Shadow's Lure (Shadow 2) [Hardcover]

As with Sprunk's debut, I find myself in the position of having to review a book which I thoroughly enjoyed and not wanting to sound like a frothing fan-boy. I shall, nonetheless, do my best to properly review the novel.

In this second novel, Sprunk offers readers everything on a grander scale. Caim has left the city at the centre of events in Shadow's Son, and has embarked on a personal mission. Through his eyes, we are given more information on the world in which he lives and bucket-loads of action and adventure. Shadow's Lure did not disappoint, and shows welcome growth in an author who was already clearly talented.

First up, and something that is clear from the very first chapters, is that Shadow's Lure is written on a wider canvas than the first novel - the scale is simply bigger, and it really works. Sprunk's debut was both refreshingly and frustratingly short on world-building, but in Shadow's Lure the author has allowed Caim's personal mission and also the wider events taking place in this world to add more to the reader's understanding and picture of this world. Caim's travels take him further afield, to the North, a land very different to that we (and Caim himself) are familiar with, and we see the contours and details of this world filled out. It's done extremely well. The characters that populate the different regions and cities are colourful and varied, and never boring. The people are tougher, more suspicious of outsiders and Caim struggles repeatedly to prove that he is not a Southern spy sent to destroy these peoples' way of life. In addition, he battles with the temptations of the Shadow that he can draw on during combat: it imbues him with considerable abilities, but comes with a bloodlust that can be overwhelming. He's not squeamish about the fact that he's a professional assassin, and thankfully isn't prone to long moments of introspection or self-evaluation. He's far more pragmatic about his skills and abilities, although he does not revel in them. He's a nicely rounded character, in other words, and is very believable.

Caim's story is one of adventure, intrigue, and accidental involvement in grand-yet-struggling insurrections. Along his travels, he becomes embroiled in an absolute ton of action, which is when Sprunk's writing truly shines: battle scenes are fast-paced, messy, and don't always turn out how the reader expects or wants. In addition, and this is something that really stood out for me, the battles, duels and brawls are not all the same - too often, with some authors, you read one fight scene and you've read them all. Sprunk keeps things interesting and fresh throughout, as well as keeping tally of Caim's and other's injuries which effect their abilities later in the novel. In other words, this novel is full of all the good stuff that we know and love from the fantasy genre.

Kit, Caim's peculiar spirit-guide, comes into some trouble, also, as she is wrenched from his side and must fight her way back to the real world to rejoin Caim and help him in his quest. This was an interesting and welcome decision from Sprunk, as it allowed for more of the Shadow and different realms to be explained. It was also, at times, rather creepy.

Newly-crowned Empress Josey still features in the novel, but not as prominently as Caim. Sadly, she is still not as interesting as Caim or his story, either. Whenever we switch to Josey's perspective, the momentum drops a little, which is disappointing because of the sheer brilliance and entertainment of Caim's plot thread, and also Kit's more eerie troubles. Josey is just not as strong a character as our hero, and not as convincing. I don't think I'd be wrong in guessing that Sprunk enjoyed writing Caim's story more. That being said, Josey's life is more interesting now that she's Empress, and we get to know a little more about the factionalism of court politics and her struggles to get to grips with those courtiers who are more loyal to the deposed regime, and also the increased civic unrest in Othir that comes from toppling a religious regime. In addition to this, there are some dark goings-on about the palace caused by an enigmatic assassin and assistance from an unexpected stranger. Josey remains quite naïve and also just a tad weak, though, which made her a little less convincing in her new role as Empress (she's a little too Liberal- and idealistic-seeming for these times, perhaps?). As readers draw ever-closer to the end of the novel, however, it becomes more clear that Josey's story and situation is meant to be quite different to Caim's, and it actually finishes on an atmospheric hunt for the assassin that had a very good slow-burning fuse.

The overall tone of the novel is quite dark, as the forces Caim can summon as well as those working behind the scenes in both the North and South of the world are sinister and brutal. This novel is not Abercrombie-gritty, but neither is it afraid of getting its literary hands dirty. The pace is superb, and both the premise and characters are engaging, entertaining, and almost all are very well crafted.

Sprunk has written quite a stirring final act, as Caim accepts the realities presented to him, taking up a burden he never wanted. It follows a long stretch of brutal action and warfare, in which Sprunk never lets the pace slow, keeping the story ploughing forwards and pulling the reader on to the very end.

Shadow's Lure features much-improved writing, plotting and characterisation; and it builds on an already confident and assured style. In other words, it's an improvement in every way.

This is great fantasy, filled with action and adventure, balanced by a dark sensibility that is addictive and engaging. Very highly recommended. If you haven't tried Sprunk's work yet, then I strongly suggest you rectify this as soon as possible.

For Fans of: Doug Hulick, Col Buchanan, David Chandler, Mark Lawrence, Joe Abercrombie, Tim Lebbon, Brent Weeks, Fritz Leiber

Shadow's Lure was a book I had been waiting for since I sunk my teeth into the excellent Shadow's Son. Much like Caim, I couldn't wait to travel North in search of answers to all the questions present in the first book. As Shadow's Lure is the second book in Jon Sprunk's trilogy, I didn't, however, expect to get all answers and I was ready for a long and bloody journey, with a path littered with bloody fights and ever increasing danger.

I wasn't disappointed.

Caim has left for the North, with Kit in tow, and he is about to walk into more trouble than he ever bargained for. Not only does he find himself involved in a rebellion he is tied to by his origins, but he is about to learn more than he ever wanted to about his family--and himself. Caim is still the same dry and sarcastic man we learnt to love in book one. His conscience haunting him more than ever and many feelings that he spent years repressing are threatening to burst out all at once, especially when Kit goes missing and the presence of other shadow-users is made clear.

But Caim isn't the only point-of-view in this story and when the narrative turns back to Othir, we're reunited with Josey, now Empress, and Hubert, now Lord Chancellor. Josey's part of the story is all about politics, intrigue, and attempted murder as she battles the True Church in an attempt to put the country she loves and wants to serve back on the right track. As she tries to gain the support of the nobles, Josey receives news that both frightens and strengthens her (I will avoid mentioning here so I don't spoil the surprise!). On top of it all, she has to survive assassination attempts.

The cast is well rounded, and there are some interesting additions to our three mains. Keegan especially stuck with me as Sprunk adds a most interesting detail about him (again, something I'll withhold as I'm not fond of giving away even little spoilers!). All I will say is that it's not something I had seen done in a fantasy novel before and I found it a truly interesting detail that added a strong sense of realism to both the characters and the events around him.

Overall, the book was exactly what I expected: Sprunk writes classic sword and sorcery, which at times reads like an extract out of a Dragon Age game, with its eerie dungeons and hordes of enemies. Caim goes from one fight to another and the book mostly keeps a breakneck speed. The middle of the book seemed to lose a bit of its own pace, slowing down unnecessarily in the middle of what would have otherwise been a really eerie and action filled part. But it finds its pace again towards the end when Sprunk offers a final confrontation reminiscent of a tough boss fight.

Sprunk's style has improved since book one and flows even more, making the book a pleasure to read. And with secrets being unveiled here, there, and everywhere, Shadow's Lure is sure to keep you reading late in the night (unless you do like me and stall at that bit in the middle...).

Overall it was a great, fun, and definitely boyish book that should appeal to all the sword and sorcery fans out there.

Always on the look out for new and talented authors and after reading his first book 'Shadows Son' I knew I'd find one of the best. This book gripped me by the fact that you should hate any assassins yet Caim the main character wins you over the same way David Gemmell's Waylander does. A truly great author and one to keep an eye on. His books are now on my shelfs beside such greats as Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, David Gemmell and Joe Ambercrombe, in which in great company he holds his own.