The Sum of All Shadows

The Testament Series #4

by Eric Van Lustbader

The Sum of All Shadows is the dramatic finale of New York Times bestselling author Eric Van Lustbader's pulse-pounding Testament series.

For millennia, Lucifer—the Sum of All Shadows—has been biding his time, rebuilding his influence. At long last, he is ready to enact his ultimate revenge: to reverse the bitter humiliation of the Fall by leading the annihilation of heaven.

To combat the ultimate destroyer, Bravo and Emma Shaw have recovered the lost Testament, raced around the world, and battled adversaries both human and other. Now, caught between enemies and friends and potential enemies, they must find the lost treasure of King Solomon’s alchemical gold and cross not only the world but even time itself to stop the infernal army.

But even if they are successful, their lives may still be forfeit...

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller

349 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2019

About the author

Eric Van Lustbader was born and raised in Greenwich Village. He is the author of more than twenty-five best-selling novels, including The Ninja, in which he introduced Nicholas Linnear, one of modern fiction's most beloved and enduring heroes. The Ninja was sold to 20th CenturyFox, to be made into a major motion picture. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages.

Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...

Reviews

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an exciting read, a book full of action, twists, turn, entertaining and fun to read.
I'm not the biggest fan of theological thriller but I appreciated how Mr Lustbader can keep your attention making you turn pages really fast.
The cast of characters is well written, the plot is so fast paced that it leaves you breathless sometimes.
A good, entertaining read, recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[CD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the Bravo Shaw series .

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps if I had started the series at the beginning, instead of the final book, I might have enjoyed the series more. Too many characters, seemingly only partially developed. The author did a lot of work to refer to many Greek/Roman and Middle Eastern myths, and Christian history, almost as if he was trying to tie them all into one universal story. My favorite parts of the book were the unexpected word choices that I had to stop and look up to make sure I understood the meaning (elided for example). Unfortunately, for me, the rest of the story was a muddle of characters acting in ways that donn't seem to be in character. The author also leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Haya said she was Leviathan's salvation, yet nothing happened? Lucifer turns out not to be the Sum of all Shadows? Lilith has to be something other than human in order to be "the" Lilith? God doesn't like smart women? All of human history is nothing but the tantrum of a jealous sibling? Maybe it's a good ending to the series if you've read it all, but I wouldn't recommend starting here.

[Fernando · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the fourth and last book of the Bravo Shaw series and the one I enjoyed the least. The scenes described throughout the book were disappointing, it looked like as if the author tried in a way to take pages from Dante's Inferno with way less complexity and depth, trivializing some of what anyone can think of the images used in history to visualize the devil's and his comrades.
It's a shame considering the premises of the series, it's never easy to end a story but in my opinion, this was not a good ending.

[See · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about Bravo Shaw is something that you don't expect after reading the first three books.

I have never read an Eric Van Lustbader book that I really hated. This one is no exception. After reading the first three books in this series I thought I had the final chapters figured out. I was wrong but it made for a very interesting read. It kept me hooked right thru the last page of the book. I recommend the whole series.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having read previous books in series, I found it very hard to get into or understand. About halfway through it suddenly became interesting and I read the rest in a torrent.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo Shaw

What a journey that was Eric, as usual it was full of highs and lows but a great read keep up the great work and thanks 👍🏻👏🏼

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy next novel in the series. Great pace, surprises and the right time. Eric Van Lustbader has an excellent sense of timing in his novels, this one is no exception. A most enjoyable read.

[Gemma · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book reads like a first draft that had no time for proofreading before it went to the publishers.

Also, are we all just ignoring the happily incest after?

[Mas Kanegae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Linda Higby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book was excellent. It's a good series of you're interested in End Times books or ancient civilizations. The second book is so so. The third picks up again. This book was good until the end. It was yet again, a book that seemed like the author just got tired of writing, had a deadline, or just couldn't figure out how to finish it. The 4 volume set wraps up in about 3 pages which just leaves you feeling robbed. Well written and researched.

[Will Comrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This took me the better part of three months to read. Every page was read out of petty spite to finish it. I don't know why I disliked it so much as generally I like van Lustbader but this one just left me cold.

[Vijay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too complicated for me.

[Martin Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantasy book, unfortunately not my cup of tea

[Jen]

Review to follow in the Library Journal.