The Big Dance With Death
To sum up the trilogy - definitely not children's books. But if you enjoy stories about assassins and thieves, and don't mind dark twists, this is an incredible series to read. Jan 19, RuthAnn rated it it was ok Shelves: I didn't have as much fun with this as I did with the other two books in the series.
I think it may have been that Alyssa's motivation for going to Angelport wasn't very clear from the start. She went for Taras Keenan's funeral, but how did she have time to make contact with the elves before that? How was she involved with the negotiations? It just wasn't clear. So because of this, I felt like the characters were thrown headlong into the middle of a story that was happening before all this, and it left me confused as a reader. There was little build-up to this clash.
I was two-steps behind the plot as it moved and was left disoriented. It made me sad because I enjoyed the first two so immensely. That being said, I am going to go back and read the Half-Orcs series because apparently it takes place after this, and I'm interested in seeing where Haern goes from here. Jan 10, Paul rated it it was amazing. I really liked this book a lot, it was a great capstone to the trilogy.
A lot of good fight scenes that are very well written. A lot of intrigue and betrayal keep you guessing until the end. I'm a fan of David Dalglish's book for sure and look forward to reading more of his books! Aug 03, Kerry Dillenburg rated it it was amazing. Par excellence You are deeply missed David. Your talent and ability as a wordsmith was unequalled but by few. Thank you for yourself. Jun 30, Tomos rated it it was amazing.
Third book, maintaining the story and fast pace storyline. Nov 21, Bryan Davenport rated it it was amazing. Great story, great characters and just enough action to make you not want to put this down. I enjoyed this entire series. Mar 07, Ollivier rated it did not like it Shelves: Not even finishing it, sorry. May 09, Simon rated it really liked it. After blazing through the other two books, things finally come to an end with our beloved night time assassin, Haern.
Being crowned the King's Watcher, Haern is a name to be feared among both nobles and thieves alike in Veledren.
However with A Dance of Death, the author takes us away from the streets of Veledren and instead puts the characters in Angelport, home of Trifect leader Laurie. When a copycat killer going by the name of The Wraith starts killing people while etching The Watcher's symbol in the victims own blood, it's bound to draw Haern's attention. Being the third and final book in the series, I was left a little bit disappointed with the overall plot here.
Also, I can spot some of the author's more apparent weaknesses in my own eyes. Of course, other characters also play a pivotal role in the story. What I did appreciate was the author bringing in the elves into the mix. I thought that this simple act was refreshing simply because I was getting tired of just reading about backstabbing mercenaries and pampered nobles. Throughout the book, you get a feeling that the author wants to give you a deeper insight into the main characters themselves. However, I kept feeling it was completely unnecessary because I already know how they will behave and act and that in the end, they will be exactly the same person as when they first started out.
With Alyssa, while no longer the young girl we know of from book one, she's still only mildly interesting enough for me. She has to do what is needed to protect her son's future and to keep the Trifect from crumbing. With Zusa, she was one of the more interesting characters when presented in the beginning of the series but her mysteriousness has dwindled in my eyes ever since. She's loyal to Alyssa and here in A Dance of Death, her partnering with Haern was a fairly good gamble. Her character is unique for a time until you figure out that not much is going to change going forward with her.
Haern, well, is Haern.
Again, once you have the core of his character down, not much will change. He's the equivocal to the "I have to kill but I don't relish in it but it has to be done nonetheless" type of person. This is the one major problem I have with the author in that he doesn't do that good of a job with character growth over time. By this book, I have a pretty good understanding of the author's writing style. He's a very good writer and that again hasn't changed much here. As I said in my other reviews, he strikes a pretty good balance between plot development and action and that once again follows suit here.
Throughout the whole Shadowdance Trilogy, heavy emphases lies in intrigue and character scheming. I felt it was done very well throughout the entire series, especially here.
However, with A Dance of Death, I still can't shake the feeling that the book doesn't read and feel like a conclusion to trilogy. It feels more like just a side story at times. Expect the same familiar action sequences as in the other previous books. At this point, I actually grew a little tired of reading the minor battle scenes because I'm already sure of how it will end. While still knowing the outcome of some battles, what the author could have done is add more elements to the fight scenes and one that I was desperately hoping to see was of more magic.
Tarlak, the wizard, sadly does not have any role in A Dance of Death and so does the magic element die with him. With the elves in the picture, I thought surely they have some magic up their sleeves right? Didn't get that here again. I did say that the author strikes a good balance between plot development and action but in future books, I'm hoping he can add diversity to his battle scenes so that it doesn't feel as dragging to read.
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Overall, the Shadowdance Trilogy was a very good read. A Dance of Death concludes the main story of Haern although the author states clearly that he will also be in the Half-Orc series from book two and on, although I'm suspecting he won't play as big a role. While the story wasn't a huge letdown, I expected something more grand seeing how it's the last.
