King of Shadows: Book Two in the Sword in Exile Trilogy

by Ann Marston

Book Overview

In this second book in the Sword of Exile trilogy, spring holds promise after the Somber Riders' long rule over the Celea lands. Destiny pulls together a girl whose Rune Blade thirsts for justice, a brash young sovereign whose heart seeks revenge, and a renegade Somber Rider, touched with Tyadda magic, who remembers a long-forgotten dream.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061020419
• ISBN13: 9780061020414
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Eos
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Wish there were more

I was completely drawn in by the characters and the story. I would recommend any of Ann Marston's books to my friends.

Applause for an excellent book

Ann Marston has woven together a classic fantasy, ranking high among the many post Tolkein authors who attempt to craft a story as masterfully as he did. While steeped in magic, King of Shadows, to it's credit, is not so unrealisticly magical that it becomes abstract and stupid. This book has a great co-main character in Cynric, even more appealing than the star of the first book in this trilogy, Gareth. My only complaint is that, as the trilogy moves on seemingly towards the story of the foretold king who will free the land, it seems likely we will not hear anymore of Cynric first hand in Marston's next book, Sword and Shadow.

Perfect

I loved the first trilogy and I love this trilogy so far. Must read

Second best book of all of the 2 triologies!

With the exception of the very first book, Kignmaker's Sword, this is the best of all of Ann's books in both the Rune Blade and Sword in Exile Triologies. I love how she makes two stories come together so nicely. I found both main characters very compeling and well rounded. Ann writes a great book and they just keep on coming.

Like the rest of the series, very enjoyable

I am becoming very attached to this series. Marston has an excellent sense of suspense and fate. Her stories have the fiber of legend, and reading them somehow feels as natural as reading Robin Hood or the Aeneid. Like Cloudbearer's Shadow, King of Shadows drives ever closer to the oncoming of a king to drive the Maedun from the land. The character of Cynric, the half-Saesnesi, half-Maedun rebel is especially appealing. I wish we could learn more of what happens to him, but I suspect Marston will move to the next generation with the next book, so that we only find out second-hand. My main complaint is that it's hard to get to know the characters well in so short a span, especially when the book switches narrators midway through. The action almost seemed like a foregone conclusion, and I wished we could have slowed done for more characterization and complexity. However, the book as a whole is very enjoyable, and I look forward to the continuation of the series.