The Shield of Weeping Ghosts

This was a very good story in my opinion. Nice pace, good detail and lots of action. It left some openings but that just made me want more. I dont have to have every detail closed up. I like the mystery and being able to fill in my those holes on my own. I hope to see more of this author.

This novel is the third installment in, so far very good, Citadels series. It is also the second novel by James P. Davis, after Bloodwalk (Forgotten Realms: The Wizards) which didnt appeal to wider audience, but i found very nice nevertheless. There is also a very strong short story by Davis in Realms of the Dragons II: A Forgotten Realms Anthology if you want to check it out. "Shield" is basically a story about an exiled Rashemi, an old citadel and a legend surrounding it. The atmosphere and the richness of lore are the strongest points of this book. Davis can really build up a dark and heavy atmosphere and keep it up throughout the novel. Makes the book feel more cohesive and even more intense. Plot of the book is also very strong and well thought out. It has it's roots in a legend about the citadel, but where many similar novels just keep it as a beggining of the story, Shield keeps reminding the reader of the legend, and unravels it slowly through the plot. Nice indeed. Characters are also interesting and while not very detailed aside from Bastun the main character, still solid and beleivable. To touch on Bastun a little. While being one of the most likable "heroes" (probably because not being a real hero) i read about in Realms novels, i would have really liked to read more about his history and training in the order of Vremyonni. We could say that his character is well defined, but his background not so much. The biggest flaw of this novel, in my opinion, is that author goes into descriptive tirades at a number of occasions. Or to put it more simply, i felt this book was in dire need of some dialogue. It was description after description, introspection after introspection. Dragged it around a great bit for me. All in all, a very good novel like previous ones in Citadels. Check them all out.

Unlike other reviewers I am able to read and comprehend what I read. This was an excellent book. The dead that can't move on and are doomed to play out their final moments after sunset everyday because of magic unleashed that fateful day. A lost or blooming romance? Plenty of room for a sequel with a much 'enhanced' primary character. The author can count on future purchases from me. I definitely would recommend this book over that Neverfell book.

I really enjoyed this novel, it has a great sense of mystery. This is also a book that you can read and at the end you feel you were told a very good story. If you love battle mages then Bastun will be your fix. It was a pleasure to read the story of a mage where they are decidedly human and vulnerable - unlike the epic heroes that always seem to have miraculous powers or divine intervention. There is of course a steady stream of action, and the level of detail makes it very immersing. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good standalone novel.

i enjoyed reading this book. i feel some might get confused when reading this book, which i find interesting and i suggest re-reading it. it would be worth re reading. my book did not come with a map, which i rather enjoy spending a little extra time looking for the location on my spare time and relating it to other books and characters. the ending left me satisfied and prompted me to buy the additional citadel books and in turn i enjoyed those as well.