Jeff Gunzel

Good action scenes, an adequately scary villain and henchmen... and awful characterization of the two protagonists.

This is apparently a novella-length prequel about the turning point that led the Shadow from his former disreputable occupations to the one he'll hold in the later series. But an introspective novel this is not, and we're just told about changes of hearts and moods that happen or have already happened, most of the time in jarring or unexpected ways.

As a possible introduction to the world it doesn't really do much either, giving a glimpse of a rogues' city in an apparently fairly nondescript secondary world, the most salient element being what looks a lot like a borrowed Illithid / Mind Flayer from the D&D bestiary, called something else of course since it happens to be one of those signature creatures the owners of the D&D IP hold close to their chest.

Despite the relative simplicity of storyline and characterization I don't think I'd categorize this as YA as some people seem to have tagged the series. A rape happens. While it's not dwelt on over-long it's definitely not faded to black or a minor event in the background.… (more)

I was given the book “Land of Shadows (The Legends of the Gatekeeper #1)” by author Jeff Gunzel, in exchange for an honest review. I met Mr. Gunzel in a forum on www.goodreads.com for authors that were introducing their books. After a brief discussion of his book, I was more than willing to accept the task of reading what he penned.

I will be the first to admit that what sparked my attention to the book was the cover art. I don’t know how he developed the cover or who created it, but they did a fabulous job. The woman on the cover pretty much gives you the idea that this book is going to have a strong female character. Just that there sold me on the book. I know, you aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I did.

*****

The story starts off with Morcel, a battle worn warrior, member of the Leathers that has no desire for the next raiding mission. Unlike the other Leathers, he despises having to plunder a city, kill the men, women, infants and animals. He’s tired of these tasks that are amounting to nothing for him. Where he feels he is the most needed is on the battlefield fighting. To him these types of tasks are demeaning and beneath his experience.

Everything changes when he hears a scream. Taking off to find the source, he comes to the most despicable sight he has seen thus far. A young boy, about twelve, is naked and being held down bent over a bench by a small group of Leathers. Screaming and being held back by Leather, a young woman is trying to save the boy. In what takes a matter of seconds, Morcel is in the middle of this mess. He doesn’t even realize that he has grabbed his axe and is slicing the throat of one of the men.

In a split second, he witnesses something that he isn’t quite sure is even happening. The young woman has now freed herself from her captive. She has somehow pulled out two daggers and is slashing her assailant. Witnessing her movements, he instantly knows that this woman has had some serious training in weaponry and fighting. Where did she learn these skills and why?

Once the men have been slain, the girl realizes that the boy has been murdered. Realizing that they are in danger due to their actions, Morcel instructs this female warrior to leave. Within seconds, backup arrives and Morcel is captured. The only thing he can hope for is that the woman was able to escape.

Jade, who we discover late in the book, is the hooded assassin that has been causing havoc among the Leathers. She has been training all her life for one crucial task, find and protect the Gatekeeper at all costs. Not knowing who she really is or where she came from, Jade has relied on her teachers to raise her. All her life she has known nothing other than lessons, books and battle training. She has had to rely on her skills and the generosity of strangers to get her to the point that she is in her life.

Eric Aethello has always been known as the blacksmiths son. He’s always felt that there was really nothing special to his life. Outside his homeschooling, he spends his time sparring, learning hand-to-hand combat, and various forms of weapons. He trains and spars with his best friend Jacob, who has mastered the art of the staff.

Eric, who never favored himself a ladies’ man, attacks the attention of a striking young woman, Aena. It’s through Aena that Eric discovers that his life has been a total lie. After a night of bliss, Aena turns on Eric and tries to kill him. It’s Jade that finds Eric and saves him from the murderous hands of the assassin Aena.

The father that he thought he had has lied to him. The only people that he can trust now are his best friend and this strange female Jade. It’s thought Jade that he discovers that he is the Gatekeeper and she has been tasked with saving his life. Now it’s up to Jade to get Eric to the queen before Dragot finds and kills him.

*****

“Land of Shadows” isn’t a book that I would suggest for younger audiences. Due to the sexual violence in the book, I would say that it might even be for more mature audiences. There are some pretty graphic scenes that might not set well with some, especially younger audiences.

As for the storyline, I was happy to see that the author created a strong female character. Most of the time adventure and fantasy novels portray the female as the victim and or weaker characters to the men. So, when I do stumble across a story that has the female as the strongest of characters, it does make the story more appealing.

I did find that the mystery of Jade’s lineage was easy to figure out. As soon as the character was introduced, I pretty much had it nailed. Even though I was able to figure this out, yet the characters have yet to admit to it, it wasn’t that distracting. I personally believe that it just builds to the suspense of wanting to read the next installment. It leaves you wanting to see how everyone handles the issue.

