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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 9072000" data-attributes="member: 16069">#195 Shadowstorm by Paul S Kemp (Twilight War 2) Read 15/7/23 to 19/7/23[ATTACH=full]290561[/ATTACH]It's a cracker, and I'm really beginning to like this series, it seems the 150 pages of slow going set-up in the first one was worth it. The characters are very well established, and they've all got something going for them.In this one the Mask away team- our man in the shadows, Cale; the one-eyed assassin, Riven; and the mad/soul-rendered/devil-sire mind mage, Magadon are exploring Hell, the Plane of Shadow, and generally getting around the multiverse. For me, as a DM, this is all sweet joy, things I can steal, transpose, grab-a-hold-of for my game. Loving this.It helps that this trio are really starting to rock, and the fights and scenarios explored here- the Nexus is just stunning, are all great; the final saving of the Shadow Dragon, and... I almost (but not quite) shed a tear. Good man, Cale. Do the right thing, Spike Lee had it right. This is high level play, Cale et al are stacked with powers, as are their foes, and yet the jeopardy is in it, it's all worthwhile watching (& reading) and the story flies by.Tamlin and the Shadovar (Prince Rivalen et al) are in the mix too, the Hulorn is a dick; but Prince Rivalen is very very good at this game, you get the feeling he bends minds for kicks, and that better men/women/creatures have fallen foul of the shade. The finale, as Selgaunt is pummeled by giant earth elementals, attacked by an ancient green dragon, and then set ablaze by fire elementals. It's all great stuff, and again it's great to see how this is done; more to steal for my game.The final visit to the temple of Shar, at last 'by the Deuce' Vees gets his comeuppance, and Tamlin slips into the shadow, to the dark-side.Oh yes!Then there's Abelar and his company of Lathander adherents; another great character- particularly towards the end, and after every holy/good act that we have seen, then the testing when Abelar's son is taken by the bad guys. The fall from grace, this book has everything.Oh, and the bad guys, for once, feel like they're really trying, and match-fit, and capable- they have plans, a good commander, and they're at the right level to stretch the good guys, even win a few fights. The enemies here seem much more worthy, Forrin has been with us since the first book, it's good that the author gave him a face and voice, his death is all the more fitting/rewarding.Also, Shar... loved it. Everyone has a secret, by which I mean that all of the priests of the Lady of Loss think that they have the edge over their Shar supervisor (other titles available) but all of them- all of them, even Prince Rivalen, are getting shafted, all of the time. Superb, as is the final coming of the Shadowstorm, which kinda just leaks out in the background, and Elyril gets to meet the Lady herself.It's a great book, just a thunderball narrative that keeps on giving- great characters, great situations & scenarios, great fights, great intrigue, a real delight.ReadStay safe and well you lovely people.Cheers goonalan</blockquote>

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