Wolf in Shadow - David Gemmell

Advantages: The whole thing
Disadvantages: None

Wolf in shadow, well this story is certainly not in anyone’s shadow; once again it’s Gemmell at his best. Although I felt that the hero of this book (Jon Shannow) was pretty similar to Waylander the Slayer, as in his no nonsense way of getting things done, it didn’t detract from the read. (Far from it) The basic plot outline goes thus; it has been three hundred years since the world foundered and fell from its axis, and our culture ...
...they have made one fatal mistake, they upset Jon Shannow and now find themselves facing the most deadliest warrior of the new age – The Jerusalem Man! In closing, if you’re a fan of Gemmell this is most definitely for you. Wolf in Shadow – Fantastic! Wemstalker. ... Read review

Advantages: Action packed adventure
Disadvantages: Nedd to read whole series

...and a few shocks so that the obvious path isn’t always followed and the end of this second instalment once again leaves us on a knife’s edge thinking how can the brave Wolverines survive. Nicholls as succeed in writing an ‘hedge of your seat’ adventure, steeped in the fantasy tradition while at the same time subverting the genre so as to something distinctive and new. The author is very well versed in the field of fantasy literature having written children’s fiction (Nightshade Chronicles trilogy) and being a regular guide to the fantasy genre for Time Out magazine. He has also collaborated with David Gemmell on ‘Legend and Wolf in Shadow’ and I found his style to be very reminiscent of Gemmell’s certainly his fans will enjoy this trilogy. While this series might not be as good as some of the classic fantasies and in some ways maybe... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Fast paced, new slant on a tired genre
Disadvantages: Books are not stand alone

...of the plot unfolds in the conversation of the different characters and the language used if modern in feel so has not to put off readers who might be off put by the more archaic style that Tolkien tended to use. Not so much stylistically but in the way he approaches the story he reminded me very much of David Gemmell and it was no surprise to find that he his a big fan as well as having collaborated with Gemmell on one project ‘Legend and Wolf in Shadow’. Any Gemmell fans will I think also be seduced by this trilogy. One last thing…don’t be put off by the awful cover of the paperback version, this is a much darker book than the cover would suggest. ‘Bodyguard of Lightning’ by Stan Nicholls (Published by Gollancz -ISBN: 1857985575, paperback 352 pages) can be bought from Amazon.co.uk for £7.04 (+p&p) but a better deal is to buy the omnibus... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful