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Jack of Shadows
Shadowjack walks in silence and in shadows to seek vengeance upon his enemies. Who are his foes? All who would despise him or love the Lord of Smage of the Jackass Ears, the Colonel Who Never Died, the Borshin, and Quazer, winner of the Hellgames and abductor of the voluptuous Evene. One by one, Shadowjack would seek them out and have his revenge, building his power as he goes. And once his vengeance is obtained, he would come to terms with all others who are against him, he would unite the World of High Dudgeon, destroy the Land of Filth, and bring peace to the Shadowguard. But to accomplish all, Jack of Shadows must find Kolwynia, the Key That Was Lost...
236 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1972
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About the author
Roger Zelazny
745 books3,884 followersRoger Joseph Zelazny was an American fantasy and science fiction writer known for his short stories and novels, best known for The Chronicles of Amber. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nominations) and the Hugo Award six times (also out of 14 nominations), including two Hugos for novels: the serialized novel ...And Call Me Conrad (1965), subsequently published under the title This Immortal (1966), and the novel Lord of Light (1967).
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October 16, 2021
“Mercy, I have learned, is a thing that is withheld from one whenever he most needs it," he said. "Yet when he is in a position to grant it himself, those who withheld it previously cry out for it.”Until now, my acquaintance with Zelazny’s work has been through the brilliantly funny A Night in the Lonesome October and Doorways in the Sand. So when it came to this one, from the first pages I was expecting a clever adventure romp with a lovable rogue at its center. And a clever romp it was, but oh dear, it was dark. Casually and pointedly dark.
“Then it is impossible to get an honest answer from you."
"If by 'honest answer' you mean for me to say what you want me to say, whether or not it is true, then I would say that you are correct.”
It’s a dark fantasy set on a world that has stopped rotating, eternally split into the dark and light sides, with the sliver of twilight at the boundary. Science (1960s-style) rules the dayside (shields keeping it from baking) and feudal magic is on the darkside (with the magical Shield protecting it from freezing). Daysiders live once and have a soul; darksiders are soulless, wield magic and have a few allotted lives, with the respawn point in the putrid Dung Pits (because universe has a sick sense of humor). So if a darksider commits murder, he can potentially have dinner with his murder victim a few years or decades later.
“I am Jack of Shadows!" he cried out. "Lord of Shadow Guard! I am Shadowjack, the thief who walks in silence and in shadows! I was beheaded in Igles and rose again from the Dung Pits of Glyve. I drank the blood of a vampire and ate a stone. I am the breaker of the Compact. I am he who forged a name in the Red Book of Ells. I am the prisoner in the jewel. I duped the Lord of High Dudgeon once, and I will return for vengeance upon him. I am the enemy of my enemies.”
(Yes, in my mind Jack looks a lot like Crowley from “Good Omens”.)
Jack of the Shadows is a darkside magician and a twilight thief whose magic, as you’d suspect from his moniker, comes from the shadows. His extra lives ensure that the story doesn’t stop after his beheading just a few pages into the book. He initially seems perfect for the traditional part of a lovable rogue — but despite the superficial charm and the rooting for the protagonist we seem to be hardwired to do (especially as for the half of the story he’s very much an underdog) it’s obvious that he’s not a good guy and no heart of gold is hiding under the slippery surface. Jack is cold, cruel and vengeful, merciless and brutal, on par with the world in which he lives and which he plans to rule after vanquishing those who have wronged him.
Zelazny manages to make this very short novel feel much longer through sheer economy of words, setting up horrifying scenes in just a few phrases, making them efficiently chilly. Just look how well this horrific scene about subjugation, rape and mind control is portrayed with the casual coldness that shows you Jack at his usual worst:
“So be it," he said. "Yet all that I have described to you will come to pass, and you will be with me to witness it."
"No. I will have taken my life long before."
"I will bend your will, and you will love me."
"You will never touch me, body or will."
"You will sleep now," he said, "and when you awaken we will be coupled. You will struggle briefly and you will yield to me-first your body, then your will. You will lie passive for a time, then I will come to you again and yet again. After that, it will be you who will come to me. Now you will sleep while I sacrifice Smage upon his Lord's altar and cleanse this place of all things which displease me. Dream well. A new life awaits you."
And he departed, and these things were done as he had said.”
And then you remember that until this moment you actually rooted for the guy, thinking that of course he has something up his sleeve that will show you his actions in a better light. Until you see that no, he doesn’t. And still some of his charm improbably keeps you in its grip. And yes, you know there will be a kind of redemption, and you can even guess where the events may lead, but it still does not take away the darkness of the story about a sort of charming sociopath in the ugly world where you don’t have many other choices.
“If my sanity is to be destroyed, what is it to me whether the rest of the world goes on existing or is destroyed?"
''That is a very selfish attitude," said the Lord of Bats.
"It is my attitude," said Jack, and he jingled his bells.”
The atmosphere is done quite well, although at times it does feel that half of the planet is populated by at most a dozen darksiders - a common fantasy feel of a world being basically a small village. And yet again Zelazny just throws you smack into the middle of the story with zero handholding and expects you to sink or swim, no extra help provided, which I love. And that works yet again. And he keeps it short and to the point in this slim novel.
But it’s not perfect — and apparently, if I believe what I read online, was written in a single draft (!) which may explain a bit of a rough feeling at times. (And anyone who can hammer this out in a single draft is indeed a skilled writer). A bit more cohesiveness wouldn’t have hurt because it does feel a tad disjointed at times, and a bit more developing of some side plots and characters. A little more on his time in the dayside could have helped with giving Jack just a bit more dimension. There’s a bit of a story whiplash halfway through, with the end result feeling like three different books masher up together — a revenge quest, urban fantasy, and a parable about soul corruption — like Freddie Mercury’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” with its stylistic mishmash, but more jarring.
Those are the things that the second draft could have spliced together more organically and make it feel less episodic — but on the other hand there’s a bit of charm arising from these clashes, the intersection of mundane and fantastical, fascination and repulsion, the victim and the victimizer, dark cynicism and strange almost-redemption for the firmer underdog turned full villain. Almost - because the ending has just enough ambiguity to sow the seeds of doubt.
3.5 stars rounding up to 4 If you’re new to Zelazny, I’d suggest his brilliant A Night in the Lonesome October or Doorways in the Sand for your first acquaintance instead, and this one when you’re already a fan.
“Fair enough," said Jack. "Only I am not a man. I am a darksider."
"You are all men, whatever side of the world you call home."
"I have no soul, and I do not change."
"You change," said Morningstar. "Everything that lives changes or dies. Your people are cold but their world is warm, endowed as it is with enchantment, glamourie, wonder. The lightlanders know feelings you will not understand, though their science is as cold as your people's hearts. Yet they would appreciate your realm if they did not fear it so and you might enjoy their feelings but for the same reason. Still, the capacity is there, in each of you. The fear need but give way to understanding, for you are mirror images of one another. So do not speak to me of souls when you have never seen one, man.”
