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Best Left in the Shadows #1
Best Left in the Shadows
A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside dock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice.
Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees. For a price.
Together, they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer.
Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees. For a price.
Together, they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer.
102 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2015
About the author
Mark Gelineau
12 books403 followersEver since the day he discovered his grandfather's stacks of pulps,comics, and sci-fi and fantasy novels, Mark was fascinated. When he saw his first movie, Star Wars, he was hooked. Stories of adventure and far off worlds thrilled him then and inspire him now. It was this passion for imaginative storytelling that led him to writing and education. In addition to his own writing work, Mark has taught middle school English for the last thirteen years, and is excited to share his stories with his young son, Bryce.
Mark has partnered with Joe King, and the two have formed Gelineau and King, in order to bring an exciting new approach to the genre fiction that inspired him as a kid
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 20, 2017
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
Another highly entertaining entry into the Echoes of the Ascended novellas series by Mark Gelineau and Joe King, Best Left in the Shadows proves yet again these authors have big plans for their fantasy world, are talented enough to fulfill those dreams, and are far from a one trick pony, as each series is a unique story all its own.
Here Alys is a tough, streetsmart Lowsider. Selling secrets to the various gangs and crime bosses of the seedy underside of the capital has given her a comfortable life and made her a respected member of the underworld. Nor does it hurt that Alys is more than capable and more than willing to cut a throat or two whenever the need arises. So, when an old lover knocks on her door needing help with a delicate situation, she agrees . . . for a price.
In fact, Magistrate Inspector Daxton Ellis is investigating a murder. Not that another body showing up in Lowside is anything special. It happens everyday after all. What has sent Dax slumming in the undesirable section of town (and asking help of Alys of all people) is that the corpse in question was of a true blood girl: a direct descendant of the First Ascended. And when the children of important people die (especially in Lowside) someone is going to pay.
The investigation which follows is a twisting, turning affair, filled with lies, schemes, and tension. The aristocratic and idealistic Dax quickly finding himself out of his element, led into the hidden sanctums of crime lords, shadowy brothels, and neck-deep in a community filled with desperate, downtrodden people who would be more than happy to kill him — if he wasn’t being protected by Alys. And through it all, our unlikely team uncovers more than a few secrets, heals some old wounds, and discover than old feelings (even juvenile love) does not completely abandon us even when we are old enough to know better.
Descriptions for why I thoroughly enjoyed this novella are too numerous to list, but I’ll try to just keep it brief.
1) Interesting characters who also happen to have chemistry. (Yeah, this has a fantasy romantic comedy feel, and Gelineau and King do pull it off.)
2) Yet another brush stroke in the amazing portrait of the Echoes of the Ascended world, which further develops this complex land.
3) A tight mystery plot which delivers twists, more than enough action, and many comedic moments.
All of which meant I flew through Best Left in the Shadows during my free time last night (You know, after the wife and kids are asleep.), and I can’t wait to follow along with Alys and Dax's continuing adventures.
I received this book from the authors and Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank both of them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
Another highly entertaining entry into the Echoes of the Ascended novellas series by Mark Gelineau and Joe King, Best Left in the Shadows proves yet again these authors have big plans for their fantasy world, are talented enough to fulfill those dreams, and are far from a one trick pony, as each series is a unique story all its own.
Here Alys is a tough, streetsmart Lowsider. Selling secrets to the various gangs and crime bosses of the seedy underside of the capital has given her a comfortable life and made her a respected member of the underworld. Nor does it hurt that Alys is more than capable and more than willing to cut a throat or two whenever the need arises. So, when an old lover knocks on her door needing help with a delicate situation, she agrees . . . for a price.
In fact, Magistrate Inspector Daxton Ellis is investigating a murder. Not that another body showing up in Lowside is anything special. It happens everyday after all. What has sent Dax slumming in the undesirable section of town (and asking help of Alys of all people) is that the corpse in question was of a true blood girl: a direct descendant of the First Ascended. And when the children of important people die (especially in Lowside) someone is going to pay.
The investigation which follows is a twisting, turning affair, filled with lies, schemes, and tension. The aristocratic and idealistic Dax quickly finding himself out of his element, led into the hidden sanctums of crime lords, shadowy brothels, and neck-deep in a community filled with desperate, downtrodden people who would be more than happy to kill him — if he wasn’t being protected by Alys. And through it all, our unlikely team uncovers more than a few secrets, heals some old wounds, and discover than old feelings (even juvenile love) does not completely abandon us even when we are old enough to know better.
Descriptions for why I thoroughly enjoyed this novella are too numerous to list, but I’ll try to just keep it brief.
1) Interesting characters who also happen to have chemistry. (Yeah, this has a fantasy romantic comedy feel, and Gelineau and King do pull it off.)
2) Yet another brush stroke in the amazing portrait of the Echoes of the Ascended world, which further develops this complex land.
3) A tight mystery plot which delivers twists, more than enough action, and many comedic moments.
All of which meant I flew through Best Left in the Shadows during my free time last night (You know, after the wife and kids are asleep.), and I can’t wait to follow along with Alys and Dax's continuing adventures.
I received this book from the authors and Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank both of them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
January 20, 2016
This was one hell of a ride.
Alys seems like a very complex and intriguing character and I certainly want to know more about her. She is a bad-ass lady with a righteous heart,even though she’s probably not aware of this.
Daxton investigates the murder of a young woman and needs Alys’s help… To say that there’s some chemistry between them would be an understatement because there is so much chemistry between them that the chemistry itself seems to be a character on its own.
The story is very interesting and there are some pretty amazing twists. I loved how the authors focused more on the human aspect of Aedaron, even though I still like the supernatural aspects of this world. And that ending! Loved it so much. This novella is my second favourite so far. I really enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait for the sequel!
You can read this review on BookishFever.
*E-copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.*
Alys seems like a very complex and intriguing character and I certainly want to know more about her. She is a bad-ass lady with a righteous heart,even though she’s probably not aware of this.
Daxton investigates the murder of a young woman and needs Alys’s help… To say that there’s some chemistry between them would be an understatement because there is so much chemistry between them that the chemistry itself seems to be a character on its own.
The story is very interesting and there are some pretty amazing twists. I loved how the authors focused more on the human aspect of Aedaron, even though I still like the supernatural aspects of this world. And that ending! Loved it so much. This novella is my second favourite so far. I really enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait for the sequel!
You can read this review on BookishFever.
*E-copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.*
June 27, 2017
A rich girl from the right side of town was beaten and brutally murdered. Her body was found in the wrong part of town and it will surely draw attention.
Best Left in the Shadows was a miss for me largely because it's among my least favorite tropes. Forbidden love, wrong side of the tracks, and detective tale wrapped up into one is a hard sell for me, but I wanted to continue the Echoes of Ascended series so I read it anyway.
The story revolves around Alys and her former lover Dax. Alys is from the wrong side of the tracks, Lowside, she deals in secrets and is friends with questionable individuals. Dax is from a well to do family on the right side of the tracks, Highside, he's also a magistrate and the detective trying to find out who murdered the girl. I'm afraid if my eyes roll any harder they may stay that way.
If you love forbidden love, wrong side of the tracks, and or detective stories Best Left in the Shadows may be for you. If all those tropes make you cringe or yawn then it may be best to avoid this one.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Best Left in the Shadows was a miss for me largely because it's among my least favorite tropes. Forbidden love, wrong side of the tracks, and detective tale wrapped up into one is a hard sell for me, but I wanted to continue the Echoes of Ascended series so I read it anyway.
The story revolves around Alys and her former lover Dax. Alys is from the wrong side of the tracks, Lowside, she deals in secrets and is friends with questionable individuals. Dax is from a well to do family on the right side of the tracks, Highside, he's also a magistrate and the detective trying to find out who murdered the girl. I'm afraid if my eyes roll any harder they may stay that way.
If you love forbidden love, wrong side of the tracks, and or detective stories Best Left in the Shadows may be for you. If all those tropes make you cringe or yawn then it may be best to avoid this one.
2.5 out of 5 stars
January 9, 2016
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm quite surprised by how much I liked this story. The first few pages reminded me of reading a Sherlock Holmes story. You have murder (or what seems to be one), mystery, crazy plot twists that I really did see coming, lots of action, badass characters and even a hint of romance.
I always love reading a book with a strong female main character that knows what she wants and what's more important, she makes stuff happen. I liked Alys's personality a lot, though I admit she can be a bit pessimistic about her view on the world she lives in. It's a harsh and dark world but she's a fighter. She and Dax share history and I would have loved to know about it. Sadly, the author did include more details about that in this story. But we can always hope for it to happen in the next book that coming.
A great read for sure!
I'm quite surprised by how much I liked this story. The first few pages reminded me of reading a Sherlock Holmes story. You have murder (or what seems to be one), mystery, crazy plot twists that I really did see coming, lots of action, badass characters and even a hint of romance.
I always love reading a book with a strong female main character that knows what she wants and what's more important, she makes stuff happen. I liked Alys's personality a lot, though I admit she can be a bit pessimistic about her view on the world she lives in. It's a harsh and dark world but she's a fighter. She and Dax share history and I would have loved to know about it. Sadly, the author did include more details about that in this story. But we can always hope for it to happen in the next book that coming.
A great read for sure!
February 11, 2016
Zabavni karakteri sa ocitom prosloscu koji su ponovo spojeni zbog resavanja ubistva. Ostalo sve mi je dosta meh: sam svet, likove koje srecemo pa i sama misterija oko ubistva. Nije lose ali vec vidjeno i nekako dosadno.
A ocekivao sam da ce mi se ovo najvise svideti u ovom serijalu.
A ocekivao sam da ce mi se ovo najvise svideti u ovom serijalu.
February 6, 2016
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
The Echoes of the Ascended is a series that follows four different characters in stories set in the same universe but not all in the same genre. Of the book in this series that I've read so far, this was my favourite.
A noble lady has been killed and is found at the lower parts of the city. It's simply a case of bringing the murderer to justice, but these things are never simple, unfortunately.
First of all, it read like a Victorian murder mystery. If it had stated this took place in London, I would have believed it. I really liked how there seemed to be a lot of story (and detail) for the very limited number of pages in this novella. It was impressive really. I'm really looking forward to reading more of this particular part of the series!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The Echoes of the Ascended is a series that follows four different characters in stories set in the same universe but not all in the same genre. Of the book in this series that I've read so far, this was my favourite.
A noble lady has been killed and is found at the lower parts of the city. It's simply a case of bringing the murderer to justice, but these things are never simple, unfortunately.
First of all, it read like a Victorian murder mystery. If it had stated this took place in London, I would have believed it. I really liked how there seemed to be a lot of story (and detail) for the very limited number of pages in this novella. It was impressive really. I'm really looking forward to reading more of this particular part of the series!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
November 23, 2015
This is the third novella from Gelineau and King. There are four distinct series under the Echoes of the Ascended banner, all taking place in the same world. Each has a different feel. The first three series, those featuring Elinor, Ferran, and Alys take place somewhat around the same time. The fourth, which is a YA series that begins in December, jumps us back five years and follows Roan and Kay, along with the protagonists from the other three series.
It’s an unorthodox approach, but I applaud the audacity of the creators. And there is no reason that books with different influences shouldn’t take place in the same world. I would be interested in reading a grim, monster-hunting novel in the Harry Potter world, or the hard-boiled detective novel lurking in the streets of a city in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.
The first novella, Reaper of Stone, had a high-fantasy face, and followed Elinor, a clever, disciplined, hard-hitting soldier. This fits more closely to the typical epic fantasy feel that many fantasy readers are used to.
The second novella, rend the dark, is a monster-hunter driven book. It fits along the basic concept and feel of works like the movie Van Helsing, or Rick Yancey’s YA title The Monstrumologist, or heck, the video game Bloodborne.
This third novella, Best Left in the Shadows, is an interesting fantasy noir title; in some ways, it feels like a police procedural. Castle in Riften, maybe. It is, at heart, a detective novella. But it owns the setting and trappings of your typical urban city fantasy work. Don’t confuse that with “urban fantasy” because this is not UF. The setting shifts from the docks at night, to narrow alleyways, sewerscapes and waterways, and a seedy brothel.
Alys trades in information and favors. Due to a shared, complicated past, she assists a magistrate in the investigation of a murder on her local turf. She’s not usually the sort to help the authorities, and it isn’t good for her reputation. This provides some good conflict between the protagonists.
I do wish that the work was longer. Novellas fall into an interesting space between short stories and novels. Short stories, the good ones, make every word count. Novels have the ability to stretch out scenes, build atmosphere and tone, give us foils and time enough to live there. Novellas don’t provide the length to feel lived in, nor staccato precision. I want to live in these works long enough to fully understand the characters, setting, magic system, monsters and creatures and politics. I suppose that’s why it is good that these novellas continue on.
This is one of those stories that left me thinking, “I want to play this video game.” I enjoyed the overall tone, setting and character sketches. Conceptually, this is the best fit for me as a reader. Ultimately, though, I think I’ve enjoyed Reaper of Stone the most of the first three entries. But the first three novellas have combined into an intriguing patchwork quilt of story. And I’m excited to finish the short edge of the quilt with book four in December.
*I received a review copy from the authors in the hope that I would write a review for my website. I made no promises and the thoughts and perspectives are uninfluenced by the means of acquisition and are entirely my own.
It’s an unorthodox approach, but I applaud the audacity of the creators. And there is no reason that books with different influences shouldn’t take place in the same world. I would be interested in reading a grim, monster-hunting novel in the Harry Potter world, or the hard-boiled detective novel lurking in the streets of a city in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.
The first novella, Reaper of Stone, had a high-fantasy face, and followed Elinor, a clever, disciplined, hard-hitting soldier. This fits more closely to the typical epic fantasy feel that many fantasy readers are used to.
The second novella, rend the dark, is a monster-hunter driven book. It fits along the basic concept and feel of works like the movie Van Helsing, or Rick Yancey’s YA title The Monstrumologist, or heck, the video game Bloodborne.
This third novella, Best Left in the Shadows, is an interesting fantasy noir title; in some ways, it feels like a police procedural. Castle in Riften, maybe. It is, at heart, a detective novella. But it owns the setting and trappings of your typical urban city fantasy work. Don’t confuse that with “urban fantasy” because this is not UF. The setting shifts from the docks at night, to narrow alleyways, sewerscapes and waterways, and a seedy brothel.
Alys trades in information and favors. Due to a shared, complicated past, she assists a magistrate in the investigation of a murder on her local turf. She’s not usually the sort to help the authorities, and it isn’t good for her reputation. This provides some good conflict between the protagonists.
I do wish that the work was longer. Novellas fall into an interesting space between short stories and novels. Short stories, the good ones, make every word count. Novels have the ability to stretch out scenes, build atmosphere and tone, give us foils and time enough to live there. Novellas don’t provide the length to feel lived in, nor staccato precision. I want to live in these works long enough to fully understand the characters, setting, magic system, monsters and creatures and politics. I suppose that’s why it is good that these novellas continue on.
