Customer Reviews

Wolf in Shadow

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I became an instant David Gemmell fan after reading the last book in his 'Stones of Power' series, and have not looked back since. Every single book he has written has more or less been fantastic. None however overshadow this classic book which I highly suggest to all who read this.

'Wolf in Shadow' takes place in the far-flung future where an accident has toppled the earth, nearly destroying life and turning most of the world into a wastland. It has also released the magical Sipstraasi stones back into the world. Civilisation has worked it's way up to horse and buggies, but there exists a great evil who has built a satanic army thirsting for dominance.

There also exists The Jerusalem Man, a noble gunslinger who walks the world searching for the city of the Bible. This is Jon Shannow, one of Gemmell's greatest creations. He is a good man, but a hardened violent one who's morality is edged with a murderous quickdraw. And when he meets with Abaddon, lord of Hell and the mysterious gaurdians of the Sipstraasi, it creates one of sci-fi's under-appreciated jewel's.

Gemmel, as he is known to do, writes a strong adventure book but lines it with deep philosophical debates on the nature of evil and morality, one of those rare books that'll keep you turning pages and thinking as well.

Just a great novel from a great writer.

The first two books of the series(Ghost King & Last Sword of Power)are not necessarily needed in the jon shannow adventure but if you want a little bit of a base on the history of the stones of power then I would recommend you read the whole series but if you want to get to the really good stuff then start with number three. I garuntee when you finish number five you will wish there were lots more to follow it

A well writen story with exceptional characters you can taste and empathise with. Wonderous plot twists and surprises. Hopefully he will continue this trend and create more exceptional books in the same great style.

You've done it again Gemmell. Not only did you get me totally immersed in your story-telling again, but you did with a novel set in a post-apocolyptic world unlike any I've ever read about. The way you could jump from ancient times to a world thousand of years in the future and manage to mesh them together without conflicts or confusion is truly commendable. Loved the book, and Jon Shannow is a memorable hero

The Jerusalum Man, Jon Shannow, faces the vile Abaddon, Lord of the Pit in this perfectly written third book to the Stones of Power. I would have to say this is as good as or better than books one or two in the series, though they were good too. The first, Ghost King, I would say is a close second, but Wolf in Shadow was better. I gave it a perfect 10, though I would have given it 11 if possible. This is undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read and i would and have recommended it to friends.

Wolf in Shadow is a very good book in my honest opinion. Gemmell strayed from his mideval setting and introduced the reader to that of "The Day After". Though it is a shock to jump so much time in between the books, it came as a pleasant surprise to see that Gemmell can handle a futuristic setting as well as a medieval one. Though the future in Wolf in Shadow isnt that far off from the present in his prior novels, it did take some adjusting. All in all I rate Wolf in Shadow a 9. There is good use of religion, objection and skepticism in it. And their usage, IMO, just isn't enough to anger a buyer over any of the topics brought up. Excellent book and a superb follow up for his Sword of Power series. Lets hope he keeps it up for his next ones.. <g>

There are some series that leave you tired at the end from all the mental twists and turns that you have to do to follow the plot. The Jon Shannow series, which begins with this book, is like that. The way the series ends is enough to keep you awake for awhile. Gemmell was juuuust author enough at this point in his career to pull this series off. Had he waited a few more years for his skills to develop, this might have been an incredible series. As it is, it is good, and the plot twists really imaginative, but the writing is just up to the level needed. Gemmell's Rigante series is, IMHO, the best he wrote with the Drenai series a close, close second. In Shannow you can see the traits he would try to develop in Waylander and Skilgannon. Shannow is sort of a prototype for them, I think. Anyway, the series is good on its own and essential for Gemmell-ophiles, but if you have read other Gemmell books, don't expect the quality to be quite up to par.

It took me a while to get into this book- so different from Gemmell's usual stuff, but once I did I LOVED it. LOVED LOVED LOVED. If anyone has read the compilation of all Jerusalem Man stories they'll have read Gemmell's own letters regarding these book's, how he never planned to write a second book but Jon shannow had other idea's. I wish i could rate this book higher but a perfect ten will have to do!!

Perusing a used book store (one of my favorite places on Earth) I stumbled upon a series of books by David Gemmell. I had seen his name before, but as I do not have any personal friends that are fantasy readers I had no idea who he was. I purchased this first in the series about Jon Shannow, and I have to tell you, I experienced that magical euphoria you get when you discover a brilliant writer for the first time. Looking him up on wikipedia, I was downcast to learn he passed away while writing in 2006. Then I got really excited when I learned that in twenty years he turned out thirty novels.

I know I'll be scanning the G section of all the bookstores I frequent from now on.

I loved, loved, loved Wolf in Shadow. This novel will haunt my imagination now for the rest of my life. What a mix of western action, post-apocalyptic fantasy, and thoughtful philosophy! Jon Shannow, the Jerusalem man, is a lonely and somewhat insane drifter who stumbles across bandits, Atlantis, secret societies, love, and a nation of blood thirsty Satan worshippers. There are so many twists that I cannot begin to spoil the action or suspense for you (nor would I want to). At first I was worried that this would be a cheap and strange imitation of the Dark Tower series. As much as I love Stephen King, I loved Jon Shannow's character for its complexity and confused nobility much more than I did Roland, the Gunslinger.

This novel is perfect. I feel like an explorer who has just set his feet in a wondrously strange and entertaining land. I so look forward to reading the many series and novels from this man who I guess to be the ultimate master of late-twentieth century fantasy.

Wonderful reading!!!!
Just don't use Amazon shipping....just buy the book from the local bookseller for the same price and begin reading immediately instead of 2 weeks later!