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Shadowrun Novels #17
House of the Sun
DIRK MONTGOMERY IS BACK
Dirk Montgomery, former Lone Star cop turned shadowrunner, knows the dark byways of Seattle and the Amerind city of Cheyenne. He knows when to take chances and when to take cover. But when a megacorporate exec demands payment of an old debt, Dirk finds himself where the familiar rules don't apply anymore.
The Kingdom of Hawai'i is a tropical playground... with a sinister underside. Dirk must navigate its treacherous paths as he tries to stay one step ahead of all the factions battling to control the islands: the megacorps, the government, the rebels, and the yakuza. Not to mention dragons, elves, new friends... and old enemies.
Dirk Montgomery, former Lone Star cop turned shadowrunner, knows the dark byways of Seattle and the Amerind city of Cheyenne. He knows when to take chances and when to take cover. But when a megacorporate exec demands payment of an old debt, Dirk finds himself where the familiar rules don't apply anymore.
The Kingdom of Hawai'i is a tropical playground... with a sinister underside. Dirk must navigate its treacherous paths as he tries to stay one step ahead of all the factions battling to control the islands: the megacorps, the government, the rebels, and the yakuza. Not to mention dragons, elves, new friends... and old enemies.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1995
17 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Findley
68 books44 followersNigel D Findley (July 22, 1959 – February 19, 1995[1]) was a game designer, editor, and an author of science fiction and fantasy novels and role-playing games (RPGs). Findley died suddenly on February 19, 1995, at his home in Vancouver, British Columbia. He suffered a heart attack at the age of 35.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 17, 2015
This is by Nigel D. Findley, not "FanPro," and it's surprisingly good, considering that it's based on Shadowrun. Made for a quick read. Heavy use of parenthetical appeals to the reader, and world-specific language. I happened to like the jargon aspect, though, except for "frag" which just saturates the book. This was probably the worst example:
"Then I fought back that emotion and snorted with absolute disgust at my reaction. What the frag did I think? That Barnard was going to crawl out of the fragging telecom if I played back the rest of the message? Get a fragging grip, Montgomery. (More evidence that my reactions were fragging shot, part of my mind nagged. Shut the frag up, another part of my mind told the carping mental voice.)"
Too much! I liked the setting, though: you get to learn a lot about Hawai'ian geography, language and history. That might have been the best part.
"Then I fought back that emotion and snorted with absolute disgust at my reaction. What the frag did I think? That Barnard was going to crawl out of the fragging telecom if I played back the rest of the message? Get a fragging grip, Montgomery. (More evidence that my reactions were fragging shot, part of my mind nagged. Shut the frag up, another part of my mind told the carping mental voice.)"
Too much! I liked the setting, though: you get to learn a lot about Hawai'ian geography, language and history. That might have been the best part.
April 27, 2021
I really love Dirk Montgomery’s first story 2XS. It wasn’t without its flaws but it was a heck of a fun ride. Nigel Findlay wrote a follow up adventure staring Dirk in 1995. Unfortunately, the author passed away while editing it.
So how does the sequel hold up? It’s decent but has more glaring flaws. There isn’t the same level of supporting cast here. The hard-boiled detective lines just don’t land with the same punch. It just doesn’t have the same NOIR charm as it’s more a political story.
This book takes place in Shadowrun alternate history Hawaii. Which is very cool, and clearly lovingly crafted. However, the first 25% of the book is exposition. I think a lot of complaining about “info dumps” is more contemporary preference than a legit literary criticism, but even this pushes it for me.
There are some moments where the action is good, but not as good as the first. Like the first it’s contrived but even more so here. It just doesn’t meet the level of 2XS. However, it’s still a fun time, and some great world building.
RIP Nigel Findlay.
So how does the sequel hold up? It’s decent but has more glaring flaws. There isn’t the same level of supporting cast here. The hard-boiled detective lines just don’t land with the same punch. It just doesn’t have the same NOIR charm as it’s more a political story.
This book takes place in Shadowrun alternate history Hawaii. Which is very cool, and clearly lovingly crafted. However, the first 25% of the book is exposition. I think a lot of complaining about “info dumps” is more contemporary preference than a legit literary criticism, but even this pushes it for me.
There are some moments where the action is good, but not as good as the first. Like the first it’s contrived but even more so here. It just doesn’t meet the level of 2XS. However, it’s still a fun time, and some great world building.
RIP Nigel Findlay.
October 8, 2011
The late Nigel Findley completed his final chapter in this world in 1995, long before the first season of House, M.D.. Yet, Dirk Montgomery’s (Finley’s continuing protagonist) paranoia (of necessity in order to survive in the shadows of the Shadowrun universe) could well have inspired the very first episode of the modern medical series. Montgomery’s assumption is simply that everyone lies—even him.
But Dirk Montgomery isn’t as churlish as the television doctor. In fact, for a person who has to be suspicious in order to survive, he is incredibly flexible and willing to learn all about every nuance of, not just the contacts, but the incidental characters upon which his star-crossed self is thrust.
Remember that line in the original Godfather where Don Corleone says that he’ll do something for his petitioners but they will have to do some undefined favor on a later day? There’s no Don Corleone per se in House of the Sun, but you can probably guess to what level of society Montgomery owes his favor. He doesn’t dare turn down the “simple” courier mission and he senses from the very beginning that it is not going to be “simple.” I don’t believe it’s a spoiler to say that it isn’t a “simple” courier mission.
You might also remember Joseph Heller’s Catch 22, the quintessential “no-win” situation? Well, House of the Sun moves its protagonist through more “no-win” situations than you can believe. You want powerful enemies? You have them. You want powerful allies? You have them, maybe! You want allies who might be enemies or enemies who might be allies? You have them. The truth is, any of us would be paranoid if we were jacked into Montgomery’s console.
House of the Sun is an ironic name for a Shadowrun novel. As the word “shadow” suggests, this universe is mostly about the shadows. Yet, Montgomery finds shadows and deeper shadows in both the underbelly and the corp side of Oahu. He has to use everything he’s learned about “runner” culture and everything about Hawaiian culture (spelled slightly differently than our current state and with an important rationale) in order to survive.
Of course, the Shadowrun universe is also about magic and power—something of which our protagonist knows very little. Nonetheless, he discovers plenty about it before the ride is over in this tale of double-cross, espionage, kidnapping, riots, and magical ritual. The result is a politically astute, sociologically feasible, and fantastically powered adventure that truly captures the shadows of this incredible game universe. I’m sorry to have discovered this author after his creative years were over, but I’m glad I shared part of his legacy.
But Dirk Montgomery isn’t as churlish as the television doctor. In fact, for a person who has to be suspicious in order to survive, he is incredibly flexible and willing to learn all about every nuance of, not just the contacts, but the incidental characters upon which his star-crossed self is thrust.
Remember that line in the original Godfather where Don Corleone says that he’ll do something for his petitioners but they will have to do some undefined favor on a later day? There’s no Don Corleone per se in House of the Sun, but you can probably guess to what level of society Montgomery owes his favor. He doesn’t dare turn down the “simple” courier mission and he senses from the very beginning that it is not going to be “simple.” I don’t believe it’s a spoiler to say that it isn’t a “simple” courier mission.
You might also remember Joseph Heller’s Catch 22, the quintessential “no-win” situation? Well, House of the Sun moves its protagonist through more “no-win” situations than you can believe. You want powerful enemies? You have them. You want powerful allies? You have them, maybe! You want allies who might be enemies or enemies who might be allies? You have them. The truth is, any of us would be paranoid if we were jacked into Montgomery’s console.
House of the Sun is an ironic name for a Shadowrun novel. As the word “shadow” suggests, this universe is mostly about the shadows. Yet, Montgomery finds shadows and deeper shadows in both the underbelly and the corp side of Oahu. He has to use everything he’s learned about “runner” culture and everything about Hawaiian culture (spelled slightly differently than our current state and with an important rationale) in order to survive.
Of course, the Shadowrun universe is also about magic and power—something of which our protagonist knows very little. Nonetheless, he discovers plenty about it before the ride is over in this tale of double-cross, espionage, kidnapping, riots, and magical ritual. The result is a politically astute, sociologically feasible, and fantastically powered adventure that truly captures the shadows of this incredible game universe. I’m sorry to have discovered this author after his creative years were over, but I’m glad I shared part of his legacy.
October 16, 2020
Halfway through the book. 3 stars. This is my first Findley SR book, and I entered into it not really knowing about the previous books he authored. From what I've read so far, I guess you could take it as a stand alone but there are references to characters and events from the previous SR novels that would hammer home a sense of the stakes and the danger the main character is in in House of the Sun. So, this means I'll be reading the other Findley books after this one. But so far, it's a fun read despite the fact that I could've done without the whole Hawai'i exposition. Hawai'i isn't a major zone in the SR world, so why so much attention to its history, actual and fictional? OK, apparently it was Findley's favourite place in the world. Again, so what?
My rating may change by the time I finish the book, but it's a 3 stars for the time being.
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Finished the book. 4.5 stars. The build up and tension, the corporate intrigue revelations, the revealing of the true threat; great stuff. Plain and simple. I've forgiven the somewhat long drawn out exposition of Hawai'i, but it was necessary as I later came to realise. If House of the Sun is Findley's writing and storytelling standard, then I can't wait to read his other novels. And I will.
My rating may change by the time I finish the book, but it's a 3 stars for the time being.
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Finished the book. 4.5 stars. The build up and tension, the corporate intrigue revelations, the revealing of the true threat; great stuff. Plain and simple. I've forgiven the somewhat long drawn out exposition of Hawai'i, but it was necessary as I later came to realise. If House of the Sun is Findley's writing and storytelling standard, then I can't wait to read his other novels. And I will.
April 27, 2021
The last Findley book, he passed while writing it so it was finished up by another writer. It is not as good as 2XS, but given the writer dying, I am still hitting it with full stars
September 9, 2022
Another fast-paced adventure from the Shadowrun setting that I like okay. The name of the book doesn’t come clear until the very last few chapters.
August 5, 2025
Nigel Findley's last work. A great writer, gone far too soon.
January 2, 2026
This one was hard to read for me. Some parts just were to boring. It's a shaming being one of the last book from this author.
September 12, 2025
Nigel Findley kehrt in seinem leider letzten Shadowrun Roman zu Dirk Montgomery zurück, dem "Helden" aus seinem bisher besten Roman 2XS. Das bringt natürlich große Erwartungen mit sich. Und es gelingt Mr. Findley, diese im Großen und Ganzen zu erfüllen. Der Roman hat nicht ganz die Klasse von 2XS, ist aber immer noch ein Top Titel der Reihe.
In dem Roman geht es um die Verbindung von Earthdawn und Shadowrun, dem auf- und abschwellen des Mananiveaus und um einem möglichen Eintritt der Dämonen in die Welt von Shadowrun. Da werden schon schwere Geschütze aufgefahren. Harlekin hat in diesem Roman auch eine nicht unwesentliche Rolle.
Schade dass Nigel Findley seine Karriere als Autor nicht fortsetzen konnte.
R.I.P.
In dem Roman geht es um die Verbindung von Earthdawn und Shadowrun, dem auf- und abschwellen des Mananiveaus und um einem möglichen Eintritt der Dämonen in die Welt von Shadowrun. Da werden schon schwere Geschütze aufgefahren. Harlekin hat in diesem Roman auch eine nicht unwesentliche Rolle.
Schade dass Nigel Findley seine Karriere als Autor nicht fortsetzen konnte.
R.I.P.
September 18, 2011
Absolutely the best Shadowrun book written and one hell of a moving novel. This book combined Cyberpunk/Sci-Fi, history, Intense action, and a moving subplot. Absolutely outstanding work! This book is of course Nigel D Findley's last work, and the literary world is poorer for his passing. I have no doubt his Magnum Opus was going to blow everything else away.
Read
June 5, 2012Got this because I pledged in the recent Shadowrun kickstarter. I first read it when I was maybe 14-15 or so, it was fantastic then but just okay now although apparently it's one of the better Shadowrun books.
October 26, 2011
Well, this is my first Nigel book and to be sincere, i cant wait to see what 2050 would be like!
May 13, 2012
An okay Shadowrun novel. It was obviously written when they were trying to tie the Shadowrun and Earthdawn worlds together. It did a pretty good job of portraying Hawaii as well.
February 28, 2016
One of the final books written by Nigel Findley, it reveals a little bit of the back story of what happened to Hawai'i in the awakened age, (IE: Hawai'i reverts back to being a Monarchy, ETC)
March 21, 2014
very fun read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews