Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks

Author: Brent Weeks
Source: Personal Copies
Format: Paperback
Genre: Speculative Fiction - Fantasy
Books in this series:
(1) The Way of Shadows
(2) Shadow's Edge
(3) Beyond the Shadows

The Night Angel Trilogy is a fantasy series written by Brent Weeks. The story follows the life of Azoth (later Kylar Stern) as he struggles as a guild rat to become the ultimate wetboy (an assassin with magical talent, such as the ability to muffle sound or to block an attack), but then tries to leave it all behind and finally becomes the avatar of retribution: the Night Angel.

The City of Cenaria is in an upheaval state as a new King is settling in the throne while The Sa’Kagé, the criminal underworld, who controls everything from smuggling to prostitution ring in the city is getting more powerful day after day. Life is even more challenging for children like Azoth and his two best friends, Jarl and Doll Girl, who scrounge to survive on the vilest part of Cenaria known as “The Warren”. As members of a guild, these kids’ main job is to stealing money to buy food and to pay for their dues. Failing to do so will caused them to be beaten by the sadistic Guild Fist, Rat. As the hatred between Rat and Azoth steaming further, Azoth knows that the only way to be something better is by running away from Rat’s claws. Azoth’s plan of escape comes in the form of one Durzo Blint, the famous “Wetboy”, Cenaria City’s most feared professional assassin. The plan quickly turns into revenge once Rat finds out about his intention and do unthinkable things to both Jarl and Doll Girl.

Azoth begs to be Durzo’s apprentice, but to be one, sacrifices need to be made and one person has to be killed. The going continues to get tough for Azoth, but he never falters and keeps on going. With Durzo as his Master, Azoth learns the way of being a skilled killer, the way of living in the shadows and eventually finds out his real purpose of being Durzo’s apprentice. Once he aces the art of assassination, Azoth is given a new identity as a minor noble, Kylar Stern, a name that means “Undying Dier”. Despite learning everything from his Master, there is still something that Durzo hides from Kylar, a secret that plays crucial role in the continuation of the series. As the Land of Cenaria continues to struggle, Kylar is torn between embracing the monster that he has become or be the greater good that he always wanted to be. Is that decision truly is in Kylar’s hand or circumstances will bare its ugly teeth and make the decision for him?

The Night Angel Trilogy is indeed a series that amazed me in so many levels. I didn’t put any expectation when I first picked up these books as they are not the kinds that I normally read but I’m pleasantly surprised to see how they are able to blow me away with mind blowing plots, unique characters and impressive world building. The trilogy is definitely a series that has it all: from story about adventure full of action, magic and violence to story about love packed with laughter, affections and heartbreaks. The beginning of the first instalment, The Way of Shadows, maybe a little confusing initially because it starts off from multiple angles and many loose ends are left open. However, as the story goes on, the author – Brent Weeks – expertly weaves each separated stories and slowly reveal the bigger picture, one that I honestly never sees coming. This totally proves that he is one of those extraordinary writers that have an incredible talent in writing and holding the suspense from the beginning to the end.

Another one aspect that I really appreciate in The Night Angel Trilogy is that it never really lost its stride. In every books, there are continuous heart pounding actions interweave with some tender moments that tend to occur during unexpected circumstances. The characters that Weeks created for this series are all complex, multi-layered and fit within the dark, unforgiving world that he created. Each and every one of them is complete with their own strengths, weaknesses and also secrets that are slowly unfold throughout the series. However, like many other epic fantasy books, this trilogy also contains so many characters, plot twists and in depth storylines. These maybe drawbacks for some readers as they may cause major confusion and difficulties in understanding everything that the author tries to convey. Though believe me, the more you read, the more you’ll discover and Weeks definitely did an excellent job in unravelling every single knots and confusions that readers have once they start reading his books. Do trust me when I said the wait and anticipation are totally worth it.

Without any doubt, The Night Angel Trilogy is definitely one of the best series that I completed in 2011. The author introduced readers to a world so awful and so devoid of any ethical sense. A world where people are willing to kill one another to gain power, willing to eat one another just to survive. This is the kind of series that will scare you with its gruesome details and also fill you with hopes and despairs. A remarkable read that I recommend to all.

Favourite Quote: "Life is empty. Life is meaningless. When we take a life, we aren't taking anything of value. Wetboys are killers. That's all we do. That's all we are. There are no poets in the bitter business" - The Wetboys' Vow

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study Series #1 
Source: Personal Copy
Format: Paperback
Genre: Speculative Fiction

Synopsis (from author's page):

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered a reprieve. She'll eat the best meals and have rooms in the palace, so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear...

The practice of magic is strictly forbidden in Ixia. However, in the home of General Brazell, series of experiments are conducted to measure magical abilities of some orphans that the general and his minions abducted at very young age. Yelena is one of them. Initially, the orphans regard General Brazell as a father figure that they don’t have. Nevertheless, when the once harmless tests turn into torture, they begin to see the demon that resides behind the general’s shield. The general gives up on Yelena when she failed one of her test and hands her to his son, Reyad, to do whatever he pleases to her. When the situation turns sadistic, Yelena has no choice other than to kill Reyad in self-defence. She now faces an execution for the murder that she commits. Given an option, whether to face the noose or serve the Commander as a food tester, Yelena ends up chooses life over death. Does the choice she made worth it? Or she is left with more problems in hand than she previously did?

Poison Study ferociously grabs readers with its intense plot, heart-stopping action and delicate romance. Snyder has proved that she is one of the authors, who are not afraid to present the gruesome details of Yelena’s world descriptively in her writing; which is something I truly appreciate. She successfully enthralled readers with her impressing world-building and the way she creates the nail-biting atmosphere in Poison Study. The setting of the world that Yelena lives in is complete with its own rigid, unfaltering legal and political systems, which are different from our own. While there is something we call justice in our world, such term cease to exist in Yelena’s as any kind of murder committed outside of the war will directly send the doer to the noose. Difference like this one pique my curiosity towards this book and make it even more appealing.

The characters line-up in Poison Study is definitely another thing in this books that I really admire. Yelena is portrayed as a strong-willed, sarcastic and resourceful character. She is extremely strong mentally from the very beginning and I feel that no one can stand tall with the strain that she is under but Yelena never falter, never gives up and keeps on moving forward. Later, with chain of trainings she rises to be someone stronger physically and is able to go into combat as if she was born with such talent. Valek, the man in-charge of the food taster, is another mysterious character that I come to love. The complexity of his character is rather intriguing and I absolutely love the way his interaction with Yelena change throughout the book. The thing that happens between them is rather subtle yet solid, without consuming the entire plot of Poison Study.

Overall, Poison Study is definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. With its invigorating plot, intense atmosphere and fast-paced action, Maria V. Snyder plunged readers to a grotesque world where killing is make necessary for one to remain alive and to gain power. This is indeed a book that you don’t want to miss.

Favourite Quote: Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some Good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, then go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo

An addictive read that instantaneously seize readers into Snyder's intricate and intense world, where only the strong and smart one will survive. A story about self preseverance and self discovery in the midst of danger that I'd recommend. Definitely one of my favourites!