Review: Shadow’s Master – Jon Sprunk

The northern wastes… 

A land of death and shadow where only the strongest survive. Yet that is where Caim must go to follow the mystery at the heart of his life. Armed only with his knives and his companions, he plunges into a world of eternal night where the sun is never seen and every hand is turned against him. 

Caim has buried his father’s sword and found some measure of peace, but deep in the north an unfathomable power lays waiting. To succeed on this mission, Caim will have to more than just survive. He must face the Shadow’s Master.

Series: Shadow Saga #3, Genre: Fantasy, Pages: 390, Published: March 2012, Publisher: PYR, Source: For review

My thoughts:

The end of this saga, and I do like that fact because a trilogy can be so good. Only 3 books and an ending close by. At the same time it’s really sad, because it’s only 3 books.

At the beginning of this book Caim is heading north, into unknown territory and everywhere there is danger, eternal darkness and the cold. With him he has 3 men. One who does not talk much, and two who only want wenches. Will he find his mother is the question, the Shadow’s Master? And how on earth will he survive? because of these questions I am on the edge of my seat all the way through the book.

Caim is a favorite as always, yes I do have a soft spot for assassins. He does not say much, he has freaky shadows dancing around him and he is so good with weapons. And he comes with a fae woman who dances around him too, jumping in and out of his life. Who could not like Kit? And especially now when she has gone and fallen for him and they do make sense.

But this book is not only about Caim, we also see Empress Josey again who is trying to keep invaders out of her country. And the question here is also, Caim and her, over? Can both move on?

I am stuck again, this always happens when I enjoy a book, and when it’s the last book. Because what more can I say? I liked the series, it was surprising at times, it was exciting, it was dark, and it was light. It had good baddies and they sure came from an interesting world. This last part was just as good as the previous books and it’s with sadness I say goodbye. But it’s also with a smile I end this series because not all managed to go out on top.

Conclusion:

It’s a good fantasy series and I recommend it. It also has this easy way over it that makes it fun to read, a fast read and you’ll enjoy every bit. With that I can only say, please write more Jon Sprunk 🙂 

Cover:

I like men in hoods 😉

Review: Shadow’s Lure – Jon Sprunk

Series: Shadow Saga 2
Genre: fantasy
Pages: 391
Published: June 21st 2011 PYR

There are some things a son of the Shadow cannot ignore, and some fights from which he can’t run. In this battle, all of Caim’s strength and skill won’t be enough. For none can resist the Shadow’s Lure . . .

My thoughts:

I know I have been raving over a lot of fantasy books lately but who could blame me, it is the best genre in the whole world, and when I love I love.

This is then book two and Caim has left the city to go and search for clues about his past. Why was his father and everyone else killed? Is his mother alive and who took her? So he goes north, a land troubled by shadows and strife and he will learn more about why he can command shadows. The book is also about Josey who is now empress and has a lot to deal with, for example the church who calls her a usurper whore. Those bastards. Down with the church! She is also missing Caim. I will take any hint of romance I can.

Caim and his shadows, in this book we get to see him even darker. He is a hero, but he is a dark murderous hero and I love him. Because that goodness in him is the best. In this book he again protects those who need it and join in to fight those who try to damn the north with dark magic and blood. And of course his sidekick, Kit, the strange fairy always brings something to the table. Humour and fun. Josey then, well she struggles with her new power, misses Caim and makes me wonder if these two will have a HEA. After book 1 I let that thought fade, only to pick it up again in this book and then leave it again. An assassin and an empress, sadly very unlikely but I shall not say more because lots will happen.

The book is filled with fights, action, dark magic, plots to take power and an intensity that makes me read fast to get all the information at once. There is darkness, but still the book does not feel dark. People get hurt, people die, that’s life.

I liked book 1, I liked book 2 even more. They keep on getting better and I can’t wait to read book 3 and see what happens. He has a way of taking you along for the ride and you will forget about other things. There is only this book and you.

Conclusion:

Awesome! Good fantasy makes me smile and become all giddy inside. I want book 3 at once, sadly I must wait. But in the mean time I will recommend this series to you all. It is great fantasy and when you start you will not want to put it down.

Rating:

Recommended

Cover:

yay hood, lol

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First my flash fiction for this week

And then I would like to thank Anachronist from Books as portable pieces of thought who made me this beautiful green necklace and sent it to me 😀 you’re the best!

The Pink one I won from Lori Brighton 
😀

Review: Shadow’s Son – Jon Sprunk + I am being interviewed ->

Series: Shadow Saga 1
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 280
Published: 2010

In the holy city of Othir, treachery and corruption lurk at the end of every street, just the place for a freelance assassin with no loyalties and few scruples.

Caim makes his living on the edge of a blade, but when a routine job goes south, he is thrust into the middle of an insidious plot. Pitted against crooked lawmen, rival killers, and sorcery from the Other Side, his only allies are Josephine, the socialite daughter of his last victim, and Kit, a guardian spirit no one else can see. But in this fight for his life, Caim only trusts his knives and his instincts, but they won’t be enough when his quest for justice leads him from Othir’s hazardous back alleys to its shining corridors of power. To unmask a conspiracy at the heart of the empire, he must claim his birthright as the Shadow’s Son . . .

My thoughts:

This was the start to a new fantasy series and I was soon caught up in the intrigues. I even wanted to look at the end, but I managed to keep myself in check. But I tell you, it was hard!

Caim is an assassin. Yes he kills for money and he does not have a problem with it. Up until he saves a young woman who thinks he killed her father. Poor Caim is in the middle of a big plot and everyone is gunning for him. What can I say, I have a weak spot for thieves and assassins in fantasy books. And Caim is a good man when it comes down to it. He is just driven by revenge and he has lived a harsh life. Of course I liked him at once.

Other characters are Josey, the daughter of a murdered nobleman and Caim’s friend Kit who no one else can see and who hovers around like a ghost. She was a bit of a comedic relief in a way as they bickered. Then we have the bad guys and I will not say more other than the bad guys are really evil. And I want to go and kick some ass. *gives the bad guys the evil eye*

Intrigues, I liked that. What was going on? Who wanted who dead? And then when I knew the plot, could Josey and Caim get out of it alive? It came to the point where I no longer could put the book down.

It did not end with a cliffhanger but with a nice enough ending and yes with questions. Like the shadows he can command.

Conclusion:
A good solid start to this series. I will read book 2, and I am very glad that I have book 2 ready since I want more. 

Rating:

Recommended

Cover:

Nice, I like hoods, lol 

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Simcha over at SFF Chat is celebrating her blogaversary and I am being interviewed 😀 So come on over and say hello (she got a contest too in another post 😉 And she is so nice and has excellent taste in books 

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