Customer Reviews

Shadow's Witness (Forgotten Realms: Sembia series, Book 2)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A few things. If you haven't read Cale's prequel story in Halls of Stormweather, you should do so first. It adds depth to the conflicts in this book. Also, be advised that this book has a fair amount of violence in it, but it works very well to highlight the evilness of the villains, and the terrible world Cale is stuck in. ON to the reveiw.

This book picks up where Halls left off and further explores the conflicts in Cale's life, his relationship with Jak Fleet, his secret past, etc. And in addition, another layer of inner conflict is added in this novel, but I won't spoil that for you by writing about it.

The novel starts out dark and intense, keeps up throughout, and ends in a very satisfying way (but still leaves plenty open for sequels). Cale's guildmaster, the Rightous Man, has a summoning go awry in his efforts to destroy a rival, and all Hell breaks loose in Selgaunt. When Cale and the family he loves are directly effected, he takes action and the novel takes off like a bullet. I read this whole thing in one sitting. In the process of facing external demons, Cale also must face his internal demons. He does, and the tale is well told.

IMO, Cale is one of the best characters to come along in FR books for a long time. If you want a wild ride, have a read.

Shadow's Witness was a wonderfully dark, and entertaining novel, and I can give it 2 big thumbs up!! The novel takes place shortly after the first book in the Sembia series, Halls Of Stormweather, and as it has been said before. You should go read that one first. Erevis Cale the mysterious, and ever loyal butler is up to his doublet in demonic trouble, and only Jak Fleet veteran thief, and cleric is able to assist him. The book is rich with intrigue, and I was enthralled with Kemp's characters, and vibrant story telling ability. Kemp's characater of Cale is the perfect blend of tortured soul, and anti-hero. We know what he is capable of, but still would trust him with our lives. I hope to see much more of Kemp's work, and much more of Erevis Cale!!

Shadow's Witness just arrived today. Approximately 12:30. It's now 4:13 and i'm done with it. I just devour novels.

I am impressed. Kemp is quickly becoming one of the best authors the Realms has, and I want to see what he could do out of the Realms.

This novel follows about 3 characters continually, and 5 total. (One for only a chapter. another for only part of a chapter). It, of course, mostly follows Erevis Cale, the butler for the Uskevren (Too Bold to Hide) family, and spy for the Night Knives. It also follows Jak Fleet. Priest of Brandobaris and Harper. and also Drasek Riven. Lt for the Night Knives, and high-up thief/assassin for the Zhentarim.

Drasek Riven is written to be a character of unbridled ambition, and loyalty to almost none but himself. I say almost cause he seems to be loyal to the Zhents as an organization, if not his bosses. Throughout the entire book he has been conveyed this way, and unlike in Halls of Stormweather, he is not used as the foil to Erevis, but as his own character and meets up with Erevis only in the last couple pages. What a great last couple pages they were too.

Jak Fleet is a man of contradictions. I mean a priest of Brandobaris as a Harper? It does work though, rather well. Kemp keeps track of what Misadventurers of Brandobaris could do in 2nd edition, and it shows in Jak's writing. He is like Drasek in the way that he is loyal to the organization and its beliefs, if not his superior officers. Mostly he is with Erevis in this novel, but there is couple of times we follow him by himself. Really great insights on his character. And i'll admit, If I ever run a game, I'm going to steal Kemp's idea on how God's call priests, and use it in direct game play. One minor note though. In Chapter 2, it seems either Kemp or Fleet mis-thought. Mentioning how the Righteous Man (leader of the night knives) was leader of the Night Masks. Either that was Kemp's mistype, or Fleet just doesn't pay attn to underworld organizations. <top of page 38>.

And finally Erevis Cale. Possibly the closest thing to a neutral character i've seen in a gaming novel yet. I swear he's true neutral. There's not much I can say about him, anything I say is pretty much a spoiler. Though his actions in this novel make me wonder if he still belongs in the Sembia (Aka the Uskevren) series. But even if not, I really do hope there are more novels about him.

I like how Paul shows his knowledge of the setting. And his take on Divine spells (you will it to happen, and pray. even silently. While not fully practical game-wise, it really works for novular characters. (Yes I think i just made up a word.) This novel is one I highly recommend. For after reading it I have to place Kemp as one of my favorite living authors. A step or two below Kay.

After the events of this novel, I really really hope WotC does a Tazi novel also. So far it seems this Shared Family experiment is a success. And now I can't wait for The Shattered Mask.

In Shadow's Witness, Paul S. Kemp is introduced to the Forgotten Realms as a voice that will be here for a long time. Kemp exploded onto te Forgotten Realms scene with a dark and gripping story of a butler with a terrible secret that he is keeping from the family he serves.

