Review: Good sequel, setting up a promising ending to the Tormay Trilogy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 19, 2013
I read the first book in this series more than a year ago, and I enjoyed that novel (The Hawk and His Boy). Only now, I got to the sequel. I read quite a few (indie and mainstream) fantasy series, and often the sequel fails to deliver the promise of the first installment. The Shadow at the Gate did not disappoint.The story took some time to pick up momentum, but I believe that is partly because I forgot quite a few details about the boy Jute, Severan the scholar, Levoreth and Ronan the Knife. But the story gathers steam and reaches its climax at a showdown during a ball where all the important lords and ladies gather, and another climax during a tense escape by some central characters from the city.The writing is mostly clean and crisp and even flowing poetically at a few spots. The plot thickens and there is plenty of tension. The worldbuilding gets more intricate and fantastic, in the most positive sense of the word. Importantly, some characters show depth, especially Jute, Levoreth and and Ronan, although their development is a bit lacking, in my view. Also, without spoiling too much, I am happy that Christopher Bunn is not afraid to kill his darlings.The Shadow at the Gate is not perfect, unfortunately. The pacing is good for two-third of the novel, but lags at places, especially towards the end. The antagonists seem quite one-dimensional, which is a pity. Although most of the magic is very well thought out and steeped in mythology, it at one point lapses into cliches like people turned into mice and annoying ghosts.Overall, after reading two-third of the Tormay Trilogy, I am looking forward to read the final installment, and won't wait as long as between the first and second book. If you're looking for an affordable indie trilogy of high fantasy, the Tormay Trilogy is a good find.(less)