The Night Angel Trilogy (Book Review)

The Night Angel Trilogy, by Brent Weeks (Book Review)


I believe this will mark the first time I've done a book review using the same rating system that I use for movies. I usually don't read books or fantasy series until they are complete and available in paperback. By that time I feel like I've "missed the boat" already and lose motivation to write a review. But a few months ago I took a chance on a new author named Brent Weeks, who published his first trilogy completely in paperback and in three consecutive months. (A brilliant marketing scheme on his part!)

The Night Angel Trilogy is comprised of the books "The Way Of Shadows", "Shadow's Edge" and "Beyond The Shadows". It is sword and sorcery fantasy with possibly the darkest tone I have yet read in this genre. Although the trilogy features an ensemble cast of characters, it centers on Kylar Stern, a mystical super assassin called a "wetboy". The trilogy starts with his humble beginnings as a member of a street gang and follows his career as he becomes one of the most deadly and efficient killers who ever lived.

Weeks does a fantastic job of pulling me into the minds of these characters. While many fantasy authors pride themselves on "world-building", Weeks has made the effort to present his world through the eyes of his characters, engaging me emotionally from the very first page. And this is a world that lends itself to intense emotion.

The story is set in a corrupt city and centers on corrupt people. Prostitution and sexual abuse and all kinds of human depravity figure prominently in the story and the language associated with these themes is very harsh. The "f-bomb" is very common throughout many chapters of all three books, as well as other language that may be more or less offensive to some. But the way in which these harsh words are used is anything but careless. Weeks' writing contains a clear sense of right and wrong. And while nearly every character in this story is corrupt in some way, the author portrays this corruption as tragic and makes us long for a better world.

The story is violent and filled with intense action, deadly combat and incredibly powerful magic. Those seeking fantasy of this nature will not likely be disappointed. The deadly world of assassins is a dark one, but captivating to peek into. The planning and brutal execution of assassinations is a strong point of these books. If you like Batman stories that focus on all the brainpower and planning it takes for Bruce Wayne to become a terrifying urban legend, you'll love Kylar and his "Night Angel" persona. (I wouldn't be surprised if Brent Weeks was a comic book fan.)

The story includes some politics to follow, but these elements are introduced slowly enough to keep track of and never overshadow characterization or story. I would advise, however, that readers pay careful attention as new characters are introduced. Otherwise you may later discover that a character you skimmed through has become a lead player in the story, and you don't quite remember who they are. (This was the case for me.) As the trilogy progresses, more characters are introduced and "screen time" is more evenly portioned out. So don't rush and know that there will be a few more characters to keep track of that are important, especially once you reach the third book.

There is a very clear objective morality in these books. Many fantasy authors guide their characters by "what feels right". They create tension by letting their character be insecure regarding what they ought to do. By contrast, Weeks' characters very often know morally what is the right thing to do. The tension comes from them having to make the right decision, which often results in pain or sacrifice on their part. Or from living with the consequences of making a decision they knew was wrong. The combination of these heart-wrenching decisions and watching the characters lose what they most hold dear is a primary part of what makes this trilogy so captivating.

I can't be certain, but I highly suspect that Brent Weeks is a man who, if not professing to be a Christian, has at least spent a great deal of time reading his Bible. (Update: Brent Weeks discusses his faith with me in an interview!) This is possibly the only mainstream fantasy novel I have read that takes place in a polytheistic society in which a "One True God" religion is portrayed favorably. Themes of morality, justice, wrath, forgiveness and redemption run clearly through many chapters in all three books. There are also more parallels to Biblical stories or teaching than I can count. In nearly a dozen instances, the Bible is almost quoted word for word, depending on which translation you're reading. And one particular scene between a king and a prostitute in "Shadow's Edge" mirrored the account between Jesus and the adulteress(John Chapter 8) in a way that made my eyes brim with tears. These elements will be detectable to various degrees depending on the reader's familiarity with the Bible, but this is not a "preachy" book. Rather, it paints a picture that makes us long for what could be.

Out of nowhere, Brent Weeks has exploded onto my bookshelf and, in my estimation, stands toe-to-toe with an author like Terry Goodkind. Well done, Mr. Weeks. Now when will your next book be released?


Quality: 9.0/10

Relevance: 9.0/10


And don't miss my two-part interview with Brent Weeks, in which he discusses his faith for the first time in an interview!

www.spiritblade.net/paeter
www.spiritblade.net/podcast