———
Buddy read with Kevin.
July 26, 2011
Roger Zelazny…One of the Grandest Masters of Science Fantasy has yet to disappoint me and Jack of Shadows is no exception. Along with Jack Vance (to whom this book was an homage), there is no author better at stuffing story into less than 200 pages. This GEMtastic example weighs in a svelte 142 pages and contains a full serving of juicy plot with zero filler fat.
Jack of Shadows takes place on a world that does not rotate and so half of the planet is always sun side and the other half of the planet is perpetual night. The sun side is similar to our world and is governed by science and natural law. The night side is a place of magic where supernatural entities reign supreme. In addition, and important to the story, daysiders have souls and only one life, whereas nightsiders are soulless and can be resurrected numerous times (though a finite number).
Our title character is a thief, powerful wizard and a lord of the nightside though, even among his brethren, Jack is unusual. Most of the nightside lords have places of power where they are at the strongest (i.e. their realms which are like feudal estates). Jack has no one place of power but is strongest wherever he can create shadows. Inside shadow he has unmatched strength.
At the beginning of the story, Jack is apprehended as a thief and decapitated by one of this rivals (OUCH!!). Years later (as resurrection is not immediate), Jack awakens in the Dung Pits of Glyve at the West Pole of the world and begins his quest for revenge against those who killed him.
However, this is NOT a simple revenge piece set in an interesting SF world. Jack quest for revenge becomes the catalyst for events that will shake the foundations of the planet and lead either to a brand new world ….or the destruction of everything. I am not going to give away any spoilers so will just say that I “LOVED” the ending. It has an aspect to it that is left purposely ambiguous and I think adds to the mystery of the work.
With one critical exception, this story has a very “Dying Earth” feel to it, which is intentional as Zelazny wrote this story as a tribute to Vance. For example, Jack of the Shadows, like Cugel the Clever and other Dying Earth rogues, is a thief and a magician. Like Cugel’s adventures, this story involves an extended journey in which Jack encounters the strange wonders of the world and the many interesting characters living in it.
The one critical exception is that this is a dark, serious tale and the light-hearted whimsy that Jack brought to his “Dying Earth” stories is distinctly absent. By absent, I don’t want to imply that this is a bad thing, but I wanted to make sure you didn’t pick this up looking for a bag of feel good.
Jack is REALLY not a nice person. He does very bad things during the course of this book, some of them down right despicable. He's selfish, lonely, angry, filled with bitterness and shows zero compassion for those who have wronged him. Despite that, Zelazny makes you understand Jack and provides not only a reason for his behavior, but also a very interesting moment of “redemption” at the end of the story. The redemption isn’t perfect, it’s messy and far from clear cut…but so is life and I was impressed with how Zelazny handled it.
Again…all this in 142 pages.
As I have said before about Vance’s work, Zelazny's talent for providing a rich background and interesting characters with and economy of words is something special and a sign of true mastery over prose craft. He does this in a variety of ways. One of them is to take a pivotal event that will occur over a significant period of time and lay it out in such a way that the impact is immediate and yet the power of the event is not diminished. Here is an example:
Often, dark and dire situations in stories can be gratuitously dragged out FOREVER or else you will find characters fearing promised torments that never come to pass as event intervene to save the characters. Here, in 9 words (“and these things were done as he had said”), Zelazny both makes real the promised horror and closes the door on any reprieve. While lacking the tension that drawing out the process might bring, he injects a powerful image into the readers mind and then moves on with the story leaving the reader to fill in the cracks and catch up because the next evocative moment could occur (and probably will) in the next paragraph. I’m sure there are far better examples out there, but hopefully this helps somewhat in seeing the effective use of economy Zelazny brings to his works.
I thought this was a terrific story with a wonderful backstory, some memorable characters and an interesting plot. Again, loved the ending. 4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Nominee: Hugo Award for Best Novel
Nominee: Locus Award for Best SF Novel.
Jack of Shadows takes place on a world that does not rotate and so half of the planet is always sun side and the other half of the planet is perpetual night. The sun side is similar to our world and is governed by science and natural law. The night side is a place of magic where supernatural entities reign supreme. In addition, and important to the story, daysiders have souls and only one life, whereas nightsiders are soulless and can be resurrected numerous times (though a finite number).
Our title character is a thief, powerful wizard and a lord of the nightside though, even among his brethren, Jack is unusual. Most of the nightside lords have places of power where they are at the strongest (i.e. their realms which are like feudal estates). Jack has no one place of power but is strongest wherever he can create shadows. Inside shadow he has unmatched strength.
At the beginning of the story, Jack is apprehended as a thief and decapitated by one of this rivals (OUCH!!). Years later (as resurrection is not immediate), Jack awakens in the Dung Pits of Glyve at the West Pole of the world and begins his quest for revenge against those who killed him.
However, this is NOT a simple revenge piece set in an interesting SF world. Jack quest for revenge becomes the catalyst for events that will shake the foundations of the planet and lead either to a brand new world ….or the destruction of everything. I am not going to give away any spoilers so will just say that I “LOVED” the ending. It has an aspect to it that is left purposely ambiguous and I think adds to the mystery of the work.
With one critical exception, this story has a very “Dying Earth” feel to it, which is intentional as Zelazny wrote this story as a tribute to Vance. For example, Jack of the Shadows, like Cugel the Clever and other Dying Earth rogues, is a thief and a magician. Like Cugel’s adventures, this story involves an extended journey in which Jack encounters the strange wonders of the world and the many interesting characters living in it.
The one critical exception is that this is a dark, serious tale and the light-hearted whimsy that Jack brought to his “Dying Earth” stories is distinctly absent. By absent, I don’t want to imply that this is a bad thing, but I wanted to make sure you didn’t pick this up looking for a bag of feel good.
Jack is REALLY not a nice person. He does very bad things during the course of this book, some of them down right despicable. He's selfish, lonely, angry, filled with bitterness and shows zero compassion for those who have wronged him. Despite that, Zelazny makes you understand Jack and provides not only a reason for his behavior, but also a very interesting moment of “redemption” at the end of the story. The redemption isn’t perfect, it’s messy and far from clear cut…but so is life and I was impressed with how Zelazny handled it.
Again…all this in 142 pages.
As I have said before about Vance’s work, Zelazny's talent for providing a rich background and interesting characters with and economy of words is something special and a sign of true mastery over prose craft. He does this in a variety of ways. One of them is to take a pivotal event that will occur over a significant period of time and lay it out in such a way that the impact is immediate and yet the power of the event is not diminished. Here is an example:
‘So be it,’ he said. ‘Yet all that have described to you will come to pass, and you will be with me to witness it.’In a paragraph, Zelazny provides a chilling account of the brutal subjugation, rape and brain washing of one character by another.
‘No. I will have taken my life long before.’
‘I will bend your will, and you will love me.’
