Customer Reviews

Shadow's Son

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"A killer stalked the shadows."

-first line from Shadow's Son

That first line is very telling about this solid story, which unfolds in Jon Sprunk's debut, Shadow's Son. The city of Othir is the center for nefarious political and not so political dealings. Caim has made a name for himself in Othir as the go-to man for assassination. He is given a job that looks to be a simple sneak and stab turns into anything, but as Caim is thrust into the middle of a deep plot to change the political structure of the region.

Josey a rich, spoiled heiress is dragged into these dealings far too quickly for someone of her pampered upbringing. Caim is often accompanied by Kit a rambunctious and quick-witted entity with no physical presence who can only be seen and heard by Caim. Think of Kit as Caim's as to Harry Dresden's Bob the Skull only a much more loose lipped, freewheeling fairy godmother who is scantily clad. Kit is the jealous type and is quick to runaway whenever the mood strikes.

Wonderful fight sequences is what you expect out of a Swords & Sorcery novel and Sprunk more than delivers on that front as Caim swirls out of the darkness and into the hearts of his enemies. In many ways Shadow's Son isn't a very new plot as we have damsels in distress, cold-blooded assassins, and a political situation ripe for the toppling. Yet Shadow's Son revels in the tropes of Swords and Sorcery keeping it an engrossing, page turner. If you are a reader just after a fun story Shadow's Son is a pleasure. Caim is certainly a likable, albeit closed off, character who rolls with the punches. Caim has unusual powers involving pulling shadows around him. There appears to be more to them, but their extent is still unknown as Caim has pushed himself away from them most of his life.

Josey was at first playing the damsel role to the utmost and falling a bit flat what with her prissy and sheltered nature, but I was surprised in the last third how quickly I grew to care for her. Sprunk does have a habit of being too quick to kill off some characters as he probably could have gotten a bit more out of them, buts he gets to the heart of the matter quickly and effectively. Where Shadow's Son excels is in the area of baddies. Ral is Caim's nemesis of sorts. Both are assassins. Only while Caim does it because he is good and it is a living, Ral revels in his deeds to fuel the lifestyle he was born into and frittered away, who seems to love to spread his sense of entitlement around. Caim's other foe Leviticus is quite impressive as he bleeds through the world with strange and impressive powers. I could have definitely used a few more fight scenes with Leviticus, but Sprunk is clearly holding that for later in the series.

Shadow's Son had me up late at night as nearly every chapter ended in climax after climax of tight action sequences to see how Caim will get out of the next scrape. Fans of Brent Weeks and Brandon Sanderson will certainly find plenty to like here, but in a much smaller package as it is less than 300 pages. I give Shadow's Son 7.5 out of 10 hats. Even though this is the first in a trilogy Sprunk does an admirable job at having a clear culmination to most of what he started while leaving plenty left open for the next volumes as things escalate. Sprunk shows loads of promise as he hones his craft. The sequel in this trilogy, Shadow's Lure, will most likely be out sometime next summer, which will delve further into Caim's origins and mysterious powers. Hopefully we'll get more Kit as well because she was missed by me during most of the middle.

Assassins seem to be becoming the dominant figures in epic fantasy these days. While they don't yet have a stranglehold over the subgenre the way vampires do in the paranormal romance sector, they certainly appear to be in the ascendency. Brent Weeks' popular Night Angel trilogy arguably started the recent trend, which has been carried on by new authors Col Buchanan, in his debut novel Farlander, and now US debutant Jon Sprunk in his novel Shadow's Son.

The novel's protagonist is Caim, a freelance assassin working out of the city of Othir. After one particular assignment goes wrong, Caim realises he's been set up - and the only person who might be able to offer an explanation as to who is behind it all is the daughter of the man he was meant to kill. Unfortunately for Caim, this unknown enemy also want to get their hands on the daughter - Josie - for their own sinister reasons. Before long, Caim finds himself embroiled in a sinister game of conspiracy, with Othir's future as the stakes. If he is to stand any chance of survival, Caim is going to have to look inside himself and unleash the darkness that he has been holding back all these years...