This is one of those stories that left me thinking, “I want to play this video game.” I enjoyed the overall tone, setting and character sketches. Conceptually, this is the best fit for me as a reader. Ultimately, though, I think I’ve enjoyed Reaper of Stone the most of the first three entries. But the first three novellas have combined into an intriguing patchwork quilt of story. And I’m excited to finish the short edge of the quilt with book four in December.
*I received a review copy from the authors in the hope that I would write a review for my website. I made no promises and the thoughts and perspectives are uninfluenced by the means of acquisition and are entirely my own.
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February 3, 2016Hi everybody! Mark here from Gelineau and King. Joe and I wanted to share our latest novella with you and tell you a bit about it here.
Best Left in the Shadows is our fantasy crime story. It’s equal parts murder and mystery, banter and action, lies and betrayal, all coming together in a crazy cocktail. We think there's a whole lot of fun to be had as you meet the cast of crooked and cunning characters that are the denizens of the dark alleys of Lowside.
The series follows Alys, our tough, streetwise, quick-witted, and quick-tongued thief and assassin. She’s paired with Daxton Ellis, a nobleman and Magistrate Inspector. They once were lovers. It cost them dearly and they separated, but now they are brought back together again.
They’re not ready to fall in love again, but not willing to be separated again either, even as their two worlds pull them apart.
The world of Lowside, and all of the capital city Resa, is a deep, complicated place, and our two protagonists are caught in the middle. It’s our version of a bloodier, bigger Romeo and Juliet in a fantasy, crime noir setting.
The complete story is told through a series of novellas. Think of it like your favorite episode-based TV show. Each novella can stand on its own, but when read together, it tells the fuller story.
Best Left in the Shadows is one of the four series in Echoes of the Ascended.
Echoes of the Ascended is a series of series.
It follows the lives of five orphans. Each series features different characters. Each is a different kind of tale.
Read one, two, three, or all the series to customize your own unique, personal experience into the grander story of Aedaron.
So come step into the shadows with Alys and Dax, and uncover the secrets that lie beneath the seedy surface of Lowside.
Mark & Joe
Best Left in the Shadows is our fantasy crime story. It’s equal parts murder and mystery, banter and action, lies and betrayal, all coming together in a crazy cocktail. We think there's a whole lot of fun to be had as you meet the cast of crooked and cunning characters that are the denizens of the dark alleys of Lowside.
The series follows Alys, our tough, streetwise, quick-witted, and quick-tongued thief and assassin. She’s paired with Daxton Ellis, a nobleman and Magistrate Inspector. They once were lovers. It cost them dearly and they separated, but now they are brought back together again.
They’re not ready to fall in love again, but not willing to be separated again either, even as their two worlds pull them apart.
The world of Lowside, and all of the capital city Resa, is a deep, complicated place, and our two protagonists are caught in the middle. It’s our version of a bloodier, bigger Romeo and Juliet in a fantasy, crime noir setting.
The complete story is told through a series of novellas. Think of it like your favorite episode-based TV show. Each novella can stand on its own, but when read together, it tells the fuller story.
Best Left in the Shadows is one of the four series in Echoes of the Ascended.
Echoes of the Ascended is a series of series.
It follows the lives of five orphans. Each series features different characters. Each is a different kind of tale.
Read one, two, three, or all the series to customize your own unique, personal experience into the grander story of Aedaron.
So come step into the shadows with Alys and Dax, and uncover the secrets that lie beneath the seedy surface of Lowside.
Mark & Joe
August 31, 2017
Best left in the shadows by Mark Gelineau and Joe king.
A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside dock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice.Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees. For a price.Together, they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer.
And really enjoyable read with great characters. I liked alys and dax. Can't wait for next part. 5*. Netgalley and Gelineau and king.
A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside dock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice.Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees. For a price.Together, they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer.
And really enjoyable read with great characters. I liked alys and dax. Can't wait for next part. 5*. Netgalley and Gelineau and king.
April 12, 2016
5 Words: Crime, friendship, loyalty, poverty, dark.
I think I'm in love with Alys.
She's dark and dry and darkly funny in a dry way. And she's vicious, both with actions and words.
This is a very different side to the Echoes of the Ascended world. This book was the least "fantasy" of the lot, it could almost have been set in historical London if it wasn't for the Razor making an appearance.
I absolutely loved this and can't wait for the next one!
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
I think I'm in love with Alys.
She's dark and dry and darkly funny in a dry way. And she's vicious, both with actions and words.
This is a very different side to the Echoes of the Ascended world. This book was the least "fantasy" of the lot, it could almost have been set in historical London if it wasn't for the Razor making an appearance.
I absolutely loved this and can't wait for the next one!
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
February 7, 2016
Reviewed on my blog - Books by Proxy
4 Stars
Gelineau and King take precedence over my reading pile as once again we return for a flying but highly satisfying visit to the world of Aedaron. Following the story of Alys, we are treated to another sub-genre shift as we enter Prionside in this fantastical detective noir, where the inhabitants of Highside and Lowside are divided by more than just distance.
Following my ever increasing enjoyment of the previous novellas, A Reaper of Stone and Rend the Dark, I had high hopes for another different but equally dazzling exploration of this dark and varied world. And Best Left in the Shadows does exactly this; with a feisty heroine and gritty urban setting, this short and satisfying read ticks another box for these talented and instantly addictive authors.
-
Best Left in the Shadows follows the story of Alys, an intelligent and street-wise young woman who earns her living trading secrets amongst the underworld of Lowside. But when a daughter of the Highside nobility is found murdered on the docks in Prionside, and the magistrate called in to investigate is a man whose past is entangled with her own, Alys must lead him through a maze of canals, alleyways and underworld politics to solve the case and find justice for the murdered girl. But with a complicated past and secrets of their own, there is more to discover than just the author of this crime.
-
This latest novella introduces yet another aspect of the diverse and rich world of Aedaron, where this time we venture into a city of crime and vice, providing the perfect backdrop to this detective noir. Twisted and narrow alleyways, dark and dirty canals, sewerworks and sumpworks, brothels and taverns, all play an intrinsic role in building up this grimy, industrial landscape where if its not for sale, it can and will be taken by force. With a knife in the back or a bolt to the neck an ever present possibility, the narrative conjures a dangerous setting for any criminal investigation.
Gelineau and King once again do not fail to impress with their effortless depiction of this slum-like city; one which is entirely different to its predecessors but an intrinsic part of the whole. Their descriptions are effortless, their humour ever-present, and the introduction to new characters in a new corner of the world make for an excellent, if short, read. The brief but enticing mentions of Highside also leave an intriguing impression and will no doubt come into play during future novellas. I certainly cannot wait to see a clash between these two opposing sides of the city and society.
Whilst the myriad ne’er-do-wells of Prionside make for a colourful cast of characters that intrigue, excite and lend more than a handful of tension and drama to this fantastical crime novella, it is the protagonists of this tale which truly shine. Alys has a fantastic and almost comedic voice; her tone conveying a light-hearted side to a novella which would otherwise seem much darker. Along with Dax, our investigating magistrate, the two play off one another to leave an impression of two fascinating characters whose tangled web of history and secrets provide an intriguing aside to the main narrative and which are slowly revealed over the course of the novella. And with a great deal more still to discover about the pair, we’re left with an enticing hook for the next Alys novella.
Best Left in the Shadows in another fantastic addition to the authors’ repertoire and, with the creation of another distinct and well-realised aspect of an already impressive world, had me hooked on Alys’ story from the very start. Whilst the thought of formulating an intriguing detective story over so short a read seems nigh impossible, Gelineau and King manage to craft a mysterious and satisfying tale which wraps up neatly at its conclusion and leaves enough personal intrigue to draw you onto the next novella. As a lover of crime and detective fiction, I can only hope that this theme is here to stay.
