Shadowrun Legends: Find Your Own Truth

Shadowrun Novels #3

by Robert N. Charrette

He was only a "beginner" shaman, but Sam Verner had to find a cure to ward off the curse on his sister. Only something of great magic would do the trick. It was this quest that took him to a mystical citadel in Australia, where, with the aid of his shadowrunner friends, he recovered the strange artifact he hoped would prove helpful. But instead of anything that even remotely resembled help, an unexpected and ancient terror was released—a terror that erupted into a shadow war for dominion over an awakened earth. And while the evil kept growing, inexorably drawing him into battle, the curse's power over his sister was also growing, bringing her closer and closer to death. Soon a truly desperate Sam realized that the last and only hope for saving his sister was to find the greatest shaman of the Sixth World, former leader of the Great Ghost Dance—a man who may no longer exist . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Cyberpunk, Science Fiction, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Role Playing Games, Audiobook

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

Credited on some German editions as "Robert N. Charette".

Reviews

[Craig Carignan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know but I sure like any Shadowrun books.

[Michael T Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book focuses on the attempt to save Sam's sister from becoming a wendigo. I do not now, nor have I ever, given a damn about Sam's whiny, annoying sister. Skippable.

[Ellana Thornton-Wheybrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

#24in48

This was fascinating. As much as I was rooting for the leads, I was OK with them failing; either way it would have made for a great story.

[vk chompooming · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book cuz it was part 3 in a trilogy series. There r better Shadowrun books. I applaud the author b/c he used, at least, 5 characters from different Shadowrun books. I liked the imagination, but not the execution. The plot is predictable and boring.

[Nathaniel R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply put, there are better cyberpunk books out there, and better Shadowrun novels. I finished this book for the closure of a trilogy. The comments I made on the previous novel still stand: lack of quality of writing due to too much telling and not enough showing, lack of ability to build cyberpunk atmosphere due to too much (broad) telling and not enough (detailed) showing, and interesting ideas that weren't fleshed out well enough.

Also, I'm tired of him writing in woman who are obviously pros, who are then left stunned at some sort of horror or emotion of some sort. I get why the narrative may call for it, but it's kind of jarring and I'd really appreciate a pro-chick who'se first instinct at dealing with the unknown is to pull the trigger to the gun in her hands. I don't know, call it a personal preference.

Anyways, if you're a young guy, there's a good chance you'll be able to enjoy this fairly easily. If you aren't, I continue to not recommend this book, or the others before it, and I caution the reading of any other books written by the same author (unless he got better with time, or got a really good line editor.)

[Fabian de Alwis Gunasekare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final installment of the "Secrets of Power" series. Unlike previous volumes, this contains a smattering of Aboriginal and Native American folklore (which could have been used for good effect with the Druidic magic episode as well) and the story ends on a satisfactory note. But the important takeway is that this volume too, like the previous, expands the Shadowrun universe to include sentient AIs (of confirmed existence now), a raging virus that (further) mutates humans and metatypes and the depths of shamanic magic. Reading this also re-kindled my interest in Native American and Aboriginal folklore, and I am curious as to whether the folklore-related themes discussed occur in the lore of the aboriginal people of my own land, the Veddas/Wanniyalaeto.

I am sad that the Samuel Verner/Sam/Twist story arc ends with this volume (I'm given to understand that we do not see Twist ever again in the remaining 37 Shadowrun books); this book also marks the boundaries of the Shadowrun universe that I know from my first reading many years ago. The next Shadowrun book in line is 2XS, which is supposedly even better-written than those by Charrette. I remain hopeful.

[Nicolaas Kotze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give the trilogy a 4 out of 5. The Shadowrun world was still rather new (1989) when these books became available (around 1990). Mixing and articulating fantasy with cyberpunk could not have been as easy then as it might seem today. Even now, we still struggle to define genres like solarpunk. At that time, the Internet was also nowhere near as common or accessible as it is today.

I decided to read these Shadowrun novels to get a feel for the tabletop game world and how to navigate it. Personally, I think this trilogy serves as an okay introduction, even though it can be a bit confusing at times. It does offer some great ideas and locations that can be used as adventure hooks in the TTRPG — so I recommend taking notes while reading.

Overall, the story is a good adventure from the start, with a few thought-provoking moments about our current reality and where we might be heading. It’s definitely not everyone’s type of read. Now that I've started, I believe I’ll invest the time to read the other books in the series as well.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Last Twist...

Having moderately enjoyed the previous two thirds of this trilogy I approached the finale with some muted expectations. Sure enough we get the resolution to threads going all the way back to the start, some land more effectively than others but overall it all comes to a close in a definitive way.

Alas in the effort we get a book that once again, feels more effective as world building than it does as a narrative. The effort is there but the prose never exceeds itself. The characterisation is uneven, the plotting was feel lacklustre but did pick up pace towards the end with an expansive (if a little disjointed) multi-stage finale.

As with the rest of the trilogy, it's good flavour material for this world but as a piece of writing it never grabbed me in the way it could have. Then again, perhaps that was the idea. It's a world that tells better stories elsewhere but as an entry point, it does the job, just about.