In all, this was a great book. I did peak at a couple other reviews after I finished the book to just try to grasp how others felt. I did agree that there were some editing errors, but then those weren’t so major that they took away from the story. I do disagree with one that the book didn’t feel as if it was finished. Of course it’s not finished! This is a series book, so it’s going to leave you hanging and things will be unanswered. This is what makes you want to read the next installment...which I hope I’ll be able to.

In the end, the author has developed strong characters and great story line. I feel that as he continues to write, he’ll only improve and more people will appreciate where this story is headed.… (more)

I was given the book “Land of Shadows (The Legends of the Gatekeeper #1)” by author Jeff Gunzel, in exchange for an honest review. I met Mr. Gunzel in a forum on www.goodreads.com for authors that were introducing their books. After a brief discussion of his book, I was more than willing to accept the task of reading what he penned.

I will be the first to admit that what sparked my attention to the book was the cover art. I don’t know how he developed the cover or who created it, but they did a fabulous job. The woman on the cover pretty much gives you the idea that this book is going to have a strong female character. Just that there sold me on the book. I know, you aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I did.

*****

The story starts off with Morcel, a battle worn warrior, member of the Leathers that has no desire for the next raiding mission. Unlike the other Leathers, he despises having to plunder a city, kill the men, women, infants and animals. He’s tired of these tasks that are amounting to nothing for him. Where he feels he is the most needed is on the battlefield fighting. To him these types of tasks are demeaning and beneath his experience.

Everything changes when he hears a scream. Taking off to find the source, he comes to the most despicable sight he has seen thus far. A young boy, about twelve, is naked and being held down bent over a bench by a small group of Leathers. Screaming and being held back by Leather, a young woman is trying to save the boy. In what takes a matter of seconds, Morcel is in the middle of this mess. He doesn’t even realize that he has grabbed his axe and is slicing the throat of one of the men.

In a split second, he witnesses something that he isn’t quite sure is even happening. The young woman has now freed herself from her captive. She has somehow pulled out two daggers and is slashing her assailant. Witnessing her movements, he instantly knows that this woman has had some serious training in weaponry and fighting. Where did she learn these skills and why?

Once the men have been slain, the girl realizes that the boy has been murdered. Realizing that they are in danger due to their actions, Morcel instructs this female warrior to leave. Within seconds, backup arrives and Morcel is captured. The only thing he can hope for is that the woman was able to escape.

Jade, who we discover late in the book, is the hooded assassin that has been causing havoc among the Leathers. She has been training all her life for one crucial task, find and protect the Gatekeeper at all costs. Not knowing who she really is or where she came from, Jade has relied on her teachers to raise her. All her life she has known nothing other than lessons, books and battle training. She has had to rely on her skills and the generosity of strangers to get her to the point that she is in her life.

Eric Aethello has always been known as the blacksmiths son. He’s always felt that there was really nothing special to his life. Outside his homeschooling, he spends his time sparring, learning hand-to-hand combat, and various forms of weapons. He trains and spars with his best friend Jacob, who has mastered the art of the staff.

Eric, who never favored himself a ladies’ man, attacks the attention of a striking young woman, Aena. It’s through Aena that Eric discovers that his life has been a total lie. After a night of bliss, Aena turns on Eric and tries to kill him. It’s Jade that finds Eric and saves him from the murderous hands of the assassin Aena.

The father that he thought he had has lied to him. The only people that he can trust now are his best friend and this strange female Jade. It’s thought Jade that he discovers that he is the Gatekeeper and she has been tasked with saving his life. Now it’s up to Jade to get Eric to the queen before Dragot finds and kills him.

*****

“Land of Shadows” isn’t a book that I would suggest for younger audiences. Due to the sexual violence in the book, I would say that it might even be for more mature audiences. There are some pretty graphic scenes that might not set well with some, especially younger audiences.

As for the storyline, I was happy to see that the author created a strong female character. Most of the time adventure and fantasy novels portray the female as the victim and or weaker characters to the men. So, when I do stumble across a story that has the female as the strongest of characters, it does make the story more appealing.

I did find that the mystery of Jade’s lineage was easy to figure out. As soon as the character was introduced, I pretty much had it nailed. Even though I was able to figure this out, yet the characters have yet to admit to it, it wasn’t that distracting. I personally believe that it just builds to the suspense of wanting to read the next installment. It leaves you wanting to see how everyone handles the issue.

In all, this was a great book. I did peak at a couple other reviews after I finished the book to just try to grasp how others felt. I did agree that there were some editing errors, but then those weren’t so major that they took away from the story. I do disagree with one that the book didn’t feel as if it was finished. Of course it’s not finished! This is a series book, so it’s going to leave you hanging and things will be unanswered. This is what makes you want to read the next installment...which I hope I’ll be able to.

In the end, the author has developed strong characters and great story line. I feel that as he continues to write, he’ll only improve and more people will appreciate where this story is headed.… (more)