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7 months ago ::
Oct 28, 2012 - 3:55PM
#1
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Date Joined:
Feb 19, 2006
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Here we go with another chapter in Shadowbane's story! I've been excited for this one for a while. I'm posting this forum a day early because I'm here in Northeastern PA right in the track of the dreaded Sandy! Not sure we'll have power in the next few days, but I'm charging my Nook up to be prepared.
This forum will cover the Prologue and Part I, Chapters 1-4.
Looking forward to your thoughts, as always.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 01, 2012 - 6:21AM
#2
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Date Joined:
Feb 19, 2006
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Well, the bulk of Sandy missed us here in Northeast PA, and the other upswing was that I was home from work for two days so I already finished the first section of Eye of Justice. There are some interesting developments here, and I think this story is bringing Shadowbane full circle back to his roots.
I like how the book is partitioned into larger sections, and this first part brought us back to some familiar characters and introduced some new ones. I still think Myrin is a great character because of the way that she's gradually getting pieces of her past back as each book moves forward. I liked the touch with the blind dwarf and the gate guardian in her ancestral home. I wonder when poor Kalen is going to realize Myrin's feelings for him, or if it will be too late when he does. I just have this feeling she's going to get too frustrated with him at some point and he's going to lose her. The flirtatious gnome also seems like he's going to add a lot to the comedy in this story.
I'm happy to see Fox back again, and I'm very intrigued to figure out what her motivations are in Westgate. The only point of confusion in this first section (which was probably intentional) was with the scene where Shadowbane attacks the two gangs and then Fox. I'm assuming, based on the ominous comment near the end of that chapter, that this wasn't Kalen. So that poses the question - who is it? It's obviously someone who has taken on the Shadowbane mantle and has the power to summon Vindicator. Is it Rhett? Is it one of the other villians from Shadowbane's past? The confusing part is Vindicator. This is obviously someone who isn't a simple imposter if they have the power to summon the sword. I guess we'll find out!
And what I'm really wondering - where is Fayne!? If I remember correctly, we didn't see much (or any) of her in the last book, so I'm guessing she's going to come back into old Shadow's life here. (If I'm forgetting something about Fayne I should be remembering, someone please clue me in. I have a horrible memory when it comes to fiction.)
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7 months ago ::
Nov 03, 2012 - 11:09AM
#3
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Date Joined:
Jul 12, 2009
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Well, the bulk of Sandy missed us here in Northeast PA, and the other upswing was that I was home from work for two days so I already finished the first section of Eye of Justice. There are some interesting developments here, and I think this story is bringing Shadowbane full circle back to his roots.
Good to hear, DC! I'm glad you're doing well.
I like how the book is partitioned into larger sections, and this first part brought us back to some familiar characters and introduced some new ones.
I'm glad! Take note of the little intro pieces on the chapters--there might be a familiar reference or two. 
I still think Myrin is a great character because of the way that she's gradually getting pieces of her past back as each book moves forward. I liked the touch with the blind dwarf and the gate guardian in her ancestral home. I wonder when poor Kalen is going to realize Myrin's feelings for him, or if it will be too late when he does. I just have this feeling she's going to get too frustrated with him at some point and he's going to lose her.
Their troubled relationship is definitely an arc going on in these books. A lot of good would be done if they just had a frank conversation about their feelings, but there are also significant issues standing between them, particularly Rhett's fate. Kind of what I was going for was Kalen feeling that the Rhett situation has to be resolved, then he and Myrin can figure out what's going on between them.
The flirtatious gnome also seems like he's going to add a lot to the comedy in this story.
I love that character.
I'm happy to see Fox back again, and I'm very intrigued to figure out what her motivations are in Westgate.
Oh yes, there will be lots of intrigue awaiting.
The only point of confusion in this first section (which was probably intentional) was with the scene where Shadowbane attacks the two gangs and then Fox. I'm assuming, based on the ominous comment near the end of that chapter, that this wasn't Kalen. So that poses the question - who is it? It's obviously someone who has taken on the Shadowbane mantle and has the power to summon Vindicator. Is it Rhett? Is it one of the other villians from Shadowbane's past? The confusing part is Vindicator. This is obviously someone who isn't a simple imposter if they have the power to summon the sword. I guess we'll find out!
The idea there was that you were supposed to assume it was Kalen in that scene, but then he takes more and more actions that hint it's someone else, and then you get the final confirmation that it isn't Kalen. But who could it be?
Let me just assure you that you WILL find out.
And what I'm really wondering - where is Fayne!? If I remember correctly, we didn't see much (or any) of her in the last book, so I'm guessing she's going to come back into old Shadow's life here.