I suspected this book to finally get into the father and son thing but Thren Felhorn doesn't even make an appearance here at all. I thought this series was going to be about family vengeance but that can't be any farther from the truth. I'll definitely keep the Half-Orc series in mind after having read this trilogy. I highlighted a couple of weaknesses of the author clearly my opinions and what bothers me is that they probably won't be corrected in the Half-Orc series being how they were written prior to this series.
There's only one way to find out though Dec 11, Ken rated it really liked it Shelves: The events occurs two years after the events of A Dance of Blades. This time, Hearn, along with Zusa and Alyssa travels to the city Angelport to confront a copy cat murderer who calls himself The Wraith. Once again, Dalglish manages to create a world just as dangerous as Veldaren.
Although Angelport may not have the thief guilds that Veldaren houses. Surely enough, all three forces gives Angelport an uncomfortable presence that without a doubt provides our main characters with a feeling of extreme vulnerability. As much as we are familiar with Hearn and Zusa being such a dominant force from the previous book. The positions are switched as they are in a vulnerable position in the city of Angelport. With the cover showing Zusa lying still in the hands of Hearn, implying that she might be dead. There are moments in this book where you expect her to die.
Those moments really does add a tremendous amount of tension in the book as you read through. The action, as usual is superb and the dialogue, absolutely exceptional. The characters however, might be confusing at times as names are dropped here and there, it could be hard to keep up from time to time.
The introduction of the elves was also a great addition reminding us that this is a fantasy book. A dark and gritty one at that. Also the character development of Hearn, Zusa and Alyssa was written very well along with the chemistry between Hearn and Zusa. An important aspect of the book is The Wraith, which basically acts as Hearn's rival. Of course, written in such an intriguing way, the fight between the two is a very riveting read which may leave you exhausted.
Although there are a lot to like about this book. Having read the previous books, there are moments here that almost mimics some events from the previous books. Such as riots withing the city and the hiring of a fearsome mercenary to kill our main characters halfway through the story. To some, this may be bothersome as you have read this in both A Dance of Cloaks and A Dance of Blades but it may not be a bother to others.
However, this might feel like a filler to other as it did for me, it does provides a thrilling and enjoyable story. With a whole new setting, a set of truly fascinating new characters, not to mention the always incredible fight scenes and an engrossing climax. A Dance of Death is a highly recommended read for the fans of the previous books or fan of the dark fantasy genre. Jan 10, Maxine rated it really liked it. Haern can easily prove his innocence but, after the son of a Trifect member is killed, Alyssa Gemstone convinces him that they, along with her bodyguard Zusa should go and investigate.
He is also more realistic and honest about his actions and his motives and he may force Haern to take a long hard look at himself, that is, of course, if he and his friends can survive long enough for reflection. And it is in the absolute moral decay of Angelport where I found my only objection to the book. There is noone here to root for outside of our three main protagonists.
There is seemingly nothing and noone in the town worth saving. There are no lofty motives, no innocents caught in the crossfire, just corruption and greed and even that is on a scale so petty that it is hard to care about the fate of the city and its citizens. Still, despite this, I have to say I really enjoyed this tale. It is also a rollicking good time. For fans of grimdark who prefer their fantasy with more sword than sorcery, this is one addicting series. May 13, Paul Nelson rated it it was amazing Shelves: The final novel in the trilogy and in my opinion the best of the three. While there is no Thren, the story changes location to Angleport and this is a welcome change along with the introduction of the Elves.
The skilled opponent for the watcher in this novel is the wraith who is built up right to the end as being the quicker swordsman with magical skills and you begin to wonder how the watcher will defeat the wraith. Haern's inner soul is tested to the core as he is forced to re-examine his belie The final novel in the trilogy and in my opinion the best of the three. Haern's inner soul is tested to the core as he is forced to re-examine his beliefs at the hands of the wraith, there are betrayals, surprises and by the end of the book you want to read more of Haern.
On one hand, there's a lot of good in every book. And with each ensuing book, I feel like I've lost the want and will to continue, a bit more. This is the second book in a row, as part of this series, that ends unfinished. If you can't tell a complete story in over pages then you're doing a poor job of writing.
And some will argue that the points of this particular case are wrapped up--and that is true--to an extent, though our hero, Agent Pendergast, once again, winds up in a precarious position to end the story and once again, it seems a bit contrived to me. I don't mind a series of books, even within a series, as this one is, but it's important to give the reader a little something.
You can't just continue to stack up mystery after mystery without ever answering any of the questions a reader has--if you fail to answer a reader's question, without subjecting them to another installment, the book fails. This book left me of two minds. One part of me wants to read the next book to see how it all comes out. The other part of me has no faith in these authors that they will satisfactorily conclude the series and answer my questions, meaning the book will only serve to aggravate me further. It might not be such a big deal if the pace of the book was better.
