Beyond the Shadows

The Way of Shadows ???????????????Shadow's Edge ???????????????Beyond the Shadows ???????????????

For this review, you need to know that I went into this trilogy with an open heart. I had read the complete trilogy years ago, possibly encroaching on ten years ago, when I was a bairn. When it came to my 2018 re-read I only remembered the first book but my feelings regarding the trilogy were warm and fuzzy.

That was lies. I adored book one, it always and forever will be a favourite book of mine. Both books two and three are trash fires that I kind of wish hadn???t been written. That???s not a fair nor objective response to those books. My hopes were high and then subsequently destroyed so my ratings are possibly an overreaction. I???m going to cover my issues with both of the sequels in this review, but be aware that beyond here there be spoilers.

In the second book the cast widens from the first to include POV from Kylar/Azoth???s childhood friends, Elene and Jarl. Additionally we get POV from another apprentice wetboy who was mentioned in the first book Vi, Momma K, Logan Gyre and Solon, Feir and Dorian. There is a wide range of backstories and character types in this cast that would have made for some excellent reading. Only, every time any of the women in the main cast are in a scene it is somehow related to their sexuality and connection to one of the men in the series.

Momma K is the only one who I feel could argue doesn???t fall prey to this as she is successful currently in the timeline of the series on her own means. However in scenes where she interacts with any bloke we are reminded of her beauty and how it made her the hottest commodity back when she was a whore. So I both loved Momma K and her boss ass knowledge/most competent character thing and hated how her backstory kept creeping back in there.

Then we get Elene, the virginal woman who is literally lifted onto a pedestal for her morals and innocence. She really felt like I should be imagining a golden glow around her the whole time. I think this could have been passed over if it hadn???t been for Vi???s demonisation due to her promiscuity. It mentions that she used sex as a weapon and that the master who essentially raised her abused her sexually, yet somehow she never felt sexual pleasure until she fell in love with our hero. I???m not buying the dick so good it reversed the numbness. I just don't. The triangle that was going on for the last two books never felt worth it to me as it was so one sided and undeveloped. Additionally we were treated to that double love triangle goodness in the third book with Jenine/Logan/Dorian. I???m not touching that one at all, none of it was believable or well written and I could have happily skipped it entirely.

Another issue I had with this series was the lack of world building. I struggled to keep the countries and motivations straight in my head the whole time. I???m still not sure where the Chantry is or why everyone seems to not mind that their method of recruitment is kidnapping. Alitaerans are who exactly and what stake do they have in any of this? Why is Cenaria the name of a city and its country (as far as I can tell)? I thought Ceuran meantime someone from Cenaria for ages, and now I???m not sure. I feel like having read this entire series twice I should be sure. If this element had been stronger I probably would have enjoyed this series better.

And finally, what brand of bullshit are we calling that ending? Vi realises magically that Elene is no longer pregnant at Elene???s funeral when touching her. Then instantly realised this must have been because of Dorian touching the two most magical artefacts (as they sang that weird song as a group as Elene lay dying) took her baby and implanted into the pregnant womb of the woman he loved. I would like to smoke whatever Vi is smoking because it might have made that make sense. After this bombshell is dropped, we just move on with life in the happily ever after.

I???m doubting my choice to buy the first four Lightbringer books now. Can someone reassure me they are better that this mess?