‘You will never touch me, body or will.’
‘You will sleep now,’ he said, ‘and when you awaken we will be coupled. You will struggle briefly and you will yield to me—first your body, then your will. You will lie passive for a time, then I will come to you again and yet again. After that, it will be you who come to me. Now you will sleep while I sacrifice [______] upon his Lord’s altar and cleanse this place of all things which displease me. Dream well. A new life awaits you.’
And he departed, and these things were done as he had said.
Often, dark and dire situations in stories can be gratuitously dragged out FOREVER or else you will find characters fearing promised torments that never come to pass as event intervene to save the characters. Here, in 9 words (“and these things were done as he had said”), Zelazny both makes real the promised horror and closes the door on any reprieve. While lacking the tension that drawing out the process might bring, he injects a powerful image into the readers mind and then moves on with the story leaving the reader to fill in the cracks and catch up because the next evocative moment could occur (and probably will) in the next paragraph. I’m sure there are far better examples out there, but hopefully this helps somewhat in seeing the effective use of economy Zelazny brings to his works.
I thought this was a terrific story with a wonderful backstory, some memorable characters and an interesting plot. Again, loved the ending. 4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Nominee: Hugo Award for Best Novel
Nominee: Locus Award for Best SF Novel.
June 9, 2018
One of Zelazny's standalones; a dark and finely-faceted jewel of a book.
(Oh, OK, fine. The world is fixed; the East Pole points ever towards the sun, and the eastern hemisphere is forever in daylight and ruled by science. The West Pole is in eternal darkness, and the Darkside is ruled by magic. In between, of course, is a narrow strip of twilight. Shadowjack is a thief (the greatest in all of the Darkside? well, certainly, he has an opinion on the subject) who draws power from shadows (as opposed to the other Darkside lords, whose powers are geographically fixed). A potentially routine heist goes badly wrong, leaving Jack to make his way back from the West Pole through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, his mind fixed upon revenge upon those who wronged him, a quest that will take him through the Twilight into the Dayside and back. The language is evocative and precise -- Zelazny freely owns that the book is his tribute to Jack Vance and is his [Zelazny's] attempt to emulate Vance's style. Certainly, he comes a whole lot closer than most ...)
(Oh, OK, fine. The world is fixed; the East Pole points ever towards the sun, and the eastern hemisphere is forever in daylight and ruled by science. The West Pole is in eternal darkness, and the Darkside is ruled by magic. In between, of course, is a narrow strip of twilight. Shadowjack is a thief (the greatest in all of the Darkside? well, certainly, he has an opinion on the subject) who draws power from shadows (as opposed to the other Darkside lords, whose powers are geographically fixed). A potentially routine heist goes badly wrong, leaving Jack to make his way back from the West Pole through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, his mind fixed upon revenge upon those who wronged him, a quest that will take him through the Twilight into the Dayside and back. The language is evocative and precise -- Zelazny freely owns that the book is his tribute to Jack Vance and is his [Zelazny's] attempt to emulate Vance's style. Certainly, he comes a whole lot closer than most ...)
June 29, 2017
Time to te-read some Roger Zelazny stuff. Though I re-read the Amber series periodically, I've been very lax about revisiting the other stuff of this top-tier fantastic author! 😯
Post Re-read: I remember reading this AGES ago, and I was just disappointed that it wasn't Amber. In retrospect, as an older, wiser (and more well-read) person, I find that to be a narrow opinion.
Yes, this book is definitely not Amber, but maybe that's for the best. We are spoiled with epic new fantasy now, but this classic nonetheless remains a taut, compelling read still. And, for a standalone book, there's quite a fair bit if depth to the setting. (Though that always was Zelaznys strong suit, IMO.)
In short, not Amber, for better or worse. But it's still a hidden gem that deserves more attention than it gets.
Post Re-read: I remember reading this AGES ago, and I was just disappointed that it wasn't Amber. In retrospect, as an older, wiser (and more well-read) person, I find that to be a narrow opinion.
Yes, this book is definitely not Amber, but maybe that's for the best. We are spoiled with epic new fantasy now, but this classic nonetheless remains a taut, compelling read still. And, for a standalone book, there's quite a fair bit if depth to the setting. (Though that always was Zelaznys strong suit, IMO.)
In short, not Amber, for better or worse. But it's still a hidden gem that deserves more attention than it gets.
August 4, 2016
2Aug2016 - currently rereading with the Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy group here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
This was one of the first Zelazny books I read & it's still fantastic. The characters aren't complex, but I think this is done on purpose. The only ones that much time is spent on are Dark Siders who have no soul. They're very uncomplicated, driven simply by desire, pride, & power. Jack personifies most & his thoughts are well documented. I thought his lame attempts at introspection were great. The few glimpses we get of those with souls are normal, complicated people.
The last half was grim & ugly, but hardly pointless, as Del Rey said. There were a couple of well setup up & made points. The ending was fantastic.
7Dec09 - A very interesting fantasy/SF story. Jack, the hero, is an amoral, immortal whose self-interest leads further & further into an interesting quest that ultimately changes the world. (MacBeth) Zelazny blends fantasy with SF until you're not quite sure which label applies. The story is told in his wonderfully concise style that makes re-reads a pleasure while the story haunts you in odd moments. Highly recommended.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
This was one of the first Zelazny books I read & it's still fantastic. The characters aren't complex, but I think this is done on purpose. The only ones that much time is spent on are Dark Siders who have no soul. They're very uncomplicated, driven simply by desire, pride, & power. Jack personifies most & his thoughts are well documented. I thought his lame attempts at introspection were great. The few glimpses we get of those with souls are normal, complicated people.
The last half was grim & ugly, but hardly pointless, as Del Rey said. There were a couple of well setup up & made points. The ending was fantastic.
7Dec09 - A very interesting fantasy/SF story. Jack, the hero, is an amoral, immortal whose self-interest leads further & further into an interesting quest that ultimately changes the world. (MacBeth) Zelazny blends fantasy with SF until you're not quite sure which label applies. The story is told in his wonderfully concise style that makes re-reads a pleasure while the story haunts you in odd moments. Highly recommended.
July 4, 2023
Скъпо за мен момиче, с което споделяхме студентските години, беше кръстила хъскито си „Джак от сенките“ – чаровник с едно кафяво и едно синьо око. Оттогава насам името ми внушава някакво неясно магическо усещане. И ето че накрая, главозамаян от таланта на Зелазни в „Господаря на светлината“, посегнах и към тънкото книжле за Джак. Ех, какво пътуване само...
Действието се развива на една много необичайна планета. В недрата ѝ, освен кошмарни и миризливи чудовища, се намира колосален механизъм от зъбчати колела, оси, макари и махала, поддържан в непрестанна активност от безименни гиганти. Тази могъща машина е преустановила въртенето на планетата, поради което Западната полусфера е потънала във вечен мрак, а Източната е целогодишно огряна от ярки слънчеви лъчи. Между двете половини се разстила Здрача и там – на връх Паникус – е заточен великият оракул Морнингстар (единственият приятел на Джак).
Съществата от Тъмната страна нямат души, а когато загинат, след известно време възкръсват с нови тела в Торните ями на Гливе – вонящо място на развала и леш. В тази част на света се вихрят злокобни заклинания и бродят уродливи, жестоки и хищни твари. Мрачните територии са разделени между „Господарите“, а техните владения се разпростират до границите на магическите им сили. По всяко време седмина от тях изпълняват тайнствените ритуали поддържащи незрим вълшебен Щит срещу нахлуването на всевечния студ, а дежурствата им са вписани в “Древната книга“. Този Пакт е единственият повод да преустановяват временно враждите и неизменните боричкания за власт.
Светлата страна е технологично напреднала и населена с обикновени хора, които учат в университети, използват компютри, шофират автомобили, слушат радио, летят на самолети и умират веднъж и завинаги. Те са изградили силово поле, за да не бъдат изгорени от безспирния поток на слънчевите лъчи и тъкмо изстрелват първия си сателит.
Джак от сенките принадлежи на тъмната страна, а силата му не е статична и се крие в играта между светлината и мрака. Той е всеизвестен крадец, хитрец и мошеник. Романът започва с непредвидената му смърт и проследява горчиво-сладкия път на неговото възраждане и отмъщение. Първоначално ни обгръща задъхано фантастично приключение – игра на котка и мишка сред мистичните селения на мрака. Преодолявайки опасност след опасност, Джак трябва да оцелее, използвайки своята упоритост, дръзновение и съобразителност. Впоследствие, осъществил отмъщението си, той надминава по жестокост доскорошните си мъчители. Залитайки в прегръдката на Злото, Джак не само унищожава установения ред, но е на път да предизвика същински Апокалипсис.
Една уникална приказка за героя на Хаоса, който е честолюбив, неуморим, изобретателен, непредсказуем, и готов да убие любовта, защото е влюбен. От бягащ в сенките ренегат до властелин на една умираща империя. Бясна, пулсираща, меланхолична философска и безкрайно човешка фантазия, провокираща топли спомени и отнесени мисли в прегръдката на дълговечния Здрач.
Действието се развива на една много необичайна планета. В недрата ѝ, освен кошмарни и миризливи чудовища, се намира колосален механизъм от зъбчати колела, оси, макари и махала, поддържан в непрестанна активност от безименни гиганти. Тази могъща машина е преустановила въртенето на планетата, поради което Западната полусфера е потънала във вечен мрак, а Източната е целогодишно огряна от ярки слънчеви лъчи. Между двете половини се разстила Здрача и там – на връх Паникус – е заточен великият оракул Морнингстар (единственият приятел на Джак).
Съществата от Тъмната страна нямат души, а когато загинат, след известно време възкръсват с нови тела в Торните ями на Гливе – вонящо място на развала и леш. В тази част на света се вихрят злокобни заклинания и бродят уродливи, жестоки и хищни твари. Мрачните територии са разделени между „Господарите“, а техните владения се разпростират до границите на магическите им сили. По всяко време седмина от тях изпълняват тайнствените ритуали поддържащи незрим вълшебен Щит срещу нахлуването на всевечния студ, а дежурствата им са вписани в “Древната книга“. Този Пакт е единственият повод да преустановяват временно враждите и неизменните боричкания за власт.
Светлата страна е технологично напреднала и населена с обикновени хора, които учат в университети, използват компютри, шофират автомобили, слушат радио, летят на самолети и умират веднъж и завинаги. Те са изградили силово поле, за да не бъдат изгорени от безспирния поток на слънчевите лъчи и тъкмо изстрелват първия си сателит.
Джак от сенките принадлежи на тъмната страна, а силата му не е статична и се крие в играта между светлината и мрака. Той е всеизвестен крадец, хитрец и мошеник. Романът започва с непредвидената му смърт и проследява горчиво-сладкия път на неговото възраждане и отмъщение. Първоначално ни обгръща задъхано фантастично приключение – игра на котка и мишка сред мистичните селения на мрака. Преодолявайки опасност след опасност, Джак трябва да оцелее, използвайки своята упоритост, дръзновение и съобразителност. Впоследствие, осъществил отмъщението си, той надминава по жестокост доскорошните си мъчители. Залитайки в прегръдката на Злото, Джак не само унищожава установения ред, но е на път да предизвика същински Апокалипсис.
Една уникална приказка за героя на Хаоса, който е честолюбив, неуморим, изобретателен, непредсказуем, и готов да убие любовта, защото е влюбен. От бягащ в сенките ренегат до властелин на една умираща империя. Бясна, пулсираща, меланхолична философска и безкрайно човешка фантазия, провокираща топли спомени и отнесени мисли в прегръдката на дълговечния Здрач.
August 31, 2024
Jack of Shadows feels in many ways like a throwaway idea that Zelazny had while working on his Amber series (the first installment of which, Nine Princes in Amber, was published a year earlier) that he decided to pull out of a desk drawer when his editor asked "so, what else have you been working on lately?" Published first in 1971 - the author was already well known and highly regarded in the SF/F industry for his Hugo Award winning novels This Immortal and Lord of Light - the whole book reeks of the early 70s with a cigarette-smoking anti-hero, a disdain for societal niceties, marginalization and objectification of women, and a vague and unsatisfying ending which seemed to typify the era as well as plenty of other Zelazny books. Jack of Shadows was said to have been written in one draft, and the lack of polish shows. Characters are introduced and then quickly disposed of in various fashion with little to no effect since we never got to know them and could care less about them anyway. Some parts of the story have a lot of detail while other sections are way too vague. Not everything about the book is bad - the world is very interesting, with half always in day and half always in night, populated with interesting lifeforms such as immortals, vampires and dragons to name a few. Zelazny's dialogue is terrific as always, like a SF/F Elmore Leonard. These positive elements actually make the book more frustrating because of the untapped potential that could have made the story so much more rewarding and entertaining.
June 7, 2017
A hard to find novel, but worth it if you can track it down. My copy fell apart long ago, and should I find a new one I'll grab it.
In a world frozen with a dark side and a light side (science predominates on the light side magic on the dark) one man functions in both worlds...
The dark side of this world is "ruled" or dominated by magic while the light side is dominated by science and technology. The magic beings on the dark side are usually limited as the their power emanates from a location. Jack on the other hand is different. His power emanates or is drawn from shadow. While he is almost powerless in full light or full darkness access to any shadow makes him tremendously powerful. Due to his power he can function on both the dark magical side of the planet and the scientific light side.
As noted I like the book. Some may find it a bit frustrating, though to say why may constitute a sort of spoiler. I do recommend it as it's a well written if short book.
In a world frozen with a dark side and a light side (science predominates on the light side magic on the dark) one man functions in both worlds...
The dark side of this world is "ruled" or dominated by magic while the light side is dominated by science and technology. The magic beings on the dark side are usually limited as the their power emanates from a location. Jack on the other hand is different. His power emanates or is drawn from shadow. While he is almost powerless in full light or full darkness access to any shadow makes him tremendously powerful. Due to his power he can function on both the dark magical side of the planet and the scientific light side.
As noted I like the book. Some may find it a bit frustrating, though to say why may constitute a sort of spoiler. I do recommend it as it's a well written if short book.
August 25, 2010
Jack keeps getting killed - he's that kind of guy. Every time it happens, he wakes up in the Dung Pits of Glyve, which are about as pleasant as they sound. He always discovers that he's clutching a little pebble. He throws away the pebble, and laboriously makes his way back to what passes for civilization on the dark side of the Earth, where Magic rules.
There are rumours about the bright side, where they have a thing called Science. People say it may be even more powerful than Magic. Jack's curious to find out more. Somewhere along the way, a wise man tells him what the pebble is: it turns out that it's his immortal soul. He's thrown it away into a pile of dung so often he's lost count.
You may want to remember this useful piece of information next time you find yourself in the Dung Pits of Glyve.
There are rumours about the bright side, where they have a thing called Science. People say it may be even more powerful than Magic. Jack's curious to find out more. Somewhere along the way, a wise man tells him what the pebble is: it turns out that it's his immortal soul. He's thrown it away into a pile of dung so often he's lost count.
You may want to remember this useful piece of information next time you find yourself in the Dung Pits of Glyve.
October 15, 2018
This is one of Zelazny's shorter novels, and seems to be one that many readers either love or dislike immensely. While not as tautly-plotted as his myth-based Lord of Light or Creatures of Light and Darkness, I was mesmerized by the setting and the somewhat anti-hero characterization. I think Zelazny best examined his theme of science versus magic in this one, something he would return to again and again later in his career. I also loved his writing style, which was more ornate and lyrical than in most of his more popular works. This is one of my favorites.
March 11, 2011
Jack of Shadows, or Shadowjack, is a wizard and rogue, the best thief of his age. His world doesn't rotate. Instead, the light side is ruled by science and the dark side by magic. Daysiders have souls, Darksiders are eternally reborn in the Dung Pits of Glyve. Jack gets decapitated in the opening chapter and seeks revenge upon waking in the aforementioned Dung Pits. On the way to his goal, he gets imprisioned by an old enemy, spends time as a professor at a university on the Dayside, and finds Kolwria, the Key That Was Lost. Once he gets his revenge, a whole slew of other issues pop up.
I found Jack of Shadows to be a very original work. Not a trace of the usual fantasy cliches. Philosophical questions like what it means to have a soul are raised. Jack reminded me of a magical version of the Rowan Atkinson Blackadder character. The ending is open for the reader to interpret.
I found Jack of Shadows to be a very original work. Not a trace of the usual fantasy cliches. Philosophical questions like what it means to have a soul are raised. Jack reminded me of a magical version of the Rowan Atkinson Blackadder character. The ending is open for the reader to interpret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2014
I got it into my head that this was a "dying earth" style of book, in either homage to or imitation of Jack Vance, and found myself at odds with the style of writing and the way the story plays out. The finely-polished writing is minimalist in comparison, and while the darksiders live in a sort of civilized rivalry of false or real politeness, their language and interactions don't have the same sense of play or ornateness. I missed Vance's embellishment, and found that while there were moments of real effectiveness--Jack imprisoned and dealing with the Lord of Bats, and Jack journeying the strangely populous underworld to the Forbidden Planet-style Great Machine at the center of it all--it simply didn't leap off the page.
Where it lost its charm was the lightside, which by design or default is modeled after the 1960s, with references to punch cards, cigarettes, automobiles, and "computer time" as though using a centralized time-share system. Its sheer mundanity may be styled as a contrast to the mythical/legendary darkside, but I could not bridge the gap between the picture in my head and the supposed future-technology force fields that protect lightside from the unrelenting sun.
Where it lost its charm was the lightside, which by design or default is modeled after the 1960s, with references to punch cards, cigarettes, automobiles, and "computer time" as though using a centralized time-share system. Its sheer mundanity may be styled as a contrast to the mythical/legendary darkside, but I could not bridge the gap between the picture in my head and the supposed future-technology force fields that protect lightside from the unrelenting sun.
July 19, 2019
3 Stars
I'm not sure about this one. The story was great and the combination of fantasy elements with science fiction felt new and different. But i had a problem with the storytelling. The story jumped around quite a lot and sometimes I had to read a few pages of the chapter to even start to understand what was currently happening. That and the writing style (which was just not for me) made me not really care for the characters because I couldn't really immerse myself into the story. The plot had some amazing moments, and also some slower parts but the story itself was quite unique and well crafted.
I'm not sure about this one. The story was great and the combination of fantasy elements with science fiction felt new and different. But i had a problem with the storytelling. The story jumped around quite a lot and sometimes I had to read a few pages of the chapter to even start to understand what was currently happening. That and the writing style (which was just not for me) made me not really care for the characters because I couldn't really immerse myself into the story. The plot had some amazing moments, and also some slower parts but the story itself was quite unique and well crafted.
June 9, 2020
I read plenty of Zelazny when I was younger. In fact I have probably read most of his work. The one novel that eluded me for a long time was Jack of Shadows. This was doubly frustrating because I had heard it was his best book. Time passed and my enthusiasm for science fiction and fantasy began to wane somewhat. I haven't read any Zelazny for quite a while, but I always knew that if I ever managed to get hold of Jack of Shadows I would be eager to read it.
Finally last year I saw a second hand copy in a bookstore and bought it. Now I have read it. What do I think? It is very good indeed, and yes it is one of his best (maybe not quite the best of all). One of the amazing things about it is the coherent velocity of the action. The plot moves very fast and Zelazny throws in all sorts of twists and turns, yet the progression of the story doesn't feel as contrived as maybe it should. Zelazny's control is exquisite.
Perhaps the greatest thing about this novel is the set-up of the world depicted. It is complex and original with plenty of potential for all the different elements to clash, combine and produce results that are difficult for the reader to predict. A non-rotating world held in stasis by a machine (or by fire elementals) and one that is prevented from freezing on one side and burning on the other by a cosmic shield that must be maintained with difficulty. The inhabitants of the dark side use magic; those of the light side use science. They are equal but opposite. There is also a twilight realm with people and cities. It is possible for one to be half darksider and half daysider.
Jack of Shadows is a darksider but with a difference. Whereas most powerful darkside magicians are rooted in a place of power, in a particular location, Jack's power is contained in shadows -- any shadows cast anywhere -- and it is therefore mobile. He is thus free to wander, and in the grand tradition of the footloose wanderer he becomes a rogue, a masterful thief, but one with greater aspirations than normal. Indeed he has schemes that will change the societies of both sides forever.
There is no need to say more. His journeys and the eccentric characters he meets and monsters he fights are remarkable. This novel was a delight to read. Of all the Zelazny novels I have read, only Creatures of Light and Darkness has pleased me more (a very lyrical novel that isn't the favourite of most readers, but which I adore).
Finally last year I saw a second hand copy in a bookstore and bought it. Now I have read it. What do I think? It is very good indeed, and yes it is one of his best (maybe not quite the best of all). One of the amazing things about it is the coherent velocity of the action. The plot moves very fast and Zelazny throws in all sorts of twists and turns, yet the progression of the story doesn't feel as contrived as maybe it should. Zelazny's control is exquisite.
Perhaps the greatest thing about this novel is the set-up of the world depicted. It is complex and original with plenty of potential for all the different elements to clash, combine and produce results that are difficult for the reader to predict. A non-rotating world held in stasis by a machine (or by fire elementals) and one that is prevented from freezing on one side and burning on the other by a cosmic shield that must be maintained with difficulty. The inhabitants of the dark side use magic; those of the light side use science. They are equal but opposite. There is also a twilight realm with people and cities. It is possible for one to be half darksider and half daysider.
Jack of Shadows is a darksider but with a difference. Whereas most powerful darkside magicians are rooted in a place of power, in a particular location, Jack's power is contained in shadows -- any shadows cast anywhere -- and it is therefore mobile. He is thus free to wander, and in the grand tradition of the footloose wanderer he becomes a rogue, a masterful thief, but one with greater aspirations than normal. Indeed he has schemes that will change the societies of both sides forever.
There is no need to say more. His journeys and the eccentric characters he meets and monsters he fights are remarkable. This novel was a delight to read. Of all the Zelazny novels I have read, only Creatures of Light and Darkness has pleased me more (a very lyrical novel that isn't the favourite of most readers, but which I adore).
October 15, 2018
I am probably more at about three and a half stars for this one. I love Zelazny, my favorite sci fi author, but this is not one of his best in my opinion. It starts out well, Shadow Jack is an interesting character in an interesting world. But the last half kind of falls flat. Zelazny is at his best when his talented, witty protagonist (often pretty much the same guy from book to book, even fans will have to admit) is fighting the uphill battle as the cheeky upstart against the powers that be in some very fantastic reality the author creates. In this book the battle is won too early, and the rest of the book falls just a little flatter, hence my lower rating. The ending is bit cheesy as well.
I mentioned I re-read the book, probably for the 3-4th time, but it has been many years. The first part was pretty familiar and still enjoyable. The last half didn't leave enough of an impression on me to remember well. Yet even reading the 2nd half fresh and the first half familiar, I enjoyed the first half more. Still very much worth a read.
I mentioned I re-read the book, probably for the 3-4th time, but it has been many years. The first part was pretty familiar and still enjoyable. The last half didn't leave enough of an impression on me to remember well. Yet even reading the 2nd half fresh and the first half familiar, I enjoyed the first half more. Still very much worth a read.
August 15, 2012
What a terrific read of science and magic. Roger Zelazny is the supreme master at mixing the two together. Roger Zelazny truly is fantastic at making someone despicable actually likeable. The Hero, more likely the anti-hero (it is up to you to choose) of the story, Jack is a character most would think to dislike, but simply for Zelazny work of masterful science/fantasy fiction, and in the first few chapters and especially at the end he makes you end up rooting for Jack, the Jack of Shadows! This is a book I plan on reading again. It is short and simple but also long and complex; in a good way that I don't understand how Zelazny does it, but he can condense a masterpiece in under 200 pages.
July 6, 2019
The setting is evocative and fantastic, the magic in it awe-inspiring, the prose terse but extremely effective... but I would've liked to see more of the light side of the world, and Jack himself was an arse and I never could relate to him.
January 2, 2024
3.5/5.
A wonderful book. Its one major flaw is that it fails to explore its themes and its characters -- partly a result of its very short length.
In other words -- while filled with very interesting ideas, the execution is lacking.
It hints at its excellent themes -- the side of light, occupied by humans who are emotionally rich but who analyzie the world with cold science, and the side of darkness, filled of unemotional demigods who are unable to change, but posses magic used artistically. Jack, unlike other beings of darkness, is tied to shadow -- half light and half darkness. He goes on a journey of mastering both sides of the world, using a computer to analyze magical texts and as a result gains great power -- symbolically, the power of unifying science and art.
The climax mirrors Jack's journey, when light and darkness, science and art, human and inhuman, are unified.
There is so much more to explore here. Such a waste.
A wonderful book. Its one major flaw is that it fails to explore its themes and its characters -- partly a result of its very short length.
In other words -- while filled with very interesting ideas, the execution is lacking.
It hints at its excellent themes -- the side of light, occupied by humans who are emotionally rich but who analyzie the world with cold science, and the side of darkness, filled of unemotional demigods who are unable to change, but posses magic used artistically. Jack, unlike other beings of darkness, is tied to shadow -- half light and half darkness. He goes on a journey of mastering both sides of the world, using a computer to analyze magical texts and as a result gains great power -- symbolically, the power of unifying science and art.
The climax mirrors Jack's journey, when light and darkness, science and art, human and inhuman, are unified.
There is so much more to explore here. Such a waste.
November 15, 2025
Jack of Shadows isn't one of Roger Zelazny's experimental works that already has mentioned in the foreword of Jack of Shadows. Like other Zelazny's books, this book has multiple concepts about the world building, the conflict of magic and science and the rules of both. As always, even magic system does exist and well confined in this world; the criterion don't have standard principle for ruling the fictional world nor variably control the plots. On the contrary, there always characters whom have trespassed or violated the law of magic. It's interesting that Roger Zelazeny has proffered us an more interior sigh to look into his secondary worlds with some thought-provoking ideas that which how to twist and subvert the foundamental standard formulas in fantasy worlds. I am perpetually looking forward to novel ideas in Roger Zelazny's books.
As the protagonist, Jackshaow who had done enormous deeds to achieve his goals; most of choices which he have made are shrewd but not shrewd enough to be a generous ruler dominating the whole worlds. I think he flip his card quite frequent in the one third length of this book, who was trying find the balance and redemption after he became a relentless tyrant rather than a
successful theft. His desire of conquering darkside and dayside inevitably usher him into a disastrous ending.
overall, it a pleasant reading experience and as usual, like I've seen the writer's concepts bloom in Jack of Shadows as in his other masterpieces.
As the protagonist, Jackshaow who had done enormous deeds to achieve his goals; most of choices which he have made are shrewd but not shrewd enough to be a generous ruler dominating the whole worlds. I think he flip his card quite frequent in the one third length of this book, who was trying find the balance and redemption after he became a relentless tyrant rather than a
successful theft. His desire of conquering darkside and dayside inevitably usher him into a disastrous ending.
overall, it a pleasant reading experience and as usual, like I've seen the writer's concepts bloom in Jack of Shadows as in his other masterpieces.
