Shadow

Rating:
Summary: A riveting, orginal tale of honor and courage
Review: I picked up "Shadow" after thoroughly enjoying Duncan's "Man of His Word" series. I was hoping for another good-natured, fun book. What I received was much more: Shadow is the tale of a man who becomes a noble's bodyguard - and takes the title of Shadow. His life becomes inextricably tied to that of his master. (thats the basic synopsis, since there isn't one given).

Although there are a few cliched characters in the book, the main cast is a well-rounded bunch that came alive for me. Duncan examines questions of honor and loyalty -- personal loyalty vs. loyalty to the crown -- in the midst of a compelling story.

The setting of the world is one of the most unique I have come across in a long time and for that alone I had to go back and reread the novel.

All-in-all, I would strongly recommend picking up Shadow -- you won't be dissappointed.

Rating:
Summary: One of Duncan's two best
Review: In my opinion 'West of January' and 'Shadow' are Dave Duncan's two best books. Not only are these undoubtedly the best of his single book novels, in many ways they are better than his series. My other favourite works by Duncan are his earlier series -- in particular 'A Man of His Word', 'The Great Game' and 'The Seventh Swordsman'. West of January and Shadow are a distillation of what is best about Duncan; a coherent and intriguing alternative universe, excellent characterization and plotting -- plus a keen moral edge that is sometimes submerged in the storyline of his series. It's as if you took one of best series and squeezed the essence into a single book.