The greatest asset of Shadow's Son is the sheer pace at which the story unfolds. The story rips along at speed, aided by short chapters and a pleasing lack of unnecessary detail or exposition. Furthermore, the plot is crafted well and enough hints are dropped throughout to keep the reader guessing, with the pay-off coming further down the line as various revelations come to light. Sprunk also manages to engineer one or two twists that keep things interesting.

The other elements of the novel are much more of a mixed bag.

Caim is a solid protagonist and - despite his profession - is easy to empathise with. His motivations are believable and partly drive both the plot and his personal development, while his background - and unnerving ability to control shadows - creates an air of mystery about him. His companion Kit - an ethereal, spirit-like young woman - is another intriguing figure, at least in terms of what her possible origins are.

Josie on the other hand, is a walking stereotype - a whinging adolescent who quickly grows up and matures into a headstrong, independent young woman over the space of a couple of weeks. Needless to say she's also beautiful, and the way her relationship develops with Caim can be seen coming from a mile off. While generally this relationship is handled well, there are unrealistic moments (such as when she and Caim are falling from a pier towards the sea, yet Josie is strangely preoccupied with marveling at how taught Caim's muscles are beneath his clothes).

The rest of the characterisation is uneven: Levictus is a brooding, sinister menace, though his backstory is a little rushed and would have benefited from more exploration to fully flesh his motives out. In truth, this is true of many of the major players in the novel: Ral and Vassili are defined well enough, but lack sufficient depth to truly explain their motives and smooth their rough edges. They're engaging enough, just a little superficial at times. The worst culprit though is Markus, who rarely rises above the level of pantomime villain.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the characterisation though is the lack of strong female characters, with the arguable exception of Kit. Josie is little more than a damsel in (very frequent) distress and constantly requires rescuing, while the rest of the females in the novel are either tavern 'wenches' (a terribly clichéd word that I would be happy never to see used again) or prostitutes. I suppose you could argue that this merely reflects the male-dominated nature of Sprunk's world, though personally I prefer to see some strong females challenging such gender conventions.

Speaking of Sprunk's world, it's portrayed well enough but ultimately it's nothing you've not seen before numerous times. It's a feudal medieval world, with all the usual trappings. While not inherently a problem - and to be fair it serves its purpose - it nonetheless lacks the depth you find from those of other authors working in the genre. Sprunk does deserve credit though for placing the focus firmly on the story and characters, and not the world (which is the way it should be).

Sprunk's prose, on the whole, is a positive point: while he won't be winning plaudits for style, his writing is sharp and flows well. As mentioned above, he doesn't allow unnecessary details to bog down his narrative, and he handles exposition well. The only flaw in his prose is his insistence on using similes in his descriptive writing - this is a reliance Sprunk needs to overcome in future books, mainly because many of the similes he uses in Shadow's Son simply aren't that good, and add nothing to the descriptive quality of his prose.

Other details niggle as well. The surfacing of a major cliché halfway through the book isn't particularly welcome, Kit seems to vanish on a whim when it suits the plot and for no other discernible purpose, while the book's climax is marred by over-dramatic dialogue and an encroaching sense of predictability. The ascendency of one character to a position of power, despite apparently having no evidence at all to support their right to that position, was also rather hard to swallow.

Verdict: Shadow's Son undoubtedly has its flaws, namely its uneven characterisation, a reliance on cliché and stereotype, and a rather generic world. Yet its story is constructed well (save for perhaps the predictable final act) and unfolds at great pace, with plenty of action and intrigue along the way. Caim is a decent protagonist, and his development and relationship with Josie are handled well. A flawed novel then, but a reasonably entertaining one. Hopefully the next instalment in the trilogy will tread less familiar ground.