Unfortunately, I was at the halfway point of the book before it found it's stride. Until that point, I found myself skimming through unnecessary scene after unnecessary scene. I found myself groaning as I'd flip a page to see that I was going back to visit yet another character plucked from one of the previous books--characters that I didn't care for the first time around, in most cases.
And the one I did actually like--Corrie Swanson--had only about 5 pages. I found myself rooting for all of these retread characters to get killed. The second half of the book rolled a bit better. The pace picked up. It was terrible getting to that point, but once it got there, the story was excellent. The back half was good enough, until the end, to make me want to read on I'll have to get through half a book that would be better if edited out and replaced with a summary of the events that were to take place.
I'll, no doubt, be subjected to boring characters like Margo Green and Bill Smithback that I just don't care about. I'm also getting a bit tired of all these characters with super human intelligence. First Pendergast--who is still a poorly drawn character--and now his brother Diogenes, who is even smarter than Pendergast and, apparently, the world's most dangerous man.
Then, just for fun, another amazingly smart character is introduced in this story, for a chapter, and then forgotten until the epilogue. I'm frustrated that I put so much time into this book and here, at the end, I haven't witnessed the needle being pushed very far from where it was when I started. I feel like I could have read the final three or four chapters, along with the epilogue and skipped the rest without having missed anything important. I honestly don't even think I want to know how it all ends because I care--I just want to know because I've already put this much time into it.
Those are my thoughts. I wouldn't recommend this book. It's poorly edited and incomplete. Jun 09, Mike rated it really liked it. Pendergast's brother is at it again, killing the close friends and acquaintances of our favorite FBI agent. Throw in gem stealing, kidnapping and disguises, and you have an entertaining yarn. Mar 31, Kasia rated it it was amazing. The intelligent and luxurious thriller with a signature twist is back! Yeah so was I! Some nasty scares were thrown in and I was right about one thing, which is a huge spoiler but I was right about a certain person and their fate which made me feel even more connected to the series.
View all 5 comments. I love this series! I think the series gets better as it adds to its own history.
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By book 7 we have come over 3, pages with these characters yet I feel like I am just getting to know Pendergast. Diogenes takes center stage in this one, eclipsing Special Agent Pendergast himself, and proves to I love this series! Diogenes takes center stage in this one, eclipsing Special Agent Pendergast himself, and proves to be a very credible and diabolical villain and perfect counterweight to Pendergast's almost superhuman abilities.
This is a battle of equals and the only result that matters is the utter destruction of the other. Much like Frankenstein's creature in Shelley, Diogenes seeks to destroy Pendergast, who he blames for his evil nature and for ruining his life more about that later and, like the creature, his destruction is to be achieved not with a bullet to the head of his brother too easy but by killing everyone he holds dear and leaving him alive to live with the pain.
And a few worse things as well. Great second book in this trilogy. In fact, it set up the finale so well that I had to move a few books on the TBR pile around to start on Book of the Dead 8 to find out what happens. As usual Dance of Death is full of thrilling action sequences, clever plot twists, and enough history and interesting background material to satisfy anyone who loves an intelligent thriller. Mar 31, Natalie rated it it was ok Shelves: I could feel it coming in book 5 and now here it is.
I'm so frustrated with this story. I've been loving Pendergast so much, but I can't stand this. It's so obvious where this whole story is going and I hate it. I don't like knowing the end at the beginning, especially when the end is so full of crap. Really, really, really, mad.
And just a little bit heartbroken. I haven't quite decided what I'll do. I kept trying to read it but I was too frustrated. I made it to page I'm considering my options.
The Dance of Death
Possibly I'll skip ahead to book 8, but something in me rebels against skipping books. For now, I'm shelving this. View all 3 comments. Dec 14, Shannon rated it liked it. This was the 2nd book in the Pendergast Trilogy. They are great books, highly intelligent. But, read them in order.
Jul 27, Nancy Baker rated it liked it. I've been reading quite a few mysteries lately so my son loaned me this book. I've also been plagued with fatigue in the past 2 months, therefore sleep takes precedents over reading so it took me a while to get through this story. This story was co-authored and both authors did a flawless job in creating an appetizing story and meshing writing styles.
It was well written and I was pulled in during the first chapter. The story revolves around a policeman and an FBI agent who at the beginning of I've been reading quite a few mysteries lately so my son loaned me this book. The story revolves around a policeman and an FBI agent who at the beginning of the story is presumed dead. A series of strange and I do mean strange and unusual deaths occur that at first seem unrelated until you put all of the puzzle pieces on the same table and you begin to see an interlocking pattern. Each chapter dealt with a different person or place and it soon felt like a high-stake cat and mouse game.
