The Way of Shadows

By: Brent Weeks

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 17 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

From NYT bestselling author Brent Weeks comes the first novel in his breakout fantasy trilogy in which a young boy trains under the city's most legendary and feared assassin, Durzo Blint.

For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art—and he is the city's most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly—and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics—and cultivate a flair for death.

©2008 Brent Weeks (P)2023 Orbit

Critic reviews

"What a terrific story! I was mesmerized 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 writer's work."—Terry Brooks

"Kylar is a wonderful character—sympathetic and despicable, cowardly and courageous, honorable and unscrupulous...a breathtaking debut!"—Dave Duncan

Nice combo of light/dark

Plenty of cheesy moments, but has dark parts too. Plot is layered, characters have depth. Simon Vance, as usual, does an absolutely amazing job.

Outstanding

This book has some of the richest storytelling I’ve ever experienced. 5/5 have read 5 times.

Very good

Looking forward to book 2. I can’t see where it will go from here but can’t wait to find out.

Simon Vance, enough said!

I bought the trilogy read by Paul, but when i found out that Simon is reading The Night Angel Trilogy. It was an instant buy before the new book is out!

Until Kip find out that Logan is his long lost relative? I’ll keep on reading and listening!!!

-Z

great remake

great classic that got me interested in reading as a teenager when it first came out.

worth it if you have nothing else to read

Simon Vance did an incredible job of voice acting. I could understand every pernunciation and understood when the focus of conversation shifted from one character to another in the same scene.

I wish the editors of these audio books would pause more or add more chapters so you understand when the scene changes.

As for the writing: If you don't pay attention to names, the story could be confusing. Sometimes, the author switches between a character's first and last name.

Sometimes, the conversation between two well-educated adults seems childish, or the flow of the conversation is off.

Overall, I will probably get the second book when I finish another book on my list. I did not dislike it.

Excellent

What an amazing story! I can’t wait to read the next to find out what happens!

Slow Start—Don’t Quit

I was slowly drawn in and thought okay have to give the second book a try. What a difference—so worth doing the time to get to know the characters. Be patient with this one—you won’t be sorry!

Great!

Great story, great characters. Very much enjoyed this and its sequels. Simon Vance is outstanding. Glad I came across these after his versions were released.

I liked it but didn’t love it

This book took its sweet time to draw me in, and never managed to do so completely. The story was cool, but the characters and writing were just ‘fine’. It lacked a depth and humor other series of this caliber usually have. It’s an interesting read, just not a great one