. Also, this is the only review I’ve ever gotten any flak over. That in itself attests to the passion fans have. But I also have to be honest with my opinion. I’d expect no less from anyone else.
What are some other books you’ve liked? Believe it or not, I am sincerely interested in any other opinions, regardless of if they agree or disagree with me. I’d also really like do know if we’d even be in the same ball-park in what we like.
Please notice I did admit that I could've been nit-picky about the editing. If I'd have liked the story better I may have over-looked it more. However, Mr. Week’s himself even had a forum on his website asking for readers to post mistakes they caught. Personally, a grammatical error has to be fairly blatant for me to notice when I’m really into a story. But when an incorrect name is used (names of people that are not even in the book), and when sentences don’t literally make sense -not once but several times through-out-, should a reader really be expected to just ignore it?
In the forum I mentioned, Mr.Weeks stated the errors were due to a huge rush to get the books published. With so many fantasy series taking decades between books, I really don’t understand the hurry to get a new author’s books in the stores.
Sincerely,
-Greg
Some other novels I have liked.....
Hmm, where to begin with a question. Well, recently I stumbled across The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Something about the character Kvothe drew me into the story like no other character ever has. I was shocked that nobody seems to be talking about him among my friends. Now they all are glad I brought him up.
The Inda series by Sherwood Smith is fantastic. She paints a broad tapestry of deception and betrayal, but unlike G. R.R. Martin, the betrayal does not seem to be added just to shock readers for no point. Also, I like how she weaves in new names for old things, such as king, prince, etc. The role women play is also fascinating.
Brandon Sanderson gets kudos for a very creative magical system, which I think was STOLEN by that new movie push haha. his novel Elantris is delightful. Can't wait to read A Memory of Light.
Oh, and i read the Joe Abercrombie series based on the strength of your review and found the novels to be excellent.
In my opinion this was one of the best books I've ever read. i thought the character development(especially in the second book) was amazing I personally liked the slang he created for his book. I also loved how well he wrote the fighting scenes. I can respect your opinion but I have to say I couldn't disagree more.
One of the the best books you've ever read, really? Just curious, what are some of your other favorites? Apparently you're not alone, because it seems like a lot of people share your opinion, on Amazon at least. So I was just wondering if I would share any favorites with others who are fans of this book.
A couple reason for my opinion:
No offense to Mr. Weeks, whoever edited this for him was sleeping on the job. There was one time a character is called the wrong name, a name that never appears in the book again, and a few other major mistakes, but I'll admit I was being nit-picky, which I wouldn't have been if I'd have liked the story better.
As to the slang, the only other time I've seen the term "wet" as in wet-boy used was in referance to modern day clandestine operations. And then it’s used to downplay assignations. "Wet-boy" in this story is used in just the opposite way. Instead of way of down-playing a killer, wet-boy is meant as exceptional, the best-of-the-best. I guess since I've always heard the term used in the opposite way, I couldn't get past it.
But even though it may not seem like, I do respect that you like this book. I don’t know a book out there that everyone is going to like and it would be pretty boring if that was the case. I readily admit my own tastes are probably a little off the beatin’-path. I’ve never claimed any qualification to judge a book other then my passion for the genre.