Jack of Shadows - Hardcover

Zelazny, Roger

3.99

6,949 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802755356 ISBN 13: 9780802755353

Publisher: Walker, 1971

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Set in a world that is tidally locked, thus one side of the planet is always in light, and the other in darkness. Science rules on the dayside, while magic holds sway in the night. Powerful magical entities live on the night side of the planet, and for the most part the entities' magical powers emanate from distinct loci. Jack of Shadows (a.k.a. Shadowjack), the main character, is unique among the magical beings in that he draws his power not from a physical location but from shadow itself. He is nearly incapacitated in complete light or complete darkness, but given access to even a small area of shadow, his potency is unmatched. Jack's only friend, the creature Morningstar, is punished by being trapped in stone at the edge of the night, to be released when dawn comes. His torso and head protrude from the rock, and he awaits the sun that will never rise. Jack seeks "The Key That Was Lost", Kolwynia. The Key itself and the consequences of its use parallel Jack's progress in his own endeavors. Ultimately, the Key will be responsible for Jack's salvation and his doom. Fleeing the dark side, Jack gets access to a computer and uses it to recover Kolwynia. This makes him unbeatable, but not all-powerful. Having made a mess of ruling with his new powers, he seeks the advice of Morningstar, who advises him to destroy The Machine at the Heart of the World, which maintains the world's stability, and set it rotating. The novel ends with Jack falling, perhaps to his death, but Morningstar has been freed by the world's turning and rushes to rescue him. The fate of this ambiguous hero is left untold, with Jack wondering, as he falls, if Morningstar will reach him in time

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About the Author:

Roger Zelazny (1937–1995) is best known as the author of the critically acclaimed Chronicles of Amber series, Lord of Light, and A Night in the Lonesome October; he won the Nebula award three times and the Hugo award six. He wrote more than forty novels. Joe Haldeman is the author of The Forever War, Forever Peace, Camouflage, The Accidental Time Machine, and many other novels.

Review:

"These days publishers like to build walls between science fiction and fantasy, but they are really two sides of the same coin. . . as Roger Zelazny proved brilliantly in Jack of Shadows, an evocative and original blend of the two genres, written with the usual Zelazny panache. In Shadowjack he creates another memorable hero, a worthy brother to Corwin of Amber and Sam of Lord of Light, and the world he inhabits is one of Roger's most exotic and colorful landscapes. A must read for all fans of the master." —George R.R. Martin

"One of the most satisfying reads in all Zelazny's work." —SFX

“Jack of Shadows receives a full recommendation as a “must read” for any science fiction or fantasy fan, especially those who like to imagine what lies just beyond our reality.” —Nerdophiles

“The story is fast-paced and compelling at every turn, proof that good science fiction—despite the technological advances of intervening years—is timeless.” —Foreword Reviews

“A captivating, quick-read that fans of Zelazny will devour and that high fantasy readers will appreciate.” —Geeks of Doom

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