It was a thrilling ride but my disappointment came when I realized this was a series and I apparently started in the middle. I like my books to have a beginning and an end and while the truth behind the mystery unfolded somewhat , I didn't get that finale I like in a story and it left me in the lurch waiting for the next book. I guess that is what a series book is supposed to do -- make you want to continue with the characters and their plight, but I don't like to hang with the same story line too long.
Jul 06, Rade rated it liked it Shelves: I am not sure how long I could keep reading these books if Pendergast keeps pulling all these magic tricks out of his sleeve that keep him alive, make him vanish when cornered, gets him information, or simply keep telling me that he is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge that will have an answer to any question that is presented to him. This time he is going against his brother, another walking miracle of human intelligence. While it sounds fun, the execution was not a particularly fun one.
Agai I am not sure how long I could keep reading these books if Pendergast keeps pulling all these magic tricks out of his sleeve that keep him alive, make him vanish when cornered, gets him information, or simply keep telling me that he is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge that will have an answer to any question that is presented to him.
He is like a walking Superman with no powers but an arsenal of knowledge and resources that he might as well be a bad guy in sheep's clothing - a bad guy who sleeps on stacks on hundred dollar bills. Not a big fan of this one but I will probably keep reading as these are mostly quick and fun reads.
May 26, Glen rated it really liked it Shelves: This second book of a trilogy is very good. A series of bizarre murders puts Agent Pendergast on the case. It turns out his own brother, a sick, twisted criminal genius is up to something. He's killing people Pendergast knows in spectacular ways. What is really up to, besides punishing Pendergast? Oct 27, Rob Thompson rated it really liked it Shelves: Dance of Death is the sixth book in the Special Agent Pendergast series.
Also, this novel is the second book in the Diogenes trilogy. The first book is Brimstone, released in , and the last book is The Book of the Dead, released in Tagging along with him is his sidekick, Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta. Pendergast was last seen at the end of the previous novel, Brimstone. In that he was buried alive behind a brick wall i Dance of Death is the sixth book in the Special Agent Pendergast series. In that he was buried alive behind a brick wall in Castel Fosco. His estranged brother, Diogenes, rescues him and nurses him back to health.
But this is not a true act of kindness. Diogenes has a dark agenda and needs his brother alive to carry out his nefarious plans. Pendergast's ward Constance Greene requests Vincent D'Agosta's presence for a very important meeting. D'Agosta is shown a letter written many months before by Pendergast about his brother Diogenes.
In the letter, Pendergast writes that he does not know of Diogenes's whereabouts, but does in fact know one thing—a date, January D'Agosta presumes that this will be the date of Diogenes's greatest crime. Having been hated by and hating his family, Diogenes obviously cannot be trusted. The plot is tightly and intricately woven. And manages to keep up the action while still introducing us to new facets of familiar characters. There are still enough twists and thrills to keep new readers and fans satisfied. Oct 22, Hali Sowle rated it it was amazing Shelves: The middle book in the Diogenes sub-trilogy of the series doesn't have any of the supernatural elements of the other books in the series, rather it is a straight forward mystery, police procedural novel and perhaps the best book of the entire series.
The book opens with D'Acosta, Constance and those close to Pendergast trying to come to grips with his death. Constance summons D'Acosta to Pendergast's home to give him a letter that was left for him asking D'Acosta to stop Pendergast's brother Dio The middle book in the Diogenes sub-trilogy of the series doesn't have any of the supernatural elements of the other books in the series, rather it is a straight forward mystery, police procedural novel and perhaps the best book of the entire series. But a new technology has been developed that converts the human body directly into energy, leaving behind only a flurry of gray ashes.
In a sealed bunker in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Moscow, young people struggle against each other in a deadly dancing tournament. The winners will live. The losers will be consumed for energy to power the city. One of the young people in the bunker is Kostya Ivan Zhvakin , who was captured during a police raid and forced into the tournament. There he meets and falls in love with Anya Lukerya Ilyashenko , the daughter of a high-ranking official who has willingly offered herself to the tournament for the sake of the city. So is this what it has become, that reboot or remade or stolen movies gets full points but new ides get low points?
Ok it's not the best I have seen but it's really great and don't deserves the low points. The story takes place in Moscow and the world has fallen to an apocalypse. Every city is a complete bunker and the inhabitants forced to breed with air filters. One of the 7 dancer is Kostya, who is also a filter thief, and a big trouble maker.
After a few dance survival he relies something is not right with the tournament and decide to break the rules and escape, will he succeed his escape? I love this movie because it dares to try new ideas of apocalypse story and be original, unlike hunger games stole ideas from the running man and Battle Royale, Dance to Death do a new idea instead of fighting or killing the opponents has do break dance to survive the next level, I think it's brilliant and don't deserve just 3 stars of Start your free trial.
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