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Shadowplay is the second book in Tad Williams' massive epic fantasy series, Shadowmarch. The plot was just starting to get really interesting when the first book ended, so I was eager to start Shadowplay. Things have gone awry in the March Kingdoms. ...moreShadowplay is the second book in Tad Williams' massive epic fantasy series, Shadowmarch. The plot was just starting to get really interesting when the first book ended, so I was eager to start Shadowplay. Things have gone awry in the March Kingdoms. Book two starts in chaos and things only go downhill from there. I'm not normally a reader of classic epic fantasy, since I often find things like family lineage, court politics and over-dramatic heroic battles boring. This series has all of this, but this time it seems to work for me. I'm being entertained despite the fact that this is territory I've visited many times before.
The story picks up right where Shadowmarch left off. You would think the second book in such a massive series would suffer a bit form middle book syndrome, but Shadowplay does not lull in the least. The point of view switches between several characters as they each deal with the changing world around them, so this keeps the story fresh without getting confusing.
There is a simple purity to Tad Williams' writing that's difficult to put my finger on, but the characters are what really make Shadowplay great. Princess Briony is continually challenged to adapt to new situations. The annoying independent streak she displayed as a noble child is the only thing keeping her alive as she fumbles through the places she now finds herself in. Then there is her twin brother Barak, who is not as likable. In fact, Barak is probably the least likable character in the entire story. The fact that his storyline pairs him with two other very strong characters is the only thing that keeps me from losing interest in him entirely. There are many other characters we follow as well, and all of them have their own enjoyable qualities that add to the overall narrative.
I have often been told that Tad Williams is an amazing writer, and it was that reputation alone that got me started on this series. I'm certainly glad I gave it a chance. I listened to this on audiobook by Brilliance Audio. It was narrated by Dick Hill, who does a wonderful job. Every character has a unique voice (that is very difficult to do when you have so many characters). Mr. Hill makes it a fun and exciting listen. I will be sure to keep my eye out for more books read by Hill.
—Justin Blazier for fatansyliterature.com(less)
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Bull Ingram is a very big fellow. He’s a former Marine who is still a little raw from the war like most men in the early 1950s. Bull works as paid muscle and his primary job is finding people who owe his employers money. When he finds them, he “convi...moreBull Ingram is a very big fellow. He’s a former Marine who is still a little raw from the war like most men in the early 1950s. Bull works as paid muscle and his primary job is finding people who owe his employers money. When he finds them, he “convinces” them to pay back their debts. He is very good at his job. A folk music dealer wants Bull to locate a mysterious blues man by the name of Ramblin’ John Hastur. Hastur’s music has strange effects on those who listen to it, and Bull’s new employer wants him found. The job leads Bull down a strange and violent path through the underbelly of the 1950’s American South.
John Hornor Jacobs sets a furious pace in Southern Gods. It doesn’t let up till you hit the epilogue. I was sent an audio copy of this from Brilliance Audio, and I was so desperate to keep reading the story that I actually purchased the Kindle version to read on my phone when I was not able to listen to the audio. While reading this book I ran a gamut of emotions. I was excited, amused, scared, and also totally disturbed. I’ve read some messed-up stuff, and Southern Gods was the first to give me serious nightmares.
The heroes of the story battle evil foes and make the occasional bad joke in classic urban fantasy style. The story also contains some truly horrific scenes of violence. Some of it was hard for me to handle — and I’m an avid Joe Abercrombie fan. The frightening and disturbing parts fall well within the horror category of fiction, but the campy urban fantasy moments didn’t always mesh with the disturbing horror, thus creating a kind of identity crisis.
I recommend Southern Gods to fans of both horror and dark fantasy. At 300 pages it is a bit short. With some more space I believe Jacobs would have made the story flow even more smoothly. I would also recommend the audiobook version published by Brilliance Audio. The story is read by Eric Dove, and he is amazing. A voice actor can make or break a story, and Eric made this book a thrill to listen to. I will certainly look into other books he’s voiced. —Justin Blazier at FantaslyLiterature.com(less)
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Writing this review is going to be impossible without spoiling some of the series for those who have not read through Changes, just a little warning. No Ghost Story spoilers, it's just that the entire plot of this book may spoil earlier novels. The t...moreWriting this review is going to be impossible without spoiling some of the series for those who have not read through Changes, just a little warning. No Ghost Story spoilers, it's just that the entire plot of this book may spoil earlier novels. The title of this book, Ghost Story, does a pretty good job of revealing the entire premise of the story: Harry is a ghost. Like all ghosts he has a task that must be completed in order to be at peace. A lot of what was planted in Changes bears fruit in Ghost Story. Harry is now forced to deal with the horrible decisions he was forced to make while the Red Court held his daughter. To the living, Harry has been gone for six months. All hell has broken loose in Chicago without Dresden around. Harry is now dropped in the middle of all this and is practically helpless is his current state to do anything about it. Add that to the emotional turmoil of losing Harry, and well you got a pretty good idea of how things are going at the beginning of Ghost Story.
There is a formula to the DRESDEN FILES novels. They very rarely deviate from the rhythm Jim Butcher established in the very first book. Changes broke away from that formula, and in Ghost Story we fall back into the structure of the pseudo detective noir novel that we are used to. That's a good feeling. Changes was amazing, and it certainly shook things up. However, I was surprised at how much I missed that familiar Dresden feel. Ghost Story tries to bring the Dresden universe back to some state of normalcy.
The characters in Ghost Story are plentiful. Many older characters are brought back from the early books, and a lot of new characters come into play as well. Jim Butcher spends a significant amount of time on the emotional state of the characters. Ghost Story emphasizes the mental and physical trauma that is weighing on them all. There were moments where I felt real empathy for many of them. I love these characters and it is painful to see them changed in irreparable ways. Dresden, in particular, wrestles with some rather big issues carried over from previous novels.
The writing in Ghost Story is solid. Jim continues to improve upon perfection and the last few DRESDEN FILES books are damn near flawless. Ghost Story continues in the trend of mixing suspense, mystery, drama and humor. I also felt that Jim has become more relaxed in his voice as Dresden. The geek culture references are more prevalent, and maybe a bit more obscure. There is even a beautiful homage to a Star Trek battle in there somewhere.
I've reviewed a lot of the DRESDEN books and I'm finding it more and more difficult to find different ways to say how awesome these books are. They changed the way I read fantasy. I have driven 3 hours to wait in line at a signing. I have gotten my brother, father, and several friends addicted to these stories. I talk so much about these books that I sometimes feel I should be on the Penguin Group payroll. I remember reading Patrick Rothfuss' blog when he discovered the DRESDEN FILES. How vindicated I felt when a best-selling author of his caliber squealed about them as much as I do. You must read these books. You have to read THE DRESDEN FILES. That is all. —Justin Blazier from Fantasy Literature(less)
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"I'm not so convinced..."
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