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Pendulum #2
Shadow
The Wall at World's End has been destroyed and Levaal stands naked again before its twin world. The Arch Mage seeks to unseat Vous before he joins the gods, but loyalties are fractured, within the Castle and among the Free Cities, as war and chaos looms. And a dragon may have escaped its sky prison, while a new alien force is rising by the name of Shadow.
When Eric Albright opened a door and entered Levaal he was truly a stranger in a strange land. Now the Pilgrim seeks answers, on the dragons, the gods, the demon being called Tormentors, and on the disturbing link between himself and the being known as Shadow ... between our world and Levaal ...
When Eric Albright opened a door and entered Levaal he was truly a stranger in a strange land. Now the Pilgrim seeks answers, on the dragons, the gods, the demon being called Tormentors, and on the disturbing link between himself and the being known as Shadow ... between our world and Levaal ...
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Will Elliott
36 books162 followersWill Elliott (born 1979) is an Australian fiction writer who lives in Brisbane, Queensland.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 10, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I had a good time with the first book, and I was curious to discover this one. I also think that it’s my favorite as it’s dedicated to the future of Levaal and the adventures of the characters.
Early in the novel, we follow several people alternately. I was interested in each of their history, without knowing how they would all be linked in the end. Still advancing in the chapters, their destiny meets and the protagonists will cross the path to the others to continue their adventures together. We thus find that Eric has evolved considerably since the first book to finally find a place in this world so different from his. But it’s not just him, we also follow the daughter of Vous, a character I loved to discover and to understand better elsewhere. She has always been locked in a gilded cage and can finally see the world without knowing what to actually do. Of course we also meet with her father and we witness his descent increasingly into madness, something that is quite difficult it must be said. Other players are also highlighted here, but I’ll let you discover them. I’ll only speak of Shadow, which comes fairly recurrent. A shadow strangely looking like Eric, a man who wants to find a goal with his life, without really understanding what is happening.
So yes you can see, there are a lot of things here. I often struggle with multiple points of view, but that’s not really the case here as everyone moves together in the end. We have some glimpses about the dragons in the story, including the Levaal’s history and the impact they had here. I found it all very interesting and it’s true that I was easily swept away by the history. I’m curious to see what volume 3 will reserve us for the future now.
My English review
I had a good time with the first book, and I was curious to discover this one. I also think that it’s my favorite as it’s dedicated to the future of Levaal and the adventures of the characters.
Early in the novel, we follow several people alternately. I was interested in each of their history, without knowing how they would all be linked in the end. Still advancing in the chapters, their destiny meets and the protagonists will cross the path to the others to continue their adventures together. We thus find that Eric has evolved considerably since the first book to finally find a place in this world so different from his. But it’s not just him, we also follow the daughter of Vous, a character I loved to discover and to understand better elsewhere. She has always been locked in a gilded cage and can finally see the world without knowing what to actually do. Of course we also meet with her father and we witness his descent increasingly into madness, something that is quite difficult it must be said. Other players are also highlighted here, but I’ll let you discover them. I’ll only speak of Shadow, which comes fairly recurrent. A shadow strangely looking like Eric, a man who wants to find a goal with his life, without really understanding what is happening.
So yes you can see, there are a lot of things here. I often struggle with multiple points of view, but that’s not really the case here as everyone moves together in the end. We have some glimpses about the dragons in the story, including the Levaal’s history and the impact they had here. I found it all very interesting and it’s true that I was easily swept away by the history. I’m curious to see what volume 3 will reserve us for the future now.
April 1, 2017
Published 2011. Book #2 in the Pendulum series. Not quite as fascinating as #1 "Pilgrim".
Read
December 22, 2017fuck this book
March 28, 2020
His world and magic system are so unique and interesting, but god do I hate the way he writes about women
January 11, 2022
L over it
March 22, 2017
This one was alright. My hopes where a little high after the first one. You can tell it was written to be a trilogy cause it just ends without much of a resolution. Hopefully the third one will have a satisfying ending.
December 28, 2012
Normally, I start series at the start, unless it's a long running series where you're supposed to be able to step into it later, such as a lot of crime series and some historical fiction series. However, when I was sent Will Elliott's Shadow for review, I thought I'd just try it to see how well it stood on its own, both because the book sounded interesting and I tend to feel bad if I let review copies languish. I got lucky with Shadow; while there were some things I couldn't completely figure out without having read the first book, they weren't insurmountable. On the whole though, the book was very readable on its own, though the ending left a lot of unresolved matters hang and as such it's clearly part of a larger whole. But despite that Shadow was a fun read.
