This is a famous russian author, or so I'm told... I've read the Night Watch ect books so my experience with Russian fantasy authors is a good one so far (although they do dark dark dark fantasy like noone else except the skandinavians...have you ever read Let The Right One In??) .This particular story is more in the traditional fantasy vein, not so much dark urban fantasy. It's a classic master-thief-turns-reluctant hero story, livened by what I think is an interesting style in storytelling. Since I don't speak Russian I'm not sure if this is a language factor or if it's the author's own personal style, but whichever it is, I like! If you're a fan of classic quest-type fantasy, you should give this a try. I can understand why some readers might rate Shadow Prowler lower - it doesn't seem all that original, at first glance. This book draws from a sub-genre of fantasy that has been around the bend and them some - horse and sword fantasy, as popularized by Tolkien with LOTR. However, anyone accusing Pehov of a lack in originality is quite wrong, and to be honest, ignorant of some of the oldest traditions in storytelling. Pehov takes his readers on a fun romp through Siala with the likes of the ever-recalcitrant Shadow Harold, Kli-Kli the goblin and the rest of the rascally Wild Hearts.Horse and sword fantasy has been a staple of science-fiction/fantasy sections of bookstores for years, decades even. And you can tell that Pehov has a love for it - he's very well read. You can see echoes of the Fionavar Tapestry and the Dragonlance novels. And in many ways, I see this book as a tribute to them. I get intense flashbacks to Tasslehoff Burrfoot with Kli-Kli on the scene, and the setting in general reminds me of Fionavar. All good things! In fact, going back to classic literature - with authors like Chaucer, Homer and Virgil - a work couldn't be considered legitimate without mentioning your sources. Even if said source was fictional (Chaucer's Lollys), it lent weight to the story. Even later on, down time's stream, authors like Hartmann Von Aue or Chretien de Troyes only ever put new spins on old stories. I look at it like an ultimate compliment: if these kinds of stories weren't great, why would people keep telling them? And Pehov tells them well.Pehov has a solid grounding in imagery, even if some of the story does get a bit lost in translation (that bit involving the "cobweb" and his transition from roof to roof was odd). Luckily, this didn't happen frequently, in fact I only grew confused that one time - quite the accomplishment for the translator. Aside from the small issue with presentation, Pehov's story is fun, action-packed and an excellent representation of this branch of fantasy.I won't go on and potentially spoil for you potential readers. He's a good writer, the characters are memorable and the shadows are your friend.Read it, you won't regret it.
What do You think about De Vloek Van De Schaduw (2002)?
Took a little while to get interesting, but eventually was hard to put down.
—tarak
A fairly typical fantasy story with enough variances to keep me interested.
—Laine
Fantasy dungeons and dragons yarn. Too kiddy for me. Gave up 60%
—preciousazn1