[The Schwess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I was strangely compelled to finish reading the series because I am quite fond of the character of Sam Verner, the third part in the series is the certainly the worst, and it doesn't age well either. There is relatively little corporate/matrix/shadowrunning action (which is what I was here for) and there are a lot of cringy shamanic shenanigans in the Aussie outback and American valleys where Sam just spends hours talking to wisecracking, semi-mystic totem animals. I don't know, I expected something more of this one.

[Notger Heinz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frankly, a bit too much.

The predecessors had great world-building and good characters, but this time around it is 200 pages of self-doubts and meandering around, wanting to save the life of his sister while not killing anyone, but getting lots of people killed accidentally while doing so ... and then the last 100 pages are a sudden world-ending danger being fought and suddenly everything gets crazy over the top.

I appreciate what Charrette tries to do, but it feels more like reading about an Ayahuasca trip than what I expect in a SR novel.

Still ... great language and descriptions.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following on from the first two books of the opening trilogy, the story of Sam is finally told with this book, that adds both elements of aboriginal and native American Indian beliefs into the story line.

Like the other books the story is fast moving and as a result, some elements of the storyline are rushed through and therefore lack details, resulting in parts of the book having to be re-read to catch up enough of the details in order to make later parts understandable. However, the characters still grow and enough of the story lines are completed to make you satisfied with the outcome.

[Jason Ray Carney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was o.k.. Like the other two books in the series, the strength is in how the Shadowrun tabletop RPG world, the Sixth World, is showcased. There are so many subplots that it was difficult for me to keep in mind what was at stake, why these characters and their pursuits really mattered. As an exploration of the Shadowrun world, though, this is definitely effective. I reccommend this to people who want to explore that world in advance of creating a campaign, adventure, character

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

200% recomendable la saga "Los Secretos del Poder" para entrar en el mundo de Shadowrun.
Magia, IA mucho antes de haber oido hablar de ella, tribus urbanas, ciberespacio, elfos, trolls, megacorporaciones, poderes en la sombra,..todo reunido en un coctel que supone un reto mayúsculo pero Robert N. Charrette consigue crear un ambiente único con una narrativa eficaz que engancha, personajes solidos y aventuras trepidantes.

[Seth Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Shadowrun book that I've read to date. This trilogy focusing on Sam Verner and his exploits in the shadows has been great with a climax that explores all sides of the world of Shadowrun, from teams on impossible missions, to magic, to different metatypes, and into the matrix itself. Fans of Shadowrun will love this book as well as anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) While this was an enjoyable trilogy, and this book better than the second book, it didn't have the hook of the first book in the trilogy. I wasn't completely satisfied with how the book ended--while some storylines wrap up, it's unclear how Sam proceeds with his life, given all the changes. It was fun, but like greasy Soyramen, leaves you hungry afterward.

[David Strašák · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the big boom at the end of the Secrets of Power trilogy. The ending is 100% deserved and it solves everything that was set-up, which is impressive. This book also fleshes out Dodger, who is a lovable character with his personality and way of speaking.
What a way to go. I enjoyed this very much.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had fond memories of the shadowrun novels, but now, years later, it was definitely not as good as I remembered. I'm not sure if the third secrets of power book was just weaker than the others or if it was simply due to the passage of time. Regardless I am glad I finally finished the trilogy though!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review here:

https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...

While a fun read showing the roots of the setting, the finale is bound and determined to tie off every loose plot line any way it can whether it makes sense or not.

[James T · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s okay. I feel like the first two were better and the flaws in the writing come out more in this one.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t a huge fan of the ending but I guess that’s just personal preference. The story seemed to wind about with no resolutions. Steamy scale 1 of 5 (Audible)

[Rui Castro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the other 2, but it does finish the story. A good read. Love these characters, Dodger, Sally, Ghost, Sam, Hart, etc...

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this despite not having read the previous two titles. The story got outside of the typical Sprawl in more ways than one and the final 100 pages or so were non-stop action.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good end to a good series in a great setting!

[Steven "Steve" · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable end to the trilogy. Not sure if any of the characters reappear in the books following but I will keep an eye out for them, chummer.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long book, where nothing really happens. Kind of a dumb ending.

[Corbin Wolfman Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love (what I assume is) the completion of Sam's story! Throughout the trilogy, Charrette does an amazing job of describing the 6th world, especially how shamans work.

[David Sarkies · Rating 1 out of 5]

The conclusion to a very ordinary trilogy
7 February 2012

I might step away from exploring the Shadowrun Universe and instead look at some ideas that come out of this novel (or at least its title). This is the third Shadowrun novel and the final book in the initial trilogy. The protagonist, Samuel Verner, returns to North America to help his sister. His sister has had a double whammy in that she metamorphosed into an Orc, but was then infected by the HMHVV (Human Meta-human Vampiric Virus) and has become a Wendigo.

