Candle in the Storm: The Shadowed Path Book 2 [Kindle Edition]

Morgan Howell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The malign shadow of the Devourer has darkened the land, extinguishing life and hope. The followers of the benevolent goddess Karm are hunted mercilessly and cut down by an army of bewitched slayers led by Lord Bahl, the Devourer’s flesh-and-blood incarnation. Only two people stand in the way of an apocalyptic bloodbath that will literally bring hell to earth: a man and a woman linked by a love as strong as it is unlikely–Honus, a grim-faced warrior dedicated to Karm, and Yim, a beautiful former slave with the divine power to stop Lord Bahl.

But that power will prove a terrible curse as Yim is called upon to make a costly sacrifice–a sacrifice that will not only put her love for Honus to the test but call into question her very faith. As the evil storm descends, can the flame of hope endure?


From the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Morgan Howell is the author of A Woman Worth Ten Coppers, the first book in the Shadowed Path trilogy, as well as the Queen of the Orcs trilogy: King’s Property, Clan Daughter, and Royal Destiny. A graduate of Oberlin College and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Howell lives in upstate New York.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 667 KB
• Print Length: 383 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 034550397X
• Publisher: Del Rey; Original edition (October 27, 2009)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002SME1LM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,867 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Writing fantasy is as fun as reading it. It's a heady business crafting worlds and filling them with complicated characters. But there's a serious side, too. The supernatural evokes what's primal. Destiny, the afterlife, and faith are all matters that fall outside the sphere of science yet are core to the human experience. My goal is to create compelling stories that leave readers with something to ponder.

I've written two fantasy trilogies, QUEEN OF THE ORCS and THE SHADOWED PATH. Women figure prominently in both because throughout history they have been at a disadvantage, possessing few rights and considered inferior to men. A heroine has more to overcome than a hero, and that makes her struggle more interesting. Neither do I write about privileged women. As one of my characters states, "princesses incline toward vanity and indolence." My heroines triumph the hard way, through their intelligence and courage.

Go to morganhowell.com to learn more about my books and me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I have never regretted reading a book before..., March 17, 2010

By 

Elizabeth - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Candle in the Storm: The Shadowed Path Book 2 (Kindle Edition)

I read the first of this trilogy, and while not great, I thought it had a lot of potential. But after reading this book, I literally regret having ever started this trilogy. Never before has a book made me so incredibly angry. The third book must surely have a happier ending, but the last 35% of this book was so depressing, disappointing, and down right INFURIATING, that I doubt I will ever try to read it and find out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hoping the next book will be better, June 27, 2010

By 

M "CultOfStrawberry" (I wait behind the wall, gnawing away at your reality) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Candle in the Storm: The Shadowed Path Book 2 (Mass Market Paperback)

After a promising start in the first book, I found myself disappointed with the second. This was mainly due to the parts with the Old Ones. To me, they did not fit in this story. Not that Old ones itself is a bad idea, but it felt like it didn't belong within this particular story. I found myself frustrated - just like Yim herself was! I found myself sympathizing with the poor girl as she tries to find answers to her questions and why she is suffering so much, though she does NOT come across as whiny. She has been through so much, and I kept hoping that by the end of this book she would have some promise for an happy life. I am sincerely hoping that the third book in this trilogy will be more definitive and conclusive than this one. I did enjoy seeing this book's connection with the previous trilogy this author wrote, however.

It was cool having mentions of Dar, though I found myself angry and annoyed with Cara. I know that the author gives his heroines hardships to make them seem stronger, but what happened to Dar's descendant just felt like overkill. I will read the third book if for no other reason than to complete Yim's story and find out what happens to her. Hopefully Mr. Howell will do better with the third book than this one.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the read., November 20, 2009

By 

TwoToneGreen (Seattle, Wa, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candle in the Storm: The Shadowed Path Book 2 (Mass Market Paperback)

Having followed Yim and Honus's journey in the first installment of The Shadowed Path books, A Woman Worth Ten Coppers, I'd been wondering for months if the second part of the journey would be as engrossing as the first. I was not disappointed. As you'd expect, Candle in the Storm builds on Ten Coppers' themes - and distills them into more defined villains and allies. The Book also links together all of Morgan Howell's books into one canonic universe without contrivance or recycling.

One of the best parts of this text is an increased focus on the villains of the story - including a delightfully evil new character, and considerably more examination of the Devourer's minions, goals, and history. With Karm's allies laid low at the end of the first book, a deeper look into the minds of the Devourer's armies, generals, and priests was expected - but they are presented well.

Obviously the relationship between Yim and Honus continues to be refined through the story - and we see at least one other member of Honus' order, learing more about the beleaguered situation of Karm's followers. Further exploration of the shadowed path itself binds the story together - providing key moments in Yim and Honus' interactions and key information about the devourer.

This is not to suggest that this book, which is a bridge between the first novel and the conclusion, is just more of the same or a deeper explanation of the themes of the first book. There are some VERY unexpected twists and turns here - don't assume you know what Yim's destiny is.

There are only two real criticisms - one is a literary device that was necessary for the story and while I didn't love it, it was more than made up for by the rest of the novel. The other is the cover, which doesn't really fit with the book, and which isn't for shying violets. I read this book, in part, while taking the train to and from work - it's a bit too "romance novel."

I've now read all five of Morgan Howell's books and in each case I didn't want to put them down. You won't be disappointed.