For fans of The Night Angel Trilogy and fantasy author Brent Weeks
Someone didn't like this book.
It was #2 on the Worst list, of 2008. I would've put it on the best, personally.
Here's what they said
In the back-alley slums of Cenaria, a guild rat named Azoth hopes to survive by becoming the apprentice of Durzo Blint, who is the best of the wetboys — the most elite of assassins. To do this he must unquestioningly follow Durzo’s every command, accept that life — anyone’s life — is worthless, and forget everyone he knew in his old life. He must become Kylar Stern: gentleman by day, stone-cold killer by night. Though Azoth doesn't know it, as Kylar he is destined for much bigger things.
I like stories with strong criminal elements, action, and intrigue — all of which The Way of Shadows has. The plot has so much potential, but I went from interested, to briefly revolted, to almost started to like it, to bored, and ended up forcing myself to finish the book.
The only characters I actually cared about were a few minor ones. The villain was so sadistic and psychopathic — how can his own evil army stomach him? The system of magic is more like Matrix/Neo-superpowers than fantasy sorcery. Many times, things just didn’t make sense as they were written which made the action hard to follow — like reading about Kylar hiding behind a picture, when the author really meant a statue and not a picture at all.
The dialog came across like bad acting in a low-budget movie, and the slang was horrible — like “wetboys” being the best of the best in hired-killers. I assume this came from the term “wet-works” sometimes used in modern-day espionage thrillers to down-play assignations or maybe just because it’s a bloody deed, but every time I read “wetboy,” instead of ninja-like assassins, all I could think of was a kid caught in the rain.
Worst of all, the tone was all over the place. Sometimes it was so dark I could barely stand it, even though dark & gritty is usually my preference. For example, there were descriptions of sexual molestation within youth street-gangs. There were several cheesy descriptions of beautiful women and their breasts (despite breasts being my own personal favorite part — or should I say parts — of the female anatomy) which just didn’t fit the story. And the number of forbidden romances in a single book may be a new record in fantasy. I realize the extreme contrasts are an attempt to make the bright parts brighter, but the result was a story with a strangely wavering tone.
To Mr. Weeks' credit, The Way of Shadows has a solid plot and some writing at the end that I really enjoyed. There was so much potential here — I think perhaps the editing is to blame. It just seemed like it was still in the rough draft stage. I'd like to see what Brent Weeks could do with a different editor. —G.H.
I dunno how I feel. I loved it, and I thought Orbit did good. Obviously they didn't...
http://www.fantasyliterature.net/weeksbrent.html
Here's what they said
In the back-alley slums of Cenaria, a guild rat named Azoth hopes to survive by becoming the apprentice of Durzo Blint, who is the best of the wetboys — the most elite of assassins. To do this he must unquestioningly follow Durzo’s every command, accept that life — anyone’s life — is worthless, and forget everyone he knew in his old life. He must become Kylar Stern: gentleman by day, stone-cold killer by night. Though Azoth doesn't know it, as Kylar he is destined for much bigger things.
I like stories with strong criminal elements, action, and intrigue — all of which The Way of Shadows has. The plot has so much potential, but I went from interested, to briefly revolted, to almost started to like it, to bored, and ended up forcing myself to finish the book.
The only characters I actually cared about were a few minor ones. The villain was so sadistic and psychopathic — how can his own evil army stomach him? The system of magic is more like Matrix/Neo-superpowers than fantasy sorcery. Many times, things just didn’t make sense as they were written which made the action hard to follow — like reading about Kylar hiding behind a picture, when the author really meant a statue and not a picture at all.
The dialog came across like bad acting in a low-budget movie, and the slang was horrible — like “wetboys” being the best of the best in hired-killers. I assume this came from the term “wet-works” sometimes used in modern-day espionage thrillers to down-play assignations or maybe just because it’s a bloody deed, but every time I read “wetboy,” instead of ninja-like assassins, all I could think of was a kid caught in the rain.
Worst of all, the tone was all over the place. Sometimes it was so dark I could barely stand it, even though dark & gritty is usually my preference. For example, there were descriptions of sexual molestation within youth street-gangs. There were several cheesy descriptions of beautiful women and their breasts (despite breasts being my own personal favorite part — or should I say parts — of the female anatomy) which just didn’t fit the story. And the number of forbidden romances in a single book may be a new record in fantasy. I realize the extreme contrasts are an attempt to make the bright parts brighter, but the result was a story with a strangely wavering tone.
