26 thoughts on “The Shadow Saint by Gareth Hanrahan”
Man, switching to a whole new cast of characters would be tough for me to accept. I guess if the story needs it, it “could” work but for a multi-volume series, the characters are what tie it all together in my opinion. I’m trying to think where that isn’t the case for a series…
I think this series was initially supposed to be a duology and was extended to a trilogy now but even knowing that, I still find it saddening to have to deal with a new cast, especially when I expected to meet the original trio back here… I think I would’ve been ready to knock another star down if it wasn’t for my curiosity regarding the universe that’s beeing built in this series.
This is a series I’m very interested in trying. And though changing cast is not the norm I think I can accept that. I have a copy of The Gutter Prayer, I just need to fit it into my reading schedule. I find I also love the covers of these two books, with their limited range of colors and beautiful transitions between light and shadow. I hope the books fit the mood created by the covers. Thanks much for another great review.
I adored The Gutter Prayer and, funnily, I mention the cover art in that review too hahaha The artist behind it has done other covers for fantasy books and they’re ALWAYS amazing. I do hope you enjoy this series when you get the chance to read it, Todd! 😀
I went back to check your previous review but yes, it’s what I though I recalled, you gave it five stars! Now I must confess that I HATE when they change characters in a series. It takes time to get used to it and well if you loved the old ones I have kind of a loyalty problem LOL
It takes a lot of courage for an author to switch from well-crafted characters, who also were well-loved by the readers, to new ones – in lesser hands this might end in failure, but your words tell another story, indeed, one where the writer took a different path and succeeded to bring it to life with just the same kind of success as in the first book. I admire this kind of courage, and I will certainly keep that in mind once I read the book.
Thank you so much for a very thoughtful review! 👍
I too think it’s super ballsy to switch the cast up and focus on a new trio of characters, to make us fall in love with them again… I think the world-building is ultimately what keeps everything alive and worthwhile. Thanks for reading, Maddalena! 😀
As long as you know about the cast change in book two, I think the series is still phenomenal. It’s getting caught off guard while plunging into the sequel that sort of becomes the ultimate challenge here. Hope you get the chance to try this one out someday, sir! 😀
I was worried at first about the shift in characters… that the novelty would wear off and that I’d be stuck as a reader with too much on my plate. But it worked for me.
Great review, Lashaan!
I felt like that until Cari makes a cameo… And then I started wondering if I enjoyed the new POVs as much as the original trio. Thanks for reading, Paul!
It sounds great! It always disappoints me when the author doesn’t keep the same characters in the sequels, though! 😂 Lovely review, as always Lashaan 😊
I’m not sure what’s my general feeling about a complete change of characters. At least this one turned out pretty good in terms of world-building! Thank you, Caroline! 🙈
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Man, switching to a whole new cast of characters would be tough for me to accept. I guess if the story needs it, it “could” work but for a multi-volume series, the characters are what tie it all together in my opinion. I’m trying to think where that isn’t the case for a series…
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I think this series was initially supposed to be a duology and was extended to a trilogy now but even knowing that, I still find it saddening to have to deal with a new cast, especially when I expected to meet the original trio back here… I think I would’ve been ready to knock another star down if it wasn’t for my curiosity regarding the universe that’s beeing built in this series.
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Well, I hope the next book is a bit better for you. Hopefully you don’t get a third set of brand new characters 😉
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Fab review Lashaan!
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Thank you so much, Nicki! 🙂
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This is a series I’m very interested in trying. And though changing cast is not the norm I think I can accept that. I have a copy of The Gutter Prayer, I just need to fit it into my reading schedule. I find I also love the covers of these two books, with their limited range of colors and beautiful transitions between light and shadow. I hope the books fit the mood created by the covers. Thanks much for another great review.
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I adored The Gutter Prayer and, funnily, I mention the cover art in that review too hahaha The artist behind it has done other covers for fantasy books and they’re ALWAYS amazing. I do hope you enjoy this series when you get the chance to read it, Todd! 😀
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I can’t wait to start this, Lashaan, I’m glad you loved it😁
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Thanks, Tammy. I hope you find the time to read it as well! 😉
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I went back to check your previous review but yes, it’s what I though I recalled, you gave it five stars! Now I must confess that I HATE when they change characters in a series. It takes time to get used to it and well if you loved the old ones I have kind of a loyalty problem LOL
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Oh yes, switching the main characters up all of a sudden is something that could kill the experience for many here. At least it was still good! 😉
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It takes a lot of courage for an author to switch from well-crafted characters, who also were well-loved by the readers, to new ones – in lesser hands this might end in failure, but your words tell another story, indeed, one where the writer took a different path and succeeded to bring it to life with just the same kind of success as in the first book. I admire this kind of courage, and I will certainly keep that in mind once I read the book.
Thank you so much for a very thoughtful review! 👍
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I too think it’s super ballsy to switch the cast up and focus on a new trio of characters, to make us fall in love with them again… I think the world-building is ultimately what keeps everything alive and worthwhile. Thanks for reading, Maddalena! 😀
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Brilliant review! You’ve definitely piqued my interest about the series. I have the first on my TBR mountain.
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Thank you so much, Aislynn! I think it’s a series that you definitely have to check out if the first book intrigues you! 😉
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I’ve heard great things about this series. Happy to see book two score well with you, despite the cast change.
This series is certainly on my list of future listens (my poor audible wish list is bursting at the seams).
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As long as you know about the cast change in book two, I think the series is still phenomenal. It’s getting caught off guard while plunging into the sequel that sort of becomes the ultimate challenge here. Hope you get the chance to try this one out someday, sir! 😀
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The first one has been on my tbr for a good while now. I really need to make some time for it. I keep accepting ARCs, that’s my issue.
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I was worried at first about the shift in characters… that the novelty would wear off and that I’d be stuck as a reader with too much on my plate. But it worked for me.
Great review, Lashaan!
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I felt like that until Cari makes a cameo… And then I started wondering if I enjoyed the new POVs as much as the original trio. Thanks for reading, Paul!
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That’s such a good point.
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Do you think the other characters from the previous book will get their own volume?
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They could. At this point, I’m not sure I want a brand new trio to follow in the next book though. To be determined.
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It sounds great! It always disappoints me when the author doesn’t keep the same characters in the sequels, though! 😂 Lovely review, as always Lashaan 😊
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I’m not sure what’s my general feeling about a complete change of characters. At least this one turned out pretty good in terms of world-building! Thank you, Caroline! 🙈
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