Shadow of the Ghost: Book 1: The Lord of Chaos Trilogy [Paperback]

Some reviewers like to compare books to food. I've seen books described as everything from fast foods to rich desserts (and a few comparisons that were not so flattering). If I were to compare `Shadow of the Ghost' (Tanner Artesz) to food, it would be a smorgasbord of plotlines, characters, and settings, spiced with humor. The offerings would be expertly prepared, with rich and exciting flavors and overtones. Mr. Artesz writes well.

I will not summarize the plot here, as other reviews have already done so. I will simply comment as to what I perceived to be the strengths and weaknesses of this work. First, the strengths: The writing is very competent and well edited. The author makes excellent use of imagery and exposition, so that the reader is well placed in the scene. There are too many characters to develop them all, but some are developed well. They are interesting and unique to say the least, particularly Ky, the main character. It is quite obvious that the author really, really enjoys and cares about this character--a good thing in a fantasy. `Shadow' is not like any other fantasy I have read; it is a unique approach.

Nothing about this book is simple. Ky, the main character, is an enigmatic little elf, who turns out to be quite the force to be reckoned with. I wasn't sure whether I liked him for a few chapters, but once I began to realize his nature, I warmed to him. By the time I came to the end of the story, I really enjoyed him (when is an elf NOT an elf....?) I will say no more.

Only `down' side: this is a complicated, multi-layered story requiring attention, or one may be quickly lost (at least, I was). I found some parts confusing, but after a bit of explanation by the author, I was back on track. This is not a story to be tackled by an under-motivated reader--this is a challenging tale that will keep you engaged, as long as you don't allow too many distractions. The four-star rating reflects my occasional confusion rather than the quality of the writing.

The diversity of characters suggests roots in RPG, and I have recommended this book to any and all of my `gamer' friends. They will have no trouble following it. I wouldn't recommend this book for mindless entertainment; however, if you want to be intrigued, challenged, and excited by a good, intricate plot line, `Shadow of the Ghost' is for you.

Let me start by saying that while I am an avid reader, this is my first official review, so bear with me. Also, it needs to be stated that I do not know Tanner Artesz, and therefore, have no bias. I've learned that on Amazon, some reviews are not trustworthy due to relationships.

That being said, I honestly enjoyed the author's in-depth journey into his fantasy world, written with tribute to powerful Gods and an unlikely, underestimated elven hero. The reader is quickly introduced to many of the players, and requires a great deal of careful attention to follow, especially at first. The storyline is thoroughly considered. I'd imagine that this epic took a considerable amount of thought, effort and time to come to fruition, which is as positive of a remark as can be made. In today's fantasy, too much is rehashed from the popular, cult-driven successes. The author's uniqueness here can not be denied.

The author lets you get close to many characters, while leaving others to a bit of intriguing mystery. While this can be construed as a negative, in many ways, it is actually a bonus, as it allows the reader's imagination to come into play.

I particularly liked the brutal honesty in the narrative at times. While some authors try to describe horrific accounts to shock a reader into submission, Artesz simply tells it like it is, with a proper amount of necessary graphicness. "Inside, a horse lay in nine parts. Its jagged, bloodied bones protruded from its ripped flesh. They turned the corner at the end of the fence and found the first of the elven victims. Three dismembered bodies lay scattered in front of the stables..."

Criticisms? The first thing that comes to mind has nothing to do with the story. While I appreciate seeing the main character on the cover, I don't feel as though the cover captures the intensity of the story. The other criticism has already been iterated in a prior review, and while it wasn't a distraction for me, the complexity of the plot could turn some readers off. On the other hand, it could be considered a worthy challenge.

I do see the analogy to gaming, with references to hobgoblins, goblins and such.

Overall, I give Tanner Artesz a high mark for his creation. It is without a doubt carefully spawned, leaving recklessness to where it belongs, outside of quality fantasy.

Incidentally, the author's website is outstanding. It offers simple, quick-hitting explanations of Artesz's world, as well as other bonuses.

~ Brian L. Stowe, Author of Cross-Winds (2008) & Wounds and Scars (2009).

I was intriged when I saw that this book appealed to "gamers" so I gave it a try. It is not the classic Dragonlance novels that one might think of when "gamers" are mentioned but this was a fun read in its own right. It was a bit chaotic at times, but really, when the book has "Lord of Chaos" in the title, it better be, right? I am really looking forward to the next book.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews  4.2 out of 5 stars