Wolf in Shadow

Jon Shannow, Book 1

By: David Gemmell

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

It is 300 years since the world toppled on its axis and civilisation was destroyed. In this savagely reshaped world ruled by brigands and war makers, a rider seeks a lost city. Pursuing a dream to calm the violence in his soul, Jon Shannow, the brigand slayer, desires only peace. But from the Plague Lands emerges a fresh terror.

The Lord of the Pit and his hell-born army seek to plunge mankind into a new demonic era. Seemingly invincible, they make a fatal mistake: they take Shannow's woman for blood sacrifice. And find themselves facing the deadliest warrior of the new age: Jon Shannow - the Jerusalem Man.

©2017 David Gemmell (P)2017 Little Brown Book Group

Wow! Whew… Whoa! and a little WTF?

Where to start on this one? Wolf in Shadow is a postapocalyptic heroic fantasy western with gunslingers, farmer folk, eskimos, magic stones, and a superhero driven by (among other things) religion, the love of a good woman, and a compulsion to find the City of Jerusalem. Enough different tropes there for you? Throw in Atlantis and a few others that shall remain surprises.

I am a huge fan of David Gemmell’s books. This one, written in 1987, is not typical. It is not 'historical fantasy' (Lion of Macedon, the Troy trilogy) or set in a medieval Earth-based fantasy world (the Drenai books and others). Its setting is a postapocalyptic, near-future Earth. The apocalypse was Earth tipping on its axis, with civilization (and most people) having been destroyed in massive floods as oceans and land masses switched places.

Why the people who are left should have become a society like that of the 19th century American West is never explained, other than by the fact that David Gemmell apparently grew up with an obsession for American western movies. Jon Shannow, the Jerusalem Man, arrives toting a gun and a Bible, in scenes vaguely reminiscent of the classic film 'Shane.' I can’t even begin to describe the events that follow. They come fast and furious, with constant action and unexpected twists and turns.

This is the third book set in world where magic is generated by golden Sipstrassi “stones of power.” The first two, “Ghost King” and “Last Sword of Power,” are loosely (*very* loosely) based on Arthurian legend, so there is a major jump in time.

I found Jon Shannow and his sidekick Batik unique, fascinating, and fully developed characters. I really enjoyed the book, even though it pulled too many rabbits out of hats (or, if you prefer, deuses out of machinas). It’s a breathless whirl of action that, in the final climactic battle, become a little Too Much--hence the WTF factor. The epilogue is highly satisfying, though, and the Shannow saga should have ended there, which I’ve read was what Gemmell originally intended. However, he went on to write two sequels. I read “The Last Guardian” years ago and did not like it and never bothered with the final one, “Bloodstone.”

The narrator is Christian Rodska. I think he's a great narrator and here he does a terrific job with a wide range of characters. However, I note that on Audible UK, a reviewer has taken the trouble to post a rather nasty diatribe about the narration under all three Shannow books, so I guess some people don’t agree with me, and you’d better listen to the narration sample.

One of the best writers ever

Legit one of my favorite end of times book series of all time. A legit gunslinging good time.

One of the best stories I’ve read.

A fantastic book. Well read. Beautifully written. Engaging and memorable. I can’t wait to continue!!
For fans of anything from Lord of the Rings to the Gunslinger. Great fantasy!

Extremely imaginative and thought provoking

The use of religion in this post apocalyptic western style story was fascinating. The author added subtle religious questions woven into the story and ancient mythology intertwined with complex moral ideas all while thoroughly entertaining the reader. The story was not predictable at all. Something for which I am thankful simply because it’s difficult to surprise me in syfi/fantasy. If you like Brandon Sanderson’s work you’ll likely enjoy this.

Great book, not a good match for Narrator.

Great story. Not a fan of the narrator's voices. His accent is thick and makes them all sound to similar.