-
If you love being able to slip into a world in a multitude of sub-genres, experience it through the eyes of different characters, explore its different towns and cities and meet its varied inhabitants, then I couldn’t recommend the Echoes of the Ascended novellas enough. Best Left in the Shadows is another fantastic addition to this highly enjoyable series and can either be read on its own or as part of the whole. Once again, I’ve come away impressed and even more addicted to this dangerously compelling world, and I cannot wait for my next adventure with Alys!
4 Stars
Gelineau and King take precedence over my reading pile as once again we return for a flying but highly satisfying visit to the world of Aedaron. Following the story of Alys, we are treated to another sub-genre shift as we enter Prionside in this fantastical detective noir, where the inhabitants of Highside and Lowside are divided by more than just distance.
Following my ever increasing enjoyment of the previous novellas, A Reaper of Stone and Rend the Dark, I had high hopes for another different but equally dazzling exploration of this dark and varied world. And Best Left in the Shadows does exactly this; with a feisty heroine and gritty urban setting, this short and satisfying read ticks another box for these talented and instantly addictive authors.
-
Best Left in the Shadows follows the story of Alys, an intelligent and street-wise young woman who earns her living trading secrets amongst the underworld of Lowside. But when a daughter of the Highside nobility is found murdered on the docks in Prionside, and the magistrate called in to investigate is a man whose past is entangled with her own, Alys must lead him through a maze of canals, alleyways and underworld politics to solve the case and find justice for the murdered girl. But with a complicated past and secrets of their own, there is more to discover than just the author of this crime.
-
This latest novella introduces yet another aspect of the diverse and rich world of Aedaron, where this time we venture into a city of crime and vice, providing the perfect backdrop to this detective noir. Twisted and narrow alleyways, dark and dirty canals, sewerworks and sumpworks, brothels and taverns, all play an intrinsic role in building up this grimy, industrial landscape where if its not for sale, it can and will be taken by force. With a knife in the back or a bolt to the neck an ever present possibility, the narrative conjures a dangerous setting for any criminal investigation.
Gelineau and King once again do not fail to impress with their effortless depiction of this slum-like city; one which is entirely different to its predecessors but an intrinsic part of the whole. Their descriptions are effortless, their humour ever-present, and the introduction to new characters in a new corner of the world make for an excellent, if short, read. The brief but enticing mentions of Highside also leave an intriguing impression and will no doubt come into play during future novellas. I certainly cannot wait to see a clash between these two opposing sides of the city and society.
Whilst the myriad ne’er-do-wells of Prionside make for a colourful cast of characters that intrigue, excite and lend more than a handful of tension and drama to this fantastical crime novella, it is the protagonists of this tale which truly shine. Alys has a fantastic and almost comedic voice; her tone conveying a light-hearted side to a novella which would otherwise seem much darker. Along with Dax, our investigating magistrate, the two play off one another to leave an impression of two fascinating characters whose tangled web of history and secrets provide an intriguing aside to the main narrative and which are slowly revealed over the course of the novella. And with a great deal more still to discover about the pair, we’re left with an enticing hook for the next Alys novella.
Best Left in the Shadows in another fantastic addition to the authors’ repertoire and, with the creation of another distinct and well-realised aspect of an already impressive world, had me hooked on Alys’ story from the very start. Whilst the thought of formulating an intriguing detective story over so short a read seems nigh impossible, Gelineau and King manage to craft a mysterious and satisfying tale which wraps up neatly at its conclusion and leaves enough personal intrigue to draw you onto the next novella. As a lover of crime and detective fiction, I can only hope that this theme is here to stay.
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If you love being able to slip into a world in a multitude of sub-genres, experience it through the eyes of different characters, explore its different towns and cities and meet its varied inhabitants, then I couldn’t recommend the Echoes of the Ascended novellas enough. Best Left in the Shadows is another fantastic addition to this highly enjoyable series and can either be read on its own or as part of the whole. Once again, I’ve come away impressed and even more addicted to this dangerously compelling world, and I cannot wait for my next adventure with Alys!
January 14, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
My review can also be found on our blog Paein and Ms4Tune
I can’t help it! I’m addicted! Best Left In The Shadows is the third book in An Echo of the Ascended and my third book in three days. This novella series is all set in a fantasy world called Aedaron, but each book follows different groups of characters in different stories. I love that this book had a completely different feel to the previous two. While A Reaper of Stone and Rend the Dark were more medieval knight/ epic fantasy stories, Best Left In The Shadows had a more Victorian Murder Mystery feel to it! It’s incredibly clever how Gelineau and King have managed to create very different characters and settings and yet somehow still manage to bring them all together and make it work as a set. If I had more than two thumbs they’d all be up! :P
Best Left In The Shadows follows a Magistrate (a detective of sorts), named Daxton and his investigation into the murder of a young women. The body of this young upper-class daughter has been found on the grimy streets of the crime infested Lowside, and Daxton finds he needs help if he is ever to uncover who’s responsible. Alys is the last person Daxton wants to ask for help from, but ask he does and together they search for the truth.
I think this was my least favourite of the series so far. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, oh no, I definitely still loved this, its just to say I didn’t love it as much as the previous two. I missed the supernatural creatures that gave the first two such an amazing magical feel. But what Best Left In The Shadows lacked in supernatural qualities it made up for with a deeper look at the darker side of humanity itself. The story was filled with gritty characters and dirty back streets, lies and deception. There was also this great sexual tension between Alys and Daxton that created a witty banter, which was so much fun to read.
I loved that their roles were reversed. Daxton, the male, was the slightly naive one, hopeful and believed in love and happiness where as Alys, the female, was very cynical and street wise. It was very refreshing. The mystery itself was ok, but not the thing that kept me reading, that was mainly the relationships between the characters.
I’ll be interested to see what will happen next between Alys and Daxton, and hopefully they will link up with perhaps Ferran, Marieia and Riffolk??
My review can also be found on our blog Paein and Ms4Tune
I can’t help it! I’m addicted! Best Left In The Shadows is the third book in An Echo of the Ascended and my third book in three days. This novella series is all set in a fantasy world called Aedaron, but each book follows different groups of characters in different stories. I love that this book had a completely different feel to the previous two. While A Reaper of Stone and Rend the Dark were more medieval knight/ epic fantasy stories, Best Left In The Shadows had a more Victorian Murder Mystery feel to it! It’s incredibly clever how Gelineau and King have managed to create very different characters and settings and yet somehow still manage to bring them all together and make it work as a set. If I had more than two thumbs they’d all be up! :P
Best Left In The Shadows follows a Magistrate (a detective of sorts), named Daxton and his investigation into the murder of a young women. The body of this young upper-class daughter has been found on the grimy streets of the crime infested Lowside, and Daxton finds he needs help if he is ever to uncover who’s responsible. Alys is the last person Daxton wants to ask for help from, but ask he does and together they search for the truth.
I think this was my least favourite of the series so far. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, oh no, I definitely still loved this, its just to say I didn’t love it as much as the previous two. I missed the supernatural creatures that gave the first two such an amazing magical feel. But what Best Left In The Shadows lacked in supernatural qualities it made up for with a deeper look at the darker side of humanity itself. The story was filled with gritty characters and dirty back streets, lies and deception. There was also this great sexual tension between Alys and Daxton that created a witty banter, which was so much fun to read.
I loved that their roles were reversed. Daxton, the male, was the slightly naive one, hopeful and believed in love and happiness where as Alys, the female, was very cynical and street wise. It was very refreshing. The mystery itself was ok, but not the thing that kept me reading, that was mainly the relationships between the characters.