To Mr. Weeks' credit, The Way of Shadows has a solid plot and some writing at the end that I really enjoyed. There was so much potential here — I think perhaps the editing is to blame. It just seemed like it was still in the rough draft stage. I'd like to see what Brent Weeks could do with a different editor. —G.H.
I dunno how I feel. I loved it, and I thought Orbit did good. Obviously they didn't...
http://www.fantasyliterature.net/weeksbrent.html
Views: 18
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Xavri on -
To each his own. Really I think the reviewer has missed the point, in my opinion. But, that's just it isn't it? An opinion. If you loved the book great. If you didn't, that is great too. However, don't let anyone's opinion taint your own. At least that's my take on it.
-
Permalink Reply by Pika on -
I think he misunderstood the term wetboy.. idk.. it's not the same as an assasin.. And you do expect a novel called "The Way of the Shadows" to have a dark tone.. at least I did.
I have one question though; which forbidden romances? to be honest I can only think of... two.
-
Permalink Reply by YoungWritter on -
No, this woman obviously dosnt understand or cant comprehend a good book from a bad. She might as well be 60, and forgot her glasses to give a report like that. Orbit did fine work on this book and I hope every 1 realises that eventually.
-
Permalink Reply by Blackhawk on
-
It was a guy, but I have to agree, 100%. The reviewer obviously doesn't like a new take on magic...He probably hated Robin Hobb, then...
This review doesn't taint my opinion: I still love this book! And, yes, it really does seem like it would be dark...I mean, 'The Way of Shadows'...Not going to be set in a sunshiney meadow, right? Right?
-
Permalink Reply by Aristarchos ban Ebron on -
too righ. Wayof shadows. Not Yellow brick road
-
Permalink Reply by Welshi on
-
The problem with reviews is that, no matter how objective one may try to be, it is still going to be based on one's own preferences. This particular reviewer may have 'missed the point,' but is still entitled to their opinion. It's just unfortunate that this particular review seems so scathing for a work that is actually very good. I can't say I agree with this review's statement that it got boring, and the molestations amongst the street gangs - let's be honest, life in that kind of city wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows. The fact is, there are slums, there are kids on the street, and there are depraved loonies wanting to get their kicks.
Bravo to Mr Weeks for not shying away from a difficult subject, and writing it in a well-presented and thoughtfully insightful way.
And I shall finish by saying that you can't please all of the people all of the time.
-
Permalink Reply by bluewolf on -
I dont mean to come off as the devil here but have to agree with a few of the comments in the review.
I mean I love the book and BWs writing style, the over all plot and flow are awesome and keep you reading long after your third or forth "OK LAST CHAPTER"
But I have to agree that some of the words used in the story were flat out Jarring. i mean... when i am reading and submerged in the medieval fantasy world and suddenly some one uses the word "contraceptive", "microbraids", or "banging" I find my self slapped out of the flow of the story by the totally alien sounding words.
having said that this is BWs first book/series one cant expect everything to be perfect the man has room to grow and become even better than he is. It could also simply be his style and something to get used to when reading books from authors less than 60 years old. (I had similar complaints when reading John Scalzi books though they were more acceptable in a sci-fi future environment)
what ever the flaws I see absolutely no reason to even consider the book in a "worst off" list. the bloody series is awesome and my only real complaint is that the books are done and I dont know when I will get my next fix.
-
Permalink Reply by Laura on -
really the worst thing he can say bout it is he didn't like the breast descriptions? Ah well not everyone can like everythin.
But its a different world so any slang can be used so it can't be wrong.
Personally I was glued to the books and couldn't put them down and I wanted more.
-
Permalink Reply by distract-ED on -
okay, here's my thoughts:
i liked this book... because (shock, horror!)
I'M NOT A FANTASY FAN.
i like it, but it generally takes a special book to hook me, and i liked things like the more modern words and the concept of the vir and all. i think that the reviewer loves their fantasy straight up, with few twists. but this, was a bit more outside - like good jazz played outside the key, for those who're really musical - than your regular fantasy fare
-
Permalink Reply by deeza00 on -
me too....prt from harry potter i tink dis is my 2nd fantasy series....but d use of modern words makes it fun nd funny......nd it has evrythin nd it's diff in a dark kool way......plus it hits closer to reality....sort of lyk dark night i guess.........kk goin off point.....
© 2012 Created by Brent Weeks.
Powered by 
.
