Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #261976 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

No Central Plot
I bought this on the strength of the author's previous novel Ghostwalker. I liked that novel because of its dark atmosphere and excellently written action.

The hero is a City Watchman who battles crime at night in his guise as Shadowbane the paladin in the city of Waterdeep. The novel consists of the characters he meets and battles.

Downshadow only had some action which was well written but the problems are with the characterisation and plot. There were too many characters and apart from the hero and villain none were interesting or engaging. The one standout character is Rath the evil dwarven monk. He is a superbly written character. If Rath had more time in the novel and other characters had been removed such as some of the numerous Watchmen/women it would have been a much better novel.

There was no central theme to the novel such as rescuing someone, finding treasure, killing a monster etc etc. This meant it did not hold my attention. It was a series of incidents that didn't tie together well.

Another thing that annoyed me was the author trying to inject olde worlde speech. This failed miserably it just sounded false. The word 'aught' used is used far too much.

This has really put me off the new range of Forgotten Realms novels. This is the fourth I have bought and except for Rich Bakers - The Swordmage they have all been poor.

Elaine Cunningham and Jeff Grubb please come back!

Great Piece Of Fantasy
Erik Scott de Bie returns with "Downshadow", an enormously strong book, the atmosphere of which evokes not only memories of old Forgotten Realms classics, but which also presents a vibrant, modern style of fantasy. For Forgotten Realms fans this is a "classic Waterdeep" book, and might just become an instant classic in regards to FR fiction and cement the author's place as a voice to be reckoned with.

The novel's strength is that the author not only succeeds in bringing the city of Waterdeep truly to roaring, gritty and glitzy life, but also that his characters are strong, engaging personalities, each of them very distinct, represented in details such as language or small gestures and mannerisms. One can feel the love the author feels for his creations, all of which do are fascinating, but not superheroes. Rather they are quite "human"...or dwarven or elven for that matter...which quickly gets them the reader's sympathy.
This also holds true for "Down Shadow"'s villains, interesting, complex characters beyond typical clichés.

Longtime fans Forgotten Realms fans will find several "Easter Eggs" and nods to older novels of the setting, while new readers won't be overwhelmed by these, since they are all integrated into the story very organically. Lack of "Realmslore" knowledge will mean that you won't get every little in-joke, but it will definitely not hamper any enjoyment of "Downshadow".

The only "shortcoming" of this novel, and it isn't really one, is that, also in the typical tradition of shared world settings such as the Forgotten Realms, some questions are left unanswered and some doors are left open, so that one hopes there will be a sequel. But really, one hopes that with De Bie's writing anyway.
Furthermore, a couple of scenes will not be as impactful as they could, if you haven't read de Bies fiction about Fox-At-Twilight, such as "Depths of Madness " (and you should read it).

De Bie's writing is well paced, has a great style of prose and that makes the book not only recommended for those already familiar with the Forgotten Realms, but also those who are considering to pick up a FR novel, but shy from a trilogy. Then this book should definitely be given a chance. Great fun-romp of a fantasy novel.

If you like old-school Grubb/Novak or Greenwood style FR, pick this one up. If you're thinking about trying a novel from the FR, pick this one up. Or if you just like a good, urban fantasy tale, pick this one up.