In my own private world the assassin with a heart of gold is almost as big a cliche as the similarly-inclined whore, and perhaps even more annoying than the poor wench. I have never been able to understand some people's infatuation with ruthless killers that end up saving the day while being very mean and bad-ass about it. Somehow it always rings false to me. However, I have a soft spot for newcomers, and so I decided to acquaint myself with Jon Sprunk and his debut novel, Shadow's Son.

Caim is an assassin with an appropriately tortured past, plying his trade in the corrupt city of Othir - capital of the Nemean Empire, ruled by the Church of the True Faith, after a coup that disposed of the last Emperor seventeen years ago. When a routinely-looking job goes wrong, and people begin to die left and right (that is, without Caim's help), he becomes entangled in the intrigues and ambitions of the nobility and the Church. His only allies are Kit - a mysterious spirit woman that only he could see and hear, who has been his companion since early childhood - and Josephine, daughter of his last target. Now the assassin has to fight not only for his life, but also for the girl he has been tied to, and the city he secretly loves. But to stay alive, Caim might be forced to call upon a power hidden deep inside him - one that he has spent his entire life trying to deny. The power of shadows.

Shadow's Son is a fast-paced action ride. Like most assassin fantasy novels out there, it could easily be put under the Young Adult flag, if it wasn't for the blood, gore and violence factor. The characters are clich... archetypes, their motivations simple and clearly stated in POVs and dalogues. The story is straightforward, and even though the plot is intrigues-ridden, it all really boils down to who is going to murder whom first. Sprunk's style of writing drags a little at the beginning, but the book soon finds its stride and becomes engrossing page-turner. The action scenes (mostly duels with swords and knives) are good, even if they couldn't compare to Scott Bakker's flowing descriptions or David Gemmell's dynamic sequences. However, as someone who has had the dubious honor of translating Richard A. Knaak' s game tie-ins in another language, I think I am qualified enough to say that Jon Sprunk's fighting scenes are among the more successful in the genre.

Where he fails though, is the world-building and history of his world. Although only a part of a series, Shadow's Son should have been able to give way more flesh to the setting, and to some recent events. We get no real feeling of the Empire, and even though certain on-going wars and exotic neighbors are mentioned, they never appear a second time and the reader is left hanging. Even Othir herself gives the impression of being comprised of one poor street, one rich street, a half-finished cathedral, an Evil Castle and Another Evil Castle. Nothing like the fleshed-out Luthadel from Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn, or Scott Lynch's Camorr from The Lies of Locke Lamora. The real threat to the Empire is also just vaguely shown - the supernatural Shadow and its servants from the Other Side seem really interesting - but I guess it will play a bigger role in next installments. Then we have the Evil Chirch of Evil, which oppresses everyone and is at the root of all the characters' dramas EVER, but we never learn anything about the regime it replaces (supposedly it wasn't better), or even what the Chirch's dogmas are, beside the fact that it is pseudo-Christian and very corrupt. And we really should have more information, considering how crucial it is to the plot.

In the end, those are not book-ruiners though. True, Shadow's Son lacks depth of world and history, but it more than compensates with non-stop action and an Evil Conspiracy plot (if a bit simplistic one) of the type that makes you devour every page until you reach the inevitable convergence. I have to admit that Jon Sprunk's fascination with sodomy struck me as curiously morbid (or, as Kruppe would suggest, morbidly curious) - as I consider it a really strange city guard, whose members' first instinct when they catch an adolescent thief is to try and rape him - but that is not a book-ruiner either.

What ruined the book for me, was one scene toward the end, where Sprunk crossed the border between violent-but-simple-and-entertaining-assassin-fantasy, and unsettlingly-disgusting-and-"gritty"-showing-the-ugliness-of-the-world. I'm talking full on Terry Goodkind disgusting. I won't spoil the "fun" for anyone. Suffice to say I don't consider myself a prude, and in the right book this kind of development would be perfectly fine with me. Shadow's Son just isn't the right book for it. And I simply didn't like it as much after this scene.