In the Shadowrun universe Vampires are not the scheming manipulators that we discover elsewhere but rather diseased individuals that feed on others and then infect them. They are not undead, as one expects them to be, but rather diseased individuals that turn into mindless monsters (much like the creatures in I Am Legend). The virus turns humans into vampires, while it turns orks into Wendigos (which means that there is little difference between the two creatures – they are both ravenous blood sucking monsters). However, I don't believe the real Wendigo is vampiric, though I can't be bothered actually researching it (that is, typing Wendigo into Wikipedia).

The one thing that I have noticed about Shadowrun is that there are no undead. In Shadowrun death is pretty much death. There is no magic that brings the dead back to life, or even reanimates their dead corpses. The creatures in the Shadowrun world that are named after undead creatures tend to be diseased, which made me think that something like the Rage virus would be perfect for this world. Unlike the 28 days movies, there is much more of an ability to defeat, and even cure, people afflicted by the virus.

The title of this book to me is a little corny, and reeks of existentialism. It is the idea that we discover our own truth, and that truth is entirely relative. While I believe that truth is objective (a table is still a table no matter what name you call it, and if you bang your leg on one, it hurts) I can understand where concepts of truth can be misunderstood. Somebody stating that all Port Power supporters are losers is not speaking a truth, but giving an opinion. While somebody may say to you that they are your friend, the fact that they said it does not make it a truth, it is only, once again, an opinion. To me, football supporters come in all shapes and sizes, some are good, some are bad. Friendship is not defined by words but by actions. Somebody who says that they are your friend but who will never lift a finger to help you is probably not a friend.

The problem with using such an existentialist title for a roleplaying spin off, to me, is just corny. To be honest, I probably would not read such a book anyway because, to me, truth is truth, it is objective, it cannot be anything else. The role of a judge in a court of law is to determine the objective truth of the situation put before him (or her), to weigh up the characters of the people putting forward their versions, determining the credibility of the characters, and then coming to a conclusion. It is a system that I think is good (though the European system is better as more power rests with the judge to investigate rather than with the lawyers who simply put forward opposing versions). Personally, I believe that all this talk about making our own truth, and making our own reality is just plain silly. If anybody comes to me and says that they sincerely believe that the Eiffel Tower is in Berlin, and because they believe it in their own reality, then it must be true, I'm likely to look at them, shake my head, and find some more intelligent conversation. Unfortunately, unless somebody actually moves it to Berlin, the Eiffel Tower is in Paris, and if somebody tries messing with me by changing the name of the tower in Berlin to the Eiffel Tower, I would probably recommend that they confirm that with the French before making such an outlandish statement.

[Radek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Podsumowanie dla niecierpliwych: Ta książka jest kiepska - radzę omijać z daleka.

Gdyby nie fakt, że jest to ostatnia część trylogii, prawdopodobnie przestałbym ją czytać w 1/3 jej objętości... i żałuję, że tego nie zrobiłem. Żaden z wątków nie doczekuje się satysfakcjonującego zakończenia oraz.. nagle... BOMBA ATOMOWA. Co? Jak? Gdzie?
Autor rozpoczyna i porzuca wątki, a także zmienia profil psychologiczny postaci.. bo powody.

Przemiana siostry z wendigo? Zapomnij. Nieznośny głód ludzkiego ciała? Żartowałem. Wykradziony kamień wielkiej mocy? Zapomnij - oraz atomówki. Gaz z neurotoksyną? To się nigdy nie zdarzyło. Zemsta? Jaka zemsta. Odkupienie? Jakie odkupienie.

Akcja posuwa się do przodu jak w gęstym syropie. Książka miast porwać czytelnika, wykłada mu gro quasi-metafizycznych wykładów o planach egzystencji, które nie istnieją. Wszystko to przerywane jest.. szamańskim tańcem. Przyrzekam, mam dość opisów tańca na najbliższą dekadę. Nie dzieje się nic.. jest tylko taniec... Oraz atomówki.

Omijać.

[Amelia Laughlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Charrette has an amazing ability to both tell a great story and teach you so much about the world of Shadowrun. The third of his Shadowrun novels focusing on magic, and it did a far better job of explaining how magic works in the Sixth World than any of the Shadowrun RPG material I've encountered so far. Honestly, I've always felt like Sam was a bit of a Mary Sue, but that didn't stop this from being a highly enjoyable read - it's the awesomely described world, rather than Sam's plight, that makes this book. I found the Dodger subplot far more intriguing than Sam's story, but perhaps that is just because I love the whole idea of the Matrix.

Highly recommended to anyone looking to learn more about the world of Shadowrun. If you have no interest in the cyberpunk-fantasy genre, the core story is still interesting, but probably not as compelling.

[Jeremiah Mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best in the series

The Secrets of Power series is a solid entry point for Shadowrun, but the quality is a rising scale. The third book is much better and wraps up the series well. The only complaint with the series I really have is the Morgan la Fey plot, which felt like it should have been its own separate book. It was a little abbreviated in this story. Minor complaint. Over all, I still really enjoyed this book. I read it when it first came out and the rereading still holds up.