I should begin this review with a sobering statement: I’ve never read Roger Zelazny before this book.
The book follows Jack, also called Shadowjack. He is extremely powerful, but lives on the dark side of the world with a shield that keeps the world on that side warm. These darksiders are able to use magic and summon spirits, but the light side is people who are scientific and academic in nature.
Jack is killed in the beginning, and resurrects on the opposite side of the world. He ends up swearing vengeance and the book takes off with him travelling across the planet.
Let me say this: the book is fantastic. This is by far one of the best blends of scifi and fantasy I’ve ever read. If you’ve never read it, I recommend it. It’s a bit outdated, but it’s worth a read.
It deals with subjects like the nature of reality, the existence of higher powers, and the question of technology as a curse.
That said, the book isn’t perfect. I think the ending is indicative of 70’s science fiction, in general. I read George R. R. Martin’s Dying of the Light, and it fits this tone perfectly.
Give it a read!
You might like some of my other work:
Book Review: The Voyage of the Space Beagle by A. E. van Vogt
Book Review: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Book Review: Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon
Advertisements Share this:
