Book Review: Shadow's Lure

Shadow's Lure

By:  Jon Sprunk

Publisher:  Pyr

Publish Date:  June 2011

Format:  ARC

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd book in Shadow Saga series; Book 1 ~ Shadow's Son

Recommendation:  Yes!  We learn more of the shadows magic that Caim touches on.  Great tromp through the snowy north full of action!

Book Synopsis:
The unforgiving Northlands...

In Othir, he was at the top of the food chain - an assassin beyond compare, a dark shadow in the night.  But Caim left that life behind when he helped an empress claim her throne.  And now his past has come calling again.

Searching for the truth behind the murder and disappearance of his parents, Caim discovers a land in thrall to the Shadow.  Haunted by temptations from the Other Side, he becomes mired in a war he does not want to fight.

But there are some things a son of the Shadow cannot ignore, and some fights from which he can't run.  In this battle, all of Caim's strength and skill won't be enough.

Fore non can resist the Shadow's Lure.

First Sentence:
A bitter north wind blew off the moors.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Caim's traveling to the snow covered rebellious North to see if he can find "her" or more about "her" as Levictus mentioned at the end of Shadow's Son she was up North somewhere.  The land he left when he was eight after that horrid night that haunts Caim's dreams still.  Caim travels light, with his usual weapons, the dark sword that was waiting for him at Kas's cabin, and the personal journal of Arch-priest Vassili.  Caim finds himself fighting with untrained men at his back, yet still alone as Kit disappears.  Yet what Kit has to learn could come in handy as well.

Josey has come into the seat of Empress as her blood right is, but is still learning and tending with the reminder of how she got here.  With the Church over thrown and the new order short on funds some Nobles have started to take advantage of a weakened moment and harass each other along with banditry increasing.  Josey seems to be sitting as a figure head, but she speaks up with a solution to problems and starts to take control for her subjects.  There is a creature sent to assassinate Josey and has her running around to stay alive and find the assassin along with who sent it.

Quickly in the first Chapter we are reminded of the character strength in Caim.  Although we get a small feeling he is tired and a little run down.  In these moments we get the reminder of things and people important in his life.  Wonderful start off the bat here.  I remember where things left off as this refreshes easily and opens doors to more possibilities simultaneously.  Makes me want to know more.

We follow two basic story lines in this book.  One of Caim in the north fighting with the rebels against the duke and his witch, then with Josey as she fights for her life and tries to find her would be assassin.  I enjoy both lines greatly!  Josey's story line shows to me how greatly in strength her character grows.  There is a great amount going on in both story lines and in the end start to tie together.  In doing this we do follow a few different point of views.  This is well done with Caim and Josey.  Even Kit has her own view point in this book as well.

Then we meet our new characters in the series.  We do follow a view point from the witch Sybelle as well.  Which really starts to give us a view into the Shadows side of things.  There is many interesting things to learn here.  And many North clan men make the roaster as well.  A few seem to become bigger players in the end.  And I look forward to see where all the characters, new and old, go with Caim in the next book.

The world created here expands in this book.  We get to see more from the broken Northern side, the crumbling of Othir, and new worlds that seem to be of a fey type origin.  We have Kit's world and the Shadow world.  I like these glimpses and still want more.

Oh, I'll be watching for the third installment of this series to come along.  I WANT to read more of what is hidden in the shadows for Caim, Kit, Josey, and many others.


I requested a copy of this book for review from the publisher.

This book qualifies for Speculative Fiction Challenge hosted by Floor to Ceiling Books.