I’ll be interested to see what will happen next between Alys and Daxton, and hopefully they will link up with perhaps Ferran, Marieia and Riffolk??
June 20, 2019
Swashbuckling mystery! Nope, there are no pirates in this book, but the word “swashbuckling” came to mind while I was reading it. Must be because the story has scenes in docks, canals, dark alleys, and brothels. Plus there are battles involving swords, knives and a big ass scythe being handled by a kickass heroine.
Like with the previous Ascended books, I really love the characters and their dynamic. The female lead Alys is different from the heroines in Reaper and Rend the Dark, but she’s just as complex and strong. The male lead Dax, though no pushover, is a good contrast to her personality and their chemistry is fun to read.
The blurb pretty much sums up what the book is about, but of course there are also intriguing secrets and exciting twists that hit you as you read along. The ending kind of left me wanting, but I still can’t wait to know more about what happens with Alys and Dax in succeeding novels in this series. If you like fantasy noir, you should definitely check this book out.
I received a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligations. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This review first appeared on White Sky Project.
Like with the previous Ascended books, I really love the characters and their dynamic. The female lead Alys is different from the heroines in Reaper and Rend the Dark, but she’s just as complex and strong. The male lead Dax, though no pushover, is a good contrast to her personality and their chemistry is fun to read.
The blurb pretty much sums up what the book is about, but of course there are also intriguing secrets and exciting twists that hit you as you read along. The ending kind of left me wanting, but I still can’t wait to know more about what happens with Alys and Dax in succeeding novels in this series. If you like fantasy noir, you should definitely check this book out.
I received a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligations. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This review first appeared on White Sky Project.
December 16, 2015
"Best Left in the Shadows" is a short story--a fantasy that contains a mystery. A well-born girl is found dead in the slum area, so a well-born magistrate comes looking for answers. He's guided around by a low-born gal with whom he has a romantic past. They're an interesting contrast to each other--one is idealistic, the other very practical. Both can fight well, and they get the chance to do it. They ask questions, follow clues, and unravel the truth.
The characters were interesting, varied, and played well off each other. The fantasy world was reasonably well developed for a short story, and I could always follow what was going on even though I was unfamiliar with this world. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading future stories in the Alys series.
There was a fair amount of bad language (half of it relating to excrement and the other half cursing words). There was no sex. I was surprised and pleased by their depiction of a brothel, which focused on the people, not their sexual appeal. Overall, I'd recommend this fun, short story.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The characters were interesting, varied, and played well off each other. The fantasy world was reasonably well developed for a short story, and I could always follow what was going on even though I was unfamiliar with this world. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading future stories in the Alys series.
There was a fair amount of bad language (half of it relating to excrement and the other half cursing words). There was no sex. I was surprised and pleased by their depiction of a brothel, which focused on the people, not their sexual appeal. Overall, I'd recommend this fun, short story.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
May 20, 2016
This is the first book in the Best Left in the Shadows series.
A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside clock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice. Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees for a price. Together they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer...
I awarded this story three stars plainly for the fact it was such a short story (80 pages). It was a good story though which I will continue to read in the next book and review! If you have been following my reviews you will know I am not one for short stories and I found this way too short! Best Left in the Shadows is easy to read, easy to finish (1 hour or less) and well written. This would make the ideal story for readers who enjoy young adult, fantasy and mystery! I am sure the next story will sway my views towards the series and I hope it gets better. However, I must admit that it has a gorgeous cover which is always an added bonus.
A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside clock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice. Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees for a price. Together they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer...
I awarded this story three stars plainly for the fact it was such a short story (80 pages). It was a good story though which I will continue to read in the next book and review! If you have been following my reviews you will know I am not one for short stories and I found this way too short! Best Left in the Shadows is easy to read, easy to finish (1 hour or less) and well written. This would make the ideal story for readers who enjoy young adult, fantasy and mystery! I am sure the next story will sway my views towards the series and I hope it gets better. However, I must admit that it has a gorgeous cover which is always an added bonus.
June 26, 2016
An engaging fantasy novella involving the disappearance of a young woman of good family who turns up dead on the wrong side of town. A sharp investigator teams up with a street-wise woman born to the underworld and together they search for clues as to why a girl of noble breeding would turn up in Lowside.
The interaction between Dax and Alys is electric; we soon find out that they have a romantic history that still sparks. Alys is a woman of many talents, both clever and dangerous. She leads her former beau through the back alleys where prostitutes and petty criminals eke out a living, searching for clues to the victim's last days.
The story is fast paced and thoroughly engrossing. There is a nice little twist at the end that makes this a highly satisfying read. Thank you, Goodreads giveaway, for providing me with an advance copy of this book. I'll be reading more from this author in the near future.
The interaction between Dax and Alys is electric; we soon find out that they have a romantic history that still sparks. Alys is a woman of many talents, both clever and dangerous. She leads her former beau through the back alleys where prostitutes and petty criminals eke out a living, searching for clues to the victim's last days.
The story is fast paced and thoroughly engrossing. There is a nice little twist at the end that makes this a highly satisfying read. Thank you, Goodreads giveaway, for providing me with an advance copy of this book. I'll be reading more from this author in the near future.
February 22, 2016
Another little gem from this duo.
Alys is your typical 'tough woman from the slums', but she has carved out a comfortable life trading secrets between gangsters, politicians, whores, and whomever has something valuable to share. Daxton is the other side of the coin, a nobleborn-idealist-cop. Naturally these two have a history. So they gallivant around Lowside attempting so solve a murder. A tiny bit cliched. But it was a fun read and Alys is a great character, despite the cliches.
While I enjoy these little tales, I can't quite bring myself to give 5 stars. Perhaps there are just too many fantasy stereotypes within them. I haven't been blown away. Yet.
Alys is your typical 'tough woman from the slums', but she has carved out a comfortable life trading secrets between gangsters, politicians, whores, and whomever has something valuable to share. Daxton is the other side of the coin, a nobleborn-idealist-cop. Naturally these two have a history. So they gallivant around Lowside attempting so solve a murder. A tiny bit cliched. But it was a fun read and Alys is a great character, despite the cliches.
While I enjoy these little tales, I can't quite bring myself to give 5 stars. Perhaps there are just too many fantasy stereotypes within them. I haven't been blown away. Yet.
July 17, 2017
This is a fun short story and definitely gets you intrigued about the world these characters are in. And who wouldn't love a kick-butt, take no names, heroine?
December 29, 2015
ARC kindly provided by Gelineau and King via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review
Rating Plan
1 star : Strongly did not like the book, writing and plot was bad. Idea of the book was against my liking.
2 star : Didn't like it, didn't find it interesting or gripping. Seemed to drag on to me.
3 star : An average book. Wasn't bad or good. Everything else was well done. Original idea.
4 star : Like a 3 star but has potential to it as a series or the book grew on me as it progressed and certain scenes captured me. I Enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
5 star : I LOVED IT! I stayed up late until 3 am. Author is a genius, characters, plot, idea, development, EVERYTHING was EXCELLENT. Nothing else can possibly be said except that its 5 STAR!
Review
‘Best Left in the Shadows’ is the third novella in the 'An Echo of the Ascended' series and the first in the 'Alys' series. Under the ‘An Echo of the Ascended’ series are four DISTINCT series, they are: ‘Elinor’, ‘Ferran’, ‘Alys’ and ‘Roan and Kay’. It takes place in the mythical and fantastical world of Aedaron. The novella follows Alys's story and is as captivating, enthralling and enchanting as the blurb sounds.
