The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

The Way of Shadows (Night Angel, #1)

by Brent Weeks

From NYT bestselling author Brent Weeks comes the first novel in his breakout fantasy trilogy in which a young boy trains under the city's most legendary and feared assassin, Durzo Blint.

For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art -- and he is the city's most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly -- and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics -- and cultivate a flair for death.

Reviewed by Michael @ Knowledge Lost on

2 of 5 stars

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I finished the first book in the Night Angel Trilogy, The Way of Shadows and I found it a little difficult to get into. I’ve never really read much fantasy, nor do I really read newer books, so this was completely difficult to get into. Not to say it wasn’t an enjoyable book, it just was a fun and pointless book. I know reading is supposed to be fine but normally I read to learn or expand my horizons. So when I read a book for fun, I feel like I’m missing out on something. The book follows the journey of a guild rat trying to become a wetboy. For those who aren’t too sure what a wetboy is; it’s an assassin; I think the word comes from the term Wet works which the Russians used to refer to a contract kill. The book follows the journey of this wetboy and his consistent struggle with the idea that ‘you have no friends, only targets’. I’m not sure if I will read the rest of the books, simply because it felt mindless to me.

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  • Started reading
  • 15 March, 2010: Finished reading
  • 15 March, 2010: Reviewed