October 10, 2021
This is one of my favorite Zelazny stories. It's imaginative, it's dark, but also intensely lyrical. Jack isn't a good protagonist. In fact, he is a bit of an antagonist, but he is still the perfect vessel through whic eyes we will discover this world. Because he is just as cold and cruel and ruthless as this world is...
December 7, 2015
Roger Zelazny (1937–1995).
This first hardcover edition is signed by Roger Zelazny.
This first hardcover edition is signed by Roger Zelazny.
July 31, 2017
I’ve found that the best way to sum up this book is, “It’s a Roger Zelazny novel.”
For anyone who doesn’t really know what that means, I’ll try to explain.
With a world where one half is perpetually day, and the other is night, the populations of both are similarly segregated. Daytime has normal humans and a technological civilization, and nighttime has sorcerers who come back from the dead an unspecified number of times. Magic and technology only work their respective halves of the world, and only mix in the twilight area. There’s some philosophical discussions of looking at the world in different ways, but mostly this is just allowed to make the novel something of a mish-mash, with parts fantasy, and modern day academia.
There’s a secondary-character subplot that never quite comes into it’s own, along with a few more that do. And after wandering around a bit, there’s an epic-scale ending.
And despite the way all that sounds, it works. It’s not great (and is not one of his best works), but just about everything in the novel ties back into his main themes. It doesn’t really come to any solid conclusions, and you could say the same of the action, though things are definitely finished.
For anyone who doesn’t really know what that means, I’ll try to explain.
With a world where one half is perpetually day, and the other is night, the populations of both are similarly segregated. Daytime has normal humans and a technological civilization, and nighttime has sorcerers who come back from the dead an unspecified number of times. Magic and technology only work their respective halves of the world, and only mix in the twilight area. There’s some philosophical discussions of looking at the world in different ways, but mostly this is just allowed to make the novel something of a mish-mash, with parts fantasy, and modern day academia.
There’s a secondary-character subplot that never quite comes into it’s own, along with a few more that do. And after wandering around a bit, there’s an epic-scale ending.
And despite the way all that sounds, it works. It’s not great (and is not one of his best works), but just about everything in the novel ties back into his main themes. It doesn’t really come to any solid conclusions, and you could say the same of the action, though things are definitely finished.
November 1, 2018
Изданието се състои от две произведения - "Джек от Сенките" и "У дома чака палача".
Джек от Сенките е базумно добрър над-жанров пир за читателя! Главният герой преминава през почти всички нюанси между бяло и черно. В момента не мога да се сетя за писател, успяващ толкова убедително да побере много в малък обем!
У дома чака палача - погледнато опростенчески, сюжетът е пълно клише. Човечеството успява да създаде киборгоподбно същество с разум. То ще бъде запратено да изследва далечните планети и спътници, като ��яма да има нужда от човек, който да пътува и да го управлява или наглежда. По време на мисията си, то изперква и изчезва, а години след това се появява на родната планета, започвайки да избива "учителите/родителите" си. Клишето свършва дотук, обаче...
Пет броя звезди, напълно заслужени по мое мнение!
Джек от Сенките е базумно добрър над-жанров пир за читателя! Главният герой преминава през почти всички нюанси между бяло и черно. В момента не мога да се сетя за писател, успяващ толкова убедително да побере много в малък обем!
У дома чака палача - погледнато опростенчески, сюжетът е пълно клише. Човечеството успява да създаде киборгоподбно същество с разум. То ще бъде запратено да изследва далечните планети и спътници, като ��яма да има нужда от човек, който да пътува и да го управлява или наглежда. По време на мисията си, то изперква и изчезва, а години след това се появява на родната планета, започвайки да избива "учителите/родителите" си. Клишето свършва дотук, обаче...
Пет броя звезди, напълно заслужени по мое мнение!
November 20, 2007
The nightside thief Jack of Shadows is killed for merely contemplating a theft, but those from the nightside have multiple lives and a thirst for vengeance...
The main character is not particularly likable and as a tale of revenge it's fairly good but it's no Hamlet. The thing with even Zelazny's lesser works is he had an incredible talent for writing mythologically. You can feel the other stories spinning off from a person or a place mentioned in this one, perhaps with a vague sense that those stories must have been burned with the Library of Alexandria or else surely we would have heard of them.
The main character is not particularly likable and as a tale of revenge it's fairly good but it's no Hamlet. The thing with even Zelazny's lesser works is he had an incredible talent for writing mythologically. You can feel the other stories spinning off from a person or a place mentioned in this one, perhaps with a vague sense that those stories must have been burned with the Library of Alexandria or else surely we would have heard of them.
January 30, 2023
Вважаю стиль письма Желязни майже геніальним - це перший автор в моєму читацькому досвіді, який вміє не влучно описувати, а влучно НЕ описувати. І саме там, де він залишає білу пляму - мозок починає сам домальовувати потрібні деталі.
В цій книзі знову відбулась зі мною ця магія.
Або технологія.
Кому як зручно.
В цій книзі знову відбулась зі мною ця магія.
Або технологія.
Кому як зручно.
May 4, 2016
No, this isn’t the Earth you are familiar with. Yes, humans still are the dominant species. Yes, the birds and animals are present. But, this planet shows only one face continually to the Sun. One side always in bright light and the other in perpetual night, which might have some interesting effects on evolution. Because this is Zelazny, we get to know a bit of why one side doesn’t have just boiling rock and the other side a frozen environment where nothing moves. This world is protected by a “…spell-wrought Shield (that) kept the darkside from freezing into Allwinter as surely as their force screens prevented the daysiders from frying in the merciless glare of the sun.” Between these extremes, there exists a narrow belt of twilight, and there is Jack of Shadows.
It is not long after we are introduced to Jack that we see him captured (betrayed by the Lord of Bats?) and executed. He begins his next life on a mound of offal in a lake of filth in the dominion of Lord Dreckheim.
It suited Zelazny’s zeitgeist to have Jack be a lord, the Lord of Shadows. [If you are interested in a more extensive exploration of the elements of fealty and vassalage, Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber, begun at about the same time, extends for a vast number of novels and takes up some similar themes including the nature of shadow.] Yet, here, the shadow lord is in great peril and, as we come to know him, we note elements of his nature and moral code emerging.
“He felt a kiss upon his throat and the alb of her long hair that lay on his shoulders.
“For a long moment he rested there, trying to muster his remaining strength (difficult to locate food or drink in this land, without being caught). He seized her hair with his left hand, as his right are moved about her body. Forcing her away from him, he rolled to his left, knowing from his waking instant what must be done. With just a fraction of his old speed, his head dropped forward.
“When he had finished, he wiped his mouth, stood and stared down at the limp form.
“’Poor vampire,’ he said. ‘There was not much blood in you which is why you wanted mine so desperately, yet were so weak in its taking. But I, too, was desperate in my hunger. We do what we must.’
