Brent Weeks

The action-packed second book in the Night Angel trilogy, from international bestseller Brent Weeks Kylar has rejected the assassin's life. In the wake of the Godking's violent coup, both his master and his closest friend are dead. His friend was Logan Gyre, heir to Cenaria's throne, but few of the ruling class survive to mourn his loss. So Kylar is starting over: new city, new companions, and new profession. But when he learns that Logan might be alive, trapped and in hiding, Kylar faces an impossible choice. He could give up the way of shadows forever, and find peace with his young family. Or Kylar could succumb to his flair for destruction, the years of training, to save his friend and his country - and lose all he holds precious. 'Brent Weeks is so good it's beginning to tick me off' Peter V. Brett 'Weeks has a style of immediacy and detail that pulls the reader relentlessly into the story. He doesn't allow you to look away' Robin Hobb 'I was mesmerised from start to finish. Unforgettable characters, a plot that kept me guessing, non-stop action and the kind of in-depth storytelling that makes me admire a writers' work' Terry Brooks 'Weeks has truly cemented his place among the great epic fantasy writers of our time' British Fantasy Society Books by Brent Weeks Night Angel The Way of Shadows Shadow's Edge Beyond the Shadows Perfect Shadow (novella) Lightbringer The Black Prism The Blinding Knife The Broken Eye The Blood Mirror The Burning White

Book 2 of the Night Angel

Shadow's Edge

From New York Times bestselling author Brent Weeks... Kylar Stern has rejected the assassin's life. The Godking's successful coup has left Kylar's master, Durzo, and his best friend, Logan, dead. He is starting over: new city, new friends, and new profession. But when he learns that Logan might actually be alive and in hiding, Kylar is faced with an agonizing choice: will he give up the way of shadows forever and live in peace with his new family, or will he risk everything by taking on the ultimate hit? Night Angel The Way of Shadows Shadow's Edge Beyond the Shadows Night Angel: The Complete Trilogy (omnibus) Perfect Shadow: A Night Angel Novella (e-only) The Way of Shadows: The Graphic Novel For more from Brent Weeks, check out: Lightbringer The Black Prism The Blinding Knife The Broken Eye The Blood Mirror

So when I first started this book, I was a bit apprehensive because everyone else had spoken about how the two books after The Way of Shadows weren't as good as the first book.

I have really, really mixed feelings about this book. It started and ended with a bang, that's for sure.

Azo--I mean, Kylar (I guess he's officially called Kylar now) was excellently done. He's a flawed character, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. He has this tendency to moan and groan about how much he can't understand women (Elene, specifically). It's understandable, yes, based on his upbringing...but really, how many times, Mr. Weeks, do you have to make him think to himsef "I can't understand women...I can't understand women...I love Elene...I can't understand women...." 



Anyway, the periods of angst with Elene was relatively short-lived compared to the rest of the book, so I really shouldn't complain that much. With all of the sidestories and other characters that are scrambling around the pages, it can sometimes make for some hectic reading. You get to read about Dorian, the Godking, Logan Gyre, Momma K and Jarl, and Vi's adventures separately, sometimes all of them in one chapter. It's a little disorienting at first.

Speaking of the characters, let's move on to the female ones in general. Vi was kickass, and I loved her development. Momma K...oh, god, Momma K...

You are the best. I fucking love you. I'm so fucking glad that (Minor spoilers?) Weeks hasn't killed you off quite yet.
It's actually quite strange; I usually don't like the presence of the leetles (children) because authors have the tendency to make them all sycophantic and horribly irritating towards the main character, or just in general.
I loved Ulyssandra and how she was written. She was cute, funny, and served as a much-needed source of comic relief. 
Now...Elene. When the book started off, she was bitchy and I absolutely hated her. With the "honey"s and the "dear"s and the "oh but you MUST retire from being a WETBOY! *inordinate sobbing about how WRONG killing is*
As the book progressed, though, she improved, I have to say. After the beginning, the reader doesn't see too much of her, but...I suppose...


Anyhow, the action is almost nonstop. Fantastic sequel to an already amazing first book. I'll be looking around for the third, next!

Nat Welch

If you can get past every time this book treats sex and virginity to that of a 14 year old, it's got some interesting characters.

Isa s

Shadow’s Edge is the second book in the Night Angel trilogy. It continues the story of Kylar, who has left his earlier life of an assassin behind and tries to lead a “normal” life together with Elene. Meanwhile the Godking strengthens his hold on Cenaria while the true king, Logan Gyre, tries to survive in the worst dungeon imaginable.
The second book has more plot twists than the first and develops the characters further. Some characters that only played a minor part in The Way of Shadows become main characters during Shadow’s Edge. I loved the insight into some of the minor characters (the focus of the first book was on Kylar), it gave the book depth.
I first read this story some months ago in German (my local library only had an English copy of the first book in the series). After finishing the series I felt a bit overwhelmed by all the plots within plots and character development, so I decided to re-read the series. As an audiobook fan I now listened to the English audiobook. Paul Boehmer is a decent narrator and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook immensely. Even though I already knew the story I finished the audiobook (21 hours) in about four days.
Knowing the story already I could pay more attention to the details and little hints and plot twists. That might also have been due to the way the narrator of the audiobook presents the story.
Comparing the book to George R. R. Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire, I certainly prefer the Night Angel Trilogy. It is a complex book with plot twists, surprises and well-developed characters without the lengthiness of Martin’s books.

I started and didn't put the book down until I finished. I fell more in love with the characters and the plot offered some good twists. Sure, some things I didn't like but the book itself was fun. 

Shadow's Edge Book 2 of the Night Angel

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