That said, Jon Sprunk's first novel is engaging and light read, and one that leaves you wanting more. I don't expect that Shadow's Son will be among the best debuts I've read this year, but I will definitely read the sequel, when it's out. The author has undeniable potential, and if he develops his world and gives it a few historical layers - and if he could also refrain from gratuitous "grittiness" - this could turn out to be a truly great series.

7/10

P.S. There is a whore with a heart of gold in Shadow's Son. True story.

[...]

When I originally read the blurb of this novel, Shadow's Son was immediately relegated to the piles of books I donate to local libraries. Indeed, it felt as though I had read such books a thousand times. But when two trusted reviewers both came up with positive reviews, I retrieved it and decided to bring it along with me on vacation.

Here's the blurb:

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...

Not surprisingly, based on the cover blurb we quickly realize that Sprunk doesn't bring anything new to the table. Indeed, there is nothing very original associated with this tale, and it is predictable to boot. Yet the quality of the narrative's execution turns Shadow's Son into a very entertaining read.

The traditional tropes are all present, but somehow it doesn't take too much away from the overall story. Thanks to Jon Sprunk's writing style, a fast-paced yet evocative narrative that keeps you turning those pages, even though the story is clichéd somehow you keep going. Sure, if I were to break the plot down some of you would feel the need to roll your eyes. We have the antihero assassin who doesn't like killing. The damsel in distress who's an annoying brat and only seems good enough to get herself kidnapped time and again. A main protagonist of unknown parentage with strange powers. Secret societies and a corrupted church. Yada yada yada. . .

But like a talented fusion cuisine chef, Sprunk manages to take all those beaten to death ingredients, mix them up, and come up with a compelling recipe. Mind you, Shadow's Son will not change your life. But if you are looking for an action-packed and entertaining fantasy read to bring along with you on vacation, then this just might be what the doctor ordered.

The worldbuilding is the habitual medieval European setting. Nothing special in and of itself, yet Sprunk is nevertheless able to create an imagery that makes Othir come to life. His economical narrative is not bogged down by info dumps, and he manages to convey more in a few sentences than many authors do with a few paragraphs.

Shadow's Son is pretty much a self-contained story, which I reckon is why the novel is so short. Still, we catch a few glimpses of a wider story arc, something that promises to be vaster in depth and scope. I can only hope that the forthcoming sequels will tell us more about the Lords of Shadow, the war in the north, the rise of the Church, etc.

The characterization is at times well-done, but there are quite a few occasions when I couldn't help but grit my teeth in frustration. There are a couple of scenes, especially those involving Josephine, that will get on your nerves. In addition, there were quite a few instances when things felt way too contrived to be realistic. But overall, the plot moves along at a crisp pace. Caim's characterization is also uneven from time to time. Brilliant in some portions of the tale, but a bit corny when the inevitable love story unfolds. The supporting cast, however, is made up of mostly clichéd and somewhat forgettable characters. With the exception of Kit, a faerie spirit that is Caim's only companion.

With this being as assassin's story, as a matter of course there are a lot of battle scenes. But unlike R. A. Salvatore, whose books are filled with choregraphed fights, Sprung is a good storyteller. And other than the final battle scene, I never felt that the action was getting in the way of the story.

The ending, sadly, is a bit predictable and corny. But by this point, the rousing tale has kept you entertained enough that it doesn't matter a whole lot. It will be interesting to see if Jon Sprunk will be able to maintain this level of excitement while using the genre's most basic and overdone tropes in the coming sequels.

Shadow's Son may not be the most original fantasy work out there, yet it is an action-packed and fun read. I'd compare it to one of Hollywood's huge summer blockbuster. They never win any Oscars, but they scratch that itch when you need to get your fix.

Looking for something light yet compelling to bring along on vacation? Jon Sprunk's Shadow's Son should do the trick!

Shadow's Son I read this novel while on vacation. It was a concise story with lots of action and a well developed plot. The characters were believable and likeable despite the main character being an assassin for hire. As the story unfolds, Caim, Josie, and Kit develop and take on a life of their own. Jon Sprunk has a talent for describing a scene in a way that makes you feel as if you were right there in the middle of the action. I would definitely recomend this to anyone who likes this genre. I am eagerly awaitng the sequel!

Jon Sprunk has written a fast paced, action packed thriller which has appealing qualities that transcend it's genre. Anybody who is interested in romance, heroism, and/or political intrigue, will be enthralled by this book, the first in what promises to be a noteworthy and successful series.

This is not exactly a political book, but it does touch upon the issue of separating church from state. He uses a fictitious religion in what seems to be a lampooning of the contemporary Christian political movement in the United States.

Although politics and religion are touchy subjects, I do maintain that this book is written in such a way that anybody can appreciate, regardless of where the reader stands. I highly recommend it for everyone.

I have to say that I really did enjoy this novel. The characters are pretty believable for the most part. The action is real, the danger is tangible. There's a good bit of mystery going on...and the novel leaves plenty of storyline available to the proposed sequel. This book does have its own tidy and satisfying ending. My only complaint is that it's a bit on the dark side. It's graphic in its portrayal of the hacking and dismembering that goes on. And that kind of wears on you after a while. It's not a happy book...and doesn't lift your spirits much.

I have to give the author a good bit of credit for coming up with his own unique brand of magic. It's different and well inlaid into the story. The writing is very well done as well. Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others to read.

This is a good old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery tale that doesn't pretend to be anything else, which is why it works. Although the underlying political scheming that drives the plot is pretty standard fare, Sprunk plays to his strengths and digs into the action sequences, which are engaging and well-written. Josey, the heroine, starts out as a somewhat spoiled Daddy's girl, but actually develops into a strong, sympathetic character, although her incredible ability to endure what she's put through seems a shade unrealistic. Caim, the protagonist, is equally likable, although his past -- as tragic as you'd expect -- is only partially touched upon in this book, setting up for a sequel. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable, guilty-pleasure sort of read.

Caim is an assassin by trade and one of the best in the decaying imperial city of Othir. When he takes a job to kill a noble he finds the job already done when he get there and surprising himself he rescues the victim's daughter Josephine. This one uncharacteristic act will find him the most wanted man in a city on the brink of revolution.

I found I really enjoyed this novel. It's a quick read and the author has clean, unfussy style. It's stronger on characters than it is on world-building and if you are after a densely built world or complex plots then I think this novel will disappoint you. However, if you are after a fantasy read with characters you will like (as long as you suspend your disbelief) you will probably enjoy this. I know I will be looking out for book 2 in this series when it is published as I want to see where Caim ends up after these adventures. If you enjoyed The Way of Shadows (The Night Angel Trilogy) you might enjoy this book as well.

This book just found it's way into my rather short list of all-time favourites. But if that's not enough for you, I guess I could explain why:

My favourite kind of book is the one which - from the moment the first word scores itself across your retina, to the moment the last settles satisfyingly into your hind-brain - is nigh-on impossible to put down. From the satisfying rustle of the first page to the slap of the back cover Jon Sprunk had me sucked into his world and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Shadow's Son flows brilliantly; Sprunk paints a vivid and dark world with all your recommended daily allowance of plot, intrigue and mystery. The city of Othir unfolds gradually, giving you hints here and there to keep you on the edge of your seat, my kind've ride.

Possibly the most important feature of the writing, for me, is that it never got overwhelming - all aspects seemed to be in perfect balance - and I didn't twig on any major inconsistencies. This meant there was not a single moment where I found myself brought jarringly outside of the prose to think about /it/ rather than the writing. Also the lack of stereotype-flogging in a book with an assassin protagonist? Huge win.

While I originally feared the medium page-count would lead to a poorer tale, I could not have been more wrong. What the author does with just shy of 280 pages, there are many who struggle to achieve in a whole series. An enthralling tale, successful as both the introduction to his series and a stand-alone book - I will certainly be scouring the shelves for whatever the good Mister Sprunk dreams up next.