The Conqueror's Shadow

by Ari Marmell

Book Overview

They called him the Terror of the East. Hidden beneath a suit of enchanted black armor and wielding a demon-forged axe, Corvis Rebaine carved a bloody path through Imphallion, compelled by a desire to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553593153
• ISBN13: 9780553593150
• Release Date: December 2010
• Publisher: Spectra
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.1"

Customer Reviews

New Arrangement of Comfortable Fantasy Cliches - Lots of FUN!

For some reason, this book really struck a chord with me. I wanted to read a 'normal' fantasy - pseudo-medieval setting, sorcery, magical races, etc. And this was recommended by [...]. Alright, I'll give it a shot. The basic plot is that seventeen years ago, Corvis Rebaine (aka the "Terror of the East") almost conquered all of Imphallion, but was stopped in a climactic battle and vanished along with a young noblewoman he took as hostage. His army disbanded and fled. Now, another warlord is rising, taking cities with him. The cities of Imphallion are sure that the Terror has risen again. However, the former dark lord, middle aged and greyer, is living in deliberate obscurity with his wife and children. The war he wanted to avoid comes to find him and almost takes his daughter from him. In order to protect the quiet life he's had, he must put on his former identity and save the kingdom he once sought to conquer. I was completely hooked by the end of the first chapter. Marmell has an ear for snappy dialogue and clever turn-of-phrase. The main characters all get their share of clever comebacks and smart-a** remarks. The pace of the story is brisk and there's always something happening. Corvis's supporting characters are rather well-realized and fun to read about. The protagonists' squishy morality keeps the reader intrigued without being completely blown away. That said, I don't think that the author is going to be the next Great American Novelist, but I'll definitely be looking for his books in the future. There are a lot of common fantasy elements, especially elements that shared-world authors use (wink, wink), but in this story it works. Yes, there are ogres. Yes, there's a haunted forest. Yes, there are magical weapons. I'm okay with all of that. There's a reason that there are fantasy cliches like this: they're fun. However, even with all the same-old, same-old fantasy elements, Marmell writes a story that somehow feels like you're looking a story through a mirror, instead of straight-on. Sure it's the same thing, but somehow the perspective makes it seem like a new world. So if Ari Marmell had to cut his author's teeth on "Magic: The Gathering" novels, I'm glad of it. I'll still be looking forward to reading his future books. If you like fun, adventure-based fantasy, you'lll probably like this. Just don't expect to see any completely new ground. It's all the same notes, just arranged in a different order.

The Conqueror's Shadow

When I first picked up The Conqueror's Shadow, I thought it sounded interesting but not that original. Now after reading it I have to say, boy was I wrong. I loved The Conqueror's Shadow! From the fast paced action to the witty and endearing characters The Conqueror's Shadow has it all. My initial thought that the book would be unoriginal and overly filled with war details was completely wrong. The book is instead filled with strong supporting characters that are both endearing and comical, a strong and fast paced plot, and an ending filled with twists to delight even the most jaded reader. But what impressed me most about The Conqueror's Shadow, were the flashback sequences interspersed throughout the book and the level of writing Marmell uses to transform Corvis, the Terror of the East into a peaceful and happy husband and father. I've read a number of fantasy books that have tried to use this same flashback technique, but often it comes across as dull and unnecessary. This is not the case for The Conqueror's Shadow, instead these flashbacks complete the character development necessary to make an evil warlord likable to the reader, as well as show the sequence of events that brought us to the present. These flashbacks round out the protagonist and ultimately giving this book a step up on the majority of books in this genre. As for Marmell's writing, never before have I read a book that the author is able to so aptly paint the protagonist in such a morally grey area. Corvis is truly a monster of a man, he killed thousands in his war, unleashed the gnomes and other terrifying creatures on the world, and had his demon, Khanda, eat the souls of hundreds of innocent men, women, and children. Yet Marmell has done a remarkable job infusing Corvis with just the right amount of admirable qualities to make him instead into a humble yet flawed man. A man who just wanted to make the world into a better place. Marmell uses these same skills and the flashback sequences mentioned above to illustrate the transformation that causes this monster of a man to become the husband and father we meet at the beginning. Yet at the end of the day it all comes down to one question. Did I enjoy the book? And I can clearly and easily say, yes, I enjoyed this book. Marmell's superior righting ability, the fast paced action, and the lovable supporting character make The Conqueror's Shadow a great read and easily something I would recommend to anyone who likes fantasy. RATING 9 out of 10 [...]

A fun read

This book was so much fun to read. I laughed aloud and was on the edge of my seat simultaneously. I'm not normally a fan of dark heroes, but I make a big fat exception for this book: I love Corvis Rebaine. I'll definitely be reading the sequel when it comes out.

A new generation of epic fantasy

Seventeen years ago, Corvis Rebaine, Terror of the East, laid waste to Imphallion. His campaign culminated in the city of Denathere, where he discovered both the object of his desire and his inability to use it. Now he resides in a sleepy farm village with his wife, a former noblewoman who he had kidnapped to ensure his own safe escape from Denathere. Rebaine is content to let new wars rise and fall around him until his own family is threatened. Now Rebaine must gather his former allies and a new army to face Audriss the Serpent, a new threat who follows in Rebaine's own discarded footsteps. Ari Marmell's //The Conqueror's Shadow// is an epic fantasy novel with a dark sense of humor. The world woven here is classic fantasy but with Marmell's own unique twists. Captive demons, haunted forests, demon-forged weapons - these ideas have been done before, but in this novel they are received as a breath of fresh air. The dialogue is witty, the characters are completely fleshed out, and Rebaine's own history is teased out as the main story progresses. The ending comes together with a bang, leaving the reader satisfied but still quietly hoping for more. Reviewed by Holly Scudero

amusing timely fantasy

In Imphallion, Corvis Rebaine led an army that killed anyone in his path. He used his demon ax and Khandra the demon slave and allied with Davro the ogre and Seilloah the witch. They won victory after victory. However, on the verge of total conquest, the Terror of the East as he was called lost and vanished along with a noblewoman Tyannon. Years later, Audriss the warlord has deployed Corvis' plan for world domination through mass damnation. Corvis has heard of his replacement, but ignores the conquests as he and his wife Tyannon raise their two children Lilander and Mellorin in love and peace. That changes when Audriss' thugs abduct Mellorin, which angers Corviss into action starting with killing those who grabbed his daughter. He gathers his former allies to ironically save Imphallion from the latest warlord. This is an amusing timely fantasy in which an amoral (except with his family and buddies- demons don't count as pals) antihero and his even less ethical friends save the same realm they almost conquered seventeen years ago from the latest conqueror. The story line is fast-paced, action-packed and though jocular raises questions as to what are true values. Though how middle-aged Corvis retained his warrior skill that he uses immediately remains questionable, he and his partners make the tale as they are sly, slick and will do any stunt to achieve their objectives; his being to return to his family. Fans will appreciate the efforts of Corvis to complete the job and go home. Harriet Klausner