This is unlike most Forgotten Realms novels in that it is much darker thant he usual nevels that are being released.

Kemp has a knack for creating three dimensional characters and fleshing them out and every opportunity he can. The story line is simply fantastic. I can't say enough about that.

I would be remise if I didn't say that if you enjoy this book and the story of Cale you would be well served to look for Kemp's Everis Cale trilogy, the third book is coming out in November of 2005 and should prove to be a great conclusion to the trilogy.

If you are a fan of the Realms or someone who is considering the realms this is a must read.

A piece of art, truly magnificent and impossible to put down. Shadow's Witness combines the treachery and intrigue of the guilds and the supernatural of the Aybess into one, thus Shadow's Witness. As a fan of fantasy books I think this might be the best fantasy book I have ever read! It only compares to Halls of Stormweather another great fantasy book. I am planning on reading it at least 25 more times in my lifetime. The only slightly bad thing about this book is that it is a bit too discriptive at some parts. But my overall feeling great story.

After reading the short story about Erevis Cale in "Halls of Stormweather" I was very excited to get my hands on this full novel about him. The Characters in "Shadow's Wintess" are quite a nice change from your average Hero's in Fantasy novels and thats what makes the difference in this novel. Its about time that some rogues took center stage in a novel instead of being the supporting characters. The novel begins very strong, but around page 250 in begins to lag a bit. Fortuneatly it does end on a high note leaving the reader wanting more. There are so many unfinished aspects of this novel that a sequel is inevitable, or so I hope. Because of the small amount of monotonous reading around the fourth quarter of the novel I was tempted to give it only four stars, but the extra little things that appeal to me as a long time Forgotten Realms reader earned the fifth star. Extras such as the appearance of a few organizations that have been neglected in the more recent Forgotten Realms novels such as the Harpers, Night Mask affiliations, and the Zhentarim. For being written by a first time novel author this book is excellent!

I read "Halls of Stormweather" and enjoyed it very much. One of my favorite characters from that book was Erevis Cale and I could not wait to read this full-length novel that deals with him. However, I was slightly disappointed when I finally did read this story.

The story opens on a strong note with Cale's interaction with the Uskevren Family and then turns into almost a dungeon crawl through a Thieves' Guild. Cale and his Hafling friend Jak Fleet go to the guild in order to stop a great evil from harming and killing more people. Most of the book takes place in the guild and it starts to get boring after awhile. The story then ends on a high note with Cale and his nemesis Riven confronting one another.

There are also some loose threads that are not dealt with, for example- Does Cale return to his old job? What happens to Tazi? and How do the Harpers deal with this? To sum up, the story started strong, became weak and ended strong. This is still a wonderful addition to the FR line and Cale is a charater to be watched in the future.

Erevis Cale is butler for the Uskevren family, but he is also a thief and assassin which leaves him torn between the love for the Uskevren family, the hauntings of his past and his membership of the local guild of Night Knives. When a demon is marauding the city and leading ghouls in a devastating raid against the family, he know he must seek it out. In doing so, he must face his past, the guild and the whispers of Mask the Shadowlord!
Starting out pretty good, the book has many nicely described characters, both good, evil and demon. Erevis' city of Selgaunt really comes to life (as with the other books in this serie), and Erevis becomes a good picture of a man torn between past and present. He and his friend Jak is also some of the few heroes which actually gets sick when facing dead and decease in their adventure, nice going! Unfortunately, the end is rolled of too fast, with too quick solutions to some of the problems, but there is still some unexpected turns to keep up the mood!

This gritty, sometimes violent book pushes the envelope for the FR line. Unlike traditional "high" fantasy, this novel introduces an extremely unlikely hero, Erevis Cale. Like most of us, Cale isn't wholly good or bad. Rather, he is somewhere in between. Also walking a fine line is his halfling pal, Jak. Although he's a Harper, Jak is also a priest of Brandobaris who has a propensity for stealing. But, what the heck...they're both good at what they do!

The storyline of this novel is fastpaced and filled with unexpected turns. It is definitely a book to read in a single sitting...so don't start unless you have time to read it through!

By the way, if you're reading this Mr. Kemp...I'm a redhead!

Paul S. Kemp is awesome, and its about time the Forgotten Realms series got dark and deep. I am tired of hearing about elves who ride around on white unicorns, only to save their halfling friends. Where is the bloodshed? Hell, and to that one reviewer who said he felt weak at his stomach for reading the book. PISS OFF, you bloody wanker!!!