Best Left in the Shadows is a fantasy crime noir story that explores the dark underworld of Resa, the capital city. Imagine a cross between Frank Miller’s Sin City and Game of Throne’s King Landing, but with a bit more fun and banter between our characters. Alys, an orphan, was adopted by the gangs that run Lowside. Smart and fearless, Alys trades secrets among the factions of the underworld. Daxton Ellis is a nobleman and magistrate inspector in Highside. A murder of a noble girl brings him back to Lowside. Back to the one person he swore he would never see again. (hint, it’s Alys!) Together, the two of them go in search of a killer.
Daxton Ellis is the male lead; Alys is the female lead. Together these two had great chemistry and individuality were no pushovers to each other’s strong personalities and dynamics. They were complex, resilient and absolutely loveable. The palpable tension between Alys and Dax made it interesting to read about the two.
One of my regrets when reading was the short length of the novella: it left me completely satisfied and enticed but deeply craving for more. Like all its predecessors, I wished it to be longer. The upside was that the novellas provided room for expansion on the world of Aedaron and allowed for these novellas to be knitted together to create an interesting patchwork of an image: one I am entirely too eager to see.
Since this is the third novella I have read which has been written by Mark Gelineau and Joe King, I am familiar with their style. What I really admire about their novellas is how they are able to launch into the story straight away and often start with a BANG! Somehow, their jumping straight into the story doesn't not ruin it at all by confusion me or making me question stuff; instead, it brings an sense and atmosphere of history and establishment, of thorough development of characters AND plot.
Great detail and AMAZING world-building. Characters are complicated and unique. Compelling and rich. Strong imagery language that forced me to be PRESENT in the story; it twisted and weaved and spinned. I absolutely LOVED it! Everything was very vivid and for that I applaud the authors, Mark and Joe.
Congratulations to Mark Gelineau and Joe King on publishing a 5 STAR novella!
Rating Plan
1 star : Strongly did not like the book, writing and plot was bad. Idea of the book was against my liking.
2 star : Didn't like it, didn't find it interesting or gripping. Seemed to drag on to me.
3 star : An average book. Wasn't bad or good. Everything else was well done. Original idea.
4 star : Like a 3 star but has potential to it as a series or the book grew on me as it progressed and certain scenes captured me. I Enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
5 star : I LOVED IT! I stayed up late until 3 am. Author is a genius, characters, plot, idea, development, EVERYTHING was EXCELLENT. Nothing else can possibly be said except that its 5 STAR!
April 2, 2016
Thank you to the author for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publish date: 15th November 2015
Full review can also be found on: Paein and Ms4Tune’s Book Blog
This story was completely different to the other two! There was barely anything relating it to the previous books except that I know Alys went to the same orphanage as the others and the Razors from book 1 were mentioned. This was far more of a mystery based story and the least like a 'fantasy' story beyond it's other-world setting. I think it's quite clever how they've got a collection of vastly different stories all set within the same world. You probably won't NEED to read them all to understand either. This one had more of a Victorian London feel to it where as the others felt a little more...middle ages perhaps. Castles and monsters and Knights and Legends. This one could suddenly sprout steampunk contraptions and I wouldn't blink an eye.
This one reminded me of The Mind of the Phoenix by Jamie McLachlan. The whole opposite-sides-of-the-justice-system-but-working-together thing. Which is odd because Dax was nothing like Keenan! I did like Dax, I think I'd even say he's even my favourite so far, though Ferran could be a close second. Why this is, well I think it's perhaps to do with his parting shot to Alys. I do like a bit of sass. I also liked Alys and Dax together. There seemed more socialness in this book, but that might just be because all of the characters had history together, we were joining in in the middle, not tagging along for the start. The mystery was interesting but not gripping - but then this IS an introductory story. Just like with The Mind of the Phoenix what I enjoyed most was the relationship between the main characters. I find how people interact facinating and I'm a big fan of banter. And the rules, they are a changin'.
I can't wait to see what the last book has in store for me! Will it be totally different again??
May 18, 2016
Original Review Here
Having read a few novellas by Joe King and Mark Galineau, I was beginning to understand the worlds they were creating and the type of magic they liked to use. I was looking forward to Best Left in Shadows and that enthusiasm was well-rewarded; it read as their best yet.
When considering why I thoroughly enjoyed this one more than the rest, it came down to the plot. Despite being set in their world of magic etc, it was just a straightforward murder case that forced two people with a past to work together. There weren’t creatures and powers to get your head around; you knew from the beginning what was going on. World-building has a very limited space in a novella and I felt this one worked with the genre – it gave you something simple with a magical twist on it.
The plot alone was not why I enjoyed this one so much. The characters were conflicted, with deep running emotions and flaws that made them human. It allowed the reader to connect to them, to empathise with them in a way that was missing from their other books. You felt as if you knew them, what drove them and what held them back in just that short time! There was mystery, certainly – Alys also being called Rose makes me want to know her backstory and Dax’s connections to royalty was a great hint to his character – but it added to the tension rather than drawing the reader back.
Despite the lack of magic in this novella, what power there was seemed to be explained in a much clearer way. When discussing a Razor, it was suggested in a sentence what their connection to magic was and how they used it. It might have been brief, but this book led me to understand more than all of the others put together.
Due to the simplicity of the plot, the pace was steady and the tension increased in all of the right places. There was no sudden magical intervention to save the characters because the book was coming to an end; their actions were their own. This not only made me like the book more, it gave me more respect for the characters.
I’m looking forward to seeing where this story arc goes considering the beginning. It felt right; like King and Galineau ticked all the boxes with this one.
Having read a few novellas by Joe King and Mark Galineau, I was beginning to understand the worlds they were creating and the type of magic they liked to use. I was looking forward to Best Left in Shadows and that enthusiasm was well-rewarded; it read as their best yet.
When considering why I thoroughly enjoyed this one more than the rest, it came down to the plot. Despite being set in their world of magic etc, it was just a straightforward murder case that forced two people with a past to work together. There weren’t creatures and powers to get your head around; you knew from the beginning what was going on. World-building has a very limited space in a novella and I felt this one worked with the genre – it gave you something simple with a magical twist on it.
The plot alone was not why I enjoyed this one so much. The characters were conflicted, with deep running emotions and flaws that made them human. It allowed the reader to connect to them, to empathise with them in a way that was missing from their other books. You felt as if you knew them, what drove them and what held them back in just that short time! There was mystery, certainly – Alys also being called Rose makes me want to know her backstory and Dax’s connections to royalty was a great hint to his character – but it added to the tension rather than drawing the reader back.
Despite the lack of magic in this novella, what power there was seemed to be explained in a much clearer way. When discussing a Razor, it was suggested in a sentence what their connection to magic was and how they used it. It might have been brief, but this book led me to understand more than all of the others put together.
Due to the simplicity of the plot, the pace was steady and the tension increased in all of the right places. There was no sudden magical intervention to save the characters because the book was coming to an end; their actions were their own. This not only made me like the book more, it gave me more respect for the characters.
I’m looking forward to seeing where this story arc goes considering the beginning. It felt right; like King and Galineau ticked all the boxes with this one.
April 4, 2016
The book blurb:
‘A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside dock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice.
Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees. For a price.
Together, they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer.’
Alys is a very intriguing character, she is strong and forceful; dominant in her encounters and her relationships. There is also a hint to her ‘Highside’ past and adds another layer to her character. Alys is our introduction to the ‘underworld’ created by Gelineau and King and it is a refreshing change of scene in Aedaron. Here we are given a view of this world from the eyes of those outside of the military; where previously, in the Aedaron series, we have seen the conflict between the nobility and the common-folk; here we see the conflict between the law enforcement and the law-breakers.
