The Way of Shadows

Book 1 of The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks, is an action packed thriller!  This was a long read, but, among the futuristic / sci-fi types, I have to rate this one pretty high.  There are many stories within the story, reminding me of Game of Thrones, but the main one focuses on Azoth, an eleven year-old orphan, who has the chance to save himself from the dregs of the streets (led by Rat, an older boy who beats Azoth up for money) to work towards becoming an apprentice for Durzo.  Durzo is a wetback, a cold-blooded killer, who does not believe in love or feelings for others, there is only death.  Durzo has one request, prove yourself by killing Rat.  While he does so (cutting his ear off as proof), he finds his closest friend “Doll-Girl” left for dead, with a permanent scar on her face.  Meanwhile the other story centers on the young noble Logan Gyre (also eleven years old), who has his mother turn on him when he ascends to the lordship, at this early stage in his life.  More and more battles for the throne occur throughout the book for Logan and the entire society.  Back to Azoth, who is being trained by Durzo for a number of years under a new identity, Kylar Stern, where he has a battle with Logan Gyre, but in the end they become great friends! Durzo gets Kylar to receive “talents” (magical powers) to assist him against enemies.  During his work with Durzo, Kylar runs into Doll Face, who has a new identity as Elene.  (Lots of mistaken and hidden identity in this one, more than you can guess.)  He learns that Elene has the secret powers (kakari hidden in her room), though she was unaware, and he must knock her unconscious to save her and himself.  Logan’s woes continue as he is forced by the King to marry Jenine to secure his path to the crown, but he will lose the girl he loves. During the wedding ceremony, all breaks lose as Durzo and Roth, the most menacing of the evil-doers, forces Durzo to kill (by poisoning the food) those attending the wedding, including Logan and Jenine.  Most perish, but Logan gets away, only to see his new wife, whom he actually started to fall in love with die in his arms by the sword of Roth. Kylar finds out about all that is happening and attempts to thwart Roth’s attempt to take over the kingdom. When he arrives he is faced with fighting his mentor, Durzo, in a fight to the death!  Kylar wins, but is requested to take care of Durzo’s daughter as a last wish, which is shocking since Durzo has always maintained that feelings are not important!  Kylar finds Elene (Doll Girl) explains to her why he did what he did, and his affections towards her (he also saves Durzo’s daughter).    And then the last battle occurs …. Roth corners Kylar, calling him Azoth.  Wait… how does he know?  Well, Roth is really Rat!  Kylar notices when he sees one ear is missing!  Rat never died.  The final battle reveals …. Well, I won’t give the final ending away.  Remember there are two more books in this trilogy to follow…  You had to pay close attention to the story line involving the King and the fight for the kingdom, otherwise I enjoyed the Kylar and changing identities story.  This is worth picking up!