DigitalRob reviewed King of Shadows by Robert McCammon
Review of 'King of Shadows' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This isn’t what I expected at all. When I finished Cardinal Black, I’m certain I read that this would be the final chapter in the Corbett series. It clearly isn’t. However, this is a great addition.
This is essentially a self-contained story and honestly without the lengthy back stories of the antagonists, it would be a novella.
The back stories really give this novel meat. My favorite chapter of the Harry Potter series is The Half Blood Prince because it provides some backstory for Voldemort. And, I love the last book of the first Percy Jackson series because of Luke’s history. I think I’m drawn to plots that humanize or at least provide some depth to the evil elements, and this novel does this three times over. I feel a little bad for Fell and DeKaye, not so much the third, at least not after he ran from love.
The …
This isn’t what I expected at all. When I finished Cardinal Black, I’m certain I read that this would be the final chapter in the Corbett series. It clearly isn’t. However, this is a great addition.
This is essentially a self-contained story and honestly without the lengthy back stories of the antagonists, it would be a novella.
The back stories really give this novel meat. My favorite chapter of the Harry Potter series is The Half Blood Prince because it provides some backstory for Voldemort. And, I love the last book of the first Percy Jackson series because of Luke’s history. I think I’m drawn to plots that humanize or at least provide some depth to the evil elements, and this novel does this three times over. I feel a little bad for Fell and DeKaye, not so much the third, at least not after he ran from love.
The general plot mentioned in the book jacket revolves around being shipwrecked on the island of Golgotha. (I was a bit surprised that the Biblical allusion is never mentioned in the book at all. I guess if it has to be explained… ) Also, early in the story the title is explained: Memory is the King of Shadows because it depends so much on perspective, desire, emotion, and distance.
Memory and the mind are the true antagonists in this story. McCammon does a great job ramping up the suspense and mystery as it relates to the characters' memories. Matthew quickly finds himself on his own and struggling to keep his wits about him as the mysteries of the island threaten to keep him fat, happy, and without his own history.
I love the explanation to the problem in this novel, but I can’t really say why without spoiling the mystery. Suffice it to say, this is another great entry in the Corbett series.