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 Kate (Blogging with Dragons) on

3 of 5 stars

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I had trouble getting into this book. It took me until I was about 40% of the way through (according to my kindle) to get interested. Watching main character Kylar grow into adulthood was boring, but as he got older and became ensnared in politics, romance, and a war--things definitely got more interesting! But what I most enjoyed about the book was the relationship between main character Kylar and his master Durzo. I don't think there are many books or even movies that handle an assassin being taught his craft. It was refreshing to see something other than the cliche of the main character becoming as assassin in order to avenge his family or his master--but perhaps I've played a few too many Assassin's Creed games.
However, that doesn't mean other parts of the book aren't trite. The friendship between Kylar and Logan was very reminiscent of King Arthur and Lancelot. Like those legendary characters, I feel that the friendship can't possibly end well for Week's characters. However I'm indifferent to whether or not their friendship deteriorates and what that might mean for their country at war. All in all, an enjoyable read, but I won't be rushing out to buy the other two installments of the trilogy.

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  • Started reading
  • 19 March, 2015: Finished reading
  • 19 March, 2015: Reviewed