Shadows Past: A Borderlands Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

Lorna Freeman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Borderlands | Publication Date: February 2, 2010

The bestselling Borderlands saga continues

Rabbit is struggling to make sense of his new powers and his new position as King Jusson's heir when a man once scorned by his mother comes seeking retribution-and demands that Rabbit marry his daughter...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In the third Borderlands novel, Rabbit, now a royal army officer, journeyman mage, and the king’s heir, meets a new complication. King Jusson has just put down a sorcerous rebellion when he receives an offer of marriage for Rabbit. Lord Idwal of Mearden, once jilted by Rabbit’s mother, wants Rabbit to marry his daughter. The royal party goes to Mearden, where conspiracy, attempted assassinations, secrets from at least five families’ pasts, clandestine revenge, and some exceedingly cunning women keep the action lively. It’s nice to have read Covenants (2004) and The King’s Own (2006) beforehand, though not necessary to quite enjoy this fun fantasy adventure. --Frieda Murray

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Roc; Original edition (February 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451463226
• ISBN-13: 978-0451463227
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Though born back east, I was raised in Southern California. Sometimes I have fantasies of living where there are actually four seasons, but then I remember that snow is frozen water and therefore incredibly cold. While I've been writing most of my life, COVENANTS is my first published work. In addition to THE KING'S OWN, there are at least two more books planned for this universe, SHADOWS PAST and THE RECKONING FLAMES.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth the wait (no spoilers here), February 2, 2010

By 

D. Politis "A book is good company" (IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadows Past: A Borderlands Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

If you loved the first two books, you will love Shadows Past. We learn more about why Rabbit's parents fled to the country and about Captain Suiden's past in Tural. Also more about King Jusson's early life. There are nuggets of humor sprinkled throughout the book. The action is well written and there is plenty of it. There are new characters to wonder about. And as usual trouble always seems to find Rabbit through no fault of his own. I was happily shocked by the explanation of the events going on. I didn't see it coming but it made perfect sense. I could not put this book down. I only hope we don't have to wait as long as we did between The King's Own and Shadows Past for #4, The Reckoning Flames. Buy this book and be prepared to pull an all nighter. I sure did.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, The Third Book!, February 5, 2010

By 

RKam (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadows Past: A Borderlands Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed the third story, "Shadows Past," in the series, which takes up directly after the events of Book 2. I didn't re-read the second book before starting the third, but Ms. Freeman did an excellent job of inserting refresher bits and pieces from the previous story to jog the readers' memory. If you are new to the series, you really have to start with the first Borderlands novel, "Covenants," then read the second book, "The King's Own," in order to fully appreciate the world Ms. Freeman has created and the vibrant characters living within it. In the third book, you learn more about the Borderlands world and many new, important characters are introduced. While not precisely a cliff-hanger ending, it is clear that there is a great deal more to be told as the story continues to unfold. My understanding from Ms. Freeman's website is that she is currently at work on Book 4 called "The Reckoning Flame" and that Rabbit is finally growing up from the naive boy he has been. I am sincerely hoping that Book 4 will not be delayed by the publisher like they did to "Shadow's Past."

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great., February 3, 2010

By 

Miznettie "Miz Nettie" (Alabaster, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadows Past: A Borderlands Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

Not as good as the first book in the series and unfortunately, not as good as the second book either. A few typos and grammar problems, but that seems to be plaguing many writers these days. My biggest complaints are the shallowness of the new characters and the total changes in the personalities of some of the older characters. Yes, I realize that the events of the second book were quite traumatic, but I can't help thinking that the characters of the first and second books should have fared a little better. And perhaps one in particular improved a little too much.

There was an overall lack of depth to this book which made the writer's 'formula style' a little too obvious and at times the writing even feels forced. While Rabbit was still the main focus, we did not seem as privy to his emotions and thoughts as in the first books. And while much family history was revealed, there were just as many new questions left unanswered.

If you read the first two books and enjoyed them then by all means, read this one as well. But while the first book was absolutely phenomenal in both the style of writing and the originality and depth of the characters; this third book is merely an OK read.