Rating: 
Summary: Cale is a wonderful new character
Review: I read "Halls of Stormweather" and enjoyed it very much. One of my favorite characters from that book was Erevis Cale and I could not wait to read this full-length novel that deals with him. However, I was slightly disappointed when I finally did read this story.The story opens on a strong note with Cale's interaction with the Uskevren Family and then turns into almost a dungeon crawl through a Thieves' Guild. Cale and his Hafling friend Jak Fleet go to the guild in order to stop a great evil from harming and killing more people. Most of the book takes place in the guild and it starts to get boring after awhile. The story then ends on a high note with Cale and his nemesis Riven confronting one another. There are also some loose threads that are not dealt with, for example- Does Cale return to his old job? What happens to Tazi? and How do the Harpers deal with this? To sum up, the story started strong, became weak and ended strong. This is still a wonderful addition to the FR line and Cale is a charater to be watched in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Cale is a wonderful new character
Review: I read "Halls of Stormweather" and enjoyed it very much. One of my favorite characters from that book was Erevis Cale and I could not wait to read this full-length novel that deals with him. However, I was slightly disappointed when I finally did read this story. The story opens on a strong note with Cale's interaction with the Uskevren Family and then turns into almost a dungeon crawl through a Thieves' Guild. Cale and his Hafling friend Jak Fleet go to the guild in order to stop a great evil from harming and killing more people. Most of the book takes place in the guild and it starts to get boring after awhile. The story then ends on a high note with Cale and his nemesis Riven confronting one another. There are also some loose threads that are not dealt with, for example- Does Cale return to his old job? What happens to Tazi? and How do the Harpers deal with this? To sum up, the story started strong, became weak and ended strong. This is still a wonderful addition to the FR line and Cale is a charater to be watched in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: A delightful, quick read
Review: Let me say from the outset that I'm not a big D&D book person. In fact, I tend to shy away from "theme" books as a class. For what appears to be his first effort, Kemp hits the mark. Great pacing and development throughout. Nice character development and believable [if somewhat dubious] heroes. You can't go wrong with this pick . . . and I'm not an easy grader.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful, quick read
Review: Let me say from the outset that I'm not a big D&D book person. In fact, I tend to shy away from "theme" books as a class. For what appears to be his first effort, Kemp hits the mark. Great pacing and development throughout. Nice character development and believable [if somewhat dubious] heroes. You can't go wrong with this pick . . . and I'm not an easy grader.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Read!!!
Review: Paul S. Kemp is awesome, and its about time the Forgotten Realms series got dark and deep. I am tired of hearing about elves who ride around on white unicorns, only to save their halfling friends. Where is the bloodshed? Hell, and to that one reviewer who said he felt weak at his stomach for reading the book. PISS OFF, you bloody wanker!!!
Rating:
Summary: Paul Kemp is a great author.