“Wearing the black skirts, cloak and tight-fitting boots he had appropriated, Jack moved…Climbing, circling, sometimes running, his hatred grew more rapidly than the hunger within him….One by one he would seek them and have his revenge upon them…he thought in terms of torture rather than a simple sword thrust. They had hurt his feeling by killing him in this manner. Had they done it differently, he might have been less aggrieved.”
And there is the desired Evene, daughter of the Colonel Who Never Died. Jack is dead because the Colonel demanded the Hellflame as a bride price for his daughter. So, it seems, Jack must still steal the Hellflame if he and Evene are to be united.
Zelazny has often demonstrated his command of both myth and action. It is a rare story he has written that doesn’t plunge ahead from one element of adventure to the next. Jack of Shadows is certainly no exception.
However, the masterful mixing of those components is what sets this ahead of many of his other works. It is hard to discern whether this is a story of past or future Earth (if Earth at all). Is Jack more like the Norse Loki or the Greek Prometheus? Is his flaw his desire for revenge or his temptation for power? Was he channeling Matthew:
“For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?”
Or Mark: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Because that is where this story leads, with Jack’s soul tagging behind as a world so cleverly divided between light and darkness breaks apart. Take the ride, and discover if Jack ever allows himself to appreciate what is around him.
It is not long after we are introduced to Jack that we see him captured (betrayed by the Lord of Bats?) and executed. He begins his next life on a mound of offal in a lake of filth in the dominion of Lord Dreckheim.
It suited Zelazny’s zeitgeist to have Jack be a lord, the Lord of Shadows. [If you are interested in a more extensive exploration of the elements of fealty and vassalage, Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber, begun at about the same time, extends for a vast number of novels and takes up some similar themes including the nature of shadow.] Yet, here, the shadow lord is in great peril and, as we come to know him, we note elements of his nature and moral code emerging.
“He felt a kiss upon his throat and the alb of her long hair that lay on his shoulders.
“For a long moment he rested there, trying to muster his remaining strength (difficult to locate food or drink in this land, without being caught). He seized her hair with his left hand, as his right are moved about her body. Forcing her away from him, he rolled to his left, knowing from his waking instant what must be done. With just a fraction of his old speed, his head dropped forward.
“When he had finished, he wiped his mouth, stood and stared down at the limp form.
“’Poor vampire,’ he said. ‘There was not much blood in you which is why you wanted mine so desperately, yet were so weak in its taking. But I, too, was desperate in my hunger. We do what we must.’
“Wearing the black skirts, cloak and tight-fitting boots he had appropriated, Jack moved…Climbing, circling, sometimes running, his hatred grew more rapidly than the hunger within him….One by one he would seek them and have his revenge upon them…he thought in terms of torture rather than a simple sword thrust. They had hurt his feeling by killing him in this manner. Had they done it differently, he might have been less aggrieved.”
And there is the desired Evene, daughter of the Colonel Who Never Died. Jack is dead because the Colonel demanded the Hellflame as a bride price for his daughter. So, it seems, Jack must still steal the Hellflame if he and Evene are to be united.
Zelazny has often demonstrated his command of both myth and action. It is a rare story he has written that doesn’t plunge ahead from one element of adventure to the next. Jack of Shadows is certainly no exception.
However, the masterful mixing of those components is what sets this ahead of many of his other works. It is hard to discern whether this is a story of past or future Earth (if Earth at all). Is Jack more like the Norse Loki or the Greek Prometheus? Is his flaw his desire for revenge or his temptation for power? Was he channeling Matthew:
“For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?”
Or Mark: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Because that is where this story leads, with Jack’s soul tagging behind as a world so cleverly divided between light and darkness breaks apart. Take the ride, and discover if Jack ever allows himself to appreciate what is around him.
May 13, 2018
Дори и името на знаменития Роджър Зелазни да не присъстваше отгоре, има нещо притегателно, направо магнетично в корицата на „Джак от сенките” (изд. „Бард”). Могъщо създание, сякаш излязъл от „1001 нощ” джин с демонични криле, среща на скалист връх мистериозна, закачулена фигура, с развян от вятъра плащ. Колко му трябва на човек? Олд скуул сай-фай фентъзи, през далечната 1972 „Джак от сенките” грабва вниманието не само на жанровите фенове, но и на журито на наградите Hugo и Locus. Всъщност, това е едно от по-кратките произведения на Зелазни и не е част от цикъл или поредица. Това прави „Джак от сенките” и перфектна първа стъпка за читатели, които искат да са любопитни да се запознаят с творчеството на автора, но се чудят от къде да започнат. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
July 31, 2016
Zelazny doing a Vance tribute? The only thing better would be Jack Vance doing a Zelazny tribute.
In my more wistful moments, I like to imagine a world in which Jack Vance and Roger Zelazny were massively profitable authors with seven digit sales figures while Terry Brooks and Robert Jordan were modestly successful but never crossed into the mainstream. I picture a world in which the industry standard is delivering an original setting, a compelling society, an intriguing main character, a complete plot arc, and one or two other ideas in less than 200 pages, while pooping out 500+ pages of halfassed Tokienisms would be considered lazy and pointless. That's the world I wish I lived in.
In my more wistful moments, I like to imagine a world in which Jack Vance and Roger Zelazny were massively profitable authors with seven digit sales figures while Terry Brooks and Robert Jordan were modestly successful but never crossed into the mainstream. I picture a world in which the industry standard is delivering an original setting, a compelling society, an intriguing main character, a complete plot arc, and one or two other ideas in less than 200 pages, while pooping out 500+ pages of halfassed Tokienisms would be considered lazy and pointless. That's the world I wish I lived in.
December 8, 2020
Трікстер Джек, темний Джей, тіньовий, поміж світових складок схований, що йде до своєї мети, досягає її і залишає читача розгубленим спостерігачем кінця світу на паузі.
Гарний фентезійний експеримент Желязни, який спершу захотілося порадити початківцям, які бояться великих текстів фентезі, але згодом збагнув, що іноді краще почитати щось "велике" замість короткого і вибухового лабіринту смислів.
Якщо ви ще не читали, то ось ще одна книга від Желязни, яка відкриває для мене його творчість у хорошому світлі (тіні).
Гарний фентезійний експеримент Желязни, який спершу захотілося порадити початківцям, які бояться великих текстів фентезі, але згодом збагнув, що іноді краще почитати щось "велике" замість короткого і вибухового лабіринту смислів.
Якщо ви ще не читали, то ось ще одна книга від Желязни, яка відкриває для мене його творчість у хорошому світлі (тіні).
January 15, 2015
Literally couldn't say enough about this book. I read it every so often and as short as it is it packs a lot in there. Jack is one of my favorite characters out of all the books I've read. I most enjoy the fact that for the most part he uses his powers for good but at times he abuses them as well if he feels necessary. All around just a great story and I'd recommend to anyone who reads sci-fi or anything to do with magic as well.
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