Alexey Pehov

A debut novel from a (talented) Russian author, Pehov demonstrates enough in this first book to ensure he is one to keep an eye out for and enough to get excited about for the follow up books in the trilogy.

Initially, the book appears to be a classic, cliche filled fantasy epic trilogy that has all the conventions of usual fantasy series. The quest for an object that could save the world, an age old prophecy that appears related to the main character and the quest, the involvment of Elves, show more Orcs, Dwarves, Ogres, Goblins and other such beings, however, do not underestimate and let this put you off.

The style is brilliant, the main character Harold, a master thief (always a favourite occupation of mine) is well written and thought out. The book is told in first person narrative through the eyes of Harold, who often refers to himself in the 3rd person during his exploits. He provides a witty & humourous account, filled with subtlety and you can't fail to like the anti-hero and his talents. It did make me think of the Lies of Locke Lamora (a favourite book of mine) in terms of the master thief but Pehov although ticks a lot of cliche fanatasy boxes he delivers them in a unqiue and creative way.

I'd highly recommend the Shadow Prowler, not just for the book itself, but also for the potential for the series that Pehov is delivering. For a debut novel I thoroughly enjoyed it, and there is still plenty of time for Pehov to surprise and provide an exciting trilogy that could rate very very highly. show less

Как обычно, превосходно и тонко. Сложно и смертельно опасно. Авторы не щадят главных героев и кромсают всех кого не лень, ибо в Москве наступает апокалипсис, остановить который можно только ценой самопожертвования сильнейших братьев...

Ну вот всё и закончилось, вроде и show more жаль, но я и довольна жутко, что серия завершилась на высоте. Браво! show less

4.5 stars

Large part of the book is about Harold and his quest through Hrad Spein. It’s also called as Palaces of Bones and it’s very describing name... Creepy place!

I like Harold as the hero because he’s not your typical hero. Thieves are rarely called heroes but Harold is very likeable. And then there’s Kli-Kli, who wouldn’t like the jester? And speaking of jester, I totally didn’t see that coming! Even though I liked Harold my fav people were the elves. I wish there would have show more been more of them and I would have liked to learn more about their world and history.

As it is in war, we lose more characters and I understand that it belongs to war but how could you do that! And it was evil to do it so soon in the book! But we meet few people who I had totally forgotten about which was nice. I should have reread the first 2 books before this...

My only complaint is that the part in Hrad Spein could have been tiny bit shorter and the battle scenes in the end less jumpy. There were too many perspectives to the battle and from people we hadn’t meet before.

I enjoyed these books so much and I’m gonna miss this world. I hope more of his books gets translated because I’m reading those for sure! show less

The first book started little slow but I felt this has more action. There doesn’t actually happen all that much but there was still many battles. I should have re-read the last book because I had forgotten who was whoand what happened but it didn’t take long to remember everyone.

Harold isn’t too happy to be the supposed hero and thinks his life was much more simple as a regular thief. But he’s also started to wonder if he has changed. He didn’t have any friends or family, which he show more thought was a liability, and now he has whole bunch of outcasts who he can call friends. Has this made him softer?

Harold doesn’t have as much spotlight as in the last book but I didn’t feel like anyone had real spotlight over others.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Kli-Kli the goblin jester . But it seems like there is much more to him than just being a fool. Can’t wait to find out what he really is about. But my favourites were the elves. I wish there was more about them in the next book! I love it that elves resemble orcs with fangs and all.

I had some problems with one battle, mainly with the outcome at least but it’s better not to speak more about it here. I really liked this and you gotta love good fantasy book! Can’t wait to read the next book! show less