The Assassin’s Shadow by R.S. Moule

Book Review

Elloise Hopkins

Locanisho D’Cithe Fultik A’ino, or Locan A’Shadow as he was known, was also once heralded the deadliest man alive. An assassin who could use the very shadows to hide and travel, Locan’s fame spread wide, and our narrator is one of the few who met, travelled and fought at his side. When he was only 18, Cetrik, of a noble house of Guiland, left home to cross the desert dust that was left in the wake of the Abomination King’s attacks, in search of the infamous assassin.

Young Cetrik, it turns out, seems to be the only one to have survived the wraiths of the crossing with his sanity intact, but that does not stop him being set upon by bandits the moment he scales the northern bank of the River Midnar in Narlond. Now, with his first kill behind him, Cetrik seeks shelter at a farm, soon to find himself enmeshed in a sinister and disturbing scheme.

Not only does Cetrik discover that his map is wildly out of date, and Narlond is definitely not quite as he expected, his only travelling companion, a bad-tempered horse named Morvolt, apparently has little faith in Cetrik’s ability to survive the next encounter – fire, raiders in the night, and an ill-mannered, drunkard of a stablehand. Cetrik is left wondering why raiders would only take children, how he is going to escape the clutches of magic-wielding elves and various axe-wielding enemies, and whether he is ever going to find Locan A’Shadow.

The Assassin’s Shadow is the first book in Moule’s new Legends of the Shadow series, and the narrative voice is a true strength, particularly at framing the novel from start to finish. It gives Cetrik’s tale, which we know is being told by an older version of himself, the feel of a very grand, traditional epic, promising more adventures to come. It also allows Cetrik the vulnerability of reflecting on his actions and choices, particularly some of his follies of youth, giving his character relatable dimension.

In terms of plot, there is an underlying menace and the mystery of the stolen children to be unravelled, but the prime focus is on what will become Cetrik’s band of adventurers. All the classic elements are there – antagonistic friends, plenty of sword and sorcery, a love triangle, and of course Locan A’Shadow, who turns out to be somewhat different in reality to the picture Cetrik had built of him. This is an enjoyable summer read, but it has to be said that Morvolt steals the show as the most contrary and entertaining animal sidekick we have seen in high fantasy for a long while.