Customer Reviews

Kingdom of Shadow (Diablo #3)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Kingdom of Shadow was an excellent book. It combined action with adventure. The only problem with it was that I had to compare it to Legacy of Blood and The Black Road while I was reading it. Every fan of Diablo needs to read this book. It delves deeply into the roles of the many types of people in the world of Diablo and also greatly reveals the tretchery of Diablo himself. While Legacy of Blood is the most graphic of the stories it contains an original plot that uses an element from the game (the concept of Bartuc), which somewhat left me disappointed because I like to figure things out. Mel Odom made The Black Road a completely different adventure than I could have ever thought was possible. He took the realm of Diablo and added in the most personal characters and the most involving story I have ever read. But in Kingdom of Shadow Knaak comes back with a new and original story. It is a romance with terror and action. A great read for all people. Read them all, you will be happy.

Though this is the 3rd of the Diablo series, it's not considered a trilogy or anything. The story happens to be in the Diablo universe. The story takes place around the regions of Kurast. It follows a groups adventurers in search of treasure. Specifically the holy city of Ureh which is supposed to have disappeared from this realm as they were making their journey to Heaven. Now, it's back and of course, things are not as they seem. You will have to read to find out what exactly happens.
I have read the 1st Diablo book and I believe this one is a little more darker, like a horror novel. Knaak's character portrayal is perfect enough for you to care for them even if you don't know much about them. It definitely throws you into the diablo universe and if you are a diablo gamer, you want to go back and play some more.
Richard Knaak has definitely become one of my favorite writers and I'm glad he's involved with Blizzard in writing books on their various universes. I highly recommend reading this one, especially at night!!!! hehe

I have not found many page-turner books, but Richard A. Knaak has done a fantastic job with this work by leading the reader along with a good fantasy story...and just when things start to slow down, he throws in a twist, and element of curiosity, mystery, or surprise to keep the reader guessing what really is going on with the Kingdom of Shadow? This book relates more back to some of his earlier works like the Dutchman or The Janus Mask where the plot goes through some interesting twists. What you were sure you understood at one point is turned on its head 100 pages later, and then spun about even more later on.

Most of Knaak's most creative works have been set in his own realms of imagination (Dragonlance, or the Chicago-based novels like King of the Grey or Dutchman), but he has done an admirable job in incorporating various elements of the Diablo world (such as Necromancy spells) while spinning a wonderful tale.

Origin aside, anyone looking for a good fantasy/adventure with very likeable characters, a dash of comedy, and an unusual plot twist, look no further. Some of Knaak's finest work, this story is well worth the read. If you haven't played any of the game(s) don't fret, the story and characters are unrelated, albeit anyone who has played the games will find it even more enjoyable.

Diablo: Kingdom of Shadow (Book 3)
By: Richard A Knaak

I liked this book a lot more than I did the second one. This one hid the "evil" part of the story until really late in the book, I mean, there wre evil parts to it, but unlike the first two in which the real evil parts of the story come into play really early, this one kind of built up the suspense with a couple of small evil events that took place.

In this story, a group of mercenaries and a Vizjeri sorcerer are one a quest to find an ancient city that appears only every now and then. It is in this hope that the merc's hope to get rich in jewles and the sorcerer rich in knowledge from the ancient holy city. That's all I'm gonna say though because if I say too much it'l give away the story.

I'm giving this book a 10/10, especially since they brought the necromancers back into play, they are my absolute favorite character in the Diablo series.

Richard does a quick job of bringing us into the characters world through actions. The world of Diablo gets a little bit of exploration through various character snippets that include not only how mercenaries live, but also how vizers and necromancers are viewed. The material is straight ouf of sword and sorcerery with the exploration of a lost city and the seeking of the truth as to how the city became lost in the first place and what has actually happened to its inhabitants. A fast read, Kingdom of Shadow is worth the purusal for Diablo fans, as well as role players looking for some light fiction.

Compared to the black road and legacy of blood, its not as good, but still a great read and worth it. I'd give it 3 stars but humbart was alone worth 1 star. I freaking love that skull. He makes the funniest comments. Cant wait for moon of the spider!

If you're like me you see Richard Knaak and pretty much assume you're going to enjoy the book, regardless of the setting. This was probably the worst book of his I've read, which is to say it was still pretty good. The spells were interesting, the characters were reasonably well developed, the plot was fairly well crafted, but nothing really jumped out and grabbed me like his books usually do.

Overall I'd say it's worth a read if you enjoy the Diablo setting, or you see it used for about 4-5 bucks grab it.

I haven't read this in a long time but I remember loving this book.

Go Zayl! (At least I think he returned in this book).

The story begins with a band of mercenaries trudging through a deadly swamp on a quest to find a lost city full of treasure. The band was hired by a powerful mage who knows how to unlock the city's secrets. Once they find the cursed city, they must battle an ancient evil to free it's inhabitants.

The characters are good.
The action is very good.
The suspense is great.
The pacing is excellent.

Knaak does an outstanding job at weaving in and out of the story arcs. The book is paced well and a really fun read.
(TV Reference: It's paced like one of the early seasons of 24 or Prison Break.)

This book has nothing to do with the other books in the Diablo Series, so you don't have to read them to understand what's going on in this book. You also don't even need to play Diablo. It's a great stand alone adventure that will keep you frantically turning pages until the end.
(Then you're sad because there's no more book to read.)

Read this book if:
You want an exciting fantasy adventure with some horror elements.
If 'mercenaries and mages battling ghouls' excites you.
If you're a huge fan of the Diablo universe.
If you like plot twists and turns.

Avoid this book if:
You like literature, prose, and 'big words.'