Rest assured, you're on the right track. Keep that in mind.
(If I'm forgetting something about Fayne I should be remembering, someone please clue me in. I have a horrible memory when it comes to fiction.)
Possibly. To clarify, Fayne did NOT appear in the SHADOWBANE novel, thoughs he was in the Chosen of the Sword novella and had a brief appearance in the "New Purpose" story that's included in the Shadowbane ebook bundle.
Cheers
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7 months ago ::
Nov 05, 2012 - 5:47AM
#4
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Hi everyone. Looks like I am a little late to the party again. Sorry for my tardiness. I just finished up Shadowbane and then juimped into this book. I really do like being able to finish a book and jump right into it's sequel. Nothing worse than having to wait for what seems like forever to see what happens to the characters. I agree with Dado that I found myself confused a bit reading this first section. First I thought it was Shadowbane, then I thought it wasn't, then I thought it was again, and finally it wasn't. Ultimately, I started to think it could be Rhett but now I am not so sure again. If I find time I may take another pass through this first section to see if I pick up anything the second time that I missed the first time through. Regardsless, I enjoyed being kept on my toes and being thrown a big curve this early in the book. I do enjoy Myrin's character and all the mystery that surrounds her. Someone deep inside of me there is a little evil DM who hopes that when she finally regains her memory she will turn out to be evil and then their will be a conflict between her and Kalen. I know I know...it's not likely but a man can have his dreams. I do have one question....is there a single city in all of Faerun where Shadowbane can go that 90% of the citizens don't have a score to settle with him? LOL I almost feel bad for anyone who travels with him because he just seems to have made enemies everywhere. It reminds me of Batman. Looking forward to diving into the rest of the book and finding out where things go from here. Especially if Fayne makes an appearance.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 05, 2012 - 7:34AM
#5
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Date Joined:
Feb 19, 2006
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Now that we have Erik's explanation, let me say that the scene worked perfectly. I obviously thought it was Shadowbane, then I was wondering why he was being so harsh, and then was shocked to read that it wasn't Kalen. Kudos on catching me completely off guard.
I agree with Mordrim that Shadow feels more and more like Batman, and there's nothing worse for the reputation of a masked hero than an imposter, especially a convincing one like this.
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7 months ago ::
Nov 07, 2012 - 7:33AM
#6
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Date Joined:
Jul 12, 2009
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Hi everyone. Looks like I am a little late to the party again. Sorry for my tardiness. I just finished up Shadowbane and then juimped into this book. I really do like being able to finish a book and jump right into it's sequel. Nothing worse than having to wait for what seems like forever to see what happens to the characters.
Alas, there will be a wait after the conclusion of this book. We'll see what happens!
I agree with Dado that I found myself confused a bit reading this first section. First I thought it was Shadowbane, then I thought it wasn't, then I thought it was again, and finally it wasn't. Ultimately, I started to think it could be Rhett but now I am not so sure again. If I find time I may take another pass through this first section to see if I pick up anything the second time that I missed the first time through. Regardsless, I enjoyed being kept on my toes and being thrown a big curve this early in the book.
Thanks! And you're welcome. The confusion was definitely intentional--I'll happily misdirect my readers, but know this, I'll never overtly LIE to my readers. The characters might, at least temporarily, but the story itself won't. The truth will come out.
I do enjoy Myrin's character and all the mystery that surrounds her. Someone deep inside of me there is a little evil DM who hopes that when she finally regains her memory she will turn out to be evil and then their will be a conflict between her and Kalen. I know I know...it's not likely but a man can have his dreams.
Hold onto those dreams. I'm keeping it purposefully very ambiguous what kind of person Myrin was in the past, as will become clear as you read further.
I do have one question....is there a single city in all of Faerun where Shadowbane can go that 90% of the citizens don't have a score to settle with him? LOL I almost feel bad for anyone who travels with him because he just seems to have made enemies everywhere. It reminds me of Batman.
Ha! His "crusade for justice" is pretty much limited to Westgate (where he trained and worked for seven years) and Waterdeep (where he worked for four). His predecessor Gedrin Shadowbane is actually more famous in certain places, having operated from the late 1380s through the 1460s. The legend of Shadowbane in Westgate is like the legend of Batman in Gotham City: a creepy urban legend that keeps people indoors at night and puts smart criminals on their toes.
Looking forward to diving into the rest of the book and finding out where things go from here. Especially if Fayne makes an appearance.
We'll see! Keep your eyes peeled.
Cheers
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