What Gelineau and King have been able to do here, in such limited space, is to introduce a world of shady characters, brothels and everything else that you would associate with the ‘underworld’. Also, they have introduced a magistrate inspector, Dax; he is a character who still sees the romance in the world and whose cynicism does not run deep. This juxtaposes both his and Alys’ characters very well; romantic v cynic, optimist v pessimist (realist), and the relationship between the two is formed very well over the course of this novella.
There is the right amount of ‘sleuthing’ within this story and the clues are gathered through interesting channels that all add to the creation of this underworld. The pace set by the authors is fantastic and barely lets you pause for breath. All in all, it is another very good story from Gelineau and King and well worth a read.
Rating
4/5
https://dancrossbookblog.wordpress.com
‘A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside dock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice.
Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees. For a price.
Together, they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer.’
Alys is a very intriguing character, she is strong and forceful; dominant in her encounters and her relationships. There is also a hint to her ‘Highside’ past and adds another layer to her character. Alys is our introduction to the ‘underworld’ created by Gelineau and King and it is a refreshing change of scene in Aedaron. Here we are given a view of this world from the eyes of those outside of the military; where previously, in the Aedaron series, we have seen the conflict between the nobility and the common-folk; here we see the conflict between the law enforcement and the law-breakers.
What Gelineau and King have been able to do here, in such limited space, is to introduce a world of shady characters, brothels and everything else that you would associate with the ‘underworld’. Also, they have introduced a magistrate inspector, Dax; he is a character who still sees the romance in the world and whose cynicism does not run deep. This juxtaposes both his and Alys’ characters very well; romantic v cynic, optimist v pessimist (realist), and the relationship between the two is formed very well over the course of this novella.
There is the right amount of ‘sleuthing’ within this story and the clues are gathered through interesting channels that all add to the creation of this underworld. The pace set by the authors is fantastic and barely lets you pause for breath. All in all, it is another very good story from Gelineau and King and well worth a read.
Rating
4/5
https://dancrossbookblog.wordpress.com
February 2, 2016
When I saw this cover on *Netgalley I immediately had to check out the book summary. The cover was that great looking!
I normally don't read novellas. The reason being that I often find there to be a big lack of world building and I always want just a bit more. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The world building was there and even better I could actually see the dingy oily Lowside in my mind.
I loved the characters and the fact that their past effects how they work together for better and for worse. Alys is a strong character who in some way reminds of a pirate (might be the beaded braids in her hair). Dax was an interesting character as well since he was out of his element being in the Lowside but he held his own.
The mystery element was there and I didn't see the ending coming. That's something that is hard to do with mystery's and I think they did an excellent job with that.
All in all this was a very enjoyable book that zipped right along. My only complaint of course is that it was too short. I was left wanting more. It almost screamed of needing to be a full length novel. But I really do look forward to reading the next one and plan to. I can totally see the authors putting out an addition with several of the books bound into one. I also plan on checking out some of their other novellas.
This was a great introduction to me of authors I have never seen nor heard of before but I can see them becoming vastly popular. I'm giving 4 out 5 stars. Well done!
4 out of 5 stars
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
I normally don't read novellas. The reason being that I often find there to be a big lack of world building and I always want just a bit more. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The world building was there and even better I could actually see the dingy oily Lowside in my mind.
I loved the characters and the fact that their past effects how they work together for better and for worse. Alys is a strong character who in some way reminds of a pirate (might be the beaded braids in her hair). Dax was an interesting character as well since he was out of his element being in the Lowside but he held his own.
The mystery element was there and I didn't see the ending coming. That's something that is hard to do with mystery's and I think they did an excellent job with that.
All in all this was a very enjoyable book that zipped right along. My only complaint of course is that it was too short. I was left wanting more. It almost screamed of needing to be a full length novel. But I really do look forward to reading the next one and plan to. I can totally see the authors putting out an addition with several of the books bound into one. I also plan on checking out some of their other novellas.
This was a great introduction to me of authors I have never seen nor heard of before but I can see them becoming vastly popular. I'm giving 4 out 5 stars. Well done!
4 out of 5 stars
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
April 23, 2017
I am going to start this review off with saying, I am a huge sucker for a Galineau/ King novella. Echoes of the Ascended is one of my favorite series to reach recently, and they aren't even full books. Every novella is like a little torture; so good, but so short-lived.
Best Left in the Shadows follows one of our orphans Alys as she runs around and just plain runs Lowside, the poor and criminal neighborhood of the city. She gets tangled up in a high profile murder investigation when her ex lover Dax calls upon her to help solve it quickly and quietly, making her an offer she couldn't refuse. And yet, will they be able to go their separate ways after this is said and done, or will the old flame rekindle under the pressure?
Dax is a likeable character who is idealistic to Alys's jaded, morally upright to her morally craven. I loved watching his delving into the Lowside, and the end presents a fun twist that is gratifying to both Alys and Dax. I wish it was easier to like Alys, but I have lots of hopes for the second novella coming out shortly!
This is a darkly fun way to be introduced to the city in the Echoes of the Ascended series. For the most part we have only seen the towns and countryside, so seeing how the other half lives, both rich and poor, is refreshing and presents a better look at the class tensions.
Biting at the bit to start the next one! Thank you, Netgalley and our esteemed authors, for yet another fun ride!
Best Left in the Shadows follows one of our orphans Alys as she runs around and just plain runs Lowside, the poor and criminal neighborhood of the city. She gets tangled up in a high profile murder investigation when her ex lover Dax calls upon her to help solve it quickly and quietly, making her an offer she couldn't refuse. And yet, will they be able to go their separate ways after this is said and done, or will the old flame rekindle under the pressure?
Dax is a likeable character who is idealistic to Alys's jaded, morally upright to her morally craven. I loved watching his delving into the Lowside, and the end presents a fun twist that is gratifying to both Alys and Dax. I wish it was easier to like Alys, but I have lots of hopes for the second novella coming out shortly!
This is a darkly fun way to be introduced to the city in the Echoes of the Ascended series. For the most part we have only seen the towns and countryside, so seeing how the other half lives, both rich and poor, is refreshing and presents a better look at the class tensions.
Biting at the bit to start the next one! Thank you, Netgalley and our esteemed authors, for yet another fun ride!
March 12, 2016
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review of it. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
Best Left in the Shadows is an engaging read from Mark Gelineau and Joe King. Alys is called upon by a friend to help solve a murder of a young lady who was born into a family with an old name and thereby old blood which holds influence. The person asking her for help is an old love of Alys’. Alys trades in secrets and information and she’s good at what she does so she knows what must be done to gather the information needed to solve this case and gather more information that will aide her in the future.
This story is well written and thoroughly engaging as we are taken along with Alys and Dax to learn the truth to what has happened to this young girl found beaten and murdered on the docks. My only regret is that it is so short. I would have loved to know more about the history between Alys and Dax and what happened between them. The way that the story wraps up it is well done but at the same time leaves you wanting to know more as it should.
Being acquainted with Mark Gelineau and Joe King’s work before I can definitely say that I know that despite the shortness of these stories many others will definitely enjoy them and come to crave to know more about each of these well written characters and who they are. I give Best Left in the Shadows five out of five stars.
Best Left in the Shadows is an engaging read from Mark Gelineau and Joe King. Alys is called upon by a friend to help solve a murder of a young lady who was born into a family with an old name and thereby old blood which holds influence. The person asking her for help is an old love of Alys’. Alys trades in secrets and information and she’s good at what she does so she knows what must be done to gather the information needed to solve this case and gather more information that will aide her in the future.
