Buddy Read - The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

[Stacy]

Hey all!

Jon and I are going to buddy read The Way of Shadows and you are all more than welcome to join in!

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

For Azoth, survival is precious. 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 poilitics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death.

I had never done a buddy read before so I just kinda jumped right into the book. It has 66 chapters and an epilogue. I just finished chapter 31. So.. I will write my thoughts for the first 31 chapters now. Then try to stop every ten chapters after this and tell you what I think. Please use spoiler tags.

Enjoy! (It's really good so far.)

[Stacy]

Up to Chapter 31 >.<
(view spoiler)[Okay, so this started kind of slow for me, actually. There is a lot happening right away but there are so many characters that I feel just get thrown at you that it's hard to keep track.

I guess I don't know what I was really expecting because I didn't read any reviews. I just saw that it was about assassins and had a high rating on Goodreads and thought I would go for it. But, I can say, I was shocked at the maturity level of the book. It's not for kids. I thought it was, maybe because of the cover art? Haha.

Anyway, I know you haven't read Robin Hobb's farseer trilogy yet Jon, but this story definitely has some similarities to that story. But it's also a lot different.

I like the brutal reality of it. Azoth is just a kid and he has seen rape, murder, mutilation, etc. It's sad, of course. But it's his reality because he lives in the slums. Mr. Weeks doesn't try to sugar coat anything. He doesn't make Azoth naive because he's only eleven.

Then Weeks shows the other side of the tracks, so to speak. Logan Gyre is the son of a Duke. He has known nothing but luxury his whole life. He's well read and trains with the best weapons masters in the city. He's pretty much the complete opposite of Azoth. He probably thinks things are going to end up like they do in the stories, where Azoth knows better than that.

Then there is Durzo Blint - a man who tries to hide that he has any humanity left. I love him. I like when bits of compassion leak through his hard, uncaring shell. It's nice to see a character like that.

At this point in the book, Azoth has fully become Kylar Stern. And he really hasn't changed much. Which I think is my biggest problem with the story so far. He has been through a lot of stuff, and I would think he would have matured more. His love for Doll Girl is cute though - and I love it about him. He remains faithful to a girl that is forbidden to be a part of his life. That's true commitment, I'd say. Especially with his easy access to pleasures of the flesh in Momma K's brothels.

I also like the politics of the book - even if they lack the depth of ASOIAF. I love the Sa'kage and their dirty way of doing business. I love that the King is an idiot. He will die, I'm sure.

What I am looking forward to in the coming chapters is Kylar figuring out how to use his Talent. I think his character will develop more when he has that. I'm also interested to see what happens between him and Elene. Because I know he won't be content watching her from the window forever. (This relationship is very much like one in The Farseer Trilogy, by the way)

I can't wait to hear what you think, Jon. (And anyone else that wants to join in.) (hide spoiler)]

[Stacy]

Up to Chapter 41
(view spoiler)[Well, now it's getting interesting. Kylar has his Talent! Yay. I'm interested in seeing what happens between him and Elene now though. I imagine that she'll be mad at him? After all, he did punch her in the face.

I was shocked when he kissed Serah! I didn't really know his plan at that point and it just threw me for a loop. Plus, eww, I don't like her at all. =(

So.. part of me thinks that Blint's daughter is going to end up with Kylar. I don't know how old she is or anything yet. But that seems like a logical direction for the story to go. I really want him to be with Elene though. She's such a sweetheart! He needs her in his life to keep him from losing all his humanity too. I don't think Blint will kill Elene either. He's not as bad as he thinks he is. His heart controls him more than he would like. Especially now that he knows about his daughter? Interested to see how the next few chapters play out.

I felt bad for Momma K after Blint visited with her. I think he is going to regret his words sson - if he doesn't already.

Um, I think that's all I have to say right now. Time to read a bit more. (hide spoiler)]

[Jon]

Up to about 37
(view spoiler)[
Pretty good stuff so far.
I like the characters and the story. I'm hoping to learn more about the various forces in play, especially the Magic system, and about the politics, religions, history, etc. I'm sure more things will be cleared by the end of the book and in subsequent ones.
I'd probably need to visit wiki as well to brush up on all the terms.

I wonder what's going on with Azoth's Talent.

You mentioned the book reminds you of the Farseer trilogy. Well, the first thing that popped in my head was how similar this book is to The Final Empire. I think it sticks out because I read it last week, so it's still fresh. Have you heard of that book? You should check it out, I think you'd enjoy it.
Some of the major similarities:
Both Azoth and Vin (from Mistborn) were street orphans and part of a street guild, both had unique capabilities they haven't learned to master, both were apprentices to legendary killers. Standard stuff so far, I realize that. After all, almost every Hero Journey story is like that, but check out this part:
Both Azoth and Vin become a high-born person...
I know that's not an original idea either, but it just seems like there are a ton of similarities.
Even the magic systems are somewhat similar, although I admit I'm not really sure yet how the magic in TWOS works.


I'd like to know what you think when you get around to reading it :)

Another book I read recently is The Blue Sword, while the general themes are similar here as well, the main thing that stuck out is the Blue Sword...

My favorite characters are Doll Girl and Logan.
(hide spoiler)]

[Stacy]

Up to the end
(view spoiler)[I ended up really liking this book. I like how it ends with hope for Azoth and Doll Girl.
I no longer think Kylar will end up with Blint's daughter, Uly. But I am curious about her story.

I really liked the final fight between Blint and Kylar. Sure, Blint had some pretty low blows, like saying he was the one that cut Doll Face up. But it was done exactly the way it should have been.

My favorite character is Logan, definitely. He's just a generally good guy with a determination that I find admirable.

Going to start reading the second book either today or tomorrow.

I will look into reading The Final Empire series. Thanks for the suggestion. =) (hide spoiler)]

[Jon]

Whoops, forgot to check in. Sorry about that.
(view spoiler)[
I liked it too.

For a first time novel I think the author did an admirable job. I'm sure he gets even better in subsequent books. It's nice to know that there is no shortage of good fantasy authors writing today.

That said, I'm going to take a break from the series for now. I'll get back to it eventually but I'm going through a series/book ADD phase where I can't seem to stick with one series/genre/author.
Readers block, I guess :(

Do you prefer to finish a series right away?


(hide spoiler)]

[Stacy]

Yeah, I hate waiting for books in a series to come out. (ASOIAF especially) If it's a good series I just want to keep reading it. That being said, I haven't started reading the second book in this series yet. Haven't read anything due to being super busy with other stuff in life. But hoping to start something soon.