Shadow's Son (Shadow Saga, #1) in Q&A with Jon Sprunk

Apr 01, 2010 seak rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-review, 2010

I admit, I have a penchant for assassins. Am I the only one? Looking at the amount of fantasy and science fiction novels revolving around assassins, I'm gonna take a stab in the dark and say, nope.

In the holy city of Othir, treachery and corruption lurk at the end of every street, just the place for a freelance assassin with no loyalties and few scruples. Caim makes his living on the edge of a blade, but when a routine job goes south, he is thrust into the middle of an insidious plot.

Pitted aga I admit, I have a penchant for assassins. Am I the only one? Looking at the amount of fantasy and science fiction novels revolving around assassins, I'm gonna take a stab in the dark and say, nope.

In the holy city of Othir, treachery and corruption lurk at the end of every street, just the place for a freelance assassin with no loyalties and few scruples. Caim makes his living on the edge of a blade, but when a routine job goes south, he is thrust into the middle of an insidious plot.

Pitted against crooked lawmen, rival killers, and sorcery from the Other Side, his only allies are Josephine, the socialite daughter of his last target, and Kit, a guardian spirit no one else can see. In this fight for his life, Caim only trusts his knives and his instincts, but they won't be enough when his quest for justice leads him from Othir's hazardous back alleys to its shining corridors of power. To unmask a conspiracy at the heart of the empire, he must claim his birthright as the Shadow's Son...

Shadow's Son (2010) was a quick read about one of my favorite topics, assassins. I don't know what it is, do I really wish I were an assassin? Admittedly, probably part of me, and I'm guess others as well, but shouldn't we be a little worried that it's so popular? Should we really wonder why there are so many terrible things happening in the world, I mean, we all want to be assassins!

Okay, I don't actually think things are that bad, andassassins are just cool I guess. The solitary life, the late nights, the creeping around in other people's houses. Some of us already pretty much live the life anyway right? Hehe, yes, that was a joke.

Back on topic. Shadow's Son, like I said before, is a quick read, but with the added bonus of being one of those stories that reveals all the pertinent information as the plot unfolds and at a quick pace. I kept comparing this toThe Crown Conspiracy (review) as I read because of these similar elements. Thus preserving the mysteries that slowly come to light about Caim's past and about his companion Kit, the spirit who only Caim can see and who flitters in and out of his life throughout the book.

Add to this some great main protagonists in Caim and Josephine and you have one heck of a ride. Caim is the assassin with the heard of gold, which, however unbelievable that may be that a hardened individual could kill with hardly a thought and then show compassion, it works yet again in Shadow's Son.

Josephine is thrown into the mess after her father is killed and I couldn't help but be drawn to her. She's shown as a somewhat impetuous and rebellious teen, and again, Sprunk pulls you into her character as she experiences not only some hardships, but atrocities as well.

Why Should You Read Shadow's Son by Jon Sprunk?

Shadow's Son is a well-written book with some great characters and set in medieval territory with dark magic. What's not to love? The only real complaint I have is that it was only 278 pages...I really didn't want to stop reading. Luckily, this is the first in a trilogy and Melissa of My World has found out that Jon is hard at work on the sequel due out next year. ...more

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May 13, 2010 Melissa Hayden rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

Caim is an assassin. Kit is his beautiful guardian, no one else can hear or see. Kit has been with Caim for most of his life. She has helped him and warned him of numerous dangers - before they happen. For Caim fear is the key to the Shadows, and he can hide in the Shadows, unlike any other.

Against Caim's better judgement, he takes a job as a favor to his one friend in Othir, Mathis. The job was started by Ral, another assassin, who quit the job for another. This job goes arry in so many differ Caim is an assassin. Kit is his beautiful guardian, no one else can hear or see. Kit has been with Caim for most of his life. She has helped him and warned him of numerous dangers - before they happen. For Caim fear is the key to the Shadows, and he can hide in the Shadows, unlike any other.

Against Caim's better judgement, he takes a job as a favor to his one friend in Othir, Mathis. The job was started by Ral, another assassin, who quit the job for another. This job goes arry in so many different angles. Caim finds himself protecting his targets daughter, Josey - a gorgeous young lady.

Yes, this is a read of and with assassins. But even though there are assassins in the story, I enjoyed the additions to the story; dark magic, the empire and government, and the characters. It is not just about killing the bad guys, but about the story that is built here and what happens with the creations of the shadows.

The first chapter starts off with a bang; the action and mystery of who Kit is along with what Caim can do with the shadows. After chapter one the action slows just a little as you meet the main players of the story. You get to know them by way of flashbacks that highlight important pasts of their lives. Ones that lead them to who they are. This was a great way to get to know the characters along with some information for the storyline and conflicts. Don't fret as the action does pick back up. As I read I came up with questions, and got answers to the questions which then lead to bigger questions. The story and questions were all mixed with conspiracy, corruption, and mistrusts.

I was amazed at how this book reads as a whole story, or a stand-alone, with so much happening in this novel to complete the story. At a few transition spots got the feel that they where rushed, but these are small parts in a wonderful story. There is an end to the main story here, but there seems to be an underlining which you start to learn of Caim and his family history, the Shadows. I liked the use of Shadows as the ability Caim has. I am very curious to learn more about Caim as he learns more of who he is and what he can do.
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Jul 23, 2011 Eric rated it really liked it

I started reading this last summer, then I got caught up with a bunch of stuff and this book didn't get a fair chance.

I picked it back up a few days ago and dug back in. I really enjoyed this book. There were one or two of the fantasy trappings that didn't sit quite right with me, but I'm starting to wonder if it's just me.

The characters were strong, believable and grew as they moved through the story. The writing was clear and easy to read. I never felt like I hit a point in the book that was a ...more

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