Brent Weeks' Shadow's Edge: A Dark and Thrilling Tale of Assassination and Magic (EPUB/PDF)
Shadow's Edge by Brent Weeks: A Review of the Epic Fantasy Novel
If you are a fan of epic fantasy novels, you might have heard of Brent Weeks and his Night Angel trilogy. The second book in the series, Shadow's Edge, is a thrilling and dark tale of assassination, magic, and revenge. But is it worth reading? In this article, I will give you a brief overview of what Shadow's Edge is about, who Brent Weeks is, and why you should read this novel. I will also summarize the plot, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the novel, and give you my personal recommendation and rating. Finally, I will answer some frequently asked questions about Shadow's Edge.
brent weeks shadows edge epub file
Introduction
What is Shadow's Edge?
Shadow's Edge is a fantasy novel that was published in 2008 by Orbit Books. It is the second book in the Night Angel trilogy, which follows the adventures of Kylar Stern, a former assassin who has given up his life of killing for a chance at peace and happiness. However, when he learns that his best friend and rightful king, Logan Gyre, might be alive and in hiding after a bloody coup, he faces a difficult choice: will he abandon his new family and return to the way of shadows, or will he let his friend die?
Shadow's Edge is set in a medieval-inspired world where magic exists and is divided into two types: Talent and Vir. Talent is the natural ability to manipulate the elements, while Vir is the power that comes from killing others. Some people can use both types of magic, such as wetboys (professional assassins) and mages (powerful sorcerers). There are also artifacts that can enhance or suppress magic, such as ka'kari (mysterious orbs that grant immortality and other abilities) and urali (metal rings that block magic).
The novel explores themes such as loyalty, friendship, love, betrayal, sacrifice, redemption, and destiny. It also deals with topics such as politics, religion, war, corruption, slavery, torture, and genocide. It is a dark and gritty story that does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of life in a brutal world.
Who is Brent Weeks?
Brent Weeks is an American author who was born in 1977 in Montana. He started writing when he was in elementary school and published his first novel, The Way of Shadows, in 2008. He is best known for his Night Angel trilogy and his Lightbringer series, both of which are epic fantasy sagas that have sold millions of copies worldwide. He has also written a novella called Perfect Shadow and a short story called I, Night Angel.
Brent Weeks is influenced by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Raymond E. Feist, and Tad Williams. He is also inspired by history, mythology, philosophy, psychology, martial arts, and video games. He lives in Oregon with his wife and two children.
Why should you read Shadow's Edge?
You should read Shadow's Edge if you enjoy epic fantasy novels that are fast-paced, action-packed, and full of twists and turns. You should also read it if you like complex and flawed characters who face moral dilemmas and tough choices. You should also read it if you appreciate rich and detailed world-building that immerses you in a fascinating and diverse setting. You should also read it if you are looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you feel a range of emotions, from excitement and joy to anger and sadness.
However, you should not read Shadow's Edge if you are easily offended or disturbed by graphic violence, sexual content, profanity, or dark themes. You should also not read it if you prefer light-hearted and humorous stories that do not take themselves too seriously. You should also not read it if you have not read the first book in the series, The Way of Shadows, as Shadow's Edge is a direct sequel that relies on the previous events and characters.
Summary of the plot
The main characters
The main characters of Shadow's Edge are:
Kylar Stern: The protagonist of the novel, a former wetboy who has given up his life of killing for a chance at peace and happiness. He is the bearer of the black ka'kari, a powerful artifact that grants him immortality and other abilities. He is also the Night Angel, a legendary figure who is destined to save or destroy the world.
Logan Gyre: Kylar's best friend and the rightful king of Cenaria, a country that has been conquered by the Godking Garoth Ursuul. He is presumed dead by most people, but he is actually alive and trapped in the Hole, a hellish prison where he has to fight for survival.
Elene Cromwyll: Kylar's lover and adoptive sister, a kind and gentle woman who loves Kylar unconditionally. She is unaware of Kylar's past as an assassin and his current role as the Night Angel. She is also pregnant with Kylar's child.
Vi Sovari: A wetboy who works for the Godking Garoth Ursuul, a ruthless tyrant who rules over Khalidor, a country that has invaded Cenaria. She is also Kylar's former apprentice and rival, who has a complicated relationship with him. She is the bearer of the red ka'kari, a powerful artifact that enhances her magic.
Dorian Ursuul: The Godking Garoth Ursuul's son and heir, a mage who can see the future. He is secretly working against his father, who he despises for his cruelty and corruption. He is also in love with Jenine Gyre, Logan's wife and queen.
Jenine Gyre: Logan's wife and queen, a beautiful and intelligent woman who was forced to marry the Godking Garoth Ursuul after Logan's apparent death. She is also Dorian's lover and ally, who helps him plot against the Godking.
The main conflicts
The main conflicts of Shadow's Edge are:
Kylar vs himself: Kylar struggles with his identity as an assassin, a lover, a father, and a hero. He has to decide whether he will embrace his destiny as the Night Angel or reject it for a normal life.
Kylar vs Vi: Kylar faces off against Vi, his former apprentice and rival, who works for the Godking Garoth Ursuul. Vi tries to seduce Kylar to join her side or kill him if he refuses.
Kylar vs Garoth Ursuul: Kylar opposes Garoth Ursuul, the Godking of Khalidor, who has conquered Cenaria and plans to unleash an ancient evil upon the world. Kylar tries to stop Garoth Ursuul from fulfilling his dark prophecy.
Logan vs himself: Logan battles with his sanity and humanity in the Hole, a hellish prison where he has to endure torture and fight for survival. He has to decide whether he will give in to despair or hope.
Logan vs Garoth Ursuul: Logan challenges Garoth Ursuul, the Godking of Khalidor, who has usurped his throne and killed his family. Logan tries to escape from the Hole and reclaim his kingdom.
The main themes
The main themes of Shadow's Edge are:
Choice and consequence: The novel explores how the characters' choices affect their lives and the lives of others. For example, Kylar's choice to return to the way of shadows has consequences for his relationship with Elene and his role as a father. Logan's choice to hope in the Hole has consequences for his leadership and his sanity. Dorian's choice to rebel against his father has consequences for his future and his love.
Friendship and loyalty: The novel examines how the characters' friendships and loyalties are tested and strengthened by the events of the story. For example, Kylar's friendship with Logan is tested by his duty as the Night Angel and his loyalty to Elene. Logan's loyalty to his people is tested by his imprisonment and his despair. Dorian's loyalty to Jenine is tested by his destiny and his guilt.
Love and sacrifice: The novel shows how the characters' love and sacrifice are expressed and challenged by the situations they face. For example, Kylar's love for Elene and his child is challenged by his love for Logan and his world. Elene's love for Kylar is challenged by her knowledge of his past and his secrets. Jenine's love for Dorian is challenged by her marriage to Garoth Ursuul and her duty to Logan.
Analysis of the novel
The strengths of Shadow's Edge
The strengths of Shadow's Edge are:
The world-building
The novel creates a rich and detailed world that is full of history, culture, religion, politics, geography, and magic. The novel introduces new places, such as Khalidor, Caernarvon, and Ezra's Wood, that have their own unique features and characteristics. The novel also expands on the existing places, such as Cenaria, Sethanon, and Jarl, that have their own conflicts and developments. The novel also reveals more about the history and origin of the ka'kari, the Night Angel, and the Wolf.
The magic system
The novel develops a complex and consistent magic system that is based on two types of power: Talent and Vir. The novel explains how Talent and Vir work, how they can be used or abused, how they can be enhanced or suppressed, and how they affect the characters and the world. The novel also introduces new aspects of magic, such as wytches (people who can manipulate Vir), meisters (people who can create magical items), krul (creatures that can absorb Vir), and immortals (people who have lived for centuries).
The character development
and others, develop and evolve in response to the events of the story.
The weaknesses of Shadow's Edge
The weaknesses of Shadow's Edge are:
The pacing
The novel suffers from some pacing issues that make the story drag or rush at times. The novel has a slow start that takes a long time to set up the plot and the characters. The novel also has some filler scenes that do not advance the story or the characters. The novel also has a fast end that wraps up the plot and the characters too quickly and conveniently. The novel also has some inconsistencies and gaps in the timeline and the sequence of events.
The violence and sexual content
The novel contains a lot of violence and sexual content that might be too graphic or disturbing for some readers. The novel depicts scenes of torture, rape, murder, mutilation, cannibalism, slavery, and genocide. The novel also describes scenes of sex, nudity, prostitution, adultery, and incest. The novel also uses a lot of profanity and crude language. The novel also portrays some characters and situations that are sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive.
The clichés and tropes
The novel relies on some clichés and tropes that might be too predictable or unoriginal for some readers. The novel features some stereotypical characters, such as the chosen one, the evil overlord, the damsel in distress, the wise mentor, the comic relief, and the love triangle. The novel also follows some common plot devices, such as the prophecy, the betrayal, the rescue, the revelation, and the deus ex machina. The novel also borrows some elements from other fantasy works, such as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Wheel of Time.
Conclusion
Recap of the main points
In conclusion, Shadow's Edge is a fantasy novel that is part of the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks. It is a story of assassination, magic, and revenge that follows Kylar Stern, a former assassin who has to choose between his new life and his old one. It is a story that explores themes such as choice and consequence, friendship and loyalty, and love and sacrifice. It is a story that has strengths such as world-building, magic system, and character development. It is also a story that has weaknesses such as pacing, violence and sexual content, and clichés and tropes.
Recommendation and rating
profanity, or dark themes. I would also not recommend it to anyone who prefers light-hearted and humorous stories that do not take themselves too seriously. I would also not recommend it to anyone who has not read the first book in the series, The Way of Shadows, as Shadow's Edge is a direct sequel that relies on the previous events and characters.
I would rate Shadow's Edge 4 out of 5 stars. I think it is a well-written and engaging novel that delivers a thrilling and dark tale of assassination and magic. I think it is a novel that has a lot of strengths that outweigh its weaknesses. I think it is a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you feel a range of emotions, from excitement and joy to anger and sadness.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Shadow's Edge:
Q: How many pages is Shadow's Edge?
A: Shadow's Edge has 645 pages in the paperback edition and 740 pages in the ebook edition.
Q: How many chapters is Shadow's Edge?
A: Shadow's Edge has 69 chapters and an epilogue.
Q: How many books are in the Night Angel trilogy?
A: The Night Angel trilogy consists of three books: The Way of Shadows, Shadow's Edge, and Beyond the Shadows.
Q: Is there a movie or a TV show based on Shadow's Edge?
A: No, there is no movie or a TV show based on Shadow's Edge or the Night Angel trilogy as of now. However, Brent Weeks has said that he is open to the possibility of adapting his books to other media formats in the future.
Q: Where can I buy or download Shadow's Edge?
A: You can buy or download Shadow's Edge from various online platforms, such as Amazon, Kobo, eBooks.com, or Internet Archive. You can also find it in your local bookstore or library.
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