This story is well written and thoroughly engaging as we are taken along with Alys and Dax to learn the truth to what has happened to this young girl found beaten and murdered on the docks. My only regret is that it is so short. I would have loved to know more about the history between Alys and Dax and what happened between them. The way that the story wraps up it is well done but at the same time leaves you wanting to know more as it should.
Being acquainted with Mark Gelineau and Joe King’s work before I can definitely say that I know that despite the shortness of these stories many others will definitely enjoy them and come to crave to know more about each of these well written characters and who they are. I give Best Left in the Shadows five out of five stars.
January 5, 2016
Why you should read it: One of the most engaging and well written fantasy novellas I've ever read!
Crime/Police novels are not my thing but I was completely sucked into the world of Best Left in the Shadows from the very first page. I was invested in Alys's story and the longer Alys and Dax were together, the more I enjoyed Dax's personality. Alys was a total BAMF and carried the story but all the supporting characters were wicked cool and had their own special flare that added another rich layer.
The world development and the way Gelineau and King described the setting and characters gave me a perfect visual (well, my version of perfect ^_^), so perfect that I was completely immersed throughout the entirety of the novella and created a hunger in me to read the rest of their works. I have three more of their novellas in my queue and will be reading them very soon!!
5 BAMFing Stars!
March 3, 2016
'Best Left in the Shadows' by Mark Gelineau and Joe King is another cracking novella in their fantasy series. This time, a sort of police proecdural.
When a Highside girl if found beaten and murdered near a Lowside dock, a lawman, named Daxton, from the good side of the tracks shows up to find out what happened. He forms an alliance with a woman, named Alys, who is adept at fighting and familiar with the Lowside. She will help guide him in his investigation and provide introductions where necessary, like the madam who runs the local brothel. She also provides warning about local danger, like the street gang known as the Leather Aprons. The clues lead them around the Lowside and eventually to an answer that seemed a bit obvious to me.
But, I loved the characters. This is really tight writing, and I'm enjoying the heck out of the world these two authors are building. I'd like to see more investigative team ups with Daxton and Alys. They have a beguiling chemistry, which is interesting, considering the novella is only 80 pages long. This might be my favorite of the three I've read so far.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Gelineau and King, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
When a Highside girl if found beaten and murdered near a Lowside dock, a lawman, named Daxton, from the good side of the tracks shows up to find out what happened. He forms an alliance with a woman, named Alys, who is adept at fighting and familiar with the Lowside. She will help guide him in his investigation and provide introductions where necessary, like the madam who runs the local brothel. She also provides warning about local danger, like the street gang known as the Leather Aprons. The clues lead them around the Lowside and eventually to an answer that seemed a bit obvious to me.
But, I loved the characters. This is really tight writing, and I'm enjoying the heck out of the world these two authors are building. I'd like to see more investigative team ups with Daxton and Alys. They have a beguiling chemistry, which is interesting, considering the novella is only 80 pages long. This might be my favorite of the three I've read so far.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Gelineau and King, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
April 22, 2017
Best Left in the Shadows ha sido otra novela corta de Mark Gelineau y Joe King que me resultó muy satisfactoria de leer. Me gustó tanto como Faith and Moonlight y, al igual que en esa, creo que los personajes son lo mejor. Kay y Roan son adorables, pero Alys y Dax son increíbles *-*
Trama: Sencilla, rápida, sin complicaciones e interesante. El suspenso no se puede extender por muchas páginas porque es una historia corta, pero aún así logra atraparte y convencerte de leerla de un tirón.
Personajes: Alys es una pro. Punto. Sin embargo, también me gustó mucho Dax porque, a parte de ser un caballero valiente y honrado, también es sensible y eso es muy lindo. No es un tarado o un estirado debido a su posición, eso lo hace aún más simpático.
Romance: La novela menciona atisbos de lo que fue la historia romántica que ambos protas compartieron en el pasado. No hay mucho romance en sí, pero me ha gustado la tensión y química que fluye entre los dos. El final me ha encantado y espero que haya un poquito más de romance en los siguientes libros.
Como conclusión, debo decir que adoro estas novellas. Lo único malo es que son terriblemente cortas y siempre me quedo con ganas de saber más. Leeré Civil Blood, que es la continuación, y estoy segura de que me gustara tanto como este.
Trama: Sencilla, rápida, sin complicaciones e interesante. El suspenso no se puede extender por muchas páginas porque es una historia corta, pero aún así logra atraparte y convencerte de leerla de un tirón.
Personajes: Alys es una pro. Punto. Sin embargo, también me gustó mucho Dax porque, a parte de ser un caballero valiente y honrado, también es sensible y eso es muy lindo. No es un tarado o un estirado debido a su posición, eso lo hace aún más simpático.
Romance: La novela menciona atisbos de lo que fue la historia romántica que ambos protas compartieron en el pasado. No hay mucho romance en sí, pero me ha gustado la tensión y química que fluye entre los dos. El final me ha encantado y espero que haya un poquito más de romance en los siguientes libros.
Como conclusión, debo decir que adoro estas novellas. Lo único malo es que son terriblemente cortas y siempre me quedo con ganas de saber más. Leeré Civil Blood, que es la continuación, y estoy segura de que me gustara tanto como este.
December 12, 2015
The Echo of the Ascended series is done very differently from other fantasy adventures in that each book so far is a part of a particular characters story, and they are very short novellas. Best Left in the Shadows is our introduction to Alys, a heroine who doesn’t let anyone or anything stand in her way, and knows how to get what she wants. I was blown away by the detail and world building that was accomplished in so few pages. I didn’t feel like I was seeing a section of a puzzle, more like I was reading a story that would contribute to a larger whole, but is compelling and rich all on its own. If you’ve ever read a book where a character tells a tale around a campfire, this reads like one of those tales. And when you read A Reaper of Stone and Rend the Dark, preferably before Best Left In The Shadows but not absolutely necessary, you’ll get a better idea of the bigger picture here. I’m looking forward to seeing how these stories intertwine in future installments. 4.5 stars!
***I was provided with a free copy for my honest review. All opinions are my own and I was in no way compensated for my opinion.***
***I was provided with a free copy for my honest review. All opinions are my own and I was in no way compensated for my opinion.***
July 20, 2016
Alys trades in secrets. Beholden to no-one, she's respected by Lowside criminals and handy in a dirty fight. Her former lover Dax, a blue-blooded magistrate, is drawn back to Lowside when a noble girl is found dead on the docks. Can they set aside their past to hunt down the killer?
Don't mess with Alys. She's every bit as capable with her weapons as Elinor (A Reaper of Stone), and far less likely to act with honour. My favourite scene saw her facing off against a Razor - who we've long-since learned to respect and fear - and she barely broke stride. The street crims know her name, and everyone gives her the time of day. Also, she gets stunning cover art. She's a great heroine, although I'd like to see her stretched - everything in Best Left in the Shadows came a bit too easily.
Good stuff, if a bit thin - it's tough doing crime with a limited word count. Good world-building as usual; I particularly enjoyed the underworld characters.
Full review.
Don't mess with Alys. She's every bit as capable with her weapons as Elinor (A Reaper of Stone), and far less likely to act with honour. My favourite scene saw her facing off against a Razor - who we've long-since learned to respect and fear - and she barely broke stride. The street crims know her name, and everyone gives her the time of day. Also, she gets stunning cover art. She's a great heroine, although I'd like to see her stretched - everything in Best Left in the Shadows came a bit too easily.
Good stuff, if a bit thin - it's tough doing crime with a limited word count. Good world-building as usual; I particularly enjoyed the underworld characters.
Full review.
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