Review: Shadow's Witness just arrived today. Approximately 12:30. It's now 4:13 and i'm done with it. I just devour novels. I am impressed. Kemp is quickly becoming one of the best authors the Realms has, and I want to see what he could do out of the Realms. This novel follows about 3 characters continually, and 5 total. (One for only a chapter. another for only part of a chapter). It, of course, mostly follows Erevis Cale, the butler for the Uskevren (Too Bold to Hide) family, and spy for the Night Knives. It also follows Jak Fleet. Priest of Brandobaris and Harper. and also Drasek Riven. Lt for the Night Knives, and high-up thief/assassin for the Zhentarim. Drasek Riven is written to be a character of unbridled ambition, and loyalty to almost none but himself. I say almost cause he seems to be loyal to the Zhents as an organization, if not his bosses. Throughout the entire book he has been conveyed this way, and unlike in Halls of Stormweather, he is not used as the foil to Erevis, but as his own character and meets up with Erevis only in the last couple pages. What a great last couple pages they were too. Jak Fleet is a man of contradictions. I mean a priest of Brandobaris as a Harper? It does work though, rather well. Kemp keeps track of what Misadventurers of Brandobaris could do in 2nd edition, and it shows in Jak's writing. He is like Drasek in the way that he is loyal to the organization and its beliefs, if not his superior officers. Mostly he is with Erevis in this novel, but there is couple of times we follow him by himself. Really great insights on his character. And i'll admit, If I ever run a game, I'm going to steal Kemp's idea on how God's call priests, and use it in direct game play. One minor note though. In Chapter 2, it seems either Kemp or Fleet mis-thought. Mentioning how the Righteous Man (leader of the night knives) was leader of the Night Masks. Either that was Kemp's mistype, or Fleet just doesn't pay attn to underworld organizations. .And finally Erevis Cale. Possibly the closest thing to a neutral character i've seen in a gaming novel yet. I swear he's true neutral. There's not much I can say about him, anything I say is pretty much a spoiler. Though his actions in this novel make me wonder if he still belongs in the Sembia (Aka the Uskevren) series. But even if not, I really do hope there are more novels about him. I like how Paul shows his knowledge of the setting. And his take on Divine spells (you will it to happen, and pray. even silently. While not fully practical game-wise, it really works for novular characters. (Yes I think i just made up a word.) This novel is one I highly recommend. For after reading it I have to place Kemp as one of my favorite living authors. A step or two below Kay. After the events of this novel, I really really hope WotC does a Tazi novel also. So far it seems this Shared Family experiment is a success. And now I can't wait for The Shattered Mask.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Realms Novel
Review: Shadow's Witness was a wonderfully dark, and entertaining novel, and I can give it 2 big thumbs up!! The novel takes place shortly after the first book in the Sembia series, Halls Of Stormweather, and as it has been said before. You should go read that one first. Erevis Cale the mysterious, and ever loyal butler is up to his doublet in demonic trouble, and only Jak Fleet veteran thief, and cleric is able to assist him. The book is rich with intrigue, and I was enthralled with Kemp's characters, and vibrant story telling ability. Kemp's characater of Cale is the perfect blend of tortured soul, and anti-hero. We know what he is capable of, but still would trust him with our lives. I hope to see much more of Kemp's work, and much more of Erevis Cale!!
Rating: 
Summary: Tried to finish this book , but couldn't
Review: The premise of the story involving Erevis Cale is a good one. However, after reading the scenes involving some the creatures and their "deeds" made me feel sick to my stomach as well as depressed. I hope Erevis is sucessful in his fight to right the wrongs, I just don't have to stomach to see this one through.
Rating:
Summary: A non-stop action pleaser with something to offer for all.
Review: This gritty, sometimes violent book pushes the envelope for the FR line. Unlike traditional "high" fantasy, this novel introduces an extremely unlikely hero, Erevis Cale. Like most of us, Cale isn't wholly good or bad. Rather, he is somewhere in between. Also walking a fine line is his halfling pal, Jak. Although he's a Harper, Jak is also a priest of Brandobaris who has a propensity for stealing. But, what the heck...they're both good at what they do! The storyline of this novel is fastpaced and filled with unexpected turns. It is definitely a book to read in a single sitting...so don't start unless you have time to read it through! By the way, if you're reading this Mr. Kemp...I'm a redhead!
Rating:
Summary: A non-stop action pleaser with something to offer for all.
Review: This gritty, sometimes violent book pushes the envelope for the FR line. Unlike traditional "high" fantasy, this novel introduces an extremely unlikely hero, Erevis Cale. Like most of us, Cale isn't wholly good or bad. Rather, he is somewhere in between. Also walking a fine line is his halfling pal, Jak. Although he's a Harper, Jak is also a priest of Brandobaris who has a propensity for stealing. But, what the heck...they're both good at what they do! The storyline of this novel is fastpaced and filled with unexpected turns. It is definitely a book to read in a single sitting...so don't start unless you have time to read it through! By the way, if you're reading this Mr. Kemp...I'm a redhead!
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