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Reviews

Perfect Shadow by Brent Weeks

tagoreketabkhane31's review against another edition

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5.0

I read and re-read Brent Weeks and the Night Angel trilogy years ago, and loved the series for how it took Dark Fantasy to a whole new level. Before Mark Lawrence and the Prince of Thorns, there was Weeks and the Nigh Angel, and reading the novella so many years later focusing on the origin of Durzo Blint (along with the short story of the Night Angel himself) it was fun to back in the world, and to see that for the novella Weeks was trying a new tone, pace and writing style to have it stand apart from the mainline trilogy itself.

I will say, reading it now in 2021, I do wonder if how Weeks writes his female characters is a sign of how he initially views women (though he is known to write female characters in various ways) or if its necessary for the world that he has created. Or, for that matter, the level of coarseness that we see in the book.

Whatever the case, I do recommend reading the Night Angel trilogy first before reading the novella, even though its an origin story. Also, definitely not for the faint of heart.

claireyeah's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

This was okay, nice and short but I was very confused. I feel like this should have been a bit of an introduction to the whole series but I just felt very lost. I'm hoping book 1 is a bit more world-buildy because I'm really looking forward to the series.

abicrt3's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

3.0

nikolson's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

slumpedizzy's review against another edition

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dark informative fast-paced

4.0

andyb245's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

stygian_theophany's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

thedavis42's review against another edition

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4.0

4/5

bings's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

IMO, this should be read after the Night Angel trilogy. 

The perfect shadow does take place before it, however, you will totally feel lost without the knowledge of the world created and built upon in the trilogy. Also I think there is a greater appreciation for the easter eggs scattered throughout the novella. Keep in mind the writing style used by Brent Weeks in the novella was an experiment with a new writing prose and can be a bit jarring at the start. 

I, Night angel (definitely to be read after the trilogy) the short story is amazing and awesome and I loved it to bits. Hoping that that style pulled through to his later work Night Angel Nemesis. 

madgin's review against another edition

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  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25