I've never really read much of this sort of book where real world characters are transported to a secondary fantasy world. I have read some of Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame books and the first of Terry Brooks' Landover novels. I enjoyed those, so I was interested to see what Elliott would do with the idea. I really liked the premise that the Entry Point is opened once per age – no specific number of years is given – and only then will new technology enter the world of Levaal though the arrival of Pilgrims, humans from our world. What's interesting about it, that it's all happenstance as to what they'll learn each time the portal opens, as it would make a great difference whether a professor of English came through or a physicist for example, those are widely varying fields and would bring very different sorts of knowledge. In this case they got Eric and Case and the imported technology most focused on and most important to this story is the fact that Eric carries a gun. While they aren't able to exactly replicate the gun itself, they do manage to engineer something resembling a gun, with similar effects and this directly impacts the way the story develops.
The magic system in place was quite interesting, though I never completely figured out how it worked. However, the differences in application were rather cool. I loved the idea of the happenstance mage who could scry back along the timeline, but whose gift is more or less reliable according to where they were in their personal cycle. Or the Engineer, who used magic to create automatons and other machines. Then there are also the high magic entities, such as dragons, Spirits, and the gods, who are far more powerful and dangerous.
The characters were well-written though this was definitely one of the areas were having read the first book would have made a huge difference as there are relationships and animosities that are clearly formed by events in the first book and knowledge of those would have elucidated them quite a bit. However, one character stood out; he was chilling and scary and rather pitiable at the same time: the entity called Shadow. He's a killer and tears men apart without blinking, but it does so in a sort of innocent drive to know what makes the world tick, much like a toddler will take apart a toy and then throw a tantrum because it's broken. I liked discovering his motives and the way he grows from an inquisitive toddler into a sulky teen during the novel, but all the while is super-destructive and kills people left and right. Also, I loved Case the Drake. His ability to give comment on situations without being able to speak was quite funny.
The plot was interesting, with the fate of not one, but three worlds resting on the outcome. The idea of the land of Levaal being neutral territory on which the Pendulum rests and which needs to keep it balanced so it won't tip de scales one way or the other was rather clever and I really liked how this was handled and how the characters slowly all realise the importance of this and what sort of consequences their actions may have had. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until the final book to find out whether they'll succeed in stopping the Pendulum's swing.
Shadow was a fun read and can be read without reading the first book, Pilgrims, but I wouldn't advise it if you have a choice. In fact, this is another series in which I want to go back and read the previous book before I reread this one and then read the final book, World's End, which was released earlier this month. However, based on this reading, Will Elliott has created an interesting world populated with interesting characters and Shadow has definitely made me curious to read the rest of the series.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
I've never really read much of this sort of book where real world characters are transported to a secondary fantasy world. I have read some of Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame books and the first of Terry Brooks' Landover novels. I enjoyed those, so I was interested to see what Elliott would do with the idea. I really liked the premise that the Entry Point is opened once per age – no specific number of years is given – and only then will new technology enter the world of Levaal though the arrival of Pilgrims, humans from our world. What's interesting about it, that it's all happenstance as to what they'll learn each time the portal opens, as it would make a great difference whether a professor of English came through or a physicist for example, those are widely varying fields and would bring very different sorts of knowledge. In this case they got Eric and Case and the imported technology most focused on and most important to this story is the fact that Eric carries a gun. While they aren't able to exactly replicate the gun itself, they do manage to engineer something resembling a gun, with similar effects and this directly impacts the way the story develops.
The magic system in place was quite interesting, though I never completely figured out how it worked. However, the differences in application were rather cool. I loved the idea of the happenstance mage who could scry back along the timeline, but whose gift is more or less reliable according to where they were in their personal cycle. Or the Engineer, who used magic to create automatons and other machines. Then there are also the high magic entities, such as dragons, Spirits, and the gods, who are far more powerful and dangerous.
The characters were well-written though this was definitely one of the areas were having read the first book would have made a huge difference as there are relationships and animosities that are clearly formed by events in the first book and knowledge of those would have elucidated them quite a bit. However, one character stood out; he was chilling and scary and rather pitiable at the same time: the entity called Shadow. He's a killer and tears men apart without blinking, but it does so in a sort of innocent drive to know what makes the world tick, much like a toddler will take apart a toy and then throw a tantrum because it's broken. I liked discovering his motives and the way he grows from an inquisitive toddler into a sulky teen during the novel, but all the while is super-destructive and kills people left and right. Also, I loved Case the Drake. His ability to give comment on situations without being able to speak was quite funny.
The plot was interesting, with the fate of not one, but three worlds resting on the outcome. The idea of the land of Levaal being neutral territory on which the Pendulum rests and which needs to keep it balanced so it won't tip de scales one way or the other was rather clever and I really liked how this was handled and how the characters slowly all realise the importance of this and what sort of consequences their actions may have had. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until the final book to find out whether they'll succeed in stopping the Pendulum's swing.
Shadow was a fun read and can be read without reading the first book, Pilgrims, but I wouldn't advise it if you have a choice. In fact, this is another series in which I want to go back and read the previous book before I reread this one and then read the final book, World's End, which was released earlier this month. However, based on this reading, Will Elliott has created an interesting world populated with interesting characters and Shadow has definitely made me curious to read the rest of the series.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
April 13, 2016
Shadow is the second book in the Pendulum series of novels by Will Elliott. Following on immediately from the first book, The Pilgrims (reviewed previously) it follows the adventures of Eric, a regular guy who ends up in the mysterious and dangerious world of Levaal.
Taking up the story where the predecessor left off, this is a book of regrouping and answers. Following the destruction of the wall between the two halves of Levaal seemingly unstoppable forces are unleashed. The pendulum has started to swing - and signals the end of life on Levaal if it is not stopped.
This book is one of regrouping and answers. The various players were scattered at the end of the first book and now some of them arrive at the same destination. We also have answers to a number of questions from the first book, which given how many questions there were really is a considerable relief. Mysterious protagonists with opaque drives are all very well (and probably required these days to raise any story above the rest) but it is really good to see that Elliott really does know what is going on (even if as a reader it still not entirely clear). The description of how magic works was particularly good, and as with the first book this is a really strong point in the creation of the mythology here.
Most of the characters are the same faces, but there are a few new ones. Most notably Shadow who is referred to a couple of times in the first book (mostly in terms of Eric potentially being Shadow). The title character appears here as a main character and drives most of the plot. Clearly a being of power, the back story of where Shadow came from and why is also touched on. The great dragons who apparently rule the world also take a more direct hand and are as devious and manipulative as expected.
Meanwhile the Arch Mage is losing control of Vous as he nears godhood and the unpredictable destruction wrought by Vous is creating a dangerous instability as the forces representing the Castle fragment into their own factions, each with their own agenda,
The writing continues to be strong, the story moves again at some pace although inevitably there is a lot more talking and exposition as the nature of the threats are explained. Elliott's inventiveness is not diminished with more odd characters and situations and locations at every turn.
Although light on actual plot, this book is clearly required as a bridge between the first book and the third, giving the reader enough information to understand exactly what is going on before what is shaping up to be a strong and no doubt surprising finale.
Taking up the story where the predecessor left off, this is a book of regrouping and answers. Following the destruction of the wall between the two halves of Levaal seemingly unstoppable forces are unleashed. The pendulum has started to swing - and signals the end of life on Levaal if it is not stopped.
This book is one of regrouping and answers. The various players were scattered at the end of the first book and now some of them arrive at the same destination. We also have answers to a number of questions from the first book, which given how many questions there were really is a considerable relief. Mysterious protagonists with opaque drives are all very well (and probably required these days to raise any story above the rest) but it is really good to see that Elliott really does know what is going on (even if as a reader it still not entirely clear). The description of how magic works was particularly good, and as with the first book this is a really strong point in the creation of the mythology here.
Most of the characters are the same faces, but there are a few new ones. Most notably Shadow who is referred to a couple of times in the first book (mostly in terms of Eric potentially being Shadow). The title character appears here as a main character and drives most of the plot. Clearly a being of power, the back story of where Shadow came from and why is also touched on. The great dragons who apparently rule the world also take a more direct hand and are as devious and manipulative as expected.
Meanwhile the Arch Mage is losing control of Vous as he nears godhood and the unpredictable destruction wrought by Vous is creating a dangerous instability as the forces representing the Castle fragment into their own factions, each with their own agenda,
The writing continues to be strong, the story moves again at some pace although inevitably there is a lot more talking and exposition as the nature of the threats are explained. Elliott's inventiveness is not diminished with more odd characters and situations and locations at every turn.
Although light on actual plot, this book is clearly required as a bridge between the first book and the third, giving the reader enough information to understand exactly what is going on before what is shaping up to be a strong and no doubt surprising finale.
December 11, 2015
Shadow is a book that just by its cover drew me in . I have always liked fantasy and science fiction books, and I can say that this book was fun to read, but honestly I expected it to be a great book, an amazing book, however it was not as good as I had hoped. . The book does a great job at describing the world our characters are in. Since this is not the first book in the series, I didn’t understand the beginning of the book.
I have always liked when authors describe the world where the book takes place, you know a lot about the place, but you still can imagine tons of things, and Shadow does this very well. You can imagine a fictitious world with its magical touch since the book deals with different dimensions, and you can explore it and make it yours, from the hills to the castles. I think the author did a great job letting you imagine enough details about the setting and more specific the places our characters will go through.
Something I really liked about the book was the story, once I understood the main idea and characters from the previous book I could enjoy Shadow more. The main character (Eric) has a mission handed to him at the beginning of the book. As the story moves in that he faces new challenges to beat, and new identities to face, hidden enemies and some twists that you can't see coming, but you will have to read the book if you want to know what those are.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes stories that have a lot of twists, mysteries and darkness, I would recommend to read Shadow after reading the first book, since I really had a hard time understanding the plot and characters of the story. But Shadow is a book that is interesting and you will enjoy to read
I have always liked when authors describe the world where the book takes place, you know a lot about the place, but you still can imagine tons of things, and Shadow does this very well. You can imagine a fictitious world with its magical touch since the book deals with different dimensions, and you can explore it and make it yours, from the hills to the castles. I think the author did a great job letting you imagine enough details about the setting and more specific the places our characters will go through.
Something I really liked about the book was the story, once I understood the main idea and characters from the previous book I could enjoy Shadow more. The main character (Eric) has a mission handed to him at the beginning of the book. As the story moves in that he faces new challenges to beat, and new identities to face, hidden enemies and some twists that you can't see coming, but you will have to read the book if you want to know what those are.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes stories that have a lot of twists, mysteries and darkness, I would recommend to read Shadow after reading the first book, since I really had a hard time understanding the plot and characters of the story. But Shadow is a book that is interesting and you will enjoy to read
February 3, 2015
Another solid entry in what's become a really intriguing fantasy trilogy. Partly because Eric and Case don't see each other once the entire book (well...), it feels a bit like the story splinters here, and Elliott handles it very well; whenever the book changes perspectives I found myself wanting just a bit more of the story, but there aren't any plot/character threads I didn't enjoy following, which can be hard to pull off. And if anything by the end of Shadow Levaal sees even more richly weird and complex than it did before (the Tormentors! what's beyond the Wall! dragon politics (and, honestly, sex crimes)! the true nature of Shadow! the pendulum itself! whatever the hell is going on with the undead knight and his god!). It almost feels like it's going to be hard to stick the landing, but both this and the previous book in the series covered a lot more ground than I expected, and covered it well. I'm excited for the third book.
January 14, 2016
The Pilgrims and Shadow by Will Elliott are the first two books of the PENDULUM TRILOGY. Book one came out a little more than a year ago, while its sequel was published in February of this year. I read The Pilgrims while on a long trip last year, and so never wrote up a review (camping and hiking not being conducive to such activity). Which means this dual review will focus heavily detail-wise on Shadow while making reference to the first book based on some fuzzy recollection, some quick skimming to refresh, and an old hand-scrawled note or two in the margin I may or may not have deciphered correctly.
The Pilgrims introduces us to Eric Albright, and young and not-particularly-upcoming journalist, and Stuart Casey ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
The Pilgrims introduces us to Eric Albright, and young and not-particularly-upcoming journalist, and Stuart Casey ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
November 13, 2015
The second book in The Pendulum Trilogy, Shadow follows the continuing story of Eric Albright, who by sheer happenstance travelled from London to the magical world of Levaal. Now he journeys with companions joining him along the way in search of a solution to a problem that is not entirely yet clear. At the same time people are beginning to mistake him for a savior of legend, and he’s beginning to wonder if it’s really a mistake. Read the entire review at http://www.sandiegobookreview.com/sha...
Reviewed by Joseph Coombs
Reviewed by Joseph Coombs
October 26, 2011
I found it hard to get into the book for about the first half. After that I found myself wanting to read the book. Overall, it was an okay read. Will read the final instalment to find out what happens.
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December 23, 2015Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
August 10, 2016
I took a while to finish this book. I find the overall story interesting, but the writing was not particularly engaging.
October 17, 2020
Good read. Entertaining difference from normal fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews