Algernon (Darth Anyan)'s Reviews > Shadow's Lure

[7/10]
This is the same rating I gave to Shadow's Son, the debut novel of author Jon Sprunk, so it is safe to say readers who liked the opening of the series, will enjoy the sequel. I find myself though, subtracting half a star instead of adding it, because this novel ramped up the violence and gore about ten times compared with the Shadow's Son, and this is usually a turnoff in my list of preferences.

Still, this is an easy read - which can be taken both as praise and criticism depending on the mood and expectations of the reader. Praise because the author is a natural storyteller, there's planty of swashbuckling action, a fast pace and interesting plot. Criticism, because the ambitious ramp up in scope and in number of POV's serves to accentuate the limitations of an author whose technical means are bellow his enthusiasm and vision. The characterization and dialogue feels shallow and stilted, especially when it comes to rousing heroic discourses. I'm one of the readers who can switch off critical mode when I enjoy the ride, but I can understand the issues raised by other reviewers who were less enchanted by the offering.

The strongpoint of the story is in the action sequences, where the high bodycount with detailed descriptions of torn limbs and spilled entrails seems to be the most popular choice of genre readers in recent years. Both Caim and Josey are a built from the Gary Stu / Mary Sue template, but they have enough particular endearing traits, that it wasn't such a burden to follow their exploits.

A second bonus of Shadow's Lure is the expansion in the worldbuilding, with a convincing rendering of a frozen realm north of Othir and a promising further development in the third and final book in the series. One that I plan to read soon.