Free online listen to Shadow of the Conqueror audiobook by Shad Brooks and narrated by Michael Kramer , in series: Chronicles of Everfall. Are you a Shad Brooks fan ? if yes you will love Shadow of the Conqueror audiobook. Now lets try to play the audio and leave a comment about this book.
Reviews:
1/I’ll admit I bought this book because of my love for Shad’s YouTube channel. I wasn’t expecting much, especially given it was his first novel. I was pleasantly surprised to find this to be one of the most engrossing novels I’ve read in a while. Not since Project Hail Mary have I read a book that I simply couldn’t put down.
First, the world-building is amazing. Shad has created a diverse and complex world which is part fantasy, part steampunk, and part science fiction. His attention to making consistent rules for everything in this world is staggering. There are plenty of just plain “cool” moments that make this world different from any I’ve encountered in speculative fiction.
Second, all the main characters, especially Daylen/Dayless, are complex and deal with psychological struggles that feel real. This could have been just a piece of “fun” genre fiction. But the characters, their interactions, and the inevitable conflicts between them elevate this to far more.
Third, this is actually a very fun read. Shad has clearly internalized every element of superhero comics as well as science fiction and fantasy novels and movies. He has then taken those elements and forged them together into a truly fresh mythos, familiar but new.
Finally, what I was not expecting was the very challenging thematic elements. He has set up an extremely difficult moral question that doesn’t go for any easy answers. We struggle right along with the rest of the characters with knowing exactly what the “right” answer should be. Many may not like the way the book finally resolves the moral dilemma at the heart of the book. But I for one believed it was earned. It speaks to a philosophical or even theological sophistication rarely seen in novels these days.
That’s not to say that there weren’t areas for improvement. The backstory which is being told at the start of each chapter gets repetitive. Also there seems to be a strong need to justify every new “trick” of the character’s magical powers as well as how each ship and weapon work. These explanations got so technical at times they interrupted the flow of the story. Sometimes just let magic be magical. Some may find the violence and sometimes shockingly gory scenes off putting. Finally, being such a sword enthusiast, Shad took great pains to make every fight (of which there are many) unique and as realistic as possible. While I appreciate the effort it also at times slowed the story down.
Despite those and a few other distractions didn’t spoil what was truly an immensely satisfying read.
Thank you Shad for blessing the world with your genius.
2/I bought this to support the author. I’ve followed his Youtube channel for a few years and like his content and figured I might as well give his book a try. It is a very well written book and I’m hoping he comes out with some sequels!
3/I downloaded the Audible. I loved the narrating and was really surprised by the quality of it. I was a bit skeptical of the plot but the more I listened the more I wanted to continue with the story. Daylen is a tyrant seeking redemption and it really makes you uncomfortable. All the characters are well-written.
My only criticism would be a certain event that happened off-screen (but we might see it in the GN